bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Final state Sommerfeld effect on dark matter relic abundance
Authors: Cui Xiaoyi , Luo Feng 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
If the annihilation products of dark matter (DM) are non-relativistic and if there is some long-range force between them, there can be Sommerfeld effect for the final state particles. We study this effect on DM relic abundance in the thermal freeze-out scenario. As a proof of concept, we consider the case of a DM pair annihilation into a final state pair, assuming that the mutual interactions between the two final state particles give rise to a Coulomb-like potential, and that the masses of the initial and final state particles are similar, so that both the initial and final state particles are non-relativistic. The size of the final state Sommerfeld (FSS) effect depends on the strength of the potential, as well as on the mass ratio of the final and initial state particles. We find that the impact of the FSS effect on DM relic abundance can be significant, and an electroweak sized long-range interaction is large enough to make a correction well beyond the observational accuracy. Another feature of the FSS effect is that it could be suppressed when its time scale is longer than the lifetime of the final state particles. As a corollary, we also study in the DM coannihilation scenario where the initial state Sommerfeld effect between two coannihilators could be reduced due to their instability, which may need to be taken into account for an accurate calculation of the DM relic abundance.
Non-singular vortices with positive mass in 2+1-dimensional Einstein gravity with AdS3 and Minkowski background
Authors: Edery Ariel 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
In previous work, black hole vortex solutions in Einstein gravity with AdS3 background were found where the scalar matter profile had a singularity at the origin r = 0. In this paper, we find numerically static vortex solutions where the scalar and gauge fields have a non-singular profile under Einstein gravity in an AdS3 background. Vortices with different winding numbers n, VEV v and cosmological constant Λ are obtained. These vortices have positive mass and are not BTZ black holes as they have no event horizon. The mass is determined in two ways: by subtracting the numerical values of two separate asymptotic metrics and via an integral that is purely over the matter fields. The mass of the vortex increases as the cosmological constant becomes more negative and this coincides with the core of the vortex becoming smaller (compressed). We then consider the vortex with gravity in asymptotically flat spacetime for different values of the coupling α = 1/(16πG). At the origin, the spacetime has its highest curvature and there is no singularity. It transitions to an asymptotic conical spacetime with angular deficit that increases significantly as α decreases. For comparison, we also consider the vortex without gravity in flat spacetime. For this case, one cannot obtain the mass by the first method (subtracting two metrics) but remarkably, via a limiting procedure, one can obtain an integral mass formula. In the absence of gauge fields, there is a well-known logarithmic divergence in the energy of the vortex. With gravity, we present this divergence in a new light. We show that the metric acquires a logarithmic term which is the 2 + 1 dimensional realization of the Newtonian gravitational potential when General Relativity is supplemented with a scalar field. This opens up novel possibilities which we discuss in the conclusion.
Contribution of third generation quarks to two-loop helicity amplitudes for W boson pair production in gluon fusion
Authors: Brønnum-Hansen Christian , Wang Chen-Yu 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWe compute the contribution of third generation quarks (t, b) to the two-loop amplitude for on-shellWboson pair production in gluon fusiongg → WW. We present plots for the amplitude across partonic phase space as well as reference values for two kinematic points. The master integrals are efficiently evaluated by numerically solving a system of ordinary differential equations.
Do Black and Asian individuals wait longer for treatment? A survival analysis investigating the effect of ethnicity on time-to-clinic and time-to-treatment for diabetic eye disease
Authors: Kirthi Varo , Reed Kate I. , Gunawardena Ramith , Alattar Komeil , Bunce Catey , Jackson Timothy L. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Aims/hypothesis
This study explored the impact of ethnicity on time-to-clinic, time-to-treatment and rates of vision loss in people referred to hospital with diabetic eye disease.

Methods
A survival analysis was performed on all referrals from an inner-city diabetic eye screening programme to a tertiary hospital eye service between 1 October 2013 and 31 December 2017. Exclusion criteria were failure to attend hospital, distance visual acuity in both eyes too low to quantify with the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letter chart and treatment received prior to referral. Demographic and screening grade data were collected at the point of referral. Small-area statistics and census data were used to calculate indices of multiple deprivation. The main outcome measures were time taken from the date of referral for an individual to achieve the following: (1) attend the first hospital clinic appointment; (2) receive the first macular laser, intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injection or pan-retinal photocoagulation treatment, in either eye; and (3) lose at least ten ETDRS letters of distance visual acuity, in either eye.

Results
Of 2062 referrals, 1676 individuals were included. Mean age (± SD) was 57.6 ± 14.7 years, with 52% male sex and 86% with type 2 diabetes. The ethnicity profile was 52% Black, 30% White, 10% Asian and 9% mixed/other, with similar disease severity at the time of referral. Time-to-clinic was significantly longer for Asian people than for Black people (p = 0.03) or White people (p = 0.001). Time-to-treatment was significantly longer for Black people than for White people (p = 0.02). Social deprivation did not significantly influence time-to-treatment. There were no significant differences in the rates of vision loss between ethnic groups.

Conclusions/interpretation
Black people wait longer for hospital eye treatment compared with their White counterparts. The reasons for this delay in treatment warrant further investigation.

Graphical abstract
Dose–response relationship between genetically proxied average blood glucose levels and incident coronary heart disease in individuals without diabetes mellitus
Authors: Burgess Stephen , Malik Rainer , Liu Bowen , Mason Amy M. , Georgakis Marios K. , Dichgans Martin , Gill Dipender 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Aims/hypothesis
Our aim was to investigate the relationship between average blood glucose levels and incident CHD in individuals without diabetes mellitus.

Methods
To investigate average blood glucose levels, we studied HbA1c as predicted by 40 variants previously shown to be associated with both type 2 diabetes and HbA1c. Linear and non-linear Mendelian randomisation analyses were performed to investigate associations with incident CHD risk in 324,830 European ancestry individuals from the UK Biobank without diabetes mellitus.

Results
Every one mmol/mol increase in genetically proxied HbA1c was associated with an 11% higher CHD risk (HR 1.11, 95% CI 1.05, 1.18). The dose–response curve increased at all levels of HbA1c, and there was no evidence favouring a non-linear relationship over a linear one.

Conclusions/interpretations
In individuals without diabetes mellitus, lowering average blood glucose levels may reduce CHD risk in a dose-dependent way.

Graphical abstract
Hypoxia and hypoxia-inducible factors in diabetes and its complications
Authors: Catrina Sergiu-Bogdan , Zheng Xiaowei 
Published: January 2021

AbstractHypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are the key regulators of oxygen homeostasis in response to hypoxia. In diabetes, multiple tissues are hypoxic but adaptive responses to hypoxia are impaired due to insufficient activation of HIF signalling, which results from inhibition of HIF-1α stability and function due to hyperglycaemia and elevated fatty acid levels. In this review, we will summarise and discuss current findings about the regulation of HIF signalling in diabetes and the pathogenic roles of hypoxia and dysregulated HIF signalling in the development of diabetes and its complications. The therapeutic potential of targeting HIF signalling for the prevention and treatment of diabetes and related complications is also discussed.
Graphical abstract
Psychotomimetic symptoms after a moderate dose of a synthetic cannabinoid (JWH-018): implications for psychosis
Authors: Theunissen Eef L. , Reckweg Johannes T. , Hutten Nadia R. P. W. , Kuypers Kim P. C. , Toennes Stefan W. , Neukamm Merja A. , Halter Sebastian , Ramaekers Johannes G. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are the largest class of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) and are associated with an increased risk of overdosing and adverse events such as psychosis. JWH-018 is one of the earliest SCs and still widely available in large parts of the world. Controlled studies to assess the safety and behavioural profiles of SCs are extremely scarce.

Aim
The current study was designed to assess the psychotomimetic effects of a moderate dose of JWH-018.

Methods
Twenty-four healthy participants (10 males, 14 females) entered a placebo-controlled, double blind, within-subjects trial and inhaled vapour of placebo or 75μg/kg bodyweight JWH-018. To ascertain a minimum level of intoxication, a booster dose of JWH-018 was administered on an as-needed basis. The average dose of JWH-018 administered was 5.52 mg. Subjective high, dissociative states (CADSS), psychedelic symptoms (Bowdle), mood (POMS) and cannabis reinforcement (SCRQ) were assessed within a 4.5-h time window after drug administration.

Results
JWH-018 caused psychedelic effects, such as altered internal and external perception, and dissociative effects, such as amnesia, derealisation and depersonalisation and induced feelings of confusion.

Conclusion
Overall, these findings suggest that a moderate dose of JWH-018 induces pronounced psychotomimetic symptoms in healthy participants with no history of mental illness, which confirms that SCs pose a serious risk for public health.
Sex-specific signalling of individual personality by a mutual plumage ornament in a passerine
Authors: Fülöp Attila , Lukács Dóra , Fábián Péter Imre , Kocsis Bianka , Kőmüves Gabriella , Bereczki Judit , Barta Zoltán 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
The significance of colour signals in species with strong sexual dimorphism and/or elaborated visual ornaments is rather well-understood. Less attention has, however, been devoted to study colour signals in species with weak or no apparent sexual dimorphism. In such species, an interesting possibility arises as both sexes can bear the same colour ornament(s) (i.e. sexes are mutually ornamented), but their signalling value might differ in males and females. We aimed to explore this possibility by investigating the phenotypic correlates of the black bib, a melanin-based plumage ornament, in the Eurasian tree sparrow (Passer montanus). More specifically, we studied the sex-dependent relationships between bib size and three aspects of individuals’ phenotype: body condition (i.e. size-corrected body mass), physiology (i.e. cellular innate immunity/inflammation status, expressed through total leucocyte counts, and chronic physiological stress, expressed through the ratio of heterophils to lymphocytes) and individual personality (i.e. activity in a novel environment). We found that bib size was not associated with body condition and cellular innate immunity/inflammation status, but was positively related to physiological stress levels independent of sex. Furthermore, bib size was negatively associated with activity in males but positively in females. Our findings bring important correlative evidence that mutual ornamental traits may have sex-specific signalling value.

Significance statement
The signalling role of elaborated colourful ornaments, that are usually possessed only by males in sexually dimorphic species, is well-established. The function of various colour traits which are borne by both sexes (i.e. mutual ornaments), however, is less obvious. Do they have a signalling value in both sexes? If yes, do they signal the same information in males and females? Or, most intriguingly, can they convey different information in the two sexes? To test these alternatives, we studied the signalling value of the black bib, a melanin-based mutual plumage ornament, in Eurasian tree sparrows (Passer montanus). Apart from being correlated with chronic stress in both sexes, bib size was positively related to activity in females but negatively in males. Our results suggest that the information content of the same colour trait in males and females can be different in mutually ornamented species.
Feasibility study of assessing the Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite (PACC) score via videoconferencing
Authors: Seghezzo Giulia , Van Hoecke Yvonne , James Laura , Davoren Donna , Williamson Elizabeth , Pearce Neil , McElvenny Damien , Gallo Valentina 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
The Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite (PACC) is a composite score which can detect the first signs of cognitive impairment, which can be of importance for research and clinical practice. It is designed to be administered in person; however, in-person assessments are costly, and are difficult during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective
To assess the feasibility of performing the PACC assessment with videoconferencing, and to compare the validity of this remote PACC with the in-person PACC obtained previously.

Methods
Participants from the HEalth and Ageing Data IN the Game of football (HEADING) Study who had already undergone an in-person assessment were re-contacted and re-assessed remotely. The correlation between the two PACC scores was estimated. The difference between the two PACC scores was calculated and used in multiple linear regression to assess which variables were associated with a difference in PACC scores.

Findings
Of the 43 participants who were invited to this external study, 28 were re-assessed. The median duration in days between the in-person and the remote assessments was 236.5 days (7.9 months) (IQR 62.5). There was a strong positive correlation between the two assessments for the PACC score, with a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0·82 (95% CI 0·66, 0·98). The multiple linear regression found that the only predictor of the PACC difference was the time between assessments.

Interpretation
This study provides evidence on the feasibility of performing cognitive tests online, with the PACC tests being successfully administered through videoconferencing. This is relevant, especially during times when face-to-face assessments cannot be performed.
Comorbidities and healthcare costs and resource use of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in the Japan medical data vision database
Authors: Terai Shuji , Buchanan-Hughes Amy , Ng Alvin , Lee I-Heng , Hasegawa Ken 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundThis study examined demographics, comorbidities and healthcare resource use (HCRU) and costs among Japanese patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).MethodsWe conducted a repeated cross-sectional analysis of the Medical Data Vision (MDV) claims database, from January 2011 to March 2018. Demographics were described at index date and by calendar year; a “NASH” subpopulation included patients with ≥ 1 claim for NASH at any time. Prevalence of pre-specified comorbidities of interest and data-emergent top comorbidities were estimated. All-cause HCRU and costs were quantified by calendar year. Outcomes were compared between 2011 and 2017 using partially overlappingttests.Results58,958 patients (mean age 61.6 years; 55.5% male) were included. 1139 patients (2%) were in the NASH subpopulation. At baseline, comorbid cardiovascular disease (69.4%), diabetes (62.1%) and hyperlipidaemia (54.4%) were most prevalent; comorbidity prevalence increased with age. Mean outpatient visits decreased from 9.36 per patient in 2011 to 7.80 in 2017; mean inpatient admissions increased (bothp < 0.001 for 2011 vs 2017). Mean total all-cause healthcare costs ranged from ¥322,206 to ¥340,399 per patient per year between 2011 and 2017. Although total all-cause healthcare costs did not change significantly (p = 0.552), cost burden shifted from the outpatient to inpatient setting between 2011 and 2017. All-cause healthcare resource use/costs were generally higher for the NASH subgroup compared with the overall population.ConclusionsThere is a high burden of disease among Japanese NAFLD/NASH patients, including a high prevalence of comorbidities which generally increase with age. Accordingly, substantial all-cause HCRU and costs were incurred.
Lack of awareness of liver organ damage in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Ciardullo Stefano , Monti Tommaso , Perseghin Gianluca 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Aims
Liver steatosis, a typical finding in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), can lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The aim of the present study is to estimate the awareness of liver disease among patients with T2D and whether it differs according to the degree of liver fibrosis estimated by transient elastography (TE).

Methods
This is a population-based cross-sectional study. We included all patients with T2D that participated in the 2017–2018 cycle of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and underwent a TE examination. Presence of liver steatosis and fibrosis was assessed by the median values of controlled attenuation parameter and liver stiffness measurement, respectively.

Results
Among the 825 patients included in the analysis, 8.1% (95% CI 5.1%-12.7%) of patients with steatosis were aware of having a liver condition. Even if awareness increased proportionally with increasing severity of organ damage, it remained limited even among patients with advanced fibrosis (17.9%, 95% CI 8.8%-33.3%).

Conclusions
Despite increasing evidence of a frequent hepatic involvement associated with poor prognosis, awareness of suffering of advanced liver disease in patients with T2D is remarkably low, likely reflecting little recognition also among the team of health care professionals.
Mathematical modeling of tech-related real-world problems for secondary school-level mathematics
Authors: Kohen Zehavit , Orenstein Doron 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe use of authentic real-world problems that reflect the applied nature of mathematics is not prevalent in formal secondary school settings. In this study, we explore the interface between workplace mathematics, particularly tech-related real-world (TRW) problems, and school mathematics, through the explication of mathematical modeling. The research questions are (1) in which tech domains can real-world problems be identified that can be addressed using mathematical modeling for the secondary school level? (2) Which methods do engineers use to simplify tech-related problems for non-experts in their field? (3) In which areas in the secondary mathematics curriculum can TRW problems be mapped? We present a three-phase model which yielded the creation of a pool of 169 TRW problems. The first two phases of the model included extracting authentic problems from the work of tech engineers and simplifying them to be meaningful or perceivable to students. These were explored by conducting task-oriented interviews with senior tech engineers and scientists from leading companies and universities. The third phase was accomplished by interviewing mathematics education experts, and included verifying the compatibility of the problems with the formal, secondary-level mathematics curriculum. The study has methodological, theoretical, and practical contributions. These include methodology that enables identifying TRW problems that are compliant with the secondary mathematics curriculum; adding to the literature about mathematical modeling by demonstrating the interface between workplace mathematics and school mathematics; and creating a large pool of TRW problems that can be used in secondary school math lessons.
Microbiological and Biochemical Activity in Soil Contaminated with Pyrene Subjected to Bioaugmentation
Authors: Lipińska Aneta , Wyszkowska Jadwiga , Kucharski Jan 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe aim of the study was to determine the efficacy of bioaugmentation in pyrene-contaminated soil based on microbial counts, colony development index (CD), ecophysiological diversity index (EP), soil enzyme activity, and an assay of residual pyrene levels in the soil. The soil samples were contaminated with pyrene doses of 100 and 1000 mg kg−1 DM soil. Two bacterial consortia were used in the study: P1 (Bacillus frigoritolerans Z2B-19, Bacillus simplex 2–134, and Bacillus thuringiensis ex4) and P2 (Bacillus pumilus Bp-11, Bacillus safensis L22, and Bacillus aerophilus KUDC1741). The following parameters were determined: counts of organotrophic bacteria, actinobacteria, and fungi; CD; EP; and the activity of soil enzymes. The pyrene degradation efficacy of the bioaugmentation was also established. Microbiological activity was influenced by the level of soil contamination with pyrene, the test time, and the type of consortium. Pyrene had a stimulatory effect on the microbial counts and was a diversifier of CD values, EP values, and enzyme activity levels in the soil. Bioaugmentation initially promoted the growth of microorganisms, but ultimately diminished the ecophysiological diversity and the activity of soil enzymes. The microorganisms used for bioaugmentation accelerated pyrene removal from the soil, by 24.6% and 16.4% in the case of P1 and P2 consortium, respectively. The use of bioaugmentation provides favorable conditions for the effective elimination of pyrene from soil. As the microbiological and biochemical properties of the soil were improved in the initial phase of the study, this method can be recommended for the bioremediation of pyrene-contaminated soils.