bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tuning the Antigen Density Requirement for CAR T-cell Activity
Authors: Majzner Robbie G. , Rietberg Skyler P. , Sotillo Elena , Dong Rui , Vachharajani Vipul T. , Labanieh Louai , Myklebust June H. , Kadapakkam Meena , Weber Evan W. , Tousley Aidan M. , Richards Rebecca M. , Heitzeneder Sabine , Nguyen Sang M. , Wiebking Volker , Theruvath Johanna , Lynn Rachel C. , Xu Peng , Dunn Alexander R. , Vale Ronald D. , Mackall Crystal L.
Published: March 2020

Insufficient reactivity against cells with low antigen density has emerged as an important cause of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell resistance. Little is known about factors that modulate the threshold for antigen recognition. We demonstrate that CD19 CAR activity is dependent upon antigen density and that the CAR construct in axicabtagene ciloleucel (CD19-CD28ζ) outperforms that in tisagenlecleucel (CD19-4-1BBζ) against antigen-low tumors. Enhancing signal strength by including additional immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs (ITAM) in the CAR enables recognition of low-antigen-density cells, whereas ITAM deletions blunt signal and increase the antigen density threshold. Furthermore, replacement of the CD8 hinge-transmembrane (H/T) region of a 4-1BBζ CAR with a CD28-H/T lowers the threshold for CAR reactivity despite identical signaling molecules. CARs incorporating a CD28-H/T demonstrate a more stable and efficient immunologic synapse. Precise design of CARs can tune the threshold for antigen recognition and endow 4-1BBζ-CARs with enhanced capacity to recognize antigen-low targets while retaining a superior capacity for persistence.

Significance:

Optimal CAR T-cell activity is dependent on antigen density, which is variable in many cancers, including lymphoma and solid tumors. CD28ζ-CARs outperform 4-1BBζ-CARs when antigen density is low. However, 4-1BBζ-CARs can be reengineered to enhance activity against low-antigen-density tumors while maintaining their unique capacity for persistence.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 627
Long Non-Coding RNA CRNDE Regulates Angiogenesis in Hepatoblastoma by Targeting the MiR-203/VEGFA Axis
Authors: Chen Li-Jian , Yuan Miao-Xian , Ji Chun-Yi , Zhang Yan-Bing , Peng Yu-Ming , Zhang Tian , Gao Hong-Qiang , Sheng Xin-Yi , Liu Zhao-Yang , Xie Wei-Xin , Yin Qiang
Published: March 2020

Objective: MiR-203 has been shown to participate in multiple malignancies, but the role of miR-203 in hepatoblastoma (HB) remains unclear. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of miR-203 in HB. Methods: A total of 15 pairs of HB tissues and para-tumour normal tissues were collected for the experiments. RT-qPCR and Western blotting were performed to detect the expression of CRNDE, miR-203, and VEGFA at the mRNA and/or protein levels, respectively. A dual luciferase assay verified the target relationship between miR-203 and the 3′UTR of VEGFA as well as miR-203 and CRNDE. In addition, MTT, wound healing, and tube formation assays were performed to assess the effects of miR-203, VEGFA, and CRNDE on cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis, respectively. Results: Our data revealed that miR-203 expression was decreased in HB tissues, while long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) CRNDE expression was increased. The dysregulation of miR-203 and CRNDE was closely related to tumour size and stage. Moreover, overexpression of miR-203 inhibited angiogenesis. A dual luciferase assay verified that VEGFA is a direct target of miR-203 and that CRNDE binds to miR-203. Furthermore, our results showed that miR-203 suppressed cell viability, migration, and angiogenesis by regulating VEGFA expression. Additionally, it was confirmed that CRNDE promoted angiogenesis by negatively regulating miR-203 expression. Conclusion: lncRNA CRNDE targets the miR-203/VEGFA axis and promotes angiogenesis in HB. These results provide insight into the underlying mechanisms of HB and indicate that CRNDE and miR-203 might be potential targets for HB therapy.
Impact of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Gene Polymorphisms and Their Interactions with Environmental Factors on Susceptibility to Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Liu Furong , Wen Ting , Tang Qian , Chen Fangshan , Liao Dazhong
Published: March 2020

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene and additional gene-environment interaction with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) risk. Methods: PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism was performed to detect SNPs. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and allele frequencies in cases and controls were calculated using SNPStats (http://bioinfo.iconcologia.net/SNPstats). Generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) was used to screen the best interaction combination among 4 SNPs, smoking, and alcohol drinking. Logistic regression was performed to investigate the association between 4 SNPs within VEGF gene, additional gene-smoking interaction, and RCC risk. Results: RCC risk was significantly higher in carriers with the T allele of rs833061 within VEGF gene than those with CC genotype (CT+TT vs. CC) {adjusted odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval [CI]) = 1.71 (1.17–2.32), p = 0.002} and higher in carriers with the A allele of rs699947 within VEGF gene than those with GG genotype (GA+AA vs. GG) (adjusted OR [95% CI] = 1.64 [1.27–2.10], p < 0.001). GMDR analysis indicated a significant 2-locus model (p = 0.0010) involving rs833061 and smoking. The cross-validation consistency of the 2-locus model was 10/10, and the testing accuracy was 60.72%. Current smokers with rs833061-CT+TT genotype had the highest RCC risk, compared to never smokers with rs833061-CC genotype within VEGF gene (OR [95% CI] = 3.02 [1.84–4.23], p < 0.001). Conclusions: We found that the T allele of rs833061 and the A allele of rs699947 within VEGF gene, and the interaction between rs833061 and smoking were all associated with increased RCC risk.
Illustrating Cancer Risk: Patient Risk Communication Preferences and Interest regarding a Novel BRCA1/2 Genetic Risk Modifier Test
Authors: Hamilton Jada G. , Genoff Garzon Margaux , Shah Ibrahim H. , Cadet Kechna , Shuk Elyse , Westerman Joy S. , Hay Jennifer L. , Offit Kenneth , Robson Mark E.
Published: March 2020

Introduction: Genetic risk modifier testing (GRMT), an emerging form of genetic testing based on common single nucleotide polymorphisms and polygenic risk scores, has the potential to refine estimates of BRCA1/2 mutation carriers’ breast cancer risks. However, for women to benefit from GRMT, effective approaches for communicating this novel risk information are needed. Objective: To evaluate patient preferences regarding risk communication materials for GRMT. Methods: We developed four separate presentations (panel of genes, icon array, verbal risk estimate, graphical risk estimate) of hypothetical GRMT results, each using varying risk communication strategies to convey different information elements including number of risk modifier variants present, variant prevalence among BRCA1/2 carriers, and implications and uncertainties of test results for cancer risk. Thirty BRCA1/2 carriers evaluated these materials (randomized to low, moderate, or high breast cancer risk versions). Qualitative and quantitative data were obtained through in-person interviews. Results: Across risk versions, participants preferred the presentation of the graphical risk estimate, often in combination with the verbal risk estimate. Interest in GRMT was high; 76.7% of participants wanted their own GRMT. Participants valued the potential for GRMT to clarify their cancer susceptibility and provide actionable information. Many (65.5%) anticipated that GRMT would make risk management decisions easier. Conclusions: Women with BRCA1/2 mutations could be highly receptive to GRMT, and the minimal amount of necessary information to be included in result risk communication materials includes graphical and verbal estimates of future cancer risk. Findings will inform clinical translation of GRMT in a manner consistent with patients’ preferences.
A Case of Pneumatic Displacement with Gas Tamponade Performed for Macular Subretinal Hemorrhage Complicating Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Disease
Authors: Kobayashi Takatoshi , Fukumoto Masanori , Takai Nanae , Maruyama Kohichi , Tada Rei , Shouda Hiromi , Kida Teruyo , Ikeda Tsunehiko
Published: March 2020

We experienced a case of subretinal hemorrhage (SRH) from choroidal neovascularization (CNV) complicating Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease (VKH) that underwent pneumatic displacement of hematoma by intravitreal gas injection. A 76-year-old male revealed VKH relapses and optical coherence tomography showed irregular retinal pigment epithelium in his right eye and serous retinal detachment and retinal pigment epithelial detachment in his left eye. Fluorescein angiography of the left eye showed hyperfluorescence possibly attributable to CNV. One month later, SRH occurred in the left eye, yet it was spontaneously absorbed. However, approximately 1 year later, the SRH recurred in the left eye affecting a wide area, including the macular region, and his visual acuity (VA) decreased to 0.06. When pneumatic displacement of the hematoma by intravitreal gas injection was performed, the SRH was inferiorly displaced, and his VA improved to 0.4. Pneumatic displacement with gas tamponade was effective for treating a case of SRH caused by persistent CNV complicating VKH.
Receptor Discordance of Metastatic Breast Cancer Depending on the Molecular Subtype
Authors: Holzer Iris , Farr Alex , Tan Yen , Deutschmann Christine , Leser Carmen , Singer Christian F.
Published: March 2020

Introduction: Almost 30% of all women with early-stage breast cancer develop metastases. Treatment of metastatic disease is often based on the immunohistochemical information of the primary tumor, despite possible discordance of the hormone and Her2 receptor status. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the receptor status of the primary tumor with the metastasis, and to evaluate for receptor discordance with regard to the molecular subtype, receptor status, and the localization of the metastases. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of all consecutive women with metastatic breast cancer, who underwent treatment at the Medical University Vienna between 2009 and 2016. Associations were calculated using the χ2or Fisher’s exact test; years from primary diagnosis to metastatic disease were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: We identified 213 metastatic breast cancer patients, of whom 67 (31.5%) showed a discordant receptor status. Out of 32 patients with luminal A subtype, 14 (43.8%) had a switch of at least one receptor; 27 of 53 patients (50.9%) with luminal B subtype and 21 of 32 patients (65.6%) with Her2+ subtype showed receptor discordance; for triple-negative disease, 5 of 19 patients (36.3%) had a switch of at least one receptor. In 63 samples of bone metastases, 13 (20.6%) had discordant estrogen receptor status (p = 0.04). In 55 samples of bone metastases, 35 (63.3%) had discordant Her2 status (p = 0.002). Conclusions: Our data show high rates of receptor discordance in metastatic breast cancer. Apart from the primary tumor, the immunohistochemical receptor status of the metastasis needs to be verified. This can lead to a change in treatment and prognosis.
Immunoadsorption Combined with Membrane Filtration to Counteract Early Treatment-Refractory Antibody-Mediated Rejection
Authors: Doberer Konstantin , Bond Gregor , Kläger Johannes , Regele Heinz , Strassl Robert , Reindl-Schwaighofer Roman , Scheriau Georg , Wahrmann Markus , Kikić Željko , Faé Ingrid , Fischer Gottfried , Böhmig Georg A. , Eskandary Farsad
Published: March 2020

Introduction: Immunoadsorption (IA) represents a therapeutic option for acute antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) after kidney transplantation. The addition of membrane filtration (MF) to enhance elimination of macromolecular components that potentially contribute to rejection, such as key complement component C1q and alloreactive IgM, may be an effective strategy to further improve its therapeutic efficiency. Results: Here we present 4 consecutive patients with episodes of HLA donor-specific antibody-positive ABMR nonresponsive to cycles of 6–16 sessions of IA treatment. Rejection episodes were characterized by severe microvascular injury (high-grade microcirculation inflammation and/or signs of thrombotic microangiopathy) and evidence of intense complement activation in peritubular capillaries (diffuse C4d-positivity). IA combined with MF led to substantial morphologic improvement (follow-up biopsies: g + ptc and C4d scores ≤1) and stabilization of allograft function. Conclusions: Our findings provide evidence for an effect of combination of IA + MF in refractory early acute/active ABMR in kidney transplant recipients.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Endocervicoscopy in Identifying and Grading Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia Lesion
Authors: De Rosa Nicoletta , Lavitola Giada , Della Corte Luigi , Bifulco Giuseppe
Published: March 2020

Introduction: Colposcopy represents the second step of the diagnostic approach of cervical intraepithelial lesions. Limits of colposcopy in studying cervix are essentially related to cervical anatomy. Nowadays, endocervical courettage is the standard technique to examine endocervix. Endocervicoscopy is a new imaging technique for the diagnostic work-up of endocervix in patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Objective: To evaluate endocervicoscopy accuracy to identify and grade cervical intraepithelial lesion in comparison to other procedures employed into the diagnostic workup of cervical pathology. Methods: A total of 634 women who performed colposcopy, endocervicoscopy and cytological or histological sampling were included in a retrospective study. The agreement between the endocervicoscopic and the colposcopic impressions, minor and major changes, and between these imaging techniques and histological diagnosis was assessed for the entire cohort. χ2 test and k statistic were used in the statistical analysis. Results: The extension of the lesion resulted significantly greater at endocervicoscopy than at colposcopy. We showed a statistically significant association between colposcopy and endocervicoscopy findings. Overall, the correlation of minor or major findings between colposcopy and endocervicoscopy was statistically significant with a p value for all parameters <0.0001. Description of mosaic/punctuation, cuffed crypt (gland) openings and ridge sign showed a high k value (k = 0.68 [95% CI 0.64–0.73], k = 0.80 [95% CI 0.75–0.85], k = 0.78 [95% CI 0.64–0.90], respectively). The sensitivity (70.1%) and the specificity (77.0%) of endocervicoscopy for all CIN lesions were lower than colposcopy. Conclusion: Endocervicoscopy turned out to be a good method to identify and grade CIN lesions in a subset of patients where colposcopy was not satisfactory. It allowed us to overcome one of the limits of colposcopy in the evaluation of the squamo-columnar junction and to establish the real extension of the lesion into cervical cancer.
Central Versus Peripheral Artery Stiffening and Cardiovascular Risk
Authors: Yu Shikai , McEniery Carmel M.
Published: March 2020

The large elastic arteries fulfill an important role in buffering the cyclical changes in blood pressure, which result from intermittent ventricular ejection. With aging and accrual of cardiovascular risk factors, the elastic arteries stiffen, and this process holds a number of deleterious consequences for the cardiovascular system and major organs. Indeed, arterial stiffness is now recognized as an important, independent determinant of cardiovascular disease risk. Additional, important information concerning the mechanisms underlying arterial stiffening has come from longitudinal studies of arterial stiffness. More recently, attention has focused on the role of peripheral, muscular arteries in cardiovascular disease risk prediction and, in particular, the clinical consequences of reversal of the normal gradient of arterial stiffness between central and peripheral arteries, with aging and disease.
Accumulation of Pericardial Fat Is Associated With Alterations in Heart Rate Variability Patterns in Hypercholesterolemic Pigs
Authors: Uceda Domingo E. , Zhu Xiang-Yang , Woollard John R. , Ferguson Christopher M. , Patras Ioannis , Carlson Daniel F. , Asirvatham Samuel J. , Lerman Amir , Lerman Lilach O.
Published: March 2020

Background:

Heart rate variability (HRV) and pulse rate variability are indices of autonomic cardiac modulation. Increased pericardial fat is associated with worse cardiovascular outcomes. We hypothesized that progressive increases in pericardial fat volume and inflammation prospectively dampen HRV in hypercholesterolemic pigs.

Methods:

WT (wild type) or PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin-like/kexin type-9) gain-of-function Ossabaw mini-pigs were studied in vivo before and after 3 and 6 months of a normal diet (WT-normal diet, n=4; PCSK9-normal diet, n=6) or high-fat diet (HFD; WT-HFD, n=3; PCSK9-HFD, n=6). The arterial pulse waveform was obtained from an arterial telemetry transmitter to analyze HRV indices, including SD (SD of all pulse-to-pulse intervals over a single 5-minute period), root mean square of successive differences, proportion >50 ms of normal-to-normal R-R intervals, and the calculated ratio of low-to-high frequency distributions (low-frequency power/high-frequency power). Pericardial fat volumes were evaluated using multidetector computed tomography and its inflammation by gene expression of TNF (tumor necrosis factor)-α. Plasma lipid panel and norepinephrine level were also measured.

Results:

At diet completion, hypercholesterolemic PCSK9-HFD had significantly (
P
<0.05 versus baseline) depressed HRV (SD of all pulse-to-pulse intervals over a single 5-minute period, root mean square of successive differences, proportion >50 ms, high-frequency power, low-frequency power), and both HFD groups had higher sympathovagal balance (SD of all pulse-to-pulse intervals over a single 5-minute period/root mean square of successive differences, low-frequency power/high-frequency power) compared with normal diet. Pericardial fat volumes and LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol concentrations correlated inversely with HRV and directly with sympathovagal balance, while sympathovagal balance correlated directly with plasma norepinephrine. Pericardial fat TNF-α expression was upregulated in PCSK9-HFD, colocalized with nerve fibers, and correlated inversely with root mean square of successive differences and proportion >50 ms.

Conclusions:

Progressive pericardial fat expansion and inflammation are associated with a fall in HRV in Ossabaw mini-pigs, implying aggravated autonomic imbalance. Hence, pericardial fat accumulation is associated with alterations in HRV and the autonomic nervous system.

Visual Overview:

A
visual overview
is available for this article.
Relation of Fractionated Atrial Potentials With the Vagal Innervation Evaluated by Extracardiac Vagal Stimulation During Cardioneuroablation
Authors: Pachon-M Enrique I. , Pachon-Mateos Jose Carlos , Higuti Christian , Santillana-P Tomas G. , Lobo Tasso , Pachon Carlos , Pachon-Mateos Juan , Zerpa Juan , Ortencio Felipe , Amarante Ricardo Carneiro , Silva Ricardo Ferreira , Osório Thiago Guimarães
Published: March 2020

Background:

Vagal hyperactivity is directly related to several clinical conditions as reflex/functional bradyarrhythmias and vagal atrial fibrillation (AF). Cardioneuroablation provides therapeutic vagal denervation through endocardial radiofrequency ablation for these cases. The main challenges are neuromyocardium interface identification and the denervation control and validation. The finding that the AF-Nest (AFN) ablation eliminates the atropine response and decreases RR variability suggests that they are related to the vagal innervation.

Method:

Prospective, controlled, longitudinal, nonrandomized study enrolling 62 patients in 2 groups: AFN group (AFN group 32 patients) with functional or reflex bradyarrhythmias or vagal AF treated with AFN ablation and a control group (30 patients) with anomalous bundles, ventricular premature beats, atrial flutter, atrioventricular nodal reentry, and atrial tachycardia, treated with conventional ablation (non-AFN ablation). In AFN group, ablation delivered at AFN detected by fragmentation/fractionation of the endocardial electrograms and by 3-dimensional anatomic location of the ganglionated plexus. Vagal response was evaluated before, during, and postablation by 5 s noncontact vagal stimulation at the jugular foramen, through the internal jugular veins (extracardiac vagal stimulation [ECVS]), analyzing 15 s mean heart rate, longest RR, pauses, and atrioventricular block. All patients had current guidelines arrhythmia ablation indication.

Results:

Preablation ECVS induced sinus pauses, asystole, and transient atrioventricular block in both groups showing a strong vagal response (
P
=0.96). Postablation ECVS in the AFN group showed complete abolishment of the cardiac vagal response in all cases (pre/postablation ECVS=
P
<0.0001), demonstrating robust vagal denervation. However, in the control group, vagal response remained practically unchanged postablation (
P
=0.35), showing that non-AFN ablation promotes no significant denervation.

Conclusions:

AFN ablation causes significant vagal denervation. Non-AFN ablation causes no significant vagal denervation. These results suggest that AFNs are intrinsically related to vagal innervation. ECVS was fundamental to stepwise vagal denervation validation during cardioneuroablation.

Visual Overview

A
visual overview
is available for this article.
Short term effects of limb autotomy on immune function and disease resistance of Portunus trituberculatus (Brachyura, Portunidae)
Authors: Wang Xujie , Peng Yingying , Yu Huaihua , Xu Wenjun , Shi Hui , He Jie
Published: March 2020

Crustaceans usually autotomize their limbs in response to physical or physiological threats. In this study, the short term effects of different degrees of autotomy on immune function and disease resistance of Portunus trituberculatus were studied by autotomizing one limb (mild autotomy) or four limbs (severe autotomy). The results indicate that the total haemocyte count (THC) of these crabs showed a tendency to decrease rapidly at first, then increase, and then decrease after mild autotomy and severe autotomy, but the THC changes for individuals with mild autotomy lagged relatively behind. The haemocyte compositions of the crabs also changed greatly after limb autotomy; especially in the severe autotomy group, the proportion of large granular cells and non-granular cells increased significantly within 0.5 h and 2 h after treatment, and the proportion of small particle cells clearly decreased. From the changes in related immune enzyme activities, the effect of autotomy on the activity of haemolymph superoxide dismutase (SOD) in P. trituberculatus was notably low, but had a greater influence on the activities of phenoloxidase (PO), lysozyme (LZM), acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP). Among these activities, PO activity decreased significantly within 1 h after treatment and then gradually recovered, LZM activity began to rise continuously within 4 h of autotomy, and both ACP and AKP activity increased immediately after treatment and then gradually decreased. Compared with the individuals with severe autotomy, the haemolymph immunoenzymatic activity of the mild autotomy crabs was slight and slower. In addition, limb autotomy directly affects the disease resistance of P. trituberculatus, especially for the case of severe autotomy, i.e., the resistance of P. trituberculatus to disease is significantly weakened, and the probability of death greatly increases. On the whole, P. trituberculatus could respond to the short term negative effects of limb autotomy by corresponding physiological regulation mechanisms, but the disease resistance was still reduced. This study showed that the self-regulation ability of P. trituberculatus in response to limb autotomy was limited, especially in the case of severe autotomy.
Two novel species of Lactifluus subg. Pseudogymnocarpi (Russulaceae) from Brazil

Authors: SILVA-FILHO ALEXANDRE G. S. , SÁ MARIANA C. A. , KOMURA DIRCE L. , MONCALVO JEAN-MARC , MARGARITESCU SIMONA , ROY MÉLANIE , WARTCHOW FELIPE
Published: March 2020

Two new species in Lactifluus subg. Pseudogymnocarpi, Lf. umbilicatus and Lf. venosellus were collected from Amazonian and Atlantic forests of Brazil, respectively. Detailed macro- and micromorphological descriptions, including scanning electron microscopy images of the basidiospores, are provided. The putative phylogenetic placement of these taxa was investigated based on ITS sequence analyses. Comparisons with related taxa are discussed.
Centaurea akroteriensis (Asteraceae), a new species discovered in Salento (Southern Apulia, Italy)

Authors: GENNAIO ROBERTO , MANNI QUINTINO GIOVANNI
Published: March 2020

In the first months of 2013, a large group of plants of Centaurea belonging to the section Seridia, initially identified as a morphological variant of C. seridis subsp. sonchifolia, has been found during a naturalistic excursion in the Regional Natural Park of Punta Pizzo—Sant’Andrea Island. Morphological investigations, direct comparisons with species belonging to the same section, both through herbarium’s specimens and in vivo, and punctual bibliographical research indicate that this population belongs to a new species with some similarities with the Euro-Mediterranean C. seridis, C. polyacantha (a species with a distribution comprising the Iberian Peninsula and Morocco), or the North-African C. bimorpha and C. ferox, but is quite different by many characters illustrated in the present work. The new species here described is named C. akroteriensis Gennaio & Q.G. Manni.
Breaking of Internal Waves and Turbulent Dissipation in an Anticyclonic Mode Water Eddy
Authors: Fernández-Castro Bieito , Evans Dafydd Gwyn , Frajka-Williams Eleanor , Vic Clément , Naveira-Garabato Alberto C.
Published: March 2020

A 4-month glider mission was analyzed to assess turbulent dissipation in an anticyclonic eddy at the western boundary of the subtropical North Atlantic. The eddy (radius ≈ 60 km) had a core of low potential vorticity between 100 and 450 m, with maximum radial velocities of 0.5 m s−1 and Rossby number ≈ −0.1. Turbulent dissipation was inferred from vertical water velocities derived from the glider flight model. Dissipation was suppressed in the eddy core (ε ≈ 5 × 10−10 W kg−1) and enhanced below it (>10−9 W kg−1). Elevated dissipation was coincident with quasiperiodic structures in the vertical velocity and pressure perturbations, suggesting internal waves as the drivers of dissipation. A heuristic ray-tracing approximation was used to investigate the wave–eddy interactions leading to turbulent dissipation. Ray-tracing simulations were consistent with two types of wave–eddy interactions that may induce dissipation: the trapping of near-inertial wave energy by the eddy’s relative vorticity, or the entry of an internal tide (generated at the nearby continental slope) to a critical layer in the eddy shear. The latter scenario suggests that the intense mesoscale field characterizing the western boundaries of ocean basins might act as a “leaky wall” controlling the propagation of internal tides into the basin’s interior.
Much Ado About Nothing? Do Foreign Domestic Workers in Hong Kong Benefit From Capital Accumulation?
Authors: Tong Yuying , Jiang Niantao
Published: March 2020

The accumulation of human and social capital plays a significant role in influencing migrants’ earnings and economic integration in the host society. Although the effects of foreign domestic workers’ bargaining power on their labor market outcome is constrained due to their unique migrant status, domestic workers may still strive to make use of various resources to secure “ideal” jobs as much as possible. Using a randomly selected unique data set collected in Hong Kong in 2017, this study examines whether foreign domestic workers’ human and social capitals are associated with their salary scale, working conditions, and work rights protection. We use education, previously held jobs, migration duration, and language proficiency to measure human capital, and friendship networks and church attendance to indicate social capital. We found that previously having middle-level job experience can reduce the likelihood of experiencing underpay and increase the likelihood of having overpay, taking the legal minimum salary as a reference. English language proficiency could also give them some leverage to access a better pay scale. Previous human capital accumulation is associated with having a private room in the employer’s home. It is also associated with better protection of work rights such as being less likely to experience a “no pay” month. For social capital, frequent participation in Sunday gathering with friends is mainly associated with rights protection. These findings indicate that although foreign domestic workers may be constrained in using their capital accumulation to improve their market value substantially, the capital accumulation can still give some leverage for them to bargain for a slightly improved salary, better working conditions, and protection of their rights.
Paolo Valera, il cantore dei bassifondi
Authors: Marossi Walter
Published: March 2020

Personaggio a tutto tondo, giornalista, scrittore e sobillatore sociale, Valera esprime la sua vitalità umana e artistica tra la fine dell’Ottocento e il primo quarto del Novecento. Benché il suo protagonismo si esprima quasi esclusivamente all’interno della realtà milanese, per contenuti e diffusione, la sua opera letteraria può a ragione essere ritenuta di interesse nazionale. Ebbe la capacità di immergersi nelle immondizie e contraddizioni umane del suo tempo, in particolare quelle di alcune città europee, tra le quali Milano, senza restarne contaminato. La sua dirittura morale, nonostante l’inesauribile serie di querele, confini, arresti ai quali fu sottoposto dal potere costituito e dai borghesi del tempo, non fu infatti mai messa in questione da nessuno. Di interesse storico il sodalizio con Mussolini, prima che questi saltasse definitivamente il fosso della reazione e delle politiche contrarie agli interessi del mondo del lavoro. Benedetto Croce non volle considerare la sua vasta opera “letteratura”; ebbe probabilmente ragione se per letteratura si intendono testi codificati sulla base di canoni fissati dalla “norma” del tempo nel quale si scrive. Tuttavia, Valera, come è ampiamente documentato nella parte finale di questo saggio, registra da mezzo secolo nuova vita, fatta di ristampe, riletture, dibattiti, saggi critici. Il suo stile infiammato ed eccessivo, i contenuti dei suoi lavori, tornano probabilmente di attualità nel nostro tempo.
We Need Strong Public Health Care to Contain the Global Corona Pandemic
Authors: De Ceukelaire Wim , Bodini Chiara
Published: March 2020

The corona virus (COVID-19) outbreak has spread from China to over a hundred countries in less than 2 months. Now is the time to take stock and to assess the responses of different countries to the outbreak so far. What we can learn from the global Corona pandemic so far is that strong public health systems have the resilience to address massive health threats with the collective responses they require. Privatization of health services and individualization of risks might further undermine our ability to address this and future global pandemics.
Teaching Severe Weather: Examining Teacher Candidates’ Early Field Experience in a Makerspace Environment
Authors: Shively Kate , Hitchens Carolyn , Hitchens Nathan
Published: March 2020

This qualitative study examines first-year teacher candidates early field experience designing and implementing maker workshops for an afterschool program. The maker workshops were offered as part of a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) enrichment club at a local elementary school. The participants engaged in 50 hr of guided design, planning, and facilitation of a weather-focused maker workshop. Findings illuminate the role early teaching experiences (e.g., makerspaces) can play in the early professional development of elementary teacher candidates. This study calls for further investigation regarding maker environments as sites for elementary field experiences for teacher candidates.
Women, work and industrial relations in Australia in 2019
Authors: Foley Meraiah , Williamson Sue , Mosseri Sarah
Published: March 2020

Interest in women’s labour force participation, economic security and pay equity received substantial media and public policy attention throughout 2019, largely attributable to the federal election and the Australian Labor Party platform, which included a comprehensive suite of policies aimed at advancing workplace gender equality. Following the Australian Labor Party’s unexpected loss at the polls, however, workplace gender equality largely faded from the political agenda. In this annual review, we cover key gender equality indicators in Australia, examine key election promises made by both major parties, discuss the implications of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety for the female-dominated aged care workforce, and provide a gendered analysis on recent debates and developments surrounding the ‘future of work’ in Australia.
Advertising a Desired Change: When Process Simulation Fosters (vs. Hinders) Credibility and Persuasion
Authors: Cian Luca , Longoni Chiara , Krishna Aradhna
Published: March 2020

Ads promising a desired change are ubiquitous in the marketplace. These ads typically include visuals of the starting and ending point of the promised change (“before/after” ads). “Progression” ads, which include intermediate steps in addition to starting and ending points, are much rarer in the marketplace. Across several consumer domains, the authors show an ad-type effect: progression ads foster spontaneous simulation of the process through which the change will happen, which makes these ads more credible and, in turn, more persuasive than before/after ads (Studies 1–3). The authors also show that impairing process simulation and high skepticism moderate the ad-type effect (Studies 4–5). Finally, they show effect reversals: if consumers focus on achieving the desired results quickly, and it is possible to do so, progression ads and the associated process simulation backfire in terms of credibility and persuasion (Studies 6–7). These findings contribute to existing research by identifying conditions under which progression ads have beneficial or disadvantageous effects. These findings have managerial implications because they run counter to current marketing practices, which favor before/after over progression ads.
Backward Design and Repertoire Selection: Finding Full Expression
Authors: Armes Jocelyn W.
Published: March 2020

Repertoire selection is one of the most impactful responsibilities music educators undertake, and the music an educator chooses for students to experience reveals implicit and explicit philosophical values. When ensemble instructors select repertoire, their decisions are often informed by an eclectic mixture of competing practical and aspirational considerations. Backward design is an instructional strategy that aligns philosophical and instructional goals and allows music instructors to purposefully select high-quality repertoire and materials as means to an end rather than an end in themselves.
Reexamining “Gifted and Talented” in Music Education
Authors: Abramo Joseph Michael , Natale-Abramo Melissa
Published: March 2020

This article examines the concept of gifted and talented and its implications for music education. The authors explore what it means for students to be labeled “gifted and talented” both generally and in music. Next, we look at some of the strengths of gifted and talented education as well as some negative consequences and common criticisms. We end with specific strategies music educators can use to identify, support, and educate gifted students even when their schools do not have gifted and talented programs. These strategies include identifying students’ strengths, communicating with other adults to find out the unique needs of students, differentiating instruction, and seeking out enrichment opportunities. These strategies might also help music teachers tailor instruction for all students, regardless of label.
Leakage performance predictions of a brush seal based on fluid–solid coupling method
Authors: Yue Chang , Bitian Sun , Lanzhu Zhang
Published: March 2020

The sealing performance of a brush seal is studied in this article. At present, the mostly used model to analyze the performance of a brush seal is porous medium model in which the effect of bristle deformation is not considered. Here, a combined numerical method is proposed. First, the deformation of bristle is calculated in a fluid–solid coupling model with a simplified bristle model, and then the results of the bristle deformation is imported to a porous media model as the boundary conditions. More accurate media flow and leakage variation law of the brush seal are obtained with this calculation model.
Sliding mode control of continuous-time switched systems with signal quantization and actuator nonlinearity
Authors: Cheng Yiming , Liu Tianhe , Weng Rui , Cai Bo , Wang Changhong
Published: March 2020

This article investigates sliding mode control for a class of continuous-time switched systems with signal quantization, actuator nonlinearity and persistent dwell-time switching that can guarantee the globally uniformly asymptotical stability of the closed-loop system. First, a sliding surface is devised for the switched system and sufficient conditions are proposed to ensure the globally uniformly asymptotical stability of the sliding motion equation by utilizing multiple Lyapunov function technique. Second, the sliding mode control laws, based on the parameters of quantizer, actuator nonlinearity and disturbance, are devised to stabilize the closed-loop systems. Moreover, sufficient conditions are given to guarantee the devised sliding surface’s reachability. Finally, the superiority and effectiveness of developed results is illustrated via a numerical simulation.
Going Global or Going Local? Why Travelers Choose Franchise and Independent Accommodations
Authors: Boley B. Bynum , Woosnam Kyle M.
Published: March 2020

While there is agreement over the pivotal role accommodations have in the tourist experience, little is known about why tourists gravitate toward franchise or independent accommodations. This article compares US tourists’ perceptions of the performance of franchise and independent accommodations on a range of functional, experiential, and symbolic attributes, and subsequently tests to see if there are separate reasons for why tourists choose the two lodging options and share word of mouth (WOM) and electronic WOM (e-WOM). Results reveal that franchise accommodations consistently outperform independent accommodations on “Service Quality” and “Utilitarian Quality.” However, independent accommodations were found to outperform franchise accommodations in “Experiential Quality” and “Symbolic Quality.” Modeling results reveal tourists choose the two accommodation options for separate reasons with Service Quality being important to both, but with Symbolic Quality also being important to choosing independent accommodations. Likelihood to share WOM and e-WOM were more a function of Experiential Quality and Symbolic Quality than Service Quality for both lodging types.
An Integrated Behavioral Model for Medical Tourism: An American Perspective
Authors: Chaulagain Suja , Pizam Abraham , Wang Youcheng
Published: March 2020

This study aims to develop and test a theoretical model that predicts individuals’ intention to engage in medical tourism. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed to test the study hypotheses by using data collected from 246 US residents. The study results indicated that perceived benefits were positively, and perceived barriers negatively, associated with attitude, and perceived barriers had a negative impact on perceived behavioral control. The study results further revealed that attitude, perceived behavioral control, and subjective norm positively influenced individuals’ intention to engage in medical tourism. Finally, a significant moderating effect of perceived severity was found on the relationships between perceived benefits and attitude, perceived barriers and attitude, and attitude and behavioral intention. The findings of the study offer valuable theoretical contributions and practical implications in the context of medical tourism.
Dealing with ‘vulnerable workers’ in precarious employment: Front-line constraints and strategies in employment standards enforcement
Authors: Hall Alan , Hall Rebecca , Bernhardt Nicole
Published: March 2020

Individual worker complaints continue to be the core foundation of employment standards enforcement in many Western jurisdictions, including the Canadian province of Ontario. In the contemporary labour market context where segments of the labour force may be disproportionately impacted by rights violations, and employment relationships are more diverse and often more tenuous than previously, the continued reliance on individual claims suggests a need to better understand the challenges associated with the investigation and resolution of claims involving ‘vulnerable workers’ in precarious employment situations. Using interviews with front-line Ontario employment standards officers (ESOs), this article examines the extent to which certain worker characteristics and employment situations perceived by officers as ‘vulnerable’ are identified by officers as significant constraints or barriers to investigation processes and outcomes, and documents whether and how officers address these constraints and barriers. The analysis also identifies the perceived influence of policy, resource and legislative requirements in shaping how officers deal with the more difficult and challenging cases, while also considering the extent to which the officers’ actions are understood by them as discretionary and guided by their particular orientations or concerns. In so doing, this article reveals challenges to the resolution of claims in precarious employment situations, the very place where employment standards are often most needed.
Contribution of Leisure Activities to Health Perception, Life Satisfaction, and Self-Esteem among Korean Individuals with Visual Impairments
Authors: Kim Junhyoung , Han Areum , Hodges Jan S. , Kim May
Published: March 2020

Introduction:

We determined the types of leisure activities that affect health perception, life satisfaction, and self-esteem among Korean individuals with mild and severe visual impairments (i.e., those who have low vision or are blind).

Methods:

Using the 2015 Korean national census data, 429 individuals were selected and classified into two groups based on visual impairment level: severe and mild. A one-way multivariate analysis of variance was used to compare each group difference, followed by univariate analyses.

Results:

Participants with mild visual impairment reported social activity was the highest mean scores on health perception ( M = 2.70, SD = 0.56) and life satisfaction ( M = 3.54, SD = 0.37), and religious activity was the highest mean score on self-esteem ( M = 2.79, SD = 0.52). Computer or Internet use was the second-highest score on health perception ( M = 2.59, SD = 0.51), religious activity was the second-highest on life satisfaction ( M = 3.33, SD = 0.46), and social activity was the second-highest on self-esteem ( M = 2.77, SD = 0.61). Among participants with severe visual impairment, computer or Internet use showed the highest mean scores on health perception ( M = 2.86, SD = 0.38) and self-esteem ( M = 2.64, SD = 0.50), while social activity had the highest mean score on life satisfaction ( M = 3.37, SD = 0.42).

Discussion:

Social and religious activity promoted health perception, life satisfaction, and self-esteem among participants with mild visual impairments. Social activity and computer or Internet use contributed to health perception, life satisfaction, and self-esteem among participants with severe visual impairments.

Implications for practitioners:

Leisure service providers and recreational therapists can support socialization and the building of friendships by individuals with visual impairments by designing and implementing social activities. Marketing and information dissemination using the Internet could aid access to necessary information among such individuals. Employing online social communities for social networking, information access, and education will contribute to their health and life satisfaction.
Cross-lingual text similarity exploiting neural machine translation models
Authors: Seki Kazuhiro
Published: March 2020

This article studies cross-lingual text similarity using neural machine translation models. A straightforward approach based on machine translation is to use translated text so as to make the problem monolingual. Another possible approach is to use intermediate states of machine translation models as recently proposed in the related work, which could avoid propagation of translation errors. We aim at improving both approaches independently and then combine the two types of information, that is, translations and intermediate states, in a learning-to-rank framework to compute cross-lingual text similarity. To evaluate the effectiveness and generalisability of our approach, we conduct empirical experiments on English–Japanese and English–Hindi translation corpora for a cross-lingual sentence retrieval task. It is demonstrated that our approach using translations and intermediate states outperforms other neural network–based approaches and is even comparable with a strong baseline based on a state-of-the-art machine translation system.
The Exposome in Toxicologic Pathology
Authors: Bolon Brad , Haschek Wanda M.
Published: March 2020

The “exposome” is an individual’s lifetime spectrum of chemical exposures beginning at conception. An exposome includes general external influences such as pollution and weather; external individual-specific factors (diet, infections, self-selected chemical intake); and internal individual-specific constituents (metabolic byproducts, microbiome derivatives, inflammatory mediators, stress hormones, etc). The exposome paradigm is inherent in animal toxicity testing because laboratory studies are designed so that subjects share a common exposure history encompassing not only exposure(s)/treatment(s) but also other chemical sources (eg, air, bedding, food, water). Toxicologic pathologists should remember that some differences in responsiveness to a test article may reflect subtle differences in individual exposomes of seemingly equivalent test animals. Translation of toxicity data obtained in tests of genetically inbred animals maintained under controlled environmental conditions to produce quasi-identical exposomes at best offers only approximate guidance regarding potential responses in genetically heterogeneous human populations who live in many environmental settings and thus have divergent, complex exposomes.