bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strategic Action for Affordable Housing: How Advocacy Organizations Accomplish Policy Change
Authors: Yerena Anaid
Published: November 2019

State retrenchment, public input requirements, and local budgetary constraints make advocacy organization’s (AO) work vital to the adoption and implementation of local plans. Yet, the strategies AOs use to influence policies have gone understudied in planning literature. The current study fills this gap through a case study of how AOs exert influence in planning for affordable housing in four cities in Los Angeles County. Data were collected through interviews (AO leaders and city officials), document review (AO materials), and content analysis of Housing Elements. The study found that the range of tactics depends on the political context and organizational resources.
Parity or Disparity? Outcomes of Court-Involved Youth With and Without Disabilities
Authors: Kincaid Aleksis P. , Sullivan Amanda L.
Published: November 2019

Youth with disabilities are overrepresented in the juvenile justice system, but few studies have investigated the mechanisms by which this occurs. In this study, we considered how juvenile court adjudication and length of commitment in secure facilities contributed to disproportionality in court involvement and detention, addressing an important gap in the intersection of disability and juvenile justice literature. Using linked educational and juvenile justice records of 41,812 youth, we sought to ascertain whether, among juvenile offenders, youth with disabilities had higher likelihood of adjudication as delinquent or placement in secure facilities for longer periods of time compared to youth without disabilities. Results indicated that youth with and without disabilities were adjudicated and placed similarly, suggesting that disparities contributing to overrepresentation of youth with disabilities in detained populations may manifest earlier in youths’ involvement in the justice system. We conclude with implications for research, policy, and practice.
Functional Pre- and Postsynaptic Changes between the Retinohypothalamic Tract and Suprachiasmatic Nucleus during Rat Postnatal Development
Authors: Reyes-Mendez Miriam E. , Osuna-López Fernando , Herrera-Zamora J. Manuel , Navarro-Polanco Ricardo A. , Moreno-Galindo Eloy G. , Alamilla Javier
Published: November 2019

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is the main brain clock in mammals. The SCN synchronizes to the light-dark cycle through the retinohypothalamic tract (RHT). RHT axons release glutamate to activate AMPA-kainate and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) postsynaptic receptors in ventral SCN neurons. Stimulation of SCN NMDA receptors is necessary for the activation of the signaling cascades that govern the advances and delays of phase. To our knowledge, no research has been performed to analyze the functional synaptic modifications occurring during postnatal development that prepare the circadian system for a proper synchronization to light at adult ages. Here, we studied the pre- and postsynaptic developmental changes between the unmyelinated RHT-SCN connections. Spontaneous NMDA excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) were greater in amplitude and frequency at postnatal day 34 (P34) than at P8. Similarly, both quantal EPSCs (miniature NMDA and evoked quantal AMPA-kainate) showed a development-dependent increase at analyzed stages, P3-5, P7-9, and P13-18. Moreover, the electrically evoked NMDA and AMPA-kainate components were augmented with age, although the increment was larger for the latter, and the membrane resting potential was more depolarized at early postnatal ages. Finally, the short-term synaptic plasticity was significantly modified during postnatal development as was the estimated number of quanta released and the initial release probability. All of these synaptic modifications in the unmyelinated RHT-SCN synapses suggest that synchronization to light at adult ages requires developmental changes similar to those that occur in myelinated fast communication systems.
Multi-objective optimization for multi-stage sequential plastic injection molding with plating process using RSM and PCA-based weighted-GRA
Authors: Sreedharan J , Jeevanantham AK , Rajeshkannan A
Published: November 2019

The multi-stage sequential process with multi-objective is a complex problem to address as the decision made at a particular stage influences the subsequent stage and vice versa. In this article, the effects of input variables of plastic injection, mold, and different plating stages were investigated on different output responses, namely weldline, warpage, length, and various metal plating thicknesses. This paper investigates a real-time industrial data of manufacturing an automotive exterior part made of ABS material. A D-optimal experimental layout with 55 experiments was generated for eight input factors each at three levels. Nine different output responses in each experiment were normalized into a weighted grey relational grade using grey relational analysis coupled with principal component analysis. The solutions obtained by the analysis of variance on weighted grey relational grade, and by the desirability analysis of D-optimal were compared and validated. The confirmation experiments recorded an average improvement in cumulative process outputs as 40.56% by grey relational analysis and 38.50% by desirability analysis.
Incidence and significance of elevated platelet-to-lymphocyte and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios among hospitalised HIV-positive adult patients
Authors: Merriman Rebekah C , Dissanayake Oshani , Alnjar Sara , Burns Fiona , Miller Robert F
Published: November 2019

There is increasing interest in the peripheral blood platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as markers of systemic inflammation. We audited records of unselected hospitalised HIV-positive adults to identify the frequency of elevated PLR and NLR, potential associations with specific diagnoses, and outcome. Of 259 patients audited, their median age was 47 years (interquartile range = 41–54); 188 (73%) were men. An elevated PLR occurred in 87 patients (33.6%); 67 (25.9%) had an elevated NLR; 200 (77%) had an elevated C-reactive protein (CRP). Elevated PLR and NLR was associated with a variety of infectious, inflammatory, and malignant conditions similar to conditions described in the general non-HIV-infected adult population. Additionally, elevated PLR and NLR occurred both in patients in receipt of antiretroviral therapy (with undetectable viral loads), as well as in those with newly-diagnosed and poorly-controlled infection. Fourteen patients with infectious and inflammatory conditions had an elevated PLR and normal CRP, with/without elevated NLR. There was no association between elevated PLR or NLR and ICU admission, p = 0.1001 and p = 0.605, respectively. Elevated NLR, but not PLR was associated with death, p = 0.0405 and p = 1.000, respectively: two-tailed Fisher’s exact test. The single site nature of the audit and relatively small number of patients limits these observations.
An adaptive power prior for sequential clinical trials – Application to bridging studies
Authors: Ollier Adrien , Morita Satoshi , Ursino Moreno , Zohar Sarah
Published: November 2019

During drug evaluation trials, information from clinical trials previously conducted on another population, indications or schedules may be available. In these cases, it might be desirable to share information by efficiently using the available resources. In this work, we developed an adaptive power prior with a commensurability parameter for using historical or external information. It allows, at each stage, full borrowing when the data are not in conflict, no borrowing when the data are in conflict or “tuned” borrowing when the data are in between. We propose to apply our adaptive power prior method to bridging studies between Caucasians and Asians, and we focus on the sequential adaptive allocation design, although other design settings can be used. We weight the prior information in two steps: the effective sample size approach is used to set the maximum desirable amount of information to be shared from historical data at each step of the trial; then, in a sort of Empirical Bayes approach, a commensurability parameter is chosen using a measure of distribution distance. This approach avoids elicitation and computational issues regarding the usual Empirical Bayes approach. We propose several versions of our method, and we conducted an extensive simulation study evaluating the robustness and sensitivity to prior choices.
Internationalization of the Curriculum in Finnish Higher Education: Understanding Lecturers’ Experiences
Authors: Renfors Sanna-Mari
Published: November 2019

This qualitative study presents an example of the internationalization of the curriculum (IoC) in a non-English speaking country, Finland, by including the lecturers in the debate. The topic is highly relevant, as IoC is becoming a focus area in Europe, and internationalization has been identified as an area in need of improvement in the Finnish system of higher education. The findings demonstrate that many lecturers are familiar with the meaning of IoC, but its implementation is highly dependent on the priorities at the institutional level. The lecturers can incorporate inclusive curriculum content and perspectives of the future profession in their teaching, but they do not have competencies, resources, and tools to adapt their teaching styles to an international, culturally diverse teaching and learning environment. Thus, IoC in Finland calls for the establishment of a new program design culture supported by the institution with the focus on international and intercultural learning outcomes and assessment practices.
Quality Indicators of End-of-Life Care Among Privately Insured People With Cancer in Brazil
Authors: Soares Luiz Guilherme L. , Gomes Renato V. , Palma Alberto , Japiassu André M.
Published: November 2019

Purpose:

To examine quality indicators of end-of-life (EOL) care among privately insured people with cancer in Brazil.

Methods:

We evaluated medical records linked to health insurance databank to study consecutive patients who died of cancer. We collected information about demographics, cancer type, and quality indicators of EOL care including emergency department (ED) visits, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, chemotherapy use, medical imaging utilization, blood transfusions, home care support, days of inpatient care, and hospital deaths.

Results:

We included 865 patients in the study. In the last 30 days of life, 62% visited the ED, 33% were admitted to the ICU, 24% received blood transfusions, and 51% underwent medical imaging. Only 1% had home care support in the last 60 days of life, and 29% used chemotherapy in the last 14 days of life. Patients had an average of 8 days of inpatient care and 52% died in the hospital. Patients with advanced cancer who used chemotherapy were more likely to visit the ED (78% vs 59%; P < .001), undergo medical imaging (67% vs 51%; P < .001), and die in the hospital (73% vs 50%; P = .03) than patients who did not use chemotherapy. In the multivariate analysis, chemotherapy use near death and advanced cancer were associated with ED visits and ICU admissions, respectively (odds ratio >1).

Conclusion:

Our study suggests that privately insured people with cancer receive poor quality EOL care in Brazil. Further research is needed to assess the impact of improvements in palliative care provision in this population.
Surgical Correction of Torticollis Due to Agenesis of the Sternocleidomastoid: Case Study and Review
Authors: Frost Joshua , Demke Joshua , Idicula Winslo , Diab Michel
Published: November 2019

Unilateral agenesis of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is a rare phenomenon known to cause torticollis. There have been around 12 reported instances of SCM agenesis in the literature; in almost every case, torticollis was easily resolved nonsurgically with stretching and physical therapy. We report the case of a 6-year-old boy with severe torticollis due to unilateral SCM absence who underwent the surgical release of the contralateral SCM. To our knowledge, this is the first time a surgical release of the SCM was performed to correct torticollis associated with agenesis of the SCM.
Computational investigation and passive control of vehicle sunroof buffeting
Authors: He Yansong , Zhang Quanzhou , An Changfa , Wang Yong , Xu Zhongming , Zhang Zhifei
Published: November 2019

A computational fluid dynamics simulation method based on large eddy simulation is presented and applied to compute the sunroof buffeting of a sport utility vehicle. The simulation result, i.e. the buffeting level curve, coincides well with the road test. The simulation method is then employed to investigate the sunroof buffeting of a vehicle during the development process in the range of 30 km/h–90 km/h. The results show that the most severe sunroof buffeting occurs at 70 km/h, which corresponds to the resonant frequency of the cabin. Flow field visualizations reveal that strong pressure fluctuations are generated inside the cabin due to vortex shedding from the leading edge and impinging onto the trailing edge of the sunroof opening, which explains the mechanism of sunroof buffeting. A new deflector with a gap and a notched upper edge is designed to replace the original castle type deflector. The simulation results show that the newly designed deflector can reduce the buffeting level to 97.9 dB; that is, the sunroof buffeting is completely eliminated. Moreover, the phenomenon of sunroof buffeting reduction is explained by comparing and analyzing the flow field between the newly designed deflector and the original deflector.
Multiple Eviction: An Investigation of Chain Displacement in Dane County, Wisconsin
Authors: Sims J. Revel , Iverson Alicia Adelle
Published: November 2019

Within a context dominated by the seemingly paradoxical juxtaposition of gentrification and abandonment in New York City during the early 1980s, Peter Marcuse developed an influential typology of displacement that can be conceptualized as a movement from the most readily observable forms of “last-resident” displacement to increasingly less measurable forms of “exclusionary displacement” and “displacement pressure.” While the typology depends heavily on the explanatory frame of demographic transition and the movement out of space, Marcuse also included the possibility of a contradictory form of “chain displacement” that often occurs in non- and/or pregentrification spaces without demographic change. Using geocoded data from 16 years of eviction records in Dane County Wisconsin, this research not only demonstrates the existence of chain displacement within specific neighborhoods, but also exposes sites of “multiple eviction” that combine with forms of disadvantage and relative demographic “stability” rather than patterns more characteristic of gentrification processes.
Somnophilia: Examining Its Various Forms and Associated Constructs
Authors: Deehan Elizabeth T. , Bartels Ross M.
Published: November 2019

Somnophilia refers to the interest in having sex with a sleeping person. Using an online sample of 437 participants, the present study provides the first empirical examination of somnophilia, its various forms, and theorized correlates. Participants completed the newly developed Somnophilia Interest and Proclivity Scale, which comprises three subscales (active consensual, passive consensual, and active nonconsensual somnophilia). To test hypotheses about the convergent and divergent validity of different paraphilic interests, participants also completed scales measuring necrophilic, rape-related, and sadistic/masochistic sexual fantasies, rape proclivity, and the need for sexual dominance/submission. Male participants scored higher than females on all scales except the passive subscale. For both males and females, each subscale was associated most strongly with conceptually congruent variables. These results support existing theoretical assumptions about somnophilia, as well as offering newer insights, such as distinguishing between active and passive somnophilia. Limitations and implications for further research are discussed.
Remote Pulmonary Function Test Monitoring in Cloud Platform via Smartphone Built-in Microphone
Authors: Chung Heewon , Jeong Changwon , Luhach Ashish Kr , Nam Yunyoung , Lee Jinseok
Published: November 2019

With an aging population that continues to grow, health care technology plays an increasingly active role, especially for chronic disease management. In the health care market, cloud platform technology is becoming popular, as both patients and physicians demand cost efficiency, easy access to information, and security. Especially for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, it is recommended that pulmonary function test (PFT) be performed on a daily basis. However, it is difficult for patients to frequently visit a hospital to perform the PFT. In this study, we present an application and cloud platform for remote PFT monitoring that can be directly measured by smartphone microphone with no external devices. In addition, we adopted the IBM Watson Internet-of-Things (IoT) platform for PFT monitoring, using a smartphone’s built-in microphone with a high-resolution time-frequency representation. We successfully demonstrated real-time PFT monitoring using the cloud platform. The PFT parameters of FEV1/FVC (%) could be remotely monitored when a subject performed the PFT test. As a pilot study, we tested 13 healthy subjects, and found that the absolute error mean was 4.12 and the standard deviation was 3.45 on all 13 subjects. With the developed applications on the cloud platform, patients can freely measure the PFT parameters without restriction on time and space, and a physician can monitor the patients’ status in real time. We hope that the PFT monitoring platform will work as a means for early detection and treatment of patients with pulmonary diseases, especially those having asthma and COPD.
The Associations Between Cognitive Prognosis and Kynurenines Are Modified by the Apolipoprotein ε4 Allele Variant in Patients With Dementia
Authors: Ervik Arne Olav , Hafstad Solvang Stein-Erik , Nordrehaug Jan Erik , Ueland Per Magne , Midttun Øivind , Hildre Audun , McCann Adrian , Nygård Ottar , Aarsland Dag , Giil Lasse Melvaer
Published: November 2019

Background:

The apolipoprotein E ε4 gene variant (APOEε4) confers considerable risk for dementia and affects neuroinflammation, brain metabolism, and synaptic function. The kynurenine pathway (KP) gives rise to neuroactive metabolites, which have inflammatory, redox, and excitotoxic effects in the brain.

Aim:

To assess whether the presence of at least one APOEε4 allele modifies the association between kynurenines and the cognitive prognosis.

Methods:

A total of 152 patients with sera for metabolite measurements and APOE genotype were included from the Dementia Study of Western Norway. The participants had mild Alzheimer disease and Lewy body dementia. Apolipoprotein E ε4 gene variant allele status was classified as one or more ε4 versus any other. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was measured at baseline and for 5 consecutive years. Mann-Whitney U tests and linear mixed-effects models were used for statistical analysis.

Results:

There were no significant differences in serum concentrations of tryptophan and kynurenine according to the presence or absence of APOEε4. High serum concentrations of kynurenic acid, quinolinic acid, and picolinic acid, and a higher kynurenine-to-tryptophan ratio, were all associated with more cognitive decline in patients without APOEε4 compared to those with the APOEε4 allele ( P-value of the interactions < .05).

Conclusions:

Kynurenic acid, quinolinic acid, picolinic acid, and the kynurenine-to-tryptophan ratio were associated with a significant increase in cognitive decline when the APOEε4 variant was absent, whereas there was a relatively less decline when the APOEε4 variant was present.
How data provided by the Brazilian information system of primary care have been used by researchers
Authors: Lopes Fernando Rocha Lucena , Monteiro Karolinne Souza , Santos Silvana
Published: November 2019

In this article, we have investigated how researchers use the data provided by the Brazilian Information System of Primary Care . We also searched, for the first time, studies that evaluated the quality and reliability of the information provided by the Primary Care Information System. An integrative review of the literature was performed using the keywords ‘information systems, primary care and SIAB’ on search databases, and 53 of 174 articles were selected. These publications were classified into two large subgroups: those using the Primary Care Information System as ‘data source’ and those that took it as the ‘object of study’. The first group included 35 studies, 18 of which used demographic and social health data records, and nine described data about diseases, specifically hypertension and diabetes. These data were used by researchers for association with health indicators (20%) or comparison with other information systems (17%), sample or population calculus (9%), estimation of prevalence and characterization of the epidemiological profile of a population (26%) or, more generally, to carry out the assessment of health status (29%). The Primary Care Information System as the ‘object of study’ group included 18 works, describing the knowledge and practices of professionals in relation to the information system. These researchers pointed out issues in the process of production and information consolidation, mainly due to the lack of training and supervision of community health workers and bureaucratization of their work process. Although some issues in the quality of data provided by the Primary Care Information System were reported by researchers, these findings were not corroborated by two studies that assessed the reliability of information disclosed by this system. Despite changes in the Brazilian health policies, the issue of data quality in health information systems continues to be a challenge preventing data from being used for decision-making and knowledge production.
Removal of heavy metal ions (Pb2+ and Ni2+) from aqueous solution using nonwovens produced from lignocellulosic milkweed fibers
Authors: Eftekhari Elham , Hasani Hossein , Fashandi Hossein
Published: November 2019

Batch-adsorption technique was employed to evaluate the adsorption capacity of the nonwovens produced from lignocellulosic milkweed fibers for the removal of heavy metal ions, i.e. Pb2+ and Ni2+, from aqueous solutions. The impact of controllable factors such as solution pH, initial concentration, contact time and operating temperature on the adsorption quantity of Pb2+ and Ni2+ was investigated using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The kinetic and isotherm of the adsorption process were also modeled. The milkweed fibers demonstrated superior performance for the removal of Pb2+ ions from wastewater over Ni2+ ions. The results demonstrated that the equilibrium concentration of heavy metal ions in solution varies with solution pH and the least equilibrium concentration is observed at pH = 6, regardless of ion type. The results also revealed that the removal percentage of Ni2+ ions reached the value of 65.58% at contact time of 60 min while Pb2+ ions removal percentage was as high as 96.16% at contact time of 90 min. It was concluded that an increase in operating temperature from 26 to 45°C causes to slight decrease of the removal percentage for both Pb2+ and Ni2+ ions by ∼5.7% and ∼9.5%, respectively. The adsorption behavior of milkweed fibers toward Pb2+ and Ni2+ ions followed Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models, respectively. Moreover, pseudo-second order model was the best to describe the adsorption kinetics of both metal ions.
Crafting New Worlds: Critical Qualitative Inquiry and/as an Aesthetics of the Wound
Authors: Kruger Frans
Published: November 2019

What opportunities for the creation of new worlds and subjectivities could we craft if we experimented with critical qualitative inquiry and/as an aesthetics of the wound? In this piece, I set out to explore this question by drawing on the memory of watching the film Cry Freedom as a 9 year old.
Mindful Screen Time
Authors: Gary Katharine
Published: November 2019

The benefit of apps that teach children mindfulness.
A vehicular network–based intelligent transport system for smart cities
Authors: Zaheer Tayyaba , Malik Asad Waqar , Rahman Anis Ur , Zahir Ayesha , Fraz Muhammad Moazam
Published: November 2019

Smart cities and the Internet of Things have enabled the integration of communicating devices for efficient decision-making. Notably, traffic congestion is one major problem faced by daily commuters in urban cities. In developed countries, specialized sensors are deployed to gather traffic information to predict traffic patterns. Any traffic updates are shared with the commuters via the Internet. Such solutions become impracticable when physical infrastructure and Internet connectivity are either non-existent or very limited. In case of developing countries, no roadside units are available and Internet connectivity is still an issue in remote areas. In this article, we propose an intelligent vehicular network framework for smart cities that enables route selection based on real-time data received from neighboring vehicles in an ad hoc fashion. We used Wi-Fi Direct–enabled Android-based smartphones as embedded devices in vehicles. We used a vehicular ad hoc network to implement an intelligent transportation system. Data gathering and preprocessing were carried on different routes between two metropolitan cities of a developing country. The framework was evaluated on different fixed route-selection and dynamic route-selection algorithms in terms of resource usage, transmission delay, packet loss, and overall travel time. Our results show reduced travel times of up to 33.3% when compared to a traditional fixed route-selection algorithm.
School leadership and post-conflict education: How can their roles in developing inclusive practices in post-conflict schooling be understood and conceptualized?
Authors: Wanjiru Jenestar
Published: November 2019

The concepts of ‘leadership’ and ‘inclusion’ continue to attract much attention in educational discourses; however, not many studies have explored their connection in schools serving conflict-affected communities where displacement and fragmentation of families risks the access, participation and achievement of many young people in education. This single intrinsic case study with aspects of ethnography was conducted in one post-conflict community primary school in Kenya, following the 2007/8 post-election violence. Overall, the aim was to understand the connection between school leadership and inclusive education practices, with interest in the schooling experiences of conflict-affected children. Following an integration of reviewed literature and findings emerging from the entire study, this paper specifically examines how roles for school leadership can be understood in relation to developing inclusive practices for conflict-affected pupils in post-conflict schooling. Three core thematic issues emerged, suggesting that these roles involved: mediating ‘post-conflict conflicts’; fostering ‘socio-moral connectedness’, and engendering aspects of ‘indigenous leadership practice’ in school. These roles were fundamental in reversing community disintegration and repairing moral distortion. Besides contributing to knowledge in the developing field of education and conflict, this study highlights the joint social, moral and professional investment made by headteachers and teachers in repairing violence-torn societies.
Mussel Adhesive Protein as a Promising Alternative to Fibrin for Scaffold Fixation during Cartilage Repair Surgery
Authors: Ivarsson Mikael , Prenkert Malin , Cheema Annam , Wretenberg Per , Andjelkov Nenad
Published: November 2019

Objective

Fibrin has been used as a standard material for scaffold fixation during cartilage repair surgery. Most of the commercially available fibrin preparations need an additional method for scaffold fixation, most often with sutures, thus damaging the surrounding healthy cartilage. There is therefore a need to find alternatives to this method. In our study, we have investigated the potential possibility to use mussel adhesive protein as such an alternative.

Methods

In this study, hydrophobic plastic was coated with the mussel adhesive protein Mefp-1 as well as with other cell adhesives (poly-lysine, fibronectin, and collagen). Human keratinocytes and chondrocytes were seeded on these substrates at 37°C in culture medium, followed by analysis of attachment and proliferation by crystal violet staining and metabolic labelling. Performance of Mefp-1 and fibrin as tissue glues were estimated by tensional force resistance measurement of moist porcine dermis (as a correlate to scaffold) glued to dermis, cartilage, or bone at 37°C.

Results

Mefp-1 supported maximal cell attachment at a coating density of approximately 1 µg/cm2. This was at least as good as the other adhesives tested. In addition, it supported cell proliferation at least as good as regular tissue culture plastic over a 7-day period. Measurement of tensional force resistance showed that Mefp-1 performed equally well as fibrin when porcine dermis was glued to cartilage and bone at the same concentration. Separation of the moist tissues after 15-minute incubation required a force of approximately 1 N/cm2 for both compounds.

Conclusions

Mefp-1 show properties that qualify it as a compound that potentially could replace fibrin as a tissue glue for scaffold fixation. Given the possibilities to modify this protein by bioengineering, it is likely that the properties can be further improved.
Emerging Adults Living in Supportive Housing Programs: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Bergman Andrea J. , Courtney Kristen , Stefancic Ana , Pope Alice
Published: November 2019

The present study focuses on the service-related needs and experiences of formerly homeless emerging adults living in supportive housing programs following a Housing First model. Recent research on services utilized by homeless individuals has indicated that, in supportive housing programs that serve a wide age range, emerging adults may consider themselves different from older adults, with distinct problems and characteristics. The present study applied conventional content analysis to qualitative interviews to investigate how emerging adults in two Housing First supportive housing programs describe and understand their experiences within these programs. Findings are centered on three main domains: social connections, future outlooks, and program experiences. Results highlight the importance of taking developmental considerations into account when formulating services for emerging adults.
A Chart Review Study of Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Persons Living with HIV Attending an STI Clinic in Trinidad
Authors: Edwards Jeffrey , Hinds Avery , Lyons Nyla , Edwards Jonathan , Quammie Shauntelle , Figueroa John Peter
Published: November 2019

A chart review study of the sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevalence among persons living with HIV (PLHIV) was conducted among STI clinic attendees in Trinidad between January 2012 and December 2012. Data were abstracted from client records to obtain the clinical and the laboratory diagnoses of STIs. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were conducted, and factors significantly associated with the presence of a STI were assessed using multiple logistic regression. During this period, 385 PLHIV were seen; 104 (27.0%) were newly HIV diagnosed and 281 (73.0%) had a known history of HIV infection; 135 (35.1%) were diagnosed with a STI. Patients with known HIV infection were more likely to be diagnosed with a STI than those who were newly diagnosed (odds ratios: 6.99; 95% confidence interval: 3.79-12.89). The STI prevalence was high among PLHIV in Trinidad, identifying them as a critical target group for public health interventions to prevent the spread of HIV and STIs.
Commute mode share and access to jobs across US metropolitan areas
Authors: Wu Hao , Levinson David , Owen Andrew
Published: November 2019

How much of the variation in transit mode share is attributable to accessibility is not well understood, despite its significant policy implications. It is hypothesized that better transit accessibility leads to higher transit mode share. This paper explains block group level transit mode share using transit accessibility in a logistic model for 48 major US metropolitan areas. Transit accessibility alone explains much of the variation in transit mode share for all 48 regions despite their geographical differences (adjusted R2 0.61, potential accessibility); models for individual cities have stable and interpretable parameters for transit accessibility. The models better explain mode share in cities with higher person weighted transit accessibility and larger populations; an adjusted R2 of 0.76 is achieved for New York City with transit accessibility as the only explanatory variable. Additional automobile accessibility and income variables modestly improve model fit. Time–decay functions fitted to accessibility measures better explain mode choice than the isochrone accessibility, and suggest the catchment area affecting transit mode choice to be within 35 minutes. This work contributes to the understanding of transit mode share by solidifying its link with accessibility, which is determined by the structure of the transport network and land development.
Characteristics and firing behaviour of the under-Numidian clay deposits from the Jijel region (northeast Algeria): potential use in the ceramics industry
Authors: Baghdad Abdelmalek , Bouazi Rekia , Bouftouha Youcef , Hatert Frédéric , Fagel Nathalie
Published: November 2019

The Numidian Aquitano-Burdigalian nappe from the Jijel region (northeast Algeria) shows an important clay-rich basal series. In this study, seven representative clay samples were collected from the Djimla and El-Milia areas of this region in order to analyse their mineralogy using X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, chemical composition by X-ray fluorescence, particle size, plasticity, morphology by scanning electron microscopy and their ceramic properties. Samples were prepared by pressing the clays and firing them at 800–1100°C, and bulk density, water absorption, linear firing shrinkage, weight loss and bending strength values were determined on the fired samples. The clays are mainly composed of kaolinite and illite, with a small amount of 10–14 Å interstratified clay minerals and chlorite, associated with quartz and feldspars. The main oxides in the samples were SiO2, Al2O3and Fe2O3. The clays may be classified as moderately plastic according to their Atterberg limits. Ceramic tiles have been produced by dry pressing. At all tested firing temperatures, the clays present the required standard values for linear firing shrinkage, weight loss, bulk density, water absorption and bending strength, and they are defect-free. The main transformations were observed at 1000°C with the appearance of new crystalline phases. The measured technological properties of the investigated deposits confirm that the Numidian clays from the Djimla and El-Milia regions are suitable materials for the production of high-quality structural ceramics.
Prognostic significance of pulmonary function tests in dyskeratosis congenita, a telomere biology disorder
Authors: Giri Neelam , Ravichandran Sandhiya , Wang Youjin , Gadalla Shahinaz M. , Alter Blanche P. , Fontana Joseph , Savage Sharon A.
Published: November 2019

Pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary arteriovenous malformations are known manifestations of dyskeratosis congenita (DC), a telomere biology disorder (TBD) and inherited bone marrow failure syndrome caused by germline mutations in telomere maintenance genes resulting in very short telomeres. Baseline pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and long-term clinical outcomes have not been thoroughly studied in DC/TBDs.

In this retrospective study, 43 patients with DC and 67 unaffected relatives underwent baseline PFTs and were followed for a median of 8 years (range 1–14). Logistic regression and competing risk models were used to compare PFT results in relation to clinical and genetic characteristics, and patient outcomes.

Restrictive abnormalities on spirometry and moderate-to-severe reduction in diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide were significantly more frequent in patients with DC than relatives (42%versus12%; p=0.008). The cumulative incidence of pulmonary disease by age 20 years was 55% in patients with DC with baseline PFT abnormalities compared with 17% in those with normal PFTs (p=0.02). None of the relatives developed pulmonary disease. X-linked recessive, autosomal recessive inheritance or heterozygousTINF2variants were associated with early-onset pulmonary disease that mainly developed after haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Overall, seven of 14 patients developed pulmonary disease post-HCT at a median of 4.7 years (range 0.7–12). The cumulative incidence of pulmonary fibrosis in patients with heterozygous non-TINF2pathogenic variants was 70% by age 60 years.

Baseline PFT abnormalities are common in patients with DC and associated with progression to significant pulmonary disease. Prospective studies are warranted to facilitate clinical trial development for patients with DC and related TBDs.
Late sodium current blocker GS967 inhibits persistent currents induced by familial hemiplegic migraine type 3 mutations of the SCN1A gene
Authors: Barbieri R. , Bertelli S. , Pusch M. , Gavazzo P.
Published: November 2019

Background

Familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM) is a group of genetic migraine, associated with hemiparesis and aura. Three causative different genes have been identified, all of which are involved in membrane ion transport. Among these, SCN1A encodes the voltage-gated Na+ channel Nav1.1, and FHM caused by mutations of SCN1A is named FHM3. For 7 of the 12 known FHM3-causing SCNA1 mutations functional consequences have been investigated, and even if gain of function effect seems to be a predominant phenotype, for several mutations conflicting results have been obtained and the available data do not reveal a univocal FHM3 pathomechanism.

Methods

To obtain a more complete picture, here, we characterized by patch clamp approach the remaining 5 mutations (Q1489H, I1498M, F1499 L, M1500 V, F1661 L) in heterologous expression systems.

Results

With the exception of I1498M, all mutants exhibited the same current density as WT and exhibited a shift of the steady state inactivation to more positive voltages, an accelerated recovery from inactivation, and an increase of the persistent current, revealing that most FHM3 mutations induce a gain of function. We also determined the effect of GS967, a late Na+ current blocker, on the above mentioned mutants as well as on previously characterized ones (L1649Q, L1670 W, F1774S). GS967 inhibited persistent currents of all SCNA1 FMH3-related mutants and dramatically slowed the recovery from fast inactivation of WT and mutants, consistent with the hypothesis that GS967 specifically binds to and thereby stabilizes the fast inactivated state.

Simulation of neuronal firing showed that enhanced persistent currents cause an increase of ionic fluxes during action potential repolarization and consequent accumulation of K+ and/or exhaustion of neuronal energy resources. In silico application of GS967 largely reduced net ionic currents in neurons without impairing excitability.

Conclusion

In conclusion, late Na+ current blockers appear a promising specific pharmacological treatment of FHM3.
Optimized grouping to increase accuracy of prediction of breeding values based on group records in genomic selection breeding programs
Authors: Chu Thinh T. , Bastiaansen John W. M. , Berg Peer , Komen Hans
Published: November 2019

Background

Phenotypic records of group means or group sums are a good alternative to individual records for some difficult to measure, but economically important traits such as feed efficiency or egg production. Accuracy of predicted breeding values based on group records increases with increasing relationships between group members. The classical way to form groups with more closely-related animals is based on pedigree information. When genotyping information is available before phenotyping, its use to form groups may further increase the accuracy of prediction from group records. This study analyzed two grouping methods based on genomic information: (1) unsupervised clustering implemented in the STRUCTURE software and (2) supervised clustering that models genomic relationships.

Results

Using genomic best linear unbiased prediction (GBLUP) models, estimates of the genetic variance based on group records were consistent with those based on individual records. When genomic information was available to constitute the groups, genomic relationship coefficients between group members were higher than when random grouping of paternal half-sibs and of full-sibs was applied. Grouping methods that are based on genomic information resulted in higher accuracy of genomic estimated breeding values (GEBV) prediction compared to random grouping. The increase was ~ 1.5% for full-sibs and ~ 11.5% for paternal half-sibs. In addition, grouping methods that are based on genomic information led to lower coancestry coefficients between the top animals ranked by GEBV. Of the two proposed methods, supervised clustering was superior in terms of accuracy, computation requirements and applicability. By adding surplus genotyped offspring (more genotyped offspring than required to fill the groups), the advantage of supervised clustering increased by up to 4.5% compared to random grouping of full-sibs, and by 14.7% compared to random grouping of paternal half-sibs. This advantage also increased with increasing family sizes or decreasing genome sizes.

Conclusions

The use of genotyping information for grouping animals increases the accuracy of selection when phenotypic group records are used in genomic selection breeding programs.
Didelphis albiventris: an overview of unprecedented transcriptome sequencing of the white-eared opossum
Authors: dos Santos Íria Gabriela Dias , de Oliveira Mendes Tiago Antônio , Silva Gerluza Aparecida Borges , Reis Amanda Maria Sena , Monteiro-Vitorello Cláudia Barros , Schaker Patricia Dayane Carvalho , Herai Roberto Hirochi , Fabotti André Brait Carneiro , Coutinho Luiz Lehmann , Jorge Erika Cristina
Published: November 2019

Background

The white-eared opossum (Didelphis albiventris) is widely distributed throughout Brazil and South America. It has been used as an animal model for studying different scientific questions ranging from the restoration of degraded green areas to medical aspects of Chagas disease, leishmaniasis and resistance against snake venom. As a marsupial,D. albiventriscan also contribute to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms that govern the different stages of organogenesis. Opossum joeys are born after only 13 days, and the final stages of organogenesis occur when the neonates are inside the pouch, depending on lactation. As neither the genome of this opossum species nor its transcriptome has been completely sequenced, the use ofD. albiventrisas an animal model is limited. In this work, we sequenced theD. albiventristranscriptome by RNA-seq to obtain the first catalogue of differentially expressed (DE) genes and gene ontology (GO) annotations during the neonatal stages of marsupial development.

Results

TheD. albiventristranscriptome was obtained from whole neonates harvested at birth (P0), at 5 days of age (P5) and at 10 days of age (P10). The de novo assembly of these transcripts generated 85,338 transcripts. Approximately 30% of these transcripts could be mapped against the amino acid sequences ofM. domestica, the evolutionarily closest relative ofD. albiventristo be sequenced thus far. Among the expressed transcripts, 2077 were found to be DE between P0 and P5, 13,780 between P0 and P10, and 1453 between P5 and P10. The enriched GO terms were mainly related to the immune system, blood tissue development and differentiation, vision, hearing, digestion, the CNS and limb development.

Conclusions

The elucidation of opossum transcriptomes provides an out-group for better understanding the distinct characteristics associated with the evolution of mammalian species. This study provides the first transcriptome sequences and catalogue of genes for a marsupial species at different neonatal stages, allowing the study of the mechanisms involved in organogenesis.
Qualifying and quantifying the precision medicine rhetoric
Authors: Lee Jasmine , Hamideh Dina , Nebeker Camille
Published: November 2019

Background

With the rise of precision medicine efforts worldwide, our study objective was to describe and map the emerging precision medicine landscape. A Google search was conducted between June 19, 2017 to July 20, 2017 to examine how “precision medicine” and its analogous terminology were used to describe precision medicine efforts. Resulting web-pages were reviewed for geographic location, data type(s), program aim(s), sample size, duration, and the key search terms used and recorded in a database. Descriptive statistics were applied to quantify terminology used to describe specific precision medicine efforts. Qualitative data were analyzed for content and patterns.

Results

Of the 108 programs identified through our search, 84% collected only biospecimen(s) and, of those that collected at least two data types, 42% mentioned both Electronic Health Records (EHR) and biospecimen. Given the majority of efforts limited to biospecimen(s) use, genetic research seems to be prioritized in association with precision medicine. Roughly, 54% were found to collect two or more data types, which limits the output of information that may contribute to understanding of the interplay of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Over half were government-funded with roughly a third being industry-funded. Most initiatives were concentrated in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first study to map and qualify the global precision medicine landscape. Our findings reveal that precision medicine efforts range from large model cohort studies involving multidimensional, longitudinal data to biorepositories with a collection of blood samples. We present a spectrum where past, present, and future PM-like efforts can fall based on their scope and potential impact. If precision medicine is based on genes, lifestyle and environmental factors, we recommend programs claiming to be precision medicine initiatives to incorporate multidimensional data that can inform a holistic approach to healthcare.