bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temporal trends in incidence of atrial fibrillation in primary care records: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Mendonça Sílvia C , Saunders Catherine L , Lund Jenny , Mant Jonathan , Edwards Duncan
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a heart condition associated with a fivefold increased risk of stroke. The condition can be detected in primary care and treatment can greatly reduce the risk of stroke. In recent years, a number of policy initiatives have tried to improve diagnosis and treatment of AF, including local National Health Service schemes and the Quality and Outcomes Framework. We aimed to examine trends in the incidence of recorded AF in primary care records from English practices between 2004 and 2018.

Design

Longitudinal cohort study.

Setting

English primary care electronic health records linked to Index of Multiple Deprivation data.

Participants

Cohort of 3.5 million patients over 40 years old registered in general practices in England, contributing 22 million person-years of observation between 2004 and 2018.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Incident AF was identified through newly recorded AF codes in the patients’ records. Yearly incidence rates were stratified by gender, age group and a measure of deprivation.

Results

Incidence rates were stable before 2010 and then rose and peaked in 2015 at 5.07 (95% CI 4.94 to 5.20) cases per 1000 person-years. Incidence was higher in males (4.95 (95% CI 4.91 to 4.99) cases per 1000 person-years vs 4.12 (95% CI 4.08 to 4.16) in females) and rises markedly with age (0.58 (95% CI 0.56 to 0.59) cases per 1000 person-years in 40–54 years old vs 21.7 (95% CI 21.4 to 22.0) cases in over 85s). The increase in incidence over time was observed mainly in people over the age of 75, particularly men. There was no evidence that temporal trends in incidence were associated with deprivation.

Conclusions

Changes in clinical practice and policy initiatives since 2004 have been associated with increased rates of diagnosis of AF up until 2015, but rates declined from 2015 to 2018.
Feasibility and acceptability of personalised breast cancer screening (DECIDO study): protocol of a single-arm proof-of-concept trial
Authors: Pons-Rodriguez Anna , Forné Izquierdo Carles , Vilaplana-Mayoral Jordi , Cruz-Esteve Inés , Sánchez-López Isabel , Reñé-Reñé Mercè , Cazorla Cristina , Hernández-Andreu Marta , Galindo-Ortego Gisela , Llorens Gabandé Montserrat , Laza-Vásquez Celmira , Balaguer-Llaquet Pau , Martínez-Alonso Montserrat , Rué Montserrat
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Personalised cancer screening aims to improve benefits, reduce harms and being more cost-effective than age-based screening. The objective of the DECIDO study is to assess the acceptability and feasibility of offering risk-based personalised breast cancer screening and its integration in regular clinical practice in a National Health System setting.

Methods and analysis

The study is designed as a single-arm proof-of-concept trial. The study sample will include 385 women aged 40–50 years resident in a primary care health area in Spain. The study intervention consists of (1) a baseline visit; (2) breast cancer risk estimation; (3) a second visit for risk communication and screening recommendations based on breast cancer risk and (4) a follow-up to obtain the study outcomes.

A polygenic risk score (PRS) will be constructed as a composite likelihood ratio of 83 single nucleotide polymorphisms. The Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium risk model, including age, race/ethnicity, family history of breast cancer, benign breast disease and breast density will be used to estimate a preliminary 5-year absolute risk of breast cancer. A Bayesian approach will be used to update this risk with the PRS value.

The primary outcome measures will be attitude towards, intention to participate in and satisfaction with personalised breast cancer screening. Secondary outcomes will include the proportions of women who accept to participate and who complete the different phases of the study. The exact binomial and the Student’s t-test will be used to obtain 95% CIs.

Ethics and dissemination

The study protocol was approved by the Drug Research Ethics Committee of the University Hospital Arnau de Vilanova. The trial will be conducted in compliance with this study protocol, the Declaration of Helsinki and Good Clinical Practice.

The results will be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and disseminated in scientific conferences and media.

Trial registration number

NCT03791008.
Multimodality imaging anatomy of interatrial septum and mitral annulus
Authors: Faletra Francesco Fulvio , Leo Laura Anna , Paiocchi Vera , Schlossbauer Susanne , Narula Jagat , Ho Siew Yen
Published: December 2020

The detailed anatomy of the interatrial septum (IAS) and mitral annulus (MA) as observed on cardiac magnetic resonance, computed tomography and two-dimensional/three-dimensional transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography is reviewed. The IAS comprises of two components: the septum primum that is membrane-like forming the floor of the fossa ovalis (FO) and the septum secundum that is a muscular rim that surrounds the FO. The latter is an enfolding of atrial wall forming an interatrial groove. Named Waterston’s groove, it is filled with adipose tissue on the epicardial side. Thus, the safest area for transseptal puncture (TSP) is within the limits of the FO floor, which provides direct interatrial access. While crossing an intact septum is a well-established procedure, TSP is a more complex and time-consuming procedure in the presence of patent foramen ovalis, aneurysmal FO or atrial septal defect closure devices. MA comprises two distinctive segments: an anterior-straight and a posterior-curved segment. The posterior MA is a thin, discontinuous fibrous ‘string’, interspersed with adipose tissue, where four components converge: the atrial and ventricular musculature, epicardial adipose tissue and the leaflet’s hinge line. In parts of where this fibrous string is deficient or absent, the posterior leaflet is inserted directly on ventricular and atrial myocardium rendering the MA less robust and producing an ‘asymmetric’ dilation. The marked vulnerability of posterior MA to calcifications might be due to its insertion on the crest of ventricular myocardium being subject to friction injury due to the contraction and relaxation of LV.
Safety of immune checkpoint inhibitor rechallenge after discontinuation for grade ≥2 immune-related adverse events in patients with cancer
Authors: Allouchery Marion , Lombard Thomas , Martin Mickael , Rouby Franck , Sassier Marion , Bertin Celia , Atzenhoffer Marina , Miremont-Salame Ghada , Perault-Pochat Marie-Christine , Puyade Mathieu
Published: December 2020

Background

Safety of rechallenge of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) after grade ≥2 immune-related adverse events (irAEs) leading to ICI discontinuation remains unclear.

Methods

All adverse drug reactions involving at least one ICI reported up to December 31, 2019 were extracted from the French pharmacovigilance database. Patients were included if they experienced at least one grade ≥2 irAE resulting in ICI discontinuation, with subsequent ICI rechallenge. The primary outcome was the recurrence of at least one grade ≥2 irAE in these patients after ICI rechallenge.

Results

We included 180 patients: 61.1% were men (median age of 66 years), 43.9% had melanoma and 78.9% were receiving anti-programmed cell death 1. First ICI discontinuation was related to 191 irAEs. After ICI rechallenge, 38.9% of the patients experienced at least one grade ≥2 irAE. Among them, 70.0% experienced the same irAE, 25.7% a distinct irAE, and 4.3% both the same and a distinct irAE. Lower recurrence rates of irAEs were associated with rechallenge with the same ICI treatment (p=0.02) or first endocrine irAEs (p=0.003). Gastrointestinal irAEs were more likely to recur (p=0.007). The median duration from ICI discontinuation to rechallenge and the severity of the initial irAE did not predict recurrent irAEs after ICI rechallenge (p=0.53 and p=0.40, respectively).

Conclusions

In this study, 61.1% of the patients who discontinued ICI treatment for grade ≥2 irAEs experienced no recurrent grade ≥2 irAEs after ICI rechallenge. Although ICI rechallenge appears to be safe under close monitoring, it should always be discussed balancing usefulness of rechallenge, patient comorbidities and risk of recurrence of first irAE(s). Due to inherent bias associated with pharmacovigilance studies, further prospective studies are needed to assess risk factors that may influence patient outcomes after ICI rechallenge.
Serum CD73 is a prognostic factor in patients with metastatic melanoma and is associated with response to anti-PD-1 therapy
Authors: Turiello Roberta , Capone Mariaelena , Giannarelli Diana , Morretta Elva , Monti Maria Chiara , Madonna Gabriele , Mallardo Domenico , Festino Lucia , Azzaro Rosa , Levesque Mitchell P , Imhof Laurence , Weide Benjamin , Amaral Teresa , Chevrier Marc , Sucker Antje , Rutkowski Piotr , Schadendorf Dirk , Lebbe Celeste , Luke Jason John , Wistuba-Hamprecht Kilian , Dummer Reinhard , Pinto Aldo , Morello Silvana , Ascierto Paolo A
Published: December 2020

Background

Inhibitors of immune checkpoint programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) receptor on T cells have shown remarkable clinical outcomes in metastatic melanoma. However, most patients are resistant to therapy. Production of extracellular adenosine, via CD73-mediated catabolism of AMP, contributes to suppress T-cell-mediated responses against cancer. In this study, we analyzed the expression and activity of soluble CD73 in sera of patients with melanoma undergoing anti-PD-1± cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 therapy.

Methods

Soluble CD73 expression and activity were retrospectively analyzed in serum of a total of 546 patients with melanoma from different centers before starting treatment (baseline) with anti-PD-1 agents, nivolumab or pembrolizumab, and compared with those of 96 healthy subjects. The CD73 activity was correlated with therapy response and survival of patients.

Results

Patients with melanoma show significantly higher CD73 activity and expression than those observed in healthy donors (p<0.0001). Elevated pretreatment levels of CD73 activity were associated with non-response to therapy with nivolumab or pembrolizumab. During treatment, levels of soluble CD73 activity remain unchanged from baseline and still stratify clinical responders from non-responders. High levels of serum CD73 enzymatic activity associate with reduced overall survival (OS; HR=1.36, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.78; p=0.03) as well as progression-free survival (PFS; HR=1.42, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.79, p=0.003). Further, the multivariate Cox regression analysis indicates that serum CD73 activity is an independent prognostic factor besides serum lactate dehydrogenase levels and the presence of brain metastases for both OS (p=0.009) and PFS (p=0.001).

Conclusion

Our data indicate the relevance of serum CD73 in patients with advanced melanoma receiving anti-PD-1 therapy and support further investigation on targeting CD73 in combination with anti-PD-1 antibodies.
Corticosteroid dosing and opioid use are high in patients with SLE and remain elevated after belimumab initiation: a retrospective claims database analysis
Authors: Birt Julie A , Wu Jianmin , Griffing Kirstin , Bello Natalia , Princic Nicole , Winer Isabelle , Lew Carolyn R , Costenbader Karen H
Published: December 2020

Objectives

To investigate corticosteroid and opioid use among patients with SLE and to examine the impact of belimumab initiation on the use of other SLE therapies.

Methods

We identified adult patients with SLE (International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision/10th Revision 710.0 and M32) between 1 January 2012 and 31 May 2018 (earliest SLE diagnosis=index date) within MarketScan administrative claims data. Patients were followed from index date for a minimum of 12 months and until the earlier of disenrolment in their health plan or study end (31 May 2018). Corticosteroid utilisation, corticosteroid dose (in prednisone equivalents) and opioid utilisation (overall, by strength (weak, strong) and by duration (chronic use defined as >90 days of cumulative drug supply)) were measured during follow-up. Oral corticosteroid and opioid use were compared in the 6 months before and after initiation of belimumab.

Results

There were 49 413 patients with SLE eligible for analysis (mean (SD) age: 50.1 (14.0) years, 90.2% female). Of these, 68.5% received corticosteroids, and the average number of prescriptions was 4.59 (4.11) over the first 12 months of follow-up. Among patients with oral corticosteroids, average daily dose was 19.4 (14.2) mg and 59.6% had an average daily dose of ≥15 mg. Half (52.6%) had at least one opioid prescription and of these, 34.6% had chronic use over the first 12 months of follow-up. Among patients initiating belimumab during follow-up (n=1710), oral corticosteroid use decreased by 9.1% (p=0.001), and average daily dose decreased from 14.5 (18.4) mg to 11.9 (18.0) mg (p<0.001) in the 6 months after initiation compared with the 6 months prior. Initiation of belimumab had no impact on prevalence of opioid use.

Conclusions

A high proportion of patients with SLE are treated with corticosteroids to control SLE and opioid therapy to manage chronic pain. While there was no change in opioid use, oral corticosteroid use and dose intensity decreased following initiation of belimumab.
Impact of a single non-sex-related stroke risk factor on atrial fibrillation and oral anticoagulant outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Grymonprez Maxim , Steurbaut Stephane , De Sutter An , Lahousse Lies
Published: December 2020

Aims

Oral anticoagulants (OACs) are crucial for treating atrial fibrillation (AF) patients at high thromboembolic risk. However, in AF patients at intermediate thromboembolic risk with a single non-sex-related stroke risk factor (CHA2DS2-VASc score 1 in men, 2 in women), guidelines advise to consider starting anticoagulation, which may result in OAC non-initiation due to underestimation of the thromboembolic risk of a single stroke risk factor and overestimation of the OAC-related bleeding risk. A critical appraisal of the role of OACs and the benefit–risk profile of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) compared with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in this patient subgroup are needed.

Methods and results

This systematic review provides an overview of literature on the effectiveness and safety of OACs in AF patients with a single non-sex-related stroke risk factor after searching Medline and Embase. Differences between individual stroke risk factors regarding the ischaemic stroke risk in non-anticoagulated AF patients are identified in a meta-analysis, demonstrating the highest increased risk in patients aged 65–74 years old or with diabetes mellitus, followed by heart failure, hypertension and vascular disease. Furthermore, meta-analysis results favour NOACs over VKAs, given their equal effectiveness and superior safety in AF patients at intermediate thromboembolic risk (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.65 to 1.34 for stroke or systemic embolism; HR 0.60, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.80 for major bleeding; HR 0.48, 95% CI 0.14 to 1.59 for intracranial bleeding; HR 0.58, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.71 for mortality).

Conclusion

Our systematic review with meta-analysis favours the use of anticoagulation in AF patients with a single non-sex-related stroke risk factor, especially when age ≥65 years or diabetes mellitus is present, with a preference for NOACs over VKAs.
Pulmonary adenocarcinoma in two alpacas (Vicugna pacos)
Authors: Moore S Jo , Wessels Mark , McFadzean Harriet , Bell Frazer , Treharne Zoe V
Published: December 2020

We describe here two cases of pulmonary neoplasia in alpacas: case 1 was a 19‐year‐old female huacaya alpaca that was submitted to investigate sudden death with possible previous weight loss. Gross and histological examination revealed changes consistent with primary lepidic‐type pulmonary adenocarcinoma (previously bronchioalveolar carcinoma) with metastases to the thorax and abdomen. Case 2 was a six‐year‐old male castrated Suri alpaca with a 3‐week history of weight loss and inappetance that was euthanased following a short period of recumbency and respiratory signs. Gross and histological features in this case were consistent with a diagnosis of metastatic adenocarcinoma affecting the lungs and lymph nodes. Masses from both alpacas were further characterised using immunohistochemistry for thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF‐1), pan cytokeratin AE1/AE3 and vimentin. We show that histological subtype and TTF‐1 and AE1/AE3 immunoreactivity can be used to differentiate primary and metastatic pulmonary adenocarcinomas in the lungs of alpacas.
Long-term evolution of composition and structure after repeated group selection over eight decades
Authors: Rogers Nicole S. , D’Amato Anthony W. , Leak William B.
Published: December 2020

In northeastern North America, group selection is frequently used in northern hardwood forests to maintain uneven-aged stand structure and promote regeneration of tree species spanning a range of shade tolerances. For this study, long-term application of group selection at the Bartlett Experimental Forest, New Hampshire, USA, provided a unique opportunity to address cohort- and stand-level progression after 80 years of treatment. Cohort-level evolution reflected successional and developmental dynamics associated with even-aged forest systems, whereas aggregate stand-level conditions were consistent with expectations for uneven-aged systems. As cohorts aged, diameter distributions progressed towards descending monotonic forms and species composition transitioned from shade-intolerant species to shade-tolerant species. Standing deadwood and downed woody material in cohorts followed trajectories of aging even-aged stands through time. Although American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) was a primary species across cohorts and at the stand level, stand-level regeneration included a mixture of ecologically and commercially valuable species. These long-term results offer important insights into emergent cohort- and stand-level conditions and processes that may affect continued recruitment of desirable compositional and structural conditions in stands managed using group selection over numerous cutting cycles.
GA–EDA: Hybrid Design Space Exploration Engine for Multicore Architecture
Authors: Waris Hira , Ahmad Ayaz , Qadri Muhammad Yasir , Raja Gulistan , Malik Tahir Nadeem
Published: December 2020

Emergence of modern multicore architectures has made runtime reconfiguration of system resources possible. All reconfigurable system resources constitute a design space and the proper selection of configuration of these resources to improve the system performance is known as Design Space Exploration (DSE). This reconfiguration feature helps in appropriate allocation of system resources to improve the efficiency in terms of performance, energy consumption, throughput, etc. Different techniques like exhaustive search of design space, architect’s experience, etc. are used for optimization of system resources to achieve desired goals. In this work, we hybridized two optimization algorithms, i.e., Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Estimation of Distribution Algorithm (EDA) for DSE of computer architecture. This hybrid algorithm achieved optimal balance between two objectives (minimal energy consumption and maximal throughput) by using decision variables such as number of cores, cache size and operating frequency. The final set of optimal solutions proposed by this GA–EDA hybrid algorithm is explored and verified by running different benchmark applications derived from SPLASH-2 benchmark suite on a cycle level simulator. The significant reduction in energy consumption without extensive impact on throughput in simulation results validate the use of this GA–EDA hybrid algorithm for DSE of multicore architecture. Moreover, the simulation results are compared with that of standalone GA, EDA and fuzzy logic to show the efficiency of GA–EDA hybrid algorithm.
Scaling laws of graphs of 3D protein structures
Authors: Pražnikar Jure
Published: December 2020

The application of graph theory in structural biology offers an alternative means of studying 3D models of large macromolecules such as proteins. The radius of gyration, which scales with exponent [Formula: see text], provides quantitative information about the compactness of the protein structure. In this study, we combine two proven methods, the graph-theoretical and the fundamental scaling laws, to study 3D protein models. This study shows that the mean node degree (MND) of the protein graphs, which scales with exponent 0.038, is scale-invariant. In addition, proteins that differ in size have a highly similar node degree distribution. Linear regression analysis showed that the graph parameters (radius, diameter, and mean eccentricity) can explain up to 90% of the total radius of gyration variance. Thus, the graph parameters of radius, diameter, and mean eccentricity scale match along with the same exponent as the radius of gyration. The main advantage of graph eccentricity compared to the radius of gyration is that it can be used to analyze the distribution of the central and peripheral amino acids/nodes of the macromolecular structure.
Shear-free radiating collapse model via Karmarkar condition in f(R) gravity
Authors: Abbas G. , Nazar H.
Published: December 2020

In this paper, we have employed the time-dependent Karmarkar condition to the shear-free nonstatic radiative model undergoing dissipative gravitational collapse (GC) with anisotropic radial heat flux distribution in the metric [Formula: see text] formalism. We have obtained the final solutions of the [Formula: see text] field equations under the consideration of three viable models [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text], which are physically realistic at both the early and late-time cosmological epochs. In this relevance, the Karmarkar condition together with boundary condition presents a complete radiating star model which are experienced by the initial static configuration. The matching conditions have been derived between the exterior Vaidya metric and interior line-element across the boundary three surface which permits to study the physical credibility of our radiating star model. Afterwards, we have comprehensively discussed the physical significance of the matter variables and causal thermodynamical profile by graphical representation for our radiating star object. Moreover, we have also studied that the GC proceeds without the appearance of the horizon, i.e. the model is free of horizon.
Quantization of non-Abelian gauge theory in graphene
Authors: Shah Naveed Ahmad , Ahsan M. A. H.
Published: December 2020

A time-dependent strain induces non-Abelian gauge field in a sheet of graphene. We discuss the effective field theory of this system of graphene subjected to a general form of time-dependent strain. We study the modifications to this effective field theory as a result of breaking Lorentz symmetry down to its sub-group, [Formula: see text], employing the VSR formalism. As the effective theory describing the graphene system has gauge symmetry; to quantize this theory, we add a suitable ghost and gauge fixing terms to the original action. The resultant action is observed to be invariant under a BRST symmetry. We have studied the BRST symmetry of the resultant theory, and explicitly constructed the BRST transformations.
Chen inequalities for statistical submersions between statistical manifolds
Authors: Siddiqui Aliya Naaz , Chen Bang-Yen , Siddiqi Mohd. Danish
Published: December 2020

We study statistical submersions between statistical manifolds. In particular, we establish Chen–Ricci inequalities of statistical submersions between statistical manifolds and a [Formula: see text] Chen-type inequality for statistical submersions. Some applications are also given.
Analyzing conserved currents in F(R) theory of gravity
Authors: Sk Nayem , Chakrabortty Manas , Sanyal Abhik Kumar
Published: December 2020

[Formula: see text] theory of gravity is claimed to admit a host of conserved currents under the imposition of Noether symmetry following various techniques. However, for a constrained system such as gravity, Noether symmetry is not on-shell. As a result, the symmetries do not necessarily satisfy the field equations in general, constraints in particular, unless the generator is modified to incorporate the constraints. In this paper, we apply the first theorem of Poisson to unveil the fact that not all the conserved currents appearing in the literature for [Formula: see text] theory of gravity satisfy the field equations. We also provide a list of available forms of [Formula: see text] along with associated conserved currents and construct a generalized action, which might address the cosmic puzzle, elegantly.
Constrained polynomial fit-based k-domain interpolation in swept-source optical coherence tomography
Authors: Han Tao , Qiu Jianrong , Wang Di , Meng Jia , Liu Zhiyi , Ding Zhihua
Published: December 2020

We propose a [Formula: see text]-domain spline interpolation method with constrained polynomial fit based on spectral phase in swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). A Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MZI) unit is connected to the swept-source of the SS-OCT system to generate calibration signal in sync with the fetching of interference spectra. The spectral phase of the calibration signal is extracted by Hilbert transformation. The fitted phase–time relationship is obtained by polynomial fitting with the constraint of passing through the central spectral phase. The fitting curve is then adopted for [Formula: see text]-domain uniform interpolation based on evenly spaced phase. In comparison with conventional [Formula: see text]-domain spline interpolation, the proposed method leads to improved axial resolution and peak response of the axial point spread function (PSF) of the SS-OCT system. Enhanced performance resulting from the proposed method is further verified by OCT imaging of a home-constructed microspheres-agar sample and a fresh lemon. Besides SS-OCT, the proposed method is believed to be applicable to spectral domain OCT as well.
Soft HvMV-algebras
Authors: Bakhshi Mahmood , Delavari Parveen
Published: December 2020

In this paper, we continue our study of H[Formula: see text]MV-algebras. We apply the notion of softness to H[Formula: see text]MV-algebras and give some related results. We introduce the notions of soft H[Formula: see text]MV-subalgebras and soft (weak) H[Formula: see text]MV-ideals and investigate their properties. Also, we study the lattice-theoretic properties of soft H[Formula: see text]MV-algebras and soft H[Formula: see text]MV-ideals over an H[Formula: see text]MV-algebra.
Bounds on the minimum edge dominating energy of induced subgraphs of a graph
Authors: Movahedi Fateme
Published: December 2020

Let [Formula: see text] be a graph with [Formula: see text] vertices and [Formula: see text] edges. The minimum edge dominating energy is equal to the sum of the absolute values of eigenvalues of the minimum edge dominating matrix of graph [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we establish some bounds for the minimum edge dominating energy of subgraphs of a graph.
Uncovering Media Bias via Social Network Learning
Authors: Zhou Yiyi , Ji Rongrong , Su Jinsong , Yao Jiaquan
Published: December 2020

It is known that media outlets, such as CNN and FOX, have intrinsic political bias that is reflected in their news reports. The computational prediction of such bias has broad application prospects. However, the prediction is difficult via directly analyzing the news content without high-level context. In contrast, social signals (e.g., the network structure of media followers) provide inspiring cues to uncover such bias. In this article, we realize the first attempt of predicting the latent bias of media outlets by analyzing their social network structures. In particular, we address two key challenges:network sparsityandlabel sparsity. The network sparsity refers to the partial sampling of the entire follower network in practical analysis and computing, whereas the label sparsity refers to the difficulty of annotating sufficient labels to train the prediction model. To cope with the network sparsity, we propose a hybrid sampling strategy to construct a training corpus that contains network information from micro to macro views. Based on this training corpus, a semi-supervised network embedding approach is proposed to learn low-dimensional yet effective network representations. To deal with the label sparsity, we adopt a graph-based label propagation scheme to supplement the missing links and augment label information for model training. The preceding two steps are iteratively optimized to reinforce each other. We further collect a large-scale dataset containing social networks of 10 media outlets together with about 300,000 followers and more than 5 million connections. Over this dataset, we compare our model to a range of state of the art. Superior performance gains demonstrate the merits of the proposed approach. More importantly, the experimental results and analyses confirm the validity of our approach for the computerized prediction of media bias.
Climate Change Disinformation and How to Combat It
Authors: Lewandowsky Stephan
Published: December 2020

Climate change presents a challenge at multiple levels: It challenges our cognitive abilities because the effect of the accumulation of emissions is difficult to understand. Climate change also challenges many people's worldview because any climate mitigation regime will have economic and political implications that are incompatible with libertarian ideals of unregulated free markets. These political implications have created an environment of rhetorical adversity in which disinformation abounds, thus compounding the challenges for climate communicators. The existing literature on how to communicate climate change and dispel misinformation converges on several conclusions: First, providing information about climate change, in particular explanations of why it occurs, can enhance people's acceptance of science. Second, highlighting the scientific consensus can be an effective means to counter misinformation and raise public acceptance. Third, culturally aligned messages and messengers are more likely to be successful. Finally, climate misinformation is best defanged, through a process known as inoculation, before it is encountered, although debunking techniques can also be successful.
Effect of Sulfurization Time and Temperature on the Properties of Lead Nano/Sub-Micro Wires Fabricated By Vacuum Injection Molding Process
Authors: Chang Shao Fu , Zhou Xuan , Chen Chien Chon , Chen Shih Hsun
Published: December 2020

In this research, lead (Pb) nano/sub-micro wire arrays were fabricated with Anodic Aluminum Oxide (AAO) templates of 30,100 and 300nm in diameters. Through vacuum injection molding process, Pb/AAO composite was obtained, and lead sulfide (PbS) could further synthesized after exposed to vaporized sulfide. The AAO templates with different pore size were produced by using 99.999% high purity aluminum in two-step anodization. Three types of solutions include 10vol.% sulfuric acid, 3wt.% oxalic acid and 1vol.% phosphoric acid solutions were adopted to achieve AAO of various pore size. Different sulfurization temperatures and time periods were applied for studying on the properties of PbS. Finally, the morphology, composition, structure and elements distribution of the as-prepared Pb and PbS nano/sub-micro wires were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X -ray diffraction (XRD) and element-mapping analysis. The results indicated that Pb nano/sub-micro wires obtained successfully after vacuum injection molding process with 50 kgf/cm2 hydraulic pressure and PbS nano/sub-micro arrays formed completely by sulfurization at 500℃ for 5 hours.
Essential Oil of Acorus tatarinowii Schott Ameliorates Aβ-Induced Toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans through an Autophagy Pathway
Authors: Chen Xin-yan , Liao De-chun , Sun Meng-lu , Cui Xiang-huan , Wang Hong-bing
Published: December 2020

Background. Acorus tatarinowii Schott [Shi Chang Pu in Chinese (SCP)] is a traditional Chinese medicine frequently used in the clinical treatment of dementia, amnesia, epilepsy, and other mental disorders. Previous studies have shown the potential efficacy of SCP against Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Nevertheless, the active constituents and the modes of action of SCP in AD treatment have not been fully elucidated. Purpose. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of SCP on abnormal proteins and clarify its molecular mechanisms in the treatment of AD by using a Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) model. Methods. This study experimentally assessed the effect of SCP-Oil in CL4176 strains expressing human Aβ in muscle cells and CL2355 strains expressing human Aβ in pan-neurons. Western blotting, qRT-PCR, and fluorescence detection were performed to determine the oxidative stress and signaling pathways affected by SCP-Oil in nematodes. Results. SCP-Oil could significantly reduce the deposition of misfolded Aβ and polyQ proteins and improved serotonin sensitivity and olfactory learning skill in worms. The analysis of pharmacological action mechanism of SCP-Oil showed that its maintaining protein homeostasis is dependent on the autophagy pathway regulated partly by hsf-1 and sir-2.1 genes. Conclusion. Our results provide new insights to develop treatment strategy for AD by targeting autophagy, and SCP-Oil could be an alternative drug for anti-AD.
Modeling the Effects of Nonpharmaceutical Interventions on COVID-19 Spread in Kenya
Authors: Gathungu Duncan K. , Ojiambo Viona N. , Kimathi Mark E. M. , Mwalili Samuel M.
Published: December 2020

Mathematical modeling of nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Kenya is presented. A susceptible-exposed-infected-recovered (SEIR) compartment model is considered with additional compartments of hospitalized population whose condition is severe or critical and the fatality compartment. The basic reproduction number (R0) is computed by the next-generation matrix approach and later expressed as a time-dependent function so as to incorporate the NPIs into the model. The resulting system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) is solved using fourth-order and fifth-order Runge–Kutta methods. Different intervention scenarios are considered, and the results show that implementation of closure of education institutions, curfew, and partial lockdown yields predicted delayed peaks of the overall infections, severe cases, and fatalities and subsequently containment of the pandemic in the country.
Association between LXR-α and ABCA1 Gene Polymorphisms and the Risk of Diabetic Kidney Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in a Chinese Han Population
Authors: Liu Peng , Ma Liang , Zhao Hailing , Shen Zhengri , Zhou Xuefeng , Yan Meihua , Zhao Tingting , Zhang Haojun , Qiu Xinping , Li Ping
Published: December 2020

We designed a case-control study and selected LXR-α rs7120118 C>T and ABCA1 rs2230806 A>G polymorphisms to determine the correlation between these polymorphisms and diabetic kidney disease (DKD) susceptibility in a Chinese Han population. Three hundred DKD patients and 346 type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients without kidney disease were recruited. Our results showed that rs7120118 was associated with DKD (genotype,

P
=
.027

; allele,

P
<
.011

). rs7120118 was associated with a higher risk of DKD under a dominant model adjustment by age and sex (

P
=
.015

) and an additive model (

P
=
.040

); rs2230806 was associated with a higher risk of DKD under an recessive model (

P
<
.03

); the combined effect of rs7120118 CC+rs2230806 GG genotype showed an association of DKD adjustment for age and sex (

P
=
.009

). In subgroup analysis of patients without hypercholesterolemia, the rs2230806 genotype frequencies were different between the two groups (

P
=
.042

). rs2230806 was associated with increased risk of DKD under a recessive model adjustment for age and sex (

P
=
.013

) and an additive model (

P
=
.031

). Our results suggest that LXR-α rs7120118 is significantly associated with a higher risk of DKD, and ABCA1 rs2230806 is significantly associated with a higher risk of DKD without hypercholesterolemia in Chinese Han individuals.
Delayed Diagnosis of Congenital Hypothyroidism in a Child with Trisomy 21 and Biotinidase Deficiency and Successful Use of Levothyroxine Sodium Oral Solution
Authors: Feldt Matthew M.
Published: December 2020

Endocrine disorders are more common and appear earlier in people with trisomy 21 (T21) than in the general population, with thyroid dysfunction being the most common, including both congenital and acquired hypothyroidism. The treatment for biotinidase deficiency, a condition that occurs in approximately 1 : 110,000 people, is with biotin (vitamin B7) supplementation. However, biotin can interfere with endocrine laboratory assays and cause falsely low thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and elevated free thyroxine (FT4) levels. This can interfere with the timely diagnosis and subsequent treatment of congenital hypothyroidism (CH). This case report describes an infant with partial biotinidase deficiency that was confirmed on day 10 of life. Routine screening erroneously reported “normal” TSH that caused delayed diagnosis of CH due to interference with the TSH assay from concurrent biotin use. Once the biotin treatment was withheld for 4 days and the thyroid function tests repeated, an elevated TSH became apparent. Treatment with tablet levothyroxine (L-T4) was started and subsequently changed to L-T4 oral solution (Tirosint®-SOL) to overcome treatment administration difficulties encountered with the tablet form. This resulted in improved TSH control due to more accurate and consistent dosing compared with the tablet formulation. This is the first report of the use of L-T4 oral solution in an infant with T21 and biotinidase deficiency.
Ectopic Humanized Mesenchymal Niche in Mice Enables Robust Engraftment of Myelodysplastic Stem Cells
Authors: Mian Syed A. , Abarrategi Ander , Kong Kar Lok , Rouault-Pierre Kevin , Wood Henry , Oedekoven Caroline A. , Smith Alexander E. , Batsivari Antoniana , Ariza-McNaughton Linda , Johnson Peter , Snoeks Thomas , Mufti Ghulam J. , Bonnet Dominique
Published: December 2020

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are clonal stem cell diseases characterized mainly by ineffective hematopoiesis. Here, we present an approach that enables robust long-term engraftment of primary MDS stem cells (MDS-SC) in mice by implantation of human mesenchymal cell–seeded scaffolds. Critically for modeling MDS, where patient sample material is limiting, mononuclear bone marrow cells containing as few as 104 CD34+ cells can be engrafted and expanded by this approach with the maintenance of the genetic make-up seen in the patients. Noninvasive high-resolution ultrasound imaging shows that these scaffolds are fully perfused. Our data show that the human microenvironment but not mouse is essential to MDS-SC homing and engraftment. Notably, the alternative niche provided by healthy donor mesenchymal stromal cells enhances engraftment of MDS-SCs. This study characterizes a new tool to model MDS human disease with the level of engraftment previously unattainable in mice and offers insights into human-specific determinants of the MDS-SC microenvironment.

Significance:

These findings are significant for understanding the niche dependence of MDS. This report provides the evidence of the migratory behavior of hematopoietic stem cells in myeloid cancers. Our model offers a unique opportunity to study the clonal behavior of the myeloid/lymphoid cancers and delineate how cancer cells interact with different niches.
Abdominopelvic Metastasis of Endometrial Serous Carcinoma Initially Misdiagnosed as Early-Stage Low-Grade Endometrioid Carcinoma: The Importance of Recognizing Minimal Uterine Serous Carcinoma
Authors: Han Jiheun , Kim Hyun-Soo
Published: December 2020

Minimal uterine serous carcinomas (MUSCs) include serous carcinomas with invasion confined to the endometrium (superficial serous carcinoma) and those without stromal invasion (serous endometrial intraepithelial carcinoma). Although these tumors are confined to the endometrium proper, they have highly metastatic potential for disseminating to extra-uterine sites. We report here a case of MUSC that was initially misdiagnosed as early-stage low-grade endometrioid carcinoma but later metastasized to the abdominopelvic peritoneum. The patient was a 61-year-old woman who was diagnosed with grade 1 endometrioid carcinoma of the endometrium and underwent total hysterectomy. Because the tumor was confined to the endometrium (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IA), no further treatment was performed. However, several metastatic tumor masses were detected in the vaginal stump and abdominopelvic peritoneum 7 years after the surgery. Histologically, the metastatic tumor tissues showed high-grade carcinoma. A review of previous hysterectomy slides showed multiple separate foci of atypical glandular proliferation measuring up to 0.8 cm in the greatest dimension and consisting of markedly atypical cells involving the surface and atrophic glands. The tumor showed a predominantly glandular architecture without evident papillary growth or stromal invasion. However, it had large, pleomorphic nuclei showing a high nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio, conspicuous eosinophilic nucleoli, and numerous mitotic figures. Characteristically, the tumor showed marked nuclear atypia immediately appreciated at low magnification in the background of well-formed glandular structures, indicating a significant discordance between nuclear and architectural features. On immunostaining, both the uterine and metastatic tumor tissues exhibited diffuse and strong p16 expression and mutant pattern of p53 expression, confirming the diagnosis of serous carcinoma. In summary, the case findings support that failure to preoperatively recognize high-risk endometrial carcinoma is associated with worse outcomes. Complete surgical staging and accurate pathological diagnosis are critical for patients with serous carcinoma even at the early clinical stage.
Precarização, neoliberalismo e questão social: reverberações sobre os modos de trabalho no nordeste brasileiro
Authors: Aquino Cássio Adriano Braz de
Published: December 2020

O presente texto é o recorte de uma proposta ampla que tinha como foco uma análise do neoliberalismo, trabalho e precariedade na América Latina. O segmento aqui abordado retrata os aspectos da configuração do trabalho na região do Nordeste brasileiro, destacando as implicações do neoliberalismo e dos processos de precarização nesse contexto. Dada a complexidade da articulação de tais categorias, lançou-se mão de três pontos decisivos para guiar nossa investigação: a compreensão da precarização como fenômeno constitutivo do modelo neoliberal proposto para o trabalho; a análise da questão social como mecanismo de contextualização das diferenças que afetam o mercado de trabalho; e, por fim, a dimensão política mais recente, responsável pelas significativas transformações que reverberam na configuração do trabalho na região nordeste. A construção desse cenário lança as bases que permitem o entendimento sobre a articulação entre os “novos” modos de trabalhar e a produção subjetiva dos trabalhadores, reconhecendo evidências dessa vinculação para a constituição do campo da psicologia social do trabalho.
Flora da Serra do Cipó, Minas Gerais: Grewioideae (Malvaceae)
Authors: Yoshikawa Vania Nobuko , Esteves Gerleni Lopes , Duarte Marília Cristina
Published: December 2020

O presente estudo compõe parte do projeto da Flora da Serra do Cipó, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Atualmente, Grewioideae é uma das nove subfamílias de Malvaceae. Morfologicamente, Grewioideae apresenta sépalas distintas sem nectários na base da face abaxial, presença de nectários na base das pétalas e no androginóforo, estames numerosos e anteras ditecas. Na área de estudo foram encontrados quatro gêneros (Apeiba, Corchorus, Luehea e Triumfetta) e cinco espécies (A. tibourbou, C. hirtus, L. divaricata, L. grandiflora e T. semitriloba), diferenciadas principalmente pelo hábito de vida (árvores ou arbustos), tamanho das flores e forma do fruto. Chaves de identificação em nível específico, bem como descrições detalhadas, ilustrações, comentários taxonômicos e lista de materiais examinados são apresentados.
Exclusão da feminilidade como mecanismo de destruição em Crônica da casa assassinada
Authors: Cardoso Elizabeth da Penha
Published: December 2020

A marca da destruição, indicada no título do romance Crônica da casa assassinada, de Lúcio Cardoso, é operada em torno principalmente de Nina e Ana, mas uma leitura atenta percebe o mesmo mecanismo dirigido a Timóteo, Betty, Maria Sinhá e à própria casa. O que une todas essas personagens é a potência de transgressão, de destruição e de questionamento que afeta sobremaneira Demétrio. Neste artigo, vamos centrar a análise da feminilidade por meio dessa figura e sua tentativa de exclusão do outro. As confluências com a psicanálise de Freud nos auxiliam na leitura.
The ability of waist-to-height ratio to identify health risk
Authors: Corrêa Márcia Mara , Facchini Luiz Augusto , Thumé Elaine , Oliveira Elizabete Regina Araújo de , Tomasi Elaine
Published: December 2020

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of the ratio between the waist circumference and the height in the identification of health risk compared with the correlation matrix between the anthropometric parameters body mass index and waist circumference. METHODS: A population-based study presenting a transversal cut in a representative sample of the Brazilian adult and older population. The combination of the body mass index with the waist circumference resulted in health risk categories, and the cutoff points of the ratio between the waist circumference and the height as anthropometric indicator were used for classification of low and increased risk. Poisson regression was used to verify the association of systemic arterial hypertension with the health risk categories. RESULTS: The results showed 26% of adult men, 10.4% of adult women and more than 30% of the older adults of both genders classified as without risk by the combination matrix between body mass index and waist circumference presented a ratio between the waist circumference and height that showed increased risk. All risk categories continued to be associated with hypertension after control for confounding factors, being almost two times higher for adults with moderate and high risk according to both methods. When the waist-to-height ratio was used as a risk indicator, the prevalence of hypertension ratios for the older adults was 1.37 (95%CI 1.16–1.63) and 1.35 (95%CI 1.12–1.62) for men and women, respectively, being these values close to the combination matrix body mass index and waist circumference. CONCLUSIONS: The waist-to-height ratio identified more individuals at early health risk than the combination matrix between the body mass index and the waist circumference and showed comparable ability to identify health risk, regardless of gender and age, regarding the prevalence ratios for systemic arterial hypertension.