bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A compensation method for the eccentricity and inclination errors of spiral bevel gear based on improved ICP algorithm
Authors: Liu Yongsheng , Chen Yixin , Fang Suping
Published: March 2021

Due to the manufacturing and assembly errors of the spiral bevel gear, the deviations between the measured tooth surface and its theoretical tooth surface will affect the measurement results of the tooth surface. After analyzing the tooth surface deviation of spiral bevel gear, this paper provided a compensation method to compensate the eccentricity and inclination errors by the registration of the theoretical and measured tooth surface. An improved iterative closest point (ICP) algorithm for the registration of the tooth surface was provided. The distance between the point in measured tooth surface and the nearest point in theoretical tooth surface is used to replace the minimum Euclidean distance, and the damping Gauss-Newton method is used to solve the geometric transformation matrix. Simulation experiments were carried out to verify the proposed compensation method. The compensation effect is over 93% for the concave tooth surface and over 89% for the convex tooth surface of the spiral bevel gear. The results also show that the improved ICP algorithm could compensate the eccentricity and inclination errors of the spiral bevel gear more precisely than the basic ICP algorithm.
Accurate hierarchical stereo matching based on 3D plane labeling of superpixel for stereo images from rovers
Authors: Li Haichao , Li Zhi , Huang Jianbin , Meng Bo , Zhang Zhimin
Published: March 2021

An accurate hierarchical stereo matching method is proposed based on continuous 3D plane labeling of superpixel for rover’s stereo images. This method can infer the 3D plane label of each pixel combined with the slanted-patch matching strategy and coarse-to-fine constraints, which is especially suitable for large-scale scene matching with low-texture or textureless regions. At every level, the stereo matching method based on superpixel segmentation makes the iteration convergence faster and avoids huge redundant computations. In the coarse-to-fine matching scheme, we propose disparity constraint and 3D normal vector constraint between adjacent levels through which the disparity map and 3D normal vector map at a coarser level are used to restrict the search range of disparity and normal vector at a fine level. The experimental results with the Chang’e-3 rover dataset and the KITTI dataset show that the proposed stereo matching method is efficiently and accurately compared with the state-of-the-art 3D labeling algorithm, especially in low-texture or textureless regions. The computational efficiency of this method is about five to six times faster than the state-of-the-art 3D labeling method, and the accuracy is better.
Fractional data-driven control for a rotary flexible joint system
Authors: AlSereihy Maher H , Mehedi Ibrahim M , Al-saggaf Ubaid M , Munawar Khalid , Mansouri Rachid , Bettayeb Maamar
Published: March 2021

As one of the most promising topics in complex control processes, data-driven techniques have been widely used in numerous industrial sectors and have developed over the past two decades. In addition, the fractional-order controller has become more attractive in applied studies. In this article, a fractional integral control is implemented for a rotary flexible joint system. Moreover, an adjusted virtual reference feedback tuning (VRFT) technique is used to tune the fractional-order integrator. In this method, fractional integral control is designed based on state feedback control. Then, VRFT is adjusted and applied to the fractional integral controller. The effectiveness of the proposed adjusted VRFT method is discussed and presented through simulation and experimental results. The tracking performance of the rotary arm and the minimization of the vibration tip is evaluated based on the proposed method. In this article, the comparison of our proposed VRFT fractional scheme is made with the classical state feedback as well as a recently developed state feedback-based fractional order integral (SF-FOI) controller. The current investigations determine the performance improvement of our proposed scheme of comparable structure to the recent SF-FOI, with the introduction of the VRFT to the SF-FOI scheme.
Position specific peak impact and running demands of professional rugby union players during game play
Authors: Peek Rebecca J , Middleton Kane J , Gastin Paul B , Carey David L , Clarke Anthea C
Published: March 2021

This study quantifies the maximum number of impacts and peak running demands during 1– to 10– minute rolling window periods in elite rugby union matches using a multi-team dataset (n = 2232 player-games). Maximum values for impacts (impacts·min−1) and running (m·min−1) were calculated for 161 athletes from four teams across the 2018 and 2019 Super Rugby seasons. The effect of window duration and playing position on peak impact and running demands were estimated using linear mixed effect models and prediction intervals. The peak impact and running demands for a 1-min period were 4.5 – 5.5 impacts·min−1 and 150 – 180 m·min−1, depending on playing position. While small variations in mean impact and running movements could be observed by position, the large prediction interval and individual player variation meant that there was no practically meaningful difference by position. As such, when prescribing training drills to replicate the peak demands in rugby union, impact and running movements of players can be similar, regardless of position. Using a prediction interval allows us to identify the range where the demands in a future game may fall, and are beneficial to use when also trying to prepare players for the demands of rugby union.
The Philippines’ COVID-19 Response
Authors: Hapal Karl
Published: March 2021

The Philippine response to COVID-19 has been described as being one of the longest and strictest lockdowns in the world. Why has the Philippine government relied heavily on draconian measures in its “war” against COVID-19? And what discourse informed the framing of its response as a war against the virus? This article argues that the government’s reliance on draconian measures was a consequence of securitising COVID-19, appreciating the virus as an “existential threat.” The securitisation of COVID-19 was reinforced with a narrative characterising the situation of the country as being at war against an “unseen enemy.” This war-like narrative, however, invariably produced a subject, the pasaway. As the perpetual enemy of health and order, the pasaway became the target of disciplining and policing. The targeting of the pasaway was informed by deep-seated class prejudices and Duterte’s authoritarian tendencies.
What’s Scientific About Forensic Science? Three Versions of American Forensics, 1903-1965, and One Modest Proposal
Authors: Hamlin Christopher
Published: March 2021

Growing attention to the philosophy of forensic science in recent decades has sometimes included the question: “what kind of science is forensic science”? Yet there has been little discussion of how that question has been differently construed in terms of period, place, and prevailing anxieties. Following an examination of the unique character this question must have in an American legal context, this article reviews three modes/phases of response, rooted successively in individual authority, comprehensive method, and institutions of flexible problem-solving. The conclusion applies this complex legacy in two ways: first to clarify areas of incoherence and tension in recent attempts to underwrite forensic sciences, and second to supply a fuller framework for Max Houck’s argument for the essentially historical character of forensic science.
Adult-onset en coup de sabre scleroderma in a patient with linear localized scleroderma profunda: A case report and literature review
Authors: Mititelu Roxana , Ridha Zainab , Ouchene Lydia , Netchiporouk Elena
Published: March 2021

The en coup de sabre variant of linear scleroderma typically occurs in children. We report a unique case of adult-onset en coup de sabre scleroderma in a patient with linear localized scleroderma profunda. The patient was treated with oral steroids and oral methotrexate improving her cutaneous disease. This case highlights the importance of a thorough cutaneous examination as this adult patient developed an entity traditionally believed to occur in childhood.
Functions of Career Resilience Against Changes During Working Life in Japan: Focus on Health Condition Changes and Task or Job Changes
Authors: Kodama Makiko
Published: March 2021

This study aimed to clarify the role that career resilience plays in preventing inhibition of career development when individuals confront changes during their working life, such as changes in work tasks or health condition. Career resilience consists of five factors: ability to cope with problems, social skills, interest in novelty, optimism about the future, and willingness to help others. In all, 1,000 Japanese company employees completed an online survey. The results showed that optimism about the future and ability to cope with problems exhibited a negative correlation with NPC when confronting changes. The results of simple slope analysis suggested that social skills and ability to cope with problems decreased the negative influence that psychological symptoms caused by changes had on job satisfaction, which was one index of career development. This study underlines the necessity of developing the ability to cope with problems and social skills.
Cognitive and Affective Mediators of Alcohol-Facilitated Intimate-Partner Aggression
Authors: Eckhardt Christopher I. , Parrott Dominic J. , Swartout Kevin M. , Leone Ruschelle M. , Purvis Danielle M. , Massa Andrea A. , Sprunger Joel G.
Published: March 2021

In this multisite study, we examined whether aggressive cognitions and facial displays of negative affect and anger experienced during provocation mediated the association between alcohol intoxication and intimate-partner aggression (IPA). Participants were 249 heavy drinkers (148 men, 101 women) with a recent history of IPA perpetration. Participants were randomly assigned to an alcohol or no-alcohol control-beverage condition and completed a shock-based aggression task involving apparent provocation by their intimate partner. During provocation, a hidden camera recorded participants’ facial expressions and verbal articulations, which were later coded using the Facial Action Coding System and the Articulated Thoughts in Simulated Situations paradigm. Results indicated that the positive association between alcohol intoxication and partner-directed physical aggression was mediated by participants’ aggressive cognitions but not by negative affect or anger facial expressions. These findings implicate aggressogenic cognitions as a mediating mechanism underlying the association between the acute effects of alcohol and IPA perpetration.
Emotional and Cognitive Empathy in Caregivers of People With Neurodegenerative Disease: Relationships With Caregiver Mental Health
Authors: Hua Alice Y. , Wells Jenna L. , Brown Casey L. , Levenson Robert W.
Published: March 2021

Caregiving for a person with dementia or neurodegenerative disease is associated with increased rates of depression and anxiety. As the population ages and dementia prevalence increases worldwide, mental health problems related to dementia caregiving will become an even more pressing public health concern. In the present study, we assessed emotional empathy (physiological, behavioral, and self-reported emotional responses to a film depicting others suffering) and two measures of cognitive empathy (identifying the primary emotion experienced by another person and providing continuous ratings of the valence of another person’s changing emotions) in relation to mental health (standard questionnaires) in 78 caregivers of people with dementia or neurodegenerative disease. Greater emotional empathy (self-reported emotional responses) was associated with worse mental health even after accounting for known risk factors. Neither measure of cognitive empathy was associated with mental health. A relationship between high levels of emotional empathy and poor mental health in caregivers suggests possible risk indicators and intervention targets.
Biochemical MRI With dGEMRIC Corresponds to 3D-CT Based Impingement Location for Detection of Acetabular Cartilage Damage in FAI Patients
Authors: Lerch Till D. , Ambühl Dimitri , Schmaranzer Florian , Todorski Inga A.S. , Steppacher Simon D. , Hanke Markus S. , Haefeli Pascal C. , Liechti Emanuel F. , Siebenrock Klaus A. , Tannast Moritz
Published: March 2021

Background:

Anterior femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is associated with labral tears and acetabular cartilage damage in athletic and young patients. Delayed gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of cartilage (dGEMRIC) is an imaging method for detecting early damage to cartilage.

Purpose:

We evaluated the following questions: (1) What is the sensitivity and specificity of morphological magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and dGEMRIC for detecting cartilage damage? Do the mean acetabular and femoral dGEMRIC indices differ between (2) superior acetabular clock positions with and without impingement and (3) between cam- and pincer-type FAI?

Study Design:

Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

This was a retrospective comparative study of 21 hips (20 patients with symptomatic anterior FAI) without osteoarthritis on anteroposterior radiographs. Morphological MRI and dGEMRIC (3.0-T, 3-dimensional [3D] T1 maps, dual–flip angle technique) of the same hip joint were compared. Intraoperative acetabular cartilage damage was assessed in patients who underwent surgical treatment. Computed tomography (CT)–based 3D bone models of the same hip joint were used as the gold standard for the detection of impingement, and dGEMRIC indices and zones of morphologic damage were compared with the CT-based impingement zones.

Results:

Of the 21 hips, 10 had cam-type FAI and 8 had pincer-type FAI according to radiographs. The mean age was 30 ± 9 years (range, 17-48 years), 71% were female, and surgical treatment was performed in 52%. We found a significantly higher sensitivity (69%) for dGEMRIC compared with morphological MRI (42%) in the detection of cartilage damage ( P < .001). The specificity of dGEMRIC was 83% and accuracy was 78%. The mean peripheral acetabular and femoral dGEMRIC indices for clock positions with impingement (485 ± 141 and 440 ± 121 ms) were significantly lower compared with clock positions without impingement (596 ± 183 and 534 ± 129 ms) ( P < .001). Hips with cam-type FAI had significantly lower acetabular dGEMRIC indices compared with hips with pincer-type FAI on the anterosuperior clock positions (1 to 3 o’clock) ( P = .018).

Conclusion:

MRI with dGEMRIC was more sensitive than morphological MRI, and lower dGEMRIC values were found for clock positions with impingement as detected on 3D-CT. This could aid in patient-specific diagnosis of FAI, preoperative patient selection, and surgical decision making to identify patients with cartilage damage who are at risk for inferior outcomes after hip arthroscopy.
Efficacy of Anti-inflammatory Treatment Versus Rescue Analgesia After Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy in Nonarthritic Knees: A 3-Arm Controlled Study
Authors: Dolev Amir , Yaari Lee , Kittani Mohamed , Yassin Mustafa , Gbaren Mahmod , Feicht Elia , Shemesh Shai , Haviv Barak
Published: March 2021

Background:

There is currently no consensus regarding the appropriate treatment for postoperative pain after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM). Prescribing a mild non–anti-inflammatory protocol of rescue analgesia may be sufficient to avoid the side effects of opioids or anti-inflammatories.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose was to compare the efficacy of pain reduction after APM in nonarthritic knees using betamethasone or celecoxib as anti-inflammatory analgesics versus acetaminophen or tramadol as rescue analgesics. The hypothesis was that there is no advantage for anti-inflammatories in achieving postoperative immediate pain relief after APM in nonarthritic knees compared with a simple nonopioid treatment.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

This 3-arm controlled study evaluated postoperative pain levels and analgesic consumption in patients who underwent primary APM (under general anesthesia) at a single institution from December 2018 to December 2019. Patients were prospectively divided into 3 treatment groups: (1) betamethasone injection at the end of the procedure, (2) oral celecoxib prescription, or (3) neither treatment (control). All groups were instructed to take supplementary acetaminophen as needed. Patients were also allowed to take tramadol as needed to evaluate the need for opioids. At postoperative weeks 1, 2, and 3, patients completed the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) Pain subscale, and results were compared between time points and groups.

Results:

A total of 99 patients were included in the treatment groups: betamethasone group (32 patients), celecoxib group (30 patients), and control group (37 patients). At baseline, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups in age, sex, body mass index, level of activity, comorbidities, or surgical findings. KOOS Pain scores improved at every time point for all 3 groups ( P < .001), and no differences in scores were observed among groups. The consumption of acetaminophen or tramadol as rescue analgesia throughout the follow-up period was negligible among groups.

Conclusion:

During the first 3 postoperative weeks after APM in nonarthritic knees, pain was efficiently controlled by betamethasone or celecoxib; however, pain was also efficiently controlled by minimal consumption of acetaminophen with negligible use of tramadol. Therefore, acetaminophen could be prescribed as an effective first-line postoperative analgesic after APM.
Disciplining Academic Identities: Boundaries and Identity Work among Arts and Sciences Faculty
Authors: Simula Brandy L. , Scott Tracy L.
Published: March 2021

A large body of scholarship shows that even as interdisciplinarity gains recognition, the disciplines remain core aspects of the organization of modern academic life in the United States. We do not yet know, however, how faculty draw on disciplines and disciplinary boundaries in their academic identity work or how they construct their academic identities and convey those identities to others. We explore these questions through 100 in-depth interviews with faculty from 34 arts and sciences disciplines at a private, Research 1 university. We show how boundary battles over symbolic resources associated with disciplines contribute to faculty identity work. We identify four types of identity work arts and sciences faculty use: foregrounding disciplinarity, resisting disciplinary identities associated with administratively assigned departmental homes, emphasizing scientist identities, and pursuing question-oriented identities. Finally, we show how beliefs that disciplinary differences reflect underlying distinctions between “kinds of people” shore up the importance of disciplinary divisions, even in a university setting that provides material support for interdisciplinarity. We use these results to argue that even in institutional settings that provide support for interdisciplinarity, disciplinary boundaries may remain central by providing important symbolic resources.
The 2018 update of the US National Seismic Hazard Model: Ground motion models in the central and eastern US
Authors: Rezaeian Sanaz , Powers Peter M , Shumway Allison M , Petersen Mark D , Luco Nicolas , Frankel Arthur D , Moschetti Morgan P , Thompson Eric M , McNamara Daniel E
Published: March 2021

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) National Seismic Hazard Model (NSHM) is the scientific foundation of seismic design regulations in the United States and is regularly updated to consider the best available science and data. The 2018 update of the conterminous US NSHM includes major changes to the underlying ground motion models (GMMs). Most of the changes are motivated by the new multi-period response spectra requirements of seismic design regulations that use hazard results for 22 spectral periods and 8 site classes. In the central and eastern United States (CEUS), the 2018 NSHM incorporates 31 new GMMs for hard-rock site conditions [Formula: see text], including the Next Generation Attenuation (NGA)-East GMMs. New aleatory variability and site-effect models, both specific to the CEUS, are applied to all median hard-rock GMMs. This article documents the changes to the USGS GMM selection criteria and provides details on the new CEUS GMMs used in the 2018 NSHM update. The median GMMs, their weights, epistemic uncertainty, and aleatory variability are compared with those considered in prior NSHMs. This article further provides implementation details on the CEUS site-effect model, which allows conversion of hard-rock ground motions to other site conditions in the CEUS for the first time in NSHMs. Compared with the 2014 NSHM hard-rock ground motions, the weighted average of median GMMs increases for large magnitude events at middle to large distance range, epistemic uncertainty increases in almost all situations, but aleatory variability is not significantly different. Finally, the total effect on hazard is demonstrated for an assumed earthquake source model in the CEUS, which shows an increased ring of ground motions in the vicinity of the New Madrid seismic zone and decreased ground motions near the East Tennessee seismic zone.
Dose/schedule-adjusted Rd-R vs continuous Rd for elderly, intermediate-fit patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma
Authors: Larocca Alessandra , Bonello Francesca , Gaidano Gianluca , D’Agostino Mattia , Offidani Massimo , Cascavilla Nicola , Capra Andrea , Benevolo Giulia , Tosi Patrizia , Galli Monica , Marasca Roberto , Giuliani Nicola , Bernardini Annalisa , Antonioli Elisabetta , Rota-Scalabrini Delia , Cellini Claudia , Pompa Alessandra , Monaco Federico , Patriarca Francesca , Caravita di Toritto Tommaso , Corradini Paolo , Tacchetti Paola , Boccadoro Mario , Bringhen Sara
Published: March 2021

Lenalidomide-dexamethasone (Rd) is standard treatment for elderly patients with multiple myeloma (MM). In this randomized phase 3 study, we investigated efficacy and feasibility of dose/schedule-adjusted Rd followed by maintenance at 10 mg per day without dexamethasone (Rd-R) vs continuous Rd in elderly, intermediate-fit newly diagnosed patients with MM. Primary end point was event-free survival (EFS), defined as progression/death from any cause, lenalidomide discontinuation, or hematologic grade 4 or nonhematologic grade 3 to 4 adverse event (AE). Of 199 evaluable patients, 101 received Rd-R and 98 continuous Rd. Median follow-up was 37 months. EFS was 10.4 vs 6.9 months (hazard ratio [HR], 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.51-0.95; P = .02); median progression-free survival, 20.2 vs 18.3 months (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.55-1.10; P = .16); and 3-year overall survival, 74% vs 63% (HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.37-1.03; P = .06) with Rd-R vs Rd, respectively. Rate of ≥1 nonhematologic grade ≥3 AE was 33% vs 43% (P = .14) in Rd-R vs Rd groups, with neutropenia (21% vs 18%), infections (10% vs 12%), and skin disorders (7% vs 3%) the most frequent; constitutional and central nervous system AEs mainly related to dexamethasone were more frequent with Rd. Lenalidomide was discontinued for AEs in 24% vs 30% and reduced in 45% vs 62% of patients receiving Rd-R vs Rd, respectively. In intermediate-fit patients, switching to reduced-dose lenalidomide maintenance without dexamethasone after 9 Rd cycles was feasible, with similar outcomes to standard continuous Rd. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02215980.
Chip Formation Mechanism of Inconel 718: A Review of Models and Approaches
Authors: Liu Chun , Wan Min , Zhang Weihong , Yang Yun
Published: March 2021

Inconel 718, a nickel, chrome and iron alloy, has special advantages, such as high-temperature strength, thermal resistance and corrosion resistance, which facilitate wide usage in the aerospace industry, especially in the hot sections of gas turbine engines. However, machining this alloy is correlated closely with the material’s inherent properties such as excellent combination of strength, hardness and toughness, low thermal conductivity and the tendency to adhere to cutting tools. This nickel alloy also contains inclusions of hard abrasive carbide particles that lead to work-hardening of the workpiece material and thus abrasive wear of the cutting tool. That is, the machining of Inconel 718 is always influenced by high mechanical and thermal loads. This article reviews the chip formation mechanism of Inconel 718. One of the main characteristics in machining of Inconel 718 is that it will produce serrated or segmented chips in a wide range of cutting speeds and feeds. Existing studies show that the chip serration or segmentation by shear localization affects the machined surface integrity, and also contributes to the chip’s evacuation and the automation of machining operations. Thus, research conclusion indicates that the serrated or segmented chip phenomenon is desirable in reducing the level of cutting force, and detailed analysis of models and approaches to understand the chip formation mechanism of Inconel 718 is vital for machining this alloy effectively and efficiently. Therefore, this article presents some summaries on the models and approaches on the chip formation in machining of Inconel 718.
The Rice GLYCINE-RICH PROTEIN 3 Confers Drought Tolerance by Regulating mRNA Stability of ROS Scavenging-Related Genes
Authors: Shim Jae Sung , Park Su-Hyun , Lee Dong-Keun , Kim Youn Shic , Park Soo-Chul , Redillas Mark Christian Felipe R. , Seo Jun Sung , Kim Ju-Kon
Published: March 2021

Background

Plant glycine-rich proteins are categorized into several classes based on their protein structures. The glycine-rich RNA binding proteins (GRPs) are members of class IV subfamily possessing N-terminus RNA-recognition motifs (RRMs) and proposed to be involved in post-transcriptional regulation of its target transcripts. GRPs are involved in developmental process and cellular stress responses, but the molecular mechanisms underlying these regulations are still elusive.

Results

Here, we report the functional characterization of rice GLYCINE-RICH PROTEIN 3 (OsGRP3) and its physiological roles in drought stress response. Both drought stress and ABA induce the expression of OsGRP3. Transgenic plants overexpressing OsGRP3 (OsGRP3OE) exhibited tolerance while knock-down plants (OsGRP3KD) were susceptible to drought compared to the non-transgenic control. In vivo, subcellular localization analysis revealed that OsGRP3-GFP was transported from cytoplasm/nucleus into cytoplasmic foci following exposure to ABA and mannitol treatments. Comparative transcriptomic analysis between OsGRP3OE and OsGRP3KD plants suggests that OsGRP3 is involved in the regulation of the ROS related genes. RNA-immunoprecipitation analysis revealed the associations of OsGRP3 with PATHOGENESIS RELATED GENE 5 (PR5), METALLOTHIONEIN 1d (MT1d), 4,5-DOPA-DIOXYGENASE (DOPA), and LIPOXYGENASE (LOX) transcripts. The half-life analysis showed that PR5 transcripts decayed slower in OsGRP3OE but faster in OsGRP3KD, while MT1d and LOX transcripts decayed faster in OsGRP3OE but slower in OsGRP3KD plants. H2O2 accumulation was reduced in OsGRP3OE and increased in OsGRP3KD plants compared to non-transgenic plants (NT) under drought stress.

Conclusion

OsGRP3 plays a positive regulator in rice drought tolerance and modulates the transcript level and mRNA stability of stress-responsive genes, including ROS-related genes. Moreover, OsGRP3 contributes to the reduction of ROS accumulation during drought stress. Our results suggested that OsGRP3 alleviates ROS accumulation by regulating ROS-related genes’ mRNA stability under drought stress, which confers drought tolerance.
Identification of regulatory factors promoting embryogenic callus formation in barley through transcriptome analysis
Authors: Suo Jingqi , Zhou Chenlu , Zeng Zhanghui , Li Xipu , Bian Hongwu , Wang Junhui , Zhu Muyuan , Han Ning
Published: March 2021

Background

Barley is known to be recalcitrant to tissue culture, which hinders genetic transformation and its biotechnological application. To date, the ideal explant for transformation remains limited to immature embryos; the mechanism underlying embryonic callus formation is elusive.

Results

This study aimed to uncover the different transcription regulation pathways between calli formed from immature (IME) and mature (ME) embryos through transcriptome sequencing. We showed that incubation of embryos in an auxin-rich medium caused dramatic changes in gene expression profiles within 48 h. Overall, 9330 and 11,318 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found in the IME and ME systems, respectively. 3880 DEGs were found to be specific to IME_0h/IME_48h, and protein phosphorylation, regulation of transcription, and oxidative-reduction processes were the most common gene ontology categories of this group. Twenty-threeIAA, fourteenARF, eightSAUR, threeYUC, and fourPINgenes were found to be differentially expressed during callus formation. The effect of callus-inducing medium (CIM) onIAAgenes was broader in the IME system than in the ME system, indicating that auxin response participates in regulating cell reprogramming during callus formation.BBM,LEC1, andPLT2exhibited a significant increase in expression levels in the IME system but were not activated in the ME system.WUSshowed a more substantial growth trend in the IME system than in the ME system, suggesting that these embryonic, shoot, and root meristem genes play crucial roles in determining the acquisition of competency. Moreover, epigenetic regulators, includingSUVH3A,SUVH2A, andHDA19B/703, exhibited differential expression patterns between the two induction systems, indicating that epigenetic reprogramming might contribute to gene expression activation/suppression in this process. Furthermore, we examined the effect of ectopic expression ofHvBBMandHvWUSonAgrobacterium-mediated barley transformation. The transformation efficiency in the group expressing thePLTPpro:HvBBM + Axig1pro:HvWUSconstruct was increased by three times that in the control (empty vector) because of enhanced plant regeneration capacity.

Conclusions

We identified some regulatory factors that might contribute to the differential responses of the two explants to callus induction and provide a promising strategy to improve transformation efficiency in barley.
Genome-wide association study reveals the genetic basis of yield- and quality-related traits in wheat
Authors: Gao Le , Meng Chengsheng , Yi Tengfei , Xu Ke , Cao Huiwen , Zhang Shuhua , Yang Xueju , Zhao Yong
Published: March 2021

Background

Identifying the loci and dissecting the genetic architecture underlying wheat yield- and quality-related traits are essential for wheat breeding. A genome-wide association study was conducted using a high-density 90 K SNP array to analyze the yield- and quality-related traits of 543 bread wheat varieties.

Results

A total of 11,140 polymorphic SNPs were distributed on 21 chromosomes, including 270 significant SNPs associated with 25 yield- and quality-related traits. Additionally, 638 putative candidate genes were detected near the significant SNPs based on BLUP data, including three (TraesCS7A01G482000,TraesCS4B01G343700, andTraesCS6B01G295400) related to spikelet number per spike, diameter of the first internode, and grain volume. The three candidate genes were further analyzed using stage- and tissue- specific gene expression data derived from an RNA-seq analysis. These genes are promising candidates for enhancing yield- and quality-related traits in wheat.

Conclusions

The results of this study provide a new insight to understand the genetic basis of wheat yield and quality. Furthermore, the markers detected in this study may be applicable for marker-assisted selection in wheat breeding programs.
The Association of Intraoperative driving pressure with postoperative pulmonary complications in open versus closed abdominal surgery patients – a posthoc propensity score–weighted cohort analysis of the LAS VEGAS study
Authors:   for the LAS VEGAS study–investigators, Mazzinari Guido ,   the PROtective VEntilation NETwork,   the Clinical Trial Network of the European Society of Anaesthesiology, Serpa Neto Ary , Hemmes Sabrine N. T. , Hedenstierna Goran , Jaber Samir , Hiesmayr Michael , Hollmann Markus W. , Mills Gary H. , Vidal Melo Marcos F. , Pearse Rupert M. , Putensen Christian , Schmid Werner , Severgnini Paolo , Wrigge Hermann , Cambronero Oscar Diaz , Ball Lorenzo , de Abreu Marcelo Gama , Pelosi Paolo , Schultz Marcus J.
Published: March 2021

Background

It is uncertain whether the association of the intraoperative driving pressure (ΔP) with postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) depends on the surgical approach during abdominal surgery. Our primary objective was to determine and compare the association of time–weighted average ΔP (ΔPTW) with PPCs. We also tested the association of ΔPTW with intraoperative adverse events.

Methods

Posthoc retrospective propensity score–weighted cohort analysis of patients undergoing open or closed abdominal surgery in the ‘Local ASsessment of Ventilatory management during General Anaesthesia for Surgery’ (LAS VEGAS) study, that included patients in 146 hospitals across 29 countries. The primary endpoint was a composite of PPCs. The secondary endpoint was a composite of intraoperative adverse events.

Results

The analysis included 1128 and 906 patients undergoing open or closed abdominal surgery, respectively. The PPC rate was 5%. ΔP was lower in open abdominal surgery patients, but ΔPTW was not different between groups. The association of ΔPTW with PPCs was significant in both groups and had a higher risk ratio in closed compared to open abdominal surgery patients (1.11 [95%CI 1.10 to 1.20], P <  0.001 versus 1.05 [95%CI 1.05 to 1.05], P <  0.001; risk difference 0.05 [95%CI 0.04 to 0.06], P <  0.001). The association of ΔPTW with intraoperative adverse events was also significant in both groups but had higher odds ratio in closed compared to open abdominal surgery patients (1.13 [95%CI 1.12– to 1.14], P <  0.001 versus 1.07 [95%CI 1.05 to 1.10], P <  0.001; risk difference 0.05 [95%CI 0.030.07], P <  0.001).

Conclusions

ΔP is associated with PPC and intraoperative adverse events in abdominal surgery, both in open and closed abdominal surgery.

Trial registration

LAS VEGAS was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (trial identifier NCT01601223).
Muscle mass rather than muscle strength or physical performance is associated with metabolic syndrome in community-dwelling older Chinese adults
Authors: Song Peiyu , Han Peipei , Zhao Yinjiao , Zhang Yuanyuan , Wang Liyan , Tao Zhuoying , Jiang Zhengxing , Shen Shijing , Wu Yunxiao , Wu Jiajie , Chen Xiaoyu , Yu Xing , Zhao Yong , Guo Qi
Published: March 2021

Objective

The purpose of this study was to examine whether muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance were associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in community-dwelling older Chinese adults.

Methods

The study comprised of 1413 community-dwelling Chinese participants (577 men; mean ± standard deviation age: 71.3 ± 5.9) recruited from Tianjin and Shanghai, China who were invited to participate in a comprehensive geriatric assessment. The International Diabetes Federation metabolic syndrome guidelines were used to define MetS, including high waist circumference, elevated blood pressure, elevated fasting blood glucose, elevated triglycerides, and reduced HDL cholesterol. Muscle mass was measured by appendicular skeletal muscle mass/weight (ASM/weight), and ASM was measured by BIA. Muscle strength was measured using grip strength. Physical performance was represented by walking speed and the time up and go test (TUGT).

Results

The overall prevalence of MetS was 46.8% (34.1% in males and 55.5% in females). In the final logistic regression model, there was a significant, graded inverse association between muscle mass and MetS (p for trend = 0.014). Muscle strength and physical performance, including walking speed and TUGT, were not associated with overall MetS. In the components of MetS, muscle mass and grip strength were significantly inversely associated with high waist circumference and elevated blood pressure (p < 0.05), while physical performance was not associated with components of MetS.

Conclusions

Compared with muscle strength and muscle function, muscle mass was inversely associated with MetS in a community-dwelling elderly Chinese population. Among muscle mass、muscle strength and physical performance, muscle mass appears to have the strongest association with MetS in the elderly.
Thalamic abscess in a patient with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia successfully treated with an empiric antibiotic regime: case report and review of the literature
Authors: Santander Xavier A. , Saab Anwar , Revuelta-Barbero Juan Manuel , Múñez Elena
Published: March 2021

Background

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a rare autosomal dominant disease associated with neurological complications, including cerebral abscesses (CA). They tend to be unique, supratentorial and lobar. While the surgical intervention is a rule of thumb when treating and diagnosing the etiology of these lesions, this is not always possible due to dangerous or inaccessible locations. We report the case of a patient solely treated with empiric antibiotics without stereotaxic intervention and satisfactory results.

Case presentation

We present the case of a 21-year-old patient with a right thalamic abscess due to HHT and pulmonary arteriovenous malformations, previously embolized, treated solely with antibiotics. At first, we contemplated the possibility of a stereotaxic biopsy, but the high-risk location and the fact that our patient received a previous full course of antibiotic treatment (in another center), made us discard this intervention because of the low diagnostic yield. We started an empiric antibiotic regime. We followed up very closely the clinical and radiological evaluation the next weeks, adjusting our antibiotic treatment when necessary. The results were favorable from both the radiological and clinical aspects and 6 months after the diagnosis the images show its almost complete disappearance.

Conclusion

Carefully tailored antibiotic-only regime and vigilance of its adverse effects and close radiological following is a good treatment approach when surgery is not an option.
Research on the predictive effect of a combined model of ARIMA and neural networks on human brucellosis in Shanxi Province, China: a time series predictive analysis
Authors: Zhai Mengmeng , Li Wenhan , Tie Ping , Wang Xuchun , Xie Tao , Ren Hao , Zhang Zhuang , Song Weimei , Quan Dichen , Li Meichen , Chen Limin , Qiu Lixia
Published: March 2021

Background

Brucellosis is a major public health problem that seriously affects developing countries and could cause significant economic losses to the livestock industry and great harm to human health. Reasonable prediction of the incidence is of great significance in controlling brucellosis and taking preventive measures.

Methods

Our human brucellosis incidence data were extracted from Shanxi Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention. We used seasonal-trend decomposition using Loess (STL) and monthplot to analyse the seasonal characteristics of human brucellosis in Shanxi Province from 2007 to 2017. The autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model, a combined model of ARIMA and the back propagation neural network (ARIMA-BPNN), and a combined model of ARIMA and the Elman recurrent neural network (ARIMA-ERNN) were established separately to make predictions and identify the best model. Additionally, the mean squared error (MAE), mean absolute error (MSE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) were used to evaluate the performance of the model.

Results

We observed that the time series of human brucellosis in Shanxi Province increased from 2007 to 2014 but decreased from 2015 to 2017. It had obvious seasonal characteristics, with the peak lasting from March to July every year. The best fitting and prediction effect was the ARIMA-ERNN model. Compared with those of the ARIMA model, the MAE, MSE and MAPE of the ARIMA-ERNN model decreased by 18.65, 31.48 and 64.35%, respectively, in fitting performance; in terms of prediction performance, the MAE, MSE and MAPE decreased by 60.19, 75.30 and 64.35%, respectively. Second, compared with those of ARIMA-BPNN, the MAE, MSE and MAPE of ARIMA-ERNN decreased by 9.60, 15.73 and 11.58%, respectively, in fitting performance; in terms of prediction performance, the MAE, MSE and MAPE decreased by 31.63, 45.79 and 29.59%, respectively.

Conclusions

The time series of human brucellosis in Shanxi Province from 2007 to 2017 showed obvious seasonal characteristics. The fitting and prediction performances of the ARIMA-ERNN model were better than those of the ARIMA-BPNN and ARIMA models. This will provide some theoretical support for the prediction of infectious diseases and will be beneficial to public health decision making.
The utility of point-of-care urinary lipoarabinomannan testing for the diagnosis of tuberculosis in critically ill patients: a prospective observational study
Authors: de Vasconcellos Kim , Ramjathan Praksha , Singh Dhivendra
Published: March 2021

Background

Tuberculosis is a major global public health concern. Patients with tuberculosis who require critical care have a high mortality and delay in initiating antituberculous therapy is associated with increased mortality. Lipoarabinomannan (LAM) is a lipopolysaccharide found in the cell wall of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Urinary LAM may be used as a bedside diagnostic test for tuberculosis.

Methods

The study was a single centre, prospective observational study that compared the utility of urinary LAM with conventional tuberculosis diagnostic modalities in patients with suspected tuberculosis who required intensive care admission. Urinary LAM testing was performed using the Alere Determine TB LAM Ag lateral flow assay test strips. A patient was classified as having confirmed tuberculosis if they met the following criteria: a clinical presentation compatible with tuberculosis, with either a positive TB culture, a positive GeneXpert, or a histological diagnosis of tuberculosis.

Results

Fifty patients were included in the study, with 12 having confirmed tuberculosis. All patients received mechanical ventilation, and the ICU mortality was 60%. Urinary LAM had a sensitivity of 50.0% (95% CI, 21.1 to 78.9%) and a specificity of 84.2% (95% CI, 68.8 to 94.0%) for confirmed tuberculosis.

Conclusion

Urinary LAM allows for rapid bedside diagnosis of tuberculosis in critically ill patients. A positive urinary LAM should prompt consideration to initiate antituberculous treatment while the results of further diagnostic testing are awaited.
Quality of care in the free maternal healthcare era in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review of providers’ and managers’ perceptions
Authors: Ansu-Mensah Monica , Danquah Frederick Inkum , Bawontuo Vitalis , Ansu-Mensah Peter , Mohammed Tahiru , Udoh Roseline H. , Kuupiel Desmond
Published: March 2021

Background

Free maternal healthcare financing schemes play an essential role in the quality of services rendered to clients during antenatal care in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, healthcare managers’ and providers’ perceptions of the healthcare financing scheme may influence the quality of care. This scoping review mapped evidence on managers’ and providers’ perspectives of free maternal healthcare and the quality of care in SSA.

Methods

We used Askey and O’Malley’s framework as a guide to conduct this review. To address the research question, we searched PubMed, CINAHL through EBSCOhost, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Google Scholar with no date limitation to May 2019 using keywords, Boolean terms, and Medical Subject Heading terms to retrieve relevant articles. Both abstract and full articles screening were conducted independently by two reviewers using the inclusion and exclusion criteria as a guide. All significant data were extracted, organized into themes, and a summary of the findings reported narratively.

Results

In all, 15 out of 390 articles met the inclusion criteria. These 15 studies were conducted in nine countries. That is, Ghana (4), Kenya (3), and Nigeria (2), Burkina Faso (1), Burundi (1), Niger (1), Sierra Leone (1), Tanzania (1), and Uganda (1). Of the 15 included studies, 14 reported poor quality of maternal healthcare from managers’ and providers’ perspectives. Factors contributing to the perception of poor maternal healthcare included: late reimbursement of funds, heavy workload of providers, lack of essential drugs and stock-out of medical supplies, lack of policy definition, out-of-pocket payment, and inequitable distribution of staff.

Conclusion

This study established evidence of existing literature on the quality of care based on healthcare providers’ and managers’ perspectives though very limited. This study indicates healthcare providers and managers perceive the quality of maternal healthcare under the free financing policy as poor. Nonetheless, the free maternal care policy is very much needed towards achieving universal health, and all efforts to sustain and improve the quality of care under it must be encouraged. Therefore, more research is needed to better understand the impact of their perceived poor quality of care on maternal health outcomes.