bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Divergent Response to the SSRI Citalopram in Male and Female Three-Spine Sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus)
Authors: Kellner Martin , Olsén K. Håkan
Published: November 2020

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are psychotropic pharmaceuticals used as antidepressants. SSRIs are commonly found in surface waters in populated areas across the globe. They exert their effect by blocking the serotonin re-uptake transporter in the presynaptic nerve ending. The present study examined whether behavioural effects to exposure to SSRI citalopram depend on personality and sex in the stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus). Three aspects of stickleback behaviour are examined: feeding behaviour, aggression, and boldness. We exposed sticklebacks to 350–380 ng/l citalopram for 3 weeks. Feeding and aggressive behaviour were recorded before and after exposure, whereas scototaxis behaviour was tested after exposure. The results show treatment effects in feeding and aggressive behaviour. Feeding is suppressed only in the male group (χ2 = 20.4, P < 0.001) but not in the females (χ2 = 0.91, P = 0.339). Aggressive behaviour was significantly affected by treatment (χ2 = 161.9, P < 0.001), sex (χ2 = 86.3, P < 0.001), and baseline value (χ2 = 58.8, P < 0.001). Aggressiveness was suppressed by citalopram treatment. In addition, the fish showed no change in aggression and feeding behaviour over time regardless of sex and treatment, which indicate personality traits. Only females are affected by treatment in the scototaxis test. The exposed females spent significantly (χ2 = 5.02, P = 0.050) less time in the white zone than the female controls.
Beliefs in Conflict: The Management of Teno Atlantic Salmon in the Sámi Homeland in Finland
Authors: Hiedanpää Juha , Saijets Joni , Jounela Pekka , Jokinen Mikko , Sarkki Simo
Published: November 2020

The subarctic Teno River is one of the most significant spawning rivers for Atlantic salmon in Europe. In 2009, research indicated that the Teno salmon stock was in a weak state, and concern about the future of Atlantic salmon in the Teno River arose on both sides of the river, in Finland and Norway. In 2017, the governments ratified the new Teno fishing agreement (Teno Fishing Act 2017). The agreement aimed to reduce the fishing volume by 30%, and the new regulations concerned all users, including the indigenous Sámi, other locals, tourists, and fishing entrepreneurs. This triggered concern and anger in the Sámi community and among other locals generally. The dispute raised a question concerning the management of Teno salmon. We conducted a Q inquiry with 43 statements, covering aspects of interest, knowledge, management, and policy needs related to Teno salmon. We hypothesised that the key reason for the management tensions lay in how scientific and traditional knowledge fitted administrative knowledge requirements. By using self-organising maps (SOMs), four webs of beliefs emerged from the data: traditional Sámi fishing; salmon protection; equal economic opportunity; and evidence-based decision-making. We also further analysed the statements according to how they reproduced diverging and similar beliefs. We discuss the identity-related struggle, rights, and stakes and the underlying issue of confidence and respect.
Scaling gene expression for cell size control and senescence in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Chen Yuping , Futcher Bruce
Published: November 2020

Cells divide with appropriate frequency by coupling division to growth—that is, cells divide only when they have grown sufficiently large. This process is poorly understood, but has been studied using cell size mutants. In principle, mutations affecting cell size could affect the mean size (“set-point” mutants), or they could affect the variability of sizes (“homeostasis” mutants). In practice, almost all known size mutants affect set-point, with little effect on size homeostasis. One model for size-dependent division depends on a size-dependent gene expression program: Activators of cell division are over-expressed at larger and larger sizes, while inhibitors are under-expressed. At sufficiently large size, activators overcome inhibitors, and the cell divides. Amounts of activators and inhibitors determine the set-point, but the gene expression program (the rate at which expression changes with cell size) determines the breadth of the size distribution (homeostasis). In this model, set-point mutants identify cell cycle activators and inhibitors, while homeostasis mutants identify regulators that couple expression of activators and inhibitors to size. We consider recent results suggesting that increased cell size causes senescence, and suggest that at very large sizes, an excess of DNA binding proteins leads to size induced senescence.
Addition of HER2 and CD44 to 18F-FDG PET–based clinico-radiomic models enhances prediction of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy response in esophageal cancer
Authors: Beukinga Roelof J. , Wang Da , Karrenbeld Arend , Dijksterhuis Willemieke P. M. , Faber Hette , Burgerhof Johannes G. M. , Mul Véronique E. M. , Slart Riemer H. J. A. , Coppes Robert P. , Plukker John Th. M.
Published: November 2020

Objectives

To assess the complementary value of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-related biological tumor markers to clinico-radiomic models in predicting complete response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) in esophageal cancer patients.

Methods

Expression of HER2 was assessed by immunohistochemistry in pre-treatment tumor biopsies of 96 patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer. Five other potentially active HER2-related biological tumor markers in esophageal cancer were examined in a sub-analysis on 43 patients. Patients received at least four of the five cycles of chemotherapy and full radiotherapy regimen followed by esophagectomy. Three reference clinico-radiomic models based on 18F-FDG PET were constructed to predict pathologic response, which was categorized into complete versus incomplete (Mandard tumor regression grade 1 vs. 2–5). The complementary value of the biological tumor markers was evaluated by internal validation through bootstrapping.

Results

Pathologic examination revealed 21 (22%) complete and 75 (78%) incomplete responders. HER2 and cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44), analyzed in the sub-analysis, were univariably associated with pathologic response. Incorporation of HER2 and CD44 into the reference models improved the overall performance (R2s of 0.221, 0.270, and 0.225) and discrimination AUCs of 0.759, 0.857, and 0.816. All models exhibited moderate to good calibration. The remaining studied biological tumor markers did not yield model improvement.

Conclusions

Incorporation of HER2 and CD44 into clinico-radiomic prediction models improved NCRT response prediction in esophageal cancer. These biological tumor markers are promising in initial response evaluation.

Key Points

• A multimodality approach, integrating independent genomic and radiomic information, is promising to improve prediction of γpCR in patients with esophageal cancer.

• HER2 and CD44 are potential biological tumor markers in the initial work-up of patients with esophageal cancer.

• Prediction models combining 18F-FDG PET radiomic features with HER2 and CD44 may be useful in the decision to omit surgery after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in patients with esophageal cancer.
Differences between rural and urban prostate cancer patients
Authors: Stolzenbach Lara Franziska , Deuker Marina , Collà-Ruvolo Claudia , Nocera Luigi , Tian Zhe , Maurer Tobias , Tilki Derya , Briganti Alberto , Saad Fred , Mirone Vincenzo , Chun Felix K. H. , Graefen Markus , Karakiewicz Pierre I.
Published: November 2020

Background

We hypothesized that the residency status (rural area [RA] vs urban clusters [UC] vs urban areas [UA]) affects stage and cancer-specific mortality (CSM) in contemporary newly diagnosed prostate cancer (PCa) patients of all stages, regardless of treatment.

Methods

Newly diagnosed PCa patients with available residency status were abstracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (2004–2016). Propensity-score (PS) matching, cumulative incidence plots, multivariate competing-risks regression (CRR) models were used.

Results

Of 531,468 PCa patients of all stages, 6653 (1.3%) resided in RA, 50,932 (9.6%) in UC and 473,883 (89.2%) in UA. No statistically significant or clinically meaningful differences in stage at presentation or CSM were recorded. Conversely, 10-year other cause-mortality (OCM) rates were 27.2% vs 23.7% vs 18.9% (p < 0.001) in RA vs UC vs UA patients, respectively. In CRR models, RA (subhazard ratio [SHR] 1.38; p < 0.001) and UC (SHR 1.18; p < 0.001) were independent predictors for higher OCM relative to UA. These differences remained statistically significant in fully PS-adjusted multivariate CRR models.

Conclusion

RA, and to a lesser extent UC, PCa patients are at higher risk of OCM than UA patients. Higher OCM may indicate shorter life expectancy and should be considered in treatment decision making.
An analysis of surface breakup induced by laser-generated cavitation bubbles in a turbulent liquid jet
Authors: Zhou Jiayi , Andersson Mats
Published: November 2020

The breakup of turbulent liquid jets by cavitation bubbles was investigated by artificially introducing them by focusing laser light into the jet. The induced surface deformations and ejected liquid structures were characterized using shadowgraphy with a high-speed video camera. The flow velocity of the liquid jets, which were ejected from a 6 mm nozzle, was varied by adjusting the injection pressure from 1 to 5 bar. Deionized water and a dipropylene glycol–water mixture were used to compare the breakup of liquid jets with different surface tension and viscosity. Surface deformation and breakup were found to occur in two stages. One was early breakup of liquid strings into tiny droplets. This was followed by the formation of a larger structure separating into ligaments and larger drops. Averaged time-resolved one-dimensional plots were introduced and implemented to analyze breakup statistically, to address the problem of shot-to-shot variations in the breakup due to the turbulent condition of the jets. Bubble-induced breakup could easily be distinguished from spontaneous breakup with this method. Both the position of bubble formation and the injection pressure had an influence on the scale of the breakup. The deformation of the jet surface was highly affected by shear. The structure of the deformation became less intact when the surface tension was lower. The sizes of the drops produced during the second stage of breakup were analyzed. The bubble-induced breakup produced smaller drops than the spontaneous breakup at lower injection pressure. As expected, lower surface tension favored droplet detachment and smaller sized drops.

Graphic abstract
Analysis of cell-free DNA in a consecutive series of 13,607 routine cases for the detection of fetal chromosomal aneuploidies in a single center in Germany
Authors: Borth Heike , Teubert Anna , Glaubitz Ralf , Knippenberg Sarah , Kutur Nargül , Winkler Thomas , Eiben Bernd
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is a highly sensitive and specific method for detection of fetal chromosomal aneuploidies from maternal plasma. The objective of this study was to determine the performance of a new paired-end sequencing-based NIPT assay in 13,607 pregnancies from a single center in Germany.

Methods

Samples from 13,607 pregnant women who previously underwent NIPT were analyzed using VeriSeq NIPT Solution v2 assay for presence of common fetal trisomies and monosomy X. Follow-up to determine clinical truth was carried out.

Results

Of the 13,607 cases, 13,509 received a NIPT call resulting in a low study failure rate of 0.72%. There were 188 (1.4%) high-risk calls: 117 trisomy 21, 34 trisomy 18, 23 trisomy 13, one trisomy 21 + 13, and 13 monosomy X. High sensitivities and specificities of ≥ 98.89% were reported for all four aneuploidy conditions. Of the high-risk cases, clinical follow-up data were available for 77.1% (145/188). Clinical follow-up of high-risk calls revealed an overall positive predictive value of 84.8% (potential range 65.4–88.3%). NIPT results were provided for samples across a range of fetal fractions, down to 2% fetal fraction.

Conclusion

The VeriSeq NIPT Solution v2 assay detected fetal chromosomal aneuploidies across a range of fetal fractions with high sensitivities and specificities observed based on known clinical outcomes, a high overall PPV, and a low failure rate.
Autologous full-thickness skin graft as reinforcement in parastomal hernia repair: a feasibility study
Authors: Holmdahl V. , Gunnarsson U. , Strigård K.
Published: November 2020

Background

Parastomal hernia is a common complication of stoma formation and the methods of repair available today are unsatisfactory with high recurrence and complication rates. To improve outcome after surgical repair of parastomal hernia, a surgical method using autologous full-thickness skin grafts as intraperitoneal reinforcement has been developed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of this novel surgical technique in the repair of parastomal hernia.

Methods

A pilot study was conducted between January 2018 and June 2019 on four patients with symptomatic parastomal hernia. They had a laparotomy with suture reduction of the hernia and reinforcement of the abdominal wall with autologous full-thickness skin. They were then monitored for at least 1 year postoperatively for technique-related complications and recurrence.

Results

No major technique-related complications were noted during the follow-up Two patients developed a recurrent parastomal hernia at the long term follow-up. The other two had no recurrence.

Conclusions

Autologous full-thickness skin graft as reinforcement in parastomal hernia repair is feasible and should be evaluated in a larger clinical trial.
Updates to the recently introduced family Lacipirellulaceae in the phylum Planctomycetes: isolation of strains belonging to the novel genera Aeoliella, Botrimarina, Pirellulimonas and Pseudobythopirellula and the novel species Bythopirellula polymerisocia and Posidoniimonas corsicana
Authors: Wiegand Sandra , Jogler Mareike , Boedeker Christian , Heuer Anja , Peeters Stijn H. , Kallscheuer Nicolai , Jetten Mike S. M. , Kaster Anne-Kristin , Rohde Manfred , Jogler Christian
Published: November 2020

Eight novel strains of the phylum Planctomycetes were isolated from different aquatic habitats. Among these habitats were the hydrothermal vent system close to Panarea Island, a public beach at Mallorca Island, the shore of Costa Brava (Spain), and three sites with brackish water in the Baltic Sea. The genome sizes of the novel strains range from 4.33 to 6.29 Mb with DNA G+C contents between 52.8 and 66.7%. All strains are mesophilic (Topt 24–30 °C) and display generation times between 17 and 94 h. All eight isolates constitute novel species of either already described or novel genera within the family Lacipirellulaceae. Two of the novel species, Posidoniimonas polymericola (type strain Pla123aT = DSM 103020T = LMG 29466T) and Bythopirellula polymerisocia (type strain Pla144T = DSM 104841T = VKM B-3442T), belong to established genera, while the other strains represent the novel genera Aeoliella gen. nov., Botrimarina gen. nov., Pirellulimonas gen. nov. and Pseudobythopirellula gen. nov. Based on our polyphasic analysis, we propose the species Aeoliella mucimassa sp. nov. (type strain Pan181T = DSM 29370T = LMG 31346T = CECT 9840T = VKM B-3426T), Botrimarina colliarenosi sp. nov. (type strain Pla108T = DSM 103355T = LMG 29803T), Botrimarina hoheduenensis sp. nov. (type strain Pla111T = DSM 103485T = STH00945T, Jena Microbial Resource Collection JMRC), Botrimarina mediterranea sp. nov. (type strain Spa11T = DSM 100745T = LMG 31350T = CECT 9852T = VKM B-3431T), Pirellulimonas nuda sp. nov. (type strain Pla175T = DSM 109594T = CECT 9871T = VKM B-3448T) and Pseudobythopirellula maris sp. nov. (type strain Mal64T = DSM 100832T = LMG 29020T).
Long-term effects of adjuvant treatment for breast cancer on carotid plaques and brain perfusion
Authors: Koppelmans Vincent , van der Willik Kimberly D. , Aleman Berthe M. P. , van Leeuwen Flora E. , Kavousi Maryam , Arshi Banafsheh , Vernooij Meike W. , Ikram M. Arfan , Schagen Sanne B.
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Breast cancer treatment has been associated with vascular pathology. It is unclear if such treatment is also associated with long-term cerebrovascular changes. We studied the association between radiotherapy and chemotherapy with carotid pathology and brain perfusion in breast cancer survivors.

Methods

We included 173 breast cancer survivors exposed to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, assessed ± 21.2 years after cancer diagnosis, and 346 age-matched cancer-free women (1:2) selected from the population-based Rotterdam Study. Outcome measures were carotid plaque score, intima-media thickness (IMT), total cerebral blood flow (tCBF), and brain perfusion. Additionally, we investigated the association between inclusion of the carotid artery in the radiation field (no/small/large part), tumor location, and these outcome measures within cancer survivors.

Results

Cancer survivors had lower tCBF (− 19.6 ml/min, 95%CI − 37.3;− 1.9) and brain perfusion (− 2.5 ml/min per 100 ml, 95%CI − 4.3;− 0.7) than cancer-free women. No statistically significant group differences were observed regarding plaque score or IMT. Among cancer survivors, a large versus a small part of the carotid artery in the radiation field was associated with a higher IMT (0.05, 95%CI0.01;0.09). Also, survivors with a right-sided tumor had lower left carotid plaque score (− 0.31, 95%CI − 0.60;− 0.02) and higher brain perfusion (3.5 ml/min per 100 ml, 95%CI 0.7;6.2) than those with a left-sided tumor.

Conclusions

On average two decades post-diagnosis, breast cancer survivors had lower tCBF and brain perfusion than cancer-free women. Also, survivors with a larger area of the carotid artery within the radiation field had a larger IMT. Future studies should confirm if these cerebrovascular changes underlie the frequently observed cognitive problems in cancer survivors.
The Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics in Special Relativity
Authors: Gavassino L.
Published: November 2020

We critically revisit the definition of thermal equilibrium, in its operational formulation, provided by standard thermodynamics. We show that it refers to experimental conditions which break the covariance of the theory at a fundamental level and that, therefore, it cannot be applied to the case of moving bodies. We propose an extension of this definition which is manifestly covariant and can be applied to the study of isolated systems in special relativity. The zeroth law of thermodynamics is, then, proven to establish an equivalence relation among bodies which have not only the same temperature, but also the same center of mass four-velocity.
Harm Reduction: A Misnomer
Authors: King Nicholas B.
Published: November 2020

‘Harm reduction’ programs are usually justified on the utilitarian grounds that they aim to reduce the net harms of a behavior. In this paper, I contend that (1) the historical genesis of harm reduction programs, and the crucial moral imperative that distinguishes these programs from other interventions and policies, are not utilitarian; (2) the practical implementation of harm reduction programs is not, and probably cannot be, utilitarian; and (3) the continued justification of harm reduction on utilitarian grounds is untenable and may itself cause harm. Promoting harm reduction programs as utilitarian in the public arena disregards their deeper prioritarian impulses. ‘Harm reduction’ is a misnomer, and the name should be abandoned sooner rather than later.
Teacher support and the social classroom environment as predictors of student loneliness
Authors: Morin Astrid Hoås
Published: November 2020

This study examined the relationships between students’ perceptions of teacher support, the social classroom environment, school loneliness, and possible gender differences among 2099 first year upper secondary school students in Norway. Data were collected in the fall (t1) and spring (t2) of the school year. Results from structural equation modelling (SEM) analyses showed that perceived emotional and instrumental teacher support were directly related to students’ perceptions of the social classroom environment, and indirectly to student loneliness through the social classroom environment. While for boys, both types of teacher support were significantly related to these variables, only emotional teacher support was of significance to girls. The strongest contributing factor to students’ school loneliness was their perceptions of the social classroom environment. Some implications of this study are that a positive social classroom environment is an important safeguard against student loneliness, and that teachers can aid in preventing loneliness among students through facilitating a positive social environment in the class.
Wissen, Wissensorientierung und die Qualität von Fachkraft-Kind-Interaktionen: Eine Analyse ihrer Zusammenhänge
Authors: Peters Svenja , Wolstein Katrin , Mischo Christoph , Ehm Jan-Henning
Published: November 2020

Wissen und Einstellungen sind Kompetenzfacetten pädagogischer Fachkräfte, deren Einfluss auf die Qualität des Interaktionsverhaltens im Kita-Alltag diskutiert wird. Im Zuge der Forderung nach evidenzbasierter Praxis kommt der Wissensorientierung, als Teilfacette pädagogischer Einstellungen, eine besondere Rolle zu, da Fachkräfte zwar über Wissen verfügen können, sie sich für die praktische Anwendung aber auch über deren Sinnhaftigkeit sicher sein müssen. Darunter werden zwei Orientierungsformen gefasst, die Auskunft darüber geben, welche Relevanz Fachkräfte den eigenen Erfahrungen und Intuitionen (Subjektive Orientierung) bzw. wissenschaftlichen Theorien/Konzepten/empirischen Befunden (Objektive Orientierung) für Entscheidungs- und Handlungsprozesse zusprechen. Ziel des Beitrags ist es zu prüfen, ob a) (theoretisches) Wissen und Wissensorientierung von pädagogischen Fachkräften (N = 120) die Qualität des Interaktionsverhaltens vorhersagen und b), ob die Einstellungsfacetten einen moderierenden Effekt im Einfluss von Wissen auf die Interaktionsqualität haben. Die Analysen ergaben, dass das erfasste Wissen einen Prädiktor für die Qualität des sozial- und lernunterstützenden Interaktionsverhaltens darstellt. Eine handlungsleitende Funktion der Wissensorientierung konnte eingeschränkt bestätigt werden und die Subjektive Orientierung stellte sich als Moderator für den Einfluss von Wissen auf sozial- und lernunterstützendes Interaktionsverhalten heraus. Die Ergebnisse werden mit Blick auf weiterführende Forschung und Qualitätsentwicklung diskutiert.
The Harmonicity of Slice Regular Functions
Authors: Bisi Cinzia , Winkelmann Jörg
Published: November 2020

In this article, we investigate harmonicity, Laplacians, mean value theorems, and related topics in the context of quaternionic analysis. We observe that a Mean Value Formula for slice regular functions holds true and it is a consequence of the well-known Representation Formula for slice regular functions over $${\mathbb {H}}$$
H
. Motivated by this observation, we have constructed three order-two differential operators in the kernel of which slice regular functions are, answering positively to the question: is a slice regular function over $${\mathbb {H}}$$
H
(analogous to an holomorphic function over $${\mathbb {C}}$$
C
) ”harmonic” in some sense, i.e., is it in the kernel of some order-two differential operator over $${\mathbb {H}}$$
H
? Finally, some applications are deduced such as a Poisson Formula for slice regular functions over $${\mathbb {H}}$$
H
and a Jensen’s Formula for semi-regular ones.
Design space for bifurcation buckling of laser-welded web-core sandwich plates as predicted by classical and micropolar plate theories
Authors: Romanoff Jani , Karttunen Anssi , Varsta Petri
Published: November 2020

The strength of laser-welded web-core sandwich plates is often limited by buckling. In design of complex thin-walled structures the combination of possible structural and material combinations is basically infinite. The feasibility of these combinations can be assessed by using analytical, numerical and experimental methods. At the early design stages such as concept design stage, the role of analytical methods is significant due to their capability for parametric description and extremely low computational efforts once the solutions have been established for prevailing differential equations. Over the recent years significant advances have been made on analytical strength prediction of web-core sandwich panels. Therefore, aim of the present paper is to show impact of this development to the design space of web-core sandwich panels in buckling. The paper reviews first, briefly the differential equations of a 2-D micropolar plate theory for web-core sandwich panels and the Navier buckling solution for biaxial compression recently derived by Karttunen et al. (Int J Solids Struct 170(1):82–94, 2019) by exploiting energy methods. By comparing the micropolar and widely-used classical first-order shear deformation plate theory (FSDT) solutions, it is shown that the different equivalent single layer (ESL) formulations and plate aspect ratios have a significant impact on the practical outcomes of the feasible design space and this way motivating further developments for micropolar formulations from practical structural engineering viewpoint.
Sedimentary factories and ecosystem change across the Permian–Triassic Critical Interval (P–TrCI): insights from the Xiakou area (South China)
Authors: Pei Yu , Duda Jan-Peter , Reitner Joachim
Published: November 2020

The Permian–Triassic mass extinction included a potentially catastrophic decline of biodiversity, but ecosystem change across this event remains poorly characterized. Here we reconstruct sedimentary factories and ecosystem change across the Permian–Triassic Critical Interval (P–TrCI) in the Xiakou area (South China). Six microfacies (MF) were classified. The succession begins with a eukaryote-controlled carbonate factory (MF-1) that passes upward into an organomineralization-dominated carbonate factory (MF-2–3). Organic-rich marls atop these units reflect carbonate factory collapse (MF-4). Organomineralization-driven carbonate formation restarts prior to the Permian–Triassic boundary (MF-5) and subsequently develops into a mixed carbonate factory where organomineralization and biomineralization are almost equally important (MF-6). MF-1 reflects oxygenated shallow water environments. In contrast, MF-2–6 were all deposited in somewhat deeper environments, some of which episodically exhibited elevated salinities, oxygen depletion, and, possibly, euxinic conditions. Our results demonstrate that distinct changes in carbonate production styles, biodiversity, and environmental conditions are not synchronous at Xiakou. Furthermore, the Xiakou record is strikingly different to that of other localities, even from the same area (e.g., the Global Stratotype Section and Point section at Meishan). Together, these findings highlight the enormous complexity of the P–TrCI and calls simplified views of the Permian–Triassic mass extinction into question.
Modal lifespan and disparity at older ages by leading causes of death: a Canada-U.S. comparison
Authors: Diaconu Viorela , Ouellette Nadine , Bourbeau Robert
Published: November 2020

The U.S. elderly experience shorter lifespans and greater variability in age at death than their Canadian peers. In order to gain insight on the underlying factors responsible for the Canada-U.S. old-age mortality disparities, we propose a cause-of-death analysis. Accordingly, the objective of this paper is to compare levels and trends in cause-specific modal age at death (M) and standard deviation above the mode (SD(M +)) between Canada and the U.S. since the 1970s. We focus on six broad leading causes of death, namely cerebrovascular diseases, heart diseases, and four types of cancers. Country-specific M and SD(M +) estimates for each leading cause of death are calculated from P-spline smooth age-at-death distributions obtained from detailed population and cause-specific mortality data. Our results reveal similar levels and trends in M and SD(M +) for most causes in the two countries, except for breast cancer (females) and lung cancer (males), where differences are the most noticeable. In both of these instances, modal lifespans are shorter in the U.S. than in Canada and U.S. old-age mortality inequalities are greater. These differences are explained in part by the higher stratification along socioeconomic lines in the U.S. than in Canada regarding the adoption of health risk behaviours and access to medical services.
Lipids and membrane-associated proteins in autophagy
Authors: Li Linsen , Tong Mindan , Fu Yuhui , Chen Fang , Zhang Shen , Chen Hanmo , Ma Xi , Li Defa , Liu Xiaoxia , Zhong Qing
Published: November 2020

Autophagy is essential for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis and its dysfunction has been linked to various diseases. Autophagy is a membrane driven process and tightly regulated by membrane-associated proteins. Here, we summarized membrane lipid composition, and membrane-associated proteins relevant to autophagy from a spatiotemporal perspective. In particular, we focused on three important membrane remodeling processes in autophagy, lipid transfer for phagophore elongation, membrane scission for phagophore closure, and autophagosome-lysosome membrane fusion. We discussed the significance of the discoveries in this field and possible avenues to follow for future studies. Finally, we summarized the membrane-associated biochemical techniques and assays used to study membrane properties, with a discussion of their applications in autophagy.
Enhanced dielectric, ferroelectric, and optical properties in rare earth elements doped PMN-PT thin films
Authors: Zhou Shun , Lin Dabin , Su Yongming , Zhang Lin , Liu Weiguo
Published: November 2020

Rare earth (RE = La3+, Sm3+, Pr3+) ion doped Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3(RE-PMN-PT) ferroelectric thin films with compositions near the morphotropic phase boundary were grown on the Pt/TiO2/SiO2/Si(100) substrate using sol-gel/spin coating method. The phase structure, electrical properties, and photoluminescence performance of thin films were investigated systematically. The highly (100)-preferred orientation was obtained in pure perovskite Sm-PMN-0.30PT thin films with an average grain size of 131 nm. After 2.5% Sm3+doping, the PMN-0.30PT thin films exhibited a triple enhancement of dielectric permittivity with a maximum value of 3500 at 1 kHz, a low dielectric loss of 1.3%, and high remanent polarization of 17.5 μC/cm2at room temperature. In visible light and near-infrared band, the transmittance rate increased with PT content and showed the highest value of 85% in 2.5%Sm-PMN-0.31PT. In addition, the films presented strong red-orange emission at 599 nm, which was sensitively in temperature range of 248–273 K corresponding to the rhombohedral to monoclinic phase transition temperature.
Berücksichtigung der Beschäftigten im Prozess der Digitalisierung aus Sicht von Personalverantwortlichen
Authors: Stamer Katja
Published: November 2020

Dieser Beitrag untersucht, inwiefern die Beschäftigten im Prozess der Digitalisierung aus der Perspektive von Personalverantwortlichen berücksichtigt werden. In diesem Kontext werden neben den seit Jahrzehnten thematisierten psychischen Beanspruchungen im Arbeitsumfeld zusätzlich die durch die Digitalisierung induzierten Stressoren eingeschätzt. Darüber hinaus wird überprüft, welche präventiven Maßnahmen in den Unternehmen eingesetzt werden, um die Stressoren für die Beschäftigten zu minimieren. Auf Basis eines querschnittlichen Untersuchungsdesigns und einer Stichprobe von Personalverantwortlichen (N = 241) aus Unternehmen verschiedener Branchen und Größen werden deskriptive Analysen durchgeführt.

Die Ergebnisse der Studie zeigen, dass in den Unternehmen, welche die Beschäftigten im Digitalisierungsprozess nicht ausreichend berücksichtigen, eine Zunahme an psychischen Krankheiten zu verzeichnen ist. Fehlt in den Unternehmen Kommunikation, Information und Transparenz, nehmen psychische Krankheiten ebenso zu. Weitere Studienergebnisse sind: Die Hälfte der Unternehmen (50,6 %) führt keine psychische Gefährdungsbeurteilung durch, ein Viertel (27 %) der Unternehmen setzt keine präventiven Maßnahmen zur Stressreduzierung ein.

Praktische RelevanzDie Zunahme von psychischen Krankheiten bei Beschäftigten und die daraus resultierenden Fehltage stehen teilweise in Verbindung mit den durch die Digitalisierung induzierten neuen Arbeitsbedingungen. Durch die Corona-Pandemie hat sich das Arbeitsumfeld durch den Einsatz von digitalen Medien und Prozessen kurzfristig verändert – die Digitalisierung wurde beschleunigt. Aus arbeitswissenschaftlicher Sicht ist es von großer Bedeutung, dass die Personalverantwortlichen die durch die Digitalisierung induzierten Stressoren wahrnehmen und entsprechende unterstützende Maßnahmen einleiten, um die Gesundheit der Beschäftigten zu erhalten.
Health effects of heat vulnerability in Rio de Janeiro: a validation model for policy applications
Authors: Prosdocimi Diogo , Klima Kelly
Published: November 2020

Extreme heat events can lead to increased risk of heat-related deaths. Furthermore, urban areas are often hotter than their rural surroundings, exacerbating heat waves. Unfortunately, validation is difficult; to our knowledge, most validations, even if they control for temperatures, really only validate a social vulnerability index instead of a heat vulnerability index. Here we investigate how to construct and validate a heat vulnerability index given uncertainty ranges in data for the city of Rio de Janeiro. First, we compare excess deaths of certain types of circulatory diseases during heat waves. Second, we use demographic and environmental data and factor analysis to construct a set of unobserved factors and respective weightings related to heat vulnerability, including a Monte Carlo analysis to represent the uncertainty ranges assigned to the input data. Finally, we use distance to hospital and clinics and their health record data as an instrumental variable to validate our factors. We find that we can validate the Rio de Janeiro heat vulnerability index against excess deaths during heat waves; specifically, we use three types of regressions coupled with difference in difference calculations to show this is indeed a heat vulnerability index as opposed to a social vulnerability index. The factor analysis identifies two factors that contribute to >70% of the variability in the data; one socio-economic factor and one urban form factor. This suggests it is necessary to add a step to existing methods for validation of heat vulnerability indices, that of the difference-in-difference calculation.
Securing American Elections
Authors: Alvarez R. Michael , Adams-Cohen Nicholas , Kim Seo-young Silvia , Li Yimeng
Published: November 2020

The integrity of democratic elections, both in the United States and abroad, is an important problem. In this Element, we present a data-driven approach that evaluates the performance of the administration of a democratic election, before, during, and after Election Day. We show that this data-driven method can help to improve confidence in the integrity of American elections.
Politics and the Earthly City in Augustine's City of God
Authors: Ogle Veronica Roberts
Published: November 2020

In this volume, Veronica Roberts Ogle offers a new reading of Augustine's political thought as it is presented in City of God. Focusing on the relationship between politics and the earthly city, she argues that a precise understanding of Augustine's vision can only be reached through a careful consideration of the work's rhetorical strategy and sacramental worldview. Ogle draws on Christian theology and political thought, moral philosophy, and semiotic theory to make her argument. Laying out Augustine's understanding of the earthly city, she proceeds by tracing out his rhetorical strategy and concludes by articulating his sacramental vision and the place of politics within it. Ogle thus suggests a new way of determining the status of politics in Augustine's thought. Her study clarifies seemingly contradictory passages in his text, highlights the nuance of his position, and captures the unity of his vision as presented in City of God.
Training needs of investigators and research team members to improve inclusivity in clinical and translational research participation
Authors: Passmore Susan R. , Farrar Edwards Dorothy , Sorkness Christine A. , Esmond Sarah , Brasier Allan R.
Published: November 2020

Despite increasing attention to the importance of diverse research participants, success across the translational research spectrum remains limited. To assess investigator and research team training needs, we conducted a web-based survey exploring barriers in knowledge and practice. Respondents (n = 279) included those affiliated with the University of Wisconsin Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (ICTR). Although all respondents reported an abstract belief in the importance of diversity, factors associated with higher levels of best practices knowledge and implementation included: (1) use of federal funding; (2) having fewer years of experience; (3) recruiting healthy participants; and (4) having recruitment training.
An innovative educational program for addressing health disparities in translational cancer research
Authors: Oldham Carla E. , Gathings M. J. , Devi Gayathri R. , Patierno Steven R. , Williams Kevin P. , Hough Holly J. , Barrett Nadine J.
Published: November 2020

North Carolina Central University (NCCU) and Duke Cancer Institute implemented an NCI-funded Translational Cancer Disparities Research Partnership to enhance translational cancer research, increase the pool of underrepresented racial and ethnic group (UREG) researchers in the translational and clinical research workforce, and equip UREG trainees with skills to increase diversity in clinical trials. The Cancer Research Education Program (C-REP) provided training for UREG graduate students and postdoctoral fellows at Duke and NCCU. An innovative component of C-REP is the Translational Immersion Experience (TIE), which enabled Scholars to gain knowledge across eight domains of clinical and translational research (clinical trials operations, data monitoring, regulatory affairs, UREG accrual, biobanking, community engagement, community outreach, and high-throughput drug screening). Program-specific evaluative metrics were created for three broad domains (clinical operations, basic science/lab research, and population-based science) and eight TIE domains. Two cohorts (n = 13) completed pre- and post-surveys to determine program impact and identify recommendations for program improvement. Scholars reported statistically significant gains in knowledge across three broad domains of biomedical research and seven distinct areas within TIE. Training in translational research incorporating immersions in clinical trials operation, biobanking, drug development, and community engagement adds value to career development of UREG researchers.
Conducting COVID-19-Related Research in Jordan: Are We Ready?
Authors: Ikhmais Balqis , Hammad Alaa M. , Al-Qerem Walid , Abusara Osama H. , Ling Jonathan
Published: November 2020

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a public health emergency of international concern. This pandemic poses a challenge to research and scientific community. In this study, we developed and tested content reliability and content validity of a questionnaire designed for evaluating the readiness and willingness of researchers to participate in virology research in Jordan. The survey was hosted on an online platform, and the link was emailed. A total of 332 participants from universities across Jordan completed the survey. For factor analysis, Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin value (KMO) and Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity were conducted. Furthermore, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with parallel analysis and scree plots were conducted to evaluate the most suitable model for the data. The result of the EFA suggested a 5-factor model would fit the survey. Data showed that the lowest means were for researchers’ readiness to conduct virology research and readiness for virology research with means of 2.07 and 2.95, respectively. Moreover, years of experience and speciality had a significant effect on the readiness and willingness of virology research in Jordan. In conclusion, readiness for research and researchers should be addressed and authorities should pay attention to these shortcomings in virology research.
Asymptotically autonomous robustness of random attractors for a class of weakly dissipative stochastic wave equations on unbounded domains
Authors: Caraballo Tomás , Guo Boling , Tuan Nguyen Huy , Wang Renhai
Published: November 2020

This paper is concerned with the asymptotic behaviour of solutions to a class of non-autonomous stochastic nonlinear wave equations with dispersive and viscosity dissipative terms driven by operator-type noise defined on the entire space $\mathbb {R}^n$. The existence, uniqueness, time-semi-uniform compactness and asymptotically autonomous robustness of pullback random attractors are proved in $H^1(\mathbb {R}^n)\times H^1(\mathbb {R}^n)$ when the growth rate of the nonlinearity has a subcritical range, the density of the noise is suitably controllable, and the time-dependent force converges to a time-independent function in some sense. The main difficulty to establish the time-semi-uniform pullback asymptotic compactness of the solutions in $H^1(\mathbb {R}^n)\times H^1(\mathbb {R}^n)$ is caused by the lack of compact Sobolev embeddings on $\mathbb {R}^n$, as well as the weak dissipativeness of the equations is surmounted at light of the idea of uniform tail-estimates and a spectral decomposition approach. The measurability of random attractors is proved by using an argument which considers two attracting universes developed by Wang and Li (Phys. D 382: 46–57, 2018).
Political Exclusion, Lost Autonomy, and Escalating Conflict over Self-Determination
Authors: Germann Micha , Sambanis Nicholas
Published: November 2020

Most civil wars are preceded by nonviolent forms of conflict. While it is often assumed that violent and nonviolent conflicts arequalitativelydifferent and have different causes, that assumption is rarely tested empirically. We use a two-step approach to explore whether political exclusion and lost autonomy—two common causes of civil war according to extant literature—are associated with the emergence of nonviolent separatist claims, with the escalation of nonviolent separatist claims to war, or both. Our analysis suggests that different types of grievances matter more at different stages of conflict escalation. We find that political exclusion is a significant correlate of the escalation of nonviolent claims for self-determination to violence, while its association with the emergence of nonviolent separatist claims is weaker. By contrast, lost autonomy is correlated with both the emergence of nonviolent separatist claims and, if autonomy revocations are recent, their escalation to violence. We argue that these results are consistent with both grievance- and opportunity-based theories of conflict.
Biogeography of intertidal and subtidal native and invasive barnacles in Korea in relation to oceanographic current ecoregions and global climatic changes
Authors: Kim Hyun Kyong , Chan Benny K. K. , Lee Sang-kyu , Kim Won
Published: November 2020

The coastline of the Korean Peninsula is influenced by three major oceanographic ecoregions, including the estuarine Yellow Sea ecoregion on the west coast, the warmer and saline East China Sea ecoregion on the south coast, and the cold East Sea ecoregion on the east coast. The influence of these marine ecoregions on the distribution of intertidal barnacles has not been extensively studied. The present study examines the biogeography of thoracican barnacles from intertidal and shallow subtidal zones, along the coasts of Korea. Twenty-one species in seven families were identified, including three species of coral-associated barnacles. Species composition varied significantly in the three marine ecoregions. Multivariate analysis showed barnacle assemblages were significant among the three ecoregions, although there are large overlaps of clusters between the Yellow Sea and East China Sea ecoregions. The estuarine species,Fistulobalanus albicostatus, occurred mainly in the Yellow Sea ecoregion; warm-water species,Tetraclita japonica, and sponge inhabiting barnaclesEuacasta dofleiniwere observed in the East China Sea ecoregion; and cold-water species,Balanus rostratusandPerforatus perforatus, were found in the East Sea ecoregion. Four invasive barnacle species were recorded and the European barnaclePerforatus perforatusexpanded its range northward from its recorded distribution nine years earlier. The cold-water species,Chthamalus dalliandSemibalanus cariosus, previously recorded in the East Sea ecoregion, were absent in the present survey. A trend of increasing seawater temperatures in Korean waters may have a significant impact on the distribution of cold-water species and enhance the northward invasion ofP.perforatus.
Mental health services for infectious disease outbreaks including COVID-19: a rapid systematic review
Authors: Yue Jing-Li , Yan Wei , Sun Yan-Kun , Yuan Kai , Su Si-Zhen , Han Ying , Ravindran Arun V. , Kosten Thomas , Everall Ian , Davey Christopher G , Bullmore Edward , Kawakami Norito , Barbui Corrado , Thornicroft Graham , Lund Crick , Lin Xiao , Liu Lin , Shi Le , Shi Jie , Ran Mao-Sheng , Bao Yan-Ping , Lu Lin
Published: November 2020

The upsurge in the number of people affected by the COVID-19 is likely to lead to increased rates of emotional trauma and mental illnesses. This article systematically reviewed the available data on the benefits of interventions to reduce adverse mental health sequelae of infectious disease outbreaks, and to offer guidance for mental health service responses to infectious disease pandemic. PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, PsycINFO, WHO Global Research Database on infectious disease, and the preprint server medRxiv were searched. Of 4278 reports identified, 32 were included in this review. Most articles of psychological interventions were implemented to address the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, followed by Ebola, SARS, and MERS for multiple vulnerable populations. Increasing mental health literacy of the public is vital to prevent the mental health crisis under the COVID-19 pandemic. Group-based cognitive behavioral therapy, psychological first aid, community-based psychosocial arts program, and other culturally adapted interventions were reported as being effective against the mental health impacts of COVID-19, Ebola, and SARS. Culturally-adapted, cost-effective, and accessible strategies integrated into the public health emergency response and established medical systems at the local and national levels are likely to be an effective option to enhance mental health response capacity for the current and for future infectious disease outbreaks. Tele-mental healthcare services were key central components of stepped care for both infectious disease outbreak management and routine support; however, the usefulness and limitations of remote health delivery should also be recognized.