bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Attenuated TGFB signalling in macrophages decreases susceptibility to DMBA-induced mammary cancer in mice
Authors: Sun Xuan , Bernhardt Sarah M. , Glynn Danielle J. , Hodson Leigh J. , Woolford Lucy , Evdokiou Andreas , Yan Cong , Du Hong , Robertson Sarah A. , Ingman Wendy V.
Published: March 2021

Background

Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFB1) is a multi-functional cytokine that regulates mammary gland development and cancer progression through endocrine, paracrine and autocrine mechanisms. TGFB1 also plays roles in tumour development and progression, and its increased expression is associated with an increased breast cancer risk. Macrophages are key target cells for TGFB1 action, also playing crucial roles in tumourigenesis. However, the precise role of TGFB-regulated macrophages in the mammary gland is unclear. This study investigated the effect of attenuated TGFB signalling in macrophages on mammary gland development and mammary cancer susceptibility in mice.

Methods

A transgenic mouse model was generated, wherein a dominant negative TGFB receptor is activated in macrophages, in turn attenuating the TGFB signalling pathway specifically in the macrophage population. The mammary glands were assessed for morphological changes through wholemount and H&E analysis, and the abundance and phenotype of macrophages were analysed through immunohistochemistry. Another cohort of mice received carcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA), and tumour development was monitored weekly. Human non-neoplastic breast tissue was also immunohistochemically assessed for latent TGFB1 and macrophage marker CD68.

Results

Attenuation of TGFB signalling resulted in an increase in the percentage of alveolar epithelium in the mammary gland at dioestrus and an increase in macrophage abundance. The phenotype of macrophages was also altered, with inflammatory macrophage markers iNOS and CCR7 increased by 110% and 40%, respectively. A significant decrease in DMBA-induced mammary tumour incidence and prolonged tumour-free survival in mice with attenuated TGFB signalling were observed. In human non-neoplastic breast tissue, there was a significant inverse relationship between latent TGFB1 protein and CD68-positive macrophages.

Conclusions

TGFB acts on macrophage populations in the mammary gland to reduce their abundance and dampen the inflammatory phenotype. TGFB signalling in macrophages increases mammary cancer susceptibility potentially through suppression of immune surveillance activities of macrophages.
The time is now: role of pragmatic clinical trials in guiding response to global pandemics
Authors: Almufleh Aws , Joseph Jacob
Published: March 2021

Along with its heavy toll of morbidity and mortality, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic exposed several limitations of the current global research response. The slow and inefficient process of carrying out traditional randomized clinical trials led regulatory authorities to hastily approve treatments and tests without sufficient evidence of safety and efficacy.

We here outline issues with the current research platform, summarize shortcomings of traditional randomized clinical trials particularly apparent at the time of pandemics, and highlight the advantages of pragmatic clinical trials as an alternative to rapidly generate the needed clinical evidence. We further discuss barriers and challenges to pragmatic clinical trials implementation and explore opportunities for research institutions and regulatory authorities to facilitate widespread adoption of this vital research tool.

As a subsequent wave of COVID-19, and/or another epidemic, are all but inevitable in our lifetime, we must ensure that our research infrastructure is conducive to carrying out pragmatic clinical trials to expeditiously generate the needed evidence and blunt the epidemic’s toll on human lives and livelihoods.
Finding an easy way to harmonize: a review of advances in clinical research and combination strategies of EZH2 inhibitors
Authors: Li Chen , Wang Yan , Gong Yueqing , Zhang Tengrui , Huang Jiaqi , Tan Zhen , Xue Lixiang
Published: March 2021

Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 inhibitors (EZH2i) have garnered increased attention owing to their anticancer activity by targeting EZH2, a well-known cancer-promoting factor. However, some lymphomas are resistant to EZH2i, and EZH2i treatment alone is ineffective in case of EZH2-overexpressing solid tumors. The anti-cancer efficacy of EZH2i may be improved through safe and effective combinations of these drugs with other treatment modalities. Preclinical evidence indicates that combining EZH2i with other therapies, such as immunotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and endocrine therapy, has complementary or synergistic antitumor effects. Therefore, elucidating the underlying mechanisms of the individual constituents of the combination therapies is fundamental for their clinical application. In this review, we have summarized notable clinical trials and preclinical studies using EZH2i, their progress, and combinations of EZH2i with different therapeutic modalities, aiming to provide new insights for tumor treatment.
Transplantation of human amniotic epithelial cells promotes morphological and functional regeneration in a rat uterine scar model
Authors: Fan Yihui , Sun Junyan , Zhang Qiuwan , Lai Dongmei
Published: March 2021

Background

Cesarean scar defect (CSD) is characterized by the presence of fibrotic tissue and decreased muscular density which is induced by cesarean section. Serious CSD may eventually result in infertility or obstetrical complications. Human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) have shown great promise in tissue regeneration. This study aims to investigate whether hAEC transplantation has the therapeutic effects on the rat uterine scar following full-thickness injury.

Methods

A rat uterine scar model was established by excising the full-thickness uterine wall of about 1.0 cm in length and 1/2–2/3 of the total circumference in width. At day 30 post-surgery, hAECs were transplanted into the uterine scar. At day 30 and 60 post-transplantation, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, Masson staining, and IHC staining for vWF, VEGFA, α-SMA, and MMP-8 were performed to evaluate the regeneration of the scarred uterus and the underlying mechanism. Pregnancy outcomes were assessed at day 60 after hAEC transplantation. Finally, hAECs were incubated with hydrogen peroxide to verify the paracrine effect of hAECs.

Results

Collagen deposition, thin myometrium, and injured endometrium were observed in the rat uterine scar model. After hAEC transplantation, collagen deposition in the uterine scar decreased, and myometrial and endometrial recovery was facilitated. hAEC transplantation also increased the fetus number implanted within the scarred area. Moreover, we found hAECs promoted angiogenesis via upregulation of VEGFA and decreased collagen deposition by upregulating MMP-8 in the uterine scar. The in vitro studies further demonstrated an increase in the expression level of MMP-8 in hAECs cultured with hydrogen peroxide.

Conclusions

These results suggested that hAEC transplantation may be efficacious in the functional repair and collagen degradation of uterine scars, which provides a new therapeutic strategy to CSD.
The combination of G-CSF and AMD3100 mobilizes bone marrow-derived stem cells to protect against cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury in mice
Authors: Chen Zhi , Ren Xiang , Ren Ruimin , Wang Yonghong , Shang Jiwen
Published: March 2021

Background

Several studies have confirmed that mobilizing bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs) ameliorates renal function loss following cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury (AKI). The aim of this study was to explore whether the combination of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and plerixafor (AMD3100) exerts beneficial effects on renal function recovery in a model of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity.

Methods

C57BL/6J mice received intraperitoneal injections of G-CSF (200 μg/kg/day) for 5 consecutive days. On the day of the last injection, the mice received a single subcutaneous dose of AMD3100 (5 mg/kg) 1 h before cisplatin 20 mg/kg injection. Ninety-six hours after cisplatin injection, the mice were euthanized, and blood and tissue samples were collected to assess renal function and tissue damage. Cell mobilization was assessed by flow cytometry (FCM).

Results

Mice pretreated with G-CSF/AMD3100 exhibited longer survival and lower serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels than mice treated with only G-CSF or saline. Combinatorial G-CSF/AMD3100 treatment attenuated tissue injury and cell death, enhanced cell regeneration, and mobilized a higher number of stem cells in the peripheral blood than G-CSF or saline treatment. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of proinflammatory factors was lower, whereas that of anti-inflammatory factors was higher, in the G-CSF/AMD3100 group than in the G-CSF or saline group (all P < 0.05).

Conclusions

These results suggest that combinatorial G-CSF/AMD3100 therapy mobilizes BMSCs to accelerate improvements in renal functions and prevent cisplatin-induced renal tubular injury. This combinatorial therapy may represent a new therapeutic option for the treatment of AKI and should be further investigated in the future.
Does motor deficit in children with cerebral palsy correlate with diffusion tensor metrics abnormalities in thalamocortical pathways?
Authors: Mahanna Amal Mohammed , El-Toukhy Nahed Abd El-Gaber , Mousa Amani Ezzat , Megahed Khaled Fathy , Ashamallah Germeen Albair
Published: March 2021

Background

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of motor-impairment signs secondary to many disorders that interfere with early brain development and are usually related to white matter injury in children. Most studies are focused on the study of motor tracts, mainly the corticospinal tract (CST). Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a reliable imaging modality providing an appropriate method of detection of white matter microstructure abnormalities. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between DTI observed motor CST injury, sensory pathways (thalamic radiations) injury, and motor functions.

Results

This study shows significant involvement (reduction in DTI fiber count) of the superior thalamic radiation (in severe cases) with atrophy of the anterior thalamic radiations (ATR) or posterior thalamic radiations (PTR) in most cases with a significant reduction in fractional anisotropy (FA) and elevation in mean diffusivity (MD) values. In addition, the degree of motor affection shows a significant negative correlation with FA and a significant positive correlation with MD values. Diffusion tensor imaging shows a significant reduction in FA within the examined tracts between CP and control at the Rt CST, Lt CST, Rt corticothalamic radiation (CTR), and Lt CTR with significant cutoff values of ≤ 0.449, ≤ 0.472, ≤ 0.432, and ≤ 0.44, respectively.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates disruption of thalamocortical and corticospinal tracts in CP patients, which reflects that both sensory and motor tract affection have a valuable role in the pathophysiology of motor dysfunction in CP patients.
Perspectives on plant flavonoid quercetin-based drugs for novel SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Saakre Manjesh , Mathew Deepu , Ravisankar V.
Published: March 2021

Background

The world pandemic COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 is currently claiming thousands of lives. Flavonoids abundantly present in the fruits and vegetables, especially quercetin, are shown to have antiviral activities.

Main text

This paper reviews the capability of the plant flavonoid quercetin to fight the novel coronavirus and the possibility for drug development based on this. The mode of action explaining the known pathways through which this molecule succeeds in the antiviral activity, action of quercetin on SARS-CoV-2 main protease 3CLpro, antiviral activities of its derivatives on human viruses, effect of combination of zinc co-factor along with quercetin in the COVID-19 treatment, and the regulation of miRNA genes involved in the viral pathogenesis are discussed. Proof for this concept is provided following the virtual screening using ten key enzymes of SARS-CoV-2 and assessing their interactions. Active residues in the 3D structures have been predicted using CASTp and were docked against quercetin. Key proteins 3CLpro, spike glycoprotein/ human ACE2-BOAT1 complex, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, main peptidase, spike glycoprotein, RNA replicase, RNA binding protein, papain-like protease, SARS papain-like protease/ deubiquitinase, and complex of main peptidase with an additional Ala at the N-terminus of each protomer, have shown the binding energies ranging between − 6.71 and − 3.37 kcal/ Mol, showing that quercetin is a potential drug candidate inhibiting multiple SARS-CoV-2 enzymes.

Conclusion

The antiviral properties of flavonoid and the molecular mechanisms involved are reviewed. Further, proof for this concept is given by docking of key proteins from SARS-CoV-2 with quercetin.

Graphical abstract
Unequal effects of climate change and pre-existing inequalities on the mental health of global populations
Authors: Zhang Shuo , Braithwaite Isobel , Bhavsar Vishal , Das-Munshi Jayati
Published: March 2021

Climate change is already having unequal effects on the mental health of individuals and communities and will increasingly compound pre-existing mental health inequalities globally. Psychiatrists have a vital part to play in improving both awareness and scientific understanding of structural mechanisms that perpetuate these inequalities, and in responding to global calls for action to promote climate justice and resilience, which are central foundations for good mental and physical health.
External Validation of the Bone Metastases Ensemble Trees for Survival (BMETS) Machine Learning Model to Predict Survival in Patients With Symptomatic Bone Metastases
Authors: Elledge Christen R. , LaVigne Anna W. , Fiksel Jacob , Wright Jean L. , McNutt Todd , Kleinberg Lawrence R. , Hu Chen , Smith Thomas J. , Zeger Scott , DeWeese Theodore L. , Alcorn Sara R.
Published: March 2021

PURPOSE

The Bone Metastases Ensemble Trees for Survival (BMETS) model uses a machine learning algorithm to estimate survival time following consultation for palliative radiation therapy for symptomatic bone metastases (SBM). BMETS was developed at a tertiary-care, academic medical center, but its validity and stability when applied to external data sets are unknown.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients treated with palliative radiation therapy for SBM from May 2013 to May 2016 at two hospital-based community radiation oncology clinics were included, and medical records were retrospectively reviewed to collect model covariates and survival time. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate overall survival from consultation to death or last follow-up. Model discrimination was estimated using time-dependent area under the curve (tAUC), which was calculated using survival predictions from BMETS based on the initial training data set.

RESULTS

A total of 216 sites of SBM were treated in 182 patients. Most common histologies were breast (27%), lung (23%), and prostate (23%). Compared with the BMETS training set, the external validation population was older (mean age, 67 v 62 years; P < .001), had more primary breast (27% v 19%; P = .03) and prostate cancer (20% v 12%; P = .01), and survived longer (median, 10.7 v 6.4 months). When the BMETS model was applied to the external data set, tAUC values at 3, 6, and 12 months were 0.82, 0.77, and 0.77, respectively. When refit with data from the combined training and external validation sets, tAUC remained > 0.79.

CONCLUSION

BMETS maintained high discriminative ability when applied to an external validation set and when refit with new data, supporting its generalizability, stability, and the feasibility of dynamic modeling.
Development and Evaluation of Perl-Based Algorithms to Classify Neoplasms From Pathology Records in Synoptic Report Format
Authors: Rossi Kristen R. , Echeverria Diana , Carroll Anna , Luse Tina , Rennix Christopher
Published: March 2021

PURPOSE

Synoptic reporting provides a mechanism for uniform and structured pathology diagnostics. This paper demonstrates the functionality of Perl alternation and grouping expressions to classify electronic pathology reports generated from military treatment facilities. Eight Perl-based algorithms are validated to classify malignant melanoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukemia, and malignant neoplasms of the breast, ovary, testis, and thyroid.

METHODS

Case finding cohorts were developed using diagnostic codes for neoplasm groups and matched by unique identifiers to obtain pathology records. Preprocessing techniques and Perl-based algorithms were applied to classify records as malignant, in situ, suspect, or nonapplicable, followed by a hand-review process to determine the accuracy of the algorithm classifications. Interrater reliability, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values, and negative predictive values were computed following abstractor adjudication.

RESULTS

The specificity of the Perl-based algorithms was consistently high, over 98%. Very few benign results were classified as malignant or in situ by the Perl-based algorithms; the leukemia algorithm classification was the only group to demonstrate a positive predictive value below 95%, at 91.9%. Three algorithm classification groups demonstrated a sensitivity of < 80%, including malignant neoplasm of the ovary (33.3%), leukemia (52.8%), and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (62.9%). The pathology records for these results included substantial linguistic variation.

CONCLUSION

This paper contextualizes the utility and value of an algorithm logic built around synoptic reporting to identify neoplasms from electronic pathology results. The major strength includes the application of Perl-based coding in SAS, an accessible software application, to develop highly specific algorithms across institutional variation in diagnostic documentation.
Next Generation of Central Cancer Registries
Authors: Wormeli Paul , Mazreku Jenna , Pine Jeremy , Damesyn Mark
Published: March 2021

For central cancer registries to become a more significant public health resource, they must evolve to capture more timely, accurate, and extensive data. Key stakeholders have called for a faster time to deliver work products, data extensions such as social determinants of health, and more relevant information for cancer control programs at the local level. The proposed model consists of near real-time reporting stages to replace the current time and labor-intensive efforts to populate a complete cancer case abstract on the basis of the 12- and 24-month data submission timelines. The first stage collects a cancer diagnosis minimum data set sufficient to describe population incidence and prevalence, which is then followed by a second stage capturing subsequent case updates and treatment data. A third stage procures targeted information in response to identified research projects' needs. The model also provides for further supplemental reports as may be defined to gather additional data. All stages leverage electronic health records' widespread development and the many emerging standards for data content, including national policies related to healthcare and technical standards for interoperability, such as the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources specifications to automate and accelerate reporting to central cancer registries. The emergence of application programming interfaces that allow for more interoperability among systems would be leveraged, leading to more efficient information sharing. Adopting this model will expedite cancer data availability to improve cancer control while supporting data integrity and flexibility in data items. It presents a long-term and feasible solution that addresses the extensive burden and unsustainable manual data collection requirements placed on Certified Tumor Registrars at disease reporting entities nationally.
High Levels of Thyroid Hormone Impair Regulatory T Cell Function Via Reduced PD-1 Expression
Authors: Zhong Yi , Lu Ting-Ting , Liu Xiao-Mei , Liu Bing-Li , Hu Yun , Liu Shu , Wang Jie , Li Guo-Qing , Mao Xiao-Ming
Published: March 2021

Context

Regulatory T cell (Treg) dysfunction plays an important role in the development and progression of Graves’ disease (GD). Programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) prompts FoxP3 in Treg expression and enhances the suppressive activity of Tregs. Whether abnormal expression of PD-1 contributes to the breakdown of Tregs and the role of thyroid hormone in the PD-1 expression of Tregs in GD remain substantially undefined.

Objective

To evaluate the role of PD-1 in Treg function and triiodothyronine (T3) in PD-1 expression in patients with GD and mice treated with T3.

Methods

We recruited 30 patients with GD and 30 healthy donors. PD-1 expression in Tregs and Treg function were determined. To evaluate the effects of thyroid hormone on PD-1 expression in Tregs, we used T3 for the treatment of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). We then treated mice with T3 to confirm the effect of thyroid hormone on PD-1 expression in Tregs and Tregs function in vivo.

Results

PD-1 expression in Tregs and the suppressive function of Tregs significantly decreased in patients with GD. T3 reduced PD-1 expression in human Tregs in a concentration- and time-dependent manner in vitro. High levels of circulating T3 reduced PD-1 expression in Tregs, impaired Treg function, and disrupted T-helper cell (Th1 and Th2) balance in mice treated with T3.

Conclusion

Treg dysfunction in GD patients might be due to downregulation of PD-1 expression in Tregs induced by high levels of serum T3.
Administration of Sugammadex Intraoperatively in a Patient With a Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome: A Case Report
Authors: Pappy Adlai L. , Sirmon Carie Ann F. , Mukkamala Shivani G.
Published: March 2021

Congenital myasthenic syndromes are a group of genetic neuromuscular disorders caused by mutations that impair synaptic transmission at the neuromuscular junction. Developing an anesthetic plan for patients with this diagnosis is difficult, as they are at risk for prolonged neuromuscular blockade. Sugammadex is an alternative to neostigmine for neuromuscular blockade reversal that does not produce muscarinic side effects, yet there is a little literature assessing sugammadex in congenital myasthenic syndromes. We present the case of a 6-year-old boy with a congenital myasthenic syndrome who received sugammadex without complication. This case provides support for clinicians to consider sugammadex in these patients.
Use of Continuous Glucose Monitoring to Facilitate Perioperative Glycemic Management: A Case Report
Authors: DiGiusto Matthew , Wolf Risa M. , Arcara Kristin M. , Vanderhoek Samuel M.
Published: March 2021

Perioperative glycemic management remains an important variable in a host of postoperative outcomes, including wound infection, reoperation, and death. Patients with diabetes mellitus are increasingly utilizing continuous glucose monitors to assist with glycemic management; the ability to harness the intensive monitoring capabilities of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology perioperatively presents a promising opportunity to improve patient outcomes. Here, we assessed the accuracy of CGM compared to capillary point-of-care and arterial blood analysis in 2 cases where CGM was utilized as an adjunct method of perioperative glucose monitoring.
Indios, Sambos, Mestizos, and the Social Construction of Racial Identity in Colonial Central America
Authors: Billing Samantha R.
Published: March 2021

The Miskitu, a group indigenous to the Caribbean Coast of Central America, have long been recognized for their racial diversity. In the mid-seventeenth century, a ship of African slaves wrecked on the Mosquito Coast and subsequently intermarried with the Miskitu population. Since then, there have been two groups of Miskitu: the “pure” indios and the racially mixed sambos. This article argues against this neat divide. Race during the colonial period was not fixed and could be influenced by a number of factors that included not only one’s ancestry but also their behavior. When Spanish writers assigned a racial category to the Miskitu, the context of the encounter often shaped perceived racial origin. When Miskitu-Spanish relations were hostile, Spaniards more often chose the racial label sambo. During times of peace, indio was more common, and mestizo was sometimes used to refer to Miskitu rulers. By focusing on the complexity and malleability of colonial racial rhetoric, this article argues that Spanish officials strategically selected racial labels for the Miskitu depending on the colonial policy they were trying to promote.
Diasporic Convergences: Tracing Knowledge Production and Transmission among Enslaved Chinos in New Spain
Authors: Luis Diego Javier
Published: March 2021

During the seventeenth century, transatlantic and transpacific diasporas created one of the world’s most globalized early modern societies in New Spain. As the slave trades to the colonial centers of central Mexico reached frenetic levels after the turn of the seventeenth century, processes of encounter, exchange, and transmission began to characterize these diverse communities. For “chinos” arriving in Acapulco, careful observation and experience coalesced into mobile bodies of knowledge ranging from the social practice of blasphemy to spiritual ritual. These varied modes of cultural production facilitated negotiation of enslaver/enslaved relations and represented a kaleidoscope of responses to power relations in colonial society. Through these forms of contestation, knowledge production in enslaved communities became central to the rhythms of daily life in New Spain.
DACA's Association With Birth Outcomes Among Mexican-Origin Mothers in the United States
Authors: Hamilton Erin R. , Langer Paola D. , Patler Caitlin
Published: March 2021

The 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program granted work authorization and protection from deportation to more than 800,000 young undocumented immigrants who arrived to the United States as minors. We estimate the association between this expansion of legal rights and birth outcomes among 72,613 singleton births to high school–educated Mexican immigrant women in the United States from June 2010 to May 2014, using birth records data from the National Center for Health Statistics. Exploiting the arbitrariness of the upper age cutoff for DACA eligibility and using a difference-in-differences design, we find that DACA was associated with improvements in the rates of low birth weight and very low birth weight, birth weight in grams, and gestational age among Mexican immigrant mothers.
Model systems for regeneration:Arabidopsis
Authors: Mathew Mabel Maria , Prasad Kalika
Published: March 2021

Plants encompass unparalleled multi-scale regenerative potential. Despite lacking specialized cells that are recruited to injured sites, and despite their cells being encased in rigid cell walls, plants exhibit a variety of regenerative responses ranging from the regeneration of specific cell types, tissues and organs, to the rebuilding of an entire organism. Over the years, extensive studies on embryo, shoot and root development in the model plant species Arabidopsis thaliana have provided insights into the mechanisms underlying plant regeneration. These studies highlight how Arabidopsis, with its wide array of refined molecular, genetic and cell biological tools, provides a perfect model to interrogate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of reprogramming during regeneration.
Contextualizing adolescents’ self-awareness of problematic mobile phone use: a preliminary study
Authors: Karnaze Andrew , Grevelding Katherine , Marquis-Eydman Traci , McHugh Douglas
Published: March 2021

Adolescents engage cognitively, emotionally, and behaviorally with smartphones. Growing evidence suggests they struggle to interact with them in moderation, which has been framed in relation to behavioral addiction as problematic mobile phone use. This study contextualized 13-15 year-old adolescents’ self-awareness of problematic mobile phone use. Focus groups were conducted with 11 adolescents who assessed themselves using the problematic use of mobile phones scale. The authors used interpretative phenomenological epistemology as a guiding framework. Audio recordings were analyzed qualitatively using a constant comparison approach. Students agreed or strongly agreed with multiple dimensions of the problematic mobile phone use construct. Four major themes emerged in relation to circumstances, factors, processes, constraints, and opportunities: drivers of excessive smartphone use, with family or friends, barriers to healthier smartphone use, and nighttime habits. Adolescents’ assessment of perceived proper versus problematic mobile phone can inform hypotheses targeted at improving overall wellness and developing healthy habits in adolescence that carry over into young adulthood and beyond.
SARS-CoV-2 and the role of airborne transmission: a systematic review
Authors: Heneghan Carl J. , Spencer Elizabeth A. , Brassey Jon , Plüddemann Annette , Onakpoya Igho J. , Evans David H. , Conly John M. , Jefferson Tom
Published: March 2021

Background: Airborne transmission is the spread of an infectious agent caused by the dissemination of droplet nuclei (aerosols) that remain infectious when suspended in the air. We carried out a systematic review to identify, appraise and summarise the evidence from studies of the role of airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

Methods: We searched LitCovid, MedRxiv, Google Scholar and the WHO Covid-19 database from 1 February to 20 December 2020 and included studies on airborne transmission. Data were dual extracted and we assessed quality using a modified QUADAS 2 risk of bias tool.

Results: We included 67 primary studies and 22 reviews on airborne SARS-CoV-2. Of the 67 primary studies, 53 (79%) reported data on RT-PCR air samples, 12 report cycle threshold values and 18 copies per sample volume. All primary studies were observational and of low quality. The research often lacked standard methods, standard sampling sizes and reporting items. We found 36 descriptions of different air samplers deployed. Of the 42 studies conducted in-hospital that reported binary RT-PCR tests, 24 (57%) reported positive results for SARs-CoV-2 (142 positives out of 1,403 samples: average 10.1%, range 0% to 100%). There was no pattern between the type of hospital setting (ICU versus non-ICU) and RT-PCR positivity. Seventeen studies reported potential air transmission in the outdoors or in the community. Seven performed RT-PCR sampling, of which two studies report weak positive RNA samples for 2 or more genes (5 of 125 samples positive: average 4.0%). Ten studies attempted viral culture with no serial passage for viral culture.

Conclusion:  SARS-CoV-2 RNA is detected intermittently in the air in various settings. Standardized guidelines for conducting and reporting research on airborne transmission are needed. The lack of recoverable viral culture samples of SARS-CoV-2 prevents firm conclusions over airborne transmission.
IoT Workload Emulation for Data Centers
Authors: Batz Thomas , Herzog Reinhard , Summers Jon , Watson Kym
Published: March 2021

The Internet of Things (IoT) domain has been one of the fastest growing areas in the computer industry for the last few years. Consequently, IoT applications are becoming the dominant work load for many data centers. This has implications for the designers of data centers, as they need to meet their customers' requirements.

Since it is not easy to use real applications for the design and test of data center setups, a tool is required to emulate real applications but is easy to configure, scale and deploy in a data center. This paper will introduce a simple but generic way to model the work load of typical IoT applications, in order to have a realistic and reproducible way to emulate IT loads for data centers.

IoT application designers are in the process of harmonizing their approaches on how architectures should look, which building blocks are needed, and how they should interwork. While all IoT subdomains are diverse when it comes to the details, the architectural blueprints are becoming more and more aligned. These blueprints are called reference architectures and incorporate similar patterns for the underlying application primitives.

This paper will introduce an approach to decompose IoT applications into such application primitives, and use them to emulate a workload as it would be created by the modeled application. The paper concludes with an example application of the IoT Workload Emulation in the BodenTypeDC experiment, where new cooling approaches for data centers have been tested under realistic work load conditions.
Improving the touchscreen-based food approach-avoidance task: remediated block-order effects and initial findings regarding validity
Authors: van Alebeek Hannah , Kahveci Sercan , Blechert Jens
Published: March 2021

Approach biases to foods may explain why food consumption often diverges from deliberate dietary intentions. When cognitive resources are depleted, implicit responses may contribute to overeating and overweight. Yet, the assessment of behavioural biases with the approach-avoidance tasks (AAT) is often unreliable. We previously addressed methodological limitations of the AAT by employing naturalistic approach and avoidance movements on a touchscreen (hand-AAT) and instructing participants to respond based on the food/non-food distinction. In the consistent block, participants were instructed to approach food and avoid objects while in the inconsistent block, participants were instructed to avoid foods and approach objects. Biases were highly reliable but affected by the order in which participants received the two task blocks. In the current study, we aimed to resolve the block order effects by increasing the number of blocks from two to six and validate the hand-AAT with the implicit association task (IAT) and self-reported eating behaviours. We replicated the presence of reliable approach biases to foods and further showed that these were not affected by block order. Evidence for validity was mixed: biases correlated positively with external eating, food craving and aggregated image valence ratings but not with within-participants differences in desire to eat ratings of the images or the IAT. We conclude that hand-AAT can reliably assess approach biases to foods that are relevant to self-reported eating patterns and were not probably confounded by block-order effects.
The parallels between particle induced lung overload and particle induced periprosthetic osteolysis (PPOL)
Authors: Borm Paul J.A.
Published: March 2021

Background: When particles deposit for instance in the lung after inhalation or in the hip joint after local release from a hip implant material they can initiate a defense response. Even though these particles originate from inert materials such as polyethylene (PE) or titanium, they may cause harm when reaching high local doses and overwhelming local defense mechanisms.

Main body: This paper describes the parallels between adverse outcome pathways (AOP) and particle properties in lung overload and periprosthetic osteolysis (PPOL). It is noted that in both outcomes in different organs , the macrophage and cytokine orchestrated persistent inflammation is the common driver of events, in the bone leading to loss of bone density and structure, and in the lung leading to fibrosis and cancer. Most evidence on lung overload and its AOP is derived from chronic inhalation studies in rats, and the relevance to man is questioned. In PPOL, the paradigms and metrics are based on human clinical data, with additional insights generated from in vitro and animal studies. In both organ pathologies the total volume of particle deposition has been used to set threshold values for the onset of pathological alterations. The estimated clinical threshold for PPOL of 130 mg/ml is much higher than the amount to cause lung overload in the rat (10 mg/ml).  

Conclusions: The paradigms developed in two very different areas of particle response in the human body have major similarities in their AOP. Connecting the clinical evidence in PPOL to lung overload challenges current paradigms and the human relevance of rat inhalation studies.
Multidimensional Observational Learning in Social Networks: Theory and Experimental Evidence
Authors: Qiu Liangfei , Chhikara Arunima , Vakharia Asoo
Published: March 2021

The unprecedented growth of social network users in the last decade has resulted in significant increases in the availability of individual-specific information such as holiday pictures, mobile check-ins at restaurants, and information on everyday purchases. Consumers shopping through social network channels are increasingly using this information in making their purchase decisions. We find that social ties impact the magnitude of observational learning. In the case of strangers, the effect of learning is stronger for vertically differentiated products than for horizontally differentiated products; whereas in the case of friends, the effect of learning for vertically differentiated products is similar to that for horizontally differentiated products. Moreover, the type of product impacts the magnitude of observational learning. For horizontally differentiated products, the effect of learning from friends is stronger than that from strangers; whereas for vertically differentiated products, the effect of learning from friends is similar to that from strangers. These findings provide motivation for online retailers to generate alternative strategies for increasing product sales through social networks. For example, online retailers offering horizontally differentiated products have strong incentives to cooperate with social media platforms (e.g., Instagram and Pinterest) in encouraging customers to share their purchase information.
Do “Made in USA” Claims Matter?
Authors: Kong Xinyao , Rao Anita
Published: March 2021

Observational study and field experiments show that some consumers will pay more for products advertising themselves as American made but just a little.
Impact of Social Interactions on Duopoly Competition with Quality Considerations
Authors: Geng Xin , Guo Xiaomeng , Xiao Guang
Published: March 2021

We study the impacts of social interactions on competing firms’ quality differentiation, pricing decisions, and profit performance. Two forms of social interactions are identified and analyzed: (1) market-expansion effect (MEE)—the total market expands as a result of both firms’ sales—and (2) value-enhancement effect (VEE)—a consumer gains additional utility of purchasing from one firm based on this firm’s previous and/or current sales volume. We consider a two-stage duopoly competition framework, in which both firms select quality levels in the first stage simultaneously and engage in a two-period price competition in the second stage. In the main model, we assume that each firm sets a single price and commits to it across two selling periods. We find that both forms of social interactions tend to lower prices and intensify price competition for given quality levels. However, MEE weakens the product-quality differentiation and is benign to both high-quality and low-quality firms. It also benefits consumers and improves social welfare. By contrast, VEE enlarges the quality differentiation and only benefits the high-quality firm, but is particularly malignant to the low-quality firm. It further reduces the consumers’ monetary surplus. Such impact is consistent, regardless of whether the VEE interactions involve previous or current consumers. We further discuss several model extensions, including dynamic pricing, combined social effects, and various cost structures, and verify that the aforementioned impacts of MEE and VEE are qualitatively robust to those extensions. Our results provide important managerial insights for firms in competitive markets and suggest that they need to not only be aware of the consumers’ social interactions, but also, more importantly, distinguish the predominant form of the interactions so as to apply proper marketing strategies.

This paper was accepted by Matthew Shum, marketing.
Clinical outcomes in pediatric tibial lengthening and deformity correction: A comparison of the Taylor Spatial Frame with the Orthex Hexapod System
Authors: Messner Juergen , Chhina Harpreet , Davidson Sophia , Abad Jero , Cooper Anthony
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Comparison of two hexapod frame systems in paediatric tibial deformity correction; the Taylor Spatial Frame (TSF) and Orthex Hexapod System.

Methods

Paediatric patients with congenital and acquired tibial deformities treated with either TSF (between 2014 and 2016) or Orthex (between 2017 and 2019) frames were included in a retrospective comparative study. Outcome measures were healing index, pin infection rate, regenerate quality and density, software residual rate, deformity correction accuracy, strut exchanges and quality of life (QoL).

Results

The TSF group had 17 patients (18 frames) and the Orthex group had 21 patients (25 frames). The most common indications for tibial deformity correction were fibular hemimelia (14) and septic or traumatic growth arrest (8). The median time in frame was 230 days (TSF) versus 203 days (Orthex) (p= 0.06). The mean lengthening achieved was 54 mm (TSF) and 51 mm (Orthex) (p = 0.41). The healing index was 41 days/cm (TSF) versus 43 days/cm (Orthex) (p = 0.70). Pin site infections occurred more in the TSF cohort (40%) than in the Orthex cohort (18%) (p < 0.001). The regenerate in the Orthex group showed higher density at three months (p = 0.029) and was more homogenous (p = 0.023) at six months after frame application. Strut exchanges were less frequent with the Orthex system (p < 0.0001). QoL measures were similar in both cohorts (p = 0.92).

Conclusions

This is the first study to compare two hexapod designs in paediatric orthopaedics. The Orthex system showed superiority in regenerate quality and a significant reduction in pin site infection rates. Both systems delivered predictable and accurate limb deformity correction.

Level of evidence

III
High-performance phoxonic cavity designs for enhanced acousto-optical interaction
Authors: Aly Arafa H. , Shaban Samar M. , Mehaney Ahmed
Published: March 2021

Effective confinement of light and sound is achieved through a one-dimensional phoxonic crystal (PxC) cavity. In particular, co-localization of gigahertz phonons and infrared photons in a cavity created by introducing a defect inside a multilayer PxC has been performed. The incident elastic waves can control the refractive index variation of the dual phononic–photonic cavity layer. We also studied the acousto-optic (AO) effect in four AO materials, each located in the cavity layer between two identical Bragg mirrors. The cavities are designed to have high-quality factors for both photon and phonon resonances, which are proportional to their lifetime and allow for a much stronger photon–phonon interaction. The AO effect causes a shift in the optical mode of the photonic band gap. The values of the refractive index of the AO cavities layer are estimated as a function of time based on the elastic strain perturbation using the relevant photo-elastic relations. The phoxonic band gaps and transmission spectra for both unperturbed and elastically perturbed PxC structures are derived depending on the transfer matrix method. In our results, the selected AO cavity of

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provided the strongest AO coupling, in which the maximum wavelength shift of the resonant photonic modes reached 113.3 nm. In addition, 11.9 nm is the maximum displacement amplitude of the confinement elastic wave of the same nanocavity. The

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cavity provided the highest Q values for both photonic and phononic modes of 7093 and 175, respectively. We think this research could open the way to study the properties of linear elastic materials to design extremely miniaturized AO devices.
Radially anisotropic ring-core optical fiber: towards vector-vortex guided transmission using the full modal space
Authors: Sharma Manish , Vigneswaran Dhasarathan , Rusch Leslie A. , LaRochelle Sophie , Ung Bora
Published: March 2021

The radially anisotropic ring-core fiber with cylindrical birefringence is theoretically and numerically investigated as a novel platform for the transmission of vector-vortex beams with unique modal properties. First, we elucidate the parametric conditions where such fiber enables modal substitution in which either the donut-shaped azimuthal TE01 or radial TM01 mode replaces the normal Gaussian-like HE11 mode as the fundamental mode of the waveguide. We also demonstrate that it is possible to significantly engineer the waveguiding properties of the fiber via the addition of small radial birefringence (∼10−4) so as to make the (hitherto non-degenerate) TE0m and TM0m modes fully degenerate. The latter property is used to create stable vortex modes of high purity (>99%) with the newly degenerate modal pair – a feat not possible with standard few-mode fibers—all without affecting the co-propagating hybrid HE/EH modes that remain available as an independent basis set to produce vortex beams of similarly high purity. These new insights are relevant to the topical fields of mode-division multiplexing (MDM), structured light, fiber modelling and fabrication. With respect to MDM applications, the newly available vortex modes created with the degenerate TE/TM basis set can now be concurrently used with the more common vortex modes created via the HE/EH modal basis set.
Rational inattention and tonic dopamine
Authors: Mikhael John G. , Lai Lucy , Gershman Samuel J.
Published: March 2021

Slow-timescale (tonic) changes in dopamine (DA) contribute to a wide variety of processes in reinforcement learning, interval timing, and other domains. Furthermore, changes in tonic DA exert distinct effects depending on when they occur (e.g., during learning vs. performance) and what task the subject is performing (e.g., operant vs. classical conditioning). Two influential theories of tonic DA—the average reward theory and the Bayesian theory in which DA controls precision—have each been successful at explaining a subset of empirical findings. But how the same DA signal performs two seemingly distinct functions without creating crosstalk is not well understood. Here we reconcile the two theories under the unifying framework of ‘rational inattention,’ which (1) conceptually links average reward and precision, (2) outlines how DA manipulations affect this relationship, and in so doing, (3) captures new empirical phenomena. In brief, rational inattention asserts that agents can increase their precision in a task (and thus improve their performance) by paying a cognitive cost. Crucially, whether this cost is worth paying depends on average reward availability, reported by DA. The monotonic relationship between average reward and precision means that the DA signal contains the information necessary to retrieve the precision. When this information is needed after the task is performed, as presumed by Bayesian inference, acute manipulations of DA will bias behavior in predictable ways. We show how this framework reconciles a remarkably large collection of experimental findings. In reinforcement learning, the rational inattention framework predicts that learning from positive and negative feedback should be enhanced in high and low DA states, respectively, and that DA should tip the exploration-exploitation balance toward exploitation. In interval timing, this framework predicts that DA should increase the speed of the internal clock and decrease the extent of interference by other temporal stimuli during temporal reproduction (the central tendency effect). Finally, rational inattention makes the new predictions that these effects should be critically dependent on the controllability of rewards, that post-reward delays in intertemporal choice tasks should be underestimated, and that average reward manipulations should affect the speed of the clock—thus capturing empirical findings that are unexplained by either theory alone. Our results suggest that a common computational repertoire may underlie the seemingly heterogeneous roles of DA.