bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alignment of magnetic particles in hydrogel matrix: A novel anisotropic magnetic hydrogels for soft robotics
Authors: Bin Li , Xu Chanchan , Dong Shuai , Wang Xiaojie
Published: November 2020

Magnetic hydrogels are composed of magnetic particles and hydrogel matrix. In recent years, the magnetic hydrogels have been developed rapidly because they have shown promising applications in drug release and artificial muscle. In this paper, we proposed a study to develop novel anisotropic magnetic hydrogels and investigate their mechanical and sensing properties for possible applications in soft robotics. In preparing the anisotropic magnetic hydrogels, the polyacrylamide (PAAm) hydrogel is chosen as a model hydrogel because of its popular application in soft electronics and ionic conductors. A method of free radicals copolymerization is employed to fill (polyacrylic acid/acrylamide) polymers in preparing anisotropic hydrogels under the magnetic field. Unlike most of the previous studies which incorporated magnetic nanoparticles into hydrogels, we mixed the micro-size carbonyl iron particles (CIPs) with the hydrogel and cured them under a magnetic field to form anisotropic structures within its crosslinking polymer chains. The particles and formed particle chains will not only improve the mechanical properties of the hydrogels but also provide sensing function as the electrical resistance changed from mechanical deformation referred to piezoresistivity. We experimentally evaluated the magnetorheological and the piezoresistive behaviors of the magnetic hydrogels, and demonstrated their potential use in soft robots as flexible touch sensors and variable-stiffness devices.
Parents’ and Teachers’ Perceptions of Physical Activity in Schools: A Meta-Ethnography
Authors: Alcántara Porcuna Vanesa , Rodríguez-Martín Beatriz
Published: November 2020

The aim of this meta-ethnographic study was to analyze parents’ and teachers’ perceptions of barriers and facilitators to physical activity in children. Facilitators were the benefits of physical activity, modeling, participation, children’s preferences, and factors supporting active transport. Barriers were quantifying the physical activity, parents’ lack of time, the cost of activities, bad weather, traffic, long distances, and the lack of facilities and safety. The level of physical activity does not depend exclusively on individual factors related to the child; rather, barriers and facilitators are influenced by the social and school context and the physical and built environment. It is important that school nurses understand these contextual factors, so that they can take these into consideration when designing their intervention programs.
Typical and Atypical Carcinoid Tumors of the Mediastinum: A Biomarker Analysis of 27 Cases With Clinical Correlation
Authors: Zaleski Michael , Kalhor Neda , Moran Cesar A.
Published: November 2020

Thymic typical and atypical carcinoids are rare and appear to be more aggressive than similar tumors in other sites. We retrospectively analyzed a group of biomarkers that hold therapeutic and prognostic utility, in 27 of these tumors. All cases were immunohistochemically stained with PAX5, MET, CRMP5, paxillin, p21, p27, EZH2, PDL-1, and Ki-67, and then H-scored. Clinicopathologic and survival data were statistically analyzed against staining (χ2 test). Five- and 10-year-survival rates were 53% and 18%, respectively. Mitotic counts ≥4 per 2 mm2 and tumor size ≥5 cm, associated with death of disease (DoD; P = .010 and .016). Ki-67 expression ≥1% associated with DoD ( P = .003) and death within 5 years ( P = .031). Biomarkers stained tumor cases as follows: PDL-1 = 0%, PAX-5 = 0%, MET = 7.4%, paxillin = 41%, CRMP5 = 78%, p21 = 63%, p27 = 63%, EZH2 = 37%, and MASH1 = 59%. Overall ± staining did not associate with survival or grade. Cases with low CRMP5 H-scores (<80) associated with DoD ( P = .002), while CRMP5 H-scores >80 associated with 10-year survival ( P = .022). Cases with high MASH1 H-score (>100) associated with DoD ( P = .021). Accurate grading and staging remain paramount in predicting clinical outcome. Biomarkers may have significance in subsets of patients and the use of these studies likely should be focused on a more personalize type of approach.
Giacomo Balla: A Painter in the Context of Neuroscience
Authors: Cupini Letizia Maria , Calabresi Paolo
Published: November 2020

Giacomo Balla, a famous Italian Futurist painter, was a great observer of both human motion and emotion. He showed a profound interest toward neurophysiological and neurological sciences. During his search of his personal artistic style, he attended the lessons of Cesare Lombroso, a criminal anthropologist, who at the time was also professor of neurology at the University of Turin. Some years later, he became a close friend of Doctor Francesco Ghilarducci, who had spent a few years in Paris at Jean-Martin Charcot’s “School.” Balla spent most of his career studying the dynamics of movement and speed. Some of his most famous paintings were inspired by photographic studies on the locomotor system, such as those of the French physiologist Étienne-Jules Marey. His personal painting style reveals his deep interest in neurosciences. We hereby illustrate the role of some of Giacomo Balla’s paintings as historical records of the neuroscience environment at the turn of the 20th century.
Close-in blast resistance of large-scale auxetic re-entrant honeycomb sandwich panels
Authors: Kalubadanage Dulara , Remennikov Alex , Ngo Tuan , Qi Chang
Published: November 2020

The protection of critical infrastructure, including government buildings, airports, religious buildings, military buildings and military vehicles, which are at risk to blast loads, has become important due to increasing terrorist activities in recent years. Sacrificial cladding systems based on negative Poisson’s ratio core topologies have recently received more attention as a protective technology due to its excellent energy absorption capability. In this study, field blast tests were performed on metallic re-entrant honeycomb-cored sacrificial cladding systems as protective structures for steel plate structures. This study focused on the near-field blast loading conditions where liquid Nitromethane (NM) spherical charges were detonated in close proximity to the main structure. Two 6 mm thick mild steel plates and two steel plates protected with re-entrant honeycomb-cored sacrificial cladding systems were among the specimens tested. The proposed auxetic cladding system was fabricated from aluminium sheets using a novel in-house built folding machine. Numerical simulations were conducted utilising LS-DYNA software and the Blast Impact Impulse Model (BIIM). The results obtained from the numerical simulations are in good agreement with the experimental results. It was found that the deformation pattern of the sacrificial auxetic cladding system varies with the intensity of the blast loading, and there is a limit at which the proposed protective system ceases to effectively absorb the applied blast loading. The variation of negative Poisson’s ratio of the system with blast loading was studied. It was found that the auxetic cladding system could become a solid projectile leading to damage amplification for very close-range blast loads due to rapid densification of the auxetic core. The proposed cladding systems with narrow re-entrant angles performed well under blast loads due to relatively low stiffness of the panels. Finally, the optimisation study was performed for the protective system. Overall, the experimental and numerical results assure that auxetic-based cladding systems are suitable for applications requiring blast protection such as armoured vehicles and critical physical infrastructure but need to be carefully designed for the given blast threat to prevent overloading of the protected structures.
Pacifying the algorithm – Anticipatory compliance in the face of algorithmic management in the gig economy
Authors: Bucher Eliane Léontine , Schou Peter Kalum , Waldkirch Matthias
Published: November 2020

Algorithmic management is used to govern digital work platforms such as Upwork or Fiverr. However, algorithmic decision-making is often non-transparent and rapidly evolving, forcing workers to constantly adapt their behavior. Extant research focuses on how workers experience algorithmic management, while often disregarding the agency that workers exert in dealing with algorithmic management. Following a sociomateriality perspective, we investigate the practices that workers develop to comply with (assumed) mechanisms of algorithmic management on digital work platforms. Based on a systematic content analysis of 12,294 scraped comments from an online community of digital freelancers, we show how workers adopt direct and indirect “anticipatory compliance practices”, such as undervaluing their own work, staying under the radar, curtailing their outreach to clients and keeping emotions in check, in order to ensure their continued participation on the platform, which takes on the role of a shadow employer. Our study contributes to research on algorithmic management by (1) showing how workers adopt practices aimed at “pacifying” the platform algorithm; (2) outlining how workers engage in extra work; (3) showing how workers co-construct the power of algorithms through their anticipatory compliance practices.
Comparing computational and non-computational methods in party position estimation: Finland, 2003–2019
Authors: Koljonen Juha , Isotalo Veikko , Ahonen Pertti , Mattila Mikko
Published: November 2020

It is often claimed that computational methods for examining textual data give good enough party position estimates at a fraction of the costs of many non-computational methods. However, the conclusive testing of these claims is still far from fully accomplished. We compare the performance of two computational methods, Wordscores and Wordfish, and four non-computational methods in estimating the political positions of parties in two dimensions, a left-right dimension and a progressive-conservative dimension. Our data comprise electoral party manifestos written in Finnish and published in Finland. The non-computational estimates are composed of the Chapel Hill Expert Survey estimates, the Manifesto Project estimates, estimates deriving from survey-based data on voter perceptions of party positions, and estimates derived from electoral candidates’ replies to voting advice application questions. Unlike Wordfish, Wordscores generates relatively well-performing estimates for many of the party positions, but despite this does not offer an even match to the non-computational methods.
Who Cares? Social Mobility and the ‘Class Ceiling’ in Nursing
Authors: Snee Helene , Goswami Haridhan
Published: November 2020

Nursing is often associated with providing working-class women a route to upward social mobility. This article argues that although nursing is a relatively open profession, the impact of social class endures, with the main division between nurses who are from higher professional backgrounds and the rest. We utilise the Great British Class Survey (GBCS) to explore nurses’ social origins; the relationship between background and economic, social, and cultural capital; and the impact of origin and capitals on income (and inferred career trajectory). While recognising the methodological limitations of the GBCS, we suggest there may be a ‘class ceiling’ in nursing, and that class advantages are still significant in lower professions of the public sector. Class identification endures regardless of whether nurses have been upwardly or downwardly mobile. We also suggest future directions for intragenerational mobility and gender in social mobility research and make a case for longitudinal and qualitative analysis of nurses’ trajectories. Our findings indicate that the downwardly mobile children of the middle classes retain their classed advantages as they establish their own careers.
Comparative study on the flexural strengthening of RC beams using EB CFRP sheets, NSM CFRP bars, P-SWRs, and their combinations
Authors: Zeng Yihua , Li Xinghua , Ali Ahmed Amira Hamdy , Wu Gang
Published: November 2020

The externally bonded (EB) carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP), near-surface-mounted (NSM) CFRP and the prestressed steel wire ropes (P-SWRs) has been proven to be feasible and reliable flexural strengthening methods for concrete structures. However, debonding issues in EB CFRP sheets (or NSM CFRP bars) and space requirements for edge and spacing clearance of NSM CFRP bars (or P-SWRs) has limited the application of these three strengthening techniques. Therefore, the combinations of these methods need to be investigated and clarified. In this paper, experimental investigations on the flexural performances of seven concrete beams are presented, in which three of the beams were separately strengthened with EB CFRP sheets, NSM CFRP bars, and P-SWRs, respectively, and three of the beams were combinedly strengthened with two of the three techniques. Test results demonstrated that the flexural performances of beams strengthened with the combination with EB CFRP sheets, NSM CFRP bars, and P-SWRs are between the flexural performances of the beams strengthened with the corresponding individual strengthening techniques. It is found that the P-SWRs is favorable for combinations. In case the P-SWRs was combined with EB CFRP sheets or NSM CFRP bars for strengthening, the cracking load was increased to more than 230% and the maximum ultimate load-bearing capacity was increased to 150% when compared with the control beam. The debonding which occurred more or less in the beams strengthened with EB CFRP sheets or NSM CFRP bars or their combination was successfully eliminated by using the combination strengthening technique with P-SWRs. Also, the combination of P-SWRs with EB CFRP sheets or NSM CFRP bars is also favorable to improve the ductility of strengthened beams.
Remembering and forgetting floods and droughts: lessons from the Welsh colony in Patagonia
Authors: Griffiths Hywel M , Tooth Stephen
Published: November 2020

Sustainable flood memories – defined as those formed of folk memories of flooding, flood heritage and other local, lay knowledges – have been identified as having great potential for increasing community resilience to floods. Focusing on the social and cultural aspects of flood and drought memory, we present the findings of archival research, interviews with residents of the Welsh colony in Argentine Patagonia ( Y Wladfa in Welsh), and critical textual analysis of museum spaces. This analysis enables reconstruction of flood and drought history over the ~150 years of the colony, provides insights into the impact, emotive power and perception of floods and droughts, and highlights the ways in which lay knowledge and flood and drought memories are transmitted vertically and shared horizontally in material and immaterial ways. We argue that specific thresholds of memory exist, as related to flood/drought magnitude, duration, social impact and memorialisation, which ensure that some events are encoded, transcribed and transmitted through the collective memoria of a community, while other events may fade from memory. Ensuring long-term sustainability of the Welsh-language community, and integration of these flood/drought memories with those from other cultures and languages, will help develop community resilience to 21st century hydroclimatic changes.
Quxie Capsule Modulating Gut Microbiome and Its Association With T cell Regulation in Patients With Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Result From a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Sun Lingyun , Yan Yunzi , Chen Dongmei , Yang Yufei
Published: November 2020

Aim:

Quxie capsule(QX), a TCM compound, had shown benefit on survival outcomes for metastatic colorectal cancer(mCRC) patients and could inhibit tumor growth through immune regulation. This study aimed to evaluate whether such effect is associated with gut microbiome modulation.

Method:

We conducted a randomized double-blinded placebo controlled clinical trial in Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. All patients were randomly assigned into QX or placebo control group. Before and after 1-month interventions, we collected patients’ stool samples for microbiome analysis by 16s rRNA sequencing approaches, as well as blood samples to analyze T lymphocyte subsets by flow cytometry methods. Microbiome analysis among groups was done through bioinformation analysis platform. The study had been proved by the ethics committee of Xiyuan Hospital (2016XLA122-1) had been registered on Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (registration number: ChiCTR2000029599). All patients consented before enrollment.

Results:

We randomly assigned 40 patients and 34 were finally analyzed. Among them, 29% were female, with an average age of 63 years old, and 74% had liver or lung metastasis. Both CD4 T(TH) cell and CD8 T(TC) cell counts increased after QX treatment, while TH cells were significantly more in QX than in control group (737 vs 449, P = .024). Microbiome community analysis on Class level showed that the proportion of Actinobacteria declined in the control group, but significantly increased after QX treatments (0.83% vs 4.7%, P = .017). LEfSe analysis showed that after treatments, samples from QX group were highly related with Oscillibacter, Eubacterium, and Lachnospiraceae. RDA analysis showed that after QX interventions, stool samples and microbiome species had relevance with TC/TH cells counts but were not statistically significant. Heatmap analysis on Genus level revealed that after QX treatments, higher amounts of TH cells were significantly associated with less abundance of g_Bifidobacterium (coef. −0.76, P = .002), Collinsella (coef.−0.61, P = .02), Ruminiclostridium_9 (coef. −0.64, P = .01).

Conclusion:

QX capsule could enhance TH cells level among mCRC patients and increase the abundance of gut anticancer bacteria such as Actinobacteria as well as butyrate-producing bacteria such as Lachnospiraceae. These results indicated that QX capsule might have the property of dual effects of antitumor and immunity enhancement, both mediated by the microbiome.
Therapeutic Education and Physical Activity to Support Self-management of Cancer-related Fatigue in Hematologic Cancer Patients: Protocol of a Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Denti Monica , Accogli Monia Allisen , Costi Stefania , Fugazzaro Stefania
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Hematologic malignancies account for nearly 8% of new cancer diagnosis in Italy. Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most distressing symptoms reported by patients with cancer. As CRF has a multifactorial etiology, physical activity and therapeutic education may be beneficial for managing CRF, both during and after cancer treatment. However, there is a lack of evidence specific to hematologic malignancies. This paper describes the protocol of a feasibility study on Therapeutic Education and Physical Activity (TEPA) intervention to support self-management of CRF in patients with hematologic malignancies.

Methods

TEPA was addressed to newly diagnosed adult individuals with hematologic malignancy able to take part in a rehabilitation programme at the AUSL-IRCCS of Reggio Emilia. The protocol was developed in 2 phases. Phase I was an observational cohort study involving a convenience sample of 10 participants with the aim to evaluate the feasibility of the assessment schedule and to register longitudinal clinical data regarding CRF (FACIT-F), psychologic distress (NCCN Distress Thermometer), QoL (EORTC QLQ-C30), physical performance (TUG and 6MWT) and habitual level of physical activity during first months after diagnosis. Phase II (underway) is a feasibility randomized controlled trial (TEPA) involving a convenience sample of 40 participants and comparing 2 parallel active interventions (Therapeutic Education versus Therapeutic Education and Physical Activity) on top of usual care. The primary aim is to estimate the feasibility of TEPA, measured by the adherence rate to the intervention. Secondary aims are: to estimate the effect size of TEPA in terms of changes in CRF, psychological distress, QoL, physical performance and habitual level of physical activity (measured as in Phase I); to collect patient satisfaction, perception of usefulness of the TEPA intervention and data on long-term adherence to an active lifestyle. Data are collected in both phases at the time of diagnosis and then at 1-, 3- (completion of intervention) and 7-month follow-up.

Discussion

Data on feasibility and effect size of TEPA will be analyzed upon completion of Phase II, allowing us to design a large, adequately powered RCT to verify the effectiveness of this intervention on CRF management in patients with hematologic cancer. Trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov; Trial registration number: NCT03403075
Altered gene expression in glycolysis–cholesterol synthesis axis correlates with outcome of triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Zhong Peng-Cheng , Shu Rong , Wu Hui-Wen , Liu Zhi-Wen , Shen Xiao-Ling , Hu Ying-Jie
Published: November 2020

Identification of molecular subtypes of clinically resectable triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is of great importance to achieve better clinical outcomes. Inter- and intratumor metabolic heterogeneity improves cancer survival, and the interaction of various metabolic pathways may affect treatment outcome of TNBC. We speculated that TNBC can be categorized into prognostic metabolic subtype according to the expression changes of glycolysis and cholesterol synthesis. The genome, transcriptome, and clinical data were downloaded from the Cancer Genome Atlas and Molecular Taxonomy of Breast Cancer International Consortium and subsequently analyzed by integrated bioinformatics methods. Four subtypes, namely, glycolytic, cholesterogenic, quiescent, and mixed, were classified according to the normalized median expressions of the genes involved in glycolysis and cholesterol synthesis. In the four subtypes, the cholesterogenic type was correlated with the shortest median survival (log rank P = 0.044), while patients with high-expressed glycolytic genes tended to have a longer survival. Tumors with PIK3CA amplification and dynein axonemal heavy chain 2 deletion exhibited higher expressions of cholesterogenic genes than other mutant oncogenes. The expressions of mitochondrial pyruvate carrier MPC1 and MPC2 were the lowest in quiescent tumor, and MPC2 expression was higher in cholesterogenic tumor compared with glycolytic or quiescent tumor ( t-test P < 0.001). Glycolytic and cholesterogenic gene expressions were related to the expressions of prognostic genes in some other types of cancers. Classification of glycolytic and cholesterogenic pathways according to metabolic characteristics provides a new understanding to previously identified subtypes of TNBC and could improve personalized treatments based on tumor metabolic profiles.
Motivation for Critical Thinking in Nursing Students in Chile
Authors: Berger Kareen , Cianelli Rosina , Valenzuela Jorge , Villegas Natalia , Blazquez Carola , Toledo Christine , Ramírez-Barrantes Ricardo
Published: November 2020

Nursing education includes a constant challenge regarding the competencies that nurses must possess to provide high-quality nursing care. One of these competencies is critical thinking (CT), and motivation for critical thinking (MCT) has been identified as an element necessary to develop CT. Expectancy and value are important components of the MCT. This study aimed to analyze sociodemographic and academic factors related to MCT in Chilean nursing students. This study is an analytical–correlational, cross-sectional study conducted with 478 nursing students in Chile. The data were collected using an online questionnaire. The Critical Thinking Motivation Scale was used to measure MCT. Pearson’s square, Chi-square, means comparison test, and binomial logistic regression were used to analyze the data. The expectancy component of the MCT had the lowest scores on the scale. Age was associated with the cost subcomponent ( p < .03), and high school was associated with the interest subcomponent ( p < .01). Academic factors contributing to MCT were problem-based learning, professor motivation, and the inclusion of MCT in nursing disciplinary subjects. Strategies that improve CT and MCT should be implemented and evaluated periodically from the beginning of a nursing career. Faculty should be trained to motivate students to think critically.
Research on information security of users’ electricity data including electric vehicle based on elliptic curve encryption
Authors: Yan Renwu , Lin Chuan , Zhang Wen-feng , Chen Li-wen , Peng Kang-ning
Published: November 2020

In the smart grid and big data environment, accurate and large amount of power load data for users can be obtained with the wide application of non-intrusive load monitoring technology. In the research process of customers’ information, information security protection of users’ electricity data has become a research hotspot urgently. This article proposes a new type of load decomposition method for electric vehicle load information and compares it with hidden Markov model algorithm to verify its accuracy. On this basis, the elliptic curve encryption algorithm is used to encrypt the users’ electricity data, and the function and effectiveness of the encryption algorithm are verified by comparing the load decomposition of the electric vehicle with the unencrypted data.
Safety and Feasibility of Thoracoscopic Lung Resection for Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer in Octogenarians
Authors: Lou Xiaoying , Sanders Andrew , Wagh Kaustubh , Binongo Jose N. , Sancheti Manu , Javidfar Jeffrey , Pickens Allan , Fernandez Felix , Force Seth , Khullar Onkar
Published: November 2020

Objective

Octogenarians comprise an increasing proportion of patients presenting with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study examines postoperative morbidity and mortality, and long-term survival in octogenarians undergoing thoracoscopic anatomic lung resection for NSCLC, compared with younger cohorts.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of our institutional Society of Thoracic Surgeons General Thoracic Surgery Database of all patients ≥60 years old undergoing elective lobectomy or segmentectomy for pathologic stage I, II, and IIIA NSCLC between 2009 and 2018. Results were compared between octogenarians ( n = 71) to 2 younger cohorts of 60- to 69-year-olds ( n = 359) and 70- to 79-year-olds ( n = 308). Long-term survival among octogenarians was graphically summarized using the Kaplan–Meier method. Cox regression analysis was used to identify preoperative risk factors for mortality.

Results

A greater proportion of octogenarians required intensive care unit admission and discharge to extended-care facilities; however, postoperative length of stay was similar between groups. Among postoperative complications, arrhythmia and renal failure were more likely in the older cohort. Compared to the youngest cohort, in-hospital and 30-day mortality were highest among octogenarians. Overall survival among octogenarians at 1, 3, and 5 years was 87.3%, 61.8%, and 50.5%, respectively. On multivariable Cox regression analysis of baseline demographic variables, presence of stroke (hazard ratio [HR] = 28.5, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.1 to 132.7, P < 0.001) and coronary artery disease (HR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.2 to 5.3, P = 0.02) were significant predictors of overall mortality among octogenarians.

Conclusions

Thoracoscopic resection can be performed with favorable early postoperative outcomes among octogenarians. Long-term survival, although comparable to their healthy peers, is worse than those of younger cohorts. Further study into preoperative risk stratification and alternative therapies among octogenarians is needed.
Venous sinus stenting for the treatment of isolated pulsatile tinnitus: Results of a prospective trial
Authors: Patsalides Athos , Santillan Alejandro , Sundararajan Sri Hari , Michael Marissa , Suurna Maria , Alexiades George
Published: November 2020

Objectives

This prospective study evaluates the effectiveness and safety of venous sinus stenting for patients with isolated pulsatile tinnitus and lateral sinus stenosis.

Methods

Patients with isolated pulsatile tinnitus and lateral sinus stenosis with a minimum trans stenotic gradient of 4 mm Hg were treated with stenting. Pulsatile tinnitus before and after treatment was assessed with the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI). Periprocedural adverse events, neurological complications, clinical and radiographic follow-up were also recorded.

Results

A total of 42 patients (41 females and 1 male) were included in the study (median age of 37.5 years). Thirty patients had post-stenotic fusiform and 12 had post-stenotic saccular venous sinus aneurysm. In addition to stenting, coils were used to treat the patients with saccular venous aneurysms. The median follow-up was 5 months (range 1 to 34 months). Most patients had complete (39/42) or near-complete (2/42) resolution of their pulsatile tinnitus post-procedure. There were no serious adverse events.

Conclusion

Stenting of the lateral venous sinus is a safe and effective treatment for patients with isolated pulsatile tinnitus due to venous sinus stenosis.
Anticipating Doing a Study With Dying Patients: An Autoethnography on Researcher Well-Being
Authors: Six Stefaan
Published: November 2020

It is a well known problem that qualitative researchers in the social health sciences are potentially at risk of experiencing emotional burden when confronted with sensitive topics, such as death and dying. A number of research papers and reviews suggest that self-reflection could be helpful in dealing with the associated emotional burden. These publications however typically mention strategies that deal with the problem when emotional burden is already present. In this article I explored if a proactive self-reflective approach could be useful to prevent emotional problems when dealing with dying patients and their relatives during my research project. For this paper I used an autoethnographic approach to describe the self-reflective process I undertook before the start of my research project to identify, reconstruct and analyze a number of critical personal experiences that were likely to cause emotional problems. Five themes emerged: seeing people suffer or die, dealing with bereaved family members, difficulties regarding interdisciplinary research, unresolved personal issues from the past, and unwillingness to take part in my research study. From a methodological point of view, a proactive self-reflective approach deserves consideration as a tool to help better prepare researchers in the social health sciences to conduct research into delicate topics. Not only does it enhance researcher wellbeing, it also increases the quality of the researcher-as-instrument. This article is a worked example of how to engage in such proactive self-reflection and illustrates the added value of including this step at the start of a research project looking into sensitive topics.
Experimental and numerical studies on the influence of inlet guide vanes of centrifugal compressor on the flow field characteristics of inlet chamber
Authors: Han Fenghui , Wang Zhe , Mao Yijun , Tan Jiajian , Li Wenhua
Published: November 2020

Inlet chambers (IC) are the typical upstream component of centrifugal compressors, and inlet guide vanes in the IC have a great impact on its internal flow and aerodynamic loss, which will significantly influence the performance of the downstream compressor stages. In this paper, an experimental study was carried out on the flow characteristics inside a radial IC of an industrial centrifugal compressor, including five testing sections and 968 measuring points for two schemes with and without guide vanes. Detailed distributions of flow parameters on each section were obtained as well as the overall performance of the radial IC, and the causes of the flow loss inside the IC and the non-uniformity of flow parameters at the outlet section were investigated. Besides, numerical simulations were performed to further analyze the flow characteristics inside the radial IC. The experimental and numerical results indicate that, in the scheme without guide vanes, sudden expansions in the spiral channel and flow separations in the annular convergence channel are the major sources of flow loss and distortions generated in the radial IC; while in the scheme with guide vanes, the flow impacts, separations and wakes caused by the inappropriate design of guide vanes are the main reasons for the flow loss of the IC itself and the uneven flow distributions at the IC outlet.
FMRP acts as a key messenger for visceral pain modulation
Authors: Yang Liu-kun , Lu Liang , Feng Ban , Wang Xin-shang , Yue Jiao , Li Xu-bo , Zhuo Min , Liu Shui-bing
Published: November 2020

Visceral pain is a common clinical symptom, which is caused by mechanical stretch, spasm, ischemia and inflammation. Fragile X syndrome (FXS) with lack of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) protein is an inherited disorder that is characterized by moderate or severe intellectual and developmental disabilities. Previous studies reported that FXS patients have self-injurious behavior, which may be associated with deficits in nociceptive sensitization. However, the role of FMRP in visceral pain is still unclear. In this study, the FMR1 knock out (KO) mice and SH-SY5Y cell line were employed to demonstrate the role of FMRP in the regulation of visceral pain. The data showed that FMR1 KO mice were insensitive to zymosan treatment. Recording in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), a structure involved in pain process, showed less presynaptic glutamate release and postsynaptic responses in the FMR1 KO mice as compared to the wild type (WT) mice after zymosan injection. Zymosan treatment caused enhancements of adenylyl cyclase 1 (AC1), a pain-related enzyme, and NMDA GluN2B receptor in the ACC. However, these up-regulations were attenuated in the ACC of FMR1 KO mice. Last, we found that zymosan treatment led to increase of FMRP levels in the ACC. These results were further confirmed in SH-SY5Y cells in vitro. Our findings demonstrate that FMRP is required for NMDA GluN2B and AC1 upregulation, and GluN2B/AC1/FMRP forms a positive feedback loop to modulate visceral pain.
Retreatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors in solid tumors: a systematic review
Authors: Yang Kaili , Li Jiarui , Sun Zhao , Zhao Lin , Bai Chunmei
Published: November 2020

Background:

A large proportion of patients eventually experience disease progression despite treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), but subsequent treatment options are limited for this population. Retreatment with the same or different types of ICIs is a possible strategy, but the clinical efficacy and safety data are limited. This systematic review aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ICIs retreatment in patients with solid tumors after disease progression to previous ICIs.

Methods:

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and major meeting libraries for prospective studies. The primary outcomes included the objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), median overall survival (mOS), and the incidence of grade ⩾3 immune-related adverse events (irAEs).

Results:

We identified 22 prospective studies including 1865 patients. For disease progression after CTLA-4 inhibitors, three studies evaluated anti-CTLA-4 retreatment. The ORR was 12–23%, the DCR was 48.4–67.7%, and the mOS was 12 months. The incidence of grade ⩾3 irAEs was 5.9–25%. Four studies evaluated anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) retreatment. The ORR was 22–36%, the DCR was 40–64%, and the mOS was 13.4–20.6 months. The incidence of grade ⩾3 irAEs was <10%. For disease progression after PD-(L)1 inhibitors, 13 studies evaluated anti-PD-(L)1 retreatment. The ORR was 5–53%, the DCR was 38–83%, and the mOS was 13.9 months. The incidence of grade ⩾3 irAEs was 0–15% for patients retreated with single anti-PD-(L)1 agent, but was higher (0–64%) for those retreated with ICIs combined with other agents. Two studies evaluated anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) retreatment. The ORR was 0–22.4%, the DCR was 50–72%, and the mOS was 4–21 months. The incidence of grade ⩾3 irAEs was 26–61%.

Conclusion:

Retreatment with ICIs is feasible for cancer patients considering its encouraging efficacy and tolerable safety. Further prospective trials are needed to explore more promising strategies and identify suitable populations for retreatment.
Formation of anisotropic gold nanoparticles on indium tin oxide substrates as a plasmonic sensing material
Authors: Razali Nur Liyana , Morsin Marlia , Nafisah Suratun , Md Shah Nur Zehan An’nisa , Mahmud Farhanahani , Fhong Soon Chin , Aziz Tengku Hasnan Tengku Abdul
Published: November 2020

A simple technique of seed-mediated growth has been successfully performed to grow anisotropy gold nanoparticles on solid substrates. The growth of the gold nanoparticles has been carried out in the presence of a binary surfactant mixture of hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide with two different molecular weights of a capping agent, namely polyvinylpyrrolidone: 40,000 and 55,000. In this study, the effect of process parameters, growth time and molecular weight of capping agent was investigated. The growth time shows a significant impact on the shape and size of nanoparticles. The shorter growth time produced small spherical to square-like shape particles, whereas bigger particles including nanorods, nanosquares and nanotriangles were formed with longer growth time. The shape controlling agent, polyvinylpyrrolidone, was used to synthesis gold nanoparticles. It was found that monodisperse gold nanoparticles with uniform shape and size are hardly obtained when polyvinylpyrrolidone 40,000 was used as capping agent. Polyvinylpyrrolidone 55,000 produced more uniform shape and size of gold nanoparticles. Thus, these process parameters were found affected to the size, shape, surface density and uniformity of gold nanoparticles. This sample was further applied as a sensing material in the detection of toxic fungicide, namely chlorothalonil. The sensitivity of the sensor system was determined by the changes in peak positions and intensities of the transverse and longitudinal surface plasmon resonance peaks on different medium, that is, air, deionized water and chlorothalonil solution. The sensor response of gold nanoparticles thin film in 30 mM chlorothalonil showed two resonance peaks in comparison to the control experiment without gold nanoparticle thin film. The gold nanoparticles thin film sensor was successfully synthesized and potentially useful as a sensing material for fungicide detection.
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Human Regular U-500 Insulin Administered via Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion Versus Subcutaneous Injection in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes and High-Dose Insulin Requirements
Authors: Ma Xiaosu , Benson Charles T. , Prescilla Randy , Zhang Shuyu , Linnebjerg Helle , LaBell Elizabeth S. , Morrow Linda A. , Jackson Jeffrey A. , Nguyen Alex , Ilag Liza L. , Johnson Jennal L. , Leishman Derek
Published: November 2020

Introduction:

Human regular U-500 insulin (U-500R) is approved for subcutaneous (SC) injection in patients with diabetes requiring >200 units/day of insulin. Here, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) profiles following U-500R administered by continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) and SC injection in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) on high-dose insulin were studied.

Methods:

In this randomized, crossover, euglycemic clamp study, patients received a 100-unit bolus of U-500R via SC injection or CSII with basal infusion using a U-500R specific pump. PK parameters were estimated using non-compartmental methods. PD estimates were derived from the glucose infusion rate during the euglycemic clamp procedure.

Results:

When corrected for the basal infusion, the PK profiles for the 100-unit bolus of U-500R were similar for CSII and SC injection. Without correction for basal infusion, PK and PD profiles showed a greater insulin concentration and effect when U-500R was administered via CSII compared to SC injection, primarily due to basal insulin infusion for CSII. The ratio of geometric least squares AUC0-tlast means SC:CSII (90% CI) is 0.857 (0.729, 1.01) with correction (mean AUC0-tlast: 5230 pmol*L/h [SC injection] and 6070 pmol*L/h [CSII, with correction]) and 0.424 (0.361, 0.499) without correction (mean AUC0-tlast: 12300 pmol*L/h [CSII, without correction]). Median time-to-peak insulin concentration was six hours (range 0.5-8 hours) via SC injection and five hours (0.5-12 hours) via CSII.

Conclusions:

In adults with T2D on high-dose insulin, U-500R PK/PD parameters were similar for a 100-unit bolus when given by SC injection or CSII via a U-500R pump.
Self-Assessed Benefits of a Prostate Health Formulation on Nocturia in Healthy Males With Mild Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: An Open Label Study
Authors: Hirsh Steven P , Pons Marianne , Joyal Steven V , Swick Andrew G
Published: November 2020

Background

Nocturia is the most bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and can significantly reduce men's quality of life. It is often poorly managed with conventional treatments.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the self-assessed benefits of a prostate health dietary combination formulation on mild LUTS, especially nocturia in healthy males.

Methods

In an open label clinical study, thirty healthy male subjects with mild LUTS took one daily capsule of the product for 60 days. The primary outcome was self-assessed severity of LUTS using the International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS) questionnaire at Day 1 (baseline), Day 30 and Day 60. Safety and compliance were also evaluated.

Results

At Day 60, IPSS significantly decreased from baseline by 16.3% (3.6 ± 2.1 vs. 4.3 ± 1.5, p < 0.05). Although the reduction in IPSS did not reach statistical significance at Day 30, it was mostly driven by a 30.7% decrease (p < 0.05) in the nocturia sub-score compared with baseline. While 37% of subjects reported at baseline waking up 2‒3 times/night to void, none did so after taking the study product for 60 days. Compliance was very high throughout the study. No adverse events related to the study product were reported.

Conclusions

The study product might be a safe alternative for individuals willing to explore a non-conventional approach to manage their nocturia. A larger randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial is warranted to confirm these results. Clinical trial registry: Clinical Trials.gov. Registration number (September 1st, 2016): NCT02886832.
Implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Rights) Act 2006 in Jharkhand: Problems and Challenges
Authors: Sahu Geetanjoy
Published: November 2020

The purpose of this article is to examine the nature and process of implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Rights) Act 2006 and the challenges at the enforcement level in the state of Jharkhand. To this end, this article assesses the status and trend of forest rights recognition in the state by reviewing the existing forest rights claim database and unravels the challenges of forest rights enforcement based on information from 12 villages in 3 districts—Ranchi, Godda and Hazaribagh. The analysis indicates that recognition of forest rights claim is uneven, non-transparent and stagnant in Jharkhand. Some of the major factors for this state of affairs are: the ambiguous role of implementing agencies, lack of financial and human resources at the district and sub-divisional levels, absence of a dedicated tribal department, no horizontal integration within and among implementing agencies and failure of state administration to provide an opportunity for participation in recognising forest rights claimants.
Art, Faith, and Culture in Mission: The Legacy of Pulidindi Solomon Raj
Authors: Kumar B. S. Moses
Published: November 2020

Pulidindi Solomon Raj (1921–2019), born in a tiny village in India, went through a “journey of ascents,” crossing national and denominational boundaries, scaling ministerial pinnacles, and attaining many laurels, all with the help of two little tools—his pen and his paintbrush. He achieved a global reputation for his artwork in diverse media, such as woodcuts, batiks, etchings, and icons; for his many essays presented in academic settings around the world; and for his seminal work on the “small” church movement in Andhra Pradesh and its sequel on indigenous mission.
The SAFER geodatabase for the Kathmandu valley: Bayesian kriging for data-scarce regions
Authors: De Risi Raffaele , De Luca Flavia , Gilder Charlotte EL , Pokhrel Rama Mohan , Vardanega Paul J
Published: November 2020

Geostatistical methods are valuable to better understand the spatial distribution of geotechnical parameters at regional scale and to optimize the locations of future ground investigations. This article investigates the use of the kriging interpolation method to extend the knowledge of a specific geotechnical property from a few sites to a broader geographical area with a focus on the Kathmandu valley (Nepal). A Bayesian form of kriging is proposed in this article. The estimation of the shear wave velocity in the uppermost 30 m of soil ( VS30) in the Kathmandu valley is examined. Slope-based VS30 estimates from the United States Geological Survey are used as prior information, and 15 VS30 measurements are used as more precise data. Considering the limited number of high-quality VS30 measurements available in the valley, it is shown that the Bayesian scheme can lead to a more robust estimation of VS30 than that obtained with the ordinary kriging approach. A methodology for conditioning prior low-precision data to the measurements is also presented.
Protective effects of acute exercise preconditioning on disuse-induced muscular atrophy in aged muscle: a narrative literature review
Authors: Yoshihara Toshinori , Naito Hisashi
Published: November 2020

Aging is associated with a progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, resulting in frailty and lower quality of life in older individuals. At present, a standard of clinical or pharmacological care to prevent the adverse effects of aging does not exist. Determining the mechanism(s) responsible for muscular atrophy in disused aged muscle is a required key step for the development of effective countermeasures. Studies suggest an age-related differential response of genes and signalings to muscle disuse in both rodents and humans, implying the possibility that effective countermeasures to prevent disuse muscle atrophy may be age-specific. Notably, exercise preconditioning can attenuate disuse-induced muscular atrophy in rodent and human skeletal muscles; however, information on age-specific mechanisms of this exercise-induced protection remains limited. This mini-review aimed to summarize the protective effects of acute exercise preconditioning on muscular atrophy in aged muscle and provide potential mechanisms for its preventive effect on skeletal muscle wasting.