bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of Outcome-Based Curriculum in Religious Studies: The Case of Madrasas in Sri Lanka
Authors: Jazeel M. I. M.
Published: August 2020

The madrasah tradition is widely recognized by Muslims in Sri Lanka for its historical contribution to their education. However, the criticism is aimed at the quality of madrasah education, and relevance of madrasah studies to the community needs and its national development in Sri Lanka. The outcome-based Education is proposed as an approach to increase its quality of education and to target the national aspirations and benefits. This paper aims at examining OBE application in madrasah studies. The study is based on analyzed data from 98 responded madrasas to the survey and review of the related literatures and documentary review of curriculum of the respondent madrasas. The findings show that the outcome-based curricula have not been in place in majority of the madrasas. However, it is in the initial proposing stage in some of the madrasas, studies of which base on the integrated system of education. The vast majority madrasas need to outline their aims and objectives of studies to identify the set of competencies intended for the graduates. This study is an academic discourse on long lasting Islamic traditional education system.
From Manshiya to Alexandria: Re-Examining the Process of Constitutionalizing and Normalizing the Emergency Status in Egypt
Authors: Taha Nora , Khalil Asem
Published: August 2020

Recent political and legal developments within the Arab region have resurrected previously dormant historical debates and endowed them with a new life and vitality. The theory of exceptionality has been prominent within these debates, being repeatedly reasserted in different constitutional drafts, and even celebrated, as a means through which political authority maintain and secure ‘the public order’.

Egypt long lasting rule relying on an emergency context has provided a worthy manifestation of how emergency rule have been installed in political and legal settings; and become presented as an only way to govern; in which it had been incorporated in different constitutions and manifested into a political exercise. We dedicate this article to witness these overlapping challenges to analyze why post-revolutionary regimes have failed to deliver a meaningful transformative constitutionalism that is based upon the principle of the rule of Law, and continued instead to rely on the emergency status as module of governance.
Dependency, Exploitation and Poverty among the Labourers of the Fishing Community
Authors: Ayoob S. M. , Fowsar M. A.M.
Published: August 2020

The fishing community is mainly dependent on the harvest of fisheries resources to meet their social and economic needs. More than two million people in Sri Lanka are directly or indirectly dependent on the exploitation of fisheries resources. The wage labourers who are engaged in fishing are severely impacted by poverty even though they make a significant contribution to the economy of the country. With regard to this, this study focused on how dependency and exploitation have shaped the life of the poor wage labourers in the fishing community, based on Andre Gunder Frank’s Dependency theory. Most of the labourers in the fishing community suffer a poor living standard. They are badly exploited by some other actors operating in their working environment. The investors (Mudhalalis) and intermediaries are the people who exploit the labour of the poor fishermen and turn them into dependent people through loans provided by them. Poverty, inadequate housing, poor health, illness and treatment, education of children, inadequate infrastructural facilities, and family problems including domestic violence were found to be the causes of dependency and exploitation of the fishing community. These issues need to be addressed to enhance standard of living of the fishing community.
New Trends in Developing Alternative Ways to Resolve Financial Disputes
Authors: Petrovna Ermakova Elena , Evgenevna Frolova Evgenia , Vitalevna Sitkareva Elena
Published: August 2020

The authors investigate an issue of the appearance of new trends in developing alternative ways to resolve financial disputes. It has been found that: 1) selection of an arbitration forum for dispute resolution in the field of international finance instead of national courts of London and New York became an obvious reality that should be taken into account by politicians and entrepreneurs; 2) advantages and disadvantages of arbitration resolution of financial disputes are also obvious, so special attention should be paid to the new forms of dispute resolution clauses – hybrid dispute resolution clauses that authorize counterparties to select between the national judicial proceeding and the international arbitration, allowing the parties to select the most appropriate proceeding jurisdiction as following from the specific dispute based on advantages of both forums; 3) in connection with the popularization of alternative ways of dispute resolution in the field of financial relations it is prospective to use mediation for dispute resolution: the entry of Singapore Convention on Mediation 2019 into legal force and joining of global financial leading states to it can contribute to this; 4) in connection with the specifics of cross-boundary financial relations, and for dispute resolution, standard arbitration regulations are not always applicable, so now arbitration institutions tend to follow the way of including separate regulations with regard f the specifics of these disputes; the latest trend can be considered the creation of separate centres in the field of financial dispute resolution.
Can Artificial Intelligence Author Laws: A Perspective from Russia
Authors: Dremliuga Roman , Koshel Alexey
Published: August 2020

This article discusses the issue of the introduction of digital technologies into policy-making. The article describes several systems of policy-making in the Russian Federation. In addition, the article discusses the issue of the introduction of a new System of policy-making in the light of the digital transformation of the Russian economy.

The paper analyzes the capacities of digital technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), in the context of their application in policy-making. The authors conclude that there are prerequisites and opportunities for deeper automation of the policy-making. This can improve the quality of the bills, can increase public involvement in the policy-making process, and speed up the development and adoption of new regulations. An intelligent system can develop legislative bills that are of superior technical quality and are non-contradictory in the context of both national and international legal systems. Digitalization processes should naturally lead to changes in the mechanism of policy-making, which in turn should lead to its greater automation. Moreover, insufficient automation today can become an obstacle in the digital transformation of the Russian economy.

The authors conclude that in the future it would be possible for intellectual systems to author bills. The general development of AI systems shows that given the parameters of the problem and given the circumstance when the machine would be able to detect a center of social tensions in the community, the intelligent system itself would be capable of making proposals in the field of legislative regulation.

The application of intelligent systems in policy-making is not without its drawbacks. Such systems are not transparent in the legal and technical sense and can also transfer human beliefs into the texts of the regulations. These problems can be addressed through public scrutiny and the introduction of a licensing system, however even this would create a number of new practical challenges.
The Development of the Legal Framework for Autonomous Shipping: Lessons Learned from a Regulation for a Driverless Car
Authors: Dremliuga Roman , Rusli Mohd Hazmi bin Mohd
Published: August 2020

This article focuses on the regulation of maritime autonomous surface vessels from the perspective of international law of the sea. The article discusses on the possibility of developing a legal framework to regulate autonomous maritime navigation based on laws and regulation of autonomous driving of landed vehicles. The authors opine that existing legal framework does not conform to the goal of regulation of autonomous navigation. However, the regulation of autonomous car testing and exploitation could be imitated to design a new legal framework for autonomous shipping. Despite the divergent approaches, some principles remain in common particularly of cybersecurity and privacy. As computer systems are replacing the need of a master and crew for digitally managed ships, low level of cybersecurity implies an increase in risk of losing control over the vessel. The authors are of the opinion that that current legal acts, standards and their drafts do not pay necessary attention to the problem of cybersecurity of autonomous ships. Moreover, current legislations do not provide mechanisms of influence on behavior of shipowner and shipbuilder to make them apply the best measures. The similar situation is with privacy. Factually, an autonomous ship is a natural tool for surveillance, as to effectively navigate through the seas, it must collect and process information pertaining to navigational safety and other related matters. The question raises how this information has to be collected, kept, processed and deleted. Thus, the maritime community may consider adopting the approach on privacy from regulation for autonomous cars.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for Journal of Plant Studies, Vol. 9, No. 2
Authors: Lee Joan
Published: August 2020

Journal of Plant Studies wishes to acknowledge the following individuals for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Their help and contributions in maintaining the quality of the journal are greatly appreciated.

Journal of Plant Studies is recruiting reviewers for the journal. If you are interested in becoming a reviewer, we welcome you to join us. Please contact us for the application form at: jps@ccsenet.org

Reviewers for Volume 9, Number 2

Adriana F. Sestras, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Romania

Alejandra Matiz, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Fardausi Akhter, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Canada

Khyati Hitesh Shah, Stanford University, United States

Kirandeep Kaur Mani, California seed and Plant Labs, USA

Malgorzata Pietrowska-Borek, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland

Massimo Zacchini, National Research Council of Italy, Italy

Md. Asaduzzaman, Agricultural Research Institute, Bangladesh

Melekber Sulusoglu, Arslanbey Vocational School Kocaeli University, Turkey

Milana Trifunovic-Momcilov, Institute for Biological Research “Sinisa Stankovic”, Serbia

Mohamed Ahmed El-Esawi, Tanta University, Egypt

Rakesh Ponnala, Zoetis Inc, United States

Romina A. Marc, Univ. of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Slawomir Borek, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poland

Tomoo misawa, Donan Agricultural Experiment Station, Hokkaido Research Organization, Japan
Influence of Mass Parameters Modification on Manoeuvrability of 9K33 „OSA” Set 9M33M3 Missile
Authors: CICHOCKI Maciej K. , SOKOŁOWSKI Dariusz , LEWANDOWSKI Zbigniew
Published: August 2020

This paper discusses analytical method for realization of preliminary missile stability design calculations. Action has been taken to estimate influence of replacing massive blocks of analogue electronics with compact solutions of digital electronics
in missiles remaining in operation. On an example of a short-range 9M33M3 missile from 9K33 „OSA” set and its previously analysed aerodynamic characteristics,
the analysis of the centre of gravity location impact was carried out to determine maximum loads occurring in the two most interesting phases of flight: after booster engine burnout and directly after cruise engine burnout. The suggestion for modification suggestion of flight parameters’ optimization is presented which defines stability and its critical impact of these parameters on aeronautical engineering. For the tested missile, the methodology suggestions for the modification is discussed with the comparison of serially produced copies to define the ability of improving the flight parameters. The paper includes visualizations and quantity analysis of: maximal loads on the fuselage, minimal turn radius, and control wing inclination angle as missile’s angle of attack function.
Ergonomic and Usability Studies on PLEMODS Dressing Kit Intended as Rescue Equipment for Uniformed Services
Authors: BUKOWIECKA Danuta , PŁACZEK Adam , NEPELSKI Mariusz , JASTRZĘBSKI Paweł , KUCZYŃSKA Ewa
Published: August 2020

The article was written as part of the development project entitled “Dressing kit for protecting injuries suffered by uniformed services while performing official duties” No. DOB-BIO6/19/98/2014, co-financed by the funds from the National Centre for Research and Development under competition No. 6/2014 for the implementation of projects in the field of scientific research or development work, within the area of state defence and security. The project's result will be the PLEMODS dressing kit, intended for saving the life and health of uniformed service officers who have suffered injuries while performing their duties. The kit was developed in response to the needs of both the police and the Polish army.
The project owner is the police, however, in line with the project assumptions, the kit is dedicated to be used as service equipment of other uniformed services as well. The article presents the premises and conditions that the project team followed when developing the concept of the dressing kit and the functionality of its individual elements. The answers obtained from the research conducted to verify the functional properties of the PLEMODS dressing kit, indicated the need to introduce design changes in the developed model. At the same time, the high comfort of using the PLEMODS dressing kit while performing official duties was confirmed, as well as the effectiveness of the applied innovative solutions in the scope of treating bleeding wounds.
Supporting Older Workers in the Context of Industry 4.0 Requirements
Authors: GRABOWSKI Andrzej , WODZYŃSKI Mieszko
Published: August 2020

The transformation involving the implementation of the concepts of Industry 4.0 can significantly change the labour market, presenting employees and employers with new challenges. Some of these challenges can be solved with the use of technological development, in particular through further robotisation. An interesting example of this phenomenon is the implementation of the concept of remote presence through the use of remotely controlled robots equipped with arms and cameras. This is important for older workers, including those with a muscle strength deficit. However, not all activities can be performed by robots. Some tasks still have to be performed by people. In the factories of the future, cognitive resource requirements may increase significantly. In this respect, appropriate training conducted using virtual reality can help.
Staphylococcusaureus protein A as a means of assessing sperm penetrability in cervical mucus in vitro
Authors: Al-Daghistani Hala I.
Published: August 2020

Objective: The effectiveness of Staphylococcus protein A (SPA) in improving the penetration ability of sperm and reducing antisperm antibody (ASA) titers in immunologically infertile males was evaluated.Methods: Seminal fluid samples were obtained from 15 infertile men, and ASA titers were assessed with the latex agglutination test. Identification of immunoglobulin (Ig) classes and characterization of the antigens involved in the immune response were performed using indirect immunofluorescence. Local ASAs typically present as a mixture of IgG and IgA classes. The capillary tube penetration method was used to assess the capability of spermatozoa to penetrate the cervical mucus (CM).Results: ASAs associated with the neck region of sperm showed a significantly lower migration distance in the CM of infertile females than ASAs associated with the head or tail segments. ASA-positive seminal fluid exhibited significant increases in the mean migration distance (2.6 ± 1.4 cm vs. 1.54 ± 1.1 cm, respectively; p< 0.001) and sperm concentration (174 ± 121.0 × 10³/mL vs. 101 ± 93.7 × 10³/mL, respectively; p= 0.033) after treatment with SPA compared to pre-treated samples. A significant reduction (p< 0.01) in the recorded ASA titer was detected.Conclusion: These results indicate that SPA can be used as a sorting regimen for insemination programs. However, further studies are warranted to assess its influence on pregnancy rate.
Does including machine learning predictions in ALS clinical trial analysis improve statistical power?
Authors: Zhou Nina , Manser Paul
Published: August 2020

Objective

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease which leads to progressive muscle weakness and eventually death. The increasing availability of large ALS clinical trial datasets have generated much interest in developing predictive models for disease progression. However, the utility of predictive modeling on clinical trial analysis has not been thoroughly evaluated.

Methods

We evaluated a predictive modeling approach for ALS disease progression measured by ALSFRS‐R using the PRO‐ACT database and validated our findings in a novel test set from a former clinical trial. We examined clinical trial scenarios where model predictions could improve statistical power for detecting treatment effects with simulated clinical trials.

Results

Models constructed with imputed PRO‐ACT data have better external validation results than those fitted with complete observations. When fitted with imputed data, super learner (R2 = 0.71, MSPE = 19.7) and random forest (R2 = 0.70, MSPE = 19.6) have similar performance in the external validation and slightly outperform the linear mixed effects model (R2 = 0.69, MSPE = 20.5). Simulation studies suggest including machine learning predictions as a covariate in the analysis model of a 12‐month clinical study can increase the trial's effective sample size by 16% when there is a hypothetical treatment effect of 25% reduction in ALSFRS‐R mean rate of change.

Interpretation

Predictive modeling approaches for ALSFRS‐R are able to explain a moderate amount of variability in longitudinal change, which is improved by robust missing data handling for baseline characteristics. Including ALSFRS‐R post‐baseline model prediction results as a covariate in the model for primary analysis may increase power under moderate treatment effects.
Software‐based analysis of 1‐hour Holter ECG to select for prolonged ECG monitoring after stroke
Authors: Gröschel Sonja , Lange Björn , Wasser Katrin , Hahn Marianne , Wachter Rolf , Gröschel Klaus , Uphaus Timo
Published: August 2020

Objective

Identification of ischemic stroke patients at high risk for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (pAF) during 72 hours Holter ECG might be useful to individualize the allocation of prolonged ECG monitoring times, currently not routinely applied in clinical practice.

Methods

In a prospective multicenter study, the first analysable hour of raw ECG data from prolonged 72 hours Holter ECG monitoring in 1031 patients with acute ischemic stroke/TIA presenting in sinus rhythm was classified by an automated software (AA) into “no risk of AF” or “risk of AF” and compared to clinical variables to predict AF during 72 hours Holter‐ECG.

Results

pAF was diagnosed in 54 patients (5.2%; mean age: 78 years; female 56%) and was more frequently detected after 72 hours in patients classified by AA as “risk of AF” (n = 21, 17.8%) compared to “no risk of AF” (n = 33, 3.6%). AA‐based risk stratification as “risk of AF” remained in the prediction model for pAF detection during 72 hours Holter ECG (OR3.814, 95% CI 2.024‐7.816, P < 0.001), in addition to age (OR1.052, 95% CI 1.021‐1.084, P = 0.001), NIHSS (OR 1.087, 95% CI 1.023‐1.154, P = 0.007) and prior treatment with thrombolysis (OR2.639, 95% CI 1.313‐5.306, P = 0.006). Similarly, risk stratification by AA significantly increased the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for prediction of pAF detection compared to a purely clinical risk score (AS5F alone: AUC 0.751; 95% CI 0.724‐0.778; AUC for the combination: 0.789, 95% CI 0.763‐0.814; difference between the AUC P = 0.022).

Interpretation

Automated software‐based ECG risk stratification selects patients with high risk of AF during 72 hours Holter ECG and adds predictive value to common clinical risk factors for AF prediction.
Inhibition of Ras GTPases prevents Collagen‐Induced Arthritis by Reducing the Generation of Pathogenic CD4+ T Cells and the Hyposialylation of Autoantibodies
Authors: Zayoud Morad , Vax Einav , Elad‐Sfadia Galit , Barshack Iris , Pinkas‐Kramarski Ronit , Goldstein Itamar
Published: September 2020

Objective

RasGTPases are master regulators of multiple intracellular signaling cascades. Perturbation of this pathway has been implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study we aimed to define the therapeutic potential of a novel RasGTPases inhibitor, farnesylthiosalicylate (FTS), in the preclinical mouse model of collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA) and better delineate its immunomodulatory effects both ex vivo and in the mouse.

Methods

We analyzed in vitro the immunomodulatory effects of FTS on various CD4+ T‐cell functions such as activation, proliferation, T‐helper polarization, and production of proinflammatory cytokines. Using the CIA model, we further determined the efficacy of FTS to inhibit clinical, histopathologic, and diverse immunological outcomes of arthritis.

Results

FTS treatment of CD4+ T cells in vitro effectively targeted distinct kinases (extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2, p38, protein kinase B/AKT, and mammalian target of rapamycin), the production of interleukin (IL)‐17A, IL‐22, and granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor, and Th17 polarization. FTS therapy in the mouse CIA model significantly reduced clinical disease severity and joint inflammation/damage by histology. Importantly, FTS suppressed the in vivo induction of splenic IL‐17+IL‐22+ Th17 cells and the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. The production of pathogenic autoantibodies and their abnormal hyposialylation was significantly attenuated by FTS therapy. Importantly, in vivo generation of collagen type‐II specific effector CD4+ T cells was likewise repressed by FTS therapy.

Conclusion

The RasGTPases inhibitor FTS attenuates the production of proinflammatory cytokines by in vitro–activated T cells and is a potent immunomodulatory compound in the CIA model, primarily targeting the generation of autoreactive Th17 cells and the production of autoantibodies and their subsequent pathogenic hyposialylation.
DAS28‐CRP Cutoffs for High Disease Activity and Remission Are Lower Than DAS28‐ESR in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Greenmyer Jacob R. , Stacy John M. , Sahmoun Abe E. , Beal James R. , Diri Erdal
Published: August 2020

Objective

Guidelines do not specify how cutoffs for high disease activity differ between the Disease Activity Score 28‐joint count indices DAS28–erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and DAS28–C‐reactive protein (CRP). Studies that compare DAS28‐CRP and DAS28‐ESR depend on data from clinical trials, registries, or practices with multiple providers. Existing studies use data from patients who received immunosuppressive therapy. This study compared the DAS28‐ESR and DAS28‐CRP values from immunosuppressive treatment–naïve patients in a single physician practice.

Methods

A retrospective electronic medical chart review was conducted for new diagnoses of rheumatoid arthritis (RA; International Classification of Diseases [ICD]‐9 714), based on the American College of Rheumatology/European League against Rheumatology 2010 RA classification criteria. The number of patients with high disease activity (>5.1) was compared using ESR and CRP data to calculate the proportion of discordance. A receiver operator curve and Youden index was used to calculate the DAS28‐CRP high disease activity cutoff estimation that corresponds with DAS28‐ESR of more than 5.1.

Results

There were 171 patients included in this study. The baseline mean DAS28‐ESR was higher than the baseline mean DAS‐28 CRP: 5.1 ± 1.2 versus 4.1 ± 1.0 (P < 0.001); 48.5% of patients met criteria for high disease activity (score >5.1) compared with only 14.6% when measured by DAS28‐CRP. Discordance was 33.9%. κ coefficient was only .307. Receiver operator curve and Youden index analysis suggested that the cutoff point for high disease activity of DAS28‐CRP greater than 4.1, which corresponds to DAS28‐ESR greater than 5.1. Similarly, DAS28‐ESR posttreatment scores were significantly higher than DAS28‐CRP. When measured by DAS28‐ESR, patients in remission had higher scores as measured by DAS28‐ESR (1.81) than DAS28‐CRP (1.45).

Conclusion

There is a difference between DAS28‐ESR and DAS28‐CRP, even when calculated for immunosuppressive treatment–naïve patients. DAS28‐CRP is significantly lower than DAS28‐ESR.
Discrete‐time prescribed performance controller based on affine data‐driven model
Authors: Treesatayapun Chidentree
Published: September 2020

The noncontinuous behavior of the controlled plant occurring as both positive and negative control directions is observed from the prototyping robotic system. By considering the controlled plant as a class of unknown nonlinear discrete‐time systems, the affine data‐driven model (ADM) is developed by a multi‐input fuzzy rule emulated network (MiFREN) when the property of a continuous function is omitted. Therefore, the controller is established by the result of ADM when the specification of tracking error can be designed by the prescribed boundaries. The theoretical principle is utilized for the closed‐loop analysis which guarantees the performance by designing the setting parameters. For the practical aspect, the design procedure and the performance are demonstrated by the experimental results.
Novel Bricks: A Scenario of Human–Machine Collaboration
Authors: Yuan Philip F , Li Keke
Published: September 2020

Philip F Yuan, founder of Shanghai‐based Archi‐Union Architects and Fab‐Union Technology, and Tongji University professor and doctoral researcher Keke Li develop novel advanced robotic fabrication techniques. Here they combine finite‐element analysis, machine vision and robotics to construct a reclaimed brick facade that would be impossible to build manually.
Tech's Teaching Moment: The Shape of Culture in the Post‐Blob Era
Authors: Nobel Philip
Published: September 2020

In the aerospace and automobile industries, while the continuing adoption of digital technologies results in streamlining workflows and procurement practices, faster prototyping and virtual simulations, it has not radically redesigned the form of the car or the shape of an aircraft. In architecture, however, the assimilation of digital technologies has been used to create new forms. Philip Nobel, editorial director at SHoP Architects, runs us through the practice's ethos of curiosity and restraint in respect of the digital.
Elucidating energy scaling between atomic and molecular adsorbates in the presence of solvent
Authors: Park Jaeryul , Roling Luke T.
Published: August 2020

Condensed phase reactions have recently attracted increased interest, but principles for efficiently screening and designing catalyst materials through computations are lacking. In this study, we examine the applicability of energy correlations between adsorbed surface species, which have been instrumental in accelerating the computational design of catalyst materials in gas‐phase contexts, in various representations of a condensed phase reaction environment. We perform detailed density functional theory calculations of the adsorption of atomic and molecular species in the presence of various representations of solvent species. Our results show that the well‐known scaling in the gas phase context is preserved, with scaling slopes unaffected by the adsorbate‐liquid interactions. Moreover, these results hold when changing surface structure, solvent identity, and even in highly disordered environments. We envision the establishment of an energy scaling framework for condensed phase reactions to accelerate catalyst discovery and design in those contexts.
Approaches to Understanding Multisensory Dysfunction in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Siemann Justin K. , Veenstra‐VanderWeele Jeremy , Wallace Mark T.
Published: September 2020

Abnormal sensory responses are a DSM‐5 symptom of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and research findings demonstrate altered sensory processing in ASD. Beyond difficulties with processing information within single sensory domains, including both hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity, difficulties in multisensory processing are becoming a core issue of focus in ASD. These difficulties may be targeted by treatment approaches such as “sensory integration,” which is frequently applied in autism treatment but not yet based on clear evidence. Recently, psychophysical data have emerged to demonstrate multisensory deficits in some children with ASD. Unlike deficits in social communication, which are best understood in humans, sensory and multisensory changes offer a tractable marker of circuit dysfunction that is more easily translated into animal model systems to probe the underlying neurobiological mechanisms. Paralleling experimental paradigms that were previously applied in humans and larger mammals, we and others have demonstrated that multisensory function can also be examined behaviorally in rodents. Here, we review the sensory and multisensory difficulties commonly found in ASD, examining laboratory findings that relate these findings across species. Next, we discuss the known neurobiology of multisensory integration, drawing largely on experimental work in larger mammals, and extensions of these paradigms into rodents. Finally, we describe emerging investigations into multisensory processing in genetic mouse models related to autism risk. By detailing findings from humans to mice, we highlight the advantage of multisensory paradigms that can be easily translated across species, as well as the potential for rodent experimental systems to reveal opportunities for novel treatments.

Lay Summary

Sensory and multisensory deficits are commonly found in ASD and may result in cascading effects that impact social communication. By using similar experiments to those in humans, we discuss how studies in animal models may allow an understanding of the brain mechanisms that underlie difficulties in multisensory integration, with the ultimate goal of developing new treatments. Autism Res 2020, 13: 1430–1449. © 2020 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Identifying subgroups of age and cohort effects in obesity prevalence
Authors: Miljkovic Tatjana , Wang Xin
Published: September 2020

The obesity epidemic represents an important public health issue in the United States. Studying obesity trends across age groups over time helps to identify crucial relationships between the disease and medical treatment allowing for the development of effective prevention policies. We aim to define subgroups of age and cohort effects in obesity prevalence over time by considering an optimization approach applied to the age‐period‐cohort (APC) model. We consider a heterogeneous regression problem where the regression coefficients are age dependent and belong to subgroups with unknown grouping information. Using the APC model, we apply the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) algorithm to develop a two‐step algorithm for (1) subgrouping of cohort effects based on similar characteristics and (2) subgrouping age effects over time. The proposed clustering approach is illustrated for the United States population, aged 18–79, during the period 1990–2017.
A population‐based comparison of treatment patterns, resource utilization, and costs by cancer stage for Ontario patients with triple‐negative breast cancer
Authors: Brezden‐Masley Christine , Fathers Kelly E. , Coombes Megan E. , Pourmirza Behin , Xue Cloris , Jerzak Katarzyna J.
Published: August 2020

Background

There have been few publications exploring the characteristics, treatment pathways, and health‐care costs by stage in patients with a triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) phenotype.

Methods

Data from a publicly funded health‐care system in Ontario were assessed. Baseline characteristics, treatment patterns, and health‐care costs were descriptively compared by cancer stage (I‐III vs IV) for adult women diagnosed with invasive TNBC between 2012 and 2016. Resource use was multiplied by unit costs for publicly funded health‐care services to calculate health system‐related costs.

Results

A total of 3271 cases were identified, 3081 with stage I‐III and 190 with stage IV TNBC. Baseline characteristics were aligned with previous reports. Surgery was the most common treatment among patients with stage I‐III disease (n = 2979, 96.7%); 557 (18.7%) received neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) and 1974 (66.3%) received adjuvant therapy (AT), the latter at a median of 44 days postsurgery, and 2446 (79.4%) in the stage I‐III cohort received radiation. Treatment for metastatic TNBC included surgery in 48 (25.3%), systemic therapy in 138 (72.6%), and radiotherapy in 112 (58.9%) patients. Top drug regimens included anthracyclines/taxanes. Annual per‐patient health care costs were four times higher for stage IV vs. stage I‐III TNBC.

Conclusion

Per‐patient costs were higher in metastatic TNBC, despite a less frequent use of all treatment modalities compared to early TNBC. Treatment patterns were aligned with the options available at the time; however, neoadjuvant treatment rates were low.
Ambulatory intravenous insulin and islet cell transplantation to treat severe type III insulin hypersensitivity in a patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Clarke Brigette , Loudovaris Tom , Radford Toni , Drogemuller Chris , Coates Patrick Toby , Torpy David
Published: August 2020

Allogenic pancreatic islet cell transplantation is an appropriate treatment option to consider in the management of refractory cases of severe hypersensitivity to insulin in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Difficulty in diagnosing mild cases of COVID‐19 without respiratory symptoms during the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic: Careful monitoring needed for patients with persistent upper gastrointestinal symptoms
Authors: Saito Hiroaki , Ozaki Akihiko , Mizuno Yasuhiro , Todo Kozo
Published: September 2020

Gastrointestinal symptoms have been reported to occur with COVID infection, and clinicians in COVID‐19‐endemic areas should suspect COVID‐19 infection in patients even if they have no noticeable respiratory symptoms and only gastrointestinal symptoms.
Wpt (waypoint) shift manifold difference metrics for evaluation of varying observing‐condition (observer + illuminant) metamerism and color inconstancy
Authors: Derhak Maxim W. , Luo Lin , Berns Roy S.
Published: September 2020

Metamerism is a critical color phenomenon which can cause serious problems for products assembled by various parts. Customers generally expect all parts are color‐matched under different observing conditions. This article extends the concepts of illuminant and observer metamerism to observing‐condition metamerism, that is, objects are color‐matched under one observing condition but not under others. The color inconstancy of a single object is also expanded to be evaluated under multiple observing conditions. Moreover, four Waypoint (Wpt) Shift Manifold difference metrics are proposed to evaluate not only observing‐condition metamerism of metamers and paramers but also observing‐condition color inconstancy of single objects: The Mean Object Inconstancy Index (MOII), The Mean Object Color Difference (MMOCD), Object Metamer Index (OMI), and Object Hue Similarity Index (OHSI). Existing indices of metamerism and color inconstancy employ appearance matching using a Chromatic Adaptation Transform (CAT) and color difference formulas such as CIEDE76 or CIEDE2000. The proposed metrics utilize material matching based upon the Waypoint Material Adjustment Transform (Wpt‐MAT) and Euclidian color difference in the perceptually uniform Material Color Equivalency Space WLab. Conceptual comparisons between these approaches are discussed and evaluated. Additionally, computational evaluation results under observing conditions composed by 99 illuminants and 70 observers show that MOII provides a measure of color inconstancy for single objects, MMOCD provides a measure of metamerism between metamers and paramers with a generalized assessment of color difference between two objects, OMI provides a measure of paramers, and OHSI provides a quantitative measure of hue characteristics for different observing conditions.
Photophysics of Oligothiophenes End‐Capped with Platinum(II) Auxochromes
Authors: Gundogan Ali S. , Jagadesan Pradeepkumar , Schanze Kirk S.
Published: September 2020

A series of four oligothiophenes end‐capped with −Pt(PBu3)2Cl moieties on both ends of the oligomers was synthesized, and their excited state properties were investigated. The observation of low fluorescence quantum yield (<2 %) for the oligomers indicates the strong effect of platinum on the intersystem crossing (ISC) efficiency. No phosphorescence was detected for any of the oligomers; however, strong triplet‐triplet absorption was observed by nanosecond transient spectroscopy for oligomers with more than one thiophene unit. The oligomers displayed short triplet lifetimes (∼1–2 μs) compared to the unmetallated oligomers, due to large spin‐orbit coupling induced by the platinum atom. The lower limits of the ISC yields were indirectly determined by measuring the singlet oxygen quantum yields. Femtosecond–picosecond transient absorption studies revealed that the ISC rate ranges from 1012–1010 s−1, decreasing with increasing oligomer length. Electrochemical studies showed that the oligomers exhibit relatively low oxidation potentials (ca. 0.1 V vs. Fc/Fc+). Quenching of the oligomers’ triplet state absorption, simultaneously with the rise of their corresponding cationic radical absorption band in nanosecond transient spectra in the presence of methyl viologen, as an electron acceptor, established that the electron transfer occurs from their triplet state.
Lymph Liquid Biopsy for Detection of Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Han Mikyung , Watts J. Alex , Jamshidi‐Parsian Azemat , Nadeem Urooba , Siegel Eric R. , Zharov Vladimir P. , Galanzha Ekaterina I.
Published: September 2020

Collection of a blood sample defined by the term “blood liquid biopsy” is commonly used to detect diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic decision‐making markers of metastatic tumors including circulating tumor cells (CTCs). Many tumors also release CTCs and other markers into lymph fluid, but the utility of lymphatic markers largely remains unexplored. Here, we introduce lymph liquid biopsy through collection of peripheral (afferent) and central (thoracic duct [TD]) lymph samples and demonstrates its feasibility for detection of stem‐like CTCs potentially responsible for metastasis development and tumor relapse. Stemness of lymphatic CTCs (L‐CTCs) was determined by spheroid‐forming assay in vitro. Simultaneously, we tested blood CTCs by conventional blood liquid biopsy, and monitored the primary tumor size, early metastasis in a sentinel lymph node (SLN) and distant metastasis in lungs. Using a mouse model at early melanoma stage with no distant metastasis, we identified stem‐like L‐CTCs in lymph samples from afferent lymphatic vessels. Since these vessels transport cells from the primary tumor to SLN, our finding emphasizes the significance of the lymphatic pathway in development of SLN metastasis. Surprisingly, in pre‐metastatic disease, stem‐like L‐CTCs were detected in lymph samples from the TD, which directly empties lymph into blood circulation. This suggests a new contribution of the lymphatic system to initiation of distant metastasis. Integration of lymph and blood liquid biopsies demonstrated that all mice with early melanoma had stem‐like CTCs in at least one of three samples (afferent lymph, TD lymph, and blood). At the stage of distant metastasis, spheroid‐forming L‐CTCs were detected in TD lymph, but not in afferent lymph. Altogether, our results demonstrated that lymph liquid biopsy and testing L‐CTCs holds promise for diagnosis and prognosis of early metastasis. © 2020 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
A parametric model for distributions with flexible behavior in both tails
Authors: Stein Michael L.
Published: September 2020

For many problems of inference about a marginal distribution function, while the entire distribution is important, extreme quantiles are of particular interest because rare outcomes may have large consequences. In some applications, only the extreme upper quantiles require extra attention, but in, for example, climatological applications, extremes in both tails of the distribution can be impactful. A possible approach in this setting is to use parametric families of distributions that have flexible behavior in both tails. One way to quantify this property is to require that, for any two generalized Pareto distributions, there is a member of the parametric family that behaves like one of the generalized Pareto distributions in the upper tail and like the negative of the other generalized Pareto distribution in the lower tail. This work proposes some specific quantifications of this notion and describes parametric families of distributions that satisfy these specifications. The proposed families all have closed form expressions for their densities and, hence, are convenient for use in practice. A simulation study shows how one of the proposed families can work well for estimating all quantiles when both tails of a distribution are heavy tailed. An application to climate model output shows this family can also work well when applied to daily average January temperature near Calgary, for which the evolving distribution over time due to climate change is difficult to model accurately by any standard parametric family.
Targeted inertization with flue gas injection in fully mechanized caving gob for residual coal spontaneous combustion prevention with CFD modeling
Authors: Huang Ge , Wang Jiren , Dai Fengwei , Deng Cunbao
Published: August 2020

To effectively prevent and control the spontaneous combustion of residual coal at the bottom of a large fully mechanized gob space, we proposed a targeted inertization technology based on the injection of power plant flue gas. Based on the real onsite conditions of the gob, the three‐dimensional distributions of the overburden fractures, gas emission, and residual coal were added to the multiphysics coupled model of spontaneous coal combustion. The simulation method based on moving coordinates was used to complete the risk evaluation and the locating of the spontaneous combustion in the fully mechanized gob, and the key control factors of the inerted zone and the fire prevention effect of the flue gas injection were analyzed. The results showed that the mismatch between the inerted zone and the spontaneous combustion risk zone was the root cause of the poor fire prevention effect of the inert gas injection. Because the density of the flue gas was greater than that of the leaked air, the flue gas mainly migrated and diffused in the lower part of the gob. At a distance of 100 m from the working face, the flue gas with 3%‐9% oxygen content injected at a rate of 2000 m3/h completely covered the high‐temperature residual coal. This caused the maximum temperature (Tmax) to drop from 334.2 K upon nitrogen injection to below 310 K. Additionally, the effect of the oxygen content fluctuation on Tmax was controlled within 2.6 K. The methods and the results in this study can serve as a reference for efficiently preventing and controlling local spontaneous combustion hazards in large spaces for underground coal mining.
Novel resources: opportunities for and risks to species conservation
Authors: Valentine Leonie E , Ramalho Cristina E , Mata Luis , Craig Michael D , Kennedy Patricia L , Hobbs Richard J
Published: September 2020

During the Anthropocene, ongoing rapid environmental changes are exposing many species to novel resources. However, scientists’ understanding of what novel resources are and how they impact species is still rudimentary. Here, we used a resource‐based approach to explore novel resources. First, we conceptualized novel resource use by species along two dimensions of novelty: namely, ecosystem novelty and resource novelty. We then examined characteristics that influence a species’ response to a novel resource and how novel resources can affect individuals, populations, species, and communities. In addition, we discuss potential management complications associated with novel resource use by threatened species. As conservation and management embrace global environmental change, it is critical that ecologists improve the current understanding of the opportunities and risks that novel resources present to species conservation.
Effect of temperature treatment on fruit quality and immunoregulation of Satsuma (Citrus unshiuMarc.) during storage
Authors: Deng Wenjun , Wu Jinlong , Da Yurong , Ma Zhaocheng
Published: August 2020

Satsuma (Citrus unshiuMarc.) is rich in high levels of nutrients and popular for its unique flavor, but the consumption of satsuma is limited by some adverse reactions in human body. Previous studies have mainly focused on the effects of storage temperature on the postharvest quality of satsumas, and little attention has paid to the effect of postharvest satsumas on human body immunoregulation. The purpose of this study was to explore the differences in fruit quality, and the effect of satsuma fruits stored at different temperatures on human health. Satsumas stored at low temperature (5.8°C, LT) and room temperature (23 ± 2°C, RT) for 60 days were sampled every 10 days to measure the fruit quality. Sixty volunteers were recruited for the oral stimulation experiment of satsumas, and then the effect of satsumas on human health was examined through the immunoregulation of RAW 264.7 macrophages. The results showed that compared with RT treatment, LT treatment could delay the degradation of satsuma fruit quality. Both the results of the volunteer experiment and cell experiment indicated that postharvest temperature treatments could reduce the adverse effects of satsuma fruits on human body. These findings indicated that 10‐day storage at room temperature plus subsequent storage at low temperature was the optimal treatment to maintain fruit quality and functional components of postharvest satsumas. This study provides useful information on satsuma consumption and research work from the perspective of immunoregulation evaluation.
Effect of red koji as a Starter Culture in “Wanergao”: A Traditional Fermented Food in China
Authors: Zeng Xuefeng , Tang Zhongyue , Zhang Wei , He Lapin , Deng Li , Ye Chun , Fan Jin
Published: September 2020

The objective of this study was to explore the effect of red kojis on essential indices of Wanergao. The results showed that red koji‐inoculated Wanergao showed higher pH values (4.38 ± 0.06 and 4.39 ± 0.06) and lower TA values (1.61 ± 0.05 and 1.63 ± 0.05) compared to the control group. LAB and yeast in the starter culture group gradually increased to 7.57 ± 0.12, 7.64 ± 0.15 log cfu.g−1 and 8.59 ± 0.21, 8.64 ± 0.23 log cfu.g−1, respectively. During fermentation, the dominant microorganism was Lactobacillus plantarum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Compared to the Wanergao made using traditional backslopping, the red koji‐inoculated Wanergao contained more amylases, EAA and DAA contents compared to the control sample. The red kojis and control samples presented different hardness, chewiness, and cohesiveness, as well as similar values in springiness, gumminess, and adhesiveness. Sensory analysis also showed higher chewiness aroma and resilience of Wanergao in the starter culture group than in the control group.