bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GODoc: high-throughput protein function prediction using novel k-nearest-neighbor and voting algorithms
Authors: Liu Yi-Wei , Hsu Tz-Wei , Chang Che-Yu , Liao Wen-Hung , Chang Jia-Ming
Published: November 2020

Background

Biological data has grown explosively with the advance of next-generation sequencing. However, annotating protein function with wet lab experiments is time-consuming. Fortunately, computational function prediction can help wet labs formulate biological hypotheses and prioritize experiments. Gene Ontology (GO) is a framework for unifying the representation of protein function in a hierarchical tree composed of GO terms.

Results

We propose GODoc, a general protein GO prediction framework based on sequence information which combines feature engineering, feature reduction, and a novel ​k​-nearest-neighbor algorithm to resolve the multiple GO prediction problem. Comprehensive evaluation on CAFA2 shows that GODoc performs better than two baseline models. In the CAFA3 competition (68 teams), GODoc ranks 10th in Cellular Component Ontology. Regarding the species-specific task, the proposed method ranks 10th and 8th in the eukaryotic Cellular Component Ontology and the prokaryotic Molecular Function Ontology, respectively. In the term-centric task, GODoc performs third and is tied for first for the biofilm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the long-term memory of Drosophila melanogaster, respectively.

Conclusions

We have developed a novel and effective strategy to incorporate a training procedure into the k-nearest neighbor algorithm (instance-based learning) which is capable of solving the Gene Ontology multiple-label prediction problem, which is especially notable given the thousands of Gene Ontology terms.
MADA: a web service for analysing DNA methylation array data
Authors: Hu Xinyu , Tang Li , Wang Linconghua , Wu Fang-Xiang , Li Min
Published: November 2020

Background

DNA methylation in the human genome is acknowledged to be widely associated with biological processes and complex diseases. The Illumina Infinium methylation arrays have been approved as one of the most efficient and universal technologies to investigate the whole genome changes of methylation patterns. As methylation arrays may still be the dominant method for detecting methylation in the anticipated future, it is crucial to develop a reliable workflow to analysis methylation array data.

Results

In this study, we develop a web service MADA for the whole process of methylation arrays data analysis, which includes the steps of a comprehensive differential methylation analysis pipeline: pre-processing (data loading, quality control, data filtering, and normalization), batch effect correction, differential methylation analysis, and downstream analysis. In addition, we provide the visualization of pre-processing, differentially methylated probes or regions, gene ontology, pathway and cluster analysis results. Moreover, a customization function for users to define their own workflow is also provided in MADA.

Conclusions

With the analysis of two case studies, we have shown that MADA can complete the whole procedure of methylation array data analysis. MADA provides a graphical user interface and enables users with no computational skills and limited bioinformatics background to carry on complicated methylation array data analysis. The web server is available at: http://120.24.94.89:8080/MADA
TruNeo: an integrated pipeline improves personalized true tumor neoantigen identification
Authors: Tang Yunxia , Wang Yu , Wang Jiaqian , Li Miao , Peng Linmin , Wei Guochao , Zhang Yixing , Li Jin , Gao Zhibo
Published: November 2020

Background

Neoantigen-based personal vaccines and adoptive T cell immunotherapy have shown high efficacy as a cancer treatment in clinical trials. Algorithms for the accurate prediction of neoantigens have played a pivotal role in such studies. Some existing bioinformatics methods, such as MHCflurry and NetMHCpan, identify neoantigens mainly through the prediction of peptide-MHC binding affinity. However, the predictive accuracy of immunogenicity of these methods has been shown to be low. Thus, a ranking algorithm to select highly immunogenic neoantigens of patients is needed urgently in research and clinical practice.

Results

We develop TruNeo, an integrated computational pipeline to identify and select highly immunogenic neoantigens based on multiple biological processes. The performance of TruNeo and other algorithms were compared based on data from published literature as well as raw data from a lung cancer patient. Recall rate of immunogenic ones among the top 10-ranked neoantigens were compared based on the published combined data set. Recall rate of TruNeo was 52.63%, which was 2.5 times higher than that predicted by MHCflurry (21.05%), and 2 times higher than NetMHCpan 4 (26.32%). Furthermore, the positive rate of top 10-ranked neoantigens for the lung cancer patient were compared, showing a 50% positive rate identified by TruNeo, which was 2.5 times higher than that predicted by MHCflurry (20%).

Conclusions

TruNeo, which considers multiple biological processes rather than peptide-MHC binding affinity prediction only, provides prioritization of candidate neoantigens with high immunogenicity for neoantigen-targeting personalized immunotherapies.
Social engagement within the facility increased life expectancy in nursing home residents: a follow-up study
Authors: Pastor-Barriuso Roberto , Padrón-Monedero Alicia , Parra-Ramírez Lina M. , García López Fernando J. , Damián Javier
Published: November 2020

Background

Social engagement (SE) has been consistently shown to improve survival among community-dwelling older people, but the evidence in nursing home residents is inconclusive and prone to short-term reverse causation and confounding by major health determinants. Our main objective was to study the potential causal effect of within-the-facility social engagement (SE) on long-term all-cause mortality in care home residents.

Methods

A representative cohort of 382 nursing home residents in Madrid without severe physical and cognitive impairments at baseline was followed up for 10-year all-cause mortality. Standardized mortality curves for residents with low/null, moderate, and high levels of SE at baseline were estimated using Kaplan-Meier methods and spline-based survival models with inverse probability of exposure weights conditional on baseline sociodemographic characteristics, facility features, comorbidity, and disability. Standardized 5-year mortality risks and median survival times were compared across levels of SE.

Results

The baseline prevalences of low/null, moderate, and high SE were 36, 44, and 20%, respectively. Compared with residents with low/null SE at baseline, the standardized differences (95% confidence intervals) in 5-year mortality risk were − 2.3% (− 14.6 to 10.0%) for moderately engaged residents and − 18.4% (− 33.8 to − 2.9%) for highly engaged residents. The median survival time increased by 0.4 (− 1.4 to 2.2) and 3.0 (0.8 to 5.2) years, respectively.

Conclusion

Residents with high SE within the nursing home had an 18% lower 5-year mortality risk and a 3-year increase in their median survival, as compared with residents with similar health determinants but low/null SE. The development of adequate tailored intervention programs, addressed to increase SE in nursing home residents, could improve their long-term survival, in addition to expected gains in quality of life.
Association between length of residence and prevalence of MRSA colonization among residents in geriatric long-term care facilities
Authors: Sasahara Teppei , Ae Ryusuke , Yoshimura Akio , Kosami Koki , Sasaki Kazumasa , Kimura Yumiko , Akine Dai , Ogawa Masanori , Hamabata Kenji , Hatakeyama Shuji , Cui Longzhu
Published: November 2020

Background

A high prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization has been reported among residents in geriatric long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Some studies indicate that MRSA might be imported from hospitals into LTCFs via resident transfer; however, other studies report that high MRSA prevalence might be caused by cross-transmission inside LTCFs. We aimed to assess which factors have a large impact on the high MRSA prevalence among residents of geriatric LTCFs.

Methods

We conducted a cohort study among 260 residents of four geriatric LTCFs in Japan. Dividing participants into two cohorts, we separately analyzed (1) the association between prevalence of MRSA carriage and length of LTCF residence (Cohort 1: n = 204), and (2) proportion of residents identified as MRSA negative who were initially tested at admission but subsequently identified as positive in secondary testing performed at ≥2 months after their initial test (Cohort 2: n = 79).

Results

Among 204 residents in Cohort 1, 20 (9.8%) were identified as positive for MRSA. Compared with residents identified as MRSA negative, a larger proportion of MRSA-positive residents had shorter periods of residence from the initial admission (median length of residence: 5.5 vs. 2.8 months), although this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.084). Among 79 residents in Cohort 2, 60 (75.9%) were identified as MRSA negative at the initial testing. Of these 60 residents, only one (1.7%) had subsequent positive conversion in secondary MRSA testing. In contrast, among 19 residents identified as MRSA positive in the initial testing, 10 (52.6%) were negative in secondary testing.

Conclusions

The prevalence of MRSA was lower among residents with longer periods of LTCF residence than among those with shorter periods. Furthermore, few residents were found to become MRSA carrier after their initial admission. These findings highlight that MRSA in LTCFs might be associated with resident transfer rather than spread via cross-transmission inside LTCFs.
Proposal of COVID-19 Clinical Risk Score for the management of suspected COVID-19 cases: a case control study
Authors: Nakakubo Sho , Suzuki Masaru , Kamada Keisuke , Yamashita Yu , Nakamura Junichi , Horii Hiroshi , Sato Kazuki , Matsumoto Munehiro , Abe Yuki , Tsuji Kosuke , Ishiguro Nobuhisa , Nasuhara Yasuyuki , Konno Satoshi
Published: November 2020

Background

No clinical scoring system has yet been established to estimate the likelihood of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and determine the suitability of diagnostic testing in suspected COVID-19 patients.

Methods

This was a single-center, retrospective, observational study of patients with suspected COVID-19 and confirmed COVID-19. Patient background, clinical course, laboratory and computed tomography (CT) findings, and the presence of alternative diagnoses were evaluated. Clinical risk scores were developed based on clinical differences between patients with and without COVID-19.

Results

Among 110 patients suspected of having COVID-19, 60.9% underwent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing based on the judgment of physicians. Two patients were found to have COVID-19. The clinical characteristics of 108 non-COVID-19 patients were compared with those of 23 confirmed COVID-19 patients. Patients with COVID-19 were more likely to have a history of high-risk exposures and an abnormal sense of taste and smell. The COVID-19 group had significantly higher rates of subnormal white blood cell counts, lower eosinophil counts, and lower procalcitonin levels than the non-COVID-19 group. When blood test results, CT findings, and the presence of alternative diagnoses were scored on an 11-point scale (i.e., “COVID-19 Clinical Risk Score”), the COVID-19 group scored significantly higher than the non-COVID-19 group, more than four points in the COVID-19 group. All non-COVID patients who did not undergo PCR had a score of 4 or less.

Conclusions

The COVID-19 Clinical Risk Score may enable the risk classification of patients suspected of having COVID-19 and can help in decision-making in clinical practice, including appropriateness of diagnostic testing. Further studies and prospective validation with an increased sample size are required.
A comprehensive multivariate model of biopsychosocial factors associated with opioid misuse and use disorder in a 2017–2018 United States national survey
Authors: Montiel Ishino Francisco A. , McNab Philip R. , Gilreath Tamika , Salmeron Bonita , Williams Faustine
Published: November 2020

Background

Few studies have comprehensively and contextually examined the relationship of variables associated with opioid use. Our purpose was to fill a critical gap in comprehensive risk models of opioid misuse and use disorder in the United States by identifying the most salient predictors.

Methods

A multivariate logistic regression was used on the 2017 and 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, which included all 50 states and the District of Columbia of the United States. The sample included all noninstitutionalized civilian adults aged 18 and older (N = 85,580; weightedN = 248,008,986). The outcome of opioid misuse and/or use disorder was based on reported prescription pain reliever and/or heroin use dependence, abuse, or misuse. Biopsychosocial predictors of opioid misuse and use disorder in addition to sociodemographic characteristics and other substance dependence or abuse were examined in our comprehensive model. Biopsychosocial characteristics included socioecological and health indicators. Criminality was the socioecological indicator. Health indicators included self-reported health, private health insurance, psychological distress, and suicidality. Sociodemographic variables included age, sex/gender, race/ethnicity, sexual identity, education, residence, income, and employment status. Substance dependence or abuse included both licit and illicit substances (i.e., nicotine, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, inhalants, methamphetamine, tranquilizers, stimulants, sedatives).

Results

The comprehensive model found that criminality (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.58, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.98–3.37,p < 0.001), self-reported health (i.e., excellent compared to fair/poor [AOR = 3.71, 95% CI = 2.19–6.29,p < 0.001], good [AOR = 3.43, 95% CI = 2.20–5.34, p < 0.001], and very good [AOR = 2.75, 95% CI = 1.90–3.98,p < 0.001]), no private health insurance (AOR = 2.12, 95% CI = 1.55–2.89,p < 0.001), serious psychological distress (AOR = 2.12, 95% CI = 1.55–2.89,p < 0.001), suicidality (AOR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.17–2.14,p = 0.004), and other substance dependence or abuse were significant predictors of opioid misuse and/or use disorder. Substances associated were nicotine (AOR = 3.01, 95% CI = 2.30–3.93,p < 0.001), alcohol (AOR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.02–1.92,p = 0.038), marijuana (AOR = 2.24, 95% CI = 1.40–3.58,p = 0.001), cocaine (AOR = 3.92, 95% CI = 2.14–7.17,p < 0.001), methamphetamine (AOR = 3.32, 95% CI = 1.96–5.64,p < 0.001), tranquilizers (AOR = 16.72, 95% CI = 9.75–28.65,p < 0.001), and stimulants (AOR = 2.45, 95% CI = 1.03–5.87,p = 0.044).

Conclusions

Biopsychosocial characteristics such as socioecological and health indicators, as well as other substance dependence or abuse were stronger predictors of opioid misuse and use disorder than sociodemographic characteristics.
Joint association of physical work demands and leg pain intensity for work limitations due to pain in senior workers: cross-sectional study
Authors: Skovlund Sebastian Venge , Bláfoss Rúni , Sundstrup Emil , Thomassen Kristina , Andersen Lars L.
Published: November 2020

Background

Leg pain, especially of the knees and hips, is common among senior workers and may limit the ability to perform physically demanding work. In light of the aging workforce, this study determined the joint association of physical work demands and leg pain intensity for work-limiting pain in senior workers.

Methods

Currently employed senior workers (≥50 years) participated in the SeniorWorkingLife study in 2018 (n = 12,879). Associations between the combination of physical work demands and leg pain intensity (interaction) with work-limiting pain (outcome) were modeled using binary logistic regression analyses while controlling for potential covariates.

Results

We found a significant interaction (P < 0.001) between physical work demands and leg pain intensity for work-limiting pain. The combination of higher physical work demands and higher leg pain intensity had the worst outcome in terms of the odds of experiencing work-limiting pain. For example, 70% of those with the combination of high physical work demands and leg pain intensity ≥7 (scale 0–10) experienced that the pain limited them to at least some degree in their work.

Conclusions

The combination of high physical work demands and high leg pain intensity are associated with limited ability to perform work among senior workers. These findings highlight the importance of prioritizing the physical work environment in physically demanding occupations, particularly among senior workers, for prolonging working life. Thus, adjusting the work demands, e.g. through use of assistive devices, and lowering the pain, e.g. through physical rehabilitation, may be necessary to sustain work ability to a high age in this group of workers.

Trial registration

This was registered as a cohort study in ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier:NCT03634410) on the 18th of August 2018 (Retrospectively registered).
Identifying research priorities for health professions education research in sub-Saharan Africa using a modified Delphi method
Authors: Van Schalkwyk Susan C. , Kiguli-Malwadde Elsie , Budak Jehan Z. , Reid Michael J. A. , de Villiers Marietjie R.
Published: November 2020

Background

Recent increases in health professions education (HPE) research in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), though substantial, have predominantly originated from single institutions and remained uncoordinated. A shared research agenda can guide the implementation of HPE practices to ultimately influence the recruitment and retention of the health workforce. Thus, the authors aimed to generate and prioritise a list of research topics for HPE research (HPER) in SSA.

Methods

A modified Delphi process was designed to prioritise a shared agenda. Members of the African Forum for Research and Education in Health (AFREhealth) technical working group (TWG) were asked to first list potential research topics. Then, members of the same TWG and attendees at the annual AFREhealth academic symposium held in Lagos, Nigeria in August 2019 rated the importance of including each topic on a 3-point Likert scale, through two rounds of consensus seeking. Consensus for inclusion was predefined as ≥70% of respondents rating the topic as “must be included.”

Results

Health professions educators representing a variety of professions and 13 countries responded to the survey rounds. Twenty-three TWG members suggested 26 initial HPER topics; subsequently 90 respondents completed round one, and 51 completed round 2 of the modified Delphi. The final list of 12 research topics which met predetermined consensus criteria were grouped into three categories: (1) creating an enabling environment with sufficient resources and relevant training; (2) enhancing student learning; and (3) identifying and evaluating strategies to improve pedagogical practice.

Conclusions

Establishing research priorities for HPE is important to ensure efficient and appropriate allocation of resources. This study serves as a reminder of how the prevailing context within which HPE, and by implication research in the field, is undertaken will inevitably influence choices about research foci. It further points to a potential advocacy role for research that generates regionally relevant evidence.
Crosstalk between microglia and patient-derived glioblastoma cells inhibit invasion in a three-dimensional gelatin hydrogel model
Authors: Chen Jee-Wei Emily , Lumibao Jan , Leary Sarah , Sarkaria Jann N. , Steelman Andrew J. , Gaskins H. Rex , Harley Brendan A. C.
Published: November 2020

Background

Glioblastoma is the most common and deadly form of primary brain cancer, accounting for more than 13,000 new diagnoses annually in the USA alone. Microglia are the innate immune cells within the central nervous system, acting as a front-line defense against injuries and inflammation via a process that involves transformation from a quiescent to an activated phenotype. Crosstalk between GBM cells and microglia represents an important axis to consider in the development of tissue engineering platforms to examine pathophysiological processes underlying GBM progression and therapy.

Methods

This work used a brain-mimetic hydrogel system to study patient-derived glioblastoma specimens and their interactions with microglia. Here, glioblastoma cells were either cultured alone in 3D hydrogels or in co-culture with microglia in a manner that allowed secretome-based signaling but prevented direct GBM-microglia contact. Patterns of GBM cell invasion were quantified using a three-dimensional spheroid assay. Secretome and transcriptome (via RNAseq) were used to profile the consequences of GBM-microglia interactions.

Results

Microglia displayed an activated phenotype as a result of GBM crosstalk. Three-dimensional migration patterns of patient-derived glioblastoma cells showed invasion was significantly decreased in response to microglia paracrine signaling. Potential molecular mechanisms underlying with this phenotype were identified from bioinformatic analysis of secretome and RNAseq data.

Conclusion

The data demonstrate a tissue engineered hydrogel platform can be used to investigate crosstalk between immune cells of the tumor microenvironment related to GBM progression. Such multi-dimensional models may provide valuable insight to inform therapeutic innovations to improve GBM treatment.
Astaxanthin protects cognitive function of vascular dementia
Authors: Zhu Ningwei , Liang Xiao , Zhang Ming , Yin Xiaolan , Yang Hui , Zhi Yajun , Ying Guizhen , Zou Jialing , Chen Lei , Yao Xiaokun , Li Hongwei
Published: November 2020

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of astaxanthin (AST) on cognition function, inflammatory response and oxidative stress in vascular dementia (VD) mice.

Method

VD mice model was established by left unilateral common carotid arteries occlusion (LUCCAO). Following LUCCAO, AST was intragastrically administered for 30 days. Object recognition test and morris water maze test were used to evaluate cognitive function. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed to observe the hippocampal neuron structure. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit and bicinchoninic acid kit were respectively adopted to measure IL-1β and IL-4 protein expression and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.

Results

AST improved the discrimination ability of VD mice. The escape latency and path length of VD mice treated with AST were dramatically reduced. Besides, AST 200 mg/kg enhanced crossing platform time and the number of times crossing the platform quadrant, and alleviated the morphological impairment in VD mice. Moreover, we found that AST inhibited IL-1β expression and MDA content, whereas promoted IL-4 expression and SOD activity in a dose-dependent manner.

Conclusion

AST could improve cognitive impairment and hippocampal neurons in VD mice, which may be related to suppression of inflammatory response and oxidative stress.
A pilot study of stereotactic boost for malignant epidural spinal cord compression: clinical significance and initial dosimetric evaluation
Authors: Donovan Elysia K. , Greenspoon Jeffrey , Schnarr Kara L. , Whelan Timothy J. , Wright James R. , Hann Crystal , Whitton Anthony , Chow Tom , Parpia Sameer , Swaminath Anand
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC) is a devastating complication of advanced malignancy, which can result in neurologic complications and significant deterioration in overall function and quality of life. Most patients are not candidates for optimal surgical decompression and as a result, receive urgent 3D conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) to prevent or attempt to reverse neurologic progression. Multiple trials indicate that response and ambulatory rates after 3DCRT are inferior to surgery. The advent of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) has created a method with which a “radiosurgical decompression” boost may facilitate improve outcomes for MESCC patients.

Methods

We are conducting a pilot study to investigate SBRT boost after urgent 3D CRT for patients with MESCC. The aim of the study is to establish feasibility of this two-phase treatment regimen, and secondarily to characterize post-treatment ambulation status, motor response, pain control, quality of life and survival.

Discussion

We describe the study protocol and present a case report of one patient. A quality assurance review was conducted after the first seven patients, and resultant dose-constraints were revised to improve safety and feasibility of planning through more conservative organ at risk constraints. There have been no severe adverse events (grade 3–5) to date. We have illustrated clinical and dosimetric data of an example case, where a patient regained full strength and ambulatory capacity.

Conclusions

Our study aims to determine if SBRT is a feasible option in addition to standard 3DCRT for MESCC patients, with the goal to consider future randomized trials if successful. Having a robust quality assurance process in this study ensures translatability going forward if future trials with multicenter and increased patient representation are to be considered.

Trial registration

clinicaltrials.gov; registration no. NCT03529708; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03529708; First posted May 18, 2018.
Fabrication of chitosan-polyvinyl alcohol and silk electrospun fiber seeded with differentiated keratinocyte for skin tissue regeneration in animal wound model
Authors: Fathi Afshin , Khanmohammadi Mehdi , Goodarzi Arash , Foroutani Lale , Mobarakeh Zahra Taherian , Saremi Jamileh , Arabpour Zohreh , Ai Jafar
Published: November 2020

Hybrid fibrous mat containing cell interactive molecules offers the ability to deliver the cells and drugs in wound bed, which will help to achieve a high therapeutic treatment. In this study, a co-electrospun hybrid of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), chitosan (Ch) and silk fibrous mat was developed and their wound healing potential by localizing bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-derived keratinocytes on it was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. It was expected that fabricated hybrid construct could promote wound healing due to its structure, physical, biological specifications. The fabricated fibrous mats were characterized for their structural, mechanical and biochemical properties. The shape uniformity and pore size of fibers showed smooth and homogenous structures of them. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) verified all typical absorption characteristics of Ch-PVA + Silk polymers as well as Ch-PVA or pure PVA substrates. The contact angle and wettability measurement of fibers showed that mats found moderate hydrophilicity by addition of Ch and silk substrates compared with PVA alone. The mechanical features of Ch-PVA + Silk fibrous mat increase significantly through co-electrospun process as well as hybridization of these synthetic and natural polymers. Higher degrees of cellular attachment and proliferation obtained on Ch-PVA + Silk fibers compared with PVA and Ch-PVA fibers. In terms of the capability of Ch-PVA + Silk fibers and MSC-derived keratinocytes, histological analysis and skin regeneration results showed this novel fibrous construct could be suggested as a skin substitute in the repair of injured skin and regenerative medicine applications.
Identification of Rickettsia felis DNA in the blood of domestic cats and dogs in the USA
Authors: Hoque Md Monirul , Barua Subarna , Kelly Patrick John , Chenoweth Kelly , Kaltenboeck Bernhard , Wang Chengming
Published: November 2020

Background

The main vector and reservoir host ofRickettsia felis,an emerging human pathogen causing flea-borne spotted fever, is the cat fleaCtenocephalides felis. While cats have not been found to be infected with the organism, significant percentages of dogs from Australia and Africa are infected, indicating that they may be important mammalian reservoirs. The objective of this study was to determine the presence ofR. felisDNA in the blood of domestic dogs and cats in the USA.

Methods

Three previously validated PCR assays forR. felisand DNA sequencing were performed on blood samples obtained from clinically ill domestic cats and dogs from 45 states (2008–2020) in the USA. The blood samples had been submitted for the diagnosis of various tick-borne diseases in dogs and feline infectious peritonitis virus, feline immunodeficiency virus, andBartonellaspp. in cats. Phylogenetic comparisons were performed on thegltAnucleotide sequences obtained in the study and those reported forR. felisandR. felis-like organisms.

Results

Low copy numbers ofR. felisDNA (around 100 copies/ml whole blood) were found in four cats (4/752, 0.53%) and three dogs (3/777, 0.39%). The very low levels of infection in clinically ill animals is consistent withR. felisbeing an unlikely cause of disease in naturally infected dogs and cats. The low copy numbers we found emphasize the requirement for very sensitive PCRs in prevalence studies.

Conclusions

The low prevalence of naturally infected PCR-positive cats is further evidence that cats are unlikely to be important reservoirs ofR. felis. Similarly, the low prevalence in dogs suggests they are not important reservoirs in the USA. Investigations should continue into the role other mammalian species may be playing in the epidemiology ofR. felisinfections.

Graphical Abstract
Common and unique multimodal covarying patterns in autism spectrum disorder subtypes
Authors: Qi Shile , Morris Robin , Turner Jessica A. , Fu Zening , Jiang Rongtao , Deramus Thomas P. , Zhi Dongmei , Calhoun Vince D. , Sui Jing
Published: November 2020

Background

The heterogeneity inherent in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) presents a substantial challenge to diagnosis and precision treatment. Heterogeneity across biological etiologies, genetics, neural systems, neurocognitive attributes and clinical subtypes or phenotypes has been observed across individuals with ASD.

Methods

In this study, we aim to investigate the heterogeneity in ASD from a multimodal brain imaging perspective. The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) was used as a reference to guide functional and structural MRI fusion. DSM-IV-TR diagnosed Asperger’s disorder (n = 79), pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified [PDD-NOS] (n = 58) and Autistic disorder (n = 92) from ABIDE II were used as discovery cohort, and ABIDE I (n = 400) was used for replication.

Results

Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and superior/middle temporal cortex are the primary common functional–structural covarying cortical brain areas shared among Asperger’s, PDD-NOS and Autistic subgroups. Key differences among the three subtypes are negative functional features within subcortical brain areas, including negative putamen–parahippocampus fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) unique to the Asperger’s subtype; negative fALFF in anterior cingulate cortex unique to PDD-NOS subtype; and negative thalamus–amygdala–caudate fALFF unique to the Autistic subtype. Furthermore, each subtype-specific brain pattern is correlated with different ADOS subdomains, with social interaction as the common subdomain. The identified subtype-specific patterns are only predictive for ASD symptoms manifested in the corresponding subtypes, but not the other subtypes.

Conclusions

Although ASD has a common neural basis with core deficits linked to social interaction, each ASD subtype is strongly linked to unique brain systems and subdomain symptoms, which may help to better understand the underlying mechanisms of ASD heterogeneity from a multimodal neuroimaging perspective.

Limitations

This study is male based, which cannot be generalized to the female or the general ASD population.
No preference for direct versus averted gaze in autistic adults: a reinforced preferential looking paradigm
Authors: Clin Elise , Maes Pauline , Stercq Fanny , Kissine Mikhail
Published: November 2020

Background

With the overarching objective to gain better insights into social attention in autistic adults, the present study addresses three outstanding issues about face processing in autism. First, do autistic adults display a preference for mouths over eyes; second, do they avoid direct gaze; third, is atypical visual exploration of faces in autism mediated by gender, social anxiety or alexithymia?

Methods

We used a novel reinforced preferential looking paradigm with a group of autistic adults (n = 43, 23 women) pairwise matched on age with neurotypical participants (n = 43, 21 women). Participants watched 28 different pairs of 5 s video recordings of a speaking person: the two videos, simultaneously displayed on the screen, were identical except that gaze was directed at the camera in one video and averted in the other. After a 680 ms transition phase, a short reinforcement animation appeared on the side that had displayed the direct gaze.

Results

None of the groups showed a preference for mouths over eyes. However, neurotypical participants fixated significantly more the stimuli with direct gaze, while no such preference emerged in autistic participants. As the experiment progressed, neurotypical participants also increasingly anticipated the appearance of the reinforcement, based on the location of the stimulus with the direct gaze, while no such anticipation emerged in autistic participants.

Limitations

Our autistic participants scored higher on the social anxiety and alexithymia questionnaires than neurotypicals. Future studies should match neurotypical and autistic participants on social anxiety and alexithymia and complement questionnaires with physiological measures of anxiety.

Conclusions

The absence of preference for direct versus averted gaze in the autistic group is probably due to difficulties in distinguishing eye gaze direction, potentially linked to a reduced spontaneous exploration or avoidance of the eye region. Social attention and preference for direct versus averted gaze correlated with alexithymia and social anxiety scores, but not gender.
Assessment of acute and sub-chronic neurotoxicity of Morus alba L. fruits in rodents
Authors: Paul Arpita , Shakya Anshul , Zaman Md Kamaruz
Published: November 2020

Background

Morus alba L. fruits are consumed since long for their nutritional and medicinal values. Although there were studies on the neuroprotective activity of the fruit extract, safety profile of the fruit extract is not yet explored as per the recommended standard guidelines over the central nervous system (CNS). The present work was aimed to assess the neurotoxicity profile of chemically characterized extract of M. alba L. fruits (MA) using validated OECD guidelines, i.e., 425 and 424 in rodents.

Results

Neurobehavioural parameters were examined for motor, sensory and behavioural responses using actophotometer, hot plate and light and dark box test, respectively as per OECD 424. Interestingly, no sign of mortality and/or adversity on mice treated per-orally with MA (2000 mg/kg) was observed during the limit test as per OECD 425. Further, rats treated with MA (1000, 300 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) for 28 days, showed insignificant (p < 0.05) changes in body weight, food consumption, neurobehavioural responses, organ weights and biochemical, haematological and histopathological features when compared with vehicle-treated animals.

Conclusion

The outcome of findings suggests that MA is safe in acute oral as well as sub-chronic (28 days) administration in mice and rats respectively. MA (1000 mg/kg) did not pose any toxic sign and symptoms on neurobehavioural responses in rats even after 28 days repeated treatment in compliance with OECD 424.
Economics of the information society
Authors: Bashin Yuriy , Grinev Gennadiy , Dremova Yuliya
Published: November 2020

The textbook presents modern ideas about the development and formation of the economy of the information society. Scientific concepts of transformation of the modern post-industrial society into an information society based on information and communication technologies and knowledge are highlighted. The basic concepts of technological processes of the information society, as well as definitions and dynamics of development of information resources, products and services in the economy of the information society, and a number of other topical issues are presented. The structure of the manual helps to identify the main aspects of the studied socio-economic processes, organize and specify the educational process. Questions for self-control and tasks are offered to activate the assimilation of the material. Meets the requirements of the Federal state educational standards of higher education of the latest generation. It is intended for students of higher educational institutions studying in the field of training 38.03.05 "Business Informatics".
In search of a modern concept of US foreign policy of the late XIX-early XX century
Authors: Baybakova Larisa
Published: November 2020

The monograph of the Russian American historian is devoted to a number of conceptual problems of US foreign policy in the period of early globalization (late XIX-early XX century). The significance of the socio-economic factor is reinterpreted from the standpoint of modern theory and methodology; the role of the ideology used by the political elite to justify American expansion is traced. New interpretations of the causes and consequences of the Spanish-American war of 1898 are given: for the first time, the place of the "yellow" press in inciting anti-Spanish sentiment among ordinary Americans is shown in detail as one of the first manifestations of successful manipulation of public opinion; the level of combat capability of the American army, which achieved victory over a weaker enemy, but was unprepared to conduct an armed struggle for achieving geopolitical interests with leading European powers, is critically assessed. The archival material, first introduced into scientific circulation, traces the mediation activities of President Roosevelt As the first successful experience in the peaceful settlement of regional conflicts, and also shows the search by top officials for a new world order under the auspices of the United States, with an emphasis on the use of the principles of international arbitration. It is addressed to researchers, teachers, and students interested in the history of the United States.
Internal audit of estimated reserves and liabilities as a method for diagnosing corporate risks
Authors: Kazakova Nataliya
Published: November 2020

The monograph is devoted to the study of methods of diagnostics and control of corporate risks associated with the formation and use of estimated reserves and liabilities in commercial organizations. The research results are aimed at creating a corporate system for identifying and controlling corporate risks using estimated reserves and estimated liabilities. The methodological recommendations offered by the authors on verification of accrued expenses allow us to identify the risks of inefficient use of expenses, including fraudulent actions. The methodological tools are supplemented with empirical materials obtained during testing of the internal audit methodology in industrial organizations, audit companies, as well as when performing research work. It will be useful for researchers, researchers, teachers, applicants for scientific degrees, and can also be used in the system of additional professional education, advanced training, for self-development of management personnel of financial and economic services in business and government structures.
Mixed-Integer Convex Nonlinear Optimization with Gradient-Boosted Trees Embedded
Authors: Mistry Miten , Letsios Dimitrios , Krennrich Gerhard , Lee Robert M. , Misener Ruth
Published: November 2020

Decision trees usefully represent sparse, high-dimensional, and noisy data. Having learned a function from these data, we may want to thereafter integrate the function into a larger decision-making problem, for example, for picking the best chemical process catalyst. We study a large-scale, industrially relevant mixed-integer nonlinear nonconvex optimization problem involving both gradient-boosted trees and penalty functions mitigating risk. This mixed-integer optimization problem with convex penalty terms broadly applies to optimizing pretrained regression tree models. Decision makers may wish to optimize discrete models to repurpose legacy predictive models or they may wish to optimize a discrete model that accurately represents a data set. We develop several heuristic methods to find feasible solutions and an exact branch-and-bound algorithm leveraging structural properties of the gradient-boosted trees and penalty functions. We computationally test our methods on a concrete mixture design instance and a chemical catalysis industrial instance.
Display Optimization for Vertically Differentiated Locations Under Multinomial Logit Preferences
Authors: Aouad Ali , Segev Danny
Published: November 2020

We introduce a new optimization model, dubbed the display optimization problem, that captures a common aspect of choice behavior, known as the framing bias. In this setting, the objective is to optimize how distinct items (corresponding to products, web links, ads, etc.) are being displayed to a heterogeneous audience, whose choice preferences are influenced by the relative locations of items. Once items are assigned to vertically differentiated locations, customers consider a subset of the items displayed in the most favorable locations before picking an alternative through multinomial logit choice probabilities. The main contribution of this paper is to derive a polynomial-time approximation scheme for the display optimization problem. Our algorithm is based on an approximate dynamic programming formulation that exploits various structural properties to derive a compact state space representation of provably near-optimal item-to-position assignment decisions. As a byproduct, our results improve on existing constant-factor approximations for closely related models and apply to general distributions over consideration sets. We develop the notion of approximate assortments that may be of independent interest and applicable in additional revenue management settings. Lastly, we conduct extensive numerical studies to validate the proposed modeling approach and algorithm. Experiments on a public hotel booking data set demonstrate the superior predictive accuracy of our choice model vis-à-vis the multinomial logit choice model with location bias, proposed in earlier literature. In synthetic computational experiments, our approximation scheme dominates various benchmarks, including natural heuristics—greedy methods, local search, priority rules—and state-of-the-art algorithms developed for closely related models.

This paper was accepted by Yinyu Ye, optimization.
SEMIOTIC ANALYSIS IN INSTAGRAM LOGO
Authors: TANDI PAYUK EVA ERIVA
Published: November 2020

This article investigated about semiotic that found in instagram logo. This article used Instagram, because many people nowadays used Instagram to express theirselves.  The aim of this study is to find out the connotative and denotative meaning through the instagram. The researcher used John theory to reveal this study. In this research, the researcher applies the qualitative descriptive method. The method of collecting data is observation. The steps are choosing the logo that would be analyzed. The result is there are twelve data that has meaning from different logo on Instagram. They all have different functions based on the logo. The conclusion is Instagram as a social media app that allows users to share photos and videos, add captions, edit filters, engage with others, and explore the world by using this application.
Helden oder Staatsverräter? Zur sprachlichen Konstruktion vom Bild der ukrainischen Maidan-Aktivisten im deutschen, polnischen und russischen Mediendiskurs – eine kognitive Studie
Authors: Gaweł Agnieszka
Published: November 2020

Cognitive linguistics pays particular attention to the interrelations between language, subjective conceptualisations and intersubjective manifestations of knowledge, providing descriptive tools for the analysis of how the choice of linguistic means is determined by individual, as well as by culture-specific conceptual patterns. In this paper we analyse the linguistic construal of Ukrainian Maidan activists in six German, Polish and Russian daily newspapers. The analysis focuses on culture-specific differences between the linguistic strategies used in the Western and Middle European media discourse in the EU member states, as well as the Eastern European discourse in Russia. The research is based on two theoretical frameworks: cognitive ethnolinguistics and cognitive grammar.
Multimodales Erzählen in der Orchesterprobe
Authors: Messner Monika
Published: November 2020

The focus of attention in this contribution are narrative sequences in orchestra rehearsals realized by the conductor using different semiotic resources such as talk, gesture, facial expressions, gaze and body movement. Adopting a conversation analytic approach to a video-recorded orchestra rehearsal, the article aims to illustrate how narrative elements are implemented in the primarily instructive context of the rehearsal and which functions such narrations fulfil (i. e. joke, argumentation etc.). It will be demonstrated how storytelling is started, unfolded and brought to an end under sequential and multimodal conditions. The analysis also considers how the musicians react to the conductor’s narrations – through gaze, facial expressions and talk – and how they contribute as listeners to the production of narratives. The findings show that the conductor as the narrator and the musicians as his audience organize narrating in orchestra rehearsals in an interactive, multimodal and sequential way.
Zur temporalen Entfaltung und multimodalen Orchestrierung von konzeptuellen Räumen am Beispiel einer Erzählung
Authors: Ladewig Silva , Hotze Lena
Published: November 2020

The study presented in this article investigates the temporal unfolding and multimodal orchestration of meaning in a narration. Two aspects are focused on. First, the temporal and multimodal orchestration of conceptual spaces in the entire narrative is described. Five conceptual spaces were identified which were construed by multiple visual-kinesic modalities and speech. Moreover, the study showed that the conceptual spaces are often created simultaneously, which, however, does not lead to communication problems due to the media properties of the modalities involved (see also Schmitt 2005). The second part of the analysis zoomed in onto the phase of the narrative climax in which the multimodal production of the narrative space with role shift dominated. By applying a timeline-annotation procedure for gestures (Müller/Ladewig 2013) a temporally unfolding salience structure (Müller/Tag 2010) could be reconstructed which highlights certain semantic aspects in the creation and flow of multimodal meaning. Thus, specific information “necessary” to understand the climax of the narration was foregrounded and made prominent for a co-participant. By focusing methodically and theoretically on the temporal structure and the interplay of different modalities, the paper offers a further contribution to the current discussion about temporality, dynamics and multimodality of language (Deppermann/Günthner 2015; Müller 2008b).