bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mode-I fracture toughness evaluation of bio based short areca fibers reinforced polymer composites
Authors: Manjunatha GB , Bharath KN , Harsha H M , Sivaprakash P
Published: October 2020

Naturally accessible materials have recently become appealing to researchers and scientists due to their suitability as an ideal reinforcement for polymer composites reinforced with fiber. Low cost, relatively strong mechanical properties, qualities of non-abrasive and bio-degradability, exploited as a switch to the standard fiber. This research investigates the effect of areca fiber reinforcement of fracture load and fracture toughness. Epoxy resin used as a matrix material. Type I fracture hardness checks are conducted in a universal servo hydraulic control system. The findings revealed a significant improvement in fracture load values and durability of fracture with improved fibre content.
Low Cost Autonomous Driving Architecture using Ultrasonic Sensors and Camera
Authors: Manivannan S , Jagadeesh Kannan R
Published: October 2020

The existing autonomous vehicles cost are very high due to inclusive of various range of LIDAR, RADAR and multiple cameras for autonomous features. The proposed autonomous vehicles can operate at low speed with limited sensors which will cut the cost by half. The purpose of this research is to make an auto driven platform, which can be ported in any electric vehicles. The prototype also has features including a safety system, control panel, route recognition, android device assistance, Wi-Fi, & battery updates. Our study findings are carefully analysed. This leads to less emissions of the electric vehicle powered by man.
Synthesis, characterisation and biological investigation of some third-row elements with halo- substituted coumarin schiff base with N and O as donors
Authors: Patil Pratiba , Betageri Virupaxappa S , Kinnal Shivashankar M , Latha M S
Published: October 2020

The present work involves in the synthesis, spectral characterisation and the biological analysis of the metal complexes which were derived from 3-Chloro-8-formyl-7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin and benzylamine. The molar conductivity values indicated that the complexes are non-electrolytes. Elemental analysis was carried out to assign the [ML2(H2O)2] stoichiometry to the metal complexes, where M=Co (II), Ni (II) and Cu(II) and L=deprotonated ligand. The IR data confirmed coordination of metal ions to the ligand. The presence of a coordinated water molecule was investigated by thermal studies and the electronic spectral results were helpful in assigning the geometry to synthesised complexes. The both Schiff base and the derived metal complexes were subjected various biological activities to check their potency.
Probabilistic Analysis of Dynamic Power and Area in Network on Chip
Authors: Ramesh G P
Published: October 2020

The power used by digital integrated circuits has become a key restriction for the design and development of VLSI as the device complexity and transistor density increase. Clock-gate synthesis methods are applied to circuits to prune changes in registers by modifying the next-state register functions in order to reduce complex power dissipations. Therefore, a sequential inspection of the circuits is needed for testing this form of synthesis. A new design to increase the efficiency of network-on-chip buffers and minimize the overall area and power consumption of the router is proposed. The non-uniform use of buffers in the network is leveraged, and control is used in unusual buffers. A part of the buffer is turned on instead of shutting down the buffer completely. For some recent studies, power-gating inactive components have been used as a promising approach to minimize static and dynamic power consumption, although its disadvantages, like wake-up delay and power overhead, should also be properly addressed. Throughout this work, a probabilistic experiment was carried out to estimate the power-gating performance and a control unit was proposed to handle the confirmation of the sleep signal to buffer entries based on the results of the study. The analysis results show an average increase in static power savings. For the research community to tackle the Contest of improved power performance and efficiency, including control gate, operating insulation, storage slicing, power gate and intensity scaling, respectively. The analysis is also examined other systems and strategies for optimization built to reduce power further without noticeable loss of performance.
Congestion and SINR Evaluation for Improving Traffic Capacity in Ad Hoc Wireless Networks
Authors: Nandakumar S D , Thirunadana Sikamani K
Published: October 2020

More than the several years, multi-hop wireless ad hoc network shave obtained significant attention. This network is usual to have pervasive pertinences for the intention of transactions as well as disseminated calculation. Generally, the ad hoc network uses the hybrid routing protocols to handle the traffic flow in the network. However, the hybrid protocols did not consider the congestion related problems. Therefore, we propose Congestion and Signal to Interference Noise Ratio (SINR) Evaluation for Improving Traffic Capacity in Ad Hoc Wireless Networks (CETC) aiming to maximize the throughput and improve the energy efficiency. In this scheme, the congestion measurement is used to evaluate demanding time for determining a route with an expected lower level congestion. In addition, the SINR measurement is used to determine the node link performance. Thus, it improves the energy-efficiency and network throughput. The Simulation results show that the proposed CETC improves the network performance and reduce the delay as well as energy consumption.
Forecast Function Based Congestion Control in MANET Routing
Authors: Suresh G , Kumar Senthil , Kavitha V , Lekashri S
Published: October 2020

In a MANET, there is not necessitating arrange any structure to create nodes to transmit with every other. The recurrent updates of the topography as well as the mutual scenery of the wireless channel create important disputes. Hence, several congestion control methods have been introduced. MANETs have a numerous of approaches to encourage the routing function through inactive as well as active routing schemes. Though, there is not an enduring resolution which subsists to resolve the fundamental congestion trouble in the MANETs. This paper proposes a Forecast function based Congestion Control in MANET Routing (FFCC). In this scheme, the congestion rate is applied for measuring the highest congested node and isolates that node. Next we choose the less congested node thus the data reach the destination correctly. In addition, the Forecasts Congestion Rate is used to predict the congested node perfectly based on the five transactions. Thus transmits the data via less congested route efficiently. Network simulator is applied for examine the simulation experiments. The results demonstrate the minimized network delay as enhances the network throughput
Non-covalent binding and selective fluorescent sensing of dipyrone with a carbocyanine dye and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide
Authors: Zakharenkova Sofia A , Kriveleva Anna S , Katkova Ekaterina A , Doroshenko Irina A , Polovkov Nikolai Yu , Podrugina Tatyana A , Beklemishev Mikhail K
Published: October 2020

The work is aimed at the search of selective fluorescent sensors without using specific artificial receptors, antibodies, enzymes etc. With this end in view, methods based on non-covalent binding of target analytes are sought. We observed dramatic changes in the emission spectrum of a carbocyanine dye in a micellar surfactant solution (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, CTAB) in the presence of dipyrone (metamizol, analgin): the 480 nm band intensity increases with a simultaneous decrease in intensity in near-IR region (720 nm). MALDI and NMR-1H data show the intact molecules of dipyrone and the dye. The detection can be performed in the presence of other organic species and inorganic salts. Dipyrone testing is feasible within 5 × 10–7–5 × 10–4 M with RSDs of 3.5% by using a visualizer instead of a spectrofluorimeter.
Reduced equations for an active model of hydroelastic waves in the cochlea
Authors: Rubinstein Jacob , Sternberg Peter
Published: October 2020

Building upon our earlier passive models for the cochlea (see L. Peres Hari, J. Rubinstein, and P. Sternberg [Quart. Appl. Math. 74 (2016), no. 4, 647–670] and J. Rubinstein and P. Sternberg [Pure Appl. Funct. Anal. 5 (2020), no. 2, 457–471]), here we enhance the model with an active mechanism. Starting with a one-chamber simplification leading to a system of a time-dependent PDE in two spatial variables for the pressure coupled to a PDE in one spatial variable for the oscillation of the basilar membrane, we rigorously establish the validity of a dimension reduction to a system to two ODE’s. We then present numerical simulations demonstrating the ability of this reduced active system to distinguish and amplify multi-frequency input signals.
Simultaneous Measurement of Sex Steroid Hormones in Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) Plasma by Application of Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Dang Viet D
Published: October 2020

Sex steroid hormones are potential biomarkers of reproductive function in teleost fish, but their measurement continues to rely on antibody-based assays. The objective of this study was to optimize a robust and simultaneous liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method for measurement of eight steroid hormones (cortisol, 11-ketotestosterone, estradiol, 17α-ethynyl estradiol, estrone, estriol, progesterone and testosterone) in fish plasma. The extraction was followed by liquid–liquid extraction with tert-butyl methyl ether and time scheduled multi-reaction monitoring (sMRM) was used for quantitation of steroids. Validation of method performance using charcoal-stripped human plasma showed extraction recoveries for eight steroids ranged from 85.5 to 108.2% with matrix effects > 80%. The limits of quantitation were 0.01 pg/μL for testosterone, 0.05 pg/μL for cortisol and progesterone, 0.1 pg/μL for 11-ketotestosterone, estradiol and estrone, 0.125 pg/μL for estriol and 0.25 pg/μL for 17α-ethynyl estradiol. The proposed method was applied to plasma samples of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) collected from contaminated (Lake Apopka) and reference sites (Wildcate Lake) in Florida. Concentrations of testosterone, cortisol, estradiol and estrone were significantly different in female fish, but plasma concentration of cortisol was only statistically different in male fish between two sites (P < 0.05). This study demonstrates the application of a robust LC–MS/MS analysis for a range of sex steroid hormones representative of endocrine function in a top predator, largemouth bass.
Perspectives on implementing a quality improvement collaborative to improve person-centered care for maternal and reproductive health in Kenya
Authors: Giessler Katie , Seefeld Avery , Montagu Dominic , Phillips Beth , Mwangi James , Munson Meghan , Green Cathy , Opot James , Golub Ginger
Published: October 2020

Absrtact

Objective

To understand perspectives and experiences related to participation in a quality improvement collaborative (QIC) to improve person-centered care (PCC) for maternal health and family planning (FP) in Kenya.

Design and setting

Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with members of the QIC in four public health facilities in Kenya.

Participants

Clinical and nonclinical public health facility staff who had participated in the QIC were purposively sampled to participate in the semi-structured interviews.

Intervention

A QIC was implemented across four public health facilities in Nairobi and Kiambu Counties in Kenya to improve PCC experiences for women seeking maternity or FP services.

Main outcome measure

Semi-structured interviews with participants of the QIC to understand perspectives and experiences associated with sensitization to and implementation of PCC behaviors in maternity and FP services.

Results

Respondents reported that sensitization to PCC principles resulted in multiple perceived benefits for staff and patients alike, including improved interactions with patients and clients, deeper awareness of patient and client preferences, and improved interpersonal skills and greater job satisfaction. Respondents also highlighted system-level challenges that impeded their ability to consistently provide high-quality PCC to women, namely staff shortages and frequent turnover, high patient volumes and lack of space in their respective health facilities.

Conclusion

Respondents were easily able to articulate perceived benefits derived from participation in this QIC, although they were equally able to identify challenges that hindered their ability to consistently provide high-quality PCC to women seeking maternity or FP services.
Trust and medical AI: the challenges we face and the expertise needed to overcome them
Authors: Quinn Thomas P , Senadeera Manisha , Jacobs Stephan , Coghlan Simon , Le Vuong
Published: October 2020

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly of tremendous interest in the medical field. How-ever, failures of medical AI could have serious consequences for both clinical outcomes and the patient experience. These consequences could erode public trust in AI, which could in turn undermine trust in our healthcare institutions. This article makes 2 contributions. First, it describes the major conceptual, technical, and humanistic challenges in medical AI. Second, it proposes a solution that hinges on the education and accreditation of new expert groups who specialize in the development, verification, and operation of medical AI technologies. These groups will be required to maintain trust in our healthcare institutions.
Learning health systems, embedded research, and data standards—recommendations for healthcare system leaders
Authors: Richesson Rachel L
Published: October 2020

Learning health systems that conduct embedded research require infrastructure for the seamless adoption of clinical interventions; this infrastructure should integrate with electronic health record (EHR) systems and enable the use of existing data. As purchasers of EHR systems, and as critical partners, sponsors, and consumers of embedded research, healthcare organizations should advocate for EHR system functionality and data standards that will increase the capacity for embedded research in clinical settings. As stakeholders and proponents for EHR data standards, healthcare leaders should support standards development and promote local adoption to support quality healthcare, continuous improvement, innovative data-driven interventions, and the generation of new knowledge. “Standards-enabled” health systems will be positioned to address emergent and critical research questions, including those related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and future public health threats. The role of a data standards officer or champion could enable health systems to realize this goal.
Face Fly (Diptera: Muscidae)—Biology, Pest Status, Current Management Prospects, and Research Needs
Authors: Trout Fryxell R T , Moon R D , Boxler D J , Watson D W
Published: October 2020

Native to Europe and Central Asia, face flies (Musca autumnalis De Geer, Diptera: Muscidae) were unintentionally introduced into North America and became pests of pastured beef cattle, dairy cattle, and horses. Female and male flies use their sponging proboscis with prestomal teeth to feed around moist, mucus membranes of an animal’s face and other body parts. While feeding, face flies agitate livestock and elicit defensive behaviors (e.g., ear flapping, head shaking and batting, hiding in deep shade, and adjustment of grazing), and they can transmit eye-inhabiting nematodes and pathogenic bacteria that cause pinkeye. Face flies can be partially controlled with feed-through insecticides that prevent development of face fly maggots in fresh cattle dung pats. Adults can be partially controlled with repellents and insecticides applied directly to animals. Trap-out tactics can be effective and may involve sticky traps placed around high animal traffic areas, such as waterers and feeders in pastures, dairy entryways, or wherever else livestock congregate in pastures. A review of the insect biology and life stages, physical and economic damages, surveillance strategies, and management options for the face fly is presented.
Do technological advances reduce the gender wage gap?
Authors: Cortes Guido Matias , Oliveira Ana , Salomons Anna
Published: October 2020

Gender wage gaps in developed economies have narrowed substantially in past decades: these changes are driven by institutional, cultural, and economic factors. A key economic driver shaping modern labour markets is technological change, yet there is a paucity of evidence on its direct impact on gender wage disparities. We study this question by considering how men and women are differentially exposed to the structural employment and wage changes across occupations associated with advancing technology, and how this has impacted gender wage gaps since the mid-1980s for two countries, Portugal and the United States. Our findings suggest that while women have generally been less exposed to the automation of work, this has not always led to declining gender wage gaps: at times, women have transitioned to jobs where wage levels or wage growth were lower. Non-technological changes appear at least as important in understanding the evolution of the gender wage gap.
Demand Effects in the FX Forward Market: Micro Evidence from Banks’ Dollar Hedging
Authors: Puriya Abbassi , Bräuning Falk
Published: October 2020

Using contract-level supervisory data, we show that dollar forward sales by non-U.S. banks that are initiated at the end of a quarter and mature shortly after it concludes trade at higher prices and higher volumes. These effects are driven by banks with large net on-balance-sheet dollar assets that they can hedge around quarter ends by selling dollars forward (increasing off-balance-sheet short positions), which suggests regulatory arbitrage to reduce capital charges for open foreign exchange (FX) exposure. Our results indicate that demand effects related to banks’ management of FX exposure are an important driver of deviations from covered interest rate parity.
Contrasting functional strategies following severe drought in two Mediterranean oaks with different leaf habit:Quercus fagineaandQuercus ilexsubsp.rotundifolia
Authors: Alonso-Forn David , Peguero-Pina José Javier , Ferrio Juan Pedro , Mencuccini Maurizio , Mendoza-Herrer Óscar , Sancho-Knapik Domingo , Gil-Pelegrín Eustaquio
Published: October 2020

Nowadays, evergreen sclerophyllous and winter-deciduous malacophyllous oaks with different paleogeographical origins coexist under Mediterranean-type climates, such as the mixed forests of the evergreen Quercus ilex subsp. rotundifolia Lam. and the winter-deciduous Quercus faginea Lam. Both Mediterranean oaks constitute two examples of contrasting leaf habit, so it could be expected that they would have different functional strategies to cope with summer drought. In this study, we analysed photosynthetic, photochemical and hydraulic traits of different organs for Q. faginea and Q. ilex subsp. rotundifolia under well-watered conditions and subjected to very severe drought. The coordinated response between photosynthetic and hydraulic traits explained the higher photosynthetic capacity of Q. faginea under well-watered conditions, which compensated its shorter leaf life span at the expense of higher water consumption. The progressive imposition of water stress evidenced that both types of Mediterranean oaks displayed different functional strategies to cope with water limitations. Specifically, the decrease in mesophyll conductance associated with edaphic drought seems to be the main factor explaining the differences found in the dynamics of net CO2 assimilation throughout the drought period. The sharp decline in photosynthetic traits of Q. faginea was coupled with a strong decrease in shoot hydraulic conductance in response to drought. This fact probably avoided extensive xylem embolism in the stems (i.e., ‘vulnerability segmentation’), which enabled new leaf development after drought period in Q. faginea. By contrast, leaves of Q. ilex subsp. rotundifolia showed effective photoprotective mechanisms and high resistance to drought-induced cavitation, which would be related with the longer leaf life span of the evergreen Mediterranean oaks. The co-occurrence of both types of Mediterranean oaks could be related to edaphic conditions that ensure the maintenance of soil water potential above critical values for Q. faginea, which can be severely affected by soil degradation and climate change.
Effect of 6-Methoxy-2-Benzoxazolinone (MBOA) on Pythium Species and Corn Seedling Growth and Disease
Authors: Acharya J. , Kaspar T. C. , Robertson A. E.
Published: October 2020

Corn yield reduction following a cereal rye cover crop has been attributed to, among other factors, allelochemicals released from decomposing cereal rye residue. The allelopathic effect of 6-methoxy-2-benzoxazolinone (MBOA) was evaluated on corn seedling growth, mycelial growth of seven pathogenic species of Pythium, and root rot of corn seedlings caused by Pythium spp. at 13, 16, and 22 to 23°C (room temperature) using a plate assay. Mycelial growth of all Pythium spp. tested was slower with MBOA at 0.25 mg/ml compared with MBOA at 0.125 and 0.0625 mg/ml and the check (4% V8 juice medium containing neomycin sulfate and chloramphenicol with 0.5% dimethyl sulfoxide). Therefore, no further tests were done with MBOA at 0.25 mg/ml. In general, MBOA reduced corn radicle length and did not cause root rot across all temperatures. However, greater root rot severity in corn was observed on corn seedlings grown in the presence of Pythium lutarium and P. oopapillum on media amended with MBOA compared with the check at all temperatures. Similarly, more root rot caused by P. torulosum and P. spinosum was observed when MBOA was present at 16°C compared with the check with no MBOA. These data suggest that corn seedling disease caused by Pythium spp. could be more severe when corn is planted following a cover crop of winter cereal rye due to the presence of allelochemicals that are released from the cover crop.
Orbital Hemorrhagic Necrosis, Globe Rupture, and Death From Intraorbital Injection of 1% Sodium Deoxycholate in a Murine Model
Authors: Blessing Nathan W. , Chen Ying , Choi Catherine J. , Kanokkantapong Jugchawin , Tao Wensi , Pelaez Daniel , Lee Bradford W.
Published: October 2020

Purpose:

Deoxycholic acid (DCA) 1% is an injectable detergent indicated for submental fat reduction, although clinically it is being injected off-label for orbital fat prolapse. It is known to cause severe inflammation, local nerve dysfunction, and tissue necrosis, all of which could be catastrophic in the orbit and periocular region. This study evaluated the effects of periocular DCA on orbital and ocular adnexal tissues in a murine model.

Methods:

Mice were treated via split-face intraorbital injections, subcutaneous injections, and topical cornea application with DCA versus phosphate-buffered saline. Whole heads were fixed, decalcified, and sectioned for orbital histology after 1–7 days. Matched pairs of human globes and mouse globes were immersed in either phosphate-buffered saline or 1% DCA for 72 hours.

Results:

Six of 11 mice receiving intraorbital DCA injections died within minutes. Surviving mice developed severe orbital inflammatory necrosis. All orbits injected with phosphate-buffered saline were clinically and histologically normal. Six mice were treated with lower concentrations of DCA and all developed variable amounts of orbital inflammation, hemorrhage, and globe necrosis. Mice receiving subcutaneous DCA injection to the lower eyelid showed inflammatory necrosis, edema, and lid malposition. Topical application of DCA to mouse corneas caused no external or histologic changes. Human and mouse globes immersed ex vivo in DCA developed corneal edema and cataract formation without observable scleral changes.

Conclusion:

Intraorbital and periocular injection of DCA can cause devastating complications in a murine model, and significant caution is advised for off-label use in the periocular region.
Impact of a Digital Diabetes Prevention Program on Risk Factors for Chronic Disease in a Workforce Cohort
Authors: Birse Charles E. , Shiffman Dov , Satish Anita , Fragala Maren S. , Arellano Andre R. , Sweet Cynthia M. Castro , Lagier Robert J.
Published: October 2020

Objective:

Evaluate the effect of a digital Diabetes Prevention Program (dDPP) on chronic disease risk factors in a workplace population.

Methods:

dDPP participants were employees and spouses with BMI ≥ 24 kg/m2 and prediabetes or diabetes (n = 84). Annual change in risk factors before and after dDPP were assessed in the dDPP group and in a retrospectively identified matched control group drawn from those who participated in a dDPP after the conclusion of this study (n = 252).

Results:

In the dDPP group, body weight, BMI, fasting glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol decreased in the post-dDPP period compared with the pre-dDPP period (P < 0.05). In the control group, no difference between the annual change before and after dDPP was observed (P > 0.37).

Conclusion:

The dDPP was effective in reducing risk factors for chronic disease in a workplace setting.
Adolescent Spinal Pain-Related Absenteeism as an Antecedent for Early Adulthood Work Presenteeism
Authors: Beales Darren , Coenen Pieter , Smith Anne , Harris Mark , Pransky Glenn , O'Sullivan Peter , Straker Leon
Published: October 2020

Objectives:

This study investigated spinal pain-related absenteeism at age 17 as a potential precursor to work presenteeism at age 23.

Methods:

A longitudinal study was performed with Raine Study Gen2 participants (n = 451). Spinal pain-related absenteeism from school/work was collected at the 17 year follow-up. Presenteeism (due to ill-health or any other reason) was collected quarterly during one year around the age of 23. Zero-inflated binominal regression analysis was conducted.

Results:

Participants with adolescent spinal pain-related absenteeism reported higher work presenteeism in early adulthood than those without pain (155.7 h/y compared to 77.7 h/y), with an incident rate ratio (95% confidence interval) of 1.41 (1.04 to 1.92) after adjusting for sex, occupational class and multimorbidity count.

Conclusions:

Targeting factors associated with absenteeism behaviours during early life may have significant benefits for future work productivity.
Do Milestone Ratings Predict Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Board Certification Examination Scores?
Authors: Francisco Gerard E. , Yamazaki Kenji , Raddatz Mikaela , Sabharwal Sunil , Robinson Lawrence , Kinney Carolyn , Holmboe Eric
Published: October 2020

The Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education developed the Milestones to assist training programs in assessing resident physicians in the context of their participation in Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education–accredited training programs. Biannual assessments are done over a resident’s entire training period to define the trajectory in achieving specialty-specific competencies. As part of its process of initial certification, the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation requires successful completion of two examinations administered approximately 9 mos apart. The Part I Examination measures a single dimensional construct, physical medicine and rehabilitation medical knowledge, whereas Part II assesses the application of medical and physiatric knowledge to multiple domains, including data acquisition, problem solving, patient management, systems-based practice, and interpersonal and communication skills through specific patient case scenarios. This study aimed to investigate the validity of the Milestones by demonstrating its association with performance in the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation certifying examinations. A cohort of 233 physical medicine and rehabilitation trainees in 3-yr residency programs (postgraduate year 2 entry) in the United States from academic years 2014–2016, who also took the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Parts I and II certifying examinations between 2016 and 2018, were included in the study. Milestones ratings in four distinct observation periods were correlated with scores in the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Parts I and II Examinations. Milestones ratings of medical knowledge (but not patient care, professionalism, problem-based learning, interpersonal and communication skills, and systems-based practice) predicted performance in subsequent Part I American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Examination, but none of the Milestone ratings correlated with Part II Examination scaled scores.
Outcome in young adults who were diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome in childhood and adolescence
Authors: Wong Becky J. , Yoon Isabel A. , Krane Elliot J.
Published: October 2020

Introduction:

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a neuropathic pain condition of unknown etiology. Little is known of long-term outcomes of young adults who were diagnosed with CRPS as children.

Methods:

In this study, surveys were mailed to adults who were treated for childhood CRPS at the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital between 1994 and 2018. Completed surveys were analyzed for pain symptoms. Health-related quality-of-life surveys, the Optum SF-8, were analyzed based on norm-based scoring.

Results:

This study had a 50% response rate. Patients were treated with physical and occupational therapy, peripheral or sympathetic nerve blocks, medication for neuropathic pain, and psychotherapy. Sixty-eight percent of the subjects reported pain. Each 1-year increase in the patient's age at the time of CRPS diagnosis increased the odds of having at least mild pain as an adult by 61% (P = 0.005). Most patients had slightly lower quality-of-life scores than the US population average in both the mental component score (43.4, 95%, confidence interval 3.4) and the physical component score (44.4, 95%, confidence interval 3.3).

Conclusions:

Young adults in our sample had long-lasting pain symptoms. More than two-thirds of adult patients reported some degree of pain, and these patients had a lower quality of life. Encouraging was that the majority did not have CRPS spreading to other areas, and their pain did not warrant further treatment. Understanding long-term outcomes may lead to risk stratification earlier in the disease to improve future quality of life.
Employment by HIV status, mode of HIV transmission and migrant status: a nation-wide population-based study
Authors: Carlander Christina , Wagner Philippe , Yilmaz Aylin , Sparén Pär , Svedhem Veronica
Published: October 2020

Objective:

To compare employment in people by HIV status, mode of HIV transmission and migrant status.

Design:

Nation-wide population-based register data from 1996 to 2016.

Methods:

All people born between 1940 and 2000 (n = 8587 629) were identified from the Swedish Total Population Register and linked to the Swedish National HIV Register (n = 9492) and Longitudinal Integration Database for Health Insurance and Labour Market Studies. Adjusted prevalence ratios (adjPR) of employment were calculated using Poisson regression. Trends in employment were illustrated in scatterplots with overlaid prediction plots.

Results:

People with HIV were less likely employed than HIV-negative but with decreasing difference over time [adjPR 0.57, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.54–0.60 in 1996, adjPR 0.84, 95% CI 0.83–0.86 in 2016]. Female migrants with HIV had the highest increase of employment over time and were more likely employed than HIV-negative female migrants by end of follow-up (adjPR 1.12, 95% CI 1.08–1.16). Swedish-born with present/former intravenous drug use had the lowest employment rates. Individuals with undetectable HIV-RNA viral levels showed higher employment rates (adjPR 1.29, 95% CI 1.20–1.38) compared with those with detectable viral levels.

Conclusion:

Employment in people living with HIV (PLWH) increased over time but remained lower than for HIV-negative people. HIV was not associated with lower employment in migrants by end of follow-up, indicating that HIV is not a barrier for employment among migrants in Sweden. The heterogeneity of PLWH needs to be taken into account in interventions, and future studies, focusing on access to the labour market in PLWH.
Establishment and function of chromatin modification at enhancers
Authors: Tafessu Amanuel , Banaszynski Laura A.
Published: October 2020

How a single genome can give rise to distinct cell types remains a fundamental question in biology. Mammals are able to specify and maintain hundreds of cell fates by selectively activating unique subsets of their genome. This is achieved, in part, by enhancers—genetic elements that can increase transcription of both nearby and distal genes. Enhancers can be identified by their unique chromatin signature, including transcription factor binding and the enrichment of specific histone post-translational modifications, histone variants, and chromatin-associated cofactors. How each of these chromatin features contributes to enhancer function remains an area of intense study. In this review, we provide an overview of enhancer-associated chromatin states, and the proteins and enzymes involved in their establishment. We discuss recent insights into the effects of the enhancer chromatin state on ongoing transcription versus their role in the establishment of new transcription programmes, such as those that occur developmentally. Finally, we highlight the role of enhancer chromatin in new conceptual advances in gene regulation such as condensate formation.
Maraviroc as a potential HIV-1 latency-reversing agent in cell line models and ex vivo CD4 T cells
Authors: Vicenti Ilaria , Dragoni Filippo , Monti Martina , Trombetta Claudia Maria , Giannini Alessia , Boccuto Adele , Saladini Francesco , Rossetti Barbara , De Luca Andrea , Ciabattini Annalisa , Pastore Gabiria , Medaglini Donata , Orofino Giancarlo , Montomoli Emanuele , Zazzi Maurizio
Published: October 2020

Recent studies have suggested that the CCR5 antagonist maraviroc (MVC) may exert an HIV-1 latency reversal effect. This study aimed at defining MVC-mediated induction of HIV-1 in three cell line latency models and inex vivoCD4 T cells from six patients with suppressed viraemia. HIV-1 induction was evaluated in TZM-bl cells by measuring HIV-1 LTR-driven luciferase expression, and in ACH-2 and U1 latently infected cell lines by measuring cell-free (CFR) and cell-associated (CAR) HIV-1 RNA by qPCR. NF-κB p65 was quantified in nuclear extracts by immunodetection. Inex vivoCD4 T cells, CAR, CFR and cell-associated DNA (CAD) were quantified at baseline and 1–7–14 days post-induction (T1, T7, T14). At T7 and T14, the infectivity of the CD4 T cells co-cultured with MOLT-4/CCR5 target cells was evaluated in the TZM-bl assay (TZA). Results were expressed as fold activation (FA) with respect to untreated cells. No LTR activation was observed in TZM-bl cells at any MVC concentration. NF-κB activation was only modestly upregulated (1.6±0.4) in TZM-bl cells with 5 µM MVC. Significant FA of HIV-1 expression was only detected at 80 µM MVC, namely on HIV-1 CFR in U1 (3.1±0.9;P=0.034) and ACH-2 cells (3.9±1.4;P=0.037). CFR was only weakly stimulated at 20 µM in ACH-2 (1.7±1.0 FA) cells and at 5 µM in U1 cells (1.9±0.5 FA). Although no consistent pattern of MVC-mediated activation was observed inex vivoexperiments, substantial FA values were detected sparsely on individual samples with different parameters. Notably, in one sample, MVC stimulated all parameters at T7 (2.3±0.2 CAD, 6.8±3.7 CAR, 18.7±16.7 CFR, 7.3±0.2 TZA). In conclusion, MVC variably induces HIV-1 production in some cell line models not previously used to test its latency reversal potential. Inex vivoCD4 T cells, MVC may exert patient-specific HIV-1 induction; however, clinically relevant patterns, if any, remain to be defined.
Myofibrillar Structural Variability Underlies Contractile Function in Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes
Authors: Ufford Kathryn , Friedline Sabrina , Tong Zhaowen , Tang Vi T. , Dobbs Amani S. , Tsan Yao-Chang , Bielas Stephanie L. , Liu Allen P. , Helms Adam S.
Published: October 2020

Disease modeling and pharmaceutical testing using cardiomyocytes derived from induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC-CMs) requires accurate assessment of contractile function. Micropatterning iPSC-CMs on elastic substrates controls cell shape and alignment to enable contractile studies, but determinants of intrinsic variability in this system have been incompletely characterized. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of myofibrillar structure on contractile function in iPSC-CMs. Automated analysis of micropatterned iPSC-CMs labeled with a cell permeant F-actin dye revealed that myofibrillar abundance is widely variable among iPSC-CMs and strongly correlates with contractile function. This variability is not reduced by subcloning from single iPSCs and is independent of iPSC-CM purification method. Controlling for myofibrillar structure reduces false positive findings related to batch effect and improves sensitivity for pharmacologic testing and disease modeling. This analysis provides compelling evidence that myofibrillar structure should be assessed concurrently in studies investigating contractile function in iPSC-CMs.
Heterogeneous Mediation Analysis on Epigenomic PTSD and Traumatic Stress in a Predominantly African American Cohort
Authors: Xue Fei , Tang Xiwei , Kim Grace , Koenen Karestan C. , Martin Chantel L. , Galea Sandro , Wildman Derek , Uddin Monica , Qu Annie
Published: October 2020

DNA methylation (DNAm) has been suggested to play a critical role in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), through mediating the relationship between trauma and PTSD. However, this underlying mechanism of PTSD for African Americans still remains unknown. To fill this gap, in this paper, we investigate how DNAm mediates the effects of traumatic experiences on PTSD symptoms in the Detroit Neighborhood Health Study (DNHS) (2008–2013) which involves primarily African Americans adults. To achieve this, we develop a new mediation analysis approach for high-dimensional potential DNAm mediators. A key novelty of our method is that we consider heterogeneity in mediation effects across sub-populations. Specifically, mediators in different sub-populations could have opposite effects on the outcome, and thus could be difficult to identify under a traditional homogeneous model framework. In contrast, the proposed method can estimate heterogeneous mediation effects and identifies sub-populations in which individuals share similar effects. Simulation studies demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms existing methods for both homogeneous and heterogeneous data. We also present our mediation analysis results of a dataset with 125 participants and more than 450, 000 CpG sites from the DNHS study. The proposed method finds three sub-groups of subjects and identifies DNAm mediators corresponding to genes such asHSP90AA1andNFATC1which have been linked to PTSD symptoms in literature. Our finding could be useful in future finer-grained investigation of PTSD mechanism and in the development of new treatments for PTSD.
Disinhibitory and neuromodulatory regulation of hippocampal synaptic plasticity
Authors: Guerreiro Inês , Gu Zhenglin , Yakel Jerrel L. , Gutkin Boris S.
Published: October 2020

Hippocampal synaptic plasticity, particularly in the Schaffer collateral (SC) to CA1 pyramidal excitatory transmission, is considered as the cellular mechanism underlying learning. The CA1 pyramidal neurons are embedded in an intricate local circuitry that contains a variety of interneurons. The roles these interneurons play in the regulation of the excitatory synaptic plasticity remains largely understudied. Our recent experiments showed that repeated cholinergic activation of α7 nACh receptors expressed in oriens-lacunosum-moleculare (OLMα2) interneurons could induce LTP in SC-CA1 synapses, likely through disinhibition by inhibiting stratum radiatum (s.r.) interneurons that provide feedforward inhibition onto CA1 pyramidal neurons, revealing a potential mechanism for local interneurons to regulate SC-CA1 synaptic plasticity. Here, we pairin vitrostudies with biophysically-based modeling to uncover the mechanisms through which cholinergic-activated GABAergic interneurons can disinhibit CA1 pyramidal cells, and how repeated disinhibition modulates hippocampal plasticity at the excitatory synapses. We found that α7 nAChR activation increases OLM activity. OLM neurons, in turn inhibit the fast-spiking interneurons that provide feedforward inhibition onto CA1 pyramidal neurons. This disinhibition, paired with tightly timed SC stimulation, can induce potentiation at the excitatory synapses of CA1 pyramidal neurons. Our work further describes the pairing of disinhibition with SC stimulation as a general mechanism for the induction of hippocampal synaptic plasticity.

Disinhibition of the excitatory synapses, paired with SC stimulation, leads to increased NMDAR activation and intracellular calcium concentration sufficient to upregulate AMPAR permeability and potentiate the synapse. Repeated paired disinhibition of the excitatory synapse leads to larger and longer lasting increases of the AMPAR permeability. Our study thus provides a novel mechanism for inhibitory interneurons to directly modify glutamatergic synaptic plasticity. In particular, we show how cholinergic action on OLM interneurons can down-regulate the GABAergic signaling onto CA1 pyramidal cells, and how this shapes local plasticity rules. We identify paired disinhibition with SC stimulation as a general mechanism for the induction of hippocampal synaptic plasticity.
UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase 2, a regulator of glycosylation and glycogen, is essential for pancreatic cancer growth
Authors: Wolfe Andrew L. , Zhou Qingwen , Toska Eneda , Galeas Jacqueline , Ku Angel A. , Koche Richard P. , Bandyopadhyay Sourav , Scaltriti Maurizio , Lebrilla Carlito B. , McCormick Frank , Kim Sung Eun
Published: October 2020

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs) have enhanced nutrient uptake requirements and rapid metabolic processing. The enzyme UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase 2 (UGP2) rests at the convergence of multiple metabolic pathways, however the role of UGP2 in tumor maintenance and cancer metabolism remains unclear. Here, we identify an essential role for UGP2 in the maintenance of PDAC growth in bothin vitroandin vivotumor models. Transcription of UGP2 is directly regulated by the YAP/TEAD complex. Loss of UGP2 leads to decreased intracellular glycogen and defects in N-glycosylation targets important for cell growth including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). In murine xenograft models, knockdown of UGP2 halted tumor growth and repressed expression of EGFR. The critical roles of UGP2 in cancer maintenance, metabolism, and protein glycosylation may offer new avenues of therapy for otherwise intractable PDACs.

Impact Statement

Convergent findings reveal that UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase 2 has a central role in growth and metabolism of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas, highlighting novel therapeutic possibilities for this deadly cancer.
Once and future purchasing power, the yellow vests and populist economics
Authors: Richardson Jacques G.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand a spontaneous movement of social mobilization and protest known as the yellow vests and their unrelenting demand for increased buying power.

Design/methodology/approach

A capsule history of France and the universal struggle for a living wage lead to a post-Marxian process of intensified civic action to support the universal aims of well-being and fair play.

Findings

The yellow vests appear to be assuming the proportions of an unorthodox labor fraternity, a novel pressure network transcending the usual time-and-money quests of integrated trade unions.

Research limitations/implications

Little attention is paid to the changing nature of employment, work itself and labor competitiveness. These require further research.

Originality/value

Internal and external factors are identified, combining to explain the lack of discipline and orderly evolution by both animators and demonstrators.
Antecedents for enhanced level of cyber-security in organisations
Authors: Kumar Saurabh , Biswas Baidyanath , Bhatia Manjot Singh , Dora Manoj
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The present study aims to identify and investigate the antecedents of enhanced level of cyber-security at the organisational level from both the technical and the human resource perspective using human–organisation–technology (HOT) theory.

Design/methodology/approach

The study has been conducted on 151 professionals who have expertise in dealing with cyber-security in organisations in sectors such as retail, education, healthcare, etc. in India. The analysis of the data is carried out using partial least squares based structural equation modelling technique (PLS-SEM).

Findings

The results from the study suggest that “legal consequences” and “technical measures” adopted for securing cyber-security in organisations are the most important antecedents for enhanced cyber-security levels in the organisations. The other significant antecedents for enhanced cyber-security in organisations include “role of senior management” and “proactive information security”.

Research limitations/implications

This empirical study has significant implications for organisations as they can take pre-emptive measures by focussing on important antecedents and work towards enhancing the level of cyber-security.

Originality/value

The originality of this research is combining both technical and human resource perspective in identifying the determinants of enhanced level of cyber-security in the organisations.
Incentive mechanism for a sustainable public distribution system
Authors: Venkataraman Sri Vanamalla , Hamid Faiz
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Government distributing rationed goods through a public distribution system often do not reach the deserving citizens primarily due to the practice of corruption. This paper aims to design an incentive mechanism to curtail such corrupt practices.

Design/methodology/approach

The incentive mechanism is developed in a principal-agent framework where the information asymmetry is in the form of moral hazard.

Findings

The mechanism designed through this study sufficiently penalizes the agent who receives bribe and incentivizes if desired level of effort is applied.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the existing literature by developing an incentive mechanism to prevent bureaucratic corruption. Appropriate wages are also quantified in this study.