bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of low-level laser therapy combined with exercise for subacromial impingement syndrome: A randomised controlled trial
Authors: Alfredo Patrícia Pereira , Bjordal Jan Magnus , Junior Washington Steagall , Marques Amélia Pasqual , Casarotto Raquel Aparecida
Published: December 2020

Objective:

To investigate the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) combined with exercise on shoulder pain and disability in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS).

Design:

Randomised controlled trial.

Setting:

Pontifical Catholic University.

Subjects:

We enrolled 120 subacromial impingement syndrome patients

Intervention:

Groups I ( n = 42), II ( n = 42) and III ( n = 36) were treated with Low-level laser therapy and exercise, exercise only and Low-level laser therapy only, respectively. Interventions were conducted three times a week for 8 weeks.

Main outcome measures:

The primary outcome was the change in shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI). Secondary outcomes included changes in the numeric pain rating scale and medication intake.

Results:

Average ages of patients in groups I, II and III were 51.9 ± 8.7 years, 56.0 ± 10.4 years and 54.2 ± 7.1 years, respectively. Pain scores at baseline ( P = 0.829), 2 months ( P = 0.057) and 3 months follow-ups ( p = 0.004) were 6.8 (4.7–7.7), 0.2 (0.0–0.5) and 0.3 (0.0–1.0) for group I; 6.6 (5.7–8.0), 0.5 (0.2–2.0) and 0.2 (0.0–3.3) for group II; and 6.5 (5.1–7.4), 2.4 (0.1–6.7) and 4.0 (2.0–5.0) for group III, respectively. SPADI scores at baseline ( P = 0.029), 2 months ( P < 0.001) and 3 months follow-ups ( P = 0.001) were 60.8 (37.7–70.8), 3.8 (0.0–10.8) and 2.3 (0.8–10.8) for group I; 61.5 (41.5–71.5), 9.2 (3.8–29.2) and 14.2 (1.5–38.0) for the group II; and 73.3 (59.2–80.8), 34.2 (16.9–54.6) and 33.1 (22.3–49.2) for the group III, respectively.

Conclusion:

Low-level laser therapy combined with exercises reduce pain intensity, improve shoulder function and reduces pain intensity and medication intake over 3 months.

Clinical Trial Registration number:

NCT 02725749
Identifying Human Mobility Patterns in the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Area using Call Detail Records
Authors: Barboza Matheus H. C. , Alencar Ricardo de S. , Chaves Julio C. , Silva Moacyr A. H. B. , Orrico Romulo D. , Evsukoff Alexandre G.
Published: December 2020

This paper presents the utilization of mobile phone data for transport models, with spatial modeling of the study region in geographical units that allows the integration of aggregated call detail records (CDR) with demographic data and other sources. The algorithm used for the estimation of the origin–destination matrices obtained a distribution of the number of trips compatible with those of a household survey conducted in 2013. With the use of a one-year dataset, two mobility patterns were identified in Rio de Janeiro: home–work and weekend trips. Changes in mobility patterns because of an important road modification were also detected, demonstrating that the use of CDR for urban planning and monitoring is a robust and low-cost option.
Charismatic leadership: a group-analytic perspective
Authors: Behr Harold
Published: December 2020

This article investigates the concepts of charisma and charismatic leadership in psychotherapeutic, religious and political settings. The author explores the associations of charisma with power and emotional arousal and differentiates between charismatic leadership exercised with benign and harmful intent. Personal narratives of charismatic figures are drawn on to illustrate the psychological underpinnings of charisma as well as the social climate in which charismatic leadership flourishes. The author argues that charismatic leaders make use of techniques such as dramatization, paradox and the simultaneous instillation of hope and fear in order to foster bonds of dependence. The therapeutic and counter-therapeutic implications of these techniques are examined.
On Transversal Solidarity: An Approach to Migration and Multi-Scalar Solidarities
Authors: García Agustín Óscar , Jørgensen Martin Bak
Published: December 2020

This article develops a conceptualisation of transversal solidarity in relation to migration and migrants. It reflects different ways of practicing, organising and articulating solidarity. We proceed through a conceptualisation of solidarity in terms of ‘transversal solidarity’ relating to three dimensions involved in solidarity practices from below and discuss how to bridge their respective dichotomies: identity and the related in-group and out-group dichotomy; space, in terms of the separation of the local from the national and international; organisation, related to the incompatibility of the social and the institutional. We link this conceptualisation to a typology of solidarity working on three different scales (autonomous solidarity, civic solidarity and institutional solidarity), which reflects these dynamics of solidarity as well as the degree of institutionalisation. We use different examples to illustrate various types of transversal solidarity.
The early story: A brief history of the creation of entrepreneurship at Babson College and the discovery of innovation’s missing imperative
Authors: Ronstadt Robert , Shuman Jeffrey , Vesper Karl
Published: December 2020

The authors document in detail how the entrepreneurship program was created at Babson College in the 1970s. They recount the early history of Babson’s program because the school was one of the first, if not the first, to make a huge institutional commitment that led to entrepreneurship becoming a core part of its academic programs. At the time, other schools had an entrepreneurship course or two, but Babson’s commitment involved the creation of an undergraduate major, an MBA concentration, an annual research conference, a Distinguished Academy of Entrepreneurs, an Entrepreneurship Chair, and numerous outreach programs. These efforts influenced other universities to increase their entrepreneurship offerings to the extent that a new academic discipline—entrepreneurship studies—was born. A second reason for this article is the belief by those directly involved in the creation of Babson’s program that the complete story has not been told and is in danger of being misunderstood. Like most innovations, the creation of Babson’s entrepreneurship program was not a neat and tidy affair, but one more consistent with the turbulent notions put forth by Joseph Schumpeter and Clayton Christenson. Understanding Babson’s early history with entrepreneurship can help others pursuing or facilitating their own academic innovations.
Effect of laser rescanning on Ti6Al4V microstructure during selective laser melting
Authors: Duan Weipeng , Wu Meiping , Han Jitai
Published: December 2020

TC4, which is one of the most widely used titanium alloy, is frequently used in biomedical field due to its biocompatible. In this work, selective laser melting (SLM) was used to manufacture TC4 parts and the printed parts were heat-treated using laser rescanning technology. The experimental results showed that laser rescanning had a high impact on the quality of SLMed part, and a different performance on wear resistance can be found on the basis. It can be seen that the volume porosity of the sample was 7.6 ± 0.5% without using any further processing technology. The volume porosity of the sample processed using laser rescanning strategy was decreased and the square-framed rescanning strategy had a relative optimal volume porosity (1.5 ± 0.3%) in all these five samples. With the further decreasing of volume porosity, the wear resistance decreased at the same time. As its excellent bio-tribological properties, the square-framed rescanning may be a potential suitable strategy to forming TC4 which used in human body.
Upstream wind tunnel model mounting: The forgotten method for road vehicle aerodynamics
Authors: Rejniak Aleksandra Anna , Gatto Alvin
Published: December 2020

A new method for supporting ground vehicle wind tunnel models is proposed. The technique employs a centrally mounted sting connecting the front face of the vehicle, adjacent to the floor, to a fixed point further upstream. Experiments were conducted on a 1/24th-scale model, representative of a Heavy Goods Vehicle, at a width-based Reynolds number of 2.3 × 105, with detailed comparisons made to more established support methodologies. Changes to mean drag coefficients, base pressures and wake velocities are all evaluated and assessed from both time-independent and time-dependent perspectives, with a particular focus within the wake region. Results show subtle changes in drag coefficient, together with discrete modifications to the flow-field, dependent on the method adopted. Subtle differences in base pressures and wake formation are also identified, with mounting the model upstream found to demonstrate retention of many of the beneficial effects of other techniques without suffering their deficiencies. Overall, these results identify the upstream mounting methodology as a viable alternative to currently available and more well-established techniques used to facilitate wind tunnel aerodynamic interrogation.
Relational ethics and epistemology: The case for complementary first principles in psychology
Authors: Hopner Veronica , Liu James H.
Published: December 2020

In psychology, where a natural science epistemology holds sway, relationships between the researcher and the researched are usually hierarchical and transactional, bound in procedural and legal ethics. This limited view of ethics fails to account for issues of power and privilege, as well as inequalities in economic and sociocultural structures. We argue for a more complete philosophy of science (and practice) consisting of complementary first principles—relational ethics and epistemology. Valuing relational ethics as a first principle means that how knowledge is produced and acted on is complementary in importance with what knowledge is produced. Collaborative relationships grounded in sincerity, reciprocity, and shared purpose become the basis for how psychological knowledge is produced, disseminated, and acted upon. We present two case studies to show how taking action in an ethical manner through relationships formed in the process of doing psychology deepens our conception and practice of psychology as human science.
Brain network reorganisation and spatial lesion distribution in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Valdés Hernández Maria del C , Smith Keith , Bastin Mark E , Nicole Amft E. , Ralston Stuart H , Wardlaw Joanna M , Wiseman Stewart J
Published: December 2020

Objective

This work investigates network organisation of brain structural connectivity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) relative to healthy controls and its putative association with lesion distribution and disease indicators.

Methods

White matter hyperintensity (WMH) segmentation and connectomics were performed in 47 patients with SLE and 47 healthy age-matched controls from structural and diffusion MRI data. Network nodes were divided into hierarchical tiers based on numbers of connections. Results were compared between patients and controls to assess for differences in brain network organisation. Voxel-based analyses of the spatial distribution of WMH in relation to network measures and SLE disease indicators were conducted.

Results

Despite inter-individual differences in brain network organization observed across the study sample, the connectome networks of SLE patients had larger proportion of connections in the peripheral nodes. SLE patients had statistically larger numbers of links in their networks with generally larger fractional anisotropy weights (i.e. a measure of white matter integrity) and less tendency to aggregate than those of healthy controls. The voxels exhibiting connectomic differences were coincident with WMH clusters, particularly the left hemisphere’s intersection between the anterior limb of the internal and external capsules. Moreover, these voxels also associated more strongly with disease indicators.

Conclusion

Our results indicate network differences reflective of compensatory reorganization of the neural circuits, reflecting adaptive or extended neuroplasticity in SLE.
Low prevalence of bone mineral density testing in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and glucocorticoid exposure
Authors: Boone JB , Wheless Lee , Camai Alex , Tanner S Bobo , Barnado April
Published: December 2020

Summary

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have an increased risk of developing osteoporosis and fractures due to systemic inflammation and glucocorticoids (GCs). Professional organizations recommend bone mineral density (BMD) testing in SLE patients on GCs, especially within 6 months of initiation. Using a validated algorithm, we identified SLE patients in an electronic health record cohort with long-term GC exposure (≥90 days). Our primary outcome was ever BMD testing. We assessed the impact of patient and provider factors on testing. We identified 693 SLE cases with long-term GC exposure, 41% of whom had BMD testing performed. Only 18% of patients had BMD testing within 6 months of GC initiation. In a logistic regression model for BMD testing, male sex (OR = 0.49, 95% CI 0.27 – 0.87, p = 0.01) was associated with being less likely to have BMD testing after adjusting for race and ethnicity. In contrast, older age (OR = 1.04, p < 0.001) and nephritis (OR = 1.83, p = 0.003) were associated with being more likely to have BMD testing after adjusting for race and ethnicity. Bone health in SLE patients remains an area in need of improvement with attention to patients who are younger and male.
Adopting a Core Competency Approach to Model Succession-planning Management: A Case Study of Iranian National Gas Company
Authors: Bazneshini Samaneh Salimi , Golafshani Sayed Ahmad Hosseini , Rahmanseresht Hossein , Rabiei Mahnaz
Published: December 2020

This study aimed to present a succession-planning management model with a core competency approach in the Iranian National Gas Company. For this purpose, qualitative and quantitative (mixed) methods were employed. The research population of the qualitative phase included 11 experts of the Iranian National Gas Company and 5 university professors, all selected by the purposeful sampling method. The data collection instrument was a semi-structured interview, and content analysis was exploited for data analysis. In the quantitative phase, the statistical population comprised the headquarter managers of the Iranian National Gas Company, and the census method was employed. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire analysed by the confirmatory factor analysis in the SPSS and PLS software. The findings reveal that the dimensions of the contextual factors, competency, design, implementation and evaluation contribute to the development of the succession-planning concept. The designed model possesses 5 dimensions, 9 components and 24 indices.
Frontline Employees’ Display of Fake Smiles and Angry Faces: When and Why They Influence Service Performance
Authors: Lechner Andreas T. , Mathmann Frank , Paul Michael
Published: December 2020

Service firms invest much to ensure authentic and positive emotion displays from frontline employees. And yet, inauthentic positive displays (fake smiles) remain common, and at times, employees even show authentic negative displays (e.g., anger), thereby compromising service performance. Customer reactions to such unwanted emotion displays are heterogeneous, so managers need to know when possible negative effects on service performance are more or less strong. The literature on customer reactions to inauthentic displays is inconclusive and focuses on the moment of service delivery. We shine light on how predelivery choice confidence shapes customer reactions to inauthentic positive displays and demonstrate that customers’ high confidence in their service provider choice mitigates the negative effects of display inauthenticity. We present evidence in terms of tipping in a field study and replicate this interaction effect in three experiments. A serial mediation by cognitive dissonance and decision regret explains the conditional effect of inauthenticity. We also contrast inauthentic positive displays with authentic negative displays. The latter yield the worst service performance, unmitigated by choice confidence. We provide recommendations on how to ensure authentic positive displays (e.g., recruitment, resources, and rewards), taking into account circumstances that affect choice confidence and market shocks (e.g., the COVID-19 pandemic).
Exploring ethno-racial policy for the Garinagu in Central America: making the case for Black Indigeneity
Authors: Means Sheryl Felecia
Published: December 2020

Across the Central American region, several groups received political autonomy by the end of the 20th century. By granting autonomy to these groups, countries like Nicaragua acknowledged certain populations as members of distinct ethnic groups. This was not the case for every country or group in the region, and the lack of effective ethno-racial policy-making considerations across Central America has led to language attrition, loss of land and water rights, and commodification of historic communities. This article focuses on Honduras and Belize as unique sites of ethno-racial and socio-cultural policy making, group identity making and unmaking, and group rights for the Garinagu. Specifically, this work forwards a re-examination of national ethno-racial policy and a critical assessment of political models based on ethno-cultural collective rights intended to combat racial discrimination.
Lethal Arrhythmia (Torsade de Pointes) in COVID-19: An Event Synergistically Induced by Viral Associated Cardiac Injury, Hyperinflammatory Response, and Treatment Drug?
Authors: Yasmin Kusumawardhani Nuraini , Huang Ian , Martanto Erwan , Sihite Teddy Arnold , Nugraha Eka Surya , Prodjosoewojo Susantina , Hamijoyo Laniyati , Hartantri Yovita
Published: December 2020

Arrhythmias in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are prevalent and deserve special attention because they are associated with an increased risk of fatal outcome. The mechanism of arrhythmia in COVID-19 remains unclear. Here, we report our first case of confirmed COVID-19 with documented Torsade de Pointes (TdP). A 64-year-old woman, previously healthy, presented to our emergency department with progressive shortness of breath, dry cough, and 1 week of fever. She was treated with chloroquine phosphate, meropenem, and ciprofloxacin. After 5 days of admission, her condition deteriorated and she was admitted to the intensive care unit. The patient had two episodes of malignant arrhythmias within 24 hours. The former was TdP, and the latter was a fatal pulseless ventricular tachycardia that occured even after chloroquine was discontinued. There was evidence of cardiac injury shown by increased serum level of troponin I. We propose a synergistic concept of lethal arrhythmia due to direct severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2-associated cardiac injury, hyperinflammatory response, and drug-induced arrhythmia.
Temporal profile of serum neurofilament light in multiple sclerosis: Implications for patient monitoring
Authors: Calabresi Peter A , Arnold Douglas L , Sangurdekar Dipen , Singh Carol M , Altincatal Arman , de Moor Carl , Engle Bob , Goyal Jaya , Deykin Aaron , Szak Suzanne , Kieseier Bernd C , Rudick Richard A , Plavina Tatiana
Published: December 2020

Objective:

To understand how longitudinal serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) patterns can inform its use as a prognostic biomarker in multiple sclerosis (MS) and evaluate whether sNfL reflects MS disease activity and disease-modifying therapy usage.

Methods:

This was a post hoc analysis of longitudinal data and samples from the ADVANCE trial (NCT00906399) of patients with relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS). sNfL was measured every 3 months for 2 years, then every 6 months for 4 years. Regression models explored how sNfL data predicted 4-year values of brain volume, expanded disability status scale score, and T2 lesions. sNfL levels were assessed in those receiving placebo, peginterferon beta-1a, and those with disease activity.

Results:

Baseline sNfL was a predictor of 4-year brain atrophy and development of new T2 lesions. Clinical ( p = 0.02) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) ( p < 0.01) outcomes improved in those receiving peginterferon beta-1a whose sNfL decreased to <16 pg/mL after 12 months versus those whose sNfL remained ⩾16 pg/mL. Mean sNfL levels decreased in peginterferon beta-1a-treated patients and increased in placebo-treated patients (–9.5% vs. 6.8%; p < 0.01). sNfL was higher and more variable in patients with evidence of active MS.

Conclusion:

These data support sNfL as a prognostic and disease-monitoring biomarker for RRMS.
Depression in multiple sclerosis across the adult lifespan
Authors: Chan Carol K , Tian Fan , Pimentel Maldonado Daniela , Mowry Ellen M , Fitzgerald Kathryn C
Published: December 2020

Objectives:

The objective of this study is to examine the burden of depressive symptoms across the adult age span in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and test if the relationship between depressive symptoms and MS characteristics vary across age groups.

Methods:

In analyses of the MS Partners Advancing Technology and Health Solutions (MS PATHS) network of adults with MS, we compared the prevalence of depression in MS PATHS with non-MS controls across age and evaluated for effect modification by age in the association between depressive symptoms and clinical and neuroperformance measures via multivariable-adjusted regression models.

Results:

In total, 13,821 individuals with MS were included. The prevalence of depression was higher in MS versus non-MS controls, but was similar between men/women across age. The association between depression and processing speed (PST; p for interaction = 0.009) or walking speed ( p for interaction = 0.04) varied by age. For example, younger depressed individuals had 0.45 standard deviation (SD) (95% confidence interval (CI) = −0.62, −0.29) worse PST Z-scores versus non-depressed younger participants, whereas older depressed individuals had 0.20 SD (95% CI = −0.32, −0.08) worse PST Z-scores versus non-depressed older participants.

Conclusion:

Depressive symptoms and age should be considered when interpreting measures of walking speed and cognitive function; these findings may have implications for analyses of neuroperformance change.
Coupling resonance mechanism of interfacial stratification of sandwich plate structures excited by SH waves
Authors: Guo Feng , Wu Jiu Hui
Published: December 2020

For interfacial stratification mechanism of sandwich plate structures, the forced propagation solution of interface shear stress excited by SH waves is derived by global matrix methods and integral transformation methods. The necessary condition of interfacial shear delamination excited by alternating stress is analyzed with the interface fatigue failure theory. The exact value of forced propagation solution is calculated by adaptive Gauss–Kronrod quadrature numerical integration methods, which is verified via finite element methods. The coupling resonance mechanism of interface shear stratification is revealed by the forced vibration solution and the mass-spring model. The effects of excitation frequency, structural parameters, accretion, and matrix materials on the interfacial shear delamination are analyzed and discussed by practical cases of vibration de-accretion. For interface shear stratification of sandwich structures, the optimal excitation frequency as well as substrate thickness and accretion thickness is the value at coupling resonance, around which the interfacial shear stratification interval is formed by the interface fatigue failure criteria. In the stratification or/and antistratification design excited by vibrations, the excitation source and structure could be optimized by the method. Therefore, the results have important theoretical value for the extension and application of vibration stratification or/and antistratification technology.
A copula-based approach to joint modelling of multiple longitudinal responses with multimodal structures
Authors: Mahdiyeh Zahra , Kazemi Iraj , Verbeke Geert
Published: December 2020

This article introduces a flexible modelling strategy to extend the familiar mixed-effects models for analysing longitudinal responses in the multivariate setting. By initiating a flexible multivariate multimodal distribution, this strategy relaxes the imposed normality assumption of related random-effects. We use copulas to construct a multimodal form of elliptical distributions. It can deal with the multimodality of responses and the non-linearity of dependence structure. Moreover, the proposed model can flexibly accommodate clustered subject-effects for multiple longitudinal measurements. It is much useful when several subpopulations exist but cannot be directly identifiable. Since the implied marginal distribution is not in the closed form, to approximate the associated likelihood functions, we suggest a computational methodology based on the Gauss–Hermite quadrature that consequently enables us to implement standard optimization techniques. We conduct a simulation study to highlight the main properties of the theoretical part and make a comparison with regular mixture distributions. Results confirm that the new strategy deserves to receive attention in practice. We illustrate the usefulness of our model by the analysis of a real-life dataset taken from a low back pain study.
Cardiovascular outcomes and LDL-cholesterol levels in EMPA-REG OUTCOME®
Authors: Langslet Gisle , Zinman Bernard , Wanner Christoph , Hantel Stefan , Espadero Rosa-Maria , Fitchett David , Johansen Odd Erik
Published: December 2020

Objective:

It is well established that higher low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol levels are associated with increased cardiovascular risk. We analyzed whether effects of empagliflozin on cardiovascular outcomes varied by different LDL-cholesterol levels at baseline in EMPA-REG OUTCOME.

Methods:

Participants with type 2 diabetes and high cardiovascular risk received empagliflozin (10/25 mg) or placebo in addition to standard of care. We investigated the time to first 3P-MACE, cardiovascular death, hospitalization for heart failure (HHF) and all-cause mortality for empagliflozin versus placebo between baseline LDL-cholesterol categories <1.8, 1.8–<2.2, 2.2– <2.6, 2.6–3.0, and > 3.0 mmol/L, by a Cox regression including the interaction of baseline LDL-cholesterol category and treatment.

Results:

Of the 7020 participants randomized and treated, 81.0% received lipid lowering therapy (77.0% statins). Mean ± SD LDL-cholesterol was 2.2 ± 0.9 mmol/L, and 38%/18%, had LDL-cholesterol <1.8/>3.0 mmol/L. Age, BMI, and HbA1c levels were balanced between the LDL-cholesterol subgroups, but those in the lowest versus highest group, had more coronary artery disease (83.0% vs 59.9%) and statin treatment (88.2% vs 50.9%). Empagliflozin consistently reduced all outcomes across LDL-cholesterol categories (all interaction p-values > 0.05).

Conclusion:

The beneficial cardiovascular effects of empagliflozin was consistent across higher and lower LDL-cholesterol levels at baseline.
Effect of the viscosity of polyvinyl chloride resin and weaving structures of polyester fabric on the off-axis mechanical properties of PVC coated fabric
Authors: Eun Jong Hyun , Kim Min Seong , Sung Sun Min , Choi Bo Kyoung , Jang In Uk , Kim DoHyun , Lee Joon Seok
Published: December 2020

PVC coated fabric is a useful structural material mainly used as a roof material because of its lightweight, flexibility. However, the main issues of this PVC coated fabric product is that it is damaged such as tensile failure, peel, and tear when exposed to extreme environments such as strong rain and wind owing to its inferior mechanical properties. Various studies have been reported to improve the mechanical properties of PVC coated fabric, there have been no significant improvement. Therefore, in this study, to improve the mechanical properties of the PVC coated fabrics, applied the low viscosity PVC resin and 4 [Formula: see text] 4 matt weave structure polyester fabric. In addition, the mechanical properties of PVC coated fabrics with various viscosity PVC resins (D10, D8, D5, D2 and D0) were investigated and the mechanical properties of PVC coated fabrics with various weaving structure such as plain weave structure (1 [Formula: see text] 1), matt weave structure (2 [Formula: see text] 2, 3[Formula: see text] 3, and 4 [Formula: see text] 4) were studied. The PVC coated fabric fabricated by low viscosity PVC resin (D10), the tensile strength, tear load, and peel strength improved about 3%, 11%, and 29% compared to the PVC coated fabric fabricated by high viscosity PVC resin (D0). The mechanical properties of the PVC coated fabric fabricated by 4 × 4 matt weave structure polyester fabric was superior to the 1 × 1 plain weave structure polyester fabric and 2 × 2, 3 × 3 matt weave structure polyester fabrics because of the low crimp rate and low intersection point of the warp yarn and weft yarn of the fabric.
Identification of 9-Gene Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition Related Signature of Osteosarcoma by Integrating Multi Cohorts
Authors: Yiqi Zhang , Ziyun Liu , Qin Fu , Xingli Wang , Liyu Yang
Published: December 2020

Background:

The prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma is still poor due to the lack of effective prognostic markers. The EMT (epithelial–mesenchymal transition) serves as a promoter in the progression of osteosarcoma. This study systematically analyzed EMT-related genes to explore new markers for predicting the prognosis of osteosarcoma.

Methods:

RNA-Seq data and clinical information were obtained from the GEO database; GSVA and GSEA analysis were used to enrich pathways related to osteosarcoma progression; LASSO method analysis was used to construct the prognosis risk signature. The “Nomogram” package generated the risk prediction nomogram, and its clinical applicability was evaluated by decision curve analysis (DCA).

Results:

GSVA and GSEA analysis showed that the EMT signaling pathway was closely related to osteosarcoma progression. A 9-genes signature (LAMA3, LGALS1, SGCG, VEGFA, WNT5A, MATN3, ANPEP, FUCA1, and FLNA) was constructed. The overall survival (OS) of the high-risk scores group was significantly lower than the low-risk scores group. The 9-gene signature demonstrated good predictive accuracy. Cox regression analysis showed that the 9-gene signature provided independent prognostic factors for osteosarcoma patients. In addition, the predictive nomogram model could effectively predict the prognosis of osteosarcoma patients.

Conclusion:

This study constructed a 9-gene signature as a new prognostic marker to predict osteosarcoma patients’ survival.
Nanotargeting of Drug(s) for Delaying Dementia: Relevance of Covid-19 Impact on Dementia
Authors: D’Arrigo Joseph S.
Published: December 2020

By incorporating appropriate drug(s) into lipid (biobased) nanocarriers, one obtains a combination therapeutic for dementia treatment that targets certain cell-surface scavenger receptors (mainly class B type I, or “SR-BI”) and thereby crosses the blood-brain barrier. The cardiovascular risk factors for dementia trigger widespread inflammation -- which lead to neurodegeneration, gradual cognitive/memory decline, and eventually (late-onset) dementia. Accordingly, one useful strategy to delay dementia could be based upon nanotargeting drug(s), using lipid nanocarriers, toward a major receptor class responsible for inflammation-associated (cytokine-mediated) cell signaling events. At the same time, the immune response and excessive inflammation, commonly observed in the very recent human coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, may accelerate the progression of brain inflammatory neurodegeneration—which increases the probability of post-infection memory impairment and accelerating progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Hence, the proposed multitasking combination therapeutic, using a (biobased) lipid nanocarrier, may also display greater effectiveness at different stages of dementia.
Functional intrinsic optical signal imaging for objective optoretinography of human photoreceptors
Authors: Son Taeyoon , Kim Tae-Hoon , Ma Guangying , Kim Hoonsup , Yao Xincheng
Published: December 2020

Functional mapping of photoreceptor physiology is important for better disease diagnosis and treatment assessment. Fast intrinsic optical signal (IOS), which arises before light-evoked pupillary response, promises a unique biomarker of photoreceptor physiology for objective optoretinography with high resolution. This study is to test the feasibility of non-mydriatic IOS mapping of retinal photoreceptors in awake human. Depth-resolved optical coherence tomography verified outer segment (OS) as the anatomic origin of fast photoreceptor-IOS. Dynamic IOS changes are primarily confined at OS boundaries connected with inner segment and retinal pigment epithelium, supporting transient OS shrinkage due to phototransduction process as the mechanism of the fast photoreceptor-IOS response.
Mind the Gap: SUDEP in the United States
Authors: Velez-Ruiz Naymee J.
Published: December 2020

[Box: see text]
The Privilege of Social Distancing
Authors: Higuera Kimberly
Published: December 2020

In the global pandemic, there is a group of people who are not socially distancing: the precariously employed, the workers who live paycheck to paycheck and lack the flexibility to stay home. In this article, readers are encouraged to consider the many social factors that can impede people from staying home.
The Consequences of COVID-19 Fear
Authors: Fitzpatrick Kevin M. , Harris Casey , Drawve Grant
Published: December 2020

Members of socially marginalized communities have always suffered the most acute effects of natural disasters, and they have also been the slowest to recover. Thus, it is not surprising that the COVID-19 pandemic appears to be following a similar trajectory. This article details race disparities, social status and place, and their independent and combined effects on Americans' social and emotional health as COVID-19 infection rates began to accelerate across the country.
State Policies Decrease Movement During COVID-19
Authors: Hussain A H M Belayeth
Published: December 2020

“Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, ‘social distancing’ and ‘stay-at-home’ have become two of the most pushed recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) and governments across countries. This paper presents exploratory graphs and analyses to show the relationships among the governments' initiatives during the coronavirus pandemic and people’s responses to keep them staying at home.”
Latina Physicians as “Essential” Workers
Authors: Flores Glenda M.
Published: December 2020

Sociologists use the term "cultural brokers" to describe how intermediaries can ease social interactions. Despite small numbers, Latina/o doctors may be particularly important for understanding the spread of COVID-19 in Southern California. While cultural competency is critical to working with marginalized communities, it is often undervalued.
Bat Meat and Chinese Identity
Authors: Patgiri Rituparna
Published: December 2020

“Consumption of bat meat has been at the center of COVID-19 discussions. However, it is not the first time that the eating of bat meat has been debated as it has also been linked to other diseases like SARS, MERS, and Ebola. However, COVID-19 has once again put bat meat under the radar of suspicion and reignited the debate of whether or not it is fit for consumption.”
Prison Labor in a Pandemic
Authors: Ellis Rachel
Published: December 2020

Facing the spread of coronavirus, the rapidly rising demand for hand sanitizer led to a short supply. In New York, Governor Cuomo's solution was to contract the Division of Correctional Industries. The profiting off of forced labor on the backs of incarcerated men and women is explained further in this policy brief.
Collecting COVID-19: Documenting the CDC Response
Authors: Rodriguez Heather E.
Published: December 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally altered perceptions of the role of public health in our lives. In the U.S., the activities of federal and state public health agencies have dominated national conversations. Whether discussing testing, debating the use of cloth face coverings in public, or examining the work done to alleviate disease burden among minority communities, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sits at the center of these debates.

In March 2020, the David J. Sencer CDC Museum assembled a team of archivists and curators to collect material to document CDC’s response. Since the beginning of the pandemic, CDC’s response has been entangled in the political and social aspects of the pandemic. To reflect this, the CDC Museums’ COVID-19 Collection Project team has addressed which artifacts would be considered, opening the collection to include materials that reflect the dynamic social environment in which CDC operates.
Framing a Consent Form to Improve Consent Understanding and Determine How This Affects Willingness to Participate in HIV Cure Research: An Experimental Survey Study
Authors: Sauceda John A. , Dubé Karine , Brown Brandon , Pérez Ashley E. , Rivas Catherine E. , Evans David , Fisher Celia B.
Published: December 2020

HIV cure research carries serious risks and negligible benefits. We investigated how participants understand these risks and what influences their willingness to participate. Through internet-based and in-person convenience sampling, 86 HIV+ participants completed an experimental survey. Participants were randomized to read a standard consent form describing a hypothetical HIV cure study or one adapted using Fuzzy Trace Theory—a decision-making model to facilitate complex information processing. We measured consent understanding and cognitive (e.g., safe/harmful) and affective (e.g., concerning, satisfying) evaluations of HIV cure research. Participants who read the adapted consent form had improved consent understanding, but only positive affective evaluations were associated with a willingness to participate. Consent processes can use decision-making theories to facilitate comprehension of study information.
Economics and Epicycles
Authors: Kanazawa Satoshi
Published: December 2020

I aver that standard economics as a model of human behavior is as incorrect in 2017 (after Thaler) as geocentrism was as a model of celestial behavior in 1617 (after Galileo). Behavioral economic studies that have exposed the paradoxes and anomalies in standard economics are akin to epicycles on geocentrism. Just as no amount of epicycles could salvage geocentrism as a model of celestial behavior because it was fundamentally incorrect, no amount of behavioral economic adjustments could salvage standard economics as a model of human behavior because it is fundamentally incorrect. Many of the cognitive biases exhibited by humans are shared by other species, so not only are human actors Humans (as opposed to Econs), but nonhuman animals as phylogenetically distant from humans as ants and locusts are also Humans. Evolutionary biology as a model of human behavior can explain many of the hitherto unexplained cognitive biases and provide a unifying model of human behavior currently lacking in behavioral economics.
Synthesis, characterization, crystal structures, and the biological evaluation of 2-phenylthiazole derivatives as cholinesterase inhibitors
Authors: Shi Da-Hua , Song Meng-qiu , Ma Xiao-Dong , Su Jia-Bin , Wang Jing , Wang Xiu-Jun , Liu Yu-Wei , Liu Wei-Wei , Si Xin-Xin
Published: December 2020

Four 2-phenylthiazole derivatives are synthesized, characterized, and evaluated as cholinesterase inhibitors. The structures of the 2-phenylthiazole derivatives are confirmed by 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies, and Hirshfeld surfaces analysis. Hirshfeld surface analysis of the prepared compounds showed C–H···O intermolecular interactions. The cholinesterase inhibition activities of the synthesized compounds are tested by Ellman’s method. [2-(4-Benzyloxyphenyl)-thiazol-4-yl]-(3,5-dimethylpiperidin-1-yl)-methanone showed the best acetylcholinesterase inhibition activity with an IC50 value of 8.86 µM and the best butyrylcholinesterase inhibition activity with an IC50 value of 1.03 µM. A docking study demonstrates that the same compound interacts with the catalytic anionic site and peripheral anionic site of acetylcholinesterase and the catalytic anionic site of butyrylcholinesterase.
An augmented Lagrangian method for solving total variation (TV)-based image registration model
Authors: Chumchob Noppadol , Chen Ke
Published: December 2020

Variational methods for image registration basically involve a regularizer to ensure that the resulting well-posed problem admits a solution. Different choices of regularizers lead to different deformations. On one hand, the conventional regularizers, such as the elastic, diffusion and curvature regularizers, are able to generate globally smooth deformations and generally useful for many applications. On the other hand, these regularizers become poor in some applications where discontinuities or steep gradients in the deformations are required. As is well-known, the total (TV) variation regularizer is more appropriate to preserve discontinuities of the deformations. However, it is difficult in developing an efficient numerical method to ensure that numerical solutions satisfy this requirement because of the non-differentiability and non-linearity of the TV regularizer. In this work we focus on computational challenges arising in approximately solving TV-based image registration model. Motivated by many efficient numerical algorithms in image restoration, we propose to use augmented Lagrangian method (ALM). At each iteration, the computation of our ALM requires to solve two subproblems. On one hand for the first subproblem, it is impossible to obtain exact solution. On the other hand for the second subproblem, it has a closed-form solution. To this end, we propose an efficient nonlinear multigrid (NMG) method to obtain an approximate solution to the first subproblem. Numerical results on real medical images not only confirm that our proposed ALM is more computationally efficient than some existing methods, but also that the proposed ALM delivers the accurate registration results with the desired property of the constructed deformations in a reasonable number of iterations.
Peripheral neuropathy
Authors: de Gouveia Melissa
Published: December 2020

In general practice, peripheral neuropathy is unavoidable. It is one of the most common neurological disorders seen by medical practitioners. According to the Foundation of Peripheral Neuropathy, 60% of all cases are caused by diabetes mellitus. The prevalence of peripheral neuropathy is increased by 2–3% in people who are 60 years and older, and by 13% in those between 70 and 80 years in age. A focused history, physical examination, and appropriate laboratory tests should be performed to rule out causes other than diabetes. Management of peripheral neuropathy requires a multi-disciplinary approach from specialists, general practitioners, occupational therapists, district nurses and physiotherapists. Peripheral neuropathy can be debilitating, but appropriate management can change a patient’s quality of life. Peripheral neuropathy can be divided according to anatomic region and distribution across the peripheral nervous system into mononeuropathies, multifocal neuropathies and polyneuropathies. These three main categories can be further divided into causes, time course and type of neuropathy. Management for undifferentiated peripheral neuropathy will also be discussed.
Could tumor spread through air spaces benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy in stage I lung adenocarcinoma? A multi-institutional study
Authors: Chen Donglai , Wang Xiaofan , Zhang Fuquan , Han Ruoshuang , Ding Qifeng , Xu Xuejun , Shu Jian , Ye Fei , Shi Li , Mao Yiming , Chen Yongbing , Chen Chang
Published: December 2020

Background:

The benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) remains unknown for patients with stage I lung adenocarcinoma (ADC) with spread through air spaces (STAS). This study investigated the effect of adjuvant chemotherapy in stage I ADC/STAS-positive patients.

Methods:

A total of 3346 patients with stage I ADC from five institutions in China were identified from 2009 to 2013, of whom 1082 were diagnosed with STAS (32.3%). By using the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox proportional hazard regression model, we explored the impact of STAS on prognosis, and determined if the use of adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with improved outcomes in patients with stage I ADC/STAS-positive. A validation cohort was also included in this study.

Results:

Patients with stage I ADC/STAS-positive in the primary cohort had unfavorable overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). A multivariate Cox regression model confirmed the survival disadvantages of STAS in patients with stage I ADC [OS: hazards ratio (HR) = 1.877, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.579–2.231; p < 0.001; DFS: HR = 1.895, 95% CI: 1.614–2.225; p < 0.001]. Lobectomy was associated with better OS and DFS than sublobar resection (SR) in both stage IA and IB ADC/STAS-positive. Similar results were observed in the validation cohort. For patients with stage IB ADC/STAS-positive, ACT was revealed as an independent factor for favorable survival (OS: HR = 0.604, 95% CI: 0.397–0.919; p = 0.018; DFS: HR = 0.565, 95% CI: 0.372–0.858; p = 0.007). However, among patients with stage IA ADC/STAS-positive, ACT was associated with improved outcomes only for those undergoing SR (OS: HR = 0.787, 95% CI: 0.359–0.949; p = 0.034; DFS: HR = 0.703, 95% CI: 0.330–0.904; p = 0.029).

Conclusion:

The presence of STAS was correlated with poor prognosis in patients with stage I ADC. Our study suggested that ACT might be considered for patients with stage IB ADC/STAS-positive and those with stage IA ADC/STAS-positive who underwent SR.
Ghosts in the vending machine: Expressing corporate power in Ireland’s food and drinks industry via the territorialization of selective openness
Authors: Fraser Alistair
Published: December 2020

Concerns regarding the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) have led some critical public health scholars to propose analyses of the “double burden of neoliberalism.” In turn, analysts shine a light on corporate power and how it is mobilized to create a food system that works, in the first place, for capital. This paper builds on these contributions to argue that getting to grips with corporate power in the food and drinks industry requires looking beyond its instrumentality or short-range functionality and developing an understanding of its mode of operation and longer-range objectives. I specifically propose focusing on the way corporations push for and territorialize “selective openness.” The ongoing iterative task facing firms is constructing geographical arrangements that suit their respective but sometimes collective requirements to establish as much control as possible over the conduits connecting capitalists in any particular place to the wider, chaotic, throwntogether, and contingency-laden world. My empirical reference point is the practice of corporate power in Ireland as it was expressed in corporate lobbying activities and during parliamentary hearings on childhood “obesity and political debates about the country’s sugar tax.