bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adaptive multichannel FES neuroprosthesis with learning control and automatic gait assessment
Authors: Müller Philipp , del Ama Antonio J. , Moreno Juan C. , Schauer Thomas
Published: February 2020

Background

FES (Functional Electrical Stimulation) neuroprostheses have long been a permanent feature in the rehabilitation and gait support of people who had a stroke or have a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). Over time the well-known foot switch triggered drop foot neuroprosthesis, was extended to a multichannel full-leg support neuroprosthesis enabling improved support and rehabilitation. However, these neuroprostheses had to be manually tuned and could not adapt to the persons’ individual needs. In recent research, a learning controller was added to the drop foot neuroprosthesis, so that the full stimulation pattern during the swing phase could be adapted by measuring the joint angles of previous steps.

Methods

The aim of this research is to begin developing a learning full-leg supporting neuroprosthesis, which controls the antagonistic muscle pairs for knee flexion and extension, as well as for ankle joint dorsi- and plantarflexion during all gait phases. A method was established that allows a continuous assessment of knee and foot joint angles with every step. This method can warp the physiological joint angles of healthy subjects to match the individual pathological gait of the subject and thus allows a direct comparison of the two. A new kind of Iterative Learning Controller (ILC) is proposed which works independent of the step duration of the individual and uses physiological joint angle reference bands.

Results

In a first test with four people with an incomplete SCI, the results showed that the proposed neuroprosthesis was able to generate individually fitted stimulation patterns for three of the participants. The other participant was more severely affected and had to be excluded due to the resulting false triggering of the gait phase detection. For two of the three remaining participants, a slight improvement in the average foot angles could be observed, for one participant slight improvements in the averaged knee angles. These improvements where in the range of 4circat the times of peak dorsiflexion, peak plantarflexion, or peak knee flexion.

Conclusions

Direct adaptation to the current gait of the participants could be achieved with the proposed method. The preliminary first test with people with a SCI showed that the neuroprosthesis can generate individual stimulation patterns. The sensitivity to the knee angle reset, timing problems in participants with significant gait fluctuations, and the automatic ILC gain tuning are remaining issues that need be addressed. Subsequently, future studies should compare the improved, long-term rehabilitation effects of the here presented neuroprosthesis, with conventional multichannel FES neuroprostheses.
Three-dimensional surface imaging in breast cancer: a new tool for clinical studies?
Authors: Koban Konstantin Christoph , Etzel Lucas , Li Zhouxiao , Pazos Montserrat , Schönecker Stephan , Belka Claus , Giunta Riccardo Enzo , Schenck Thilo Ludwig , Corradini Stefanie
Published: February 2020

Background

Three-dimensional Surface Imaging (3DSI) is a well-established method to objectively monitor morphological changes in the female breast in the field of plastic surgery. In contrast, in radiation oncology we are still missing effective tools, which can objectively and reproducibly assess and document adverse events in breast cancer radiotherapy within the framework of clinical studies. The aim of the present study was to apply structured-light technology as a non-invasive and objective approach for the documentation of cosmetic outcome and early effects of breast radiotherapy as a proof of principle.

Methods

Weekly 3DSI images of patients receiving either conventionally fractionated radiation treatment (CF-RT) or hypofractionated radiation treatment (HF-RT) were acquired during the radiotherapy treatment and clinical follow-up. The portable Artec Eva scanner (Artec 3D Inc., Luxembourg) recorded 3D surface images for the analysis of breast volumes and changes in skin appearance. Statistical analysis compared the impact of the two different fractionation regimens and the differences between the treated and the contralateral healthy breast.

Results

Overall, 38 patients and a total of 214 breast imaging sessions were analysed. Patients receiving CF-RT showed a significantly higher frequency of breast erythema compared to HF-RT (93.3% versus 34.8%, p = 0.003) during all observed imaging sessions. Moreover, we found a statistically significant (p < 0.05) volumetric increase of the treated breast of the entire cohort between baseline (379 ± 196 mL) and follow-up imaging at 3 months (437 ± 224 mL), as well as from week 3 of radiotherapy (391 ± 198 mL) to follow-up imaging. In both subgroups of patients undergoing either CF-RT or HF-RT, there was a statistically significant increase (p < 0.05) in breast volumes between baseline and 3 months follow-up. There were no statistically significant skin or volumetric changes of the untreated healthy breasts.

Conclusions

This is the first study utilizing 3D structured-light technology as a non-invasive and objective approach for the documentation of patients receiving breast radiotherapy. 3DSI offers potential as a non-invasive tool to objectively and precisely monitor the female breast in a radiooncological setting, allowing clinicians to objectively distinguish outcomes of different therapy modalities.
Underestimated effect of intragenic HIV-1 DNA methylation on viral transcription in infected individuals
Authors: Kint Sam , Trypsteen Wim , De Spiegelaere Ward , Malatinkova Eva , Kinloch-de Loes Sabine , De Meyer Tim , Van Criekinge Wim , Vandekerckhove Linos
Published: February 2020

Background

The HIV-1 proviral genome harbors multiple CpG islands (CpGIs), both in the promoter and intragenic regions. DNA methylation in the promoter region has been shown to be heavily involved in HIV-1 latency regulation in cultured cells. However, its exact role in proviral transcriptional regulation in infected individuals is poorly understood or characterized. Moreover, methylation at intragenic CpGIs has never been studied in depth.

Results

A large, well-characterized HIV-1 patient cohort (n = 72), consisting of 17 long-term non-progressors and 8 recent seroconverters (SRCV) without combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), 15 early cART-treated, and 32 late cART-treated patients, was analyzed using a next-generation bisulfite sequencing DNA methylation method. In general, we observed low level of promoter methylation and higher levels of intragenic methylation. Additionally, SRCV showed increased promoter methylation and decreased intragenic methylation compared with the other patient groups. This data indicates that increased intragenic methylation could be involved in proviral transcriptional regulation.

Conclusions

Contrasting in vitro studies, our results indicate that intragenic hypermethylation of HIV-1 proviral DNA is an underestimated factor in viral control in HIV-1-infected individuals, showing the importance of analyzing the complete proviral genome in future DNA methylation studies.
Interobserver agreement of [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT images interpretation in men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer
Authors: Derwael Céline , Lavergne Olivier , Lovinfosse Pierre , Nechifor Vlad , Salvé Mallory , Waltregny David , Hustinx Roland , Withofs Nadia
Published: February 2020

Background

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) ligand PET/CT has already provided promising results in prostate cancer (PC) imaging, yet simple and reproductible reporting criteria are still lacking. This study aimed at retrospectively evaluating interobserver agreement of [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT images interpretation according to PC molecular imaging standardized evaluation (PROMISE) criteria and reproducibility of PSMA reporting and data systems (RADS).

Methods

Forty-three patients with newly diagnosed, histologically proven intermediate- or high-risk PC, eligible for radical prostatectomy and who underwent [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT before surgery were retrospectively included. Three nuclear medicine physicians (2 experienced and 1 resident) independently reviewed PET/CT images. Interpretation of [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT images was based on PROMISE criteria including miTNM staging and lesions miPSMA expression score visual estimation and PSMA-RADS version 1.0 for a given scan. Readers’ agreement was measured using Krippendorff’s coefficients

Results

Agreement between observers was almost perfect (coefficient ≥ 0.81) for miM; it was substantial (coefficient ≥ 0.61) for the following criteria: miT, miN, PSMA-RADS, and miPSMA expression score of primary PC lesion and metastases. However, agreement was moderate (coefficient = 0.41–0.60) for miPSMA score of positive lymph nodes and for detection of PC primary lesion.

Conclusion

Visual interpretation of [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT images in patients with newly diagnosed PC in a clinical setting leads to at least substantial agreement for PROMISE criteria and PSMA-RADS classification except for PC primary lesion detection and for miPSMA expression scoring of positive lymph nodes that might have been hampered by the interindividual variability of reference organs PSMA expression.
The applications of machine learning in plastic and reconstructive surgery: protocol of a systematic review
Authors: Mantelakis Angelos , Khajuria Ankur
Published: February 2020

Background

Machine learning, a subset of artificial intelligence, is a set of models and methods that can automatically detect patterns in vast amounts of data, extract information and use it to perform various kinds of decision-making under uncertain conditions. This can assist surgeons in clinical decision-making by identifying patient cohorts that will benefit from surgery prior to treatment. The aim of this review is to evaluate the applications of machine learning in plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Methods

A literature review will be undertaken of EMBASE, MEDLINE and CENTRAL (1990 up to September 2019) to identify studies relevant for the review. Studies in which machine learning has been employed in the clinical setting of plastic surgery will be included. Primary outcomes will be the evaluation of the accuracy of machine learning models in predicting a clinical diagnosis and post-surgical outcomes. Secondary outcomes will include a cost analysis of those models. This protocol has been prepared using the Preferred Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) guidelines.

Discussion

This will be the first systematic review in available literature that summarises the published work on the applications of machine learning in plastic surgery. Our findings will provide the basis of future research in developing artificial intelligence interventions in the specialty.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42019140924
Some properties of pre-quasi norm on Orlicz sequence space
Authors: Bakery Awad A. , Elmatty Afaf R. Abou
Published: February 2020

In this article, we introduce the concept of pre-quasi norm onE(Orlicz sequence space), which is more general than the usual norm, and give the conditions onEequipped with the pre-quasi norm to be Banach space. We give the necessity and sufficient conditions onEequipped with the pre-quasi norm such that the multiplication operator defined onEis a bounded, approximable, invertible, Fredholm, and closed range operator. The components of pre-quasi operator ideal formed by the sequence ofs-numbers andEis strictly contained for different Orlicz functions are determined. Furthermore, we give the sufficient conditions onEequipped with a pre-modular such that the pre-quasi Banach operator ideal constructed bys-numbers andEis simple and its components are closed. Finally the pre-quasi operator ideal formed by the sequence ofs-numbers andEis strictly contained in the class of all bounded linear operators, whose sequence of eigenvalues belongs toE.
Existence of positive solutions for nonlocal problems with indefinite nonlinearity
Authors: Qian Xiaotao , Chao Wen
Published: February 2020

In this paper, we consider the following new nonlocal problem: $$\left \{ \textstyle\begin{array}{l@{\quad}l} - (a-b\int_{\varOmega} \vert \nabla u \vert ^{2}\,dx )\Delta u=\lambda f(x) \vert u \vert ^{p-2}u, & x\in\varOmega,\\u=0, & x\in\partial\varOmega, \end{array}\displaystyle \right . $${−(a−b∫Ω|∇u|2dx)Δu=λf(x)|u|p−2u,x∈Ω,u=0,x∈∂Ω, where Ω is a smooth bounded domain in $\mathbb{R}^{3}$R3, $a,b>0$a,b>0 are constants, $3< p<6$3
0$λ>0. Under some assumptions on the sign-changing function f, we obtain the existence of positive solutions via variational methods.
Certain fractional conformable inequalities for the weighted and the extended Chebyshev functionals
Authors: Tassaddiq Asifa , Rahman Gauhar , Nisar Kottakkaran Sooppy , Samraiz Muhammad
Published: February 2020

The main aim of this present paper is to establish fractional conformable inequalities for the weighted and extended Chebyshev functionals. We present some special cases of our main result in terms of the Riemann–Liouville fractional integral operator and classical inequalities.
Choosing Wisely Canada rhinology recommendations
Authors: Arnstead Neil , Chan Yvonne , Kilty Shaun , Ganeshathasan Ragavan , Rahmani Armin , Monteiro Eric ,   Rhinology Subspecialty Group of the Canadian Society of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery
Published: February 2020

The Choosing Wisely Canada campaign is an initiative that aims to involve physicians and patients in collaborative decision making to avoid unnecessary tests and treatments. The Rhinology Subspecialty Group of the Canadian Society of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery developed a list of five evidence-based recommendations for the management of acute rhinosinusitis and nasal fractures: (1) don't prescribe antibiotics to patients with acute sinusitis who do not meet the diagnostic criteria for acute bacterial rhinosinusitis; (2) don't order a CT scan for uncomplicated acute rhinosinusitis; (3) don't order plain film sinus x-rays; (4) don't swab the nasal cavity as part of the work up for rhinosinusitis; and (5) don't order a plain film x-ray in the evaluation of nasal fractures.
Enhanced plumbagin production in Plumbago indica root culture by simultaneous and sequential dual elicitations using chitosan with ʟ-alanine and methyl-β-cyclodextrin
Authors: Jaisi Amit , Panichayupakaranant Pharkphoom
Published: February 2020

The simultaneous and sequential dual elicitation effect on plumbagin production in Plumbago indica L. root cultures, revealed that combination of chitosan (150 mg L−1) with ʟ-alanine (5 mM) or methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MCD; 2 mM) significantly increased plumbagin production, but in the different treatment manners. The simultaneous treatment using chitosan + ʟ-alanine on a 14-day-old culture enhanced plumbagin production to 14.62 mg g−1 DW, while the sequential additions of MCD to a 12-day-old culture followed by chitosan after 48 h enhanced production of plumbagin to 14.33 mg g−1 DW. The plumbagin productivity from both treatments were up to 1.3- and 8-fold higher than the chitosan treated (10.93 mg g−1 DW) and untreated root cultures (1.76 mg g−1 DW). Moreover, the present studies provided new information on the effect of simultaneous and sequential elicitation on plumbagin-producing P. indica root cultures using chitosan in combinations with MCD or ʟ-alanine.
Open to the public: paywalls and the public rationale for open access medical research publishing
Authors: Day Suzanne , Rennie Stuart , Luo Danyang , Tucker Joseph D.
Published: February 2020

Public voices have largely been absent from the discussions about open access publishing in medical research. Yet the public have a strong interest in ensuring open access of medical research findings because of their roles as funders, advocates, research participants, and patients. By limiting access to research outputs, the current publishing system makes it more difficult for research to be held accountable to the public. Paywalls undermine the work of public advocacy, which requires open access in order to lobby for policy changes and research funding. Research participants generously give their time and energy to research studies with the assumption that the results will be broadly disseminated. Finally, members of the public have a stake in open access publishing as a resource for health information and decision-making. This commentary explores these crucial roles of the public in order to develop a public rationale for open access medical research. We outline a critique of the current academic publishing ecosystem, re-focus the open access debate from a public perspective, and respond to some of the arguments against public open access. Although open access to medical research is not a panacea, removing paywalls and other barriers to public access is essential. The public are critical stakeholders of medical research data.
Development and validation of an interpretive guide for PROMIS scores
Authors: Rothrock Nan E. , Amtmann Dagmar , Cook Karon F.
Published: February 2020

Background

Accurate score interpretation is required for the appropriate use of patient-reported outcome measures in clinical practice.

Objective

To create and evaluate figures (T-score Maps) to facilitate the interpretation of scores on Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) measures.

Methods

For 21 PROMIS® short forms, item-level information was used to predict the most probable responses to items for the range of possible scores on each short form. Predicted responses were then “mapped” graphically along the range of possible scores. In a previously conducted longitudinal study, 1594 adult participants with chronic conditions (e.g., multiple sclerosis) responded to four items each of a subset of these PROMIS short forms. Participants’ responses to these items were compared to those predicted by the T-score Maps. Difference scores were calculated between observed and predicted scores, and Spearman correlations were calculated.

Results

We constructed T-score Maps for 21 PROMIS short forms for adults and pediatric self- and parent-proxy report. For the clinical population, participants’ actual responses were strongly correlated with their predicted responses (r = 0.762 to 0.950). The majority of predicted responses exactly matched observed responses (range 69.5% to 85.3%).

Conclusion

Results support the validity of the predicted responses used to construct T-score Maps. T-score Maps are ready to be tested as interpretation aids in a variety of applications.
Successful long-term remission through tapering tocilizumab infusions: a single-center prospective study
Authors: Ladhari Chayma , Le Blay Pierre , Vincent Thierry , Larbi Ahmed , Rubenstein Emma , Lopez Rosanna Ferreira , Jorgensen Christian , Pers Yves-Marie
Published: February 2020

Background

Strategic drug therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with prolonged remission is not well defined. According to recent guidelines, tapering biological Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (bDMARDs) may be considered. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of long-term maintenance of tocilizumab (TCZ) treatment after the progressive tapering of infusions.

Methods

We conducted an exploratory, prospective, single-center, open-label study, on RA patients with sustained remission of at least 3 months and treated with TCZ infusions every 4 weeks. The initial re-treatment interval was extended to 6 weeks for the first 3 months. Thereafter, the spacing between infusions was determined by the clinician. Successful long-term maintenance following the tapering of TCZ infusions was defined by patients still treated after two years by TCZ with a minimum dosing interval of 5 weeks.

Results

Thirteen patients were enrolled in the study. Eight out of thirteen were still treated by TCZ after two years. Successful long-term maintenance was possible in six patients, with four patients maintaining a re-treatment interval of 8-weeks or more. We observed 5 patients with TCZ withdrawal: one showing adverse drug reaction (neutropenia) and four with secondary failure. Patients achieving successful long-term maintenance with TCZ were significantly younger than those with secondary failure (p < 0.05). In addition, RA patients with positive rheumatoid factor and anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies, experienced a significantly greater number of flares during our 2-year follow-up (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

A progressive tapering of TCZ infusions may be possible for many patients. However, larger studies, including more patients, are needed to confirm this therapeutic option.

Trial registration

NCT02909998. Date of registration: October 2008.
Congenital heart diseases: genetics, non-inherited risk factors, and signaling pathways
Authors: Suluba Emmanuel , Shuwei Liu , Xia Qing , Mwanga Ally
Published: February 2020

Background

Congenital heart diseases (CHDs) are the most common congenital anomalies with an estimated prevalence of 8 in 1000 live births. CHDs occur as a result of abnormal embryogenesis of the heart. Congenital heart diseases are associated with significant mortality and morbidity. The damage of the heart is irreversible due to a lack of regeneration potential, and usually, the patients may require surgical intervention. Studying the developmental biology of the heart is essential not only in understanding the mechanisms and pathogenesis of congenital heart diseases but also in providing us with insight towards developing new preventive and treatment methods.

Main body

The etiology of congenital heart diseases is still elusive. Both genetic and environmental factors have been implicated to play a role in the pathogenesis of the diseases. Recently, cardiac transcription factors, cardiac-specific genes, and signaling pathways, which are responsible for early cardiac morphogenesis have been extensively studied in both human and animal experiments but leave much to be desired. The discovery of novel genetic methods such as next generation sequencing and chromosomal microarrays have led to further study the genes, non-coding RNAs and subtle chromosomal changes, elucidating their implications to the etiology of congenital heart diseases. Studies have also implicated non-hereditary risk factors such as rubella infection, teratogens, maternal age, diabetes mellitus, and abnormal hemodynamics in causing CHDs.

These etiological factors raise questions on multifactorial etiology of CHDs. It is therefore important to endeavor in research based on finding the causes of CHDs. Finding causative factors will enable us to plan intervention strategies and mitigate the consequences associated with CHDs. This review, therefore, puts forward the genetic and non-genetic causes of congenital heart diseases. Besides, it discusses crucial signaling pathways which are involved in early cardiac morphogenesis. Consequently, we aim to consolidate our knowledge on multifactorial causes of CHDs so as to pave a way for further research regarding CHDs.

Conclusion

The multifactorial etiology of congenital heart diseases gives us a challenge to explicitly establishing specific causative factors and therefore plan intervention strategies. More well-designed studies and the use of novel genetic technologies could be the way through the discovery of etiological factors implicated in the pathogenesis of congenital heart diseases.
Effect of melatonin supplementation in combination with neoadjuvant chemotherapy to miR-210 and CD44 expression and clinical response improvement in locally advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kartini Diani , Taher Akmal , Panigoro Sonar Soni , Setiabudy Rianto , Jusman Sri Widia , Haryana Sofia Mubarika , Abdullah Murdani , Rustamadji Primariadewi , Purwanto Denni Joko , Sutandyo Noorwati , Suroyo Indrati , Siregar Budi Harapan , Maruli Haris , Sungkar Saleha
Published: February 2020

Background

Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (OSCC) is the sixth most common malignancy. Surgery is mainstay treatment for oral cancers. Surgery in locally advanced OSCC presents many challenges primarily because the head and neck have critical structures that can be damaged by tumor or treatment. It is thought that neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NC) in locally advanced OSCC is able to shrink tumor size. Chemoresistancy is a problem due to hypoxic microenvironment characterized by increased expression of HIF-1α. It is also regulated by miR-210 as well as increased expression of CD44 and CD133. Melatonin has a powerful antioxidant and oncostatic effects that are expected to improve tumor hypoxia and clinical response. Fifty patients with OSCC were included and randomized. miR-210 and CD44 expression were measured before and after intervention using qRT-PCR absolute quantification, and clinical response was evaluated according to RECIST 1.1 criteria. This study aims to determine the effect of melatonin in improving the clinical response of patients with locally advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy to miR-210 and CD44 expression.

Results

Melatonin administration reduced miR-210 levels but not significant (p= 0.767). CD44 expression also decreased in the melatonin group compared with placebo yet was not significant (p= 0.103). There was a decrease in the expression of miR-210 and CD44 followed by a decrease in the percentage of residual tumor but not significant (p= 0.114).

Conclusion

In OSCC, the addition of 20-mg melatonin to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NC) reduced the expression of miR-210 and CD44 and decreased the percentage of tumor residue; however, no statistically significant result was observed.

Trial registration

This study is registered toClinicalTrials.govunder trial registration number: NCT04137627 with date of registration on October 22, 2019—retrospectively registered, accessible from:https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04137627
Evidence-based prescribing for post-traumatic stress disorder
Authors: Bisson Jonathan I. , Baker Amy , Dekker William , Hoskins Mathew D.
Published: February 2020

There is strong research evidence to support the pharmacological treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a second line to trauma-focused psychological interventions. Fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline and venlafaxine are the best-evidenced drugs, with lower-level evidence for other medications. It is important that prescribing for PTSD is evidence-based.
A validation study of the International Trauma Questionnaire to assess post-traumatic stress disorder in treatment-seeking veterans
Authors: Murphy Dominic , Shevlin Mark , Pearson Emily , Greenberg Neil , Wessely Simon , Busuttil Walter , Karatzias Thanos
Published: February 2020

Background

Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) typically report a poorer treatment response than those who have not served in the Armed Forces. A possible explanation is that veterans often present with complex symptoms of PTSD. ICD-11 PTSD and complex PTSD (CPTSD) have not previously been explored in a military sample.

Aims

This study aimed to validate the only measure of ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD, the International Trauma Questionnaire, and assess the rates of the disorder in a sample of treatment-seeking UK veterans.

Method

A sample of help-seeking veterans (N = 177) was recruited from a national charity in the UK that provides clinical services to veterans. Participants completed measures of ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD as well as childhood and adult traumatic life events. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess the latent structure of PTSD and CPTSD symptoms, and rates of the disorders were estimated.

Results

The majority of the participants (70.7%) reported symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of either PTSD or CPTSD. Results indicated the presence of two separate disorders, with CPTSD being more frequently endorsed (56.7%) than PTSD (14.0%). CPTSD was more strongly associated with childhood trauma than PTSD.

Conclusions

The International Trauma Questionnaire can adequately distinguish between PTSD and CPTSD within clinical samples of veterans. There is a need to explore the effectiveness of existing and new treatments for CPTSD in military personnel.
Characterization of Structure and Catalytic Activity of a Complex between Heme and an All Parallel-Stranded Tetrameric G-Quadruplex Formed from DNA/RNA Chimera Sequence d(TTA)r(GGG)dT
Authors: Hayasaka Kosuke , Shibata Tomokazu , Sugahara Aya , Momotake Atsuya , Matsui Toru , Neya Saburo , Ishizuka Takumi , Xu Yan , Yamamoto Yasuhiko
Published: February 2020

An all-parallel tetrameric G-quadruplex formed from a DNA/RNA chimera sequence, d(TTA)r(GGG)d(T) ([Chimera(7mer)]4), and its interaction with heme have been characterized. [Chimera(7mer)]4 was found to be remarkably more stable compared with a G-quadruplex formed from its DNA counterpart d(TTAGGGT), ([DNA(7mer)]4), despite the structural similarity between them, and the increased stability of [Chimera(7mer)]4 is likely to be due to the formation of interstrand hydrogen bonds between the rG5 2′-OH and rG6 amino NH2 groups. Heme bound selectively to the 3′-terminal G-quartet (rG6 G-quartet) in the rG6dT7 step of [Chimera(7mer)]4 did not exhibit the heme orientational disorder resulting from the formation of two isomers possessing heme orientations differing by 180° rotation about the pseudo-C2 axis, with respect to the interacting G-quartet, although it is a general feature of heme-DNA complexes. In a complex between heme and [Chimera(7mer)]4, the predominance of one isomer in the heme orientational disorder over the other one is possibly due to contacts between the rG6 2′-OH group of the G-quartet and heme side chain ones. Peroxidase activity of heme bound to a G-quartet was found to be independent of the presence of the 2′-OH group in the ribose of the constituent units of the G-quartet.
Mumbuca é dinheiro
Authors: Cernev Adrian Kemmer
Published: February 2020

O caso aborda a evolução da moeda social Mumbuca, implantada de forma pioneira no município de Maricá-RJ, a qual foi a primeira moeda social digital do país. Ao longo dos seus seis primeiros anos de existência, a moeda vivenciou importantes inovações tecnológicas e de modelo de negócio, assim como o crescimento expressivo da base de usuários. A tecnologia inicial de cartões magnéticos foi substituída pelo aplicativo e plataforma E-Dinheiro, em um modelo híbrido de dinheiro e pagamentos móveis (mobile money e mobile payments). Serviços foram criados para diferentes públicos da plataforma digital e a moeda social parecia alcançar os objetivos sociais propostos. Entretanto, surgiram novos desafios tecnológicos, de negócio e de governança, os quais requeriam uma postura inovadora de seus gestores. Este trabalho sucede o caso de ensino “Mumbuca: a primeira moeda social digital do Brasil”, publicado na GVcasos vol. 6, n.2, jul-dez 2016, podendo ser utilizado como sua continuação.
Χορός και κοινωνική-συναισθηματική νοημοσύνη παιδιών και εφήβων
Authors: Γιατρά Αγγελική Αντ. , Βενετσάνου Φωτεινή Δ. , Κουτσούμπα Μαρία Ι.
Published: February 2020

Η Κοινωνική Συναισθηματική Νοημοσύνη (ΚΣΝ) είναι μια πολυδιάστατη εννοιολογική κατασκευή θεμελιώδους σημασίας ειδικά για τις αναπτυξιακές ηλικίες και η αναγνώριση και ρύθμιση των συναισθημάτων του εαυτού και των άλλων, η αυτο-αντίληψη, η αυτοεκτίμηση, η ενσυναίσθηση, η ικανότητα επικοινωνίας και ειρηνικής επίλυσης διαφωνιών, αποτελούν μερικά από τα συστατικά της στοιχεία. Η ανάπτυξη της ΚΣΝ, ως παράγοντας προσωπικής και κοινωνικής ευημερίας, συμβαδίζει με τον γενικότερο σκοπό της εκπαίδευσης για ολόπλευρη, αρμονική και ισόρροπη ανάπτυξη των διανοητικών και ψυχοσωματικών ικανοτήτων των μαθητών. Από την άλλη, η τέχνη και οι μορφές της αποτελούν ένα σημαντικό μέσο για την ανάπτυξη αυτού του τύπου ευφυίας. Ειδικότερα, ο χορός αποτελεί μορφή τέχνης η οποία αφορά το σώμα αλλά και το πνεύμα και ενυπάρχει ως γνωστικό αντικείμενο της Φυσικής Αγωγής σε όλες τις βαθμίδες της υποχρεωτικής εκπαίδευσης, στοχεύοντας στην ανάπτυξη του παιδιού τόσο σε σωματικό-κινητικό όσο και σε ψυχο-κοινωνικό επίπεδο. Σε αυτή τη βάση, σκοπός της παρούσας εργασίας ήταν η μελέτη του ρόλου του χορού στη διαμόρφωση και ανάπτυξη στοιχείων της ΚΣΝ σε παιδιά και εφήβους, μέσα από την ανασκόπηση της σχετικής βιβλιογραφίας. Για τον σκοπό αυτό, πραγματοποιήθηκε βιβλιογραφική αναζήτηση στις ηλεκτρονικές βάσεις δεδομένων Google Scholar, Eric και ScienceDirect, χρησιμοποιώντας λέξεις-κλειδιά που αφορούσαν τον χορό, την ΚΣΝ και συστατικά στοιχεία της, τα παιδιά και τους εφήβους, καθώς και συνδυασμούς αυτών, στην ελληνική και αγγλική γλώσσα. Από την αναζήτηση αναδείχθηκαν πενήντα έρευνες που αφορούσαν την ανάπτυξη της ΚΣΝ ή κάποιου στοιχείου της, μέσα από τη συμμετοχή στη χορευτική διαδικασία. Μεταξύ αυτών, επιλέχθηκαν είκοσι δύο μελέτες (άρθρα και μεταπτυχιακές/διδακτορικές διατριβές), οι οποίες πληρούσαν τα κριτήρια που τέθηκαν. Από τη μελέτη των ερευνών αυτών έγινε φανερή η θετική σχέση του χορού με στοιχεία της ΚΣΝ σε παιδιά και εφήβους, αλλά και η ανάγκη περαιτέρω διερεύνησης ενδεχόμενης σύνδεσης μεταξύ παραγόντων όπως η διάρκεια της παρέμβασης, η μέθοδος διδασκαλίας του χορού, η ηλικία των συμμετεχόντων και των επιμέρους στοιχείων της Κοινωνικής Συναισθηματικής Νοημοσύνης..
Under construction: ventral and lateral frontal lobe contributions to value-based decision-making and learning
Authors: Vaidya Avinash R , Fellows Lesley K
Published: February 2020

Even apparently simple choices, like selecting a dessert in a pastry shop, involve options characterized by multiple motivationally relevant attributes. Neuroeconomic research suggests that the human brain may track the subjective value of such options, allowing disparate reward-predictive information to be compared in a common currency. However, the brain mechanisms involved in identifying value-predictive features and combining these to assess the value of each decision option remain unclear. Here, we review recent evidence from studies of multi-attribute decision-making in people with focal frontal lobe damage and in healthy people undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging. This work suggests that ventromedial and lateral prefrontal cortex and orbitofrontal cortex are important for forming value judgments under conditions of complexity. We discuss studies supporting the involvement of these regions in selecting among and evaluating option attributes during value judgment and decision-making and when learning from reward feedback. These findings are consistent with roles for these regions in guiding value construction. They argue for a more nuanced understanding of how ventral and lateral prefrontal cortex contribute to discovering and recognizing value, processes that are required under the complex conditions typical of many everyday decisions.
Hybrid genetic–tabu search algorithm to optimize the route for capacitated vehicle routing problem with time window
Authors: Akbar Mohammad Deni , Aurachmana Rio
Published: February 2020

Optimization of transportation and distribution costs is one of the important issues in the supply chain management area. It is caused by their large contribution to the logistics costs that can reach up to 40%. Thus, choosing the right route is one of the efforts that can be done to resolve the issue. This study aims to optimize the capacitated vehicle routing problem with time windows (CVRPTW) for mineral water company distributor with pick-up and delivery problem. To achieve the aim, this study used hybrid algorithm, Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Tabu Search Algorithm (TS). The selection of this hybrid algorithm is due to its capability in minimizing travel distance. The result of this study shows that not only the algorithm has successfully reduced the existing route but also predicted the optimum number of homogenous fleet. By running the algorithm, this study concludes that the number of the optimum routes for this study can be reduced for up to 15.99% than the existing route.
An ordinary differential equation approach for nonlinear programming and nonlinear complementary problem
Authors: Nurhidayat Irfan , Hao Zijun , Hu Chu-chin , Chen Jein-Shan
Published: February 2020

We consider an ordinary differential equation (ODE) approach for solving non- linear programming (NLP) and nonlinear complementary problem (NCP). The Karush- Kuhn Tucker (KKT) optimality conditions can be converted to NCP. Based on the Fischer-Burmeister (FB) function and the Natural-Residual (NR) function are obtained the new NCP-functions. A special technique is employed to reformulate of the NCP as the system of nonlinear algebraic equations (NAEs) later on reformulated once more by force. of an original time-like function into an ODE. Afterwards, a group preserving scheme (GPS) is a package to reformulate an ODE into the new numerical equation in a way the ODEs system is designed into a nonlinear dynamical system (NDS) and is continued to a discovery the new numerical equation through activating the Lorentz group SO0(n, 1) and its Lie algebra so(n, 1). Lastly, the fictitious time integration method (FTIM) is utilized into this new numerical equation to determine an approximation solution at the numerical experiments area.
Supercritical lens array in a centimeter scale patterned with maskless UV lithography
Authors: Zhu Xufeng , Fang Wei , Lei Jian , Li Zhangyin , Xie Fei , Cao Yaoyu , Zhang Yaping , Qin Fei , Li Xiangping
Published: February 2020

Microlens arrays (MLAs) are widely used in optical imaging, dense wavelength division multiplexing, optical switching, and microstructure patterning, etc. However, the light modulation capability for both the conventional refractive-type MLA and planar diffractive-type MLA is still staying at the diffraction-limited scale. Here we propose and experimentally demonstrate a high numerical aperture (NA) supercritical lens (SCL) array which could achieve a sub-diffraction-limited focal spot lattice in the far field. The intensity distribution for all the focal spots has good uniformity with the lateral size around

0.45

λ

/

N
A

(0.75X Airy unit). The elementary unit in the SCL array composes a series of concentric belts with a feature size in micrometer scale. By utilizing an ultrafast ultraviolet lithography technique, a centimeter scale SCL array could be successfully patterned within 10 mins. Our results may provide possibilities for the applications in optical nanofabrication, super-resolution imaging, and ultrafine optical manipulation.
Engineering two-photon wavefunction and exchange statistics in a semiconductor chip
Authors: Francesconi S. , Baboux F. , Raymond A. , Fabre N. , Boucher G. , Lemaître A. , Milman P. , Amanti M. I. , Ducci S.
Published: February 2020

High-dimensional entangled states of light provide novel possibilities for quantum information, from fundamental tests of quantum mechanics to enhanced computation and communication protocols. In this context, the frequency degree of freedom combines the assets of robustness to propagation and easy handling with standard telecommunication components. Here, we use an integrated semiconductor chip to engineer the wavefunction and exchange statistics of frequency-entangled photon pairs directly at the generation stage, without post-manipulation. Tailoring the spatial properties of the pump beam allows generating frequency-anticorrelated, correlated and separable states, and to control the symmetry of the spectral wavefunction to induce either bosonic or fermionic behaviors. These results, obtained at room temperature and telecom wavelength, open promising perspectives for the quantum simulation of fermionic problems with photons on an integrated platform, as well as for communication and computation protocols exploiting antisymmetric high-dimensional quantum states.
Mapping community media organisations in Cyprus: A methodological reflection
Authors: Voniati Chris , Doudaki Vaia , Carpentier Nico
Published: February 2020

Identifying grassroots or ‘below-the-radar’ organisations, such as community media organisations, is a challenging task that is not always supported sufficiently by methodological literature. The objective of this article is to address this challenge by proposing a structured approach to mapping analysis: (1) driven by an (operational) definition of the social entity; (2) that allows for a population-based mapping process; (3) that uses a particular registration instrument (labelled a Mapping Index Card, or MIC); (4) to process data from multiple sources; and (5) to analyse the information registered in these MICs. By zooming in on the only divided country of Europe – the island of Cyprus – this article then illustrates how to design and conduct a mapping research of community media organisations on a national scale. Other than giving an overview of the community media operating in Cyprus, this mapping exercise aims to provide a methodological guide for mapping civil society and ‘below-the-radar’ organisations in general.
The ‘other’ alternatives: Political right-wing alternative media
Authors: Haller André , Holt Kristoffer , de La Brosse Renaud
Published: February 2020

This special issue of the Journal of Alternative and Community Media presents five articles that examine right-wing alternative media from different countries and contexts: Brazil, the United States, Germany and Finland. They focus on different aspects of a phenomenon that has come to the forefront of public debate in recent years, due to the many apparently successful alternative media enterprises that can be characterised as conservative, libertarian, populist or far to extreme right wing on a political scale. While there has been much (and often heated) public debate about this, researchers tend to lag behind when it comes to new trends, and a transient and rapidly changing media landscape. The articles in this special issue are therefore especially valuable, since they all provide empirically grounded perspectives on specific cases that illustrate different parts of a large puzzle that is in much need of illumination. This special issue is of use not just to communication research, but also to the public debate on disinformation on the internet.
Strange fruit: The rise of Brazil’s ‘new right-wing’ and the Non-Partisan School Movement
Authors: Romancini Richard , Castilho Fernanda
Published: February 2020

The new right-wing Brazilian Non-Partisan School Movement (in Portuguese, Escola Sem Partido, or ESP) was created in 2004 to denounce ‘indoctrination in schools’. It has, however, had greater repercussions via a strong presence on social media. The objective of this article is to analyse these discussions on Twitter. ESP’s official discourse and theoretical discussions about the role of social networks supported this study. The content and network analyses of the tweets reveal the following relevant conclusions: the dissemination of content is much stronger than any discussion, on the part of both the new right wing and the left-wing partisans; there is a predominance of ESP supporters in a discussion that has characteristics of an ‘anti-public sphere’; communication between these two groups is weak; and the tone of the content spread by ESP supporters resonates with many features of president-elect Jair Bolsonaro’s communication style.
Framing the mass media: Exploring ‘fake news’ as a frame embedded in political discourse
Authors: Riebling Jan R. , von der Wense Ina
Published: February 2020

The recent growth of alternative media sites and sources has also seen the rise of an aggressive rhetoric decrying mass media or parts thereof as being untrustworthy and politically biased. While it is unclear whether the ‘fake news’ debate is directly connected with this, it is surely a framing of mass media. In this article, we use techniques of quantitative text analysis in order to analyse how the ‘fake news’ frame is structured and to understand its central determinants in terms of social context and political orientation. Using quantitative text analysis, we analyse the frame usage and semantic embeddedness in eight blogs. We find evidence for a generalised frame that tends to be independent of political orientation of the blog.
Molecular characterization of sheeppox virus from outbreaks in Karnataka, India
Authors: Sumana K. , Revanaiah Yogisharadhya , Apsana R. , Roy Parimal , Reddy G. B. Manjunatha
Published: February 2020

Aim: This study aimed to characterize sheeppox virus (SPPV) using the P32 gene of the Capripoxvirus (CaPVs).

Materials and Methods: Clinical samples of skin, scabs, and nasal swab from suspected outbreaks Horalagallu (n=13) and Gerahalli (n=11) at Ramanagara district in Karnataka were collected. All the samples were initially subjected to genus-specific diagnostic polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The pooled clinical samples from each outbreak were also subjected to virus isolation. The isolates were confirmed by CaPVs genotyping PCR targeting the full-length P32 gene, followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis.

Results: The clinical signs and lesions varied from mild to severe degree with no specificity between age and sex. Specific cytopathic changes in cell morphology were observed in infected Vero cells from both outbreaks, which were confirmed by PCR. The complete P32 gene from two outbreaks was successfully amplified with the expected amplicon size of 1006bp. The sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed that both the outbreaks were due to SPPV and shared high similarity with published SPPVs from Karnataka and other parts of India.

Conclusion: The current study showed that complete P32 gene-based genotypic PCR assay can be used for genetic characterization and molecular epidemiology of both sheeppox and goatpox diseases and also to differentiate the causative agents. The sequence analysis revealed 100% similarity among the two outbreak isolates suggesting the same strain of the virus and common source of infection for the outbreaks.
Caracterização da produção científica sobre a motivação para o trabalho / Characterization of Scientific Production about Work Motivation
Authors: Rodrigues Ana Paula De Abreu , Vasconcelos Nayana Adour , Medeiros-Costa Mateus Estevam
Published: February 2020

O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar a produção científica sobre a motivação para o trabalho. Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura, com abordagem bibliométrica, que tomou como base de dados o SciELO e Pepsic. Os artigos deveriam estar na língua portuguesa, espanhola e inglesa. Após o processo de exclusão e inclusão, restaram 44 artigos, os quais foram caracterizados. Os resultados demonstram que 2010, 2014 e 2015 foram os anos com maior publicações acerca da temática. As revistas de psicologia detêm o maior número de artigos e a categoria profissional mais estudada são os profissionais de enfermagem. É na região sudeste onde ocorreu a maior parte das pesquisas. Faz-se necessário a fomentação de novos estudos, de cunho crítico, a fim de atrelar a motivação ao poder de agir, enquanto operador de saúde no contexto de trabalho.