bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Communication and Team Performance: A Case Study of Division I Football Captains
Authors: Lower-Hoppe Leeann M. , Heuett Kyle B. , Newman Tarkington J. , Brgoch Shea M.
Published: February 2020

Performance excellence is a core value in athletic teams. A team’s intraorganizational network has been considered an important determinant of team performance. However, the role of sport-team captains is often overlooked in lieu of the coaching staff. The purpose of this case study was to explore the relationship between team captains’ intrateam ego network and team-performance indicators. The researchers video recorded the intrateam communication of 4 college football-team captains over the course of 9 practices and collected secondary data pertaining to team performance. Analysis of the coded interactions revealed significant positive relationships between captains’ ego network and the previous week’s team performance, with a nonsignificant correlation with the subsequent week’s team performance. Analysis exploring the relationships between captains’ ego network and other team-performance indicators provides some support for the impact of intrateam communication on team performance. Implications for coaches and future directions for research are presented.
Stitching the synapse: Cross-linking mass spectrometry into resolving synaptic protein interactions
Authors: Gonzalez-Lozano M. A. , Koopmans F. , Sullivan P. F. , Protze J. , Krause G. , Verhage M. , Li K. W. , Liu F. , Smit A. B.
Published: February 2020

Cross-linking mass spectrometry provides a resource for the discovery of novel protein interactions of synaptic protein complexes.
IRE1α kinase–mediated unconventional protein secretion rescues misfolded CFTR and pendrin
Authors: Park Hak , Shin Dong Hoon , Sim Ju-Ri , Aum Sowon , Lee Min Goo
Published: February 2020

The IRE1α kinase pathway is a potential drug development target for diseases caused by misfolded CFTR and pendrin.
Insignificant effect of Arctic amplification on the amplitude of midlatitude atmospheric waves
Authors: Blackport Russell , Screen James A.
Published: February 2020

We find no evidence from observations or climate models that Arctic amplification causes a wavier midlatitude circulation.
Multiple lipid binding sites determine the affinity of PH domains for phosphoinositide-containing membranes
Authors: Yamamoto Eiji , Domański Jan , Naughton Fiona B. , Best Robert B. , Kalli Antreas C. , Stansfeld Phillip J. , Sansom Mark S. P.
Published: February 2020

Molecular simulations reveal that multiple lipid interactions are needed for high-affinity binding of protein domains to membranes.
Enhanced CRISPR-Cas9 correction of Duchenne muscular dystrophy in mice by a self-complementary AAV delivery system
Authors: Zhang Yu , Li Hui , Min Yi-Li , Sanchez-Ortiz Efrain , Huang Jian , Mireault Alex A. , Shelton John M. , Kim Jiwoong , Mammen Pradeep P. A. , Bassel-Duby Rhonda , Olson Eric N.
Published: February 2020

Self-complementary AAV-packaged CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing components rescue Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
The dynamics of stem and crown groups
Authors: Budd Graham E. , Mann Richard P.
Published: February 2020

Modeling patterns of diversification in the fossil record explains many of its major features.
Stem cells and the heart—the road ahead
Authors: Murry Charles E. , MacLellan W. Robb
Published: February 2020

After 20 years of research, pluripotent stem cells move to the fore to treat heart disease
Electrical power generation from moderate-temperature radiative thermal sources
Authors: Davids Paul S. , Kirsch Jared , Starbuck Andrew , Jarecki Robert , Shank Joshua , Peters David
Published: February 2020

Electricity from thermal sources

It is desirable to harvest as much energy as possible from processes that produce useful amounts of heat and convert it from waste into electrical power. Thermoelectrics and thermophotovoltaics can harness and convert heat waste but tend to operate at high temperatures. Davids
et al.
designed and fabricated a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor infrared photonic device that can harvest and recover energy from low-temperature thermal sources (see the Perspective by Raman). Using a new conversion mechanism, they experimentally demonstrate large thermal-to-electrical power generation in a bipolar grating-coupled tunneling device, rivaling the best thermoelectric devices. The device design could be used for energy harvesting of waste heat and the development of compact thermal batteries.

Science
, this issue p.
1341
; see also p.
1301
BRCAness, SLFN11, and RB1 loss predict response to topoisomerase I inhibitors in triple-negative breast cancers
Authors: Coussy Florence , El-Botty Rania , Château-Joubert Sophie , Dahmani Ahmed , Montaudon Elodie , Leboucher Sophie , Morisset Ludivine , Painsec Pierre , Sourd Laura , Huguet Léa , Nemati Fariba , Servely Jean-Luc , Larcher Thibaut , Vacher Sophie , Briaux Adrien , Reyes Cécile , La Rosa Philippe , Lucotte Georges , Popova Tatiana , Foidart Pierre , Sounni Nor Eddine , Noel Agnès , Decaudin Didier , Fuhrmann Laetitia , Salomon Anne , Reyal Fabien , Mueller Christopher , Ter Brugge Petra , Jonkers Jos , Poupon Marie-France , Stern Marc-Henri , Bièche Ivan , Pommier Yves , Marangoni Elisabetta
Published: February 2020

Triple-negative breast cancer xenografts with BRCAness, high expression of SLFN11, and RB1 loss are highly sensitive to topoisomerase I inhibitors.
Inhibition of the ALDH18A1-MYCN positive feedback loop attenuates
MYCN
-amplified neuroblastoma growth
Authors: Guo Yu-Feng , Duan Jiang-Jie , Wang Jun , Li Lin , Wang Di , Liu Xun-Zhou , Yang Jing , Zhang Hua-Rong , Lv Jing , Yang Yong-Jun , Yang Ze-Yu , Cai Jiao , Liao Xue-Mei , Tang Tao , Huang Ting-Ting , Wu Feng , Yang Xian-Yan , Wen Qian , Bian Xiu-Wu , Yu Shi-Cang
Published: February 2020

The ALDH18A1-MYCN positive feedback loop points to a promising therapeutic target in
MYCN
-amplified neuroblastoma.
Microfluidic modeling of bone marrow pathophysiology
Authors: Zervantonakis Ioannis
Published: February 2020

Human bone-marrow-on-a-chip improves drug studies of hematopoietic cell function and identifies a neutrophil maturation defect in a genetic disorder.
In Vitro
and Intracellular Activities of Omadacycline against Legionella pneumophila
Authors: Dubois Jacques , Dubois Maïtée , Martel Jean-François
Published: February 2020

Omadacycline is an aminomethylcycline antibiotic with
in vitro
activity against pathogens causing community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP). This study investigated the activity of omadacycline against
Legionella pneumophila
strains isolated between 1995 and 2014 from nosocomial or community-acquired respiratory infections. Omadacycline exhibited extracellular activity similar to comparator antibiotics; intracellular penetrance was found by day 3 of omadacycline exposure.
Meropenem-Vaborbactam versus Ceftazidime-Avibactam for Treatment of Carbapenem-Resistant
Enterobacteriaceae
Infections
Authors: Ackley Renee , Roshdy Danya , Meredith Jacqueline , Minor Sarah , Anderson William E. , Capraro Gerald A. , Polk Christopher
Published: February 2020

The comparative efficacy of ceftazidime-avibactam and meropenem-vaborbactam for treatment of carbapenem-resistant
Enterobacteriaceae
(CRE) infections remains unknown. This was a multicenter, retrospective cohort study of adults with CRE infections who received ceftazidime-avibactam or meropenem-vaborbactam for ≥72 hours from February 2015 to October 2018. Patients with a localized urinary tract infection and repeat study drug exposures after the first episode were excluded.
Inactivation Efficacies and Mechanisms of Gas Plasma and Plasma-Activated Water against Aspergillus flavus Spores and Biofilms: a Comparative Study
Authors: Los Agata , Ziuzina Dana , Boehm Daniela , Cullen Patrick J. , Bourke Paula
Published: February 2020

The production of mycotoxin-free food remains a challenge in both human and animal food chains.
A. flavus
, a mycotoxin-producing contaminant of economically important crops, was selected as the model microorganism to investigate the efficiency and mechanisms of ACP technology against fungal contaminants of food. Our study directly compares the antifungal properties of gas plasma (GP) and plasma-activated water (PAW) against fungi as well as reporting the effects of ACP treatment on biofilms produced by
A. flavus
.
Fungal Evolution in Anthropogenic Environments:
Botrytis cinerea
Populations Infecting Small Fruit Hosts in the Pacific Northwest Rapidly Adapt to Human-Induced Selection Pressures
Authors: Kozhar Olga , Larsen Meredith M. , Grünwald Niklaus J. , Peever Tobin L.
Published: February 2020

Agroecosystems represent an efficient model for studying fungal adaptation and evolution in anthropogenic environments. In this work, we studied what evolutionary forces shape populations of one of the most important fungal plant pathogens,
B. cinerea
, in small fruit agroecosystems of the Pacific Northwest. We hypothesized that host, geographic, and anthropogenic factors of agroecosystems structure
B. cinerea
populations. By combining neutral markers with markers that directly respond to human-induced selection pressures, we show that pathogen populations are highly localized and that selection pressure caused by fungicide use can have a greater effect on population structure than adaptation to host. Our results give a better understanding of population biology and evolution of this important plant pathogen in heterogeneous environments but also provide a practical framework for the development of efficient management strategies by limiting pathogen adaptation to fungicides and other human-induced selection pressures present in agroecosystems of the Pacific Northwest and elsewhere.
Antibiotic use in children hospitalised with pneumonia in Central Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Phuong TK , Tran Hoang T , Fitzgerald Dominic A , Graham Steve M , Marais Ben J
Published: February 2020

Background and objectives

Excessive use of antibiotics has been noted in children with respiratory tract infections in Vietnam, but antibiotic use in hospitalised children is poorly documented. Antibiotic use and direct healthcare costs in children hospitalised with pneumonia in central Vietnam were assessed.

Methods

A prospective descriptive study of children under 5 years old admitted with a primary admission diagnosis of ‘pneumonia’ to the Da Nang Hospital for Women and Children over 1 year.

Results

Of 2911 children hospitalised with pneumonia, 2735 (94.0%) were classified as ‘non-severe’ pneumonia by the admitting physician. In total, 2853 (98.0%) children received antibiotics. Intravenous antibiotics were given to 336 (12.3%) children with ‘non-severe’ and 157/176 (89.2%) children with ‘severe’ pneumonia; those with ‘non-severe’ pneumonia accounted for 68.2% (336/493) of intravenous antibiotics given. Only 19.3% (95/493) of children on intravenous antibiotics were stepped down to an oral antibiotic. Cefuroxime was the preferred oral agent, and ceftriaxone was the preferred injectable agent. Hospital admission for oral antibiotics in ‘non-severe’ pneumonia was a major cost driver, with an average direct cost of US$78.9 per patient, accounting for 54.0% of the total hospitalisation cost in the study cohort. In addition, 336 (12.3%) children with non-severe pneumonia received intravenous antibiotics without indication, accounting for a further 23.2% of hospitalisation costs.

Conclusion

Limiting unnecessary hospitalisation and considering early intravenous to oral step down antibiotic will reduce direct health system costs and morbidity in children with respiratory tract infections in Vietnam.
Consensus on a video analysis framework of descriptors and definitions by the Rugby Union Video Analysis Consensus group
Authors: Hendricks Sharief , Till Kevin , den Hollander Steve , Savage Trevor N , Roberts Simon P , Tierney Gregory , Burger Nicholas , Kerr Hamish , Kemp Simon , Cross Matthew , Patricios Jon , McKune Andrew J , Bennet Mark , Rock Andy , Stokes Keith A , Ross Alex , Readhead Clint , Quarrie Kenneth L , Tucker Ross , Jones Ben
Published: February 2020

Using an expert consensus-based approach, a rugby union Video Analysis Consensus (RUVAC) group was formed to develop a framework for video analysis research in rugby union. The aim of the framework is to improve the consistency of video analysis work in rugby union and help enhance the overall quality of future research in the sport. To reach consensus, a systematic review and Delphi method study design was used. After a systematic search of the literature, 17 articles were used to develop the final framework that described and defined key actions and events in rugby union (rugby). Thereafter, a group of researchers and practitioners with experience and expertise in rugby video analysis formed the RUVAC group. Each member of the group examined the framework of descriptors and definitions and rated their level of agreement on a 5-point agreement Likert scale (1:strongly disagree; 2:disagree; 3:neither agree or disagree; 4:agree; 5: strongly agree). The mean rating of agreement on the five-point scale (1:strongly disagree; 5:strongly agree) was 4.6 (4.3–4.9), 4.6 (4.4–4.9), 4.7 (4.5–4.9), 4.8 (4.6–5.0) and 4.8 (4.6–5.0) for the tackle, ruck, scrum, line-out and maul, respectively. The RUVAC group recommends using this consensus as the starting framework when conducting rugby video analysis research. Which variables to use (if not all) depends on the objectives of the study. Furthermore, the intention of this consensus is to help integrate video data with other data (eg, injury surveillance).
Association of prestroke glycemic status with stroke mortality
Authors: Forti Paola , Maioli Fabiola , Nativio Valeria , Maestri Lorenzo , Coveri Maura , Zoli Marco
Published: February 2020

Objective

The role of diabetes as a predictor of mortality after stroke remains uncertain, and there are very few data for pre-diabetes. This study investigated the association of pre-diabetes and diabetes with 30-day and 1-year mortality after ischemic stroke (IS) and primary intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).

Research design and methods

Between 2006 and 2013, 2076 patients with IS and 586 patients with ICH (median age 79) were admitted to hospital within 24 hours after stroke onset and were treated in a stroke unit, where they underwent measurement of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Diabetes was retrospectively defined based on medical history, diagnosis during hospital stay or HbA1c ≥6.5% (48 mmol/mol). Pre-diabetes was defined as HbA1c of 5.7%–6.4% (39–47 mmol/mol). Stroke severity was measured using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). HRs were used to test the association of pre-diabetes and diabetes with 30-day and 1-year mortality after stroke onset.

Results

Among patients with IS, 830 had pre-diabetes and 632 had diabetes; 280 died within 30 days and the other 77 within 1 year. Among patients with ICH, 106 had pre-diabetes and 56 had diabetes; 150 died within 30 days and the other 92 within 1 year. In both stroke subtypes, pre-diabetes and diabetes were associated with higher 30-day mortality. In IS, however, the association was limited to patients with prestroke disability and very severe stroke. At NIHSS 25, HR was 1.58 (95% CI 1.07 to 2.35) for pre-diabetes and 1.67 (95% CI 1.14 to 2.46) for diabetes compared with normoglycemia. In ICH, the association was limited to women for pre-diabetes (HR 1.93, 95% CI 1.15 to 3.24) and to men for diabetes (HR 1.78, 95% CI 1.02 to 3.12). Prestroke glycemic status was unrelated to 1-year mortality.

Conclusions

Both pre-diabetes and diabetes predict short-term mortality after acute stroke, but the association varies depending on both prestroke and stroke-related characteristics. These findings may explain the heterogeneous results obtained by previous studies.
Correlation between biomarkers of exposure, effect and potential harm in the urine of electronic cigarette users
Authors: Sakamaki-Ching Shane , Williams Monique , Hua My , Li Jun , Bates Steve M , Robinson Andrew N , Lyons Timothy W , Goniewicz Maciej Lukasz , Talbot Prue
Published: February 2020

Objectives

To determine if urinary biomarkers of effect and potential harm are elevated in electronic cigarette users compared with non-smokers and if elevation correlates with increased concentrations of metals in urine.

Study design and setting

This was a cross-sectional study of biomarkers of exposure, effect and potential harm in urine from non-smokers (n=20), electronic cigarette users (n=20) and cigarette smokers (n=13). Participant’s screening and urine collection were performed at the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, and biomarker analysis and metal analysis were performed at the University of California, Riverside.

Results

Metallothionein was significantly elevated in the electronic cigarette group (3761±3932 pg/mg) compared with the non-smokers (1129±1294 pg/mg, p=0.05). 8-OHdG (8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine) was significantly elevated in electronic cigarette users (442.8±300.7 ng/mg) versus non-smokers (221.6±157.8 ng/mg, p=0.01). 8-Isoprostane showed a significant increase in electronic cigarette users (750.8±433 pg/mg) versus non-smokers (411.2±287.4 pg/mg, p=0.03). Linear regression analysis in the electronic cigarette group showed a significant correlation between cotinine and total metal concentration; total metal concentration and metallothionein; cotinine and oxidative DNA damage; and total metal concentration and oxidative DNA damage. Zinc was significantly elevated in the electronic cigarette users (584.5±826.6 µg/g) compared with non-smokers (413.6±233.7 µg/g, p=0.03). Linear regression analysis showed a significant correlation between urinary zinc concentration and 8-OHdG in the electronic cigarette users.

Conclusions

This study is the first to investigate biomarkers of potential harm and effect in electronic cigarette users and to show a linkage to metal exposure. The biomarker levels in electronic cigarette users were similar to (and not lower than) cigarette smokers. In electronic cigarette users, there was a link to elevated total metal exposure and oxidative DNA damage. Specifically, our results demonstrate that zinc concentration was correlated to oxidative DNA damage.
Physical therapists in integrated palliative care: a qualitative study
Authors: Wilson Christopher M , Stiller Christine H , Doherty Deborah J , Thompson Kristine A , Smith Alexander B , Turczynski Kelly L
Published: February 2020

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of physical therapists (PTs) regarding their role in palliative care (PC) when practising in nations with advanced integration of PC into mainstream healthcare.

Methods

This qualitative study included an electronic demographic survey and semistructured interview. Data analysis included descriptive statistics for demographics and the constant comparative method for interview results.

Results

Thirteen PTs from eight nations identified four categories of roles and responsibilities: (1) working with patients and families, (2) being an interdisciplinary team (IDT) member, (3) professional responsibilities beyond direct patient care and (4) factors influencing the role of PTs in PC. Concepts identified wereshifting priorities(increased family involvement, emphasis on psychosocial aspects and differences in care philosophy),care across the continuum(accommodating changes in patient status, increasing awareness of PTs’ role in varying disease states and working with the IDT) andchanging perceptions about PT in PC(perceptions of PTs/others regarding PTs’ role in PC and professional responsibilities of the PT in PC).

Conclusions

Based on participant responses, a previously published conceptual framework by Wilsonet alin 2017 was updated and included an increased emphasis on patient wishes and dignity, treating breathlessness, patient advocacy within their family and use of technology and networking. Within PC, PTs play a key role on the IDT and can improve quality of life; however, multiple barriers exist to providing PT care within PC. Further advocacy is needed from PTs and professional organisations to integrate these services.
Modern tragedies in self-help literature, blogs and online universes: conceptions of resilience as a literary phenomenon
Authors: Christensen Louise Folker , Simonsen Peter , Folker Anna Paldam
Published: February 2020

Focusing on the configuration of the relationship between fate and freedom of action, this article analyses recent self-help literature and online communities, particularly the genre that centres on the concept of resilience. The selected works and websites all address readers who suffer from depression, anxiety and stress. The article focuses on how the relationship between fate and freedom is represented in three literary figures: the reader, who is promised recovery; the narrator, who promises to save the reader from the mental illnesses; and the plot that the reader forms by his or her personal thoughts, feelings and experiences. Furthermore, fate and freedom will be analysed in a series of allegories and metaphors. We argue that each literary figure reflects a radical understanding of individual autonomy, that is, freedom of action. However, we also argue that each literary figure has a shadowy disadvantage, which activates a tragic reversal of fate. The article analyses how this self-help genre reflects a notion of tragedy in relation to mental suffering.
The case of Dr Masajiro Miyazaki: Japanese-Canadian healthcare in World War II
Authors: Johnson Letitia B
Published: February 2020

The forcible relocation of Japanese-Canadians (Nikkei) during World War II has been widely examined; however, little scholarly attention has been paid to the impact of relocation on the medical services provided to, and by, the Nikkei. This article highlights the issue of providing sufficient medical care during forcible relocation and the experiences of one Nikkei physician, Dr Masajiro Miyazaki. His story illustrates both the limitations in the healthcare provided to the Nikkei community during relocation and the struggle for Nikkei medical professionals to continue their practice during the war. The agency of the Nikkei—who constantly balanced resistance and adaptation to oppressive conditions—comes to the forefront with this case study. Dr Miyazaki’s personal records of forcible relocation, as well as his published memoir, reveal aspects of the lived reality of one Nikkei physician who was not included in the government discourse, or in the dialogue among his fellow Nikkei physicians, such as inter-racial medical care. It is evident through this case that there was great diversity in the level of medical care which the Nikkei received during their relocation in Canada. Furthermore, Dr Masajiro Miyazaki’s story proves that healthcare professionals, from doctors to nurses’ aides who were both Nikkei and white, provided extraordinary medical services during the forcible relocation, despite significant constraints.
Associations of sickness absence for pain in the low back, neck and shoulders with wider propensity to pain
Authors: Coggon David , Ntani Georgia , Walker-Bone Karen , Felli Vanda E , Harari Raul , Barrero Lope H , Felknor Sarah A , Rojas Marianela , Cattrell Anna , Serra Consol , Bonzini Matteo , Solidaki Eleni , Merisalu Eda , Habib Rima R , Sadeghian Farideh , Kadir M Masood , Wickremasinghe A Rajitha , Matsudaira Ko , Nyantumbu-Mkhize Busisiwe , Kelsall Helen L , Harcombe Helen
Published: February 2020

Objectives

To explore the association of sickness absence ascribed to pain at specific anatomical sites with wider propensity to musculoskeletal pain.

Methods

As part of the CUPID (Cultural and Psychosocial Influences on Disability) study, potential risk factors for sickness absence from musculoskeletal pain were determined for 11 922 participants from 45 occupational groups in 18 countries. After approximately 14 months, 9119 (78%) provided follow-up information about sickness in the past month because of musculoskeletal pain, including 8610 who were still in the same job. Associations with absence for pain at specific anatomical sites were assessed by logistic regression and summarised by ORs with 95% CIs.

Results

861 participants (10%) reported absence from work because of musculoskeletal pain during the month before follow-up. After allowance for potential confounders, risk of absence ascribed entirely to low back pain (n=235) increased with the number of anatomical sites other than low back that had been reported as painful in the year before baseline (ORs 1.6 to 1.7 for ≥4 vs 0 painful sites). Similarly, associations with wider propensity to pain were observed for absence attributed entirely to pain in the neck (ORs up to 2.0) and shoulders (ORs up to 3.4).

Conclusions

Sickness absence for pain at specific anatomical sites is importantly associated with wider propensity to pain, the determinants of which extend beyond established risk factors such as somatising tendency and low mood. Better understanding of why some individuals are generally more prone to musculoskeletal pain might point to useful opportunities for prevention.
Normative reference values and physical factors associated with work ability: a cross-sectional observational study
Authors: Lebde Nadine , Burns Joshua , Mackey Martin , Baldwin Jennifer , McKay Marnee
Published: February 2020

Objectives

To establish normative reference values for work ability in healthy Australian adults using the Work Ability Score and investigate the association of physical performance factors.

Methods

The Work Ability Score was collected from 720 participants aged 18–101 years from the 1000 Norms Project. Physical performance was evaluated by assessing isometric strength of 13 muscle groups; flexibility of six joints; and 11 functional measures categorised as gross motor, fine motor and balance tasks. Correlations and multiple regression analyses were performed to identify physical performance factors independently associated with work ability.

Results

Age-stratified reference values were generated for work ability. Work ability increased during young adulthood (18–44 years) and declined from middle adulthood (45–64 years) into older adulthood (≥65 years), with no sex differences. Greater gross motor function and balance correlated with work ability (r=−0.498 to −0.285; p<0.001). Multiple regression identified younger age, being employed and a faster timed up and down stairs test as significant independent factors associated with work ability (r2=0.333, p<0.001).

Conclusions

Reference data can be used to identify individuals with low work ability. This study has identified physical factors associated with work ability that can potentially be targeted to maintain longevity in work. Physical tests such as the timed up and down stairs test may assist in the development of objective job-specific screening tools to assess work ability, supplementing subjective evaluation.
Non-communicable respiratory disease and air pollution exposure in Malawi: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Rylance Sarah , Jewell Chris , Naunje Andrew , Mbalume Frank , Chetwood John D , Nightingale Rebecca , Zurba Lindsay , Flitz Graham , Gordon Stephen B , Lesosky Maia , Balmes John R , Mortimer Kevin
Published: February 2020

Rationale

There are no population-based studies from sub-Saharan Africa describing longitudinal lung function in adults.

Objectives

To explore the lung function trajectories and their determinants, including the effects of air pollution exposures and the cleaner-burning biomass-fuelled cookstove intervention of the Cooking and Pneumonia Study (CAPS), in adults living in rural Malawi.

Methods

We assessed respiratory symptoms and exposures, spirometry and measured 48-hour personal exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and carbon monoxide (CO), on three occasions over 3 years. Longitudinal data were analysed using mixed-effects modelling by maximum likelihood estimation.

Measurements and main results

We recruited 1481 adults, mean (SD) age 43.8 (17.8) years, including 523 participants from CAPS households (271 intervention; 252 controls), and collected multiple spirometry and air pollution measurements for 654 (44%) and 929 (63%), respectively. Compared with Global Lung Function Initiative African-American reference ranges, mean (SD) FEV1(forced expiratory volume in 1 s) and FVC (forced vital capacity) z-scores were −0.38 (1.14) and −0.19 (1.09). FEV1and FVC were determined by age, sex, height, previous TB and body mass index, with FEV1declining by 30.9 mL/year (95% CI: 21.6 to 40.1) and FVC by 38.3 mL/year (95% CI: 28.5 to 48.1). There was decreased exposure to PM2.5in those with access to a cookstove but no effect on lung function.

Conclusions

We did not observe accelerated lung function decline in this cohort of Malawian adults, compared with that reported in healthy, non-smoking populations from high-income countries; this suggests that the lung function deficits we measured in adulthood may have origins in early life.
Reversible megaoesophagus in a dog with isolated glucocorticoid‐deficient hypoadrenocorticism
Authors: Kelly Darren
Published: February 2020

An eight‐year‐old, female, neutered labradoodle was presented for investigation of a three‐week history of lethargy and regurgitation. Two sets of conscious thoracic radiographs, performed approximately two weeks apart, revealed the presence of megaoesophagus. Serum cortisol concentration (pre‐adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and post‐ACTH stimulation), serum aldosterone concentration post‐ACTH stimulation and plasma endogenous ACTH concentration confirmed the diagnosis of isolated glucocorticoid‐deficient hypoadrenocorticism. Following glucocorticoid supplementation, rapid resolution of the clinical signs was reported, and repeated conscious thoracic radiographs one week later showed complete resolution of the megaoesophagus.
Discovery of a significant cave entrance in stripe karst, Horsethief Creek Group, Wells Gray Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Hickson Catherine , Pollack John , Struik Lambertus , Hollis Lee , Yonge Chas
Published: February 2020

In April 2018, a significant cave entrance was recognized during an aerial survey in Wells Gray Provincial Park, British Columbia. A September 2018 assessment of the site confirmed one of the largest known, and previously undocumented, cave entrances in Canada. The feature is a large vertically walled sink swallowing a small river, likely leading to a spring 2.16 km horizontally from, and 460 m below, the sink. The entrance shaft was partially descended, surveyed, and found to have a volume of over 450 000 m3. Formed in a carbonate unit of the upper Proterozoic Horsethief Creek Group, the cave entrance occurs in stripe karst extending well beyond the known cave drainage. The disappearing river drains an area of 6.3 km2 in a valley containing two small glaciers. The river has a low flow (September) rate estimated at 0.3–0.5 m3/s, comparable with some of the largest sinks in Canada. Historic aerial photographs of the area show the entrance was hidden by perennial snowfields until regional climatic warming caused the snow plug to collapse sometime within the past decade.
Distortions of Robertson–Walker metric in perturbative cosmology and interpretation as dark matter and cosmological constant
Authors: Re Federico
Published: February 2020

In the last years, we saw more and more attempts to explain dark matter as a general relativistic effect, at least for some fraction. Following this philosophy, we considered the gravitational distortions due to the inhomogeneous distribution of matter in the universe, which we know from general relativity to be retarded distortions. This provides a magnification effect, since the distortions we feel now depend not on the present matter density, but on the past one, which is greater. The expansion rate of the universe is perturbed as well, in a not negligible way, despite matter inhomogeneities are small, because of the same magnification effect. The deceleration parameter, which is a way to evaluate the quantity of dark matter in the universe, is perturbed in turn, so that the real amount of dark matter is less than what is usually believed.
Gluon propagator and three-gluon vertex with dynamical quarks
Authors: Aguilar A. C. , De Soto F. , Ferreira M. N. , Papavassiliou J. , Rodríguez-Quintero J. , Zafeiropoulos S.
Published: February 2020

We present a detailed analysis of the kinetic and mass terms associated with the Landau gauge gluon propagator in the presence of dynamical quarks, and a comprehensive dynamical study of certain special kinematic limits of the three-gluon vertex. Our approach capitalizes on results from recent lattice simulations with ($$2+1$$2+1) domain wall fermions, a novel nonlinear treatment of the gluon mass equation, and the nonperturbative reconstruction of the longitudinal three-gluon vertex from its fundamental Slavnov–Taylor identities. Particular emphasis is placed on the persistence of the suppression displayed by certain combinations of the vertex form factors at intermediate and low momenta, already known from numerous pure Yang–Mills studies. One of our central findings is that the inclusion of dynamical quarks moderates the intensity of this phenomenon only mildly, leaving the asymptotic low-momentum behavior unaltered, but displaces the characteristic “zero crossing” deeper into the infrared region. In addition, the effect of the three-gluon vertex is explored at the level of the effective gauge coupling, whose size is considerably reduced with respect to its counterpart obtained from the ghost-gluon vertex. The main upshot of the above considerations is the further confirmation of the tightly interwoven dynamics between the two- and three-point sectors of QCD.
An Artificial Bee Colony-Guided Approach for Electro-Encephalography Signal Decomposition-Based Big Data Optimization
Authors: Aslan Selcuk
Published: February 2020

The digital age has added a new term to the literature of information and computer sciences called as the big data in recent years. Because of the individual properties of the newly introduced term, the definitions of the data-intensive problems including optimization problems have been substantially changed and investigations about the solving capabilities of the existing techniques and then developing their specialized variants for big data optimizations have become important research topic. Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) algorithm inspired by the clever foraging characteristics of the real honey bees is one of the most successful swarm intelligence-based metaheuristics. In this study, a new ABC algorithm-based technique that is named source-linked ABC (slinkABC) was proposed by considering the properties of the optimization problems related with the big data. The slinkABC algorithm was tested on the big data optimization problems presented at the Congress on Evolutionary Computation (CEC) 2015 Big Data Optimization Competition. The results obtained from the experimental studies were compared with the different variants of the ABC algorithm including gbest-guided ABC (GABC), ABC/best/1, ABC/best/2, crossover ABC (CABC), converge-onlookers ABC (COABC), quick ABC (qABC) and modified gbest-guided ABC (MGABC) algorithms. In addition to these, the results of the proposed ABC algorithm were also compared with the results of the Differential Evolution (DE) algorithm, Genetic algorithm (GA), Firefly algorithm (FA), Phase-Based Optimization (PBO) algorithm and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm-based approaches. From the experimental studies, it was understood that the ABC algorithm modified by considering the unique properties of the big data optimization problems as in the slinkABC produces better solutions for most of the tested instances compared to the mentioned optimization techniques.
Integrating Sentiment Analysis on Hybrid Collaborative Filtering Method in a Big Data Environment
Authors: Shanmuga Sundari P. , Subaji M.
Published: February 2020

Most of the traditional recommendation systems are based on user ratings. Here, users provide the ratings towards the product after use or experiencing it. Accordingly, the user item transactional database is constructed for recommendation. The rating based collaborative filtering method is well known method for recommendation system. This system leads to data sparsity problem as the user is unaware of other similar items. Web cataloguing service such as tags plays a significant role to analyse the user’s perception towards a particular product. Some system use tags as additional resource to reduce the data sparsity issue. But these systems require lot of specific details related to the tags. Existing system either focuses on ratings or tags based recommendation to enhance the accuracy. So these systems suffer from data sparsity and efficiency problem that leads to ineffective recommendations accuracy. To address the above said issues, this paper proposed hybrid recommendation system (Iter_ALS Iterative Alternate Least Square) to enhance the recommendation accuracy by integrating rating and emotion tags. The rating score reveals overall perception of the item and emotion tags reflects user’s feelings. In the absence of emotional tags, scores found in rating is assumed as positive or negative emotional tag score. Lexicon based semantic analysis on emotion tags value is adopted to represent the exclusive value of tag. Unified value is represented into Iter_ALS model to reduce the sparsity problem. In addition, this method handles opinion bias between ratings and tags. Experiments were tested and verified using a benchmark project of MovieLens dataset. Initially this model was tested with different sparsity levels varied between 0%-100 percent and the results obtained from the experiments shows the proposed method outperforms with baseline methods. Further tests were conducted to authenticate how it handles opinion bias by users before recommending the item. The proposed method is more capable to be adopted in many real world applications
Effect of home-based Tai Chi, Yoga or conventional balance exercise on functional balance and mobility among persons with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease: An experimental study
Authors: Khuzema Arva , Brammatha A. , Arul Selvan V.
Published: February 2020

Background: Individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) invariably experience functional decline in a number of motor and non-motor domains affecting posture, balance and gait. Numerous clinical studies have examined effects of various types of exercise on motor and non-motor problems. But still much gap remains in our understanding of various therapies and their effect on delaying or slowing the dopamine neuron degeneration. Recently, Tai Chi and Yoga both have gained popularity as complementary therapies, since both have components for mind and body control.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether eight weeks of home-based Tai Chi or Yoga was more effective than regular balance exercises on functional balance and mobility.

Methods: Twenty-seven individuals with Idiopathic PD (Modified Hoehn and Yahr stages 2.5–3) were randomly assigned to either Tai Chi, Yoga or Conventional exercise group. All the participants were evaluated for Functional Balance and Mobility using Berg Balance Scale, Timed 10[Formula: see text]m Walk test and Timed Up and Go test before and after eight weeks of training.

Results: The results were analyzed using two-way mixed ANOVA which showed that there was a significant main effect for time as F (1, 24) [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] for overall balance in Berg Balance Scale. There was also significant main effect of time on mobility overall as F(1, 24) [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] in Timed up and Go test and F(1, 24) [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] for 10[Formula: see text]m Walk test. There was a significant interaction effect for [Formula: see text] with F(2, 24) [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] for balance. With respect to mobility, the values F(2, 24) [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] in Timed Up and Go test and F(2, 24) [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] in 10[Formula: see text]m Walk test showed a significant interaction. But there was no significant main effect between the groups for both balance and mobility.

Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that Tai Chi as well as Yoga are well adhered and are attractive options for a home-based setting. As any form of physical activity is considered beneficial for individuals with PD either Tai Chi, Yoga or conventional balance exercises could be used as therapeutic intervention to optimize balance and mobility. Further studies are necessary to understand the mind–body benefits of Tai Chi and Yoga either as multicomponent physical activities or as individual therapies in various stages of PD.
Recent Advances of the Constitutive Models of Smart Materials — Hydrogels and Shape Memory Polymers
Authors: Huang Rong , Zheng Shoujing , Liu Zishun , Ng Teng Yong
Published: February 2020

Hydrogels and shape memory polymers (SMPs) possess excellent and interesting properties that may be harnessed for future applications. However, this is not achievable if their mechanical behaviors are not well understood. This paper aims to discuss recent advances of the constitutive models of hydrogels and SMPs, in particular the theories associated with their deformations. On the one hand, constitutive models of six main types of hydrogels are introduced, the categorization of which is defined by the type of stimulus. On the other hand, constitutive models of thermal-induced SMPs are discussed and classified into three main categories, namely, rheological models; phase transition models; and models combining viscoelasticity and phase transition, respectively. Another feature in this paper is a summary of the common hyperelastic models, which can be potentially developed into the constitutive models of hydrogels and SMPs. In addition, the main advantages and disadvantages of these constitutive modes are discussed. In order to provide a compass for researchers involved in the study of mechanics of soft materials, some research gaps and new research directions for hydrogels and SMPs constitutive modes are presented. We hope that this paper can serve as a reference for future hydrogel and SMP studies.
Solution of Contact Problems for Half-Space by Boundary Element Methods Based on Singular Solutions of Flamant and Boussinesq’s Problems
Authors: Zirakashvili Natela
Published: February 2020

The paper considers normal contact problems formulated as follows: an indenter with negligible weight presses the surface half-space with a certain force, i.e., normal stress acts on the contact surface and tangential stress is zero. In particular, we consider two types of distributed load that correspond to the following cases: when half-space is subjected to frictionless flat rigid indenter, and when half-space is subject to frictionless cylindrical rigid indenter. The paper considers plane deformation. Problems are solved by boundary element methods (BEM), which are based on singular solutions of Flamant (BEMF) and Boussinesq (BEMB) problems. The stress–strain state of the half-plane, particularly the constructed contours (isolines) of stresses in half-plane, was studied. The results obtained by BEMF and BEMB are discussed and compared.
An Analytical Investigation for Vibration Characteristics of a Beam-Type Liquid Micro-Pump
Authors: Hatami Hamed , Bagheri Ahmad , Ansari Reza
Published: February 2020

This paper studies the characteristics of a micro-beam interacting with an incompressible fluid in a fluid chamber with an opening in its bottom face for fluid flow. The Euler–Bernoulli equation for transverse deformation of an elastic beam is coupled with the fundamental hydrodynamic equation, which is solved by Galerkin and separation of variables method. The 2D fluid flow assumption in Cartesian coordinate has been used. Natural frequencies and mode shapes of wet beam are calculated and compared with the dry beam. The effects of geometrical parameter changes are also computed as a benchmark for the design of the micro-pump. It is observed that fluid coupling causes a decrease for beam’s natural frequencies, especially in higher modes. Furthermore, since the results of the dry and wet beam show a small discrepancy in lower modes, the mode related to the dry beam was employed as the trial function in the forced vibration analysis of the coupled system.
An improvement of Prouhet’s 1851 result on multigrade chains
Authors: Choudhry Ajai
Published: February 2020

In 1851, Prouhet showed that when [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are positive integers, [Formula: see text], the first [Formula: see text] consecutive positive integers can be separated into [Formula: see text] sets, each set containing [Formula: see text] integers, such that the sum of the [Formula: see text]th powers of the members of each set is the same for [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we show that even when [Formula: see text] has the much smaller value [Formula: see text], the first [Formula: see text] consecutive positive integers can be separated into [Formula: see text] sets, each set containing [Formula: see text] integers, such that the integers of each set have equal sums of [Formula: see text]th powers for [Formula: see text]. Moreover, we show that this can be done in at least [Formula: see text] ways. We also show that there are infinitely many other positive integers [Formula: see text] such that the first [Formula: see text] consecutive positive integers can similarly be separated into [Formula: see text] sets of integers, each set containing [Formula: see text] integers, with equal sums of [Formula: see text]th powers for [Formula: see text], with the value of [Formula: see text] depending on the integer [Formula: see text].
Good’s theorem for Hurwitz continued fractions
Authors: Robert Gerardo Gonzalez
Published: February 2020

Good’s Theorem for regular continued fraction states that the set of real numbers [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] has Hausdorff dimension [Formula: see text]. We show an analogous result for the complex plane and Hurwitz Continued Fractions: the set of complex numbers whose Hurwitz Continued fraction [Formula: see text] satisfies [Formula: see text] has Hausdorff dimension [Formula: see text], half of the ambient space’s dimension.
The Fekete–Szegö functional for generalized starlike and convex functions of complex order
Authors: Orhan Halit , Raducanu Dorina
Published: February 2020

New subclasses of analytic functions are defined by using the function [Formula: see text] given by the integral transform [Formula: see text]. Bounds for the Fekete–Szegö coefficient functional [Formula: see text] for these classes of functions are derived.