bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long‐term outcomes of perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease in the biologic era
Authors: Lee Tanya , Kamm Michael A , Bell Sally , Lust Mark , Brown Steve , Niewiadomski Ola , Basnayake Chamara , Wright Emily , D'Souza Basil , Woods Rodney , Wei Shu Chen , Connell William , Thompson Alexander , Yong Eric , Ding Nik Sheng
Published: December 2020

Background and Aim

While the advent of biologic therapy has led to improved outcomes in perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease (pfCD), loss of response is common. Previous studies suggest that patients who achieve radiological healing (with healing of underlying tracts on magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) have a longer duration of response. The aim of this study was to characterize MRI outcomes of pfCD at a specialist inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) unit and compare the long‐term clinical outcomes between patients achieving MRI and clinical healing.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of perianal fistulizing Crohn's patients treated at one specialist IBD unit was performed. Records were reviewed for patient demographics, disease history, clinical assessments, investigation results, and disease flares. Clinical remission was defined as closure of all baseline fistula openings. Radiological healing was defined as the absence of any T2‐hyperintense sinuses, tracts, or collections. The primary end‐point was rate of MRI healing. The secondary outcome was defined as flare‐free period (time between clinical or radiological healing and patients' first signs/symptoms requiring therapy escalation).

Results

A total of 93 patients were included, with a median follow‐up of 4.8 years (interquartile range, 2.4–6 years). Of 44 patients, 22 (50%) achieved clinical remission, while 15 of 93 (16%) achieved radiological healing. Of 22 patients, 10 (45%) with clinical remission had a subsequent disease flare (median time of 7 months) compared with 3 of 15 (20%) patients with MRI healing (median time of 3.6 years). Radiological healing was associated with a significantly longer flare‐free period (P = 0.01).

Conclusion

Radiological healing occurs less commonly but represents a deeper form of healing, associated with improved long‐term clinical outcomes.
High variability in the measurement of HIV primary prevention activities and outcomes
Authors: Sekimitsu Sayuri , DePasse Jacqueline , Morrison Michelle , Mahy Mary , Rice Brian , Earle Kristen , Daley Kate , Larson Jim , Carter Anna , Garnett Geoff P , Holmes Charles B
Published: December 2020

Introduction

While there is a global consensus on monitoring Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) treatment progress, there has been less attention to the degree of consistency of the measurement of HIV prevention programmes—and the global prevention response is not on‐track to achieve 2020 goals. In this paper, we assess the degree of variability in primary prevention indicators selected by national strategic plans (NSPs) and global stakeholder monitoring and evaluation (M&E) strategies.

Methods

We obtained the most recent NSPs from low and middle income Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) Fast‐Track countries, and M&E documents from The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (The Global Fund), President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), UNAIDS, the Global HIV Prevention Coalition and the World Health Organization (WHO). We extracted HIV primary prevention indicators from each document, standardized and aggregated them by age/ sex, categorized indicators by topic, and evaluated the frequency of matched indicators between countries and stakeholders. Data were collected between February and April of 2019.

Results

Twenty‐one NSPs and five global stakeholder documents were assessed; 736 primary prevention indicators were identified; 284 remained following standardization and aggregation. NSPs contained from 3 to 48 primary prevention indicators, with an average of 23; categories included: HIV education and outreach (17.6%), testing (17.3%) and condom use (16.2%). Of unique national indicators, only 34% was shared between two or more countries. Sixty‐nine per cent was applied in a single country only. 56% of NSP indicators did not appear in any global stakeholder document. Conversely, 42% of global indicators did not appear in any surveyed NSPs. Within global indicators, 63% was only measured by one global body, and no single indicator was measured by all five.

Conclusions

These analyses reveal a lack of consensus both between and within countries’ and global stakeholders' measurement of HIV prevention. Though some variability is expected, these findings point to a need to refocus attention on achieving greater consensus on a global measurement framework for HIV prevention.
Chebyshev polynomials for the numerical modeling of non‐uniform substrate integrated waveguides
Authors: Rabaani Karima , Added Maha , Boulejfen Noureddine , Kouki Ammar B. , Ghannouchi Fadhel M.
Published: December 2020

In this paper, a new method‐of‐moments‐based approach is proposed for the analysis of non‐uniform lossy substrate integrated waveguides (SIW) transmission lines. The approach incorporates Chebyshev expansion in the frequency domain to compute the scattering parameter matrix of the line. To validate the proposed approach of non‐uniform structures are analyzed where two of them have been fabricated and measured. The analytical and measured S parameters were compared to those obtained through electromagnetic finite element‐based simulations. The good match observed between the two sets of results for a relatively reasonable number of basis functions confirms the accuracy and the fast convergence of the proposed approach. This makes it the most suitable for integration into computer‐aided design tools.
Advantages and challenges of Pickering emulsions applied to bio‐based films: a mini‐review
Authors: Niro Carolina M , Medeiros Jackson A , Freitas John AM , Azeredo Henriette MC
Published: December 2020

The strategy of adding hydrophobic compounds to bio‐based films (usually based on hydrophilic matrices), forming films containing emulsions, is a technique that has been used to improve some physical properties (such as reducing water solubility and water vapor permeability) and / or to impart properties, such as antioxidant and antimicrobial effects by carrying hydrophobic active components that would otherwise be insoluble in hydrophilic matrices. Although Pickering emulsions have been reported as presenting greater stability when compared with surfactant‐stabilized emulsions, little is known about the drying stability of Pickering emulsions (which is important for film applications). Anyway, several studies have indicated that Pickering emulsions are interesting systems to improve the water vapor barrier properties of bio‐based films and coatings, and to act as carriers of active hydrophobic components. On the other hand, the tensile properties of those films are usually impaired by the presence of Pickering emulsions. The objective of this review is to present recent developments and future perspectives in bio‐based films loaded with Pickering emulsions. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Semantic segmentation of corrosive critical designs in body‐in‐white structures for corrosion simulation
Authors: Waibel Ludwig , Mittelbach Andreas , Funken Stefan
Published: December 2020

Scaling finite element method (FEM) based corrosion simulations to whole body‐in‐white structures lead to extremely high computational costs. As corrosion only appears in corrosive critical areas, the FEM is restricted to these. The objective is a semantic segmentation of corrosive critical designs, which are part edges and flanges in body‐in‐white structures. Different deterministic as well as Machine Learning and Deep Learning approaches are proposed and compared with respect to their ability to segment critical designs based on the geometry and the spatial relations of the parts only. The deterministic edge detection provides a fast and highly accurate way to segment part edges, whereas the described deterministic flange detection is not suitable for capturing the full diversity of flange structures. As the feature‐based Machine Learning approach evaluates more properties in a more flexible way, the performance of the flange detection is significantly increased and even the edge segmentation obtains slightly better results. The evaluation of graph structures with a Geometric Deep Learning method fails as the train set is too small to sufficiently represent the complex and various structures in the test set.
Drug repurposing: Antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects of penfluridol against Enterococcus faecalis
Authors: Zeng Xianghai , She Pengfei , Zhou Linying , Li Shijia , Hussain Zubair , Chen Lihua , Wu Yong
Published: December 2020

The bacterium Enterococcus faecalis has increasingly attracted global attention as an important opportunistic pathogen due to its ability to form biofilms that are known to increase drug resistance. However, there are still no effective antibiofilm drugs in clinical settings. Here, by drug repurposing, we investigated the antibacterial activity of penfluridol (PF), an oral long‐acting antipsychotic approved by the FDA, against E. faecalis type strain and its clinical isolates. It was found that PF inhibited the growth of E. faecalis planktonic cells with the MIC and MBC of 7.81 µg/ml and 15.63 ~ 62.50 µg/ml, respectively. Moreover, PF could significantly prevent the biofilm formation of E. faecalis at the concentration of 1 × MIC. Furthermore, PF significantly eradicated 24 h pre‐formed biofilms of E. faecalis in a dose‐dependent manner, with a concentration range of 1 × MIC to 8 × MIC. Here, through the checkerboard method with other tested conventional antibiotics, we also determined that gentamycin, penicillin G, and amikacin showed partial synergistic antibacterial effects with PF. Also, PF showed almost no hemolysis on human erythrocytes. In a mouse peritonitis model, a single dose of 20 mg/kg of PF treatment could significantly reduce the bacterial colonization in the liver (~5‐fold reduction) and spleen (~3‐fold reduction). In conclusion, these findings indicated that after structural optimization, PF has the potential as a new antibacterial agent against E. faecalis.
Beam characterization of a custom, handheld focused ultrasound system using thermochromic liquid crystal films
Authors: Mohammadabadi Ali , Ahmed Nabid , Restaino Stephen , Frenkel Victor
Published: December 2020

Focused Ultrasound (FUS) continues to gain acceptance in the clinical realm for its ability to provide effective, non‐invasive therapeutic treatments to almost any region of the body for a host of ablative and non‐ablative applications. The development of FUS devices and their implementation requires reliable characterization and quality assurance methods to verify acoustic pressure fields and focal region characteristics. The use of hydrophones is a conventional technique for mapping the acoustic field in 3 dimensions to provide focal dimensions and location. Hydrophones, however, are expensive and may be damaged even at relatively low acoustic amplitudes. Data collection with these devices can also be labor intensive and difficult to accurately reproduce. We present preliminary findings for the development of an alternative characterization process for FUS transducers that is relatively inexpensive and time efficient. Thermochromic liquid crystal (TLC) film sensors exploit the thermochromic effect, in which exposure to specific temperature changes cause a visible change in colour. The method was tested on a portable FUS system developed in‐house for FUS‐based therapeutic applications, comprised of a 3.57 MHz FUS transducer, and a custom‐fabricated coupling cone. The results demonstrated that this method using TLC films was able to accurately provide dimensions of the focal zone and its position relative to the transducer hardware. Numerical simulations were performed along with acoustic hydrophone measurements to corroborate this data, which were found to be in general agreement. With future refinements, this cost‐effective method could be practical as an expedient and cost‐effective characterization technique for in‐house FUS transducer development.
Problem alcohol use among rural head and neck cancer patients at diagnosis: Associations with health‐related quality of life
Authors: Howren M. Bryant , Christensen Alan J. , Adamowicz Jenna L. , Seaman Aaron , Wardyn Shylo , Pagedar Nitin A.
Published: December 2020

Objective

Problem alcohol use in persons with head and neck cancer (HNC) is associated with poor outcomes, including survival. Some evidence suggests that individuals living in rural areas may be at greater risk of problem alcohol use. The present exploratory cross‐sectional study sought to examine problem alcohol use at diagnosis in a sample of HNC patients by rural versus urban status.

Methods

Self‐reported problem alcohol use as measured by the Short Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (SMAST) was examined in rural and urban HNC patients at diagnosis (N = 454). Multivariable linear regression analysis was conducted to examine correlates of problem alcohol use. Subgroup analyses examined HNC‐specific health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) by problem drinking status at diagnosis and 3‐ and 12‐month postdiagnosis in rural patients.

Results

Multivariable linear regression analysis controlling for age, cancer site, cancer stage, depressive symptoms at diagnosis, and tobacco use at diagnosis indicated that rural residence was significantly associated with SMAST scores at diagnosis such that rural patients were more likely to report higher scores (ß = 0.095, sr2 = 0.010, p = 0.04). Covariate‐adjusted subgroup analyses suggest that rural patients with self‐reported problem alcohol use may exhibit deficits in HNC‐specific HRQOL at diagnosis and 3‐ and 12‐month postdiagnosis.

Conclusions

HNC patients should be screened for problem alcohol use at diagnosis and counseled regarding the deleterious effects of continued drinking during treatment and beyond. Because access to treatment and referral options may be lacking in rural areas, additional ways of connecting rural patients to specialty care should be explored.
Postoperative intracerebral haematomas following stereotactic biopsies: Poor planning or poor execution?
Authors: Zanello Marc , Roux Alexandre , Debacker Clément , Peeters Sophie , Edjlali‐Goujon Myriam , Dhermain Frédéric , Dezamis Edouard , Oppenheim Catherine , Lechapt‐Zalcman Emmanuèle , Harislur Marc , Varlet Pascale , Chretien Fabrice , Devaux Bertrand , Pallud Johan
Published: December 2020

Background

Postoperative intracerebral haematomas represent a serious complication following stereotactic biopsy. We investigated the possible underlying causes – poor planning or poor execution – of postoperative intracerebral haematomas following stereotactic biopsies.

Methods

We performed a technical investigation using a retrospective single‐centre consecutive series of robot‐assisted stereotactic biopsies for a supratentorial diffuse glioma in adults. Each actual biopsy trajectory was reviewed to search for a conflict with an anatomical structure at risk.

Results

From 379 patients, 12 (3.2%) presented with a postoperative intracerebral haematoma ≥20 mm on postoperative CT‐scan (3 requiring surgical evacuation); 11 of them had available intraoperative imaging (bi‐planar stereoscopic teleangiography x‐rays at each biopsy site). The actual biopsy trajectory was similar to the planned biopsy trajectory in these 11 cases. In 72.7% (8/11) of these cases, the actual biopsy trajectory was found to contact a structure at risk (blood vessel and cerebral sulcus) and identified as the intracerebral haematoma origin.

Conclusions

Robot‐assisted stereotactic biopsy is an accurate procedure. Postoperative intracerebral haematomas mainly derive from human‐related errors during trajectory planning.
On the properties of the toxicity index and its statistical efficiency
Authors: Razaee Zahra S. , Amini Arash A. , Diniz Márcio A. , Tighiouart Mourad , Yothers Greg , Rogatko André
Published: December 2020

Cancer clinical trials typically generate detailed patient toxicity data. The most common measure used to summarize patient toxicity is the maximum grade among all toxicities and it does not fully represent the toxicity burden experienced by patients. In this article, we study the mathematical and statistical properties of the toxicity index (TI), in an effort to address this deficiency. We introduce a total ordering, (T‐rank), that allows us to fully rank the patients according to how frequently they exhibit toxicities, and show that TI is the only measure that preserves the T‐rank among its competitors. Moreover, we propose a Poisson‐Limit model for sparse toxicity data. Under this model, we develop a general two‐sample test, which can be applied to any summary measure for detecting differences among two population of toxicity data. We derive the asymptotic power function of this class as well as the asymptotic relative efficiency (ARE) of the members of the class. We evaluate the ARE formula empirically and show that if the data are drawn from a random Poisson‐Limit model, the TI is more efficient, with high probability, than the maximum and the average summary measures. Finally, we evaluate our method on clinical trial toxicity data and show that TI has a higher power in detecting the differences in toxicity profile among treatments. The results of this article can be applied beyond toxicity modeling, to any problem where one observes a sparse array of scores on subjects and a ranking based on extreme scores is desirable.
A comparative study on the dynamic behaviour of 10 MW conventional and compact gearboxes for offshore wind turbines
Authors: Wang Shuaishuai , Nejad Amir , Bachynski Erin E. , Moan Torgeir
Published: December 2020

This study compares the dynamic behaviour of a conventional and a compact gearbox for the DTU 10 MW wind turbine supported on a monopile offshore structure. The conventional gearbox configuration is composed of two planetary epicyclic stages and one parallel stage, while the compact gearbox configuration consists of a fixed planetary stage and a differential compound epicyclic stage. The design methodology for these two gearboxes is described, and the final gearbox specifications show a lighter weight and smaller volume for the compact gearbox design compared to the conventional one. Computational gearbox models are established using the multi‐body system dynamic analysis method. A decoupled approach is employed for the gearbox load effect analysis. Comparisons of the dynamic behaviour between these two gearboxes are conducted under pure torque load cases, tangential pin position error conditions and non‐torque load cases. The results demonstrate that the compact gearbox has better dynamic performance under different torque load cases and is more robust to withstand the effects of manufacturing errors and rotor non‐torque loads compared to the conventional gearbox. It is believed that the proposed compact gearbox concept is promising and would be a good alternative for multi‐megawatt floating wind turbines, although challenging with respect to the design and operation complexity.
On resolving the dark LMA solution at neutrino oscillation experiments
Authors: Choubey Sandhya , Pramanik Dipyaman
Published: December 2020

Abstract

In presence of non standard interactions (NSI), the solar neutrino data is consistent with two solutions, one close to the standard LMA solution with sin2θ12 ≃ 0.31 and another with $$ {\sin}^2{\theta}_{12}^D\simeq 0.69\left(=1-{\sin}^2{\theta}_{12}\right) $$

sin
2

θ
12
D

≃
0.69

=
1
−

sin
2

θ
12

. The latter has been called the Dark LMA (DLMA) solution in the literature and essentially brings an octant degeneracy in the measurement of the mixing angle θ12. This θ12 octant degeneracy is hard to resolve via oscillations because of the existence of the so-called “generalised mass hierarchy degeneracy” of the neutrino mass matrix in presence of NSI. One might think that if the mass hierarchy is independently determined in a non-oscillation experiment such as neutrino-less double beta decay, one might be able to break the θ12 octant degeneracy. In this paper we study this in detail in the context of long-baseline experiments (Pμμ channel) as well as reactor experiments (Pee channel) and show that if we combine information from both long-baseline and reactor experiments we can find the correct octant and hence value of θ12. We elaborate the reasons for it and study the prospects of determining the θ12 octant using T2HK, DUNE and JUNO experiments. Of course, one would need information on the neutrino mass hierarchy as well.
Treatment with the calcineurin inhibitor and immunosuppressant cyclosporine A impairs sensorimotor gating in Dark Agouti rats
Authors: Brosda Jan , Becker Thorsten , Richter Mathis , Jakobs Marie , Hörbelt Tina , Bendix Ivo , Lückemann Laura , Schedlowski Manfred , Hadamitzky Martin
Published: December 2020

Rationale

Calcineurin is a protein regulating cytokine expression in T lymphocytes and calcineurin inhibitors such as cyclosporine A (CsA) are widely used for immunosuppressive therapy. It also plays a functional role in distinct neuronal processes in the central nervous system. Disturbed information processing as seen in neuropsychiatric disorders is reflected by deficient sensorimotor gating, assessed as prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the acoustic startle response (ASR).

Objective

Patients who require treatment with immunosuppressive drugs frequently display neuropsychiatric alterations during treatment with calcineurin inhibitors. Importantly, knockout of calcineurin in the forebrain of mice is associated with cognitive impairments and symptoms of schizophrenia-like psychosis as seen after treatment with stimulants.

Methods

The present study investigated in rats effects of systemic acute and subchronic administration of CsA on sensorimotor gating. Following a single injection with effective doses of CsA, adult healthy male Dark Agouti rats were tested for PPI. For subchronic treatment, rats were injected daily with the same doses of CsA for 1 week before PPI was assessed. Since calcineurin works as a modulator of the dopamine pathway, activity of the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase was measured in the prefrontal cortex and striatum after accomplishment of the study.

Results

Acute and subchronic treatment with the calcineurin inhibitor CsA disrupted PPI at a dose of 20 mg/kg. Concomitantly, following acute CsA treatment, tyrosine hydroxylase activity was reduced in the prefrontal cortex, which suggests that dopamine synthesis was downregulated, potentially reflecting a stimulatory impact of CsA on this neurotransmitter system.

Conclusions

The results support experimental and clinical evidence linking impaired calcineurin signaling in the central nervous system to the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric symptoms. Moreover, these findings suggest that therapy with calcineurin inhibitors may be a risk factor for developing neurobehavioral alterations as observed after the abuse of psychomotor stimulant drugs.
Asymptotic Growth of the Local Ground-State Entropy of the Ideal Fermi Gas in a Constant Magnetic Field
Authors: Leschke Hajo , Sobolev Alexander V. , Spitzer Wolfgang
Published: December 2020

We consider the ideal Fermi gas of indistinguishable particles without spin but with electric charge, confined to a Euclidean plane $${{\mathbb {R}}}^2$$

R

2

perpendicular to an external constant magnetic field of strength $$B>0$$

B
>
0

. We assume this (infinite) quantum gas to be in thermal equilibrium at zero temperature, that is, in its ground state with chemical potential $$\mu \ge B$$

μ
≥
B

(in suitable physical units). For this (pure) state we define its local entropy $$S(\Lambda )$$

S
(
Λ
)

associated with a bounded (sub)region $$\Lambda \subset {{\mathbb {R}}}^2$$

Λ
⊂

R

2

as the von Neumann entropy of the (mixed) local substate obtained by reducing the infinite-area ground state to this region $$\Lambda $$
Λ
of finite area $$|\Lambda |$$

|
Λ
|

. In this setting we prove that the leading asymptotic growth of $$S(L\Lambda )$$

S
(
L
Λ
)

, as the dimensionless scaling parameter $$L>0$$

L
>
0

tends to infinity, has the form $$L\sqrt{B}|\partial \Lambda |$$

L

B

|
∂
Λ
|

up to a precisely given (positive multiplicative) coefficient which is independent of $$\Lambda $$
Λ
and dependent on B and $$\mu $$
μ
only through the integer part of $$(\mu /B-1)/2$$

(
μ
/
B
-
1
)
/
2

. Here we have assumed the boundary curve $$\partial \Lambda $$

∂
Λ

of $$\Lambda $$
Λ
to be sufficiently smooth which, in particular, ensures that its arc length $$|\partial \Lambda |$$

|
∂
Λ
|

is well-defined. This result is in agreement with a so-called area-law scaling (for two spatial dimensions). It contrasts the zero-field case $$B=0$$

B
=
0

, where an additional logarithmic factor $$\ln (L)$$

ln
(
L
)

is known to be present. We also have a similar result, with a slightly more explicit coefficient, for the simpler situation where the underlying single-particle Hamiltonian, known as the Landau Hamiltonian, is restricted from its natural Hilbert space $$\text{ L}^2({{\mathbb {R}}}^2)$$

L
2

(

R

2

)

to the eigenspace of a single but arbitrary Landau level. Both results extend to the whole one-parameter family of quantum Rényi entropies. As opposed to the case $$B=0$$

B
=
0

, the corresponding asymptotic coefficients depend on the Rényi index in a non-trivial way.
Efficacy and safety of iguratimod combined with methotrexate vs. methotrexate alone in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Chen L.-J. , Zhou Y.-J. , Wen Z.-H. , Tian F. , Li J.-Y.
Published: December 2020

The current systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of iguratimod (IGU) combined with methotrexate (MTX) versus MTX alone in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Two independent investigators searched for original randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to the combination of IGU and MTX in RA published before November 1, 2019, in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), and WanFang Data. Additionally, we searched clinical trial registry websites. We assessed the methodological quality of the included trials using the Cochrane Collaboration tool and the seven-point Jadad scale. Statistical analyses were performed using Review Manager (RevMan) 5.3 (Copenhagen: The Nordic Cochrane Centre, The Cochrane Collaboration, 2014). Meta-regression and publication bias analyses were performed using Stata version 14 software (StataCorp., College Station, TX, USA). A total of 7 RCTs consisting of 665 participants, with 368 participants in the active arm and 297 in the placebo arm, were included in the meta-analysis. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) value was better in the IGU + MTX group than in the MTX alone group, with a pooled relative risk (RR) for ACR20 (American College of Rheumatology 20% improvement criteria), ACR50, and ACR70 of 1.40 (95% CI, 1.13–1.74), 2.09 (95% CI, 1.67–2.61), and 2.24 (95% CI, 1.53–3.28), respectively. The results of the meta-analysis demonstrated that there was no statistical significance in adverse events (1.06 (95% CI, 0.92–1.23)). The combined treatment is an effective, safe, and economical treatment option for patients who do not respond well to methotrexate alone or for patients who cannot afford expensive biologics that have no confirmed efficacy.
Global properties of toric nearly Kähler manifolds
Authors: Dixon Kael
Published: December 2020

We study toric nearly Kähler manifolds, extending the work of Moroianu and Nagy. We give a description of the global geometry using multi-moment maps. We then investigate polynomial and radial solutions to the toric nearly Kähler equation.
Deep soil exploration vs. topsoil exploitation: distinctive rooting strategies between wheat landraces and wild relatives
Authors: Nakhforoosh Alireza , Nagel Kerstin A. , Fiorani Fabio , Bodner Gernot
Published: December 2020

Aims

Diversity of root systems among genetic resources can contribute to optimize water and nutrient uptake. Topsoil exploitation vs. deep soil exploration represent two contrasting ideotypes in relation to resource use. Our study reveals how rooting patterns changed between wheat wild progenitors and landraces in regard to these ideotypes.

Methods

Root (partitioning, morphology, distribution, elongation, anatomy) and shoot traits (dry-matter, leaf area, assimilation) of durum landraces, wild emmer and wild einkorn from Iran, Syria, Turkey and Lebanon were phenotyped using the GrowScreen-Rhizo platform. Distinctive rooting patterns were identified via principal component analysis and relations with collection site characteristics analyzed.

Results

Shoot trait differentiation was strongly driven by seed weight, leading to superior early vigor of landraces. Wild progenitors formed superficial root systems with a higher contribution of lateral and early-emerging nodal axes to total root length. Durum landraces had a root system dominated by seminal axes allocated evenly over depth. Xylem anatomy was the trait most affected by the environmental influence of the collection site.

Conclusions

The durum landrace root system approximated a deep soil exploration ideotype which would optimize subsoil water uptake, while monococcum-type wild einkorn was most similar to a topsoil exploiting strategy with potential competitive advantages for subsistence in natural vegetation.
Construal level theory and escalation of commitment
Authors: Benschop Nick , Nuijten Arno L. P. , Keil Mark , Rohde Kirsten I. M. , Lee Jong Seok , Commandeur Harry R.
Published: December 2020

Escalation of commitment causes people to continue a failing course of action. We study the role of construal level in such escalation of commitment. Consistent with the widely held view of construal level as a primed effect, we employed a commonly used prime for manipulating this construct in a laboratory experiment. Our findings revealed that the prime failed to produce statistically significant differences in construal level, which was measured using the Behavior Identification Form (BIF). Furthermore, there was no effect of the prime on escalation of commitment, or on constructs that have previously been linked to construal level such as the perceived importance of feasibility considerations relative to desirability considerations, and the number of pros and cons that subjects can think of.

Interestingly, however, subjects’ actual construal level scores on the BIF were found to significantly affect escalation. Specifically, our findings show that people with a low construal level are less willing to continue a failing project. This relation is mediated by the perceived importance of the feasibility of the project relative to its desirability. For people with a low construal level, the perceived importance of feasibility relative to desirability is higher, which in turn makes escalation of commitment less likely.

Our findings are consistent with prior research suggesting that priming construal level may not always be effective. Thus, while construal level has typically been regarded as a state-like variable that can be primed, in this study, we show that construal level may also be considered as a trait.
Social Network Mediation Analysis: A Latent Space Approach
Authors: Liu Haiyan , Jin Ick Hoon , Zhang Zhiyong , Yuan Ying
Published: December 2020

A social network comprises both actors and the social connections among them. Such connections reflect the dependence among social actors, which is essential for individuals’ mental health and social development. In this article, we propose a mediation model with a social network as a mediator to investigate the potential mediation role of a social network. In the model, the dependence among actors is accounted for by a few mutually orthogonal latent dimensions which form a social space. The individuals’ positions in such a latent social space are directly involved in the mediation process between an independent and dependent variable. After showing that all the latent dimensions are equivalent in terms of their relationship to the social network and the meaning of each dimension is arbitrary, we propose to measure the whole mediation effect of a network. Although individuals’ positions in the latent space are not unique, we rigorously articulate that the proposed network mediation effect is still well defined. We use a Bayesian estimation method to estimate the model and evaluate its performance through an extensive simulation study under representative conditions. The usefulness of the network mediation model is demonstrated through an application to a college friendship network.
COVID Lockdowns, Social Distancing, and Fatal Car Crashes: More Deaths on Hobbesian Highways?
Authors: Meyer Marshall W.
Published: December 2020

Research Question

What happened to US traffic safety during the first US COVID-19 lockdown, and why was the pattern the opposite of that observed in previous sudden declines of traffic volume?

Data

National and local statistics on US traffic volume, traffic fatalities, injury accidents, speeding violations, running of stop signs, and other indicators of vehicular driving behavior, both in 2020 and in previous US economic recessions affecting the volume of road traffic.

Methods

Comparative analysis of the similarities and differences between the data for the COVID-19 lockdown in parts of the USA in March 2020 and similar data for the 2008–2009 global economic crisis, as well as other US cases of major reductions in traffic volume.

Findings

The volume of traffic contracted sharply once a COVID-19 national emergency was declared and most states issued stay-at-home orders, but motor vehicle fatality rates, injury accidents, and speeding violations went up, and remained elevated even as traffic began returning toward normal. This pattern does not fit post-World War II recessions where fatality rates declined with the volume of traffic nor does the 2020 pattern match the pattern during World War II when traffic dropped substantially with little change in motor vehicle fatality rates.

Conclusions

The findings are consistent with a theory of social distancing on highways undermining compliance with social norms, a social cost of COVID which, if not corrected, poses potential long-term increases in non-compliance and dangerous driving.
Utility of Neuropathy Screening for Wild-Type Transthyretin Amyloidosis Patients
Authors: Russell Angela , Hahn Christopher , Chhibber Sameer , Korngut Lawrence , Fine Nowell M.
Published: December 2020

Background:

Wild-type transthyretin amyloidosis (wtATTR) is an important cause of heart failure (HF); however, the prevalence and clinical significance of neurologic complications remains uncertain.

Methods:

This analysis reports findings from a single-centre experience of routine neuropathy screening at the time of wtATTR diagnosis by nerve conduction studies and neurologist assessment, compared with age-matched controls.

Results:

Forty-one wtATTR patients were included, 39 (95%) males, mean age 78.4 ± 7.7 years, 22 (54%) New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III–IV HF, along with 15 age-matched controls (mean age 77.1 ± 4.2 years, 80% male). Twenty-one (51%) wtATTR patients were diagnosed with polyneuropathy, 15 (37%) with spinal stenosis, 36 (88%) with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and 14 (34%) with ulnar neuropathy. Comparison diagnoses among controls were 1 (7%), 0, 1 (7%) and 3 (20%), respectively. Among patients with NYHA class III–IV HF, 16 (73%) had polyneuropathy compared with 5 (26%) with class I–II (p < 0.01), odds ratio of 7.5 (95% confidence interval 1.9–29.9). After neuropathy screening, 19 (46%) patients were offered neurologic therapy and/or additional diagnostic evaluation. This included CTS release surgery (16, 39%), neuropathic pain medication (3, 7%), nerve block (1, 2%), wrist splinting (2, 5%) and foot care (1, 2%). Spine imaging was performed for 3 (7%) patients, and deltoid muscle and sural nerve biopsy for 1 (2%) patient.

Conclusions:

Screening of wtATTR patients for neurologic complications resulted in a management change for nearly half. CTS, polyneuropathy and ulnar neuropathy were common. This approach warrants consideration as part of routine assessment for newly diagnosed wtATTR patients.
Improvement in Quality of Life with OnabotulinumtoxinA for Cervical Dystonia: POSTURe
Authors: Petitclerc Marc , Cloutier Martin , Naud Pierre , Langlois Mélanie , Bhogal Meetu , Davidovic Goran
Published: December 2020

Introduction:

Symptoms of cervical dystonia (CD) can vary in severity and cause significant pain. OnabotulinumtoxinA is an approved treatment for CD. This study assessed health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with CD who received multiple onabotulinumtoxinA treatments.

Methods:

This prospective, observational standard-of-care study was conducted at multiple neurology centers in Québec, Canada. Patients reported the health impact of CD using the Cervical Dystonia Impact Profile (CDIP)-58, before and after up to eight onabotulinumtoxinA treatments. Other measures included the Cervical Dystonia Severity Rating Scale by physician, employment status using the Work Productivity Questionnaire and pain using the Pain Numeric Rating Scale (PNRS). Adverse events (AEs) were recorded.

Results:

Sixty-two patients were enrolled (safety population, n = 61; modified efficacy population, n = 58). Participants were mostly females who were employed; most (79.3%) had torticollis. In all, 21/62 patients (33.9%) discontinued the study. At the final visit, there was a statistically significant (p < 0.001) improvement in all eight CDIP-58 subscales, particularly head and neck symptoms (−31.0) and psychosocial functioning (−28.2). Employment increased from baseline (55%) to the end of the study (64%), and there was improvement in work productivity. There was a significant (p < 0.0001) reduction in pain measured by the PNRS, from −0.5 post-treatment 1 to −2.4 at end of study. AEs (neck pain, muscular weakness, dysphagia, nausea) were consistent with onabotulinumtoxinA use.

Conclusion:

These real-world data indicate that after repeated, long-term use, onabotulinumtoxinA continues to be a safe and effective treatment for CD, improving HRQoL and work productivity.
Using attendance data for social network analysis of a community-engaged research partnership
Authors: Vasquez Kimberly S. , Chatterjee Shirshendu , Khalida Chamanara , Moftah Dena , D’Orazio Brianna , Leinberger-Jabari Andrea , Tobin Jonathan N. , Kost Rhonda G.
Published: December 2020

Background:

The Rockefeller University Center for Clinical and Translational Science (RU-CCTS) and Clinical Directors Network (CDN), a Practice-Based Research Network (PBRN), fostered a community–academic research partnership involving Community Health Center (CHCs) clinicians, laboratory scientists, clinical researchers, community, and patient partners. From 2011 to 2018, the partnership designed and completed Community-Associated Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus AureusProject (CAMP1), an observational study funded by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), and CAMP2, a Comparative Effectiveness Research Study funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). We conducted a social network analysis (SNA) to characterize this Community-Engaged Research (CEnR) partnership.

Methods:

Projects incorporated principles of Community-Based Participatory Research (CAMP1/2) and PCORI engagement rubrics (CAMP2). Meetings were designed to be highly interactive, facilitate co-learning, share governance, and incentivize ongoing engagement. Meeting attendance formed the raw dataset enriched by stakeholder roles and affiliations. We used SNA software (Gephi) to form networks for four project periods, characterize network attributes (density, degree, centrality, vulnerability), and create sociograms. Polynomial regression models were used to study stakeholder interactions.

Results:

Forty-seven progress meetings engaged 141 stakeholders, fulfilling 7 roles, and affiliated with 28 organizations (6 types). Network size, density, and interactions across organizations increased over time. Interactions between Community Members or Recruiters/Community Health Workers and almost every other role increased significantly across CAMP2 (P< 0.005); Community Members’ centrality to the network increased over time.

Conclusions:

In a partnership with a highly interactive meeting model, SNA using operational attendance data afforded a view of stakeholder interactions that realized the engagement goals of the partnership.
Inferring Stock Duration Around FOMC Surprises: Estimates and Implications
Authors: Chen Zhanhui
Published: December 2020

Discount rates affect stock prices directly via the discount-rate channel or indirectly via the cash-flow channel because expected future cash-flow growth varies with the discount rate. The traditional Macaulay duration captures the effect from the discount-rate channel. I propose a novel duration measure, the effective equity duration, to capture the effects from both channels. I estimate it around unexpected policies in the federal funds rates. I find that the equity yield curve is hump-shaped because expected future cash-flow growth increases with the discount rate. The effective equity duration captures information other than monetary policy risk.
Ex Post Bargaining, Corporate Cash Holdings, and Executive Compensation
Authors: Cheng Yingmei , Harford Jarrad , Hutton Irena , Shipe Stephan
Published: December 2020

We show that high cash holdings can be used by executives in the ex post bargaining over their compensation. Cash holdings are positively associated with CEO compensation and is driven by non-salary components. In companies with weaker governance, this relation is more pronounced. Using exogenous shocks to the firm’s cash, we show that CEO compensation readily responds to increases in cash holdings, confirming that managers are able to derive personal benefits from excess cash holdings.
Perceived barriers and contributors to sense of purpose in life in retirement community residents
Authors: Lewis Nathan A. , Reesor Naomi , Hill Patrick L.
Published: December 2020

Despite the growing use of retirement communities and ageing care facilities, little is known about how residing in retirement residences may impact aspects of older adult wellbeing. Living in these communities may hold particular influence on residents’ sense of purpose, if they feel limited in their opportunities for individual action, or could serve to promote purposefulness depending on the social connections available. The current study sought to explore contributing factors as well as barriers to purpose in older adults living in three continuing care retirement communities. Using brief semi-structured interviews, 18 older adults were asked to describe their purpose in life, community-related activities and any perceived challenges limiting their ability to pursue this purpose. Thematic analysis was used to examine themes common across interviews. Interviews presented a mixed picture of the nature of purposefulness in retirement facilities. Residents espoused several benefits of community living such as social and leisure opportunities, while also noting several obstacles to their purpose, including health concerns and the belief that purpose in life was not relevant for older adults. These findings provide insight into how older adults can derive a sense of purpose from activities within their retirement community and how facilities can better tailor programmes to promote purposefulness and support personally valued roles for residents.
Fashionably late? Time, work and the industrious revolution in early modern Antwerp (1585–1795)
Authors: Verhoeven Gerrit
Published: December 2020

Drawing evidence from the proceedings of the Antwerp hoogere Vierschaer (the local criminal court), the article challenges some key features from Jan de Vries’ hypothesis of the Industrious Revolution. Mesmerised by an endless variety of fashionable and exotic consumer goods, eighteenth-century people would have slashed their leisure time in a variety of ways. Labour input would have been forced up on a daily, weekly and annual base. However, time-budget analysis of Antwerp labour rhythms evidences a much more complex picture, which does not really hint at an industrious revolution but rather reveals invariable industriousness.
POLITICAL ALLIANCES AND TRADE CONNECTIONS OBSERVED IN THE CERAMIC RECORD OF THE CLASSIC PERIOD: THE PERSPECTIVE FROM THE MAYA SITE OF NAKUM, GUATEMALA
Authors: Źrałka Jarosław , Helmke Christophe , Hermes Bernard , Koszkul Wiesław , Ting Carmen , Bishop Ronald , Bojkowska Dorota
Published: December 2020

Recent research carried out at the Maya site of Nakum, located in northeastern Guatemala, has brought about the discovery of a large collection of ceramic artefacts. This substantial assemblage, apart from monochrome ceramics, includes fragments of polychrome vessels that are decorated with elaborate iconographic scenes and painted hieroglyphic texts. Most of them date to the Late Classic period (ca. a.d. 600–800), which represents the peak of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization. The style of these ceramics, their iconography and accompanying glyphic texts, supplemented in many cases by mineralogical and physicochemical analyses of the ceramic samples, indicate that Nakum was part of a broad and complex network of political and economic interactions between various sites and polities of the southern Maya lowlands in the Classic period. During the first part of the Late Classic period, Nakum seems to maintain close relations with Naranjo, probably serving as its vassal at least from the reign of its renowned king Aj Wosal. After the victory of Tikal over Naranjo in the first part of the eighth century, Nakum shows closer cultural and political connections with Tikal. Nevertheless, towards the end of the Classic era, when we observe the profound collapse of lowland Maya civilization, Nakum elites gain political independence from their former overlords.
George L. Cowgill, December 19, 1929–July 31, 2018
Authors: Smith Michael E. , Cabrera Cortés Oralia , Cowgill Karen D. , Kintigh Keith W. , Nichols Deborah L. , Robertson Ian G. , Stark Barbara L.
Published: December 2020

George L. Cowgill had a major influence on the study of the ancient city of Teotihuacan and the development and promotion of quantitative methods in archaeology. His wit, teaching, and research influenced many in the profession. We draw on two published autobiographical works (Cowgill 2008a, 2013a), some unpublished autobiographical notes (Cowgill 1983), his many publications, and our own associations with George.
Electrodynamical Coupling of the Geospace System During Solar Flares
Authors: Liu Jing , Qian Liying , Maute Astrid , Wang Wenbin , Richmond Arthur D. , Chen Junjie , Lei Jiuhou , Zhang Qinghe , Xing Zanyang
Published: December 2020

Reduced daytime upward E×B drifts and weakened fountain effects in equatorial ionosphere have been frequently observed during the initial stage of solar flares. The cause of this phenomenon, however, remains unresolved. The latest state‐of‐art whole geospace model provides an unprecedented opportunity to explore the origin of this response. We show that both prompt penetration electric fields (PPEFs) and internal changes in the wind dynamo process are responsible for the reduced upward ion drifts. Solar‐flare‐induced PPEFs are caused by a reduced high‐latitude potential as a result of flare‐enhanced ionospheric conductances which are distinct from traditional PPEFs that respond to changes in solar wind conditions or magnetosphere dynamics. The neutral wind dynamo source is mainly a reduction in the background low‐latitude eastward electric field. This reduction occurs to maintain current continuity in response to the flare enhancement of low‐latitude Cowling conductance that is relatively greater than the enhancement of the dynamo current source.