bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The colors of life: an interdisciplinary artist-in-residence project to research fungal pigments as a gateway to empathy and understanding of microbial life
Authors: Sharma Sunanda , Meyer Vera
Published: January 2022

Background

Biological pigmentation is one of the most intriguing traits of many fungi. It holds significance to scientists, as a sign of biochemical metabolism and organism-environment interaction, and to artists, as the source of natural colors that capture the beauty of the microbial world. Furthermore, the functional roles and aesthetic appeal of biological pigmentation may be a path to inspiring human empathy for microorganisms, which is key to understanding and preserving microbial biodiversity. A project focused on cross-species empathy was initiated and conducted as part of an artist-in-residence program in 2021. The aim of this residency is to bridge the current divide between science and art through interdisciplinary practice focused on fungi.

Results

The residency resulted in multiple products that are designed for artistic and scientific audiences with the central theme of biological pigmentation in fungi and other microorganisms. The first product is a video artwork that focuses on Aspergillus niger as a model organism that produces melanin pigment in a biosynthetic process similar to that of humans. The growth and morphology of this commonplace organism are displayed through video, photo, animation, and time-lapse footage, inviting the viewer to examine the likenesses and overlaps between humans and fungi. The second product is The Living Color Database, an online compendium of biological colors for scientists, artists, and designers. It links organisms across the tree of life, focusing on fungi, bacteria, and archaea, and the colors they express through biological pigmentation. Each pigment is represented in terms of its chemistry, its related biosynthesis, and its color expressions according to different indices: HEX, RGB, and Pantone. It is available at color.bio.

Conclusions

As fungal biotechnology continues to mature into new application areas, it is as important as ever that there is human empathy for these organisms to promote the preservation and appreciation of fungal biodiversity. The products presented here provide paths for artists, scientists, and designers to understand microorganisms through the lens of color, promoting interspecies empathy through research, teaching, and practice.
Towards a better understanding of antimicrobial resistance dissemination: what can be learnt from studying model conjugative plasmids?
Authors: Shen Zhen , Tang Christoph M. , Liu Guang-Yu
Published: January 2022

Bacteria can evolve rapidly by acquiring new traits such as virulence, metabolic properties, and most importantly, antimicrobial resistance, through horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Multidrug resistance in bacteria, especially in Gram-negative organisms, has become a global public health threat often through the spread of mobile genetic elements. Conjugation represents a major form of HGT and involves the transfer of DNA from a donor bacterium to a recipient by direct contact. Conjugative plasmids, a major vehicle for the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance, are selfish elements capable of mediating their own transmission through conjugation. To spread to and survive in a new bacterial host, conjugative plasmids have evolved mechanisms to circumvent both host defense systems and compete with co-resident plasmids. Such mechanisms have mostly been studied in model plasmids such as the F plasmid, rather than in conjugative plasmids that confer antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in important human pathogens. A better understanding of these mechanisms is crucial for predicting the flow of antimicrobial resistance-conferring conjugative plasmids among bacterial populations and guiding the rational design of strategies to halt the spread of antimicrobial resistance. Here, we review mechanisms employed by conjugative plasmids that promote their transmission and establishment in Gram-negative bacteria, by following the life cycle of conjugative plasmids.
Energetics of Floor Gymnastics: Aerobic and Anaerobic Share in Male and Female Sub-elite Gymnasts
Authors: Kaufmann Sebastian , Ziegler Martin , Werner Jana , Noe Christine , Latzel Richard , Witzany Stefan , Beneke Ralph , Hoos Olaf
Published: January 2022

Background

Artistic gymnastics is a popular Olympic discipline where female athletes compete in four and male athletes in six events with floor exercise having the longest competition duration in Women’s and Men’s artistic gymnastics (WAG, MAG). To date no valid information on the energetics of floor gymnastics is available although this may be important for specific conditioning programming. This study evaluated the metabolic profile of a simulated floor competition in sub-elite gymnasts.

Methods

17 (9 male, 8 female) sub-elite gymnasts aged 22.5 ± 2.6y took part in a floor-training-competition where oxygen uptake was measured during and until 15 min post-exercise. Additionally, resting and peak blood lactate concentration after exercise were obtained. The PCr-LA-O2 method was used to calculate the metabolic energy and the relative aerobic (WAER), anaerobic alactic (WPCr) and anaerobic lactic (WBLC) energy contribution. Further, the athletes completed a 30 s Bosco-jumping test, a countermovement jump and a drop jump.

Results

The competition scores were 9.2 (CI:8.9–9.3) in WAG and 10.6 (CI:10.4–10.9) in MAG. The metabolic profile of the floor routine was mainly aerobic (58.9%, CI: 56.0–61.8%) followed by the anaerobic alactic (24.2%, CI: 21.3–27.1%) and anaerobic lactic shares (16.9%, CI:14.9–18.8%). While sex had a significant (p = .010, d = 1.207) large effect on energy contribution, this was not the case for competition duration (p = .728, d = 0.061). Relative energy contribution of WAG and MAG differed in WAER (64.0 ± 4.7% vs. 54.4 ± 6.8%, p = .004, d = 1.739) but not in WPCr (21.3 ± 6.1% vs. 26.7 ± 8.0%, p = .144, d = 0.801) and WBLC (14.7 ± 5.4% vs. 18.9 ± 4.2%, p = .085, d = 0.954). Further no correlation between any energy share and performance was found but between WPCr and training experience (r = .680, p = .044) and WBLC and competition level (r = .668, p = .049).

Conclusion

The results show a predominant aerobic energy contribution and a considerable anaerobic contribution with no significant difference between anaerobic shares. Consequently, gymnastic specific aerobic training should not be neglected, while a different aerobic share in WAG and MAG strengthens sex-specific conditioning. All in all, the specific metabolic share must secure adequate energy provision, while relative proportions of the two anaerobic pathways seem to depend on training and competition history.
Inter-organisational communication: organisational future orientation, inter-organisational interaction quality and inter-organisational group mechanism
Authors: Mutebi Henry , Muhwezi Mose , Ntayi Joseph M. , Munene John C.
Published: January 2022

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of organisational future orientation and interaction quality on inter-organisational communication, and the mediating role of inter-organisational group mechanism on the relationship between organisational future orientation, interaction quality and inter-organisational communication. A questionnaire assessing the experience of organisational future orientation, inter-organisational interaction quality, inter-organisational group mechanism and inter-organisational communication was administered to 101 out of 136 humanitarian organisations delivering social services to refugee settlements in Uganda. The proposed hypotheses were tested using PLS-SEM in the SmartPLS version 3.3.0 for professionals. The paper found that organisational future orientation has a positive impact on inter-organisational communication. Inter-organisational group mechanism partially mediates organisational future orientation and inter-organisational communication whilst it fully mediates the relationship between inter-organisational interaction quality and inter-organisational communication. The findings of this research provide useful insights into the role of inter-organisational group mechanism in boosting the role of organisational future orientation and interaction quality in inter-organisational communication in humanitarian relief delivery. Hence, a high level of inter-organisational group mechanism not only improves inter-organisational communication in humanitarian relief delivery but also enhances the benefits of organisational future orientation and interaction quality for inter-organisational communication. This research is one of the limited studies that investigate the effect of organisation future orientation and interaction quality on inter-organisational group mechanism and inter-organisational communication in humanitarian relief delivery in sub-Saharan Africa.
Accuracy and precision of non-invasive continuous haemoglobin concentration monitoring in diabetic patients
Authors: De Rosa Rosanna Carmela , Romanelli Antonio
Published: January 2022

Background

Accuracy and precision of non-invasive continuous haemoglobin concentration (SpHb) provided by Masimo device in diabetic patients is poorly studied. This retrospective analysis aimed to provide data on SpHb accuracy and precision in diabetic patients.

Results

The sample size population consisted of 14 patients, with 56 SpHb/Lab data pairs. Lab value showed a mean ± standard deviation (SD) of 13.2 ± 1.2 g/dL, whilst SpHb showed a mean ± SD of 11.8 ± 1.1 g/dL. Linear regression analysis between Lab/SpHb data pairs showed a r of 0.8960 (CI95% 0.8281-0.9379, p value < 0.0001). SpHb underestimated the real Hb values provided by Lab. Bland-Altman analysis showed that SpHb accuracy was −1.37 g/dL (CI95% −1.51 to −1.22 g/dL, p value < 0.0001), precision of 0.55 g/dL, lower LOA −2.45 g/dL (CI95% −2.71 to −2.20 g/dL) and upper LOA −0.28 g/dL (CI95% −0.53 to −0.02 g/dL).

Conclusions

For the first time, we provided data on SpHb accuracy and precision in the diabetic population. SpHb showed a high correlation coefficient when compared with Lab values, but the wide LOA limits its accuracy.
Impact of introducing capacity-based mental health legislation on the use of community treatment orders in Norway: case registry study
Authors: Høyer Georg , Nyttingnes Olav , Rugkåsa Jorun , Sharashova Ekaterina , Simonsen Tone Breines , Høye Anne , Riley Henriette
Published: January 2022

Background

In 2017, a capacity-based criterion was added to the Norwegian Mental Health Act, stating that those with capacity to consent to treatment cannot be subjected to involuntary care unless there is risk to themselves or others. This was expected to reduce incidence and prevalence rates, and the duration of episodes of involuntary care, in particular regarding community treatment orders (CTOs).

Aims

The aim was to investigate whether the capacity-based criterion had the expected impact on the use of CTOs.

Method

This retrospective case register study included two catchment areas serving 16% of the Norwegian population (aged ≥18). In total, 760 patients subject to 921 CTOs between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2019 were included to compare the use of CTOs 2 years before and 2 years after the legal reform.

Results

CTO incidence rates and duration did not change after the reform, whereas prevalence rates were significantly reduced. This was explained by a sharp increase in termination of CTOs in the year of the reform, after which it reduced and settled on a slightly higher leven than before the reform. We found an unexpected significant increase in the use of involuntary treatment orders for patients on CTOs after the reform.

Conclusions

The expected impact on CTO use of introducing a capacity-based criterion in the Norwegian Mental Health Act was not confirmed by our study. Given the existing challenges related to defining and assessing decision-making capacity, studies examining the validity of capacity assessments and their impact on the use of coercion in clinical practice are urgently needed.
Randomized Phase III Trial of Paclitaxel and Carboplatin Versus Paclitaxel and Ifosfamide in Patients With Carcinosarcoma of the Uterus or Ovary: An NRG Oncology Trial
Authors: Powell Matthew A. , Filiaci Virginia L. , Hensley Martee L. , Huang Helen Q. , Moore Kathleen N. , Tewari Krishnansu S. , Copeland Larry J. , Secord Angeles A. , Mutch David G. , Santin Alessandro , Warshal David P. , Spirtos Nick M. , DiSilvestro Paul A. , Ioffe Olga B. , Miller David S.
Published: January 2022

PURPOSE

This phase III randomized trial ( NCT00954174 ) tested the null hypothesis that paclitaxel and carboplatin (PC) is inferior to paclitaxel and ifosfamide (PI) for treating uterine carcinosarcoma (UCS).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Adults with chemotherapy-naïve UCS or ovarian carcinosarcoma (OCS) were randomly assigned to PC or PI with 3-week cycles for 6-10 cycles. With 264 events in patients with UCS, the power for an overall survival (OS) hybrid noninferiority design was 80% for a null hazard ratio (HR) of 1.2 against a 13% greater death rate on PI with a type I error of 5% for a one-tailed test.

RESULTS

The study enrolled 536 patients with UCS and 101 patients with OCS, with 449 and 90 eligible, respectively. Primary analysis was on patients with UCS, distributed as follows: 40% stage I, 6% stage II, 31% stage III, 15% stage IV, and 8% recurrent. Among eligible patients with UCS, PC was assigned to 228 and PI to 221. PC was not inferior to PI. The median OS was 37 versus 29 months (HR = 0.87; 90% CI, 0.70 to 1.075; P < .01 for noninferiority, P > .1 for superiority). The median progression-free survival was 16 versus 12 months (HR = 0.73; P = < 0.01 for noninferiority, P < .01 for superiority). Toxicities were similar, except that more patients in the PC arm had hematologic toxicity and more patients in the PI arm had confusion and genitourinary hemorrhage. Among 90 eligible patients with OCS, those in the PC arm had longer OS (30 v 25 months) and progression-free survival (15 v 10 months) than those in the PI arm, but with limited precision, these differences were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

PC was not inferior to the active regimen PI and should be standard treatment for UCS.
Association of State Medicaid Income Eligibility Limits and Long-Term Survival After Cancer Diagnosis in the United States
Authors: Zhao Jingxuan , Han Xuesong , Nogueira Leticia , Hyun Noorie , Jemal Ahmedin , Yabroff K. Robin
Published: January 2022

PURPOSE:

To examine the association between historic state Medicaid income eligibility limits and long-term survival among patients with cancer.

METHODS:

1,449,144 adults age 18-64 years newly diagnosed with 19 common cancers between 2010 and 2013 were identified from the National Cancer Database. States' Medicaid income eligibility limits were categorized as ≤ 50%, 51%-137%, and ≥ 138% of federal poverty level (FPL). Survival time was measured from diagnosis date through December 31, 2017, for up to an 8-year follow-up. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models with age as time scale were used to assess associations of eligibility limits and stage-specific survival, adjusting for the effects of sex, metropolitan statistical area, comorbidities, year of diagnosis, facility type and volume, and state.

RESULTS:

Among patients with newly diagnosed cancer age 18-64 years, patients living in states with lower Medicaid income eligibility limits had worse survival for most cancers in both early and late stages, compared with those living in states with Medicaid income eligibility limits ≥ 138% FPL. A dose-response relationship was observed for most cancers with lower income limits associated with worse survival (13 of 17 cancers evaluated for early-stage cancers, and 11 of 17 cancers evaluated for late-stage cancers, and leukemia and brain tumors with P-trend < .05).

CONCLUSION:

Lower Medicaid income eligibility limits were associated with worse long-term survival within stage; increasing Medicaid income eligibility may improve survival after cancer diagnosis.
Improved gravity model for identifying the influential nodes
Authors: Chen Y. , Guo Q. , Liu M. , Liu J. G.
Published: January 2022

Identifying the influential nodes in a network is essential for network dynamic analysis. In this letter, inspired by the gravity model, we present an improved gravity model (EDGM) to identify the influential nodes in the network through the effective distance. Firstly, we calculate the degree of nodes. Then we construct the effective distance combined with the interaction frequency between nodes, so as to establish the effective distance gravity model. Comparing with the susceptible-infected model, the results show that Kendall's τ correlation coefficient of the EDGM could be enhanced by 2.36% for the gravity model. Compared with other methods, Kendall's τ correlation coefficient of the EDGM could be enhanced by 11.55%, 17.29%, 7.17% and 10.00% for the degree centrality, betweenness centrality, eigenvector centrality, and PageRank, respectively. The results show that the improved gravity model could effectively identify the influential nodes in the network.
“Les Sçioux n’étoient bons qu’à manger”: La Colle and the Anishinaabeg-Dakota War, 1730–1742
Authors: Berthelette Scott
Published: January 2022

La Colle was an influential Anishinaabe ogimaa (leader) and mayosewinini (war chief) who led the Monsoni (moose) doodem (clan) in the Rainy Lake region during the 1730s and 1740s. A biographical study of La Colle not only restores an individual Indigenous voice to the tapestry of Native North America but also provides insight into a conflict between the Anishinaabeg, Nêhiyawak (Crees), Nakoda (Assiniboines), and Očhéthi Šakówiŋ (Dakota, Yankton, Yanktonai, and Lakota) that took place in the borderlands between Lake Superior and the Upper Missouri Valley. Ultimately, the conflict saw the beginning of a considerable reorientation of Indigenous geopolitics west of Lake Superior, which were, in part, driven by the actions of a cunning political and military leader—La Colle. By uniting Anishinaabeg, Nêhiyawak, and Nakoda into a coalition powerful enough to challenge the Očhéthi Šakówiŋ, La Colle made one of the most significant bids for power in eighteenth-century North America, one that eventually reconfigured the political, demographic, and environmental landscapes of the Northwest.
Bannock Diplomacy: How Métis Women Fought Battles and Made Peace in North Dakota, 1850s–1870s
Authors: Pigeon Émilie , Podruchny Carolyn
Published: January 2022

Métis women have been neglected in scholarship because they are hard to find in historical records. Seeking out little-used sources and amplifying their voices in them demonstrate that they were significant figures in maintaining peace within their communities on the northern Great Plains in the mid- to late nineteenth century. Through their actions in battles and diplomatic negotiations, they showed themselves to be particularly skilled in conflict resolution. This article highlights two key instances in which Métis women used both courage and judiciousness to support their communities. The first is the 1851 Battle of Grand Coteau between the Yanktonais Sioux and a Métis and Anishinaabe bison-hunting party. The second is a Métis trading family negotiating with Lakota in the late 1870s through the actions of Sarah Nolin. In this article, we survey key historical moments in Métis women’s lives and experiences in the geography now known as North Dakota, exemplifying their approaches to diplomacy, conflict resolution, and political affirmation.
Pedro de Alvarado, Tonatiuh: Reconsidering Apotheosis in Nahua and Highland Maya Narratives of the Spanish Invasion
Authors: Chinchilla Mazariegos Oswaldo
Published: January 2022

Recent scholarship on the Spanish invasion of the New World has brought under scrutiny the historiographic theme of apotheosis—the notion that Indigenous peoples regarded the invaders as gods or godlike beings and that such beliefs influenced their responses. This article examines the question by focusing on Pedro de Alvarado, a leading member of Hernán Cortés’s contingent, who was known as Tonatiuh—a Nahuatl word that designated the sun, the day, and the sun god. Indigenous peoples in Mexico and Guatemala used the name during the invasion, and Nahua, K’iche’, and Kaqchikel authors employed it frequently in later writings that variously hinted at, endorsed, or questioned Alvarado’s associations with the sun god. Rather than an imposition resulting from Spanish teachings, the association of Alvarado with the sun god derived from Mesoamerican beliefs about the rise and fall of successive eras, which provided Indigenous paradigms to explain the Spanish invasion.
An Interview with Elmer Beard: Remembrances of Black Activism, Communal Solidarity, and the Burning of Roanoke Baptist Church in Hot Springs, Arkansas
Authors: Johnson Jajuan
Published: January 2022

Context

The oral history interview with Mr. Elmer Beard, a longtime political activist, politician, and educator, is part of a series of interviews for a study on Black church burnings, arsons, and vandalism from 2008 to 2016. Mr. Beard gives historical context to recent Black church arson with a focus on the mysterious burning of Roanoke Baptist Church in Hot Springs, Arkansas, on 22 December 1963. On 9 March 2018, the interview took place in Hot Springs at the current church site. The dialogue starts with biographical questions and evolves into details about Mr. Beard’s experience growing up in a racially segregated society, particularly in south-central Arkansas.
INO80 requires a polycomb subunit to regulate the establishment of poised chromatin in murine spermatocytes
Authors: Chakraborty Prabuddha , Magnuson Terry
Published: January 2022

INO80 is the catalytic subunit of the INO80-chromatin remodeling complex that is involved in DNA replication, repair and transcription regulation. Ino80 deficiency in murine spermatocytes (Ino80cKO) results in pachytene arrest of spermatocytes due to incomplete synapsis and aberrant DNA double-strand break repair, which leads to apoptosis. RNA-seq on Ino80cKO spermatocytes revealed major changes in transcription, indicating that an aberrant transcription program arises upon INO80 depletion. In Ino80WT spermatocytes, genome-wide analysis showed that INO80-binding sites were mostly promoter proximal and necessary for the regulation of spermatogenic gene expression, primarily of premeiotic and meiotic genes. Furthermore, most of the genes poised for activity, as well as those genes that are active, shared INO80 binding. In Ino80cKO spermatocytes, most poised genes demonstrated de-repression due to reduced H3K27me3 enrichment and, in turn, showed increased expression levels. INO80 interacts with the core PRC2 complex member SUZ12 and promotes its recruitment. Furthermore, INO80 mediates H2A.Z incorporation at the poised promoters, which was reduced in Ino80cKO spermatocytes. Taken together, INO80 is emerging as a major regulator of the meiotic transcription program by mediating poised chromatin establishment through SUZ12 binding.
Hyaline cartilage differentiation of fibroblasts in regeneration and regenerative medicine
Authors: Yu Ling , Lin Yu-Lieh , Yan Mingquan , Li Tao , Wu Emily Y. , Zimmel Katherine , Qureshi Osama , Falck Alyssa , Sherman Kirby M. , Huggins Shannon S. , Hurtado Daniel Osorio , Suva Larry J. , Gaddy Dana , Cai James , Brunauer Regina , Dawson Lindsay A. , Muneoka Ken
Published: January 2022

Amputation injuries in mammals are typically non-regenerative; however, joint regeneration is stimulated by BMP9 treatment, indicating the presence of latent articular chondrocyte progenitor cells. BMP9 induces a battery of chondrogenic genes in vivo, and a similar response is observed in cultures of amputation wound cells. Extended cultures of BMP9-treated cells results in differentiation of hyaline cartilage, and single cell RNAseq analysis identified wound fibroblasts as BMP9 responsive. This culture model was used to identify a BMP9-responsive adult fibroblast cell line and a culture strategy was developed to engineer hyaline cartilage for engraftment into an acutely damaged joint. Transplanted hyaline cartilage survived engraftment and maintained a hyaline cartilage phenotype, but did not form mature articular cartilage. In addition, individual hypertrophic chondrocytes were identified in some samples, indicating that the acute joint injury site can promote osteogenic progression of engrafted hyaline cartilage. The findings identify fibroblasts as a cell source for engineering articular cartilage and establish a novel experimental strategy that bridges the gap between regeneration biology and regenerative medicine.
Organization and dynamics of the cortical complexes controlling insulin secretion in β-cells
Authors: Noordstra Ivar , van den Berg Cyntha M. , Boot Fransje W. J. , Katrukha Eugene A. , Yu Ka Lou , Tas Roderick P. , Portegies Sybren , Viergever Bastiaan J. , de Graaff Esther , Hoogenraad Casper C. , de Koning Eelco J. P. , Carlotti Françoise , Kapitein Lukas C. , Akhmanova Anna
Published: January 2022

Insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells is regulated by cortical complexes that are enriched at the sites of adhesion to extracellular matrix facing the vasculature. Many components of these complexes, including bassoon, RIM, ELKS and liprins, are shared with neuronal synapses. Here, we show that insulin secretion sites also contain the non-neuronal proteins LL5β (also known as PHLDB2) and KANK1, which, in migrating cells, organize exocytotic machinery in the vicinity of integrin-based adhesions. Depletion of LL5β or focal adhesion disassembly triggered by myosin II inhibition perturbed the clustering of secretory complexes and attenuated the first wave of insulin release. Although previous analyses in vitro and in neurons have suggested that secretory machinery might assemble through liquid–liquid phase separation, analysis of endogenously labeled ELKS in pancreatic islets indicated that its dynamics is inconsistent with such a scenario. Instead, fluorescence recovery after photobleaching and single-molecule imaging showed that ELKS turnover is driven by binding and unbinding to low-mobility scaffolds. Both the scaffold movements and ELKS exchange were stimulated by glucose treatment. Our findings help to explain how integrin-based adhesions control spatial organization of glucose-stimulated insulin release.
Prediction of invasive adenocarcinomas manifesting as pure ground-glass nodules based on radiomic signature of low-dose CT in lung cancer screening
Authors: Li Yong , Liu Jieke , Yang Xi , Xu Hao , Qing Haomiao , Ren Jing , Zhou Peng
Published: January 2022

Objective:

To develop a radiomic model based on low-dose CT (LDCT) to distinguish invasive adenocarcinomas (IAs) from adenocarcinoma in situ/minimally invasive adenocarcinomas (AIS/MIAs) manifesting as pure ground-glass nodules (pGGNs) and compare its performance with conventional quantitative and semantic features of LDCT, radiomic model of standard-dose CT, and intraoperative frozen section (FS).

Methods:

A total of 147 consecutive pathologically confirmed pGGNs were divided into primary cohort (43 IAs and 60 AIS/MIAs) and validation cohort (19 IAs and 25 AIS/MIAs). Logistic regression models were built using conventional quantitative and semantic features, selected radiomic features of LDCT and standard-dose CT, and intraoperative FS diagnosis, respectively. The diagnostic performance was assessed by area under curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic curve, sensitivity, and specificity.

Results:

The AUCs of quantitative-semantic model, radiomic model of LDCT, radiomic model of standard-dose CT, and FS model were 0.879 (95% CI, 0.801-0.935), 0.929 (95% CI, 0.862-0.971), 0.941 (95% CI, 0.876-0.978), and 0.884 (95% CI, 0.805-0.938) in the primary cohort and 0.897 (95% CI, 0.768-0.968), 0.933 (95% CI, 0.815-0.986), 0.901 (95% CI, 0.773-0.970), and 0.828 (95% CI, 0.685-0.925) in the validation cohort. No significant difference of the AUCs was found among these models in both the primary and validation cohorts (all p > 0.05).

Conclusion:

The LDCT-based quantitative-semantic score and radiomic signature, with good predictive performance, can be pre-operative and non-invasive biomarkers for assessing the invasive risk of pGGNs in lung cancer screening.

Advances in knowledge:

The LDCT-based quantitative-semantic score and radiomic signature, with the equivalent performance to the radiomic model of standard-dose CT, can be pre-operative predictors for assessing the invasiveness of pGGNs in lung cancer screening and reducing excess examination and treatment.
4D CT to assess spinal instability in developmental anomaly of posterior arch of atlas
Authors: Yip Stefanie WY , Griffith James F , Lee Ryan KL , Liu King Lok
Published: January 2022

Four-dimensional (4D) CT uniquely allows cinematic visualization of the entirety of joint motion throughout dynamic movement, which can reveal subtle or transient internal joint derangements not evident on static images. As developmental anomalies of the posterior arch can predispose to cervical spinal instability and neurological morbidity, precise assessment of spinal movement during motion is of clinical relevance. We describe the use of 4D-CT in a subject with partial absence of posterior C1 arch. This, to our knowledge, is the first such report. In at-risk individuals, 4D-CT has the potential to enable an assessment of spinal instability with a higher level of clarity and, in this sense, its more routine implementation may be a future direction.
A tumor association to be aware: endometrial cancer and colon cancer in relation to Lynch syndrome
Authors: Onka Behyamet , Mohamed Daoud ali , Yehouenou Romeo Thierry Tessi , Adeyemi Boris , Traore Wend-Yam Mohammed , Kevin arthur Mbina Mbougou , Jerguigue Hounayda , Latib Rachida , Omor Youssef
Published: January 2022

lynch syndrome (LS) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder with incomplete penetration caused by a germline mutation in one of the genes of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) mismatch repair system (MMR) namely: mutL homolog 1 (MLH1), mutS homolog 2 (MSH2), mutS homolog 6 (MHS6), post-meiotic segregation increased 1 homolog 2 (PMS2) or the EpCAM (Epithelial CellAdhesionMolecule) gene, which causes the inactivation of MSH2. Patients with this syndrome have a high relative risk of developing cancers at a young age, led by colorectal cancer (CRC) and endometrial cancer in females. The diagnosis is suspected when the patient’s personal and family history meets the Amsterdam or Bethesda criteria. It is guided by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and/or molecular biology that show loss of expression of one or more proteins of the MMR system and microsatellite instability on tumor DNA. In case of positive IHC and/or molecular biology, the patient should be referred to an oncogenetic consultation for a definitive diagnosis. We present the case of a 49-year-old patient who presented an anamic syndrome in metrorrhagia. After a clinical, imaging, biological and anatomopathological examination, the diagnosis of LS was made.
A EFETIVIDADE DA APRENDIZAGEM BASEADA EM PROBLEMAS: UM ESTUDO DE CASO
Authors: Rosa Heloisa , Picolli Icaro Roberto Azevedo , Leonel Eduardo
Published: January 2022

O objetivo deste estudo é verificar a efetividade da metodologia de Aprendizagem Baseada em Problemas (Problem Based Learning - PBL), como estratégia de ensino no curso Superior em Administração. Trata-se de um estudo de caso e análise quantitativa, com 32 estudantes de uma universidade privada, oriundos da disciplina de Projetos Organizacionais. Utilizou-se o questionário de Kanet e Barut (2003), com escala Likert de 5 pontos. Os dados foram transcritos para o software Excel e analisados estatisticamente no software SPSS, considerando análises descritivas e correlações. Capacidade de resolução de problemas e implementação, Aderência ao modelo PBL, Confiança e Satisfação foram as dimensões abordadas. Os resultados evidenciaram que a metodologia adotada apontou percepção moderada para a compreensão dos conceitos da disciplina aos estudantes. Dessa forma, nesse caso específico avaliado, percebeu-se que a estratégia não foi efetiva, considerando a percepção do estudante que foi utilizada como parâmetro de análise.
O REFLEXO DO SISTEMA DE GESTÃO AMBIENTAL NO DESENVOLVIMENTO ECONÔMICO
Authors: Mendoza Salma Said Rezek , Araújo Verônica Fagundes
Published: January 2022

O sistema econômico capitalista do século XXI, associado à globalização, vem gerando desequilíbrios ambientais à custa da exploração dos recursos naturais. Considerando extremamente relevante na perspectiva referente à qualidade de vida, produção e consumo, o trabalho procura analisar o futuro da riqueza patrimonial por meio de uma comparação histórica diante da exploração dos recursos naturais e inclui o Sistema de Gestão Ambiental – SGA associada a tecnologias mais adequadas ao meio ambiente como fator de inovação para atingir o desenvolvimento sustentável. Conclui-se, diante da análise, que a implantação do Sistema de Gestão Ambiental nas organizações pode gerar maiores rentabilidades e benefícios no mercado, contribuindo, dessa forma, para o desenvolvimento sustentável.
Η γυναίκα στις ελληνορθόδοξες κοινότητες του ελλαδικού χώρου (17ος-19ος αι.)
Authors: Σταμούλης Ανδρέας
Published: January 2022

Η παρούσα διατριβή, βασιζόμενη πρωτίστως στις πρωτογενείς πηγές, εξετάζει με τα εργαλεία και τις μεθόδους της Κοινωνικής Ιστορίας, κατά πόσο επαληθεύεται ή διαψεύδεται η γενική αντίληψη που θέλει την Ελληνίδα - χριστιανή ορθόδοξη - της περιόδου 1600 αρχές 19ου αιώνα να έχει περιορισμένα δικαιώματα και να υπόκειται σε ποικίλες καταπιέσεις από την πατριαρχική δομή της οικογένειας και της κοινωνίας γενικότερα. Ειδικότερα, η διατριβή εξετάζει τη νομική θέση της γυναίκας με βάση το εφαρμοζόμενο βυζαντινορωμαϊκό, το εθιμικό αλλά και το οθωμανικό δίκαιο, σε όλους τους τομείς του αστικού δικαίου (οικογενειακό, κληρονομικό, εμπράγματο - ενοχικό), με ιδιαίτερη έμφαση στο οικογενειακό (μνηστεία, γάμος, γαμήλιες παροχές της γυναίκας και του άνδρα, διαζύγια), τη γυναίκα στο πλαίσιο του γάμου, τη μητρότητα, τη γυναικεία εργασία, την κατάσταση της γυναικείας χηρείας, την εμφάνιση και τη συμπεριφορά της στον ιδιωτικό και στο δημόσιο χώρο, το βαθμός εγγραμματοσύνης της και τη φωνή της μέσω των επιστολών, το πλαίσιο που τη συγκροτούσε ως ιστορικό υποκείμενο, τις αναπαραστάσεις της σε διάφορα κείμενα και στη λαϊκή αγιογραφία, τη σχέση της με το θάνατο, τους ονοματικούς προσδιορισμούς της και, τέλος, τα ονόματα που έχει ανά περιοχή.
Unexpected demand and its impact on hospital cost
Authors: Μπουτσιώλη Ζωή
Published: January 2022

Το αντικείμενο της έρευνάς μου ήταν η ποσοτική εκτίμηση της αβέβαιης ζήτησης για νοσοκομειακές υπηρεσίες και η επίδρασή της στο κόστος λειτουργίας των νοσοκομειακών μονάδων. Η αβεβαιότητα της ζήτησης μετρήθηκε ως τα στατιστικά κατάλοιπα που προέκυψαν από την εκτέλεση μιας συνάρτησης ARIMA, με εξαρτημένη μεταβλητή τον αριθμό των εκτάκτων εισαγωγών και ως ανεξάρτητες μεταβλητές τον αριθμό των εκτάκτων εισαγωγών σε προηγούμενα χρονικά διαστήματα (t-1, t-2, …, t-ν). Για την εκτίμηση της αβέβαιης ζήτησης χρησιμοποιήθηκαν ημερήσιες χρονοσειρές δεδομένων από δέκα (10) δημόσια νοσοκομεία του Ελληνικού Εθνικού Συστήματος Υγείας (ΕΣΥ) για διάστημα πέντε (5) ετών (1826 παρατηρήσεις) στην ευρύτερη περιοχή της Αθήνας. Για την εκτίμηση της αβεβαιότητας της ζήτησης στο νοσοκομειακό κόστος, οι ημερήσιες μετρήσεις μετατράπηκαν σε ετήσιες, προσθέτοντας τες. Η συνάρτηση κόστους είχε ως ερμηνευτικές μεταβλητές, εκτός από τη μεταβλητή της αβεβαιότητας της ζήτησης και άλλες μεταβλητές, όπως το συνολικό παραγόμενο προϊόν (τακτικές και έκτακτες εισαγωγές), τον αριθμό των κρεβατιών, μια ψευδομεταβλητή που μετρούσε το εάν ή όχι στο νοσοκομείο λειτουργούσαν πανεπιστημιακές κλινικές ή τμήματα. Μια σειρά άλλων ανεξάρτητων μεταβλητών δοκιμάστηκαν, σύμφωνα με τη διεθνή βιβλιογραφία, όπως το ποσοστό κάλυψης των νοσοκομειακών κρεβατιών (και το αντίστροφο του κλάσματος), ο μέσος όρος ημερών νοσηλείας, κ.λπ, που, όμως, αποδείχθηκαν στατιστικά μη σημαντικές ή/και είχαν το αντίστροφο από το αναμενόμενο πρόσημο. Για την εκτίμηση της συνάρτησης κόστους χρησιμοποιήθηκε η μέθοδος των γενικευμένων ελάχιστων τετραγώνων (Generalized Least Squares), προκειμένου να αντιμετωπιστεί το πρόβλημα της ετεροσκεδαστικότητας (heteroscedasticity) που παρουσιάστηκε όταν τρέξαμε τη συνάρτηση με τη μέθοδο των ελάχιστων τετραγώνων (Ordinary Least Squares - OLS). Όλες οι μεταβλητές στη συνάρτηση υψώθηκαν στον κύβο, σύμφωνα με την οικονομική θεωρία περί κόστους. Τα αποτελέσματα έδειξαν ότι η αβέβαιη ζήτηση επηρεάζει θετικά και στατιστικώς σημαντικά το μεταβλητό κόστος των νοσοκομείων του δείγματος. Ελαχιστοποιώντας τη διακύμανση της ζήτησης από μέρα σε μέρα θα μπορούσε να ελαχιστοποιηθεί το κόστος και να προσφέρει τη δυνατότητα στις διοικήσεις των νοσοκομείων να προβούν σε ακριβέστερες προβλέψεις και προγραμματισμό των μελλοντικών τους αναγκών.
Πρόσβαση και χρήση των υπηρεσιών βρεφονηπιακής φροντίδας από εργαζόμενες μετανάστριες μητέρες
Authors: Μαλεκάκη Ευφροσύνη
Published: January 2022

Η διδακτορική διατριβή εστιάζει το ενδιαφέρον της στη διερεύνηση των εμποδίων που συναντούν οι μετανάστριες οικιακές εργάτριες κατά την πρόσβαση και χρήση των υπηρεσιών βρεφονηπιακής φροντίδας. Η διερεύνηση του συγκεκριμένου θέματος περιλαμβάνει τις απόψεις δύο ομάδων. Της ομάδας των μεταναστριών και της ομάδας των δημοσίων υπαλλήλων. Μέσα από τις απόψεις των δύο ομάδων αυτών η έρευνα προσπαθεί να εντοπίσει όσο το δυνατόν καλύτερα τις υπάρχουσες δυσκολίες ως προς τη πρόσβαση και τη χρήση των μεταναστριών οικιακών εργατριών στις υπηρεσίες βρεφονηπιακής φροντίδας σε εποχή κρίσης.
Retinoid signalling in Xenopus neural development
Authors: Φούρλα Διονυσία-Δανάη
Published: January 2022

Αυτή η διατριβή εστιάζει στην χρήση των κυττάρων του ζωικού πόλου «animal caps» του βλαστιδίου προκειμένου να απαντηθούν ερωτήματα σχετικά με την νευρική επαγωγή, διαμόρφωση και τη νευρογένεση στα έμβρυα του Xenopus. Τα κύτταρα του ζωϊκού πόλου μπορούν να εμφανίσουν δείκτες νευρογένεσης μετά από αναστολή των BMPs μέσω της χρήσης αναστολέων, όπως ο noggin, αλλά δεν σχηματίζουν νευρώνες. Αντί αυτού, η πρωτογενής νευρογένεση απαιτεί επιπλέον σηματοδότηση από το ρετινοϊκό οξύ (RA), που δρα μέσω των υποδοχέων των ρετινοειδών, RAR / RXR. Παρουσία RA, η σηματοδότηση ρετινοειδών (RS) ενεργοποιεί την γονιδιακή έκφραση. Τα βασικά στοχευόμενα γονίδια της RS κατά την ανάπτυξη είναι τα γονίδια Hox που πιστεύεται ότι είναι σημαντικά τόσο για την διαμόρφωση του οπίσθιου (posterior) άξονα όσο και για τη νευρογένεση. Αντίθετα, απουσία RA, η RS προάγει την ενεργή καταστολή, μια διαδικασία που απαιτείται για τον φυσιολογικό σχηματισμό της κεφαλής. Ωστόσο, πολύ λιγότερα είναι γνωστά για τα γονίδια που επηρεάζονται από την ενεργή καταστολή. Αν και η RS είναι αρκετή για να προάγει τη νευρογένεση σε κύτταρα του ζωικού πόλου στα οποία έχει χορηγηθεί noggin, η RS είναι πιθανό να λειτουργεί σε συνδυασμό με άλλες, ενδογενείς, οδούς σηματοδότησης, που διαμεσολαβούνται για παράδειγμα από το FGF και το Wnt. Σε αυτή τη μελέτη, τα κυττάρα του ζωικού πόλου αναλύθηκαν για την έκφραση μορίων σηματοδότησης μετά από χορήγηση του παράγοντα noggin και των ρετινοειδών υποδοχέων RAR/RXR (+/-RA) και αποδείχθηκε ότι η έκφραση ορισμένων, αλλά όχι όλων, των FGFs και των Wnts επηρεάζονται από την σηματοδότηση των ρετινοειδών (RS) στα κύτταρα του ζωϊκού πόλου. Αυτό μπορεί να είναι σημαντικό για την νευρική επαγωγή, τη διαμόρφωση και τη νευρογένεση, διαδικασίες που διεξάγονται και σχετίζονται με τα κύτταρα του ζωϊκού πόλου. Επιπλέον, η έκφραση των ισοτύπων των υποδοχέων RARa και RARγ φαίνεται να επηρεάζει διαφορετικά ορισμένα γονίδια. Η θετική RS (RAR/RXR+RA) αποδείχθηκε ότι προάγει οπίσθιους δείκτες, όπως γονίδια Hox και την έκφραση του Wnt3A. Ωστόσο, η αρνητική RS (RAR/RXR-RA) αποδείχθηκε ότι αναστέλλει το Wnt3A και ενεργοποιεί το xSalF. Κατά συνέπεια, τα RARs προάγουν το Wnt σηματοδοτικό μονοπάτι οπίσθια, μέσω της θετικής τους σηματοδότησης και αναστέλλουν το Wnt σηματοδοτικό μονοπάτι πρόσθια, μέσω της αρνητική τους σηματοδότησης. Συμπερασματικά, η παρούσα διατριβή δείχνει ότι τα κύτταρα του ζωϊκού πόλου «animal caps» μπορούν να χρησιμοποιηθούν για τη διερεύνηση των επιδράσεων της RS στη νευρική ανάπτυξη του Xenopus και υποδεικνύει έναν σημαντικό ρόλο για την RS κατά μήκος του A/P άξονα του εμβρύου.
Systemic Risk-Driven Portfolio Selection
Authors: Capponi Agostino , Rubtsov Alexey
Published: January 2022

How can we construct portfolios that perform well in the face of systemic events? The global financial crisis of 2007–2008 and the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic have highlighted the importance of accounting for extreme form of risks. In “Systemic Risk-Driven Portfolio Selection,” Capponi and Rubtsov investigate the design of portfolios that trade off tail risk and expected growth of the investment. The authors show how two well-known risk measures, the value-at-risk and the conditional value-at-risk, can be used to construct portfolios that perform well in the face of systemic events. The paper uses U.S. stock data from the S&P500 Financials Index and Canadian stock data from the S&P/TSX Capped Financial Index, and it demonstrates that portfolios accounting for systemic risk attain higher risk-adjusted expected returns, compared with well-known benchmark portfolio criteria, during times of market downturn.
Getting It Right First Time: the reports
Authors: Thomas Sue
Published: January 2022

Originally launched in 2015, the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) programme has become a leading authority for quality improvement in the NHS. In September 2021, the programme published an impressive series of reviews in no fewer than 18 subject areas, neurology being one of these. While earlier GIRFT reports tended to focus on acute care, the new reports have a much wider scope and scan a whole pathway approach for unwarranted variations in practice and what needs to happen to improve patient outcomes. In Part 1, Sue Thomas explores what GIRFT says about the organisation of neurological services and recommendations for service delivery, while Part 2 will explore parallel services, commissioning and future directions.
HRM species identification of bone samples collected from snake feces
Authors:   Department of Veterinary Biosciences and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand, Poommouang Anocha , Kongtueng Piyamat ,   Central Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand, Nomsiri Raksiri ,   Veterinary Conservation and Research Section, Chiang Mai Night Safari, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand
Published: January 2022

Species identification is essential and necessary in the forensic sciences. This case study aims to identify animal species using unidentified bone samples found in snake feces with the use of inter-simple sequence repeat markers coupled with high resolution melting analysis (ISSR-HRM). In this case study, six ISSR primers were used and compared with lemur blood. The results of this study indicate that the derivative melting curve established from two bones and the lemur blood sample displayed a similar melting temperature. Additionally, D-loop sequencing of the bones and blood samples were checked against the GenBank database. We found that the samples belonged to a black-and-white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata) with percent identity values of 99.54 and 99.85, respectively. Thus, ISSR-HRM has been effectively used for species identification, particularly when results can be compared with the target species.
Echocardiographic parameters in different age and sex of Sprague-Dawley rats under isoflurane anesthesia
Authors:   Department of Veterinary Surgery, Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-ok, Chonburi 20110, Thailand, Kitpipatkun Pitipat , Sukwan Catthareya ,   Program of Veterinary Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand
Published: January 2022

Echocardiography is a useful technique for diagnosing cardiovascular disease that is safe, reproducible and accurate. A comprehensive understanding of echocardiographic parameters in different age and sex is useful for cardiovascular study. Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats of both sexes at different age underwent repetitive echocardiography. The characteristics of early and late diastolic waves through the mitral inflow depend on the heart rate. The rats had fast heart rates, with early and late diastolic Doppler flows commonly fused. Several parameters in male rats were higher than in females except for ejection fraction, fractional shortening, isovolumetric relaxation time, pre-ejection fraction and ejection time that did not differ. Different age, sex, breed and anesthesia protocol can all cause diverse results. Rat echocardiography can be potentially used as a model for human cardiovascular research. Results revealed changes in echocardiographic parameters in different age and sex to better understand normal cardiovascular functions in rat model
Production performance and egg quality evaluation of indigenous chickens across different agro-ecologies of Southern Ethiopia
Authors:   School of Animal and Range sciences, College of Agriculture, Hawassa University, Ethiopia, Bekele Berhanu ,   International livestock research institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,   Department of Animal and Range Science, College of Agriculture, Bule Hora University, Ethiopia, Melesse Aberra ,   School of Animal and Range sciences, College of Agriculture, Hawassa University, Ethiopia, Esatu Wodmeneh ,   International livestock research institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Dessie Tadelle ,   International livestock research institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Published: January 2022

Indigenous chickens were evaluated for their egg production, growth performances, and external and internal egg quality parameters across three agro-ecologies. For experiment 540 (180 male and 432 female) chickens were distributed to the three agro-ecologies (lowland, midland, and highland) at their 20 weeks age. Body weight was recorded from each chicken during distribution, 4th week, and 8th week after distribution into pre-selected households. Egg production potential was identified from the indigenous chickens across different agro-ecologies. Moreover, egg quality traits were evaluated from randomly selected 270 (90 from each agroecology) eggs. Egg production of indigenous chickens in the highland was 47.7 which was highly significantly (P = 0.0001) lower number than of midland (54.2) and lowland (51.4). Except for Shell weight, all the external egg quality parameters evaluated were exhibited significant differences across different agro-ecologies. Among the internal egg quality parameters only albumen weight had a significantly (P = 0.007) higher in midland than highland. Most of the variation in egg weight was due to the positive correlation with egg length (69%), and egg width (67%). There was a variation for performance and egg quality traits of indigenous chickens in different agro-ecologies, especially better in midland, which might be resulted from the variation in environment, feed resources availability, and better management followed by households.
Minerva's French Sisters
Authors: Gelbart Nina Rattner
Published: January 2022

This book presents the stories of six intrepid women of science in eighteenth-century France whose lives and accomplishments — though celebrated in their lifetimes — have been largely written out of the history of their period: mathematician and philosopher Elisabeth Ferrand, astronomer Nicole Reine Lepaute, field naturalist Jeanne Barret, garden botanist and illustrator Madeleine Françoise Basseporte, anatomist and inventor Marie-Marguerite Biheron, and chemist Geneviève d'Arconville. By adjusting our lens we can find them. In a society where science was not yet an established profession for men, much less women, these six audacious and inspiring figures made their mark on their respective fields of science and on Enlightenment society as they defied gender expectations and conventional norms. Their boldness and contributions to science were appreciated by such luminaries as Franklin, the philosophes, and many European monarchs. The book is written in an unorthodox style to match the women's breaking of boundaries.