bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Practice rather than preach: cultural practices and female social entrepreneurship
Authors: Hechavarría Diana M. , Brieger Steven A.
Published: December 2020

This paper draws on practice theory to argue that the practiced culture of a society and gender interact to create cultured capacities for social entrepreneurship among entrepreneurs. We combine data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) with the Global Leadership and Organizational Behavior Effectiveness (GLOBE) and World Bank (WB) to identify what cultural practices are most relevant for female entrepreneurs’ practice of social entrepreneurship across 33 countries. Our findings suggest that female entrepreneurs are more likely to engage in social entrepreneurship when cultural practices of power distance, humane orientation, and in-group collectivism are low, and cultural practices of future orientation and uncertainty avoidance are high, when compared to male entrepreneurs.
Does the citation period have any effect on the informative value of selected citation indicators in research evaluations?
Authors: Clermont Marcel , Krolak Johanna , Tunger Dirk
Published: December 2020

To date, there has not been any definitive statement for bibliometric analyses from the scientific community as to how long to make the period for analysis in order to guarantee the maximum possible validity of citation analyses. Up to now, it has been particularly unclear as to whether different disciplines and citation indicators have any effect on what period for analysis to select. This is why this study aims to provide answers to these issues. Therefore, publications in the fields of business studies, biology, and medicine from 2007 to 2009 are surveyed. The citations from ten separate consecutive citation periods from 2009 up to 2018 are generated for these publications from Web of Science and selected citation indicators are calculated for them. The results show that the fundamental validity of citation indicators increases with time. However, if the goal of the analyses is to establish a ranking order, then even short citation periods are informative. Our results are stable in terms of the disciplines, although differences do occur in the citation indicators under consideration.
Impact for whom? Mapping the users of public research with lexicon-based text mining
Authors: Bonaccorsi Andrea , Chiarello Filippo , Fantoni Gualtiero
Published: December 2020

We contribute to the debate on societal impact of SSH by developing a methodology that allows a fine-grained observation of social groups that make use, directly or indirectly, of the results of research. We develop a lexicon of users with 76,857 entries, which saturates the semantic field of social groups of users and allows normalization. We use the lexicon in order to filter text structures in the 6637 impact case studies collected under the Research Excellence Framework in the UK. We then follow the steps recommended by Börner et al. (Annu Rev Inf Sci Technol 37:179–255, 2003) to build up visual maps of science, using co-occurrence of words describing users of research. We explore the properties of this novel kind of maps, in which science is seen from the perspective of research users.
Simulation research and design: a dual-level framework for multi-project research programs
Authors: Fink Maximilian C. , Radkowitsch Anika , Bauer Elisabeth , Sailer Michael , Kiesewetter Jan , Schmidmaier Ralf , Siebeck Matthias , Fischer Frank , Fischer Martin R.
Published: December 2020

Collaborations between researchers and practitioners have recently become increasingly popular in education, and educational design research (EDR) may benefit greatly from investigating such partnerships. One important domain in which EDR on collaborations between researchers and practitioners can be applied is research on simulation-based learning. However, frameworks describing both research and design processes in research programs on simulation-based learning are currently lacking. The framework proposed in this paper addresses this research gap. It is derived from theory and delineates levels, phases, activities, roles, and products of research programs to develop simulations as complex scientific artifacts for research purposes. This dual-level framework applies to research programs with a research committee and multiple subordinate research projects. The proposed framework is illustrated by examples from the actual research and design process of an interdisciplinary research program investigating the facilitation of diagnostic competences through instructional support in simulations. On a theoretical level, the framework contributes primarily to the literature of EDR by offering a unique dual-level perspective. Moreover, on a practical level, the framework may help by providing recommendations to guide the research and design process in research programs.
Changes in Physical Activity in Relation to Body Composition, Fitness and Quality of Life after Primary Bariatric Surgery: a Two-Year Follow-Up Study
Authors: Nuijten Malou A. H. , Tettero Onno M. , Wolf Rens J. , Bakker Esmée A. , Eijsvogels Thijs M. H. , Monpellier Valerie M. , Hazebroek Eric J. , Janssen Ignace M. C. , Hopman Maria T. E.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The success of bariatric surgery varies largely, which may relate to variance in adopting a physically active lifestyle. This study aimed to determine whether two-year changes in physical activity (PA) were associated with weight loss, fat-free mass, cardiorespiratory fitness and quality of life up to two years after bariatric surgery.

Materials and Methods

In this retrospective study, 3879 post-bariatric patients were divided into three groups: 1) decreased PA (n = 388), 2) maintained PA (n = 2002) or 3) increased PA (n = 1498). Measurements regarding PA (Baecke questionnaire), body composition (bioelectrical impedance analysis), estimated cardiorespiratory fitness (Åstrand test) and health-related quality of life (RAND-36) were performed preoperatively and two years post-surgery.

Results

Bariatric patients with increased PA had greater excess weight loss (76.3% vs. 73.2% vs. 72.9%, P < 0.001), greater increases in %fat-free mass (Δ14.0% vs. 13.0% vs. 12.8%; P < 0.001), larger improvements in VO2max (Δ11.8 vs. 10.2 vs. 8.0 ml/kg/min, P < 0.001), and larger increases in health related quality of life subscale scores (P < 0.05) compared to patients with maintained- and decreased PA.

Conclusions

Bariatric patients who managed to induce improvements in habitual physical activity had better body composition, fitness and quality of life at 2 years post-surgery, compared to patients who maintained or even reduced their PA levels. These findings underscore the importance of perioperative-bariatric care programs to change lifestyle and achieve sustainable improvements in PA levels.
Implementing Feedback Granule Size Control in a Continuous Dry Granulation Line Using Controlled Impeller Speed of the Granulation Unit, Compaction Force and Gap Width
Authors: Wilms Annika , Teske Andreas , Meier Robin , Wiedey Raphael , Kleinebudde Peter
Published: December 2020

Purpose

In continuous manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, dry granulation is of interest because of its large throughput capacity and energy efficiency. In order to manufacture solid oral dosage forms continuously, valid control strategies for critical quality attributes should be established. To this date, there are no published control strategies for granule size distribution in continuous dry granulation.

Methods

In-line laser diffraction was used to determine the size of granules in a continuous roll compaction/dry granulation line (QbCon® dry). Different process parameters were evaluated regarding their influences on granule size. The identified critical process parameters were then incorporated into control strategies. The uncontrolled and the controlled processes were compared based on the resulting granule size. In both processes, a process parameter was changed to induce a shift in median particle size and the controller had to counteract this shift.

Results

In principle, all process parameters that affect the median particle size could also be used to control the particle size in a dry granulation process. The sieve impeller speed was found to be well suited to control the median particle size as it reacts fast and can be controlled independently of the throughput or material.

Conclusion

The median particle size in continuous roll compaction can be controlled by adjusting process parameters depending on real-time granule size measurements. The method has to be validated and explored further to identify critical requirements to the material and environmental conditions.
Magdalenian and Epimagdalenian chronology and palaeoenvironments at Kůlna Cave, Moravia, Czech Republic
Authors: Reade Hazel , Grimm Sonja B. , Tripp Jennifer A. , Neruda Petr , Nerudová Zdeňka , Roblíčková Martina , Sayle Kerry L. , Kearney Rebecca , Brown Samantha , Douka Katerina , Higham Thomas F. G. , Stevens Rhiannon E.
Published: December 2020

Kůlna Cave is the only site in Moravia, Czech Republic, from which large assemblages of both Magdalenian and Epimagdalenian archaeological materials have been excavated from relatively secure stratified deposits. The site therefore offers the unrivalled opportunity to explore the relationship between these two archaeological phases. In this study, we undertake radiocarbon, stable isotope (carbon, nitrogen and sulphur), and ZooMS analysis of the archaeological faunal assemblage to explore the chronological and environmental context of the Magdalenian and Epimagdalenian deposits. Our results show that the Magdalenian and Epimagdalenian deposits can be understood as discrete units from one another, dating to the Late Glacial between c. 15,630 cal. BP and 14,610 cal. BP, and c. 14,140 cal. BP and 12,680 cal. BP, respectively. Stable isotope results (δ13C, δ15N, δ34S) indicate that Magdalenian and Epimagdalenian activity at Kůlna Cave occurred in very different environmental settings. Magdalenian occupation took place within a nutrient-poor landscape that was experiencing rapid changes to environmental moisture, potentially linked to permafrost thaw. In contrast, Epimagdalenian occupation occurred in a relatively stable, temperate environment composed of a mosaic of woodland and grassland habitats. The potential chronological gap between the two phases, and their associations with very different environmental conditions, calls into question whether the Epimagdalenian should be seen as a local, gradual development of the Magdalenian. It also raises the question of whether the gap in occupation at Kůlna Cave could represent a change in settlement dynamics and/or behavioural adaptations to changing environmental conditions.
On the categoricity of quantum mechanics
Authors: Toader Iulian D.
Published: December 2020

The paper offers an argument against an intuitive reading of the Stone-von Neumann theorem as a categoricity result, thereby pointing out that, against what is usually taken to be the case, this theorem does not entail any model-theoretical difference between the theories that validate it and those that don’t.
The dissipative approach to quantum field theory: conceptual foundations and ontological implications
Authors: Oldofredi Andrea , Öttinger Hans Christian
Published: December 2020

Many attempts have been made to provide Quantum Field Theory with conceptually clear and mathematically rigorous foundations; remarkable examples are the Bohmian and the algebraic perspectives respectively. In this essay we introduce the dissipative approach to QFT, a new alternative formulation of the theory explaining the phenomena of particle creation and annihilation starting from nonequilibrium thermodynamics. It is shown that DQFT presents a rigorous mathematical structure, and a clear particle ontology, taking the best from the mentioned perspectives. Finally, after the discussion of its principal implications and consequences, we compare it with the main Bohmian QFTs implementing a particle ontology.
The Death Zone: Lessons from History
Authors: Lankford Harvey V.
Published: December 2020

This Lessons from History article about the naming of the extreme altitude “Death Zone” explores the historical mountaineering and medical literature relevant to the topic. Swiss alpinist and radiologist Edouard Wyss-Dunant (1897–1983) authored several reports and books about expeditions to arctic regions, deserts, and the Himalaya. Encouraged by the success of a Swiss expedition to the Garhwal Himalaya in 1947, Wyss-Dunant joined his fellow climbers from Geneva on a 1949 expedition to several peaks in the Kanchenjunga region. Wyss-Dunant was then invited to lead the spring 1952 Swiss Everest expedition. Despite this being the first Swiss attempt on Everest and on an untried route, Raymond Lambert and Tenzing Norgay nearly summitted Everest from the Nepal side. Wyss-Dunant earned mountaineering immortality by coining the phrase the Death Zone during the expedition’s foray into the upper regions of Everest. Wyss-Dunant went on to become a president of the Swiss Alpine Club and the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation. His writings and that of others provide an evocative supporting narrative to illustrate some of the problems of living (or dying) at extreme altitude.
Properties and Propositions
Authors: Trueman Robert
Published: December 2020

This book articulates and defends Fregean realism, a theory of properties based on Frege's insight that properties are not objects, but rather the satisfaction conditions of predicates. Robert Trueman argues that this approach is the key not only to dissolving a host of longstanding metaphysical puzzles, such as Bradley's Regress and the Problem of Universals, but also to understanding the relationship between states of affairs, propositions, and the truth conditions of sentences. Fregean realism, Trueman suggests, ultimately leads to a version of the identity theory of truth, the theory that true propositions are identical to obtaining states of affairs. In other words, the identity theory collapses the gap between mind and world. This book will be of interest to anyone working in logic, metaphysics, the philosophy of language or the philosophy of mind.
ADDRESSING IMBALANCED INSURANCE DATA THROUGH ZERO-INFLATED POISSON REGRESSION WITH BOOSTING
Authors: Lee Simon C.K.
Published: December 2020

A machine learning approach to zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP) regression is introduced to address common difficulty arising from imbalanced financial data. The suggested ZIP can be interpreted as an adaptive weight adjustment procedure that removes the need for post-modeling re-calibration and results in a substantial enhancement of predictive accuracy. Notwithstanding the increased complexity due to the expanded parameter set, we utilize a cyclic coordinate descent optimization to implement the ZIP regression, with adjustments made to address saddle points. We also study how various approaches alleviate the potential drawbacks of incomplete exposures in insurance applications. The procedure is tested on real-life data. We demonstrate a significant improvement in performance relative to other popular alternatives, which justifies our modeling techniques.
Application of batch system ultraviolet light on the surface of kashar cheese, a kind of pasta-filata cheese: effects on mould inactivation, lipid oxidation, colour, hardness and sensory properties
Authors: Koca Nurcan , Öztürk Müge Urgu
Published: December 2020

This research paper addresses the hypothesis that the application of ultraviolet (UV) light before packaging of pasta-filata cheese has the potential to eliminate or control post-processing contamination whilst maintaining chemical and sensorial quality. The surfaces of kashar cheese were treated at different doses of UV light (0.32–9.63 kJ/m2) in a batch UV cabinet system to determine effects on physicochemical and sensorial quality as well as mould inactivation. Untreated cheese samples were also used for comparison. Kashar cheese was naturally contaminated in a mouldy environment to provide the desired mould numbers before UV treatments. Log reductions of 0.34, 0.69 and 2.49 were achieved in samples treated at doses of 0.32, 0.96 and 1.93 kJ/m2, respectively and the mould count of sample treated at 9.63 kJ/m2 was below the detection limit. We found no significant differences in composition and hardness values between any of the treated or control cheeses. Although some individual colour values increased as the UV doses increased, this change was not observed visually in sensory analysis. Increased light intensity accelerated the lipid oxidation causing a perception of off-flavour. The results of this study show that it is necessary to examine the relationship between the oxidative and sensory interactions while determining the effective doses applied to cheese surface for microbial inactivation.
Attalid aesthetics: the Pergamene ‘baroque’ reconsidered
Authors: Nelson Thomas J.
Published: December 2020

In this paper, I explore the literary aesthetics of Attalid Pergamon, one of the Ptolemies’ fiercest cultural rivals in the Hellenistic period. Traditionally, scholars have reconstructed Pergamene poetry from the city’s grand and monumental sculptural programme, hypothesizing an underlying aesthetic dichotomy between the two kingdoms: Alexandrian ‘refinement’ versus the Pergamene ‘baroque’. In this paper, I critically reassess this view by exploring surviving scraps of Pergamene poetry: an inscribed encomiastic epigram celebrating the Olympic victory of a certain Attalus (IvP I.10) and an inscribed dedicatory epigram featuring a speaking Satyr (SGO I.06/02/05). By examining these poems’ sophisticated engagements with the literary past and contemporary scholarship, I challenge the idea of a simple opposition between the two kingdoms. In reality, the art and literature of both political centres display a similar capacity to embrace both the refined and the baroque. In conclusion, I ask how this analysis affects our interpretation of the broader aesthetic landscape of the Hellenistic era and suggest that the literature of both capitals belongs to a larger system of elite poetry which stretched far and wide across the Hellenistic world.
Towards One-Dollar Robots: An Integrated Design and Fabrication Strategy for Electromechanical Systems
Authors: Yan Wenzhong , Mehta Ankur
Published: December 2020

To improve the accessibility of robotics, we propose a design and fabrication strategy to build low-cost electromechanical systems for robotic devices. Our method, based on origami-inspired cut-and-fold and E-textiles techniques, aims at minimizing the resources for robot creation. Specifically, we explore techniques to create robots with the resources restricted to single-layer sheets (e.g., polyester film) and conductive sewing threads. To demonstrate our strategy’s feasibility, these techniques are successfully integrated into an electromechanical oscillator (about 0.40 USD), which can generate electrical oscillation under constant-current power and potentially be used as a simple robot controller in lieu of additional external electronics.
Sociodemographic, health and pro-breast-feeding policies and programmes associated with breast-feeding duration in Latin American countries
Authors: Lamounier Danielle Mendonça Buiatti , Azeredo Catarina M , Ferreira Antunes José Leopoldo , Conde Wolney Lisboa , Rinaldi Ana Elisa Madalena
Published: December 2020

Objective:

To describe the duration of breast-feeding between 1990 and 2013 and to estimate the association between breast-feeding duration and sociodemographic, health and pro-breast-feeding policies and programmes in Latin American countries.

Design:

This is a cross-sectional study with data from Demographic and Health Surveys programme conducted in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Peru and the Dominican Republic between 1990 and 2013. The median duration of breast-feeding was estimated by survival analysis. Information on pro-breast-feeding policies and programmes was extracted from the World on Breastfeeding Trends Initiative (WBTi) tool. The association between the duration of breast-feeding and WBTi tool score was analysed by multilevel survival regression.

Setting:

Nationally representative cross-sectional survey from Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Dominican Republic.

Participants:

We included children under 24 months of age, totalling 17 318 children.

Results:

Breast-feeding duration showed a significant increase in all countries, except the Dominican Republic. Mothers with higher schooling level (HR = 1·66; 95 % CI 1·35, 2·04), higher income (HR = 1·58; 95 % CI 1·40, 1·77) and overweight (HR = 1·14; 95 % CI 1·05, 1·23) breastfed for a shorter time. Breast-feeding in the first hour of life (HR = 0·79; 95 % CI 0·74, 0·83) was associated with increase in the duration of breast-feeding. Regarding WBTi, Peru presented the lowest score and the Dominican Republic presented the highest score. WBTi score was inversely related to the duration of breast-feeding for this set of countries (HR = 1·07; 95 % CI 1·02, 1·12).

Conclusions:

Mothers with better socio-economic conditions and overweight breastfed for a shorter time. Breast-feeding in the first hour was associated with longer duration of breast-feeding. In this set of countries, higher scores from WBTi tool did not result in longer duration of breast-feeding.
Is it possible to gain energy at work? A questionnaire study in primary health care
Authors: Ejlertsson Lina , Heijbel Bodil , Brorsson Annika , Andersson H. Ingemar
Published: December 2020

Objectives:

The area of regenerative work is still close to unexplored. The aim was to explore the possibility for employees to gain energy at work.

Methods:

Questionnaire to all employees (n = 599) from different professions in public and private primary health care centers in one health care district in Sweden. The questionnaire, which had a salutogenic perspective, included information on self-rated health, psychosocial work environment and experiences, recovery, social climate, and energy. Having an energy-building experience was defined by a positive response to two combined questions regarding energy at work. Analyses were performed with bivariate correlation and multiple logistic regression.

Results:

The response rate was 84%. Health and energy correlated positively (r = 0.54). In total, 44.5% of the employees reported having an energy-building experience. Predictors for having an energy-building experience were recovery [positive odds ratio (POR) = 2.78], autonomy (POR = 2.26), positive workplace characteristics (POR = 2.09), and internal work experiences (POR = 1.88).

Conclusions:

The results support the hypothesis that it is possible to gain energy at work, an area that is still close to unexplored. There is a high correlation between energy and health. Employees’ energy-building experiences relate to well-being at work and correlates to recovery, autonomy, positive workplace characteristics, and positive internal work experiences. This knowledge can help in improving future work environment development.
The Austerity Decade 2010-20
Authors: Ortiz Isabel , Cummins Matthew
Published: December 2020

In the wake of the financial, food and fuel crises, a fourth ‘F’ shockwave hit the global economy in 2010: fiscal adjustment. It would mark the onset of a prolonged period of budget cuts that is now projected to continue at least through 2020 in high-income and developing countries alike. This article: (i) examines International Monetary Fund (IMF) government spending projections for 187 countries from 2005 to 2020, indicating a decade of austerity from 2010 onwards; (ii) reviews 616 IMF country reports in 183 countries to identify the main adjustment measures; and (iii) discusses the negative impacts of austerity on jobs and welfare, pointing to alternative policies to identify fiscal space for equitable and sustainable development. Note that this analysis was done prior to COVID-19, and the estimates for 2019 and 2020 reflect pre-pandemic projections.
Psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers in a highly burdened area of north-east Italy
Authors: Lasalvia A. , Bonetto C. , Porru S. , Carta A. , Tardivo S. , Bovo C. , Ruggeri M. , Amaddeo F.
Published: December 2020

Aims

Healthcare workers exposed to coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) patients could be psychologically distressed. This study aims to assess the magnitude of psychological distress and associated factors among hospital staff during the COVID-19 pandemic in a large tertiary hospital located in north-east Italy.

Methods

All healthcare and administrative staff working in the Verona University Hospital (Veneto, Italy) during the COVID-19 pandemic were asked to complete a web-based survey from 21 April to 6 May 2020. Symptoms of post-traumatic distress, anxiety and depression were assessed, respectively, using the Impact of Event Scale (IES-R), the Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Personal socio-demographic information and job characteristics were also collected, including gender, age, living condition, having pre-existing psychological problems, occupation, length of working experience, hospital unit (ICUs and sub-intensive COVID-19 units vs. non-COVID-19 units). A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with each of the three mental health outcomes.

Results

A total of 2195 healthcare workers (36.9% of the overall hospital staff) participated in the study. Of the participants, 35.7% were nurses, 24.3% other healthcare staff, 16.4% residents, 13.9% physicians and 9.7% administrative staff. Nine per cent of healthcare staff worked in ICUs, 8% in sub-intensive COVID-19 units and 7.6% in other front-line services, while the remaining staff worked in hospital units not directly engaged with COVID-19 patients. Overall, 63.2% of participants reported COVID-related traumatic experiences at work and 53.8% (95% CI 51.0%–56.6%) showed symptoms of post-traumatic distress; moreover, 50.1% (95% CI 47.9%–52.3%) showed symptoms of clinically relevant anxiety and 26.6% (95% CI 24.7%–28.5%) symptoms of at least moderate depression. Multivariable logistic regressions showed that women, nurses, healthcare workers directly engaged with COVID-19 patients and those with pre-existing psychological problems were at increased risk of psychopathological consequences of the pandemic.

Conclusions

The psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare staff working in a highly burdened geographical of north-east Italy is relevant and to some extent greater than that reported in China. The study provides solid grounds to elaborate and implement interventions pertaining to psychology and occupational health.
The reciprocal jaw-muscle reflexes elicited by anterior- and back-tooth-contacts—a perspective to explain the control of the masticatory muscles
Authors: Vaahtoniemi Lauri
Published: December 2020

Aims

Tooth-contact sensations are considered essential to boost jaw adductor muscles during mastication. However, no previous studies have explained the importance of the inhibitory reflex of human anterior-tooth (ANT)-contacts in mastication. Here I present the “reciprocal reflex-control-hypothesis” of mammalian mastication.

Subjects and setting of the study

I demonstrate the hypothesis with the live kinematics of free jaw-closures as inferred from T-Scan recordings of dental patients.

Results

The jaw-closures started with negligible force, predominantly with ANT-contacts (the AF-bites). The first ANT-contact inhibited the first kinematic tilt of the mandible, whereas the bites starting from a back-tooth (BAT)-contact (the BF-bites) accelerated the first tilt. The second tilt established a low-force static tripod of the ANT- and bilateral BAT-contacts for a fixed mandible-maxilla relation. Thereafter, semi-static bite force increased rapidly, relatively more in the BAT-area.

Discussion and Conclusions

In the vertical-closure phase of chewing, the primate joint-fulcrum (class 3 lever) conflicts with the food-bolus-fulcrum in the BAT-area (class 1 lever). The resilient class 3 and 1 lever systems are superseded by an almost static mechanically more advantageous class 2 lever with a more rigid fulcrum at the most anterior ANT-contact. For humans, the class 2 levered delivery of force also enables forceful horizontal food grinding to be extended widely to the BAT-area.
Comprehensive analysis of the 21-gene recurrence score in invasive ductal breast carcinoma with or without ductal carcinoma in situ component
Authors: Zeng Yufei , Gao Weiqi , Chen Xiaosong , Shen Kunwei
Published: December 2020

Background

Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) is often accompanied by ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Whether the DCIS component affects the 21-gene recurrence score (RS) is unclear.

Methods

Consecutive ER-positive, HER2-negative, N0–1 patients with RS results were included. Patients were divided into pure IDC and IDC with DCIS (IDC/DCIS) groups. The RS, the expression of its 16 cancer genes and prognosis were compared between IDC and IDC/DCIS patients.

Results

A total of 1458 patients were enrolled, 320 of whom had concomitant DCIS. DCIS component was independently associated with lower RS (P = 0.038). IDC/DCIS patients more often had a low-risk RS (P = 0.018) or intermediate-risk RS (P = 0.024). Regarding individual genes in the RS panel, Ki67, CCNB1 and MYBL2 in the proliferation group and MMP11 and CTSL2 in the invasion group were significantly lower among IDC/DCIS patients than pure IDC patients. Among IDC/DCIS patients, lower RS was independently correlated with a higher DCIS proportion and lower DCIS grade. Within a median follow-up of 31 months, the DCIS component in IDC did not significantly influence prognosis.

Conclusions

IDC with DCIS component is associated with a lower 21-gene RS, possibly due to lower expression of proliferation and invasion genes. DCIS proportion and grade independently influenced the 21-gene RS in IDC/DCIS patients. Due to the relatively short follow-up period and low recurrence rate, the impact of the DCIS component in IDC on prognosis needs further evaluation.
Ferroptotic pores induce Ca2+ fluxes and ESCRT-III activation to modulate cell death kinetics
Authors: Pedrera Lohans , Espiritu Rafael A. , Ros Uris , Weber Josephine , Schmitt Anja , Stroh Jenny , Hailfinger Stephan , von Karstedt Silvia , García-Sáez Ana J.
Published: December 2020

Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent form of regulated necrosis associated with lipid peroxidation. Despite its key role in the inflammatory outcome of ferroptosis, little is known about the molecular events leading to the disruption of the plasma membrane during this type of cell death. Here we show that a sustained increase in cytosolic Ca2+ is a hallmark of ferroptosis that precedes complete bursting of the cell. We report that plasma membrane damage leading to ferroptosis is associated with membrane nanopores of a few nanometers in radius and that ferroptosis, but not lipid peroxidation, can be delayed by osmoprotectants. Importantly, Ca2+ fluxes during ferroptosis induce the activation of the ESCRT-III-dependent membrane repair machinery, which counterbalances the kinetics of cell death and modulates the immunological signature of ferroptosis. Our findings with ferroptosis provide a unifying concept that sustained increase of cytosolic Ca2+ prior to plasma membrane rupture is a common feature of regulated types of necrosis and position ESCRT-III activation as a general protective mechanism in these lytic cell death pathways.
ER-mitochondria contact sites in neurodegeneration: genetic screening approaches to investigate novel disease mechanisms
Authors: Wilson Emma Louise , Metzakopian Emmanouil
Published: December 2020

Mitochondria-ER contact sites (MERCS) are known to underpin many important cellular homoeostatic functions, including mitochondrial quality control, lipid metabolism, calcium homoeostasis, the unfolded protein response and ER stress. These functions are known to be dysregulated in neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease (PD), Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and amyloid lateral sclerosis (ALS), and the number of disease-related proteins and genes being associated with MERCS is increasing. However, many details regarding MERCS and their role in neurodegenerative diseases remain unknown. In this review, we aim to summarise the current knowledge regarding the structure and function of MERCS, and to update the field on current research in PD, AD and ALS. Furthermore, we will evaluate high-throughput screening techniques, including RNAi vs CRISPR/Cas9, pooled vs arrayed formats and how these could be combined with current techniques to visualise MERCS. We will consider the advantages and disadvantages of each technique and how it can be utilised to uncover novel protein pathways involved in MERCS dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases.
Reviving lower body negative pressure as a countermeasure to prevent pathological vascular and ocular changes in microgravity
Authors: Harris Katie M. , Petersen Lonnie G. , Weber Tobias
Published: December 2020

Mitigation of spaceflight-related pathologies such as spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS) and the recently discovered risk of venous thrombosis must happen before deep space exploration can occur. Lower body negative pressure (LBNP) can simulate gravitational stress during spaceflight that is likely to counteract SANS and venous thrombosis, but the ideal dose and method of delivery have yet to be determined. We undertook a review of current LBNP literature and conducted a gap analysis to determine the steps needed to adapt LBNP for in-flight use. We found that to use LBNP in flight, it must be adapted to long time duration/low pressure use that should be compatible with crew activities. A lack of understanding of the etiology of the pathologies that LBNP can counteract hinders the application of LBNP as a countermeasure during spaceflight. Future research should aim at filling the knowledge gaps outlined in this review.
CREAM, a component level coffeemaker electrical activity measurement dataset
Authors: Jorde Daniel , Kriechbaumer Thomas , Berger Tim , Zitzlsperger Stefan , Jacobsen Hans-Arno
Published: December 2020

Monitoring the internal conditions of a machine is essential to increase its production efficiency and to reduce energy waste. Non-intrusive condition monitoring techniques, such as analysing electrical signals, provide insights by disaggregating a composite signal of a machine as a whole into the individual components to determine their states. Developing and evaluating new algorithms for condition monitoring and maintenance-related analysis tasks require a fully-labelled dataset for a machine, which comprises standard industrial components that are triggered following a typical manufacturing process to produce goods. For this purpose, we introduce CREAM, a component level electrical measurement dataset for two industrial-grade coffeemakers, simulating industrial processes. The dataset contains continuous voltage and current measurements provided at 6400 samples per second, as well as the product and maintenance-related event labels, such as 370600 expert-labelled component-level electrical events, 1734 product ones and 3646 maintenance ones. CREAM provides fully-labelled ground-truth to establish a benchmark and comparative studies of manufacturing-related analysis in a controlled and transparent environment.
New glacier evidence for ice-free summits during the life of the Tyrolean Iceman
Authors: Bohleber Pascal , Schwikowski Margit , Stocker-Waldhuber Martin , Fang Ling , Fischer Andrea
Published: December 2020

Detailed knowledge of Holocene climate and glaciers dynamics is essential for sustainable development in warming mountain regions. Yet information about Holocene glacier coverage in the Alps before the Little Ice Age stems mostly from studying advances of glacier tongues at lower elevations. Here we present a new approach to reconstructing past glacier low stands and ice-free conditions by assessing and dating the oldest ice preserved at high elevations. A previously unexplored ice dome at Weißseespitze summit (3500 m), near where the “Tyrolean Iceman” was found, offers almost ideal conditions for preserving the original ice formed at the site. The glaciological settings and state-of-the-art micro-radiocarbon age constraints indicate that the summit has been glaciated for about 5900 years. In combination with known maximum ages of other high Alpine glaciers, we present evidence for an elevation gradient of neoglaciation onset. It reveals that in the Alps only the highest elevation sites remained ice-covered throughout the Holocene. Just before the life of the Iceman, high Alpine summits were emerging from nearly ice-free conditions, during the start of a Mid-Holocene neoglaciation. We demonstrate that, under specific circumstances, the old ice at the base of high Alpine glaciers is a sensitive archive of glacier change. However, under current melt rates the archive at Weißseespitze and at similar locations will be lost within the next two decades.
A systematic review and meta-analysis on chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine as monotherapy or combined with azithromycin in COVID-19 treatment
Authors: Ghazy Ramy Mohamed , Almaghraby Abdallah , Shaaban Ramy , Kamal Ahmed , Beshir Hatem , Moursi Amr , Ramadan Ahmed , Taha Sarah Hamed N.
Published: December 2020

Many recent studies have investigated the role of either Chloroquine (CQ) or Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) alone or in combination with azithromycin (AZM) in the management of the emerging coronavirus. This systematic review and meta-analysis of either published or preprint observational studies or randomized control trials (RCT) aimed to assess mortality rate, duration of hospital stay, need for mechanical ventilation (MV), virologic cure rate (VQR), time to a negative viral polymerase chain reaction (PCR), radiological progression, experiencing drug side effects, and clinical worsening. A search of the online database through June 2020 was performed and examined the reference lists of pertinent articles for in-vivo studies only. Pooled relative risks (RRs), standard mean differences of 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated with the random-effects model. Mortality was not different between the standard care (SC) and HCQ groups (RR = 0.99, 95% CI 0.61–1.59, I2 = 82%), meta-regression analysis proved that mortality was significantly different across the studies from different countries. However, mortality among the HCQ + AZM was significantly higher than among the SC (RR = 1.8, 95% CI 1.19–2.27, I2 = 70%). The duration of hospital stay in days was shorter in the SC in comparison with the HCQ group (standard mean difference = 0.57, 95% CI 0.20–0.94, I2 = 92%), or the HCQ + AZM (standard mean difference = 0.77, 95% CI 0.46–1.08, I2 = 81). Overall VQR, and that at days 4, 10, and 14 among patients exposed to HCQ did not differ significantly from the SC [(RR = 0.92, 95% CI 0.69–1.23, I2 = 67%), (RR = 1.11, 95% CI 0.26–4.69, I2 = 85%), (RR = 1.21, 95% CI 0.70–2.01, I2 = 95%), and (RR = 0.98, 95% CI 0.76–1.27, I2 = 85% )] respectively. Exposure to HCQ + AZM did not improve the VQR as well (RR = 3.23, 95% CI 0.70–14.97, I2 = 58%). The need for MV was not significantly different between the SC and HCQ (RR = 1.5, 95% CI 0.78–2.89, I2 = 81%), or HCQ + AZM (RR = 1.27, 95% CI 0.7–2.13, I2 = 88%). Side effects were more reported in the HCQ group than in the SC (RR = 3.14, 95% CI 1.58–6.24, I2 = 0). Radiological improvement and clinical worsening were not statistically different between HCQ and SC [(RR = 1.11, 95% CI 0.74–1.65, I2 = 45%) and (RR = 1.28, 95% CI 0.33–4.99), I2 = 54%] respectively. Despite the scarcity of published data of good quality, the effectiveness and safety of either HCQ alone or in combination with AZM in treating COVID-19 cannot be assured. Future high-quality RCTs need to be carried out.

PROSPERO registration: CRD42020192084.
Biological and physical approaches on the role of piplartine (piperlongumine) in cancer
Authors: Henrique Tiago , Zanon Caroline de F. , Girol Ana P. , Stefanini Ana Carolina Buzzo , Contessoto Nayara S. de A. , da Silveira Nelson J. F. , Bezerra Daniel P. , Silveira Edilberto R. , Barbosa-Filho José M. , Cornélio Marinonio L. , Oliani Sonia M. , Tajara Eloiza H.
Published: December 2020

Chronic inflammation provides a favorable microenvironment for tumorigenesis, which opens opportunities for targeting cancer development and progression. Piplartine (PL) is a biologically active alkaloid from long peppers that exhibits anti-inflammatory and antitumor activity. In the present study, we investigated the physical and chemical interactions of PL with anti-inflammatory compounds and their effects on cell proliferation and migration and on the gene expression of inflammatory mediators. Molecular docking data and physicochemical analysis suggested that PL shows potential interactions with a peptide of annexin A1 (ANXA1), an endogenous anti-inflammatory mediator with therapeutic potential in cancer. Treatment of neoplastic cells with PL alone or with annexin A1 mimic peptide reduced cell proliferation and viability and modulated the expression of MCP-1 chemokine, IL-8 cytokine and genes involved in inflammatory processes. The results also suggested an inhibitory effect of PL on tubulin expression. In addition, PL apparently had no influence on cell migration and invasion at the concentration tested. Considering the role of inflammation in the context of promoting tumor initiation, the present study shows the potential of piplartine as a therapeutic immunomodulator for cancer prevention and progression.
A 10-year follow-up of infliximab monotherapy for refractory uveitis in Behçet’s syndrome
Authors: Horiguchi Noe , Kamoi Koju , Horie Shintaro , Iwasaki Yuko , Kurozumi-Karube Hisako , Takase Hiroshi , Ohno-Matsui Kyoko
Published: December 2020

Infliximab (IFX) was the first biologic introduced for refractory uveitis treatment in Behçet’s syndrome (BS). However, there have been few reports on the safety and efficacy of IFX monotherapy over follow-up periods of more than 10 years. This retrospective study evaluated the 10-year safety and efficacy of IFX monotherapy compared to IFX combination therapies with colchicine or corticosteroid for refractory uveitis in BS patients. Monotherapy was performed in 30 eyes of 16 patients while combination therapies were performed in 20 eyes of 11 patients. Continuation of IFX occurred in 70.3% of enrolled patients for 10 years without any significant difference noted in the retention rate between the monotherapy and combination therapies (p = 0.86). Reduction of ocular inflammatory attacks and improvement of best corrected visual acuity occurred in the monotherapy group after 10 years, which was equivalent to that for the combination therapies. Although adverse events (AEs) or therapy discontinuation occurred during the initial 5 years in both therapies, no AEs were observed for either therapy after 6 years. Our results suggested that IFX monotherapy proved to be effective and not inferior to combination therapies over a 10-year follow-up. Although loss of response and AEs may be noticed during the initial 5-year period, a safe and effective continuation can be expected thereafter.
Oral health and functional capacity of centenarians
Authors: Sekundo Caroline , Langowski Eva , Kilian Samuel , Frese Cornelia
Published: December 2020

The number of very old individuals, namely centenarians, is growing fast. In dentistry, the increasing number of older adults retaining natural teeth present new challenges for preventive and restorative dental care. However, there is a considerable lack of knowledge on the oral health status and needs in this exceptional age group. The aim of this population-based study was to identify the prevalence of oral diseases, therapeutic needs and functional capacity (evaluating centenarians’ autonomy and their capabilities regarding treatment and oral hygiene) in centenarians. Subjects born before 1920 were recruited from population registries in South-Western Germany, providing information on dental health experiences, oral health behaviors and undergoing dental examination. 55 centenarians participated in the study (mean age ± SD = 101.2 ± 1.6, 83.6% females). Results were compared to epidemiological data on adults aged 75–100 years examined in the Fifth German Oral Health Study. Adherence to recommended dental behaviors and dental check-ups was lower in the centenarian population. Moreover, with the exception of a lower Root Caries Index, centenarians showed a higher caries experience, and presented with a mean DMFT of 25.2 ± 3.9, a DMFS of 111.0 ± 21.8, a root caries prevalence of 34.5% and a Restorative Index of 54.0%. Centenarians’ functional capacity was also considerably lower. Non-existent or greatly reduced treatment capabilities and oral hygiene capabilities were registered in 63.7% and 43.6% of cases, respectively. Centenarians with a lower educational level (p = 0.018), in a care facility (p = 0.045) or in need of nursing care (p = 0.001) were more likely to have a low functional capacity. 98.2% of centenarians received help in their daily activities but only 12.7% in their oral hygiene. In conclusion, although most still have natural teeth, a decline of oral health can be perceived. As compliance with recommended behaviors is limited and most centenarians can no longer undergo dental treatment, the lack of assistance in daily oral health care is problematic.
Universal atom interferometer simulation of elastic scattering processes
Authors: Fitzek Florian , Siemß Jan-Niclas , Seckmeyer Stefan , Ahlers Holger , Rasel Ernst M. , Hammerer Klemens , Gaaloul Naceur
Published: December 2020

In this article, we introduce a universal simulation framework covering all regimes of matter-wave light-pulse elastic scattering. Applied to atom interferometry as a study case, this simulator solves the atom-light diffraction problem in the elastic case, i.e., when the internal state of the atoms remains unchanged. Taking this perspective, the light-pulse beam splitting is interpreted as a space and time-dependent external potential. In a shift from the usual approach based on a system of momentum-space ordinary differential equations, our position-space treatment is flexible and scales favourably for realistic cases where the light fields have an arbitrary complex spatial behaviour rather than being mere plane waves. Moreover, the solver architecture we developed is effortlessly extended to the problem class of trapped and interacting geometries, which has no simple formulation in the usual framework of momentum-space ordinary differential equations. We check the validity of our model by revisiting several case studies relevant to the precision atom interferometry community. We retrieve analytical solutions when they exist and extend the analysis to more complex parameter ranges in a cross-regime fashion. The flexibility of the approach, the insight it gives, its numerical scalability and accuracy make it an exquisite tool to design, understand and quantitatively analyse metrology-oriented matter-wave interferometry experiments.