bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
External validation of the Madrid Acute Kidney Injury Prediction Score
Authors: Del Carpio Jacqueline , Marco Maria Paz , Martin Maria Luisa , Craver Lourdes , Jatem Elias , Gonzalez Jorge , Chang Pamela , Ibarz Mercedes , Pico Silvia , Falcon Gloria , Canales Marina , Huertas Elisard , Romero Iñaki , Nieto Nacho , Segarra Alfons
Published: March 2021

Background

The Madrid Acute Kidney Injury Prediction Score (MAKIPS) is a recently described tool capable of performing automatic calculations of the risk of hospital-acquired acute kidney injury (HA-AKI) using data from from electronic clinical records that could be easily implemented in clinical practice. However, to date, it has not been externally validated. The aim of our study was to perform an external validation of the MAKIPS in a hospital with different characteristics and variable case mix.

Methods

This external validation cohort study of the MAKIPS was conducted in patients admitted to a single tertiary hospital between April 2018 and September 2019. Performance was assessed by discrimination using the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve and calibration plots.

Results

A total of 5.3% of the external validation cohort had HA-AKI. When compared with the MAKIPS cohort, the validation cohort showed a higher percentage of men as well as a higher prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, anaemia, congestive heart failure, chronic pulmonary disease, connective tissue diseases and renal disease, whereas the prevalence of peptic ulcer disease, liver disease, malignancy, metastatic solid tumours and acquired immune deficiency syndrome was significantly lower. In the validation cohort, the MAKIPS showed an area under the curve of 0.798 (95% confidence interval 0.788–0.809). Calibration plots showed that there was a tendency for the MAKIPS to overestimate the risk of HA-AKI at probability rates ˂0.19 and to underestimate at probability rates between 0.22 and 0.67.

Conclusions

The MAKIPS can be a useful tool, using data that are easily obtainable from electronic records, to predict the risk of HA-AKI in hospitals with different case mix characteristics.
Membranous nephropathy: a single disease or a pattern of injury resulting from different diseases
Authors: Sethi Sanjeev
Published: March 2021

Membranous nephropathy (MN) is defined as disease entity characterized by thickening of the glomerular basement membranes due to subepithelial (SE) deposition of immune complexes. It is typically classified into primary MN (70%) when there is no disease association, and secondary MN (30%) when there is an underlying disease association such as lupus, malignancy, infections or drugs. Phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) and thrombospondin type-1 domain-containing 7A (THSD7A) are target antigens in 70% and 1–5% of primary MN, respectively. The antigens in the remaining MN were not known. Recently, multiple novel proteins/target antigens have been identified in MN. These include exostosin 1/2, neural epidermal growth-like 1 protein, semaphorin 3B, protocadherin 7 and neural cell adhesion molecule 1. Some of these antigens are present in the setting of primary MN, some in secondary MN and some in both, thus blurring the lines between primary and secondary MN. Preliminary studies show that each of the new antigen-associated MN has distinct clinical, kidney biopsy findings and outcome data. We propose that each new protein/antigen-associated MN is a specific disease that results in the common MN pattern of injury characterized by thickened glomerular basement membrane (GBM) with or without spikes or pinholes on light microscopy, granular immunoglobulin G with or without complement 3 on immunofluorescence microscopy and SE electron-dense deposits on electron microscopy. In other words, MN is truly only a pattern of injury resulting from specific diseases that cause deposition of SE immune deposits along the GBM. It is of paramount importance to ascertain the specific disease entity causing the MN pattern not only for precise diagnosis and management, but also for future studies on these newly described diseases.
Multi-Scale attributed node embedding
Authors: Rozemberczki Benedek , Allen Carl , Sarkar Rik
Published: March 2021

We present network embedding algorithms that capture information about a node from the local distribution over node attributes around it, as observed over random walks following an approach similar to Skip-gram. Observations from neighbourhoods of different sizes are either pooled (AE) or encoded distinctly in a multi-scale approach (MUSAE). Capturing attribute-neighbourhood relationships over multiple scales is useful for a range of applications, including latent feature identification across disconnected networks with similar features. We prove theoretically that matrices of node-feature pointwise mutual information are implicitly factorized by the embeddings. Experiments show that our algorithms are computationally efficient and outperform comparable models on social networks and web graphs.
Impact of myocardial infarction symptom presentation on emergency response and survival
Authors: Møller Amalie Lykkemark , Mills Elisabeth Helen Anna , Gnesin Filip , Jensen Britta , Zylyftari Nertila , Christensen Helle Collatz , Blomberg Stig Nikolaj Fasmer , Folke Fredrik , Kragholm Kristian Hay , Gislason Gunnar , Fosbøl Emil , Køber Lars , Gerds Thomas Alexander , Torp-Pedersen Christian
Published: March 2021

Aims

We examined associations between symptom presentation and chance of receiving an emergency dispatch and 30-day mortality among patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods and results

Copenhagen, Denmark has a 24-h non-emergency medical helpline and an emergency number 1-1-2 (equivalent to 9-1-1). Both services register symptoms/purpose of calls. Among patients with MI as either hospital diagnosis or cause of death within 72 h after a call, the primary symptom was categorized as chest pain, atypical symptoms (breathing problems, unclear problem, central nervous system symptoms, abdominal/back/urinary, other cardiac symptoms, and other atypical symptoms), unconsciousness, non-informative symptoms, and no recorded symptoms. We identified 4880 emergency and 3456 non-emergency calls from patients with MI. The most common symptom was chest pain (N = 5219) followed by breathing problems (N = 556). Among patients with chest pain, 95% (3337/3508) of emergency calls and 76% (1306/1711) of non-emergency calls received emergency dispatch. Mortality was 5% (163/3508) and 3% (49/1711) for emergency/non-emergency calls, respectively. For atypical symptoms 62% (554/900) and 17% (137/813) of emergency/non-emergency calls received emergency dispatch and mortality was 23% (206/900) and 15% (125/813). Among unconscious, patients 99%/100% received emergency dispatch and mortality was 71%/75% for emergency/non-emergency calls. Standardized 30-day mortality was 4.3% for chest pain and 15.6% for atypical symptoms, and associations between symptoms and emergency dispatch remained in subgroups of age and sex.

Conclusion

Myocardial infarction patients presenting with atypical symptoms when calling for help have a reduced chance of receiving an emergency dispatch and increased 30-day mortality compared to MI patients with chest pain.
‘Life with a device’: the octogenarians’ experiences with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator—a qualitative study
Authors: Wising Jenny , Mattsson Gustav , Rambaree Komalsingh , Willmer Mikaela , Wallhagen Marita , Magnusson Peter
Published: March 2021

Aims

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) treatment has expanded due to its effectiveness. However, there are concerns about complications, and use in the most elderly has been questioned. There is scarce data on qualitative aspects regarding experiences of living with an ICD among patients above the age of 80 years. The aim of this study was to explore octogenarians’ experience, knowledge, and attitude of living with an ICD.

Method and results

We used semi-structured interviews to collect data from 20 patients, aged 80–89 years (90% men). The data were then structured and analysed through deductive thematic analysis network approach using the ATLAS.ti v.8.4 software. The framework of the analysis was based on the Successful Aging Theory. Three main themes emerged regarding the patients’ experiences: Life goes on; Their Health, The Janus-Faced Device; Their attitudes, and Mind the gap; Their knowledge. None of the octogenarians regretted receiving their ICD, instead, they presented with feelings such as gratitude towards the device. However, a lack of knowledge about the devices was expressed, which can be a risk for potential complications, in turn causing suffering and unnecessary concerns.

Conclusion

Overall, the ICD did not pose a threat towards successful ageing. It was mainly considered a life-saving device. However, the lack of knowledge might hinder informed choices close to death and contribute to ethical dilemmas when deactivation of the ICD is a reasonable option.
Chi-miR-370-3p regulates hair follicle morphogenesis of Inner Mongolian cashmere goats
Authors: Hai Erhan , Han Wenjing , Wu Zhihong , Ma Rong , Shang Fangzheng , Wang Min , Liang Lili , Rong Youjun , Pan Jianfeng , Wang Zhiying , Wang Ruijun , Su Rui , Zhao Yanhong , Liu Zhihong , Wang Zhixin , Li Jinquan , Zhang Yanjun
Published: March 2021

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of 22 nucleotide (nt) noncoding RNAs, negatively regulate mRNA posttranscriptional modification in various biological processes. Morphogenesis of skin hair follicles in cashmere goats is a dynamic process involving many key signaling molecules, but the associated cellular biological mechanisms induced by these key signaling molecules have not been reported. In this study, differential expression, bioinformatics, and Gene Ontology/Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses were performed on miRNA expression profiles of Inner Mongolian cashmere goats at 45, 55, and 65 days during the fetal period, and chi-miR-370-3p was identified and investigated further. Real-time fluorescence quantification (qRT-PCR), dual luciferase reporting, and Western blotting results showed that transforming growth factor beta receptor 2 (TGF-βR2) and fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) were the target genes of chi-miR-370-3p. Chi-miR-370-3p also regulated the expression of TGF-βR2 and FGFR2 at mRNA and protein levels in epithelial cells and dermal fibroblasts. DNA staining, Cell Counting Kit-8, and fluorescein-labelled Annexin V results showed that chi-miR-370-3p inhibited the proliferation of epithelial cells and fibroblasts but had no effect on apoptosis. Cell scratch test results showed that chi-miR-370-3p promoted the migration of epithelial cells and fibroblasts. Chi-miR-370-3p inhibits the proliferation of epithelial cells and fibroblasts by targeting TGF-βR2 and FGFR2, thereby improving cell migration ability and ultimately regulating the fate of epithelial cells and dermal fibroblasts to develop the placode and dermal condensate, inducing hair follicle morphogenesis.
Comparative Analysis of Annotation Pipelines Using the First Japanese White-Eye (Zosterops japonicus) Genome
Authors: Venkatraman Madhvi , Fleischer Robert C , Tsuchiya Mirian T N
Published: March 2021

Introduced into Hawaii in the early 1900s, the Japanese white-eye or warbling white-eye (Zosterops japonicus) is now the most abundant land bird in the archipelago. Here, we present the first Z. japonicus genome, sequenced from an individual in its invasive range. This genome provides an important resource for future studies in invasion genomics. We annotated the genome using two workflows—standalone AUGUSTUS and BRAKER2. We found that AUGUSTUS was more conservative with gene predictions when compared with BRAKER2. The final number of annotated gene models was similar between the two workflows, but standalone AUGUSTUS had over 70% of gene predictions with Blast2GO annotations versus under 30% using BRAKER2. Additionally, we tested whether using RNA-seq data from 47 samples had a significant impact on annotation quality when compared with data from a single sample, as generating RNA-seq data for genome annotation can be expensive and requires well preserved tissue. We found that more data did not significantly change the number of annotated genes using AUGUSTUS but using BRAKER2 the number increased substantially. The results presented here will aid researchers in annotating draft genomes of nonmodel species as well as those studying invasion success.
The Genetic Variation of Lactase Persistence Alleles in Sudan and South Sudan
Authors: Hollfelder Nina , Babiker Hiba , Granehäll Lena , Schlebusch Carina M , Jakobsson Mattias
Published: March 2021

Lactase persistence (LP) is a well-studied example of a Mendelian trait under selection in some human groups due to gene-culture coevolution. We investigated the frequencies of genetic variants linked to LP in Sudanese and South Sudanese populations. These populations have diverse subsistence patterns, and some are dependent on milk to various extents, not only from cows but also from other livestock such as camels and goats. We sequenced a 316-bp region involved in regulating the expression of the LCT gene on chromosome 2, which encompasses five polymorphisms that have been associated with LP. Pastoralist populations showed a higher frequency of LP-associated alleles compared with nonpastoralist groups, hinting at positive selection also among northeast African pastoralists. Among the LP variants, the -14009:G variant occurs at the highest frequency among the investigated populations, followed by the -13915:G variant, which is likely of Middle Eastern origin, consistent with Middle Eastern gene flow to the Sudanese populations. There was no incidence of the “East African” LP allele (-14010:C) in the Sudanese and South Sudanese groups, and only one heterozygous individual for the “European” LP allele (-13910:T), suggesting limited recent admixture from these geographic regions. The Beja population of the Beni Amer show three different LP variants at substantial and similar levels, resulting in one of the greatest aggregation of LP variants among all populations across the world.
‘A legend somewhat larger than life’: Karl H. von Wiegand and the trajectory of Hearstian sensationalist journalism
Authors: Goldstein Benjamin S
Published: March 2021

This article re-evaluates the trajectory of sensationalism within twentieth-century American journalism and foreign correspondence by examining William Randolph Hearst’s chief foreign correspondent, Karl H. von Wiegand (1874–1961). By following von Wiegand’s activities as a journalist, celebrity, propagandist and diplomatic go-between through both world wars, it argues that post-World War I concerns over propaganda and commercial mass media’s reliability impacted the typically sensational methods of foreign correspondents particularly strongly. In von Wiegand’s case, his exceptionally sensational style, which became entangled in fascist propaganda throughout the 1930s and fell under an increasingly systematic ethical critique, caused his own reputation and ability to impact public opinion to weaken drastically.
Not all technological change is equal: how the separability of tasks mediates the effect of technology change on skill demand
Authors: Combemale Christophe , Whitefoot Kate S , Ales Laurence , Fuchs Erica R H
Published: March 2021

We measure the labor-demand effects of two simultaneous forms of technological change—automation of production processes and consolidation of parts. We collect detailed shop-floor data from four semiconductor firms with different levels of automation and consolidation. Using the O*NET survey instrument, we collect novel task data for operator laborers that contains process-step level skill requirements, including operations and control, near vision, and dexterity requirements. We then use an engineering process model to separate the effects of the distinct technological changes on these process tasks and operator skill requirements. Within an occupation, we show that aggregate measures of technological change can mask the opposing skill biases of multiple simultaneous technological changes. In our empirical context, automation polarizes skill demand as routine, codifiable tasks requiring low and medium skills are executed by machines instead of humans, whereas the remaining and newly created human tasks tend to require low and high skills. Consolidation converges skill demand as formerly divisible low and high skill tasks are transformed into a single indivisible task with medium skill requirements and higher cost of failure. We conclude by developing a new theory for how the separability of tasks mediates the effect of technology change on skill demand by changing the divisibility of labor.
The political conception of the legal person: A reply to Gila Stopler
Authors: Dyzenhaus David
Published: March 2021

Gila Stopler challenges us to reimagine the public–private distinction in a way which allows us both to confront the kinds of oppression to which feminists alerted us and to ward off absolutist attempts to gain control of the political. Her question is: How does one at the same time open up the personal and protect it? I argue that a clue to the answer lies in the way in which the issue should be seen not as the personal being political, but in the way the conception of the person we want to protect is political. Here I rely on an enemy of liberalism, Ernst Forsthoff.
Assessment of urban growth of Jeddah: towards a liveable urban management
Authors: Hegazy Ibrahim , Helmi Mansour , Qurnfulah Emad , Naji Ammar , Samir Ibrahim Hossam
Published: March 2021

In Saudi Arabia, an array of diverse strategies has been applied in response to the adverse effects of urban sprawl. A review of the historical proliferation of these strategies indicates that although in the short term the strategies have achieved high-quality infrastructure in some parts of the major cities, longer-term prospects are less promising since numerous urban problems persist in these cities. Among these problems are uncontrolled developments in the fringes, inadequate urban services, spiralling land prices and construction costs, the proliferation of slums and degrading quality of the urban environment. This research focuses on urban growth management as an approach for sustainable communities. The study will then discuss urban growth management as a discipline that can empower Jeddah as one of the fastest Saudi major cities to generate better urban development strategies and policies for a new generation of communities. This research paper explores ways to manage Jeddah’s urban growth and new development. The objective is to generate new communities that offer higher standards of living while meeting the challenge inside the existing urban mass by providing the much-needed new policies to limit and control urban growth. It is, therefore, an absolute must begin revising our urban growth and spatial development policies and plans. New theories of urban growth, development and management must be carefully examined and studied, and solutions must be devised, sooner than later, to help promote achieving sustainable urban management in Saudi Arabia.
Alleviation of colonic inflammation by Lypd8 in a mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Hsu Chiao-Ching , Okumura Ryu , Motooka Daisuke , Sasaki Reo , Nakamura Shota , Iida Tetsuya , Takeda Kiyoshi
Published: March 2021

Dysfunction of the intestinal mucosal barrier causes inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Indeed, mucosal barrier impairment in the gut of IBD patients results from decreased expression of barrier molecules. Ly6/Plaur domain containing 8 (Lypd8) segregates microbiota from the colonic epithelial layer. In this study, we found that Lypd8−/− mice, in which flagellated bacteria invaded the mucosal surface of the colon, developed spontaneous colitis when dysbiosis was induced by a high-fat diet (HFD). On the basis of this finding, we assessed whether the application of human LYPD8 (hLYPD8) protein exhibiting the glycan-dependent inhibition of bacterial motility is effective in a colitis model. Oral and anal treatments with hLYPD8 protein ameliorate dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis and HFD-induced colitis in Lypd8−/− mice. These results indicate a therapeutic potential of hLYPD8 protein supplementation for IBD.
Response
Authors: Onishi Bradley B
Published: March 2021

I am truly grateful for these observations of and insights on The Sacrality of the Secular by such an insightful and accomplished set of readers. My response is organized around three issues: the status of philosophy of religion in religious studies, the veridical-descriptive question, and the role of philosophical wonder in an age of uncertainty.
Molecular characterization of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates collected through a national surveillance programme in Japan, 2013: evidence of the emergence of a ceftriaxone-resistant strain from a ceftriaxone-susceptible lineage
Authors: Hanao Mami , Aoki Kotaro , Ishii Yoshikazu , Shimuta Ken , Ohnishi Makoto , Tateda Kazuhiro
Published: March 2021

Objectives

To investigate the spread of ceftriaxone-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae lineages similar to strains H041 (2009) and FC428 (2015), we characterized 55 strains collected in 2013 from hospitals across Japan.

Methods

Susceptibility testing and whole-genome sequencing.

Results

Susceptibility rates were 58% for cefixime and 98% for ceftriaxone. The 55 strains were whole-genome sequenced and classified into nine MLST-STs. MLST-ST1901 was the most prevalent (n = 19) followed by MLST-ST7363 (n = 12) and MLST-ST7359 (n = 11). The most prevalent penA [encoding penicillin binding protein 2 (PBP2)] mosaic types, based on the N. gonorrhoeae sequence typing for antimicrobial resistance (NG-STAR) scheme, were 10.001 (n = 20) followed by 34.001 (n = 13). The H041 and FC428 strains were not detected; however, a single ceftriaxone-resistant strain (TUM15748) with a MIC of 0.5 mg/L ceftriaxone was identified. The TUM15748 strain belonged to MLST-ST7359 and N. gonorrhoeae multiantigen sequence typing-ST6771, and had a novel PBP2 (PBP2TUM15748, penA type 169.001). The amino acid sequence of PBP2TUM15748 showed partial similarity to that of PBP2 from N. gonorrhoeae GU140106 and commensal Neisseria perflava and Neisseria cinerea. Natural transformation and recombination experiments using full-length TUM15748 penA showed that the ceftriaxone MICs of transformants increased 16-fold or more compared with the parental ceftriaxone-susceptible recipient strain (NG9807, belonging to MLST-ST7363). No ceftriaxone-resistant MLST-ST7359 strains have previously been reported.

Conclusions

We showed here that a ceftriaxone-susceptible lineage acquired a mutant PBP2 mosaic type, integrating partial PBP2 sequences from commensal Neisseria species, resulting in the emergence of ceftriaxone-resistant strains.
Effects of feeding diets containing low crude protein and coarse wheat bran as alternatives to zinc oxide in nursery pig diets
Authors: Batson Kelsey L , Calderón Hilda I , Tokach Mike D , Woodworth Jason C , Goodband Robert D , Dritz Steve S , DeRouchey Joel M
Published: March 2021

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of crude protein (CP) level in diets containing coarse wheat bran (CWB) with or without pharmacological levels of Zn (provided by zinc oxide: ZnO) on growth performance and fecal DM of nursery pigs. In experiment 1, 360 barrows (Line 200 × 400, DNA, Columbus, NE, initially 5.6 kg) were allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments from d 0 to 21 after weaning with 5 pigs per pen and 12 pens per treatment. Treatments included a positive control diet (21% CP) with 3,000 mg/kg Zn in phase 1 and 2,000 mg/kg in phase 2; negative control (21% CP) with 110 mg/kg added Zn, and 4 diets containing 4% CWB and 110 mg/kg added Zn formulated to contain 21%, 19.5%, 18%, or 16.5% CP. The 2 control diets and 21% CP CWB diet contained 1.40% standardized ileal digestible (SID) Lys in phase 1 and 1.35% SID Lys in phase 2, while the 19.5%, 18%, and 16.5% CP diets contained 1.33, 1.25 and 1.20% Lys, respectively, in both phases. Pigs fed the positive control diet containing pharmacological ZnO had increased (P < 0.05) ADG and G:F compared with the negative control and the 21% CP CWB diet. Reducing CP (concurrently with SID Lys) in diets containing CWB decreased ADG and G:F (linear, P = 0.002); however, fecal DM increased (linear, P = 0.005). In experiment 2, two groups of 300 and 350 pigs, initially 7.0 and 6.2 kg, respectively, were used with 5 pigs per pen and 26 pens per treatment. The objective was to determine if adding back essential AA would improve growth performance of pigs fed the low CP diets. All dietary treatments were fed for 13 days, contained 4% CWB, and consisted of: (1) positive control with 2,000 mg/kg of Zn and 21% CP (1.35% SID Lys); (2) no ZnO and 21% CP; and 3 diets with no ZnO formulated to 18% CP and (3) 1.2% SID Lys; (4) 1.35% SID Lys by the addition of feed grade amino acids (AA), and (5) diet 4 with non-essential amino acids (NEAA; Gly and Glu). Pigs fed 21% CP with ZnO had increased (P = 0.001) ADG compared to those fed 18% CP (1.35% SID Lys) with high levels of feed grade amino acids or those fed the reduced SID Lys (1.2%) diet. Overall, G:F was improved (P < 0.001) for pigs fed 21% CP diets and those fed the 18% CP diet with NEAA compared to pigs fed 1.2% SID Lys and pigs fed high levels of feed grade amino acids. Fecal DM was increased for pigs fed the reduced SID Lys diet. In summary, pharmacological levels of Zn improve pig growth performance, but reducing CP (and subsequently SID Lys) decreased nursery pig growth performance.
A cyclic lipopeptide surfactin is a species-selective Hsp90 inhibitor that suppresses cyanobacterial growth
Authors: Nakamoto Hitoshi , Yokoyama Yuhei , Suzuki Takahiro , Miyamoto Yuri , Fujishiro Takashi , Morikawa Masaaki , Miyata Yoshihiko
Published: March 2021

Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is essential for eukaryotic cells, whereas bacterial homologs play a role under stresses and in pathogenesis. Identifying species-specific Hsp90 inhibitors is challenging because Hsp90 is evolutionarily conserved. We found that a cyclic lipopeptide surfactin inhibits the ATPase activity of Hsp90 from the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus (S.elongatus) PCC 7942 but does not inhibit Escherichia coli (E.coli), yeast and human Hsp90s. Molecular docking simulations indicated that surfactin could bind to the N-terminal dimerization interface of the cyanobacterial Hsp90 in the ATP- and ADP-bound states, which provided molecular insights into the species-selective inhibition. The data suggest that surfactin inhibits a rate-limiting conformational change of S.elongatus Hsp90 in the ATP hydrolysis. Surfactin also inhibited the interaction of the cyanobacterial Hsp90 with a model substrate, and suppressed S.elongatus growth under heat stress, but not that of E.coli. Surfactin did not show significant cellular toxicity towards mammalian cells. These results indicate that surfactin inhibits the cellular function of Hsp90 specifically in the cyanobacterium. The present study shows that a cyclic peptide has a great specificity to interact with a specific homolog of a highly conserved protein family.
Evaluation framework for BIM-based VR applications in design phase
Authors: Kim Jung In , Li Sining , Chen Xingbin , Keung Calvin , Suh Minjae , Kim Tae Wan
Published: March 2021

The integration of building information modeling (BIM) and virtual reality (VR) has attracted increasing attention in the architecture engineering and construction (AEC) industry. Despite the rapid emergence of BIM-based VR applications, no evaluation framework specialized for the technologies exists in the AEC industry. After extensively reviewing existing studies and interviewing experts, the research team proposed an evaluation framework for BIM-based VR applications, which consists of 3 stages, 5 areas, 14 criteria, and 29 metrics and focuses on the design phase of the projects. To assess the usefulness of the framework, the team applied it to five BIM-based VR applications using a BIM-based design project for an educational building in Hong Kong. The team also interviewed experts to discuss the comprehensiveness of the framework. The results show that the framework provides consistent results for comprehensive evaluation criteria and metrics in a quantitative and flexible manner. Further research that considers additional criteria and/or metrics related to other phases (e.g. construction phase) is required to extend the framework to the whole lifecycle.
Application of Value Frameworks to the Design of Clinical Trials: The Canadian Cancer Trials Group Experience
Authors: Del Paggio Joseph C , Fundytus Adam M , Hopman Wilma M , Pater Joseph L , Chen Bingshu E , Brundage Michael D , Hay Annette E , Booth Christopher M
Published: March 2021

Background

Use of value framework thresholds in the design of clinical trials may increase the proportion of randomized controlled trials that identify clinically meaningful advances for patients. Existing frameworks have not been applied to the research output of a cooperative cancer trials group. We apply value frameworks to the randomized controlled trial output of the Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG).

Methods

Statistical design, study characteristics, and results of all published phase III trials of CCTG were abstracted. We applied the European Society for Medical Oncology-Magnitude of Clinical Benefit Scale (ESMO-MCBS) and American Society of Clinical Oncology Net Health Benefit to study results and the statistical power calculations to identify the proportion of all trials that were designed to detect a substantial clinical benefit.

Results

During 1979 to 2017, CCTG published 113 phase III trials; 52.2% (59 of 113) of these trials were positive. One-half (50.4%, 57 of 113) of the trials were conducted in the palliative setting. In 37.2% (42 of 113) of trials, the primary endpoint was overall survival; disease-free survival or progression-free survival was used in 38.9% (44 of 113) of trials. The ESMO-MCBS could be applied to the power calculation for 69 trials; 73.9% (51 of 69) of these trials were designed to detect an effect size that could meet ESMO-MCBS thresholds for substantial benefit. Among the 51 positive trials for which the ESMO-MCBS could be applied, 41.1% (21 of 51) met thresholds for substantial benefit.

Conclusions

Most CCTG phase III trials were designed to detect clinically meaningful differences in outcome, although less than one-half of positive trials met the threshold for substantial benefit. Application of value frameworks to the design of clinical trials is practical and may improve research efficiency and treatment options for patients.
Body Mass Index and Risk of Second Cancer Among Women With Breast Cancer
Authors: Feigelson Heather Spencer , Bodelon Clara , Powers J David , Curtis Rochelle E , Buist Diana S M , Veiga Lene H S , Bowles Erin J Aiello , Berrington de Gonzalez Amy , Gierach Gretchen L
Published: March 2021

Background

Breast cancer survivors are at increased risk for developing second primary cancers compared with the general population. Little is known about whether body mass index (BMI) increases this risk. We examined the association between BMI and second cancers among women with incident invasive breast cancer.

Methods

This retrospective cohort included 6481 patients from Kaiser Permanente Colorado and Washington of whom 822 (12.7%) developed a second cancer (mean follow-up was 88.0 months). BMI at the first cancer was extracted from the medical record. Outcomes included: 1) all second cancers, 2) obesity-related second cancers, 3) any second breast cancer, and 4) estrogen receptor–positive second breast cancers. Multivariable Poisson regression models were used to estimate relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for second cancers associated with BMI adjusted for site, diagnosis year, treatment, demographic, and tumor characteristics.

Results

The mean age at initial breast cancer diagnosis was 61.2 (SD = 11.8) years. Most cases were overweight (33.4%) or obese (33.8%) and diagnosed at stage I (62.0%). In multivariable models, for every 5 kg/m2 increase in BMI, the risk of any second cancer diagnosis increased by 7% (RR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.01 to 1.14); 13% (RR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.05 to 1.21) for obesity-related cancers, 11% (RR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.02 to 1.21) for a second breast cancer, and 15% (RR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.04 to 1.27) for a second estrogen receptor–positive breast cancer.

Conclusions

We observed a statistically significant increased risk of second cancers associated with increasing BMI. These findings have important public health implications given the prevalence of overweight and obesity in breast cancer survivors and underscore the need for effective prevention strategies.
Interventions by Common Owners
Authors: Shekita Nathan
Published: March 2021

Common ownership exists when investors concurrently hold partial and significant shares in related firms. In this paper, I compile, document, and taxonomize 30 separate cases of intervention to demonstrate how common owners influence firm behavior. Although previous literature has identified a link between common ownership and product market outcomes, critics have questioned a common owner’s ability and incentive to alter the behavior of portfolio firms. Missing from the debate are observable interventions from common owners and the mechanisms through which common owners exercise their influence. This paper compiles relevant case studies from media coverage, regulatory proceedings, policy groups, and annual stewardship reports to uncover these channels.
A taxonomic and phylogenetic perspective on plant community assembly along an elevational gradient in subtropical forests
Authors: Zhang Ran , Zhang Zhaochen , Shang Kankan , Zhao Mingshui , Kong Jiaxin , Wang Xin , Wang Yuzhuo , Song Houjuan , Zhang Oukai , Lv Xuan , Zhang Jian
Published: March 2021

Aims

Biodiversity patterns along elevational gradients have been well documented. Yet, the variations of biodiversity patterns along elevations and their underlying mechanisms are still unclear. Integrating multiple facets of biodiversity provides novel insights into the mechanisms for driving community assembly. In this study, species abundance information was incorporated into taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity to reveal the ecological and evolutionary forces of plant community assembly along an elevational gradient in subtropical forests.

Methods

We selected 17 woody plant plots along an elevational gradient from 270 to 1470 m in eastern China’s subtropical forests. Both presence-based and abundance-based measures of angiosperm species were used to quantify taxonomic alpha diversity, phylogenetic alpha diversity, phylogenetic relatedness, as well as taxonomic and phylogenetic dissimilarity among these plots. And the relations between these measures and climatic and topographic variables were analyzed.

Important Findings

For both abundance-weighted and unweighted measures, we observed an overall increasing pattern for taxonomic alpha diversity along elevation, and distance-decay trends of taxonomic and phylogenetic similarity with increased elevational distances. However, there were disparity patterns of phylogenetic alpha diversity between abundance-weighted and unweighted measures. For phylogenetic structure, there was no significant trend along elevation. Both topographical and microclimatic variables were main drivers of diversity patterns and phylogenetic structure. Compared with unweighted measures, abundance-weighted measures were strongly related with the slope and stand basal area. Overall, our results prove that deterministic processes mediated by local species abundance imprint on plant community composition along the elevational gradient.
Effects of mosaic biological soil crusts on vascular plant establishment in a coastal saline land of the Yellow River Delta, China
Authors: Feng Lu , Xia Jiang-Bao , Liu Jing-Tao , Song Ai-Yun , Chen Yin-Ping , Zhao Xi-Mei
Published: March 2021

Aims

The effects of biocrusts on vascular plants are rarely evaluated in coastal saline lands. Our aim was to examine whether and how a mosaic of biocrusts affect seed germination of two typical herbaceous plants in a coastal saline land of the Yellow River Delta, to enhance our understanding by which substrate heterogeneity influences plant community dynamics.

Methods

We conducted growth chamber experiments to investigate the effects of biocrusts and uncrusted soil from bare patch-, Phragmites australis-, Suaeda glauca- and Tamarix chinensis-dominated habitats on seed germination percentage and mean germination time of two herbaceous plants: the perennial P. australis and the annual S. glauca. We also explored the mechanisms underlying the effects of substrate on seed germination.

Important Findings

Compared with uncrusted soil, biocrusts increased water content, nutrient accumulation and concentration of most salt ions, but they reduced soil pH value. Biocrusts with mosses directly decreased soil pH value and concentration of Mg2+, resulting in an indirect increase in seed germination percentage of S. glaucas. The low soil pH value also resulted in an indirect decrease in seed germination speed of P. australis in their own habitats. Bare patch directly increased accumulation of Cl−, resulting in an indirect decrease in seed germination speed of P. australis. These results suggest that biocrusts with mosses in P. australis habitats offer a window of opportunity for germination of S. glaucas. Biocrusts combined with habitat type have the potential to influence plant community structure through an effect on seed germination and establishment.
What must be done to tackle vaccine hesitancy and barriers to COVID-19 vaccination in migrants?
Authors: Crawshaw Alison F , Deal Anna , Rustage Kieran , Forster Alice S , Campos-Matos Ines , Vandrevala Tushna , Würz Andrea , Pharris Anastasia , Suk Jonathan E , Kinsman John , Deogan Charlotte , Miller Anna , Declich Silvia , Greenaway Chris , Noori Teymur , Hargreaves Sally
Published: March 2021

Migrants have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and emerging evidence suggests they may face barriers to COVID-19 vaccination. Participatory approaches and engagement strategies are urgently needed to strengthen uptake, alongside innovative delivery mechanisms and sharing of best practice, to ensure migrants are better consider within countries’ existing vaccine priority structures.
Dipper-like variability of the Gaia alerted young star V555 Ori
Authors: Nagy Zsófia , Szegedi-Elek Elza , Ábrahám Péter , Kóspál Ágnes , Bódi Attila , Bouvier Jérôme , Kun Mária , Moór Attila , Cseh Borbála , Farkas-Takács Anikó , Hanyecz Ottó , Hodgkin Simon , Ignácz Bernadett , Kiss Csaba , Könyves-Tóth Réka , Kriskovics Levente , Marton Gábor , Mészáros László , Ordasi András , Pál András , Sarkis Paula , Sárneczky Krisztián , Sódor Ádám , Szabados László , Szabó Zsófia Marianna , Szakáts Róbert , Tarczay-Nehéz Dóra , Vida Krisztián , Zsidi Gabriella
Published: March 2021

V555 Ori is a T Tauri star, whose 1.5 mag brightening was published as a Gaia science alert in 2017. We carried out optical and near-infrared (NIR) photometric, and optical spectroscopic observations to understand the light variations. The light curves show that V555 Ori was faint before 2017, entered a high state for about a year, and returned to the faint state by mid-2018. In addition to the long-term flux evolution, quasi-periodic brightness oscillations were also evident, with a period of about 5 d. At optical wavelengths both the long-term and short-term variations exhibited colourless changes, while in the NIR they were consistent with changing extinction. We explain the brightness variations as the consequence of changing extinction. The object has a low accretion rate whose variation in itself would not be enough to reproduce the optical flux changes. This behaviour makes V555 Ori similar to the pre-main sequence star AA Tau, where the light changes are interpreted as periodic eclipses of the star by a rotating inner disc warp. The brightness maximum of V555 Ori was a moderately obscured (AV = 2.3 mag) state, while the extinction in the low state was AV = 6.4 mag. We found that while the Gaia alert hinted at an accretion burst, V555 Ori is a standard dipper, similar to the prototype AA Tau. However, unlike in AA Tau, the periodic behaviour was also detectable in the faint phase, implying that the inner disc warp remained stable in both the high and low states of the system.
The effects of asymmetric dark matter on stellar evolution – I. Spin-dependent scattering
Authors: Raen Troy J , Martínez-Rodríguez Héctor , Hurst Travis J , Zentner Andrew R , Badenes Carles , Tao Rachel
Published: March 2021

Most of the dark matter (DM) search over the last few decades has focused on weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs), but the viable parameter space is quickly shrinking. Asymmetric dark matter (ADM) is a WIMP-like DM candidate with slightly smaller masses and no present-day annihilation, meaning that stars can capture and build up large quantities. The captured ADM can transport energy through a significant volume of the star. We investigate the effects of spin-dependent ADM energy transport on stellar structure and evolution in stars with 0.9 ≤ M⋆/M⊙ ≤ 5.0 in varying DM environments. We wrote a mesa module1 that calculates the capture of DM and the subsequent energy transport within the star. We fix the DM mass to 5 GeV and the cross-section to 10−37 cm2, and study varying environments by scaling the DM capture rate. For stars with radiative cores (0.9 ≤ M⋆/M⊙ ≲ 1.3 ), the presence of ADM flattens the temperature and burning profiles in the core and increases main-sequence (MS) (Xc > 10−3) lifetimes by up to $\sim \! 20{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$. We find that strict requirements on energy conservation are crucial to the simulation of ADM’s effects on these stars. In higher mass stars, ADM energy transport shuts off core convection, limiting available fuel and shortening MS lifetimes by up to $\sim \! 40{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$. This may translate to changes in the luminosity and effective temperature of the MS turnoff in population isochrones. The tip of the red giant branch may occur at lower luminosities. The effects are largest in DM environments with high densities and/or low velocity dispersions, making dwarf and early forming galaxies most likely to display the effects.
Copper(II) and iron(III) complexes of chiral dehydroabietic acid derived from natural rosin: metal effect on structure and cytotoxicity
Authors: Fei Bao-Li , Hui Chun-Nuan , Wei Zuzhuang , Kong Ling-Yan , Long Jian-Ying , Qiao Chunhua , Chen Zhen-Feng
Published: March 2021

A novel optically pure dinuclear copper(II) complex of a rosin derivative dehydroabietic acid (DHA, HL) was synthesized and fully characterized. The in vitro antitumor activities of the copper(II) complex Cu2(µ2-O)(L)4(DMF)2 (1) were explored and compared with those of a trinuclear iron(III) complex [Fe3(µ3-O)(L)6(CH3OH)2(CH3O)]·H2O (2). 1 was more cytotoxic than 2, and the in vitro cytotoxicity of 1 was comparable to that of cisplatin and oxaliplatin. The metal coordination improved the cytotoxicity of DHA. 1 could arrest cycle in G1 phase and induce apoptosis in MCF-7 cell. 1 increased reactive oxygen species level, GSSG/GSH ratio, and Ca2+ production, and caused the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) in MCF-7 cells. The up-regulated Bax and down-regulated Bcl-2 expression levels, caspase-9/caspase-3 activation, and the release of Cyt c demonstrate that 1 triggered mitochondria-mediated intrinsic apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. Caspase-8/caspase-4 activation and up-regulated Fas expression indicate that death receptor-mediated extrinsic apoptosis was included. Comet assay and up-regulated γ-H2AX and p53 expressions confirmed that 1 caused DNA damage in MCF-7 cells. Moreover, 1 led to enhancement of the biomarker of lipid peroxidation and the indicator of protein carbonylation in MCF-7 cells. All the results suggest that 1 could kill MCF-7 cells by generating oxidative stress, impairing DNA, promoting lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation, and inducing apoptosis and autophagy. Furthermore, 1 also displayed antimetastatic activities with inhibition of cell invasion and migration, together with antiangiogenesis properties. On the whole, copper complex based on rosin derivatives is worth developing as metal-based antitumor drugs.
Perceptions of Tobacco Product-Specific COVID-19 Risk and Changes in Tobacco Use Behaviors Among Smokers, E-Cigarette Users, and Dual Users
Authors: White Augustus M , Li Dongmei , Snell L Morgan , O’Connor Richard , Hoetger Cosima , Croft Daniel , Lester Rebecca C , McIntosh Scott , Underwood Megan , Schneller Liane , Breland Alison , Barnes Andrew J , Cobb Caroline O , Ossip Deborah J
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a public health crisis, but its effects on tobacco users remain ill-defined. This report aimed to assess the relationship between tobacco product-specific risk perceptions for COVID-19 and changes in tobacco use since the start of the pandemic.

Methods

A sample (n = 776) of past-30 day exclusive smokers (n = 238), exclusive e-cigarette users (n = 143), and dual users (n = 395) residing in the US and aged 18 or older were collected using Mechanical Turk from April 27 to June 8, 2020. Adjusted associations between tobacco product-specific COVID-19 risk perceptions (ie risk that smokers/vapers are at for COVID-19 relative to non-smokers/non-vapers) and changes in tobacco use since the pandemic began were assessed using partial proportional odds models.

Results

A majority of those who used cigarettes (63.7%) and e-cigarettes (56.1%) felt that the risk of COVID-19 was greater for users of their tobacco product than for non-users. Twenty-four percent of smokers had increased their cigarette use since the start of the pandemic and 28.0% had decreased. Similarly, 27.3% of e-cigarette users had increased their e-cigarette use since the start of the pandemic and 23.8% had decreased. Higher risk perceptions for COVID-19 were associated with reductions in tobacco use since the pandemic began for exclusive e-cigarette users and dual users.

Conclusions

These findings provide the support that tobacco product-specific COVID-19 risk perceptions may be an important correlate of changes in tobacco use during the pandemic. Targeted information to inform tobacco users regarding their risks for COVID-19 is needed during this public health crisis.

Implications

Few published studies have investigated the relationship between tobacco product-specific risk perceptions for COVID-19 and changes in tobacco product use since the pandemic began. This study enhances the current literature by providing evidence that higher tobacco product-specific risk perceptions for COVID-19 are associated with reductions in tobacco use since the pandemic began for exclusive e-cigarette users and dual users of cigarettes and e-cigarettes. Additionally, daily tobacco users may be more likely to have increased their tobacco use than non-daily users. These findings emphasize the importance of disseminating targeted health information to tobacco users regarding COVID-19 risks.