bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Where do we stand?
Authors: Im Sei-inn , Lim Hyang-Ok
Published: December 2019

Within the last decade, an increasing number of studies have examined the status of translators and interpreters,
providing valuable insight into how the status is perceived in the eyes of practitioners. However, less attention has been paid to
studying the perceptions of future Translators, i.e. T&I students. This paper seeks to describe the occupational status of
in-house Translators in Korea by comparing the perceptions of professionals and students. Inspired by Dam and Zethsen’s status
parameters and a Korean study on teacher status, a survey was conducted among four populations: one Translator group and three
student groups at different stages of their study. The findings indicate a negative correlation between the perceptions of
occupational status and expertise progression, with first semester students giving a mean rating well above the middle point while
practitioners rated their status as “just above average.” Overall, professional Translators and students regarded in-house
Translation as an important occupation which required a high level of expertise and contributed to the organization, but also as
one that involves a lower degree of work autonomy. At the same time, all four groups expressed their concern regarding job
prospects.
Korean general extenders tunci ha and kena ha ‘or something’
Authors: Kim Minju
Published: December 2019

Using natural conversation corpora, I demonstrate that the Korean x-tunci ha ‘x-or do’ and
x-kena ha ‘x-or do’, which originally list options (e.g., ‘x or y do’) have emerged as independent
constructions that can indicate approximation, epistemic uncertainty, tentativeness, and even polite hedging. I argue that these
Korean “general extenders” (Overstreet 1999) followed a similar (inter)subjectification
process to English x-or something and Japanese x-tari suru ‘x-or do.’ I also illustrate how
these two Korean general extenders specialize in different hedging strategies.

Ironically, Korean tunci ha and Japanese tari suru can also convey a speaker’s
negative affective stance. I demonstrate that tunci ha was frequently used in making non-imposing suggestions
(hedging) and obtained its negative affect in the context of suggesting an obvious but untried solution (i.e., the frustration of the suggesting speaker). This result differs from Suzuki (2008)’s argument of the Japanese case
which attributes this development to a speaker’s non-committal attitude.
Low-dose phloretin alleviates diabetic atherosclerosis through endothelial KLF2 restoration
Authors: Xia Yong , Feng Hua , Li Zhen-Wei , Tang Kuan-Xiao , Gao Hai-Qing , Wang Wei-Ling , Cui Xiao-Pei , Li Xiao-Li
Published: December 2019

We investigated whether low-dose phloretin served as daily dietary supplements could ameliorate diabetic atherosclerosis and the role of kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2). HUVECs cultured in high glucose medium were treated with different concentrations of phloretin and KLF2 mRNA, and protein level was detected. Diabetes was induced using streptozotocin in Apoe−/- mice after which they were fed a high-cholesterol diet for 8 weeks. Diabetic mice injected with KLF2 shRNA-lentivirus or control virus were treated with 20 mg/kg phloretin. Glucose, lipid profile, aortic atheroma, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression were detected. Phloretin retained endothelial function by KLF2-eNOS activation under hyperglycemia. Low-dose phloretin helped with lipid metabolism, and blocked the acceleration of atherosclerosis in STZ-induced diabetic mice since the early stage, which was diminished by KLF2 knockdown. Low-dose phloretin exhibited athero-protective effect in diabetic Apoe−/- mice dependent on KLF2 activation. This finding makes phloretin for diabetic atherosclerosis.
Trainer Development of the Electrical and Electronics Course as a Learning Media in Electrical Department SMKN 1 Tilatang Kamang
Authors: Aswardi  , Nellitawati  , Arda Ihsan
Published: December 2019

Tilatang Kamang Village, which is in the rural area, causes most students to have limited access to technological developments, especially in terms of practical equipment in the laboratory. This limitation causes students to be unable to think quickly, and has an impact on the speed and accuracy of students in practicing in the laboratory. Existing teaching aids are ineffective, because they only consist of circuit boards that require a long time and make it difficult for students to operate. Low ability and limited experience of students at SMKN 1 Tilatang in using laboratory equipment are also the causes of ineffective learning, especially in the learning of electrical and electronic circuits. This type of research is Research and Development which uses the Borg and Gall research procedure. The research subject is the electric circuit media trainer and the respondent was a teacher of Basic Electricity and Electronics and an electrical student at SMKN 1 Tilatang Kamang. The research instrument is the trainer questionnaire validation, practicality, and effectiveness of the trainer. Data analysis includes trainer validity, practicality, and trainer effectiveness. The results showed that the trainer’s validity was 90% with a valid category. The practicality of the trainer is viewed from the teacher’s side by 96% with very practical criteria, while the average practice in terms of students is 90% with very practical criteria. The average effectiveness of trainers is 86.9% with effective criteria.
Invited Commentary: Learning From Our Past to Build on Our Future— Lessons Learned From MRFIT and JUMBO
Authors: Odoms-Young Angela , Thorpe Roland J
Published: December 2019

We propose that Blackburn (Am J Epidemiol. 2020;189(6):491–498) ignores several important issues that need to be considered in the context of a historical reflection of the National Heart Institute’s landmark study, the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial (MRFIT), and the alternative proposal, the “JUMBO” trial, submitted to the National Heart Institute by an experienced team of extramural investigators but never funded. A key focus of this commentary is to offer an alternative perspective on both studies using our current understanding of the impact of social and structural determinants of health; evidence that policy, systems, and environmental interventions are needed to support behavior change at the individual level; and the significance of examining research from a racial/socioeconomic equity lens. While we strongly agree with Blackburn’s conclusion urging the National Institutes of Health to invest in prevention research at a level consistent with its social and economic impact, we encourage the author to move beyond simply underscoring the methodological limitations and failure of the findings of MRFIT compared with the potential of the proposed JUMBO trial to consider the contribution of MRFIT to our current understanding of chronic disease prevention and treatment.
Looking Behind the Screen: Genealogies of Poetic Technology
Authors: Middleton Peter
Published: December 2019

Everyone, from distinguished philosophers to emergent poets, has been to some extent disoriented by the new digital technology and its shimmer of compositional novelty. This article reviews recent studies of the impact of the digital on research into the history of modern and contemporary poetry. Almost all poetry written and circulated today is dependent on digital media, with profound consequences for every aspect of its writing, performance, and reception. I argue that scholars of poetry can benefit from learning more about what constitutes the digital, as material technology, as programming, and as transformative social practice, as well as by studying earlier phases of the rapid transformation of communications technology. I then discuss briefly several recent texts on current digital infrastructure, before surveying some representative recent critical works that draw on insights derived from our digital era to provide new perspectives on the predigital age of poetry. At the heart of this review, essay is extended discussions of Seth Perlow’s The Poem Electric and Todd Tietchen’s Technomodern Poetics, recent books that explore changing concepts of lyric, surveillance, anonymity, and even electricity. In addition, this essay discusses The Bloomsbury Handbook of Electronic Literature, edited by Joseph Tabbi, which has a strong focus on poetics.
Flying under the Radar: Ghosts and the Income Tax
Authors: Erard Brian , Langetieg Patrick , Payne Mark , Plumley Alan
Published: December 2019

The tax compliance literature is primarily focused on taxpayers who fail to accurately report their taxes when they file their returns. In this article, our focus is on ‘ghosts’—individuals who do not even file a tax return. To learn more about this relatively understudied population, we examine a combination of US administrative data and matched Census survey data. Our results indicate that 10–12% of US households with a federal filing requirement fail to file a timely income tax return. Approximately 40% of such households do eventually file a late return. However, the tax gap associated with those who never file is substantial, amounting to an estimated $18–20 billion each year. To gain new insights into what drives individuals to become ghosts, we employ a novel econometric methodology (calibrated probit analysis). We find that the failure to file a timely return is negatively associated with age and income, but positively associated with having a high filing burden and being married. Taxpayers with income near the filing threshold are also less likely to file on time, particularly if they are not eligible for a refundable tax credit. We also find evidence of regional variation in filing compliance.
Simplification of Validated Patient-Reported Outcome Instruments in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Andersen Michael J , Yvellez Olivia V , El Jurdi Katia , Sossenheimer Philip H , Lei Donald , Pearl Talia A , Zmeter Nada , Rubin David T
Published: December 2019

Objectives

Improving health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a major treatment goal for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. Tools to measure HRQoL, including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Short Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Questionnaire, are lengthy and rely on recall. This prospective, proof-of-concept pilot study assessed the feasibility, reliability, and validity of daily, simplified HRQoL and sleep quality data collection using mobile technologies in patients with IBD.

Methods

Adult IBD patients were recruited from our center. Daily HRQoL and sleep quality were assessed using visual analog scale (VAS) surveys, and pain was assessed using the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale (WBS). HRQoL and sleep were assessed on days 1, 14, and 28 of the study using the short IBD Questionnaire (SIBDQ) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Correlation between the daily instruments and the biweekly validated instruments were assessed using the Pearson correlation coefficient.

Results

One hundred patients were enrolled. The correlation between mean global assessment VAS score over 2 weeks and PSQI score taken at 14 days was moderate (r = 0.62, P < 0.0001). The correlation over the same time interval between mean WBS score and SIBDQ score was strong (r = −0.71, P < 0.0001), and the correlation between mean sleep VAS score and PSQI score was moderate (r = −0.55, P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the potential for electronic quality of life, sleep quality, and pain assessments as feasible, reliable, and valid tools in IBD patients. Intermittent administration of these simplified electronic assessments may be useful in further reducing patient survey burden without significantly compromising their utility.
Machine learning-based mortality prediction of patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy: the SEMMELWEIS-CRT score
Authors: Tokodi Márton , Schwertner Walter Richard , Kovács Attila , Tősér Zoltán , Staub Levente , Sárkány András , Lakatos Bálint Károly , Behon Anett , Boros András Mihály , Perge Péter , Kutyifa Valentina , Széplaki Gábor , Gellér László , Merkely Béla , Kosztin Annamária
Published: December 2019

Aims

Our aim was to develop a machine learning (ML)-based risk stratification system to predict 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-year all-cause mortality from pre-implant parameters of patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).

Methods and results

Multiple ML models were trained on a retrospective database of 1510 patients undergoing CRT implantation to predict 1- to 5-year all-cause mortality. Thirty-three pre-implant clinical features were selected to train the models. The best performing model [SEMMELWEIS-CRT score (perSonalizEd assessMent of estiMatEd risk of mortaLity With machinE learnIng in patientS undergoing CRT implantation)], along with pre-existing scores (Seattle Heart Failure Model, VALID-CRT, EAARN, ScREEN, and CRT-score), was tested on an independent cohort of 158 patients. There were 805 (53%) deaths in the training cohort and 80 (51%) deaths in the test cohort during the 5-year follow-up period. Among the trained classifiers, random forest demonstrated the best performance. For the prediction of 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-year mortality, the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves of the SEMMELWEIS-CRT score were 0.768 (95% CI: 0.674–0.861; P < 0.001), 0.793 (95% CI: 0.718–0.867; P < 0.001), 0.785 (95% CI: 0.711–0.859; P < 0.001), 0.776 (95% CI: 0.703–0.849; P < 0.001), and 0.803 (95% CI: 0.733–0.872; P < 0.001), respectively. The discriminative ability of our model was superior to other evaluated scores.

Conclusion

The SEMMELWEIS-CRT score (available at semmelweiscrtscore.com) exhibited good discriminative capabilities for the prediction of all-cause death in CRT patients and outperformed the already existing risk scores. By capturing the non-linear association of predictors, the utilization of ML approaches may facilitate optimal candidate selection and prognostication of patients undergoing CRT implantation.
Intracranial haemorrhages vs. stent thromboses with direct oral anticoagulant plus single antiplatelet agent or triple antithrombotic therapy: a meta-analysis of randomized trials in atrial fibrillation and percutaneous coronary intervention/acute coronary syndrome patients
Authors: Galli Mattia , Andreotti Felicita , Porto Italo , Crea Filippo
Published: December 2019

Aims 

To assess the efficacy-safety profile of dual antithrombotic therapy (DAT) including direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) vs. triple antithrombotic therapy (TAT) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods and results

Randomized trials of AF patients with ACS/PCI, comparing DAT using DOACs against TAT, were selected. Overall, 11 161 studies were screened, 458 trials assessed, and four included, comprising 10 234 patients followed for a mean of 11 months. DAT compared to TAT resulted in significant reductions of trial-defined primary safety outcome [odds ratio (OR) 0.63, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.50–0.79, number needed to treat (NNT) 17] and of thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) major bleeding (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.41–0.70, NNT 76) and in a numerical reduction of intracranial haemorrhage (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.21–1.19, NNT 314), which became significant after exclusion of DOACs from TAT and vitamin K antagonist from DAT arms (OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.15–0.64). There were no significant differences in the risks of cardiovascular or any deaths or stroke, but with DAT, there was a numerical increase in myocardial infarctions (MIs) (OR 1.23, 95% CI 0.99–1.54, estimated NNT for an additional harmful outcome (NNTH) 151), which became significant in the ACS/PCI subgroup (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.02–2.00), and a 60% significant increase in stent thrombosis risk (OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.02–2.52; NNTH 274).

Conclusion 

Dual antithrombotic therapy, compared to TAT, conferred a significantly reduced risk of overall bleeding but with a significant increase of stent thrombosis risk in the overall population and a significant 43% increase of MI in the ACS/PCI subgroup.
Transferring Knowledge to Narrative Worlds: Applying Power Taxonomy to Science Fiction Films
Authors: Ayhan Kadir Jun
Published: December 2019

Instructors of courses in international relations increasingly use films to facilitate students’ learning of abstract concepts and to deepen their understanding of theories. This paper introduces how the fictional universes presented in films can be utilized as platforms for students to learn about the application of analytical frameworks. This method aims to enhance students’ abilities to transfer learned knowledge to a different setting. Knowledge transfer requires skills that go beyond lower-order thinking. Higher-order thinking aids students’ retention of concepts, and enables them to apply what they have learned to new situations. This article illustrates an application of a power taxonomy in the narrative world of the non-historical science fiction films. This exercise can easily be transported to various political science, international relations, and other courses to help students learn various analytical concepts, frameworks, and theories.
The Ends of Medicine and the Experience of Patients
Authors: MacDougall D Robert
Published: December 2019

The ends of medicine are sometimes construed simply as promotion of health, treatment and prevention of disease, and alleviation of pain. Practitioners might agree that this simple formulation captures much of what medical practice is about. But while the ends of medicine may seem simple or even obvious, the essays in this issue demonstrate the wide variety of philosophical questions and issues associated with the ends of medicine. They raise questions about how to characterize terms like “health” and “disease”; whether medicine’s goals should be extended to include enhancement beyond normal human function; and whether the ends of medicine are binding on those involved in health care outside of professional medicine, such as pharmaceutical companies. They also give philosophical attention to patient experiences, and so raise questions about whether current practices achieve the ends of medicine from the perspective of the patient. Together these essays demonstrate the important role played by a conception of medicine’s ends in a wide variety of issues and problems in the philosophy and ethics of medicine.
Nitrate regulation of lateral root and root hair development in plants
Authors: Liu Bohan , Wu Junyu , Yang Shuaiqi , Schiefelbein John , Gan Yinbo
Published: December 2019

Nitrogen (N) is one of the most important macronutrients for plant growth and development. However, the concentration and distribution of N varies in soil due to a variety of environmental factors. In response, higher plants have evolved a developmentally flexible root system to efficiently take up N under N-limited conditions. Over the past decade, significant progress has been made in understanding this form of plant ‘root-foraging’ behavior, which is controlled by both a local and a long-distance systemic nitrate signaling pathway. In this review, we focus on the key components of nitrate perception, signaling, and transduction and its role in lateral root development. We also highlight recent findings on the molecular mechanisms of the nitrate systemic signaling pathway, including small signaling peptides involved in long-distance shoot–root communication. Furthermore, we summarize the transcription factor networks responsible for nitrate-dependent lateral root and root hair development.
Making Decisions for Children—Accommodating Parental Choice in Best Interests Determinations: Barts Health NHS Trust v Raqeeb [2019] EWHC 2530 (Fam); Raqeeb and Barts Health NHS Trust [2019] EWHC 2531 (Admin)
Authors: Cave Emma , Brierley Joe , Archard David
Published: December 2019

Four-year-old Tafida Raqeeb suffered a sudden and catastrophic brain injury resulting from a rare condition. UK doctors would not agree to a transfer of Tafida to a hospital in Italy in circumstances that they considered to be contrary to her best interests. Her parents applied for judicial review of the hospital decision and the hospital Trust applied for a determination of Tafida’s best interests. The cases were heard together. The High Court ruled that Tafida could be taken to Italy for treatment. Applying the best interests test, Mr Justice MacDonald found that Tafida was not in pain and ongoing treatment would not be a burden to her. Further treatment would comply with the religious beliefs of her parents. The case is specific to its facts, but MacDonald J’s interpretation of the best interests test is likely to have implications. In particular, we explore the separation of medical and overall best interests; the recognition of the relevance of international laws and frameworks to best interests determinations; and reliance not on what Tafida could understand and express but on what she might in future have come to believe had she followed her parents’ religious beliefs.
Comparison of three anti-coccidioides antibody enzyme immunoassay kits for the diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis
Authors: Malo Joshua , Holbrook Eric , Zangeneh Tirdad , Strawter Chris , Oren Eyal , Robey Ian , Erickson Heidi , Carranza-Chahal Racquel , Durkin Michelle , Thompson Cindy , Hoover Susan E , Ampel Neil M , Wheat L Joseph , Knox Kenneth S
Published: December 2019

Coccidioidomycosis is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia in endemic areas of the southwestern United States. Clinical presentations range from self-limited disease to severe, disseminated disease. As such, early and accurate diagnosis is essential to ensure appropriate treatment and monitoring. Currently available diagnostic testing has variable accuracy, particularly in certain patient populations, and new tests may offer improved accuracy for the diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis. Serum samples from patients with coccidioidomycosis and controls were tested for immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies using the MVista Coccidioides antibody detection EIA and two commonly used commercial enzyme immunoassay (EIA) kits: the IMMY Omega EIA and the Meridian Premier EIA. The sensitivity of the IgG antibody detection was 87.4% using the MVista test compared to 46.6% for IMMY and 70.9% for Meridian. The sensitivity for IgM antibody detection was 61.2% for the MVista test, 22.3% for IMMY and 29.1% for Meridian. For IgG antibody detection, specificity was 90% for the MVista EIA, 94.6% for IMMY, 96.4% for Meridian. For IgM antibody detection, specificity was 95.3% for the MVista test 98.2% for IMMY and 99.1% for Meridian. The MVista Coccidioides antibody EIA offers improved sensitivity, including among high-risk patient populations, for the detection of IgG and IgM antibodies in comparison to other currently available EIAs.
Magnetorotational instability in diamagnetic, misaligned protostellar discs
Authors: Devlen Ebru , Ulubay Ayse , Pekünlü E Rennan
Published: December 2019

In this study, we addressed the question of how the growth rate of the magnetorotational instability is modified when the radial component of the stellar dipole magnetic field is taken into account in addition to the vertical component. Considering a fiducial radius in the disc where diamagnetic currents are pronounced, we carried out a linear stability analysis to obtain the growth rates of the magnetorotational instability for various parameters such as the ratio of the radial-to-vertical component and the gradient of the magnetic field, the Alfvenic Mach number, and the diamagnetization parameter. Our results show that the interaction between the diamagnetic current and the radial component of the magnetic field increases the growth rate of the magnetorotational instability and generates a force perpendicular to the disc plane that may induce a torque. It is also shown that considering the radial component of the magnetic field and taking into account a radial gradient in the vertical component of the magnetic field causes an increase in the magnitudes of the growth rates of both the axisymmetric (m = 0) and the non-axisymmetric (m = 1) modes.
The Pan-Pacific Planet Search – VIII. Complete results and the occurrence rate of planets around low-luminosity giants
Authors: Wittenmyer Robert A , Butler R P , Horner Jonathan , Clark Jake , Tinney C G , Carter B D , Wang Liang , Johnson John Asher , Collins Michaela
Published: December 2019

Our knowledge of the populations and occurrence rates of planets orbiting evolved intermediate-mass stars lags behind that for solar-type stars by at least a decade. Some radial velocity surveys have targeted these low-luminosity giant stars, providing some insights into the properties of their planetary systems. Here, we present the final data release of the Pan-Pacific Planet Search (PPPS), a 5 yr radial velocity survey using the 3.9 m Anglo-Australian Telescope. We present 1293 precise radial velocity measurements for 129 stars, and highlight 6 potential substellar-mass companions, which require additional observations to confirm. Correcting for the substantial incompleteness in the sample, we estimate the occurrence rate of giant planets orbiting low-luminosity giant stars to be approximately 7.8$^{+9.1}_{-3.3}$ per cent. This result is consistent with the frequency of such planets found to orbit main-sequence A-type stars, from which the PPPS stars have evolved.
NaCo polarimetric observations of Sz 91 transitional disc: a remarkable case of dust filtering
Authors: Maucó Karina , Olofsson Johan , Canovas Hector , Schreiber Matthias R , Christiaens Valentin , Bayo Amelia , Zurlo Alice , Cáceres Claudio , Pinte Christophe , Villaver Eva , Girard Julien H , Cieza Lucas , Montesinos Matías
Published: December 2019

We present polarized light observations of the transitional disc around Sz 91 acquired with VLT/NaCo at H (1.7μm) and Ks (2.2μm) bands. We resolve the disc and detect polarized emission up to ∼0.5 arcsec (∼80 au) along with a central cavity at both bands. We computed a radiative transfer model that accounts for the main characteristics of the polarized observations. We found that the emission is best explained by small, porous grains distributed in a disc with a ∼45 au cavity. Previous ALMA observations have revealed a large sub-mm cavity (∼83 au) and extended gas emission from the innermost (<16 au) regions up to almost 400 au from the star. Dynamical clearing by multiple low-mass planets arises as the most probable mechanism for the origin of Sz 91’s peculiar structure. Using new L′-band ADI observations, we can rule out companions more massive than Mp ≥ 8 MJup beyond 45 au assuming hot-start models. The disc is clearly asymmetric in polarized light along the minor axis, with the north side brighter than the south side. Differences in position angle between the disc observed at sub-mm wavelengths with ALMA and our NaCo observations were found. This suggests that the disc around Sz 91 could be highly structured. Higher signal-to-noise near-IR and sub-mm observations are needed to confirm the existence of such structures and to improve the current understanding of the origin of transitional discs.
Rapid luminosity decline and subsequent reformation of the innermost dust distribution in the changing-look AGN Mrk 590
Authors: Kokubo Mitsuru , Minezaki Takeo
Published: December 2019

We examine the long-term optical/near-infrared (NIR) flux variability of a ‘changing-look’ active galactic nucleus (AGN) Mrk 590 between 1998 and 2007. Multiband multi-epoch optical/NIR photometry data from the SDSS Stripe 82 data base and the Multicolor Active Galactic Nuclei Monitoring (MAGNUM) project reveal that Mrk 590 experienced a sudden luminosity decrease during the period from 2000 to 2001. Detection of dust reverberation lag signals between V- and K-band light curves obtained by the MAGNUM project during the faint state in 2003–2007 suggests that the dust torus innermost radius Rdust of Mrk 590 had become very small [Rdust ≃ 32 light-days (lt-days)] by the year 2004 according to the aforementioned significant decrease in AGN luminosity. The Rdust in the faint state is comparable to the H β broad-line region (BLR) radius of RH β, BLR ≃ 26 lt-days measured by previous reverberation mapping observations during the bright state of Mrk 590 in 1990–1996. These observations indicate that the innermost radius of the dust torus in Mrk 590 decreased rapidly after the AGN ultraviolet-optical luminosity drop, and that the replenishment time-scale of the innermost dust distribution is less than 4 yr, which is much shorter than the free fall time-scale of BLR gas or dust clouds. We suggest that rapid replenishment of the innermost dust distribution can be accomplished either by new dust formation in radiatively cooled BLR gas clouds or by new dust formation in the disc atmosphere and subsequent vertical wind from the dusty disc as a result of radiation pressure.
Periodic mode changing in PSR J1048−5832
Authors: Yan W M , Manchester R N , Wang N , Wen Z G , Yuan J P , Lee K J , Chen J L
Published: December 2019

By analysing the data acquired from the Parkes 64-m radio telescope at 1369 MHz, we report on the phase-stationary non-drift amplitude modulation observed in PSR J1048−5832. The high-sensitivity observations revealed that the central and trailing components of the pulse profile of this pulsar switch between a strong mode and a weak mode periodically. However, the leading component remains unchanged. Polarization properties of the strong and weak modes are investigated. Considering the similarity to mode changing, we argue that the periodic amplitude modulation in PSR J1048−5832 is periodic mode changing. The fluctuation spectral analysis showed that the modulation period is very short (∼2.1 s or 17P1), where P1 is the rotation period of the pulsar. We find that this periodic amplitude modulation is hard to explain by existing models that account for the periodic phenomena in pulsars like sub-pulse drifting.
Self-intersection of the fallback stream in tidal disruption events
Authors: Lu Wenbin , Bonnerot Clément
Published: December 2019

We propose a semi-analytical model for the self-intersection of the fallback stream in tidal disruption events (TDEs). When the initial periapsis is less than about 15 gravitational radii, a large fraction of the shocked gas is unbound in the form of a collision-induced outflow (CIO). This is because large apsidal precession causes the stream to self-intersect near the local escape speed at radius much below the apocentre. The rest of the fallback gas is left in more tightly bound orbits and quickly joins the accretion flow. We propose that the CIO is responsible for reprocessing the hard emission from the accretion flow into the optical band. This picture naturally explains the large photospheric radius [or low blackbody (BB) temperature] and typical line widths for optical TDEs. We predict the CIO-reprocessed spectrum in the infrared to be Lν ∝ ν∼0.5, shallower than a BB. The partial sky coverage of the CIO also provides a unification of the diverse X-ray behaviours of optical TDEs. According to this picture, optical surveys filter out a large fraction of TDEs with low-mass blackholes due to lack of a reprocessing layer, and the volumetric rate of optical TDEs is nearly flat wrt. the blackhole mass in the range $M\lesssim 10^7\, \mathrm{M_{\odot }}$. This filtering also causes the optical TDE rate to be lower than the total rate by a factor of ∼10 or more. When the CIO is decelerated by the ambient medium, radio emission at the level of that in ASASSN-14li is produced, but the time-scales and peak luminosities can be highly diverse. Finally, our method paves the way for global simulations of the disc formation process by injecting gas at the intersection point according to the prescribed velocity and density profiles.
Multispectral analysis of the night sky brightness and its origin for the Asiago Observatory, Italy
Authors: Simoneau Alexandre , Aubé Martin , Bertolo Andrea
Published: December 2019

Night protection has been a major concern for astronomers since the electrification of cities and is beginning to be recognized as a major environmental problem. In recent years, regulations have been put in place through the establishment of Dark Sky Reserves that impose stringent constraints on lighting practices for cities in protected areas. Astronomers from the Asiago Observatory, located in the Veneto region of Italy, would like to create an area of this nature around their facilities to improve and protect the quality of their astronomical observations. This study assesses the current state of the sky in the region through numerical modelling using the latest improvements to the ILLUMINA model and aims to identify the main contributing sources of artificial light. The explicit calculation of the contribution of private residential lighting helps to discern the origin of the light. We also present a new approach for extracting an estimate of the distribution of lamp technology in a region from images taken from the International Space Station.
Predialysis fluid overload and gait speed: a repeated measures analysis among patients on chronic dialysis
Authors: Carlos Christopher , Grimes Barbara , Segal Mark , Johansen Kirsten
Published: December 2019

Background

Slow gait speed is associated with hospitalization and death. We examined whether predialysis fluid overload contributes to gait speed impairment.

Methods

We measured predialysis gait speed at baseline and 12 and 24 months among 298 patients recruited in the A Cohort Study to Investigate the Value of Exercise in ESRD/Analyses Designed to Investigate the Paradox of Obesity and Survival in ESRD. We used multivariable linear mixed modeling to examine associations between patient data and gait speed. We then added either bioimpedance-estimated volume of predialysis fluid overload or volume of delivered ultrafiltration to ascertain whether fluid excess was associated with gait speed and its trajectory. We also tested whether fluid overload change with time was predictive of gait speeds.

Results

The mean baseline gait speed was 1.01 m/s and it declined by an average of 0.08 m/s/year. Older age, nonwhite race, Hispanic ethnicity, diabetes, recent fall, recent hospitalization, tobacco use and lower serum albumin were associated with slower gait speed. Each liter of predialysis fluid overload was associated with a 0.02 m/s slower gait speed [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.01–0.04, P = 0.008] and 0.05 m/s additional slowing per year (95% CI 0.03–0.06, P < 0.0001). Higher ultrafiltration volumes were associated with 0.07 m/s slower gait speed per 3% body weight removed (0.002–0.14, P = 0.045) but not with gait speed trajectory (P = 0.08). Patients who increased fluid overload walked 0.08 m/s slower compared with those who decreased fluid overload (95% CI 0.003–0.15, P = 0.04).

Conclusions

Predialysis fluid overload was associated with slower gait speed and gait speed decline over time. Interventions that limit fluid overload may lead to improvements in physical performance.
Perspectives on Spinal Precautions in Patients Who Have Cancer and Spinal Metastasis
Authors: Guo Ying , Ngo-Huang An Thuy , Fu Jack B
Published: December 2019

Bones are the third most common site for cancer metastases, and the axial skeleton is the most frequent skeletal location. In a postmortem study, bone metastases were reported in 70% of breast and prostate cancer patients. Bone metastases from breast, lung, prostate, thyroid, and kidney cancers account for 80% of all bone metastases. Bone lesions exist in 60% of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients. With increasing numbers of people who have survived cancer, many patients with cancer and axial skeletal bony metastases will be seen by physical and occupational therapists. Guidelines are lacking on how to perform physical examinations and provide exercise programs for these patients without compromising the diseased spine. In this article, we discuss the available evidence for similar spinal conditions, the biomechanics of spinal load, and changes associated with posture and weight load. We provide recommendations on how to assess a patient’s strength, how to strengthen without compromising the diseased spine, and how to teach patients to use correct body mechanics during mobility and activities of daily living.
Corporate Innovation and Returns
Authors: Bena Jan , Garlappi Lorenzo
Published: December 2019

Among U.S. public firms, technological innovation is concentrated on a small set of large players, with innovation “leaders” having considerably lower systematic risk than “laggards.” To understand this fact, we build a winner-takes-all patent race model and show that a firm’s expected return decreases in its innovation output and increases in that of its rivals. Using a comprehensive firm-level panel of information on patenting activity by fields of technology in 1950–2010, we find strong support for the model’s predictions. Our results highlight that strategic interactions among firms competing in innovation are an important determinant of risk and expected returns. (JEL G12, G31)

Received August 6, 2018; editorial decision October 19, 2019 by Andrew Ellul. Authors have furnished an Internet Appendix, which is available on the Oxford University Press Web site next to the link to the final published paper online.
Efficacy of fractional CO2 laser treatment in postmenopausal women with genitourinary syndrome: a multicenter study
Authors: Filippini Maurizio , Luvero Daniela , Salvatore Stefano , Pieralli Annalisa , Montera Roberto , Plotti Francesco , Candiani Massimo , Angioli Roberto
Published: December 2019

Objective:

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), especially vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA), is one of the most common conditions among women in either natural (4%-47%) or medically induced (23.4%-61.5%) menopause. The aims of this study are to assess the efficacy and effectiveness of CO2 laser in postmenopausal women with clinical signs and symptoms of GSM, in particular VVA, and to evaluate both possible early and late side effects related to this kind of treatment.

Methods:

This retrospective, multicenter study was conducted after collecting data from a pre-existing database. We performed three to four CO2 laser treatments on all the women enrolled in this protocol. We used a fractional CO2 laser system (SmartXide2 V2LR, Deka m.e.l.a., Florence, Italy) with a VulvoVaginal Laser Reshaping (V2LR) scanning system and appropriate handpieces for the vaginal area. All women before and after the treatment were assessed. The pre- and post-treatment averages of the symptoms, the standard deviation, and the P values were calculated.

Results:

Six hundred forty-five women who met the inclusion criteria were considered. In all the parameters examined (dyspareunia, vaginal orifice pain, dryness/atrophy, itching, burning, pH) statistically significant data were found between the pretreatment and the post-treatment (dryness: before = 8.30, after = 2.97 [P 
< 0.0001], dyspareunia: before = 8.70, after = 3.51 [P 
< 0.0001]; burning: before = 6.12, after = 1.78 [P 
< 0.0001]; vaginal orifice pain: before = 8.07, after = 2.94 [P 
< 0.0001]; itching: before = 6.09, after = 1.32 [P 
< 0.0001]).

Conclusions:

Our results show the effectiveness and a good degree of tolerance of treatment with the CO2 laser system in postmenopausal women with GSM.
Association between physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and body composition with menopausal symptoms in early postmenopausal women
Authors: Moradpour Fatemeh , Koushkie Jahromi Maryam , Fooladchang Mahboobeh , Rezaei Rasoul , Sayar Khorasani Mohammad Reza
Published: December 2019

Objective:

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between daily physical activity (daily activities, exercise, and sitting time), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and body composition (body mass index [BMI], waist to hip ratio [WHR)] with menopausal symptoms and to determine the strongest predictor(s) of menopausal symptoms.

Methods:

The Menopause Rating Scale questionnaire was used to examine somatic, psychological, urogenital, and total symptoms of menopause. The energy expenditure of daily physical activity, exercise, and sitting time was measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and CRF was measured by estimating the maximal oxygen intake (VO2max) through the Rockport test. Statistical methods of the Pearson correlation coefficient and hierarchical multiple linear regression were used for data analysis.

Results:

Fifty-six women, aged 50 to 65 years, voluntarily participated in the study. Exercise energy expenditure was inversely correlated with total (r = −0.403, P = 0.002), somatic (r = −0.293, P = 0.023), and urogenital (r = −0.343, P = 0.009) symptoms of menopause. VO2max was inversely correlated with urogenital symptoms of menopause (r = −0.414, P = 0.002). WHR was positively correlated with somatic symptoms of menopause (r = 0.286, P = 0.032); sitting was correlated with total (r = 0.40, P = 0.002), somatic (r = 0.325, P = 0.015), and psychological (r = 0.274, P = 0.015) symptoms of menopause. Among the study variables, sitting (β=0.365, P = 0.004) and VO2max (β=−0.286, P = 0.030) were the most important predictors of total symptoms of menopause; sitting was the predictor of somatic symptoms (β=0.265, P = 0.045), and VO2max was the predictor of urogenital symptoms of menopause (β=−0.332, P = 0.014). The inclusion of age, BMI, WHR, and duration of menopause as confounding variables in regression analysis did not change the findings related to the predictions of menopausal symptoms.

Conclusion:

Reducing sitting time, improving VO2max, decreasing WHR, and exercise can be recommended by priority to alleviate menopausal symptoms. Considering the small number of participants in this investigation, future studies are, however, recommended.
Bilateral Versus Unilateral Cranialization in the Management of a Breached Frontal Sinus
Authors: Belzberg Micah , Shalom Netanel Ben , Wolff Amir , Huang Judy , Gordon Chad
Published: December 2019

Background:

Frontal sinus breach during craniotomy may occur inadvertently or intentionally. Management of a breached frontal sinus is controversial as numerous operative techniques have been described. Frontal sinus breach may result in life-threatening complications, require additional surgeries, and increase the risk for long-term infectious sequelae. A literature review found a paucity of neurosurgical reports examining breached frontal sinus management or specific analyses of unilateral versus bilateral frontal sinus cranialization.

Objective:

A frontal sinus cranialization technique employed for patients involving frontal sinus breach and analyze outcomes managed with bilateral versus unilateral cranialization was presented in this study.

Methods:

A retrospective review of outcomes was performed using our Institutional Review Board-approved surgical case database between September 2012 and September 2018.

Results:

Thirty-three frontal sinus cranializations following frontal sinus breach were identified. Average follow-up time was 25 months. A statistically significant difference in postoperative infections was observed in patients with a history of previous cranial surgery who underwent unilateral compared to bilateral frontal sinus cranialization.

Conclusion:

These results suggest surgeons performing craniotomy or consulted intraoperatively for suspected frontal sinus breach should have a high suspicion for breached frontal sinus and a low threshold for frontal sinus cranialization. Furthermore, when performing frontal sinus cranialization, surgeons should consider performing bilateral, instead of unilateral, cranialization in patients with a history of previous craniotomy as bilateral cranialization was shown to decrease the risk of postoperative infection.
Diagnosis of Acute Gastroenteritis with Immunochromatography and Effectiveness of Rotavirus Vaccine in a Japanese Clinic
Authors: Kawata Kimiko , Hikita Toshiyuki , Takanashi Sayaka , Hikita Hiroyuki , Ogita Kaori , Okitsu Shoko , Hoque Sheikh Ariful , Phan Tung Gia , Ushijima Hiroshi
Published: December 2019

Despite the well known effectiveness of two licensed live attenuated oral rotavirus (RV)-vaccines, Rotarix and RotaTeq, constant monitoring of vaccine effectiveness (VE) is essential considering the evolving power and reassortment capability of RVs. In this study, we detected RV, norovirus (NV) and adenovirus (AV) infections using immunochromatography (IC)-based kits in children with acute gastroenteritis (AGE) who attended a pediatric clinic in Kiryu city, Gunma, Japan during June, 2014–September, 2018. VEs were determined using a test-negative study design. Among 1658 AGE-children, RV, NV and AV were detected in 96 (5.8 %), 146 (8.8 %) and 46 (2.8 %) children, respectively. Interestingly, the distributions of infections were found to be associated with age and sex. Namely, RV infections were significantly higher in female (P=0.02) and in the 19–30 month age group children, while NV and AV infections predominated in the 13–24 month and 7–18 month age groups, respectively. The disease severity for RV and NV infections remained similar and significantly higher than that of AV infections. The VE of RV-vaccines was 49.8 % (95 % CI: 22.7 to 67.3 %) against all RV infections, which was increased up to 67.2 % (95 % CI: 35.3 to 83.4 %) against severe RV infections. RV-vaccinated children experienced less severe symptoms in RV-infections while non-RV AGE remained less serious for both RV-vaccinated and unvaccinated children. Finally, the prevalence of RV infection remained minimized (≤5.4 %) in this population since 2015. Thus, this study provided important information on distribution of major AGEs in young children and exhibited the effective role of RV vaccines in post-vaccine era.
Distinctive epigenomic alterations in NF1-deficient cutaneous and plexiform neurofibromas drive differential MKK/P38 signaling
Authors: Grit Jamie L. , Johnson Benjamin K. , Dischinger Patrick S. , Essenburg Curt J. , Campbell Stacy , Pollard Kai , Pratilas Christine , Triche Tim J. , Graveel Carrie R. , Steensma Matthew R.
Published: December 2019

Benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors are the clinical hallmark of Neurofibromatosis Type 1. They account for substantial morbidity in NF1 and are difficult to manage. Cutaneous (CNF) and plexiform neurofibromas (PNF) share identical histology, but maintain different growth rates and risk of malignant conversion. The reasons for their disparate clinical behavior are not well explained on the basis of recent genome or transcriptome profiling studies. We hypothesized that CNFs and PNFs are epigenetically distinct tumor types that exhibit differential signaling due to genome-wide and site-specific methylation events. We interrogated the methylation profiles of 45 CNFs and 17 PNFs (Illumina EPIC 850K) using normal tissue controls from NF1 subjects. Based on these profiles, we confirm that CNFs and PNFs are epigenetically distinct tumors with broad differences in higher order chromatin states, and specific methylation events altering genes involved in key biological and cellular processes such as inflammatory mediator regulation of TRP channels, RAS/MAPK signaling, actin cytoskeleton rearrangement, and oxytocin signaling. Based our identification of 2 separate DMRs associated with alternative leading exons inMAP2K3, we demonstrate differential RAS/MKK3/P38 signaling between CNFs and PNFs. Epigenetic reinforcement of RAS/MKK/P38 was a defining characteristic of CNFs leading to pro-inflammatory signaling and chromatin conformational changes, whereas PNFs signaled predominantly through RAS/ERK. Tumor size also correlated with specific CpG methylation events. Taken together, these findings confirm that epigenetic regulation of RAS signaling fates accounts for observed differences in CNF and PNF clinical behavior. CNFs may also respond differently than PNFs to RAS-targeted therapeutics raising the possibility of targeting P38-mediated inflammation for CNF treatment.