bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Robust Mathematical Model for Sustainable and Resilient Supply Chain Network Design: Preparing a Supply Chain to Deal with Disruptions
Authors: Sadeghi Zahra , Boyer Omid , Sharifzadeh Shila , Saeidi Nadia
Published: October 2021

Supply chains suffer from serious vulnerabilities and disruptions with increasing global crises, including pandemics and natural disasters. Dynamic and complex supply chain environments have constantly led companies to modern management approaches such as resilience to address disruptions. Besides, the sustainability approach enhances the strength of the supply chain in disruptions by considering economic, social, and environmental aspects. This paper develops a mathematical model for designing a supply chain network considering resilience and sustainability. In this model, suppliers were exposed to disruption with different probabilities. The model has three objectives: minimizing total costs and maximizing suppliers’ social and environmental scores. A robust scenario‐based stochastic programming approach has been used for potential disruption scenarios. The multiobjective model is solved by theε‐constraint method in GAMS software. The numerical results show the performance of the model in a different situation. Also, the robust scenario‐based stochastic programming approach allows the average performance of the supply chain in each objective to improve.
Application of the Euler deconvolution 2D and 3D at the Pari syncline, internal area of the Paraguay Belt, Mato Grosso, Brazil
Authors: Iocca Sérgio Raffael Silva , Fachin Sérgio Junior da Silva
Published: October 2021

Among the several techniques that allow the estimation of mean depths from airborne geophysical magnetic data, the Euler deconvolution became popular due to the high level of reliability in the generated data. With the use of this tool, it is possible to study structures remotely at different crustal levels that may or may not contain mineralization, consequently being able to determine potential targets for mineral exploration or to study better its relation with the structural background. With the analysis of the magnetic susceptibility of subsurface and the inversion profiles of the magnetic data (Euler deconvolution 2D) were interpolate a 3D model of the region, that allowed to generate a descriptive suggestion of the geometry of the Pari syncline, located in the Cuiabá Group, in the northwestern portion of the Paraguay belt. It has a strong structural control in the context of the Pari River basin and a great auriferous potential, as evidenced by updated research and exploration data. The data applied in this paper were extract from the Cuiabá aerogeophysical project and previous mappings and have their mean depths correlated with the Cuiabá group.
Deficient Chaperone-Mediated Autophagy Promotes Inflammation and Atherosclerosis
Authors: Qiao Lei , Ma Jing , Zhang Zihao , Sui Wenhai , Zhai Chungang , Xu Dan , Wang Zunzhe , Lu Huixia , Zhang Meng , Zhang Cheng , Chen Wenqiang , Zhang Yun
Published: October 2021

Rationale:

The NLRP3 (NLR [NOD-like receptor] family, pyrin domain containing 3) inflammasome is an important driver of atherosclerosis. Our previous study shows that chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA), one of the main lysosomal degradative process, has a regulatory role in lipid metabolism of macrophages. However, whether the NLRP3 inflammasome is regulated by CMA, and the role of CMA in atherosclerosis remains unclear.

Objective:

To determine the role of CMA in the regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome and atherosclerosis.

Methods and Results:

The expression of CMA marker, LAMP-2A (lysosome-associated membrane protein type 2A), was first analyzed in ApoE
−/−
mouse aortas and human coronary atherosclerotic plaques, and a significant downregulation of LAMP-2A in advanced atherosclerosis in both mice and humans was observed. To selectively block CMA, we generated macrophage-specific conditional LAMP-2A knockout mouse strains in C57BL/6 mice and ApoE
−/−
mice. Deletion of macrophage LAMP-2A accelerated atherosclerotic lesion formation in the aortic root and the whole aorta in ApoE
−/−
mice. Mechanistically, LAMP-2A deficiency promoted NLRP3 inflammasome activation and subsequent release of mature IL (interleukin)-1β in macrophages and atherosclerotic plaques. Furthermore, gain-of-function studies verified that restoration of LAMP-2A levels in LAMP-2A–deficient macrophages greatly attenuated NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Importantly, we identified the NLRP3 protein as a CMA substrate and demonstrated that LAMP-2A deficiency did not affect the NLRP3 mRNA levels but hindered degradation of the NLRP3 protein through CMA pathway.

Conclusions:

CMA function becomes impaired during the progression of atherosclerosis, which increases NLRP3 inflammasome activation and secretion of IL-1β, promoting vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis progression. Our study unveils a new mechanism by which NLRP3 inflammasome is regulated in macrophages and atherosclerosis, thus providing a new insight into the role of autophagy-lysosomal pathway in atherosclerosis. Pharmacological activation of CMA may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for atherosclerosis and other NLRP3 inflammasome/IL-1β–driven diseases.
FAK Activation Promotes SMC Dedifferentiation via Increased DNA Methylation in Contractile Genes
Authors: Jeong Kyuho , Murphy James M. , Kim Jung-Hyun , Campbell Pamela Moore , Park Hyeonsoo , Rodriguez Yelitza A.R. , Choi Chung-Sik , Kim Jun-Sub , Park Sangwon , Kim Hyun Joon , Scammell Jonathan G. , Weber David S. , Honkanen Richard E. , Schlaepfer David D. , Ahn Eun-Young Erin , Lim Ssang-Taek Steve
Published: October 2021

Rationale:

Vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) exhibit remarkable plasticity and can undergo dedifferentiation upon pathological stimuli associated with disease and interventions.

Objective:

Although epigenetic changes are critical in SMC phenotype switching, a fundamental regulator that governs the epigenetic machineries regulating the fate of SMC phenotype has not been elucidated.

Methods and Results:

Using SMCs, mouse models, and human atherosclerosis specimens, we found that FAK (focal adhesion kinase) activation elicits SMC dedifferentiation by stabilizing DNMT3A (DNA methyltransferase 3A). FAK in SMCs is activated in the cytoplasm upon serum stimulation in vitro or vessel injury and active FAK prevents DNMT3A from nuclear FAK-mediated degradation. However, pharmacological or genetic FAK catalytic inhibition forced FAK nuclear localization, which reduced DNMT3A protein via enhanced ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Reduced DNMT3A protein led to DNA hypomethylation in contractile gene promoters, which increased SMC contractile protein expression. RNA-sequencing identified SMC contractile genes as a foremost upregulated group by FAK inhibition from injured femoral artery samples compared with vehicle group. DNMT3A knockdown in injured arteries reduced DNA methylation and enhanced contractile gene expression supports the notion that nuclear FAK-mediated DNMT3A degradation via E3 ligase TRAF6 (TNF [tumor necrosis factor] receptor-associated factor 6) drives differentiation of SMCs. Furthermore, we observed that SMCs of human atherosclerotic lesions exhibited decreased nuclear FAK, which was associated with increased DNMT3A levels and decreased contractile gene expression.

Conclusions:

This study reveals that nuclear FAK induced by FAK catalytic inhibition specifically suppresses DNMT3A expression in injured vessels resulting in maintaining SMC differentiation by promoting the contractile gene expression. Thus, FAK inhibitors may provide a new treatment option to block SMC phenotypic switching during vascular remodeling and atherosclerosis.
Parts and Wholes in Scene Processing
Authors: Kaiser Daniel , Cichy Radoslaw M.
Published: October 2021

During natural vision, our brains are constantly exposed to complex, but regularly structured, environments. Real-world scenes are defined by typical part–whole relationships, where the meaning of the whole scene emerges from configurations of localized information present in individual parts of the scene. Such typical part–whole relationships suggest that information from individual scene parts is not processed independently, but that there are mutual influences between the parts and the whole during scene analysis. Here, we review recent research that used a straightforward, but effective approach to study such mutual influences: By dissecting scenes into multiple arbitrary pieces, these studies provide new insights into how the processing of whole scenes is shaped by their constituent parts and, conversely, how the processing of individual parts is determined by their role within the whole scene. We highlight three facets of this research: First, we discuss studies demonstrating that the spatial configuration of multiple scene parts has a profound impact on the neural processing of the whole scene. Second, we review work showing that cortical responses to individual scene parts are shaped by the context in which these parts typically appear within the environment. Third, we discuss studies demonstrating that missing scene parts are interpolated from the surrounding scene context. Bridging these findings, we argue that efficient scene processing relies on an active use of the scene's part–whole structure, where the visual brain matches scene inputs with internal models of what the world should look like.
Two new species, Ophiopogon dolichocaulis and O. trigonantherus (Asparagaceae), from northern Vietnam
Authors: NGUYEN KHANG SINH , TANAKA NORIYUKI , AVERYANOV LEONID V. , MAISAK TATIANA V. , NGUYEN PHUONG HANH , TRAN DUC BINH
Published: October 2021

Two new species of Ophiopogon, O. dolichocaulis from Son La Province and O. trigonantherus from Cao Bang Province in northern Vietnam, are described and illustrated.  The former is similar to O. chingii, while the latter is similar to O. rupestris and O. dracaenoides. This paper not only details their taxonomic features and relationships to similar species but also provides ecological data on their habitats and phenology.
Diagnoses of two new species of Parosphromenus (Teleostei: Osphronemidae) from Bangka Island and Kalimantan, Indonesia
Authors: SHI WENTIAN , GUO SHUJIE , HARYONO HARYONO , HONG YIJIANG , ZHANG WANCHANG
Published: October 2021

We describe two new species of Parosphromenus from Indonesia based on morphological and molecular diagnoses. Parosphromenus juelinae, sp. nov., occurs on Bangka Island. Its unpaired fin coloration is similar to that of P. deissneri, but it differs from the latter in having a rounded caudal fin with a non-filamentous branched median ray and a smaller anal fin. Although the new species has the same caudal fin structure as P. bintan, it can be distinguished from the latter by its distinct unpaired fin coloration and the intense red color on the body flanks. Parosphromenus kishii, sp. nov., is found only in a single river system in Kalimantan Tengah. It is distinguished from all other congeners by the unique coloration of its caudal fin. A phylogenetic tree based on the cytochrome b (cytb) gene indicates that the two new species are distinct monophyletic groups constituting distinct phylogenetic branches from their congeners. Cytochrome b Genetic distances between Parosphromenus juelinae, sp. nov., and Parosphromenus kishii, sp. nov., and the other taxa in the phylogenetic tree range from 2.44% to 19.52% and from 8.65% to 17.28%, respectively.
Quantifying the Human Influence on the Intensity of Extreme 1- and 5-Day Precipitation Amounts at Global, Continental, and Regional Scales
Authors: Sun Qiaohong , Zwiers Francis , Zhang Xuebin , Yan Jun
Published: October 2021

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the human contribution to the observed intensification of precipitation extremes at different spatial scales. We consider the annual maxima of the logarithm of 1-day (Rx1day) and 5-day (Rx5day) precipitation amounts for 1950–2014 over the global land area, four continents, and several regions, and compare observed changes with expected responses to external forcings as simulated by CanESM2 in a large-ensemble experiment and by multiple models from phase 6 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6). We use a novel detection and attribution analysis method that is applied directly to station data in the areas considered without prior processing such as gridding, spatial or temporal dimension reduction, or transformation to unitless indices and uses climate models only to obtain estimates of the space–time pattern of extreme precipitation response to external forcing. The influence of anthropogenic forcings on extreme precipitation is detected over the global land area, three continental regions (the western Northern Hemisphere, western Eurasia, and eastern Eurasia), and many smaller IPCC regions, including central North America, East Asia, east-central Asia, eastern Europe, eastern North America, northern Europe, and western Siberia for Rx1day, and central North America, eastern Europe, eastern North America, northern Europe, the Russian Arctic region, and western Siberia for Rx5day. Consistent results are obtained using forcing response estimates from either CanESM2 or CMIP6. Anthropogenic influence is estimated to have substantially decreased the approximate waiting time between extreme annual maximum events in regions where anthropogenic influence has been detected, which has important implications for infrastructure design and climate change adaptation policy.

Significance Statement

All previous detection and attribution studies of observed changes in extreme precipitation (i) use station data that has been heavily processed via gridding, transformation, and spatial and temporal averaging or other dimension reduction approaches, as well as using climate models to estimate the responses to external forcing, and (ii) also use models to estimate the unforced natural variability of extreme precipitation. Both aspects reduce user confidence in detection and attribution results. This study uses station data directly and avoids difficult to verify model-based estimates of the unforced variability of precipitation extremes. Results confirm findings from previous studies, and extend them to a number of subcontinental regions, thus substantially increasing confidence in detection and attribution findings precipitation.
Energy Transfers between Multidecadal and Turbulent Variability
Authors: Hochet Antoine , Huck Thierry , Arzel Olivier , Sévellec Florian , Verdière Alain Colin de
Published: October 2021

One of the proposed mechanisms to explain the multidecadal variability observed in sea surface temperature of the North Atlantic Ocean consists of a large-scale low-frequency internal mode spontaneously developing because of the large-scale baroclinic instability of the time-mean circulation. Even though this mode has been extensively studied in terms of the buoyancy variance budget, its energetic properties remain poorly known. Here we perform the full mechanical energy budget including available potential energy (APE) and kinetic energy (KE) of this internal mode and decompose the budget into three frequency bands: mean, low frequency (LF) associated with the large-scale mode, and high frequency (HF) associated with mesoscale eddy turbulence. This decomposition allows us to diagnose the energy fluxes between the different reservoirs and to understand the sources and sinks. Because of the large scale of the mode, most of its energy is contained in the APE. In our configuration, the only source of LF APE is the transfer from mean APE to LF APE that is attributed to the large-scale baroclinic instability. In return the sinks of LF APE are the parameterized diffusion, the flux toward HF APE, and, to a much lesser extent, the flux toward LF KE. The presence of an additional wind stress component weakens multidecadal oscillations and modifies the energy fluxes between the different energy reservoirs. The KE transfer appears to only have a minor influence on the multidecadal mode relative to the other energy sources involving APE, in all experiments. These results highlight the utility of the full APE–KE budget.
Property Rights and the Presumptions of Merger Analysis
Authors: Lynk William J.
Published: October 2021

Both common sense and economic theory demonstrate that the competitive behavior and financial performance of nonprofit hospitals—including the incentive to raise prices when faced with less competition—will not differ materially from investor-owned hospitals.

Robert E. Bloch,

Antitrust Division, U.S. Department of Justice.
Nonlinear behavior of disk spring with complex contact state
Authors: Chen Renzhen , Li Xiaopeng , Yang Zemin , Xu Jinchi , Yang Hexu
Published: October 2021

Disk springs are widely used as preload and isolation due to their unique mechanical properties. In the prior research, the effect of linear friction on the disk spring was considered, but contact stiffness, another nonlinear contact factor, is ignored. Accordingly, in this paper, the asymmetric displacements of the contact edges are first derived, and the accurate friction dissipations are obtained, as a way to evaluate the effect of friction on the system. Then the velocity of the edges was obtained to establish a dynamic friction model. Meanwhile, the contact displacement and contact stiffness of the edge are obtained by fractal contact theory. Then the nonlinear static and dynamic models of disk spring with friction and contact stiffness are established by the energy method. The load–deflection relationship, stiffness, and hysteresis of disk spring are studied with different contact states. The results show that the model considering contact stiffness and asymmetric friction dissipation can effectively evaluate the static properties of the disk spring. Friction reinforces the nonlinear behavior of the system, while contact stiffness weakens the nonlinearity of the system. And due to the influence of nonlinear contact factors, the transmissibility curves produce multiple resonance peaks.
The Relationship Between Social Ignore and Social Media Addiction Among Adolescents: Mediator Effect of Satisfaction With Family Life
Authors: Taş İbrahim
Published: October 2021

This study investigated the mediator effect of satisfaction with family life in the relationship between social ignore and social media addiction among adolescents. The research was conducted on 456 high school students studying in the 2019 academic year. Ages of the students vary between 14 and 16 years old. Social Media Addiction Scale, Social Ostracism Scale, and Satisfaction with Family Life Scale were used to collect data. SPSS 25 software package and PROCESS software package developed by Hayes as an add-on to SPSS were used in the data analysis. It was found that social ignore predicted social media addiction positive significantly and satisfaction with family life negatively. It was observed that satisfaction with family life predicted social media addiction negative significantly. It was also found that satisfaction with family life mediated the relationship between social ignore and social media addiction.
Combining Conventional Statistics and Big Data to Map Global Tourism Destinations Before COVID-19
Authors: Adamiak Czesław , Szyda Barbara
Published: October 2021

World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the major source of internationally comparable data on tourism. However, UNWTO data has two drawbacks: it focuses on international trips and ignores differences between regions within individual countries. Alternative sources of big data are increasingly used to enhance tourism statistics. In this paper, we combine traditional information sources with gridded population dataset and Airbnb data to address the limitations of UNWTO statistics. We produce a map of world tourism destinations measured by the number of tourism visits and tourism expenditure in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. We then identify hot spots of tourism and compare the level of spatial concentration of tourism to that of global population and economy. The results illustrate how supply and demand shape the global distribution of tourism, highlight the dominance of domestic travels in global tourism mobility and may help planning tourism policy in the face of current global challenges.
Dignity as a Constitutional Value: Abortion, Political Communication and Proportionality
Authors: Henckels Caroline , Sifris Ronli , Penovic Tania
Published: October 2021

This article examines the High Court of Australia’s treatment of the concept of dignity as both a value animating the implied freedom of political communication and as a legitimate reason to limit the exercise of that freedom. It does so through the lens of Clubb v Edwards, Preston v Avery, where the Court found that laws establishing safe access zones around abortion clinics were compatible with the implied freedom. The use of dignity as a prism through which to view the interests at stake in both abortion and speech cases is a familiar feature of developments abroad, and the Court has laid the foundations for recognition of dignity as one of the axiological bases of the implied freedom in a manner that generally emphasises individual autonomy over other conceptions of dignity that might be described as operating as a constraint on behaviour to protect other interests. Yet, while the Court has used dignity as the common measure with which to commensurate competing claims, it has yet to convincingly address concerns regarding incommensurability that attend the balancing stage of proportionality review, not to mention the potential objection that its reliance on dignity is not properly grounded in the text and structure of the Constitution. In light of these issues, the role of dignity ought to be tethered to its central role in facilitating political participation so as to more clearly link the concept to the text and structure of the Constitution, and to identify what is at stake when women’s ability to access reproductive health care is impaired or denied.
Treatment Combinations: The Joint Effects of Multiple Evidence-Based Interventions on Recidivism Reduction
Authors: Hsieh Ming-Li , Chen Kuan-Ju , Choi Pak-Sing , Hamilton Zachary K.
Published: October 2021

Evidence-based interventions have been implemented within penal institutions to reduce the propensity of postrelease reoffending across states. Traditional program evaluations explore these interventions and demonstrate treatment effects most often for a single specific intervention. Although this process supports the doctrine of evidence-based research, little is known of the joint effects of multiple program assignments. The current study examines the treatment effects of sequence combinations of institutional programs on recidivism outcomes. Results demonstrate that correctional clients experienced incremental improvements when receiving more than two interventions compared with those who participated in a standalone intervention. Those who participated in three types of treatment combinations consisting of basic skills, vocational training, and cognitive behavioral treatment were more likely to reduce postrelease reconvictions.
Distribution Characteristics of Juvenile-Onset Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis at First-Time Surgery
Authors: Qu Xiaoli , Xiao Yang , Ma Lijing , Wang Jun
Published: October 2021

Objectives

The lesion distribution of juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (JORRP) during first-time surgery has been rarely reported. The purpose of this study was to describe the anatomical distribution of papilloma across 25 Derkay sites during initial surgery and to assess the impact of the lesion distribution on disease severity.

Methods

Surgical videos and medical records of 106 patients with JORRP (27 aggressive and 79 nonaggressive cases) were retrospectively reviewed. Lesion locations were recorded using Derkay anatomical sites. Logistic regression was used to analyze the effect of the lesion distribution on disease severity.

Results

Among the 106 patients, the true vocal cords (90.6% left, 84.0% right) were the most frequently involved site, followed by the false vocal cords (39.6% left, 35.8% right) and the anterior commissure (26.4%). Two patients (1.9%) had tracheal involvement. Patients with false vocal cord involvement (odds ratio [OR] = 3.425, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.285, 9.132], P = .014) and a younger age at diagnosis (OR = .698, 95% CI [.539, .905], P = .007) were more likely to require more than 4 procedures in the year following first-time surgery.

Conclusions

Lesions were most common on the true vocal cords. False vocal cord involvement and a younger age at diagnosis were risk factors for disease severity.
Will We Ever Close the Gender Gap Among Top Mathematics Achievers? Analysis of Recent Trends by Race in Advanced Placement (AP) Exams
Authors: Bahar A. Kadir
Published: October 2021

Analyzing the test scores of more than 10,000,000 students who participated in the Advanced Placement (AP) math exams from 1997 to 2019, this study examined the direction and magnitude of the trend in gender disparity by race in participation in and top achievement on AP Calculus AB, Calculus BC, and Statistics exams. The results of this study indicated that, in general, females’ representation in all three AP exams increased significantly. Although the findings indicated that the female-to-male ratios (FMRs) in participation in the AP math exams increased significantly from 1997 to 2019 and favored females for all races, the gender disparities among top achievers for all math exams are still substantial. The relationships between the FMRs in participation and top achievement for all AP math exams were also analyzed within races, and the possible impacts of these findings within the context of the underrepresentation of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields were also discussed.
Can language modulate perceptual narrowing for faces? Other-race face recognition in infants is modulated by language experience
Authors: Clerc Olivier , Fort Mathilde , Schwarzer Gudrun , Krasotkina Anna , Vilain Anne , Méary David , Lœvenbruck Hélène , Pascalis Olivier
Published: October 2021

Between 6 and 9 months, while infant’s ability to discriminate faces within their own racial group is maintained, discrimination of faces within other-race groups declines to a point where 9-month-old infants fail to discriminate other-race faces. Such face perception narrowing can be overcome in various ways at 9 or 12 months of age, such as presenting faces with emotional expressions. Can language itself modulate face narrowing? Many adult studies suggest that language has an impact on the recognition of individuals. For example, adults remember faces previously paired with their native language more accurately than faces paired with a non-native language. We have previously found that from 9 months of age, own-race faces associated with the native language can be learned and recognized whereas own-race faces associated with a non-native language cannot. Based on the language familiarity effect, we hypothesized that the native language could restore recognition of other-race faces after perceptual narrowing has happened. We tested 9- and 12-month-old Caucasian infants. During a familiarization phase, infants were shown still photographs of an Asian face while audio was played either in the native or in the non-native language. Immediately after the familiarization, the familiar face and a novel one were displayed side-by-side for the recognition test. We compared the proportional looking time to the new face to the chance level. Both 9- and 12-month-old infants exhibited recognition memory for the other-race face when familiarized with non-native speech, but not with their native speech. Native language did not facilitate recognition of other-race faces after 9 months of age but a non-native language did, suggesting that 9- and 12-month-olds already have expectations about which language an individual should talk (or at least not talk). Our results confirm the strong links between face and speech processing during infancy.
Scientific and Regulatory Policy Committee Points to Consider: Biological Sample Retention From Nonclinical Toxicity Studies
Authors: Harbison Carole E. , Aulbach Adam D. , Bennet Bindu M. , Boyle Molly H. , Carsillo Mary E. , Crabbs Torrie A. , Keirstead Natalie D. , La Perle Krista M. D. , Pandiri Arun R. , Shoieb Ahmed M. , Siska William D.
Published: October 2021

Samples of biologic specimens and their derivatives (eg, wet tissues, paraffin-embedded tissue blocks, histology slides, frozen tissues, whole blood, serum/plasma, and urine) are routinely collected during the course of nonclinical toxicity studies. Good Laboratory Practice regulations and/or guidance specify minimum requirements for specimen retention duration, with the caveat that retention of biologic specimens need not extend beyond the duration of sample stability. However, limited availability of published data regarding stability for various purposes following storage of each specimen type has resulted in confusion, uncertainty, and inconsistency as to the appropriate duration for storage of these specimens. To address these issues, a working group of the Society of Toxicologic Pathology Scientific and Regulatory Policy Committee was formed to review published information, regulations, and guidance pertinent to this topic and to summarize the current practices and rationales for retention duration through a survey-based approach. Information regarding experiences reaccessing biologic specimens and performing sample stability investigations was also collected. Based on this combined information, the working group developed several points to consider that may be referenced when developing or revising sample retention practices.

[Box: see text]
Effects of 31 recombinant CYP2C19 variants on clomipramine metabolism in vitro
Authors: Lan Tian , Ma Ya-Qing , Dang Ya-Min , Wang Chen-Chen , Xu Ren-Ai , Cai Jian-Ping , Hu Guo-Xin
Published: October 2021

Background:

CYP2C19 is an important member of the cytochrome P450 enzyme superfamily. We recently identified 31CYP2C19 alleles in the Han Chinese population; studying the effects of CYP2C19 on drug metabolism can help reduce adverse drug reactions and therapeutic failure.

Aim:

The aim of this study was to assess the catalytic activities of 31 allelic isoforms and their effects on the metabolism of clomipramine in vitro.

Methods:

The wild-type and 30 CYP2C19 variants were expressed in insect cells, and each variant was characterized using clomipramine as the substrate. Reactions were performed at 37°C with 5–150 μmol/L substrate for 30 min. By using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to detect the products, the kinetic parameters Km, Vmax, and intrinsic clearance (Vmax/Km) of N-desmethyl clomipramine were determined.

Results:

Among the CYP2C19 variants tested, CYP2C19*29, L16F, and T130M showed extremely increased intrinsic clearance of clomipramine, CYP2C19*3C, and N277K showed similar intrinsic clearance (Vmax/Km) values with CYP2C19*1, while the intrinsic clearance values of other variants were significantly decreased (from 0.65% to 63.28%). In addition, CYP2C19*3 and 35FS could not be detected because they have no detectable enzyme activity.

Conclusions:

As the first report of 31 CYP2C19 alleles for clomipramine metabolism, our study could provide corresponding reference for clomipramine for further studies in vivo and offer valuable information relevant to the personalized medicine for CYP2C19-metabolized drug.
Robert F. Lusch: Mentor, Collaborator, and Colleague
Authors: Brown James R.
Published: October 2021

The author reviews his relationship with Professor Robert F. Lusch, including joint research with some of their doctoral students. Their work addressed questions pertaining to marketing channel power and dependence, channel conflict, and channel member satisfaction as well as contracting among channel member firms.
Bloodstream infection caused by Bacteroides caccae in a patient with renal hypertension: a case report
Authors: Yang Yang , Zhang Qingfang , Hu Haitao , Zhang Wenyun , Lu Taohong
Published: October 2021

Bacteroides caccae is an anaerobic bacterium with a reportedly high isolation rate; however, it rarely causes bloodstream infections. Patients with hypertension are at increased risk of developing anaerobic bacterial infection. In this study, we report a case of bacteremia caused by B. caccae in a patient with renal hypertension and gastrointestinal hemorrhage. This study describes the clinical manifestations of bloodstream infection involving B. caccae to provide guidance for laboratory technicians and clinicians. A 42-year-old Chinese man was admitted for gastrointestinal hemorrhage and subsequently diagnosed with anaerobic blood infection. The pathogenic bacteria isolated from anaerobic blood culture bottles were identified as B. caccae by using an automatic bacterial identification instrument and mass spectrometry (MS). B. caccae is an intestinal opportunistic pathogen that can invade the intestinal mucosa and cause anaerobic bloodstream infection. Two or more sets of blood cultures and MS identification can greatly improve the positive detection rate of blood cultures of anaerobic bacteria. Furthermore, the increased drug resistance of anaerobic bacteria necessitates drug sensitivity tests for anaerobic bacteria in many hospitals. Thus, the early prevention and control of primary diseases with appropriate diagnoses and timely anti-infection therapies are necessary to reduce B. caccae bloodstream infection.
Functional improvement of bilateral frozen shoulder by unilateral intra-articular corticosteroid injection: a retrospective study
Authors: Kim Minchul , Kim Ki-Yong , Huh Yool-Gang , Ma Sang Hyeok , Jeong Kil-Yong , Yoon Seung-Hyun
Published: October 2021

Objective

Bilateral frozen shoulder (FS) is often treated with intra-articular corticosteroid injection (IACI). No studies have been performed to establish whether IACI must be administered in both shoulders or in only one shoulder to improve function. This study was therefore performed to determine whether unilateral IACI improves shoulder pain and passive range of motion (pROM) in bilateral FS.

Methods

The medical records of 165 patients with bilateral primary FS who underwent ultrasonography-guided IACI (2 mL of 10-mg/mL triamcinolone acetonide mixed with 5 mL of 1% lidocaine) in one shoulder were retrospectively reviewed. The outcome measures, namely the numeric rating scale (NRS) scores and pROM values (abduction, external rotation, flexion, hyperextension, and internal rotation), were evaluated pre- and post-injection.

Results

The patients’ mean age was 54.0 ± 8.0 years. The mean symptom duration was 6.5 ± 2.8 months. The mean follow-up period after injection was 6.7 ± 0.8 weeks. The NRS scores and pROM values significantly improved in both the injected and non-injected shoulders.

Conclusions

This study showed that unilateral IACI in patients with bilateral FS improves the clinical outcome of the non-injected shoulder. We suggest that physicians observe the non-injected shoulder after unilateral injection rather than performing bilateral injections.
Association between gut dysbiosis and chronic kidney disease: a narrative review of the literature
Authors: Feng Zhe , Wang Ting , Dong Sheng , Jiang Hongli , Zhang Jianzhong , Raza Hafiz Khuram , Lei Genping
Published: October 2021

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a serious non-communicable disease that poses a significant burden on healthcare and society. It is essential to devise new strategies to better treat patients with CKD. Research has illustrated that gut dysbiosis, describing an abnormal intestinal ecology, is closely associated with CKD. In this narrative review, we summarized the evidence of their mutual relationship and discussed the potential treatment options to correct gut dysbiosis in patients with CKD. Gut dysbiosis significantly increases the risk of CKD, especially in the older population. Gut dysbiosis also plays a role in CKD complications, such as hypertension, cardiovascular events, and cognitive dysfunction. The relationship between gut dysbiosis and CKD is bidirectional, and CKD itself can lead to changes in gut microecology. The usual therapies for CKD can also increase the incidence of gut dysbiosis. Meanwhile, probiotics and antibiotics are generally used to correct gut dysbiosis. Further studies are required to elaborate the association between gut dysbiosis and CKD, and more treatment options should be explored to prevent CKD in patients with gut dysbiosis.
“God’s Absence During Trauma Took Its Toll”: Dialogic Tracing of Literate Activity and Lifespan Trajectories of Semiotic (Un)becoming
Authors: Ware Ryan
Published: October 2021

Scholarship on trajectories of becoming with literate activities is of growing interest in Writing Studies, particularly in accounts of writing grounded in cultural-historical and dialogic approaches, and in lifespan accounts of writing. The research reported here contributes to those conversations by tracing trajectories of becoming that are dynamically nonlinear, necessarily messy, and predicated on exceptionally complex streams of times, places, life experiences, artifacts, and literate activities. I draw from one case study with Alex, once a deeply faithful Christian who, over complex trajectories of semiotic becoming, lost her faith and was left to make sense of drastic perspectival shifts, in large part, through literate activity. Weaving analyses of talk across 2 years, 15 interviews, and multiple texts and textual interactions, I trace a narrative of Alex’s trajectories of unbecoming/becoming. I argue that Writing Studies needs flexible, theoretically grounded methods to trace becoming across lifespan trajectories and I address this imperative by showcasing one approach— dialogic animation protocols coupled with dialogic analyses.
Negotiating Emerging Adulthood With Master and Counter Narratives: Alcohol-Related Identity Trajectories Among Emerging Adults in Performance-Oriented Neoliberal Society
Authors: Törrönen Jukka , Samuelsson Eva , Roumeliotis Filip , Månsson Josefin
Published: October 2021

This study analyzes how emerging adults negotiate their relation to alcohol in the context of declining youth drinking and how this relationship changes over time. The sample consists of longitudinal qualitative interview data ( N = 28) with 9 boys and 19 girls aged 15 to 21. The participants were recruited through schools, social media and non-governmental organizations from mainly the Stockholm region and smaller towns in central Sweden to reach a heterogeneous sample in terms of sociodemographic factors and drinking practices. We interviewed the participants in-depth three times between 2017 and 2019. Thematic coding of the whole data with NVivo helped us select four cases for more detailed analysis, as they represented the typical trajectories and showed the variation in the material. We used the master narrative framework and Bamberg’s narrative positioning analysis to examine the data. The analysis demonstrates what kinds of narrative alignments in identity development encourage heavy drinking, moderate alcohol consumption, and fuel abstinence. The results suggest that the decline in youth drinking is produced by a co-effect of multiple master narratives that intersect and guide the identity development away from heavy drinking.
Short-Term Study Abroad Research: A Systematic Review 2000-2019
Authors: Iskhakova Marina , Bradly Andrew
Published: October 2021

Short-term study abroad (STSA) programs are the fastest growing segment of experiential learning programs in management education and the least studied. This is the first systematic review of STSA research, which focuses on 156 studies on STSA published between 2000 and 2019 and proposes a conceptual model to guide STSA research scholars. Through this detailed review, we provide a greater understanding of the scale, scope, key themes, and methodology of STSA research. Our article identifies the four key groups of theories used to inform STSA research, and provides insight into the variables and characteristics of STSA research, and the role of STSA in management education. Our review identifies 85 thematic outcomes found in the STSA literature and gives a particular focus to the 29 cross-cultural outcomes that characterize this literature. The review provides the first systematic analysis of cross-cultural outcomes within STSA research and identifies behavioral attributes as among the most studied. Cultural and learning theories were found to be the dominant theories that informed the underlying concepts in the STSA literature. Our review also provides a comprehensive agenda and directions for future STSA research, discussion on its impact, and its place in management education.
The Value of Clock Drawing Process Assessment in Screening for Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Dementia
Authors: Huang Yanlu , Pan Feng-Feng , Huang Lin , Guo Qihao
Published: October 2021

Many clock drawing test (CDT) scoring systems focus on drawing results and lack drawing process assessments. This study created a CDT scoring procedure with drawing process assessment and explored its diagnostic value in screening for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early Alzheimer’s disease (AD) from normal control (NC). We used logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to determine a new, sensitive scoring system for AD and MCI patients in a derivation cohort. The new scoring method was then compared to two common scoring systems and externally validated in a second cohort. We developed a new scoring system named CDT5, which contained one process assessment item: remember setting time without asking. Compared with two published scoring systems, CDT5 had better discriminatory power in distinguishing AD patients from NCs in derivation (area under the ROC curve [area under the curve, AUC] = .890) and validation (AUC = .867) cohorts. Three scoring systems had poor diagnostic accuracy at discriminating MCI patients from controls, with CDT5 being the most sensitive (78.57%). Adding the drawing process in CDT helps accurately detect patients with early AD, but its role in identifying patients with MCI needs to be further explored.
Experimental infection of cats with Cryptosporidium felis
Authors: Scorza Andrea V , Tyrrell Phyllis , Wennogle Sara , Chandrashekar Ramaswamy , Lappin Michael R
Published: October 2021

Objectives

The aims of this study were to experimentally inoculate cats with Cryptosporidium felis oocysts and compare fecal detection by fluorescent antibody assay (FA) and quantitative PCR (qPCR), and document clinical signs associated with infection.

Methods

Cryptosporidium felis oocysts were concentrated from the feces of a naturally infected cat and orally inoculated into six cats that tested negative for C felis by an FA and fecal flotation (FF). Cats were observed daily for the presence of clinical signs consistent with infection. Fecal samples from all cats on days 0 and 9, and one sample per cat (days 18–21), were evaluated by all assays. On day 31, two cats negative for C felis by FF and FA were administered methylprednisolone acetate and all assays were repeated on days 34, 36 and 38. Samples from all cats were tested by FF and FA on days 41, 43, 45 and 48.

Results

A total of 41 samples were tested, 25 of which were compared by FA and qPCR. Cryptosporidium felis was detected in 2/25 (8%) and in 19/25 (76%) samples by FA and by qPCR, respectively; the other 16 samples were tested by FF and FA. None of the cats was positive for C felis by FF or FA in samples collected on days 0, 9 or 18–21. One, five and six samples tested positive by qPCR on days 0, 9 and 18–21, respectively. The cats administered methylprednisolone acetate tested positive for C felis by FA on day 36 and by qPCR on days 31, 34, 36 and 38. None of the cats showed clinical signs of disease.

Conclusions and relevance

Clinical signs were not recognized in any of the cats for the duration of the study. FA was insensitive compared with qPCR for detecting cats with subclinical C felis infection.
Determinants of Early Initiation of Breastfeeding Practices of Newborns in Bangladesh: Evidence From Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey
Authors: Sakib Md. Saifullah , Ripon Rouf Abu Sayed Md. , Tanny Tahmina Ferdous
Published: October 2021

Purpose:

Early initiation of breastfeeding is essential for newborns after birth to reduce mortality and morbidity. Early initiation of breastfeeding awareness/activities may be a vital role in Bangladesh to minimize the infant deaths. The aim of this study is to identify factors associated with the early initiation of breastfeeding practices.

Methods:

In this study, Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2017 to 2018 data was used that will be the first analysis for early initiation of breastfeeding practices in this data set in Bangladesh. Considering the importance of early breastfeeding practices, the dependent variable was divided into 3 categories (immediately: breastfeeding for less than 20 minutes, within an hour, and after 1 hour) to find a significant association with early breastfeeding practices in Bangladesh. Bivariate analysis is used to examine the differentials to early initiation of breastfeeding according to the selected number of background variables. Multinomial logistic regression is used to determine predictive independent factors associated with the dependent variable.

Results:

Using BDHS 2017 to 2018 data on 4950 observations, this study revealed that 24.6% of mothers breastfed their babies immediately after birth and 36.2% of mothers breastfed their babies within an hour. The rate of mothers who breastfeed their babies immediately after birth is lowest at the age of 20 to 25, mothers with a higher level of education, richer class, Khulna division, the first child born, Islam, and private/NGO. With a multivariate analysis of breastfeeding within an hour compared to immediate breastfeeding: richest (OR = 0.71), Barisal division (OR = 0.72), and Buddhism[Formula: see text]are less likely to breastfeed newborns compared to the reference category. On the other hand, primary, secondary, and higher educated mothers are more likely to breastfeed newborns compared to no educated mothers. Besides, breastfeeding newborns after 1 hour compared to immediate after birth: mothers aged 20 to 25 (OR = 1.40), richer (OR = 1.46), higher secondary (OR = 2.06), Khulna division (OR = 1.81), and private/NGO (OR = 2.51) are more likely breastfeed newborn.

Conclusion:

Mother’s education, wealth index, region, birth order, religion, and place of delivery have a significant impact on the early initiation of breastfeeding practices, but the rate of immediate breastfeeding is relatively lower than others. Ultimately, this information will help planners and other professionals plan strategies and interventions to provide good quality health services.
Opposition fragmentation facilitates electoral accountability: Evidence from a survey experiment
Authors: Ferrer Sergi
Published: October 2021

Which is better for electoral accountability: a fragmented opposition that gives plenty of alternatives or an opposition with fewer stronger parties? While oppositions play a key role in democracies, the effect of opposition fragmentation on accountability remains unclear. On the one hand, fragmentation may enhance accountability by providing voters with ideologically close alternatives. On the other hand, increased fragmentation could make coordination over strong viable alternatives more difficult. In this study, I present an original survey experiment designed to test whether fragmentation of the opposition enhances accountability. Moreover, to assess the specific conditions under which fragmentation may enhance accountability, I distinguish between ideologues and pragmatic voters, and differentiate between ideological and valence issues. Results show that opposition fragmentation enhances accountability, particularly for ideologues. Lastly, I present a direct test of the mechanisms that demonstrates that fragmentation improves accountability because marginal gains in ideological proximity outweigh losses in viability.