bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trust, corruption, and compliance with regulations: Attitudes to rule violations in theGreat Limpopo Transfrontier Park
Authors: Jagers Sverker C. , Sjöstedt Martin , Sundström Aksel , Linell Amanda , Ntuli Herbert
Published: August 2021

Objective

While trust is proposed as a key concept to understand people's compliance in natural resource governance, research would benefit from being more precise. Our aim is to test whether more specific survey measures of people's tendency to violate rules and the degree to which law enforcing rangers are seen as corrupt trumps more commonly used items on intra‐personal trust and trust in institutions.

Methods

We analyze an original survey of residents within the boundaries of the Great Limpopo Park, straddling Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

Results

While general trust items predict compliance intentions in a first model, these effects largely disappear when we introduce more specific measures. We find consistent negative effects from perceived corruption among rangers. We also report negative effects from perceptions of other people's noncompliant behavior.

Conclusion

Compliance to natural resource regulations hinges on specific perceptions of how rule enforcing agents and other resource users act.
Crisis, State and Health Care Entitlement in Recent Brazil: A Pachukanis’ Critical Approach
Authors: Carnut Leonardo , Mendes Áquilas
Published: August 2021

This article discusses the nature of the capitalist crisis and its effects on the dismantling of the hard achievements of the universal health care entitlement in recent Brazil. It performs an analysis based on the limits of Brazilian state’s action, organically linked to capital movement and its crisis, particularly on ‘legal form’. In order to deepen this subject, it is based on the theoretical perspective of Pachukanis’ General Theory of Law, emphasizing its analysis on the difficult coexistence between public and private law, in order to understand the crisis of the right to health care.
Analyzing the vocal tract characteristics for out-of-breath speech
Authors: Sahoo Sibasis , Dandapat Samarendra
Published: August 2021

In this work, vocal tract characteristic changes under the out-of-breath condition are explored. Speaking under the influence of physical exercise is called out-of-breath speech. The change in breathing pattern results in perceptual changes in the produced sound. For vocal tract, the first four formants show a lowering in their average frequency. The bandwidths BF1 and BF2 widen, whereas the other two get narrowed. The change in bandwidth is small for the last three. For a speaker, the change in frequency and bandwidth may not be uniform across formants. Subband analysis is carried out around formants for comparing the variation of the vocal tract with the source. A vocal tract adaptive empirical wavelet transform is used for extracting formant specific subbands from speech and source. The support vector machine performs the subband-based binary classification between the normal and out-of-breath speech. For all speakers, it shows an F1-score improvement of 4% over speech subbands. Similarly, a performance improvement of 5% can be seen for both male and female speakers. Furthermore, the misclassification amount is less for source compared to speech. These results suggest that physical exercise influences the source more than the vocal tract.
The Novel bis-1,2,4-Triazine MIPS-0004373 Demonstrates Rapid and Potent Activity against All Blood Stages of the Malaria Parasite
Authors: Ellis Katherine M. , Lucantoni Leonardo , Chavchich Marina , Abraham Matthew , De Paoli Amanda , Luth Madeline R. , Zeeman Anne-Marie , Delves Michael J. , Terán Fernando Sánchez-Román , Straschil Ursula , Baum Jake , Kocken Clemens H. M. , Ralph Stuart A. , Winzeler Elizabeth A. , Avery Vicky M. , Edstein Michael D. , Baell Jonathan B. , Creek Darren J.
Published: August 2021

Novel bis-1,2,4-triazine compounds with potent
in vitro
activity against
Plasmodium falciparum
parasites were recently identified. The bis-1,2,4-triazines represent a unique antimalarial pharmacophore and are proposed to act by a novel but as-yet-unknown mechanism of action.
In Vitro
and
In Vivo
Efficacy of Albendazole Chitosan Microspheres with Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy in the Treatment of Spinal Echinococcosis
Authors: Wang Sibo , Wang Shan , Wang Weishan , Dai Yi , Qiu Zhongpeng , Ke Wei , Geng Minghao , Li Jing , Li Ke , Ma Qingyuan , Li Feng
Published: August 2021

Currently, there is a lack of clinically safe and effective treatment for spinal cystic echinococcosis (CE). Recent studies have shown that albendazole chitosan microspheres (ABZ-CS-MPs) and irradiation have certain anti-abdominal echinococcosis ability, so this study aims to compare the
in vitro
and
in vivo
therapeutic effects of ABZ-CS-MPs, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), and combination therapy on spinal echinococcosis.
OmpF Downregulation Mediated by Sigma E or OmpR Activation Confers Cefalexin Resistance in Escherichia coli in the Absence of Acquired β-Lactamases
Authors: Alzayn Maryam , Dulyayangkul Punyawee , Satapoomin Naphat , Heesom Kate J. , Avison Matthew B.
Published: August 2021

Cefalexin is a widely used first-generation cephalosporin, and resistance in
Escherichia coli
is caused by extended-spectrum (e.g., CTX-M) and AmpC β-lactamase production and therefore frequently coincides with third-generation cephalosporin resistance. However, we have recently identified large numbers of
E. coli
isolates from human infections, and from cattle, where cefalexin resistance is not β-lactamase mediated.
Role of Epistasis in Amikacin, Kanamycin, Bedaquiline, and Clofazimine Resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex
Authors: Vargas Roger , Freschi Luca , Spitaleri Andrea , Tahseen Sabira , Barilar Ivan , Niemann Stefan , Miotto Paolo , Cirillo Daniela Maria , Köser Claudio U. , Farhat Maha R.
Published: August 2021

Antibiotic resistance among bacterial pathogens poses a major global health threat.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
complex (MTBC) is estimated to have the highest resistance rates of any pathogen globally. Given the low growth rate and the need for a biosafety level 3 laboratory, the only realistic avenue to scale up drug susceptibility testing (DST) for this pathogen is to rely on genotypic techniques.
Small Intestinal Levels of the Branched Short-Chain Fatty Acid Isovalerate Are Elevated during Infection with Heligmosomoides polygyrus and Can Promote Helminth Fecundity
Authors: Kennedy Mia H. E. , Brosschot Tara P. , Lawrence Katherine M. , FitzPatrick Rachael D. , Lane Jenna M. , Mariene Grace M. , Wasmuth James D. , Reynolds Lisa A.
Published: August 2021

Heligmosomoides polygyrusis a helminth which naturally infects mice and is widely used as a laboratory model of chronic small intestinal helminth infection. While it is known that infection withH. polygyrusalters the composition of the host’s bacterial microbiota, the functional implications of this alteration are unclear.
River sinuosity describes a continuum between randomness and ordered growth
Authors: Limaye Ajay B. , Lazarus Eli D. , Li Yuan , Schwenk Jon
Published: August 2021

River channels are among the most common landscape features on Earth. An essential characteristic of channels is sinuosity: their tendency to take a circuitous path, which is quantified as along-stream length divided by straight-line length. River sinuosity is interpreted as a characteristic that either forms randomly at channel inception or develops over time as meander bends migrate. Studies tend to assume the latter and thus have used river sinuosity as a proxy for both modern and ancient environmental factors including climate, tectonics, vegetation, and geologic structure. But no quantitative criterion for planform expression has distinguished between random, initial sinuosity and that developed by ordered growth through channel migration. This ambiguity calls into question the utility of river sinuosity for understanding Earth's history. We propose a quantitative framework to reconcile these competing explanations for river sinuosity. Using a coupled analysis of modeled and natural channels, we show that while a majority of observed sinuosity is consistent with randomness and limited channel migration, rivers with sinuosity ≥1.5 likely formed their geometry through sustained, ordered growth due to channel migration. This criterion frames a null hypothesis for river sinuosity that can be applied to evaluate the significance of environmental interpretations in landscapes shaped by rivers. The quantitative link between sinuosity and channel migration further informs strategies for preservation and restoration of riparian habitat and guides predictions of fluvial deposits in the rock record and in remotely sensed environments from the seafloor to planetary surfaces.
Supplemental Material: Landslide hypothesis for the origin of Haleakala volcano’s crater and great valleys, Hawaii
Authors: Bishop K.M.
Published: August 2021

Figure 1. Haleakala volcano location, geology, and rainfall map. Figure 1 is interactive. Use the buttons directly below the map to view the different layers. Layers may be viewed separately or in combination using the capabilities of the Acrobat (PDF) layering function (click “Layers” icon along vertical bar on left side of window for display of available layers; turn layers on or off by clicking the box to the left of the layer name).
Gene therapy for neuromuscular disorders: prospects and ethics
Authors: Ryan Monique M
Published: August 2021

Most childhood neuromuscular disorders are caused by mutations causing abnormal expression or regulation of single genes or genetic pathways. The potential for gene therapy, gene editing and genetic therapies to ameliorate the course of these conditions is extraordinarily exciting, but there are significant challenges associated with their use, particularly with respect to safety, efficacy, cost and equity. Engagement with these novel technologies mandates careful assessment of the benefits and burdens of treatment for the patient, their family and their society. The examples provided by spinal muscular atrophy and Duchenne muscular dystrophy illustrate the potential value and challenges of gene and genetic therapies for paediatric neurological conditions. The cost and complexity of administration of these agents is a challenge for all countries. Jurisdictional variations in availability of newborn screening, genetic diagnostics, drug approval and reimbursement pathways, treatment and rehabilitation will affect equity of access, nationally and internationally. These challenges will best be addressed by collaboration by governments, pharma, clinicians and patient groups to establish frameworks for safe and cost-effective use of these exciting new therapies.
Critical care service delivery across healthcare systems in low-income and low-middle-income countries: protocol for a systematic review
Authors: Lim Andrew George , Kivlehan Sean , Losonczy Lia Ilona , Murthy Srinivas , Dippenaar Enrico , Lowsby Richard , Yang Marc Li Chuan L C , Jaung Michael S , Stephens P Andrew , Benzoni Nicole , Sefa Nana , Bartlett Emily Suzanne , Chaffay Brandon Alexander , Haridasa Naeha , Velasco Bernadett Pua , Yi Sojung , Contag Caitlin A , Rashed Amir Lotfy , McCarville Patrick , Sonenthal Paul D , Shukur Nebiyu , Bellou Abdelouahab , Mickman Carl , Ghatak-Roy Adhiti , Ferreira Allison , Adhikari Neill KJ , Reynolds Teri
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Critical care in low-income and low-middle income countries (LLMICs) is an underdeveloped component of the healthcare system. Given the increasing growth in demand for critical care services in LLMICs, understanding the current capacity to provide critical care is imperative to inform policy on service expansion. Thus, our aim is to describe the provision of critical care in LLMICs with respect to patients, providers, location of care and services and interventions delivered.

Methods and analysis

We will search PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science and EMBASE for full-text original research articles available in English describing critical care services that specify the location of service delivery and describe patients and interventions. We will restrict our review to populations from LLMICs (using 2016 World Bank classifications) and published from 1 January 2008 to 1 January 2020. Two-reviewer agreement will be required for both title/abstract and full text review stages, and rate of agreement will be calculated for each stage. We will extract data regarding the location of critical care service delivery, the training of the healthcare professionals providing services, and the illnesses treated according to classification by the WHO Universal Health Coverage Compendium.

Ethics and dissemination

Reviewed and exempted by the Stanford University Office for Human Subjects Research and IRB on 20 May 2020. The results of this review will be disseminated through scholarly publication and presentation at regional and international conferences. This review is designed to inform broader WHO, International Federation for Emergency Medicine and partner efforts to strengthen critical care globally.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42019146802.
Mental health and other factors associated with work productivity after injury in the UK: multicentre cohort study
Authors: Kellezi Blerina , Dhiman Paula , Coupland Carol , Whitehead Joanne , Morriss Richard , Joseph Stephen , Beckett Kate , Sleney Jude , Barnes Jo , Kendrick Denise
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Mental health conditions are a major contributor to productivity loss and are common after injury. This study quantifies postinjury productivity loss and its association with preinjury and postinjury mental health, injury, demographic, health, social and other factors.

Methods

Multicentre, longitudinal study recruiting hospitalised employed individuals aged 16–69 years with unintentional injuries, followed up at 1, 2, 4 and 12 months. Participants completed questionnaires on injury, demographic factors, health (including mental health), social factors, other factors and on-the-job productivity upon return to work (RTW). ORs were estimated for above median productivity loss using random effects logistic regression.

Results

217 adults had made an RTW at 2, 4 or 12 months after injury: 29% at 2 months, 66% at 4 months and 83% at 12 months. Productivity loss reduced over time: 3.3% of working time at 2 months, 1.7% at 4 months, 1% at 12 months. Significantly higher productivity loss was associated with preinjury psychiatric conditions (OR 21.40, 95% CI 3.50 to 130.78) and post-traumatic stress avoidance symptoms at 1 month (OR for 1-unit increase in score 1.15, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.22). Significantly lower productivity loss was associated with male gender (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.74), upper and lower limb injuries (vs other body regions, OR 0.15, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.81) and sports injuries (vs home, OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.78). Preinjury psychiatric conditions and gender remained significant in analysis of multiply imputed data.

Conclusions

Unintentional injury results in substantial productivity loss. Females, those with preinjury psychiatric conditions and those with post-traumatic stress avoidance symptoms experience greater productivity loss and may require additional support to enable successful RTW.
CARs and beyond: tailoring macrophage-based cell therapeutics to combat solid malignancies
Authors: Abdin Shifaa M. , Paasch Daniela , Morgan Michael , Lachmann Nico
Published: August 2021

Recent understanding of the role and contribution of immune cells in disease onset and progression has pioneered the field of immunotherapies. Use of genetic engineering to deliver, correct or enhance immune cells has been clinically successful, especially in the field of cancer immunotherapy. Indeed, one of the most attractive approaches is the introduction of chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) to immune cells, such as T cells. Recent studies revealed that adapting this platform for use in macrophages may widen the spectrum of CAR applications for better control of solid tumors and, thus, extend this treatment strategy to more patients with cancer. Given the novel insights into tumor-associated macrophages and new targeting strategies to boost anticancer therapy, this review aims to provide an overview of the current status of the role of macrophages in cancer therapy. The various genetic engineering approaches that can be used to optimize macrophages for use in oncology are discussed, with special attention dedicated to the implication of the CAR platform on macrophages for anticancer therapy. The current clinical status, challenges and future perspective of macrophage-based drugs are highlighted.
Dual PD-L1 and TGF-b blockade in patients with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis
Authors: Robbins Yvette , Friedman Jay , Clavijo Paul E , Sievers Cem , Bai Ke , Donahue Renee N , Schlom Jeffrey , Sinkoe Andrew , Abdul Sater Houssein , Gulley James L , Norberg Scott , Hinrichs Christian S , Allen Clint
Published: August 2021

Background

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is a human papillomavirus (HPV) driven neoplastic disorder of the upper aerodigestive tract that causes significant morbidity and can lead to fatal airway obstruction. Prior clinical study demonstrated clinical benefit with the programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) monoclonal antibody avelumab. Bintrafusp alfa is a bifunctional inhibitor of PD-L1 and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-b) that has shown clinical activity in several cancer types.

Methods

We conducted a phase II clinical trial evaluating bintrafusp alfa in adults with RRP. Papilloma samples before and after treatment with bintrafusp alfa were assessed for correlates of response with multiplex immunofluorescence as well as immunological and genomic analyses. Post hoc analyses of papilloma samples before and after treatment with avelumab were assessed for comparison.

Results

Dual PD-L1/TGF-b inhibition failed to abrogate papilloma growth in most subjects and increased the frequency of clinically indicated interventions after treatment in four of eight subjects based on each subject’s own historical control. TGF-b neutralization consistently decreased pSMAD3 and p21 and increased Ki67 expression within the basal layers of papillomas, indicating that TGF-b restrained proliferation. These alterations were not observed in papillomas treated with PD-L1 blockade alone. Dual PD-L1/TGF-b inhibition did not enhance anti-HPV immunity within papillomas beyond that observed with PD-L1 blockade. Genomic alterations in TGF-b superfamily genes were infrequent in papillomas and normal mucosa but present in a significant fraction of head and neck carcinomas.

Conclusions

Intact TGF-b signaling restrains proliferation within papillomas, and the use of clinical agents that abrogate this pathway should be avoided in patients with RRP.

Trial registration numbers

NCT03707587andNCT02859454.
Gene fusions in tumourigenesis with particular reference to ovarian cancer
Authors: Zhou Yi , El-Bahrawy Mona
Published: August 2021

Gene fusion, a genomic event that generates a novel gene from two independent genes, has long been known to be implicated in tumourigenesis and cancer progression. It has thus served as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in cancer, as well as an ideal therapeutic target in cancer therapy. Gene fusion can arise from chromosomal rearrangement and alternative splicing of transcripts, resulting in deregulation of proto-oncogenes or creation of an oncogenic novel gene. Largely facilitated by next generation sequencing technologies, a plethora of novel gene fusions have been identified in a variety of cancers, which leaves us the challenge of functionally characterising these candidate gene fusions. In this review, we summarise the molecular mechanisms, the oncogenic consequences and the therapeutic implications of verified gene fusions. We also discuss recent studies on gene fusions in both common and rare subtypes of ovarian tumours and how these findings can be translated to cancer therapies to benefit patients carrying these gene fusions.
Evaluation of SLE arthritis using frequency domain optical imaging
Authors: Marone Alessandro , Tang Wei , Kim Youngwan , Chen Tommy , Danias George , Guo Cathy , Gartshteyn Yevgeniya , Khalili Leila , Kim Hyun , Hielscher Andreas , Askanase Anca D
Published: August 2021

Objectives

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) affects the joints in up to 95% of patients. The diagnosis and evaluation of SLE arthritis remain challenging in both practice and clinical trials. Frequency domain optical imaging (FDOI) has been previously used to assess joint involvement in inflammatory arthritis. The objective of this study was to evaluate FDOI in SLE arthritis.

Methods

Ninety-six proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints from 16 patients with SLE arthritis and 60 PIP joints from 10 age-matched, gender-matched and race/ethnicity-matched controls were examined. A laser beam with a wavelength of 670 nm, 1 mm in diameter and intensity modulated at 300 MHz and 600 MHz was directed onto the dorsal surface of each joint, scanning across a sagittal plane. The transmitted light intensities and phase shifts were measured with an intensified charge-coupled device camera. The data were analysed using Discriminant Analysis and Support Vector Machine algorithms.

Results

The amplitude and phase of the transmitted light were significantly different between SLE and control PIPs (p<0.05). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of cross-validated models showed an Area Under the ROC Curve (AUC)of 0.89 with corresponding sensitivity of 95%, specificity of 79%, and accuracy of 80%.

Conclusion

This study is the first evaluation of optical methods in the assessment of SLE arthritis; there was a statistically significant difference in the FDOI signals between patients with SLE and healthy volunteers. The results show that FDOI may have the potential to provide an objective, user-independent, evaluation of SLE PIP joints arthritis.
Risks of COVID-19 by occupation in NHS workers in England
Authors: van der Plaat Diana A , Madan Ira , Coggon David , van Tongeren Martie , Edge Rhiannon , Muiry Rupert , Parsons Vaughan , Cullinan Paul
Published: August 2021

Objective

To quantify occupational risks of COVID-19 among healthcare staff during the first wave (9 March 2020–31 July 2020) of the pandemic in England.

Methods

We used pseudonymised data on 902 813 individuals employed by 191 National Health Service trusts to explore demographic and occupational risk factors for sickness absence ascribed to COVID-19 (n=92 880). We estimated ORs by multivariable logistic regression.

Results

With adjustment for employing trust, demographic characteristics and previous frequency of sickness absence, risk relative to administrative/clerical occupations was highest in ‘additional clinical services’ (care assistants and other occupations directly supporting those in clinical roles) (OR 2.31 (2.25 to 2.37)), registered nursing and midwifery professionals (OR 2.28 (2.23 to 2.34)) and allied health professionals (OR 1.94 (1.88 to 2.01)) and intermediate in doctors and dentists (OR 1.55 (1.50 to 1.61)). Differences in risk were higher after the employing trust had started to care for documented patients with COVID-19, and were reduced, but not eliminated, following additional adjustment for exposure to infected patients or materials, assessed by a job-exposure matrix. For prolonged COVID-19 sickness absence (episodes lasting >14 days), the variation in risk by staff group was somewhat greater.

Conclusions

After allowance for possible bias and confounding by non-occupational exposures, we estimated that relative risks for COVID-19 among most patient-facing occupations were between 1.5 and 2.5. The highest risks were in those working in additional clinical services, nursing and midwifery and in allied health professions. Better protective measures for these staff groups should be a priority. COVID-19 may meet criteria for compensation as an occupational disease in some healthcare occupations.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN36352994.
Bariatric surgery and total knee/hip arthroplasty: an analysis of the impact of sequence and timing on outcomes
Authors: Liu Jiabin , Zhong Haoyan , Poeran Jashvant , Sculco Peter K , Kim David H , Memtsoudis Stavros G
Published: August 2021

Background

Patients with morbid obesity may require both bariatric surgery and total knee/hip arthroplasty (TKA/THA). How to sequence these two procedures with better outcomes remains largely unstudied.

Methods

This cohort study extracted claims data on patients with an obesity diagnosis that received both bariatric surgery and TKA/THA surgery within 5 years of each other (Premier Healthcare database 2006–2019). Overall, 1894 patients received bariatric surgery before TKA or THA, while 1000 patients underwent TKA or THA before bariatric surgery. Main outcomes and measures include major complications (acute renal failure, acute myocardial infarction, other cardiovascular complications, sepsis/septic shock, pulmonary complications, pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, and central nervous system-related adverse events), postoperative intensive care unit utilization, ventilator utilization, 30-day readmission, 90-day readmission, 180-day readmission and total hospital length of stay after the second surgery. Regression models measured the association between the complications and sequence of TKA/THA and bariatric surgery.

Results

Undergoing TKA/THA before bariatric surgery (compared with the reverse) was associated with higher odds of major complications (7.0% vs 1.9%; adjusted OR 4.8, 95% CI 3.1, 7.6, p<0.001). Similar patterns were also observed for intensive care unit admission, ventilator use postoperatively, 30-day, and 90-day readmissions. Patients who received a second surgery within 6 months of their first surgery exhibited worse outcomes, especially among the TKA/THA first patient cohort. Major complication incidences occurred at 20.5%, 12.5%, 5.1%, 5.0%, 5.8% and 8.5% with time between TKA/THA and bariatric surgery at <6 months, 6 months–1 year, 1–2, 2–3, 3–4 and 4–5 years, respectively.

Conclusions

Patients who require both bariatric surgery and TKA/THA should consider bariatric surgery before TKA/THA as it is associated with improved outcomes. Procedures should be staged beyond 6 months.
Long-term monitoring reveals topographical features and vegetation that explain winter habitat use of an Arctic rodent
Authors: von Beckerath Xaver , Benadi Gita , Gilg Olivier , Sittler Benoît , Yannic Glenn , Klein Alexandra-Maria , Eitzinger Bernhard
Published: August 2021

The quality of wintering habitats, such as depth of snow cover, plays a key role in sustaining population dynamics of Arctic lemmings. However, few studies so far investigated habitat use during the Arctic winter. Here, we used a unique long-term time series to test whether lemmings are associated with topographical and vegetational habitat features for their wintering sites. We examined yearly numbers and distribution of 22 769 winter nests of the collared lemming Dicrostonyx groenlandicus (Traill, 1823) from an ongoing long-term research on Traill Island, Northeast Greenland, collected between 1989 and 2019, and correlated this information with data on dominant vegetation types, elevation, and slope. We found that the number of lemming nests was highest in areas with a high proportion of Dryas heath, but was also correlated with other vegetation types, suggesting some flexibility in resource use of wintering lemmings. Furthermore, lemmings showed a higher use for sloped terrain, probably as it enhances the formation of deep snow drifts, which increases the insulative characteristics of the snowpack and protection from predators. With global warming, prime lemming winter habitats may become scarce through alteration of snow physical properties, potentially resulting in negative consequence for the whole community of terrestrial vertebrates.
Oxythermal habitat as a primary driver of ecological niche and genetic diversity in cisco (Coregonus artedi)
Authors: Grow Ryan C. , Zimmer Kyle D. , Cruise Jennifer L. , Emms Simon K. , Miller Loren M. , Herwig Brian R. , Staples David F. , Tipp Angela R. , Gerdes Greta M. , Jacobson Peter C.
Published: August 2021

Cisco (Coregonus artedi) are threatened by climate change and lake eutrophication, and their oxythermal habitat can be assessed with TDO3, the water temperature at which dissolved oxygen equals 3 mg·L−1. We assessed the influence of TDO3 on cisco habitat use, genetic diversity, diets, and isotopic niche in 32 lakes ranging from oligotrophic to eutrophic. Results showed that as TDO3 increased, cisco were captured higher in the water column, in a narrower band, with higher minimum temperatures and lower minimum dissolved oxygen. TDO3 was also negatively related to cisco allelic richness and expected heterozygosity, likely driven by summer kill events. Moreover, TDO3 influenced the isotopic niche of cisco, as fish captured deeper were more depleted in δ13C and more enriched in δ15N compared to epilimnetic baselines. Lastly, cisco in high TDO3 lakes consumed more Daphnia, had fewer empty stomachs, and achieved larger body size. Our work identifies specific characteristics of cisco populations that respond to climate change and eutrophication effects and provides a framework for understanding responses of other cold-water species at the global scale.
Service Innovation Capability in Social and Health Care SMEs: The Impact of Market Orientation and Technology Orientation
Authors: Joensuu-Salo Sanna , Kangas Emilia , Mäkipelkola Jutta
Published: August 2021

Developing new services is vital for a service-based company to succeed in the long run. This requires both innovation capability and understanding customer needs. Previous research has shown that if a firm wishes to develop an innovation superior to the competition, it must have both a strong technology orientation and a strong market orientation. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of market orientation and technology orientation on service innovation capability in SMEs operating in the field of social and health care. In addition, this study examined the obstacles to using digitalization and new technologies in service innovations. Mixed methods design was applied so both quantitative and qualitative data was used. The results from the quantitative part of this study show that both technology orientation and market orientation have a positive and statistically significant effect on service innovation capability in SMEs operating in the field of social and health care. Furthermore, market orientation is the most important variable in the model. The results from the qualitative element again show that some of the hindering factors of using digitalization and new technologies arise from practices and attitudes of social and health care actors but others arise from the digitalization and new technologies themselves.
1-Laplacian type problems with strongly singular nonlinearities and gradient terms
Authors: Giachetti Daniela , Oliva Francescantonio , Petitta Francesco
Published: August 2021

We show optimal existence, nonexistence and regularity results for nonnegative solutions to Dirichlet problems as [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] is an open bounded subset of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] belongs to [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are continuous functions that may blow up at zero. As a noteworthy fact we show how a non-trivial interaction mechanism between the two nonlinearities [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] produces remarkable regularizing effects on the solutions. The sharpness of our main results is discussed through the use of appropriate explicit examples.
WKB analysis of the logarithmic nonlinear Schrödinger equation in an analytic framework
Authors: Ferriere Guillaume
Published: August 2021

We are interested in a WKB analysis of the logarithmic nonlinear Schrödinger equation with “Riemann-like” variables in an analytic framework in semiclassical regime. We show that the Cauchy problem is locally well posed uniformly in the semiclassical constant and that the semiclassical limit can be performed. In particular, our framework is not only compatible with the Gross–Pitaevskii equation with logarithmic nonlinearity, but also allows initial data (and solutions) which can converge to 0 at infinity.
Reverse Alexandrov–Fenchel inequalities for zonoids
Authors: Böröczky Károly J. , Hug Daniel
Published: August 2021

The Alexandrov–Fenchel inequality bounds from below the square of the mixed volume [Formula: see text] of convex bodies [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text] by the product of the mixed volumes [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. As a consequence, for integers [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] the product [Formula: see text] of suitable powers of the volumes [Formula: see text] of the convex bodies [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], is a lower bound for the mixed volume [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the multiplicity with which [Formula: see text] appears in the mixed volume. It has been conjectured by Betke and Weil that there is a reverse inequality, that is, a sharp upper bound for the mixed volume [Formula: see text] in terms of the product of the intrinsic volumes [Formula: see text], for [Formula: see text]. The case where [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] has recently been settled by the present authors (2020). The case where [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] has been treated by Artstein-Avidan et al. under the assumption that [Formula: see text] is a zonoid and [Formula: see text] is the Euclidean unit ball. The case where [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] is the unit ball and [Formula: see text] are zonoids has been considered by Hug and Schneider. Here, we substantially generalize these previous contributions, in cases where most of the bodies are zonoids, and thus we provide further evidence supporting the conjectured reverse Alexandrov–Fenchel inequality. The equality cases in all considered inequalities are characterized. More generally, stronger stability results are established as well.
A BIOMECHANICAL STUDY OF THE EFFECTS OF FLEXION ANGLE ON THE INDUCTION MECHANISM OF CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS
Authors: CAO FU , FU RONGCHANG , WANG WENYUAN
Published: August 2021

Lesions in facet joints such as bone hyperplasia and degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs, can compress nerve roots and the spinal cord, leading to cervical spondylosis (CS). Lesions in these parts of the spine are commonly related to abnormal loads caused by bad posture of the cervical spine. This study aimed to understand the potential mechanical effects of load amplitude on cervical spine motion to provide a theoretical basis for the biomechanical causes of CS, and to provide a reference for preventing of the condition. In this study, a finite element model of the normal human cervical spine (C1-C7) was established and validated using an infrared motion capture system to analyze the effects of flexion angle on the stresses experienced by intervertebral discs, the anterior edge of the vertebral body, the pedicle, uncinate and facet joints. Our analysis indicated that the intervertebral disc load increased by at least 70% during the 20∘ to 45∘ flexion of the neck with 121% load increase in the vertebrae. In the intervertebral discs, the stress was largest at C4-C5, and the stress was moderate at C5-C6. These results are consistent with clinical CS prone site research. According to Wolff’s law, when bones are placed under large stresses, hyperplasia can result to allow adaptation to large loads. Increased cervical spine flexion angles caused the proliferation of bone in the above-mentioned parts of the spine and can accelerate accelerating the appearance of CS.
An Integrated Approach of Simulation, Modeling and Computer-aided Design of Hot Abrasive Jet Machining Setup
Authors: Pradhan Subhadip , Dhupal Debabrata
Published: August 2021

In the past few decades, sophisticated machining industries have rapidly improved in order to achieve the required shape of a part within a specific time while also not affecting material properties. Accuracy of machined components in all industries is important. In the case of subassemblies of components, geometrical accuracy of hole is vital. The researchers updated their machinery from time to time from this perspective. In the machining process, environment and time are the vital parameters that are mainly affected, so in this case, the design of experiments that are very useful in the machining region needs to be considered to overcome these challenges. This study aims to analyze the fabrication of hot abrasive jet machining (HAJMing) with different abrasive temperatures using fluidized bed system as well as accomplishment of cutting performance in hot-abrasive jet machining concerning target surface erosion. Additionally, this research study accomplishes the experimental study and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technique for erosive footprint prediction extent in HAJMing constraints on target surface for intricately shaped tapered holes generation. The use of hot abrasives in the HAJM process has demonstrated an interest in improving cutting performance for material erosion. Moreover, this proposed experimental work contains the manufacturing, design and fabrication of hot abrasive jet machine (HAJM) using commercially available hardware and software. So, the components are manufactured indigenously as per the designed parameters for the purpose of improving the machining performance. Simulation for material erosion mechanism of HAJMing is used to obtain the nature of produced workpiece profile. Additionally, FB-HAJMing also deals with the sustainability assessment under environmental-friendly hot abrasive-assisted machining conditions.
A Class of Quantum Markov Fields on Tree-like Graphs: Ising-type Model on a Husimi Tree
Authors: Souissi Abdessatar
Published: August 2021

A new class of forward quantum Markov fields (FQMFs) is introduced. The structure of these quantum Markov fields is investigated in the finer structure of a quasi-local algebra of observable over a tree-like graph. We provide an effective construction of a class of FQMCs. Moreover, we show the existence of three FMRFs associated with an Ising type model on a Husimi tree.
Generalizations of Dyson’s rank on overpartitions
Authors: Zhao Alice X. H.
Published: August 2021

We introduce a statistic on overpartitions called the [Formula: see text]-rank. When there are no overlined parts, this coincides with the [Formula: see text]-rank of a partition introduced by Garvan. Moreover, it reduces to the D-rank of an overpartition when k = 2. The generating function for the [Formula: see text]-rank of overpartitions is given. We also establish a relation between the generating function of self-3-conjugate overpartitions and the tenth-order mock theta functions X(q) and [Formula: see text].
Influence of the base material on the mechanical behaviors of polycrystal-like meta-crystals
Authors: Lertthanasarn J. , Liu C. , Pham M.-S.
Published: August 2021

Architected lattice metamaterials offer extraordinary specific strength and stiffness that can be tailored through the architecture. Meta-crystals mimic crystalline strengthening features in crystalline alloys to obtain high strength and improved post-yield stability of lattice materials. This study investigates synergistic effects of the base material’s intrinsic crystalline microstructure and architected polycrystal-like architecture on the mechanical behavior of architected metamaterials. Four different polygrain-like meta-crystals were fabricated from 316L, Inconel 718 (IN718) and Ti6Al4V via laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF). While the elastic modulus of the meta-crystals did not vary significantly with the base material or the number of meta-grains, the strength of the meta-crystals showed strong increasing correlation with reducing the size of meta-grains. The differences between meta-crystals made by the three alloys were the most substantial in the post-yield behavior, where the 316L meta-crystals were the most stable while Ti6Al4V meta-crystals were the most erratic. The differences in the post-yield behavior were attributed to the base material’s ductility and intrinsic work-hardening. For all base materials, increasing the number of meta-grains improved the post-yield stability of meta-crystals. The tolerance to the processing defects also differed with the base material. Detrimental defects such as the high surface roughness on the downskin of the struts or the large, irregularly shaped pores near the surface of the struts led to early strut fracture in Ti6Al4V meta-crystals. In contrast, ductile IN718 was able to tolerate such defects, enabling the most significant synergistic strengthening across lengthscales to achieve architected materials of low relative density, but with a very high strength and an excellent energy absorption.
The Failed Regulation and Oversight of American Prisons
Authors: Dolovich Sharon
Published: August 2021

When the state incarcerates, it assumes an affirmative, non-negotiable obligation to keep people in prison safe and to provide for their basic needs. In the United States, the three branches of government—legislative, executive, and judicial—are in theory collectively responsible for making certain that this obligation is fulfilled. In practice, the checks and balances built into the system have failed to ensure even minimally decent carceral conditions. This review maps this regulatory failure. It shows that, in all branches of government, rather than policing prison officials, the relevant institutional actors instead align themselves with the officials they are supposed to regulate, leaving people in custody unprotected and vulnerable to abuse by the very actors sworn to keep them safe. This pattern is no accident. It reflects a palpable normative hostility and contempt toward the incarcerated, an attitude with deep roots in the virulent race hatred endemic to the American carceral project from its earliest days.
Using Chlorophyll Fluorescence to Determine the Fate of Photons Absorbed by Phytoplankton in the World's Oceans
Authors: Gorbunov Maxim Y. , Falkowski Paul G.
Published: August 2021

Approximately 45% of the photosynthetically fixed carbon on Earth occurs in the oceans in phytoplankton, which account for less than 1% of the world's photosynthetic biomass. This amazing empirical observation implies a very high photosynthetic energy conversion efficiency, but how efficiently is the solar energy actually used? The photon energy budget of photosynthesis can be divided into three terms: the quantum yields of photochemistry, fluorescence, and heat. Measuring two of these three processes closes the energy budget. The development of ultrasensitive, seagoing chlorophyll variable fluorescence and picosecond fluorescence lifetime instruments has allowed independent closure on the first two terms. With this closure, we can understand how phytoplankton respond to nutrient supplies on timescales of hours to months and, over longer timescales, to changes in climate.
Organic Matter Supply and Utilization in Oxygen Minimum Zones
Authors: Engel Anja , Kiko Rainer , Dengler Marcus
Published: August 2021

Organic matter (OM) plays a significant role in the formation of oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) and associated biogeochemical cycling. OM supply processes to the OMZ include physical transport, particle formation, and sinking as well as active transport by migrating zooplankton and nekton. In addition to the availability of oxygen and other electron acceptors, the remineralization rate of OM is controlled by its biochemical quality. Enhanced microbial respiration of OM can induce anoxic microzones in an otherwise oxygenated water column. Reduced OM degradation under low-oxygen conditions, on the other hand, may increase the CO2storage time in the ocean. Understanding the interdependencies between OM and oxygen cycling is of high relevance for an ocean facing deoxygenation as a consequence of global warming. In this review, we describe OM fluxes into and cycling within two large OMZs associated with eastern boundary upwelling systems that differ greatly in the extent of oxygen loss: the highly oxygen-depleted OMZ in the tropical South Pacific and the moderately hypoxic OMZ in the tropical North Atlantic. We summarize new findings from a large German collaborative research project, Collaborative Research Center 754 (SFB 754), and identify knowledge gaps and future research priorities.
Natural antibody and complement activation characterize patients with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome
Authors: Trachtman Howard , Laskowski Jennifer , Lee Cameron , Renner Brandon , Feemster Andrew , Parikh Samir , Panzer Sarah E. , Zhong Weixiong , Cravedi Paolo , Cantarelli Chiara , Kulik Liudmila , You Zhiying , Satchell Simon , Rovin Brad , Liu Fei , Kalled Susan L. , Holers V. Michael , Jalal Diana , Thurman Joshua M.
Published: August 2021

IgM is detected in biopsies from some patients with nephrotic syndrome, although this has been attributed to passive trapping of the protein. We found, however, that IgM colocalizes with complement activation fragments in some glomeruli. We also found that affected patients had higher levels of IgM reactive to glomerular endothelial cell epitopes. Thus, IgM activates the complement system in the glomeruli of some patients with nephrotic syndrome and may contribute to injury.
Predicting oxygen tension along the ureter
Authors: Lee Chang-Joon , Gardiner Bruce S. , Evans Roger G. , Smith David W.
Published: August 2021

Measurement of bladder urine oxygen tension has been proposed as a new method to potentially detect the risk of acute kidney injury in patients. A computational model of oxygen exchange between urine bolus and ureteral tissue shows that it may be technically possible to determine the risk of acute kidney injury based on the measurement of bladder urine oxygen tension, provided that the measurement data are properly interpreted via a computational model.
[Retracted] Curcumin Improves Pulmonary Hypertension Rats by Regulating Mitochondrial Function
Authors: Chen Jing , Jiang Wen , Zhu Fei , Wang Qiong , Yang Haiyan , Wu Jinhua
Published: August 2021

Objective. To investigate the role of curcumin in regulating pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) derived from pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) model. Methods. Male Sprague Dawley rats were injected with monocrotaline (MCT) to establish the PAH experimental model. The rats were divided into control group, MCT group, and curcumin group. At the end of the study, hemodynamic data were measured to determine pulmonary hypertension. Proliferation ability of PASMCs, a remodeling indicator of pulmonary artery and right ventricle, was detected. In addition, the morphology and function of mitochondria, antiglycolysis and antiproliferation pathways, and genes were also analyzed. Results. Curcumin may function by reversing MCT‐mediated pulmonary vascular remodeling in rats. Curcumin effectively improved pulmonary vascular remodeling, promoted PASMC apoptosis, and protected mitochondrial function. In addition, curcumin treatment suppressed the PI3K/AKT pathway in PASMCs and regulated the expression of antiproliferative genes. Conclusion. Curcumin can improve energy metabolism and reverse the process of PAHS. However, there were side effects of curcumin in MCT‐induced rats, suggesting that the dosage should be treated with caution and its toxicological mechanism should be further studied and evaluated.