bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An effective potential for Frenkel excitons
Authors: Błasiak Bartosz , Bartkowiak Wojciech , Góra Robert W.
Published: January 2021

EOP-TI – an approach for truly efficient calculations of both Förster and Dexter excitonic couplings.
An analysis of electrophilic aromatic substitution: a “complex approach”
Authors: Stamenković Nikola , Ulrih Nataša Poklar , Cerkovnik Janez
Published: January 2021

A bigger mechanistic picture of electrophilic aromatic substitution (EAS) is summarized and important “missing” postulates in EAS are unified.
Put a ring on it: application of small aliphatic rings in medicinal chemistry
Authors: Bauer Matthias R. , Di Fruscia Paolo , Lucas Simon C. C. , Michaelides Iacovos N. , Nelson Jennifer E. , Storer R. Ian , Whitehurst Benjamin C.
Published: January 2021

Aliphatic small rings including cyclopropanes, cyclobutanes, oxetanes, azetidines and bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes have been increasingly exploited in medicinal chemistry. This review summarises judicious successful application and reported limitations of these ring systems.
Atomic layer deposited Al2O3layer confinement: an efficient strategy to synthesize durable MOF-derived catalysts toward the oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Lei Hang , Liang Yongyin , Cen Guobiao , Liu Bo-tian , Tan Shaozao , Wang Zilong , Mai Wenjie
Published: January 2021

Different thicknesses of Al2O3layer protection realize the design of MOF-derived electrocatalysts.
CoOx electro-catalysts anchored on nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes for the oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Singh Santosh K. , Takeyasu Kotaro , Paul Bappi , Sharma Sachin K. , Nakamura Junji
Published: January 2021

The development of high-performance, low-cost transition metal oxide nanoparticle-supported carbon catalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is one of the biggest challenges faced in the process of commercializing water electrolyzers and rechargeable metal–air batteries.
Error feedback denoising network
Authors: Hou Ruizhi , Li Fang
Published: January 2021

Recently, deep convolutional neural networks have been successfully used for image denoising due to their favourable performance. This paper examines the error feedback mechanism to image denoising and propose an error feedback denoising network. Specifically, we use the down‐and‐up projection sequence to estimate the noise feature. By the residual connection, the clean structures are removed from the noise features. The essential difference between the proposed network and other existing feedback networks is the projection sequence. Our error feedback projection sequence is down‐and‐up, which is more suitable for image denoising than the existing up‐and‐down order. Moreover, we design a compression block to improve the expression ability of the general 11 convolutional compression layer. The advantage of our well‐designed down‐and‐up block is that the network parameters are fewer than other feedback networks and the receptive field is enlarged. We have implemented our error feedback denoising network on denoising and JPEG image deblocking. Extensive experiments verify the effectiveness of our down‐and‐up block and demonstrate that our error feedback denoising network is comparable with the state‐of‐the‐art. The code will be open source. The source codes for reproducing the
results can be found at: https://github.com/Houruizhi/EFDN.
Hiring Graduates for Marketing – Advantages, Disadvantages and Competency Requirements
Authors: Dušek Radim , Hrubá Monika , Brodská Karolína , Skálová Petra
Published: January 2021

The selection of suitable employees is becoming more and more demanding because of the increasing number of job applicants that want to get into a marketing career. The aim of this contribution is to find out which marketing competencies a competent graduate of economics should possess to be attractive for marketing related jobs in SMEs in the Region of South Bohemia, as well as to identify the positives and negatives of hiring such graduates. Based on data obtained from 93 SMEs with their own marketing department, the desired competent graduate for marketing related jobs can be described as a communicative and creative individual with the ability to analyse information. The main advantages of hiring graduates include creativity, the ability to work with modern technologies and/or enthusiasm for learning. On the other hand, a lack of experience and/or the longer training time are the main disadvantages of hiring fresh graduates for marketing-related jobs.
Immunsuppressive Wirkung von Mitomycin-C-behandelten mononukleären Zellen des peripheren Blutes (MICs) in der Vaskularisierten Composite Allotransplantation
Authors: Kiefer Jurij , Diehm Yannick , Germann Günter , Kneser Ulrich , Terness Peter , Radu Christian Andreas
Published: January 2021

Hintergrund Vaskularisierte Composite Allotransplantationen (VCA) ermöglichen die Wiederherstellung komplexer Gewebedefekte. Die ersten erfolgreichen allogenen Hand- und Gesichtstransplantationen haben die Forschung zur Verbesserung der immunsuppressiven Therapien stetig vorangetrieben. Die Inkubation mononukleärer Zellen des peripheren Blutes (PBMCs) mit Mitomycin C (MMC) generiert immunmodulatorisch wirksame Zellen (MICs). In vorherigen Studien konnten wir eine signifikante immunsuppressive Wirkung durch die Applikation von Donor-MICs am Tag der Transplantation zeigen. Ziel dieser Studie ist es, den optimalen Zeitpunkt der Behandlung mit MICs in der VCA zu eruieren.

Material und Methoden 60 allogene Hinterlauftransplantationen wurden in 6 experimentellen Gruppen durchgeführt. Lewis-Ratten (LEW) dienten als Spender-, Brown-Norway-Ratten (BN) als Empfängertiere. Tieren der Gruppe A wurden einmalig Spender-MICs 7 Tage präoperativ systemisch verabreicht. Gruppe B-F dienten als Kontrollgruppen. Tiere der Gruppe B erhielten keine immunsuppressive Therapie. In Gruppe C wurden unbehandelte Spender-PBMCs 7 Tage präoperativ verabreicht. Tiere der Gruppe D erhielten nur das Zellkulturmedium. Tieren der Gruppe E wurde eine Standardimmunsuppression mit Tacrolimus und Prednisolon verabreicht. In Gruppe F wurden syngene Hinterlauftransplantationen (BN→BN) durchgeführt. Der Abstoßungszeitpunkt wurde sowohl anhand klinischer Beobachtungen als auch aufgrund histologischer Parameter bestimmt.

Ergebnisse In Versuchsgruppe A zeigte sich im Vergleich zu den Kontrollgruppen B, C und D (5,5 ± 0,7, 5,3 ± 0,7 und 5,7 ± 0,5) eine signifikant früher eintretende Abstoßungsreaktion der Hinterläufe nach 3,5 ± 0,2 Tagen (p < 0,01). In den Kontrollgruppen E und F zeigte sich keine Abstoßungsreaktion.

Schlussfolgerung Die Ergebnisse der vorliegenden Studie zeigen, dass die immunmodulatorische Wirkung von MICs unmittelbar vom Applikationszeitpunkt abhängt. Nachdem in vorherigen Experimenten die Applikation von MICs am Transplantationstag eine signifikante immunsuppressive Wirkung aufwies, konnte im Rahmen dieser Studie gezeigt werden, dass die präoperative Gabe von MICs zu einer beschleunigten Abstoßung führt und damit das Überleben des Transplantates signifikant verkürzt wird. Folgestudien sind notwendig, um sowohl die Modifikation des Applikationszeitpunktes als auch die Dosis-Effekt-Beziehungen und Zellcharakteristika dieser potentiell immunsuppressiven Zellen weiter zu untersuchen.
Qualitätssteigerung in der Intensivmedizin durch Telemedizin: Beispiel TELnet@NRW
Authors: Dohmen Sandra , Benstoem Carina , Wahl Alina , Offermann Anke , Marx Gernot
Published: January 2021

Das deutsche Gesundheitssystem steht vor der großen Herausforderung, eine qualitativ hochwertige und flächendeckende Gesundheitsversorgung bei zunehmendem Ärztemangel auch in Zukunft sicherzustellen. Telemedizinisch gestützte Gesundheitsnetzwerke, die einen wohnortnahen und bedarfsgerechten Zugang zu spezialisierter fachärztlicher Expertise und damit zu einer qualitativ hochwertigen, patientenzentrierten Behandlung gewährleisten, könnten eine Lösung darstellen. Anhand des Best-Practice-Projekts TELnet@NRW werden die Potenziale der Tele-Intensivmedizin aufgezeigt und praktisch umgesetzt. TELnet@NRW zeigt, dass telemedizinische Prozessinnovationen die Behandlungsqualität verbessern können und somit die Patientenversorgung auf einem qualitativ sehr hohen Niveau sicherstellen. Mit der flächendeckenden Etablierung telemedizinischer Anwendungen werden neue Strukturen im Gesundheitswesen geschaffen, die eine effizientere Nutzung der vorhandenen Ressourcen ermöglichen.
TELnet@NRW wurde in der ersten Phase der Innovationsfondsprojekte gefördert. Die Experten der Universitätskliniken Aachen und Münster führten gemeinsam mit 17 Kooperationskrankenhäusern und 2 Ärztenetzen mit über 100 angeschlossenen niedergelassenen Ärzten täglich intensivmedizinische Televisiten und infektiologische Telekonsile durch. Es gab eine 24/7/365 Verfügbarkeit. Die Kommunikation erfolgte über ein verschlüsseltes Audio-Video-Konferenzsystem und die zertifizierte Datenaustauschplattform FallAkte Plus diente dem datenschutzkonformen Austausch relevanter patientenbezogener Dokumente und dem Telekonsilbericht. Ziel von TELnet@NRW war der Aufbau eines sektorenübergreifenden telemedizinischen Netzwerks als neue digitale Versorgungsform. Insgesamt wurden > 150 000 Patienten in die Cluster-randomisierte Studie eingeschlossen. Mit TELnet@NRW konnte ein Grundstein für eine telemedizinische gestützte, zukunftssichere und qualitativ hochwertige Gesundheitsversorgung
gelegt werden. Dieser wird aktuell als konzeptionelle Grundlage für das Virtuelle Krankenhaus NRW als mögliche Verstetigungslösung der ehemaligen Projektleistungen genutzt.
Morbidity and Mortality Review in a University Dental Hospital: A Necessary Tool to Improve Quality of Care
Authors: Esclassan Rémi , Valera Marie-Cécile , Bergia Jean Marc , Canceill Thibault , Mendes Leonor Costa , Bailleul-Forestier Isabelle , Gardette Virginie , Vaysse Frédéric , Gurgel-Georgelin Marie , Noirrit Emmanuelle
Published: January 2021

Objective The study aimed to describe and to analyze the first morbidity and mortality review (MMRs) set up within a Dental University Hospital using detailed case reports to highlight the benefits of MMRs for patients, practitioners, teachers and to implement appropriate protocols to prevent recurrence.

Materials and Methods The MMRs were performed within the dentistry departments of the hospital over the 1-year study period. Each case was reviewed according to a protocol based on a tool defined by the Clinical Risk Unit and the Association of Litigation and Risk Management (ALARM).

Results Four cases were selected based on an oral report by a doctor from the dental service, a downstream service, or by the attending physician. The first case report related to a patient who suffered a breathing shock. The second concerned a tooth inhalation by a young disabled boy. The third was a therapeutic failure instigated by a student during a tooth preparation, and the fourth case involved an unexpected face-to-face meeting between a prisoner accompanied by police guards and an ancient victim at the dental hospital.

Discussion Clinical incidents were investigated with the ALARM protocol. This process is also less focused on the individual who makes the error and more on contributing systemic factors. The systematic analysis of cases associated with bibliographic reviews improves learning and performance outcomes. Clear answers were given in response to the problems raised during these MMRs.

Conclusion In dental hospitals, the culture of MMRs needs to be integrated into resident training like in medical hospitals.
Volar Plating versus Headless Compression Screw Fixation of Scaphoid Nonunions: A Meta-analysis of Outcomes
Authors: Van Nest Duncan S. , Reynolds Michael , Warnick Eugene , Sherman Matthew , Ilyas Asif M.
Published: January 2021

Background Headless compression screw fixation with bone grafting has been the mainstay of treatment for scaphoid nonunion for the past several decades. Recently, locked volar plate fixation has gained popularity as a technique for scaphoid fixation, especially for recalcitrant or secondary nonunions.

Purpose The purpose of this meta-analysis was to compare union rates and clinical outcomes between locked volar plate fixation and headless compression screw fixation for the treatment of scaphoid nonunions.

Methods A literature search was performed for studies documenting treatment outcomes for scaphoid nonunions from 2000 to 2020. Inclusion criteria consisted of (1) average age > 18 years, (2) primary study using screw fixation, plate fixation, or both, with discrete data reported for each procedure, and (3) average follow-up of at least 3 months. Exclusion criteria consisted of studies with incomplete or missing data on union rates. Data from each study was weighted, combined within treatment groups, and compared across treatment groups using a generalized linear model or binomial distribution.

Results Following title and full-text review, 23 articles were included for analysis. Preoperatively, patients treated with plate fixation had significantly longer time from injury to surgery and were more likely to have failed prior surgical intervention. There was no significant difference between union rates at 92 and 94% for screw and plate fixation, respectively. However, plate fixation resulted in longer time to union and lower modified Mayo wrist scores.

Conclusion Patients treated with locked volar plate fixation were more likely to be used for recalcitrant or secondary nonunions. There was no statistically significant difference in union rates between screw and plate fixation. The results from this meta-analysis support the select use of locked volar plate fixation for scaphoid nonunion, especially recalcitrant nonunions and those that have failed prior surgical repair.
In vitro Biomechanical Analysis of Proximal Phalangeal Osteotomy Fixation
Authors: Deschuyffeleer Sten , Duerinckx Joris , Caekebeke Pieter
Published: January 2021

Background Corrective osteotomies of the proximal phalanx are typically stabilized with plate and screws. Although intramedullary headless screws form an alternative fixation method in the treatment of acute phalangeal fractures, reports about fixation of opening wedge corrective osteotomies with these implants are lacking.

Objective The goal of the present study was to biomechanically compare the failure force of both fixation methods for this specific indication.

Methods Twenty-four cadaver phalanges were equally distributed between apex volar and apex lateral opening wedge osteotomy groups. In each group, half of the osteotomies were fixed with a 1.3-mm dorsal locking plate, the other half with a 2.4-mm intramedullary headless screw. A three-point bending test was performed.

Results The mean maximal failure force after apex lateral osteotomy was 178.4 N for the plate-screw construct and 144.0 N after intramedullary headless screw fixation. After apex volar osteotomy, mean maximal force was 237.6 N in the plate-screw group and 160.9 N in the intramedullary headless screw group. Mean stiffness after apex lateral osteotomy was 63.3 N/mm in the plate-screw group, and 55.9 N/mm in the intramedullary headless screw group. Mean stiffness after apex volar osteotomy was 197.5 N/mm and 60.0 N/mm for the plate-screw and intramedullary headless screw group, respectively.

Conclusion For apex volar osteotomies, dorsally applied angular stable plate and screws provide significantly stronger fixation than intramedullary headless screws. For apex lateral osteotomies, fixation force is comparable.

Clinical relevance These data are useful when considering fixation of opening wedge osteotomies with intramedullary screws.
Delayed Presentation of Unstable Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Tears Treated with Volar Foveal Ligament Repair
Authors: Geller Joseph S. , Taormina David P. , Greene Janelle D. , Dodds Seth D.
Published: January 2021

Hypothesis An open volar surgical approach with suture anchor repair of the foveal ligament and temporary pinning of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) is an effective way to treat DRUJ instability associated with chronic foveal tears of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC).

Methods We retrospectively reviewed nine patients with foveal ligament tears of the TFCC and DRUJ instability who underwent open repair of the TFCC using a volar surgical approach, combined with temporary pinning of the DRUJ for 8 weeks. Pain, instability, arc of motion, and functional outcomes scores were evaluated.

Results Mean patient age was 40.5 years (range 16.3–56.2). Average time from injury to surgery was 8.4 months (range 2.9–23.3 months). Average final follow-up was 18.9 months from injury (range 12.0–29.3 months), 10.5 months from surgery (range 3.9–18.6 months), and 8.7 months from pin removal (range 1.7–17.2 months). At final follow-up, all patients demonstrated clinically stable DRUJ. Pain scores diminished significantly from pre to final postoperative visits, with averages of 6.8 (range 4.0–9.0) improving to a mean of 0.70 (range 0.0–2.0), respectively. Average postoperative forearm rotation was 71.1 degrees in supination and 76.1 degrees in pronation (average total arc of motion 147.2 degrees, range 90–160 degrees). Average postoperative wrist motion was 68.8 degrees in flexion and 70.6 degrees in extension (average total arc of motion 139.4 degrees, range 110–160 degrees). No patients developed crepitus, recurrent DRUJ instability, or required revision surgery (subsequent to pin removal).

Conclusion Volar suture anchor repair of the foveal ligament of the TFCC with DRUJ pinning led to reliable outcomes within this patient group including a stable DRUJ with improved functional outcomes regarding pain, stability, and range of motion in patients with foveal TFCC tears and associated DRUJ instability. These results compare favorably with dorsal repair of the foveal ligament.

Level of Incidence This is a Level IV, therapeutic study.
Arthroscopic Resection of Wrist Volar Synovial Cyst: Technique Description and Case Series
Authors: de Oliveira Ricardo Kaempf , Brunelli João Pedro Farina , Carratalá Vicente , Aita Márcio , Mantovani Gustavo , Delgado Pedro J.
Published: January 2021

Background Arthroscopy nowadays has become a widespread technique for the treatment of orthopaedic pathologies. Small-joint arthroscopy has evolved and, through direct visualization, enables diagnosis and immediate treatment of intra-articular lesions. The arthroscopic resection has become a minimally invasive alternative for the open technique. We intend to describe the technique, literature review, and results of arthroscopy for the surgical treatment of wrist volar synovial cysts.

Methods Thirty-nine patients submitted to arthroscopy for the treatment of wrist volar synovial cyst were included and assessed in this study, during the period of January 2015 to May 2017 with a complete assessment in minimum follow-up of 6 months. The technique was indicated for patients with pain and functional impairment for longer than 4 months, with no improvement with conservative measures, or for patients with cosmetic complaints, or those who presented the cyst for more than 3 months.

Results We demonstrated good outcomes in regard to pain, range of motion, and complications in arthroscopic resection of volar wrist ganglion.

Conclusion Arthroscopic resection of volar synovial is a useful and safe technique. It is a low-morbidity, minimally invasive procedure that carries few complications and is a good alternative to the open technique.
Who and what is their ‘people’? How British political leaders appealed to the people during the 2019 election
Authors: De Luca Marino
Published: January 2021

In recent years, many scholars, mainly those focusing on populism, have analysed the role of ‘the people’ in politics. This has allowed us to understand how many political actors emphasize the central position of this term. Today, ‘the people’ has different meanings depending on how politicians use it in specific contexts. In this paper, the reference to ‘the people’ was measured using the following question: How do political leaders use the word ‘people’? The analysis was conducted on Twitter through the study of the accounts of the foremost political leaders in the UK during the 2019 general election campaign. The results highlight three key attitudes related to the use of ‘people’: a direct and immediate relationship between a leader and a wide people; a calling to a specific people, described as a strong and cohesive group; an appropriation of the voice of the people, grouping people without borders into the classic contraposition between a pure people and the corrupt elite.
Fitness maps to a large-effect locus in introduced stickleback populations
Authors: Schluter Dolph , Marchinko Kerry B. , Arnegard Matthew E. , Zhang Haili , Brady Shannon D. , Jones Felicity C. , Bell Michael A. , Kingsley David M.
Published: January 2021

Significance

The role of mutations of large effect in adaptive evolution is a question of enduring interest. Large-effect mutations were once seen as unlikely contributors to adaptation, but we now have numerous examples. A major shortcoming of the evidence is the lack of information on fitness effects of mutations. We conducted a quantitative trait locus study that mapped fitness in an experimental field population of stickleback to a large-effect gene,Ectodysplasin(Eda). We compared this result with allele frequency change at the gene in a young lake population, which also revealed strong natural selection and large fitness effects of theEdagene and/or linked genes. Selection on ancient genetic variants may increase the prevalence of large-effect fitness variants in adaptive evolution.
Bipolar Radiofrequency as an Adjunct to Face and Body Contouring: A 745-Patient Clinical Experience
Authors: Cook Jonathan , DiBernardo Barry E , Pozner Jason N
Published: January 2021

Background

Radiofrequency (RF) technology has ushered in a new paradigm in body contouring for patients with mild to moderate skin laxity who desire fat removal without exacerbating skin laxity issues. A bipolar internal RF device, used as an adjunct to liposuction, has been found to be simpler and more accurate than previous technologies.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to review the authors’ clinical experience with bipolar RF-assisted liposuction (RFAL).

Methods

We conducted a review of our large experience with bipolar RFAL, evaluating the nuances from appropriate patient selection and specific treatment areas. The review covered 745 patients treated from January 2017 to January 2020 at 2 centers. A retrospective chart review was performed of the first and last 50 patients treated at each center (for a total of 100 patients in each group) to assess trends in outcomes and adverse events.

Results

Results were generally excellent from physician evaluation, and overall patient satisfaction was high (96%). The two most common adverse events were temporary swelling (9%) and nodules (8.5%). Selected examples of a variety of cases are reviewed.

Conclusions

The ability to tighten skin with a minimally invasive tool adds much to the contemporary approach to the body-contouring patient with skin laxity. Adverse events were minimal and greatly decreased after an initial short learning curve. Bipolar RFAL is a strong addition to our surgical armamentarium and has become an essential tool for our practices.

Level of Evidence: 4
Why considering technological heterogeneity is important for evaluating farm performance?
Authors: Renner Swetlana , Sauer Johannes , El Benni Nadja
Published: January 2021

A split-panel latent class stochastic frontier model is applied to account for technological heterogeneity among Swiss dairy farms and to assess the potential performance improvements through technology choice and change over 11 years. Three technology classes with substantially different productivity levels are identified considering the unobserved and observed farm characteristics. Technologies seem on average well adapted to local natural production conditions with low potential for efficiency and productivity increases. Few farms changed technology over time and either an intensification or extensification strategy was observed. Policymakers must be aware of the interlinkages between technology choices and the economic situation of farms.
Exposure to multiple childhood social risk factors and adult body mass index trajectories from ages 20 to 64 years
Authors: Caleyachetty Rishi , Stafford Mai , Cooper Rachel , Anderson Emma L , Howe Laura D , Cosco Theodore D , Kuh Diana , Hardy Rebecca
Published: January 2021

Background

While childhood social risk factors appear to be associated with adult obesity, it is unclear whether exposure to multiple childhood social risk factors is associated with accelerated weight gain during adulthood.

Methods

We used the Medical Research Council National Survey of Health and Development, a British population-based birth cohort study of participants born in 1946, height and weight were measured by nurses at ages 36, 43, 53 and 60–64 and self-reported at 20 and 26 years. The 9 childhood socioeconomic risk factors and 8 binary childhood psychosocial risk factors were measured, with 13 prospectively measured at age 4 years (or at 7 or 11 years if missing) and 3 were recalled when participants were age 43. Multilevel modelling was used to examine the association between the number of childhood social risk factors and changes in body mass index (BMI) with age.

Results

Increasing exposure to a higher number of childhood socioeconomic risk factors was associated with higher mean BMI across adulthood for both sexes and with a faster increase in BMI from 20 to 64 years, among women but not men. Associations remained after adjustment for adult social class. There was no evidence of an association between exposure to childhood psychosocial risk factors and mean BMI in either sex at any age.

Conclusions

Strategies for the prevention and management of weight gain across adulthood may need to tailor interventions in consideration of past exposure to multiple socioeconomic disadvantages experienced during childhood.
Cumulative damage by nonthermal plasma (NTP) exceeds the defense barrier of multiple antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: a key to achieve complete inactivation
Authors: Liao Xinyu , Forghani Fereidoun , Liu Donghong , Ding Tian
Published: January 2021

Objectives

The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive understanding of the nonthermal plasma (NTP)-induced inactivated behaviors on a multiple antibiotic–resistant (MAR) Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus).

Materials and Methods

A dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) NTP system was employed for the inactivation of a MAR S. aureus under various applied powers of 35, 45, and 55 W, and gas distances of 4, 6, and 8 mm. The inactivation kinetics of S. aureus were estimated with linear and nonlinear predictive models. In addition, degradation of carotenoid pigment, peroxidation of fatty acids, oxidation of nucleic acids and proteins, and alteration in gene expression were analyzed after NTP treatment.

Results and Discussion

The computationally simulated results indicated that the densities of various reactive species increased with enhanced applied powers and decreased discharge distances. These species were further transformed into reactive oxidative and nitrogen species in the gas–liquid interphase and liquid phase. The oxidative and nitrosative stress of NTP resulted in severe damage to cellular components and the morphological structure of S. aureus. On the other hand, the plasma reactive species could also induce the sublethal injury of S. aureus through upregulating the general stress response, antioxidative and antinitrosative defensive systems. Once the cumulative damages overrode the stress tolerance of S. aureus, the completed cell death was finally achieved by NTP.

Conclusions

This work infers the possible risk of inducing the repair and resistant capacity of pathogens when the applied NTP parameters are inappropriate, which helps the optimization of NTP process to achieve sufficient inactivation.
Genetic analysis of two mutations affecting thymidine metabolism in Dictyostelium discoideum.
Authors: Bronner C E , Welker D L , Deering R A
Published: January 2021

The tmpA600 mutation confers thymidylate synthase deficiency and thymidine auxotrophy to Dictyostelium discoideum. The tdrA600 mutation enhances transport of thymidine and thereby reduces the auxotrophic requirement of tmpA600 strains. The tmpA locus maps to linkage group III. The tdrA600 mutation is dominant and cosegregates with both linkage groups IV and VI, possibly because of a translocation between the two. The tdrA600 allele is sufficient to allow efficient incorporation of exogenous [3H]thymidine or [3H]uridine into TCA-precipitable material and to sensitize the cell to the nucleoside-analog inhibitor, 5-fluorodeoxyuridine. These properties make the tdrA mutation useful for studies requiring labelling of DNA or RNA in vivo.
Maternal-effect lethal mutations on linkage group II of Caenorhabditis elegans.
Authors: Kemphues K J , Kusch M , Wolf N
Published: January 2021

We have analyzed a set of linkage group (LG) II maternal-effect lethal mutations in Caenorhabditis elegans isolated by a new screening procedure. Screens of 12,455 F1 progeny from mutagenized adults resulted in the recovery of 54 maternal-effect lethal mutations identifying 29 genes. Of the 54 mutations, 39 are strict maternal-effect mutations defining 17 genes. These 17 genes fall into two classes distinguished by frequency of mutation to strict maternal-effect lethality. The smaller class, comprised of four genes, mutated to strict maternal-effect lethality at a frequency close to 5 X 10(-4), a rate typical of essential genes in C. elegans. Two of these genes are expressed during oogenesis and required exclusively for embryogenesis (pure maternal genes), one appears to be required specifically for meiosis, and the fourth has a more complex pattern of expression. The other 13 genes were represented by only one or two strict maternal alleles each. Two of these are identical genes previously identified by nonmaternal embryonic lethal mutations. We interpret our results to mean that although many C. elegans genes can mutate to strict maternal-effect lethality, most genes mutate to that phenotype rarely. Pure maternal genes, however, are among a smaller class of genes that mutate to maternal-effect lethality at typical rates. If our interpretation is correct, we are near saturation for pure maternal genes in the region of LG II balanced by mnC1. We conclude that the number of pure maternal genes in C. elegans is small, being probably not much higher than 12.
MUTATOR FACTORS AND GENETIC VARIANCE COMPONENTS OF VIABILITY IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER
Authors: Cardellino Ricardo A , Mukai Terumi
Published: January 2021

In the process of testing whether or not the independent-locus selection model holds true with previously estimated genetic parameters (cf. Mukai and Maruyama 1971) in D. melanogaster collected near Raleigh, North Carolina, we found an abnormal phenomenon: an unusually large increase in dominance variance for viability in comparison with additive variance with the accumulation of mutations on 140 randomly sampled, inversion-free second chromosomes. Mutations were accumulated only through males heterozygous for the Pm-carrying chromosomes [In(2LR)bwV1] and the extracted second chromosomes, and the genetic variance components were estimated by using a partial diallel cross method.—Further investigations clarified that chromosome abberations occurred at a frequency of 0.0114 per second chromosome per generation (inversions: 0.0098; transpositions: 0.0011; translocations: 0.0004), and recessive lethal mutations occurred at an average rate of 0.031 per second chromosome per generation.—From these results and from the amount of change in the homozygous load, it was speculated that about 60-70% of the second chromosomes used had a kind of mutator which induced chromosome and/or chromatid breaks at a minimum rate of 0.18 per second chromosome per generation. These breaks resulted in recessive lethal mutations at a rate more than ten times higher than the normal rate. Also these breaks were most probably the cause of male recombination.—The above unusual increase in dominance variance can be explained by assuming that chromosome segments, introduced into the extracted "wild" chromosomes by male recombinations (double cross-over) from the marker chromosomes [In(2LR)bwV1], showed heterosis and linkage disequilibria with deleterious mutations and possibly with other introduced segments.—Finally, the nature and possible significance of mutator factors are discussed.
CONDITIONS FOR THE EXISTENCE OF CLINES
Authors: Nagylaki Thomas
Published: January 2021

A very general partial differential equation in space and time satisfied by the gene frequency in a monoecious population distributed continuously over an arbitrary habitat is derived. The treatment is restricted to a single diallelic locus in the absence of mutation and random drift, and it is supposed that time is continuous, births and deaths occur at random, and migration is independent of genotype. With the further assumptions that migration is isotropic and homogeneous, the population density is constant and uniform (as permitted by the population regulation mechanism included in the formulation), and Hardy-Weinberg proportions obtain locally, this partial differential equation reduces to the simplest multidimensional generalization of the classical Fisher-Haldane cline model. The efficacy of migration and selection in maintaining genetic variability at equilibrium in this model is investigated by deducing conditions for the existence of clines under various circumstances. The effects of the degree of dominance, a neutral belt between the regions where a particular allele is advantageous and deleterious, finiteness of the habitat, and habitat dimensionality are evaluated. Provided at least one of the alleles is favored only in a finite region, excluding the special case in which its total effective selective coefficient is zero, if conditions for supporting a cline are too unfavorable because migration is too strong, selection is too weak, or both, a cline cannot exist at all. Thus, unless there is overdominance, the population must be monomorphic. It is possible for a cline which can barely exist under the prevailing ecological circumstances to show a large amount of variation in gene frequency
THE STUDY OF GENIC VARIATION BY ELECTROPHORETIC AND HEAT DENATURATION TECHNIQUES AT THE OCTANOL DEHYDROGENASE LOCUS IN MEMBERS OF THE DROSOPHILA VIRILIS GROUP
Authors: Singh R S , Hubby J L , Throckmorton L H
Published: January 2021

Heat denaturation studies of three different electrophoretic allozymes of octanol dehydrogenase were performed from 10 species of the Drosophila virilis group. A total of 18 alleles were discovered, and in 3 species in which electrophoretic studies indicated that the locus was monomorphic, heat denaturation showed that the locus was polymorphic. We show that electrophoretic studies underestimate the number of alleles at this locus by a factor of 2.6 in these species. The results are discussed in the light of the continuing controversy over selection and neutral theories of genetic variation.
ROMY: a multicomponent ring laser for geodesy and geophysics
Authors: Igel Heiner , Schreiber Karl Ulrich , Gebauer André , Bernauer Felix , Egdorf Sven , Simonelli Andrea , Lin Chin-Jen , Wassermann Joachim , Donner Stefanie , Hadziioannou Céline , Yuan Shihao , Brotzer Andreas , Kodet Jan , Tanimoto Toshiro , Hugentobler Urs , Wells Jon-Paul R
Published: January 2021

Single-component ring lasers have provided high-resolution observations of Earth’s rotation rate as well as local earthquake- or otherwise-induced rotational ground motions. Here, we present the design, construction and operational aspects of ROMY, a four-component, tetrahedral-shaped ring laser installed at the Geophysical Observatory Fürstenfeldbruck near Munich, Germany. Four equilateral, triangular-shaped ring lasers with 12 m side length provide rotational motions that can be combined to construct the complete vector of Earth’s rotation from a point measurement with very high resolution. Combined with a classic broad-band seismometer, we obtain the most accurate 6 degree-of-freedom ground motion measurement system to date, enabling local and teleseismic observations as well as the analysis of ocean-generated Love and Rayleigh waves. The specific design and construction details are discussed as are the resulting consequences for permanent observations. We present seismic observations of local, regional and global earthquakes as well as seasonal variations of ocean-generated rotation noise. The current resolution of polar motion is discussed and strategies how to further improve long-term stability of the multicomponent ring laser system are presented.
The Dual Complex of a Semi-log Canonical Surface
Authors: Brown Morgan V
Published: January 2021

Semi-log canonical varieties are a higher-dimensional analogue of stable curves. They are the varieties appearing as the boundary $\Delta $ of a log canonical pair $(X,\Delta )$ and also appear as limits of canonically polarized varieties in moduli theory. For certain three-fold pairs $(X,\Delta ),$ we show how to compute the PL homeomorphism type of the dual complex of a dlt minimal model directly from the normalization data of $\Delta $.
Precise Deviations for Disk Counting Statistics of Invariant Determinantal Processes
Authors: Fenzl Marcel , Lambert Gaultier
Published: January 2021

We consider 2-dimensional determinantal processes that are rotationinvariant and study the fluctuations of the number of points in disks. Based on the theory of mod-phi convergence, we obtain Berry–Esseen as well as precise moderate to large deviation estimates for these statistics. These results are consistent with the Coulomb gas heuristic from the physics literature. We also obtain functional limit theorems for the stochastic process $(\# D_r)_{r>0}$ when the radius $r$ of the disk $D_r$ is growing in different regimes. We present several applications to invariant determinantal processes, including the polyanalytic Ginibre ensembles, zeros of the hyperbolic Gaussian analytic function, and other hyperbolic models. As a corollary, we compute the precise asymptotics for the entanglement entropy of (integer) Laughlin states for all Landau levels.
A Lateral Flow Method for Aflatoxin B1 in Dry Dog Food: An Inter-Laboratory Trial
Authors: Vudathala Daljit , Cummings Margie , Tkachenko Andriy , Guag Jake , Reimschuessel Renate , Murphy and Lisa
Published: January 2021

Background

Dogs are highly susceptible to aflatoxins, the mycotoxins which most commonly cause acute dog illnesses and deaths following the consumption of contaminated food.

Objective

In this study, a screening method to detect aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in dry dog food was further evaluated at the FDA action level of 20 ng/g. A fourth-round multi-laboratory trial was performed. In contrast to the previous work, a different source of dog food was used in the multi-laboratory trial and more participants were involved.

Method

The tested lateral flow method employs a modified procedure of the “Rosa® AFQ-Fast Test Kit” from Charm Sciences Inc. A total of 60 unfortified blank study samples, 220 study samples fortified at 20 ng/g, and 80 study samples fortified at 9–11 ng/g were prepared by an independent party and analyzed in 10 collaborating laboratories in a blinded manner.

Results

The pass rates were 98.3 and 94.5% for unfortified and 20 ng/g fortified study samples, respectively.

Conclusions

The method is suitable for aflatoxin B1 screening at the FDA action level of 20 ng/g in a complex matrix such as dry dog food.

Highlights

This work completes extensive method performance evaluation through four rounds of multi-laboratory trials.
Characterizing Host Plant Resistance toMelanaphis sacchari(Hemiptera: Aphididae) in Selected Sorghum Plant Introductions
Authors: Souza M F , Davis J A
Published: January 2021

Since 2013 Melanaphis sacchari (Zehnter) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), the sugarcane aphid, has been a threat to sorghum production in the United States. The development of resistant sorghum hybrids has been one of the main management strategies. However, plant resistance can be overcome over time and new resistance genes need to be identified and introduced into adapted sorghum hybrids to secure sorghum production. Sorghum plant introduction (PI) genotypes were screened for resistance to M. sacchari through laboratory, greenhouse, and field assays. In addition, the feeding parameters of M. saccahri were analyzed and detailed in seven sorghum genotypes through EPG assays. Results showed sorghum genotypes PI 524770, PI 564163, and PI 643515 expressed resistance to M. sacchari consistently in laboratory, greenhouse, and field tests. EPG analysis suggested sorghum genotypes PI 524770 and PI 564163 express antibiosis to M. sacchari while PI 643515 expresses both antibiosis and antixenosis. Increasing the number of sorghum hybrids resistant to M. sacchari is key to improving integrated pest management of M. sacchari. By utilizing host plant resistance, sorghum producers can decrease insecticide applications while enhancing biological control.
Ex vivo nephron-sparing surgery and kidney autotransplantation for renal tumors
Authors: Crafa Francesco , Rossetti Amalia Rosaria Rita , Striano Augusto , Baiamonte Mario , Esposito Francesco
Published: January 2021

The nephron-sparing techniques allow the excision of kidney tumors preserving renal function and ensuring adequate oncological results. We describe a case of a 77-year-old patient who underwent an ex vivo partial nephrectomy with orthotopic autotransplantation for kidney cancer. The postoperative course was marked by bleeding which required radiological embolization. Postoperative dialysis was required for about 1 month. The anatomopathological examination showed a clear cell carcinoma staged pT1b, pNX, R0. At 2 years follow-up, no recurrence was detected with a complete renal function restoration. Our experience shows that ex vivo nephron-sparing surgery with autotransplantation is a good alternative to total nephrectomy in the case of voluminous or perihilar tumors. Considering the high morbidity of this procedure, it should be only performed in specialized centers.
A Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction Caused by an Unexpected Leb Antibody
Authors: Delk Alexander A , Gammon Richard R , Alvarez Harold , Benitez Nancy , Bright Frieda
Published: January 2021

A Black male patient aged 21 years with a history of sickle cell disease and HIV was admitted to the hospital with vaso-occlusive crisis. A transfusion reaction was called after the patient developed a fever (39.5°C), tachycardia, chills, and hematuria after receiving 300 mL of red blood cells. A posttransfusion specimen was submitted to the Immunohematology Reference Laboratory for investigation. Antibody identification revealed an anti-Leb as the probable cause of the immediate acute hemolytic transfusion reaction. Lewis antibodies are considered clinically insignificant. This case shows the importance of considering cold antibodies, including Lewis antibodies, as a possible cause of an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction.
Estimating the age–metallicity distribution of a stellar sample from the probability distributions of the individual stars
Authors: Sahlholdt Christian L , Lindegren Lennart
Published: January 2021

Estimating age distributions, or star formation histories, of stellar populations in the Milky Way is important in order to study the evolution of trends in elemental abundances and kinematics. We build on previous work to develop an algorithm for estimating the age–metallicity distribution which uses the full age–metallicity probability density functions (PDFs) of individual stars. No assumptions are made about the shape of the underlying distribution, and the only free parameter of the algorithm is used to ensure a smooth solution. In this work, we use individual age–metallicity PDFs from isochrone fitting of stars with known metallicities. The method is tested with synthetic samples and is found to recover the input age–metallicity distribution more accurately than the distribution of individually estimated ages and metallicities. The recovered sample age distribution (SAD) is always more accurate than the distribution of individual ages, also when restricted to the most precise individual ages. By applying the method to the stars in the Geneva–Copenhagen survey, we detect a possible minimum in the star formation history of the Solar neighbourhood at an age of 10 Gyr which is not seen in the distribution of individual ages. Although we apply the method only to age–metallicity distributions, the algorithm is described more generally and can in principle be applied in other parameter spaces. It is also not restricted to individual parameter distributions from isochrone fitting, meaning that an SAD can be estimated based on individual age PDFs from other methods such as asteroseismology or gyrochronology.
Text-Based Identification of Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus With Ocular Involvement in the Electronic Health Record: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Zheng Chengyi , Sy Lina S , Tanenbaum Hilary , Tian Yun , Luo Yi , Ackerson Bradley , Tseng Hung Fu
Published: January 2021

Background

Diagnosis codes are inadequate for accurately identifying herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO). Manual review of medical records is expensive and time-consuming, resulting in a lack of population-based data on HZO.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study, including 87 673 patients aged ≥50 years who had a new HZ diagnosis and associated antiviral prescription between 2010 and 2018. We developed and validated an automated natural language processing (NLP) algorithm to identify HZO with ocular involvement (ocular HZO). We compared the characteristics of NLP-identified ocular HZO, nonocular HZO, and non-HZO cases among HZ patients and identified the factors associated with ocular HZO among HZ patients.

Results

The NLP algorithm achieved 94.9% sensitivity and 94.2% specificity in identifying ocular HZO cases. Among 87 673 incident HZ cases, the proportion identified as ocular HZO was 9.0% (n = 7853) by NLP and 2.3% (n = 1988) by International Classification of Diseases codes. In adjusted analyses, older age and male sex were associated with an increased risk of ocular HZO; Hispanic and black race/ethnicity each were associated with a lower risk of ocular HZO compared with non-Hispanic white.

Conclusions

The NLP algorithm achieved high accuracy and can be used in large population-based studies to identify ocular HZO, avoiding labor-intensive chart review. Age, sex, and race were strongly associated with ocular HZO among HZ patients. We should consider these risk factors when planning for zoster vaccination.