bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Theoretical study of thermal response of bimaterial microcantilevers with different coating materials
Authors: Dat Le Tri , Pham Vinh N.T. , Huy Ho Thanh , Iida Takuya , Vy Nguyen Duy
Published: October 2020

Bilayer microcantilevers are a versatile tool in thermal and bio-sensing with responses relying on the mismatch between the two constituting materials. The cantilever response, such as a deflection and resonance frequency shift, could be involved when the cantilever is in contact with an arbitrary heat source in the ambient environment. In this study, thermally induced deflection will be theoretically examined assuming a heat source located at various positions on the cantilever. The combined contributions of heat absorption, thermal conductivity, and material rigidity on the final deflection will be revealed. Selecting an optimal position leads to 1.5 times enhancement of the cantilever deflection in comparison to thermal excitation at the cantilever end in conventional experiments, which implies a significant increase in thermal sensitivity. Furthermore, responses of cantilevers with different coating materials (Au, Al, Cu, or Ni) have been examined and show a dominant sensitivity of Al- and Ni- over Cu- and Au-coated cantilevers. These results could help to explain recent experimental results and to choose an optimal thermal excitation of microcantilevers in sensing.
Abundant solitary wave solutions for the fractional coupled Jaulent–Miodek equations arising in applied physics
Authors: Zafar Asim , Bekir Ahmet , Khalid Bushra , Rezazadeh Hadi
Published: October 2020

This article explores the abundant solitary wave solutions of the conformable coupled Jaulent–Miodek (JM) equations appearing in applied physics. The aforesaid coupled equations belong to the family of shallow-water wave equations. Two recent modified integration schemes are used for the first time to produce a novel solitary wave, trigonometric and other solutions with some free parameters in the conformable derivative sense. In particular, the modified Kudryashov and [Formula: see text]-expansion schemes are used to illustrate the wave propagations through aforesaid solutions of the JM equations. Furthermore, a comparison is made with some recent results and the dynamics of the obtained solutions are displayed for the reader via soft computation. The outcomes reveal that the methods are effective and provide a direct way of finding novel solutions.
Arbitrary Back-Projection Networks for Image Super-Resolution
Authors: Ma Tingsong , Tian Wenhong
Published: October 2020

Recently, a method called Meta-SR has solved the problem of super-resolution of arbitrary scale factor with only one single model. However, it has a limited reconstruction accuracy compared with RDN[Formula: see text] and EDSR[Formula: see text]. Inspired by Meta-SR, we noticed that by combining the core idea of Meta-SR and D-DBPN, we might construct a network that has as good image reconstruction accuracy as D-DBPN’s, at the same time, keeps arbitrary scaling function. According to Meta-SR’s Meta-Upscale Module, we designed a different structure called Meta-Downscale Module. By using these two different modules and back-projection structure, we construct an arbitrary back-projection network, which has the ability to enlarge images with arbitrary scale factor by using only one single model, meanwhile, obtains state-of-the-art reconstruction results. Through extensive experiments, our proposed method performs better reconstruction effect than Meta-SR and more efficient than D-DBPN. Besides that, we also evaluated the proposed method on widely used benchmark dataset on single image super-resolution. The experimental results show the superiority of our model compared to RDN+ and EDSR+.
Electrochemical Performance and Interface Analysis of Al-MgO Composite Anodes for Al-air Batteries
Authors: Yu Jiasheng , Hu Zhengfei , Du Zexu
Published: October 2020

Al-0.5 wt.% MgO, Al-1 wt.% MgO, Al-1.5 wt.% MgO and pure Al anodes were prepared to investigate the effect of MgO particles addition on the electrochemical performance of aluminum anode for Al-air batteries in alkaline electrolyte. The electrochemical performance of these battery devices, including anodic polarization, corrosion characteristics, hydrogen evolution rate, AC impedance, and discharge behavior was examined and analyzed comparatively in 4 M KOH solution. The results show that Al-0.5 wt.% MgO, Al-1 wt.% MgO composite anodes exhibit a negative shift in the open-circuit potential compared with pure Al anode. Appropriate amount of MgO addition obviously improves the electrochemical activity, corrosion resistance and anode utilization of pure Al anode. These behaviors should be related to the interface characteristic of MgO particles with Al matrix which helps to destroy the integrity and compactness of the oxide layer on anode surface. The influence of MgO addition on the corrosion resistance of composite Al anode is well explained by the energy band and state density calculation based on density functional theory.
Enhanced Corrosion Resistance of Additively Manufactured 316L Stainless Steel After Heat Treatment
Authors: Zhou Chengshuang , Wang Jing , Hu Shiyin , Tao Huimin , Fang Bei , Li Long , Zheng Jinyang , Zhang Lin
Published: October 2020

The microstructures and passivation behavior of selective laser melted 316L stainless steel (SLM SS316L) after various heat treatments (500 °C, 950 °C, and 1100 °C) were investigated. The electrochemical results showed that the SLM SS316L sample that was heat treated at 950 °C exhibited the lowest passive current density. The microstructural characterization analysis indicated that the subgrain structures transformed from dislocation-rich subgrain boundaries into island-like cellular trace structures after heat treatment at 950 °C. This led to improved corrosion resistance due to the elimination of dislocations and the homogenization of the composition. Compositional analyses of the passive film indicated that there was no notable change in the passive film composition after heat treatment at 500 °C and 950 °C. However, heat treatment at 1100 °C promoted the formation of Cr(OH)3 in the passive film, resulting in a reduced corrosion resistance. Based on these results, heat treatment at 950 °C appears to be an adequate post-process for SLM SS316L to optimize the microstructure, while also improving corrosion resistance.
The Impact of Peltier and Dufour Coefficients on Heat Fluxes and Temperature Profiles in the Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells
Authors: Sauermoser Marco , Kjelstrup Signe , Pollet Bruno G.
Published: October 2020

We show that the coupling effects in non-equilibrium thermodynamics for heat-, mass- and charge- transport in the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) all give significant contributions to local heat effects. The set of equations was solved by modifying an open-source 1D fuel cell algorithm. The entropy balance was used to check for model consistency. The balance was obeyed within 10% error in all PEMFC layers, except for the cathode backing. The Dufour effect/thermal diffusion and the Peltier/Seebeck coefficient are commonly neglected. Here they are included systematically. The model was used to compute heat fluxes out of the cell. A temperature difference of 5 K between the left and right boundary of the system could change the heat fluxes up to 44%. The Dufour effect, for instance, increases the temperature of both anode and cathode, up to 9 K. The possibility to accurately predict local heat effects can be important for the design of fuel cell stacks, where intermediate cooling is central. This work is based on Paper 1484 presented at the Atlanta, Georgia, Meeting of the Society, October 13–17, 2019.
Structural and functional characterization of engineered bifunctional fusion proteins of CD39 and CD73 ectonucleotidases
Authors: Zhong Elizabeth H. , Ledderose Carola , De Andrade Mello Paola , Enjyoji Keiichi , Lunderberg Justin Mark , Junger Wolfgang , Robson Simon C.
Published: October 2020

Extracellular diphosphate and triphosphate nucleotides are released from activated or injured cells to trigger vascular and immune P2 purinergic receptors, provoking inflammation and vascular thrombosis. These metabokines are scavenged by ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase-1 (E-NTPDase1 or CD39). Further degradation of the monophosphate nucleoside end products occurs by surface ecto-5′-nucleotidase (NMPase) or CD73. These ectoenzymatic processes work in tandem to promote adenosinergic responses, which are immunosuppressive and antithrombotic. These homeostatic ectoenzymatic mechanisms are lost in the setting of oxidative stress, which exacerbates inflammatory processes. We have engineered bifunctional enzymes made up from ectodomains (ECDs) of CD39 and CD73 within a single polypeptide. Human alkaline phosphatase-ectodomain (ALP-ECD) and human acid phosphatase-ectodomain (HAP-ECD) fusion proteins were also generated, characterized, and compared with these CD39-ECD, CD73-ECD, and bifunctional fusion proteins. Through the application of colorimetrical functional assays and high-performance liquid chromatography kinetic assays, we demonstrate that the bifunctional ectoenzymes express high levels of CD39-like NTPDase activity and CD73-like NMPase activity. Chimeric CD39-CD73-ECD proteins were superior in converting triphosphate and diphosphate nucleotides into nucleosides when compared with ALP-ECD and HAP-ECD. We also note a pH sensitivity difference between the bifunctional fusion proteins and parental fusions, as well as ectoenzymatic property distinctions. Intriguingly, these innovative reagents decreased platelet activation to exogenous agonists in vitro. We propose that these chimeric fusion proteins could serve as therapeutic agents in inflammatory diseases, acting to scavenge proinflammatory ATP and also generate anti-inflammatory adenosine.
Differential expression of full-length and NH2 terminally truncated FAM134B isoforms in normal physiology and cancer
Authors: Keles Umur , Iscan Evin , Yilmaz Huriye Erbak , Karakülah Gökhan , Suner Aslı , Bal Erhan , Tasdemir Nilgun , Cavga Ayse Derya , Ekin Umut , Mutlu Zeynep , Kahyaoglu Sila , Serdar Muhittin A. , Atabey Nese , Ozturk Mehmet
Published: October 2020

We reported tissues expressing FAM134B-2 such as the kidney, muscle, heart, and pancreas, some of which exhibit stimulated expression upon nutrient starvation. We also demonstrated the effect of Fam134b deletion during ad libitum and starvation conditions. Resistance to weight loss and hypocalcemia, accompanied by an increase in serum albumin and α-amylase levels, indicate critical roles of Fam134b in physiology. Furthermore, the differential expression of FAM134B isoforms was shown to be significantly dysregulated in human cancers.
The Oscillatory ReConstruction Algorithm adaptively identifies frequency bands to improve spectral decomposition in human and rodent neural recordings
Authors: Watrous Andrew J. , Buchanan Robert J.
Published: October 2020

Neural oscillations show substantial variability within and across individuals and brain regions, yet most existing studies analyze oscillations using canonical, fixed-frequency bands. Thus, there is an ongoing need for tools that capture oscillatory variability in neural signals. Toward this end, Oscillatory ReConstruction Algorithm is a novel and adaptive analytic tool that allows researchers to measure neural oscillations with more precision and less researcher bias.
Local and large-scale beta oscillatory dysfunction in males with mild traumatic brain injury
Authors: Zhang Jing , Safar Kristina , Emami Zahra , Ibrahim George M. , Scratch Shannon E. , da Costa Leodante , Dunkley Benjamin T.
Published: October 2020

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) disrupts the dynamic repertoire of neural oscillations, but so far beta activity has not been studied. In mTBI, we found reductions in frontal beta and large-scale beta networks, indicative of thalamocortical dysconnectivity and disrupted information flow through cortico-basal ganglia-thalamic circuits. Relatively, connectivity more accurately classifies individual mTBI cases compared with regional power. We show the relevance of beta oscillations in mTBI and the reliability of these markers in classification.
Increase in internetwork functional connectivity in the human brain with attention capture
Authors: Sun Hongyang , Yue Qiuhai , Sy Jocelyn L. , Godwin Douglass , Eaton Hana P. , Raghavan Padma , Marois René
Published: October 2020

The selective properties of attention have been extensively studied. There are some circumstances in which attention can have widespread and systemic effects, however, such as when it is captured by an unexpected, salient stimulus or event. How are such effects propagated in the human brain? Using graph theory analysis of fMRI data, we show here that salient task-irrelevant events produced a global increase in the functional integration of the brain’s neural networks.
Analytical Model to Predict Residual Flexural Capacity of Recycled Aggregate Concrete Beams with Corroded Longitudinal Rebars
Authors: Zou Zhenghao , Yang Guojiao , Su Tian
Published: October 2020

This paper presents the results of research on the flexural behavior of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) beams. The correlation between flexural behavior and the corrosion level of longitudinal rebar was analysed. Based on theoretical analysis and experiment results, the influence of corrosion on flexural cracking moment was analysed and a model to predict the residual flexural capacity of RAC beams with corroded longitudinal rebars was established. The experimental results show that the development degree of cover cracks deepens with the increase of the corrosion level, and the experimental data also demonstrate that the strain distribution of concrete in the midspan of beams conforms to the plane section assumption better when the corrosion level is little but no longer satisfies the plane section assumption when the corrosion level is high.
Effect of Different‐Volume Fluid Resuscitation on Organ Functions in Severe Acute Pancreatitis and Therapeutic Effect of Poria cocos
Authors: Yi Xiao-Lin , Hu Jing , Wu Qiu-Ting , Zhang Yu-Mei , Hu Qian , Yuan Ling , Miao Yi-Fan , Chen Huan , Zhu Lv , Li Juan , Zhao Xian-Lin , Yao Jia-Qi , Dai Xiao-Yu , Wan Mei-Hua , Tang Wen-Fu
Published: October 2020

Objective. To explore the effect of different‐volume fluid resuscitation (FR) on organ functions in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and to elucidate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Poria cocos on organ injuries caused by high‐volume FR. Methods. 1. Clinical study: retrospective analysis of thirty‐one patients about the effect of titrated fluid resuscitation protocol (TFR) on the occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) secondary to SAP. 2. Experimental study: rats (N = 30) were randomly divided into five groups: sham, model, low‐volume FR (1.5 ml/kg/h), high‐volume FR (10 ml/kg/h), and Poria cocos combined with high‐volume FR (10 ml/kg/h + intraintestinal administration Poria cocos 5 g/kg); serum or plasma indicators and histopathologic scores were compared to explore the effect and mechanism of different fluid volumes and Poria cocos on organ function in SAP. Results. The occurrence of AKI, fluid volume, and fluid velocity in TFR group was lower than that in the control group. Logistic regression analysis showed that increased Marshall scores and fluid velocity were risk factors for predicting occurrence of AKI in SAP. Low‐volume FR decreased the levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Cr), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), and pathologic scores of the pancreas and kidney. High‐volume FR increased ascites, MMPs, and kidney pathologic scores. Poria cocos decreased the levels of BUN, Cr, MMPs, and pathologic scores of the pancreas and kidney and increased the arterial oxygen saturation. Conclusion. TFR‐associated lower fluid volume and velocity reduced the occurrence of AKI secondary to SAP. High volume might aggravate AKI via increased MMP release leading to endothelial glycocalyx damage and vascular endothelial dysfunction. Poria cocos reduced MMP release, relieved glycocalyx damage, and alleviated the pancreas and kidney injury aggravated by high fluid volume in SAP. Therefore, endothelial glycocalyx protection might be a new strategy in the treatment of SAP.
An Illustration of Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Perinatal Depression
Authors: Tan Huey Jing Renee
Published: October 2020

This is a case of a 38-year-old married woman presenting with major depressive disorder one month after the birth of her third child. The depressive episode began in the context of interpersonal difficulties with her husband. In addition, she was also battling an internal conflict of continuing to pursue her career dream as an obstetrician and fulfilling her responsibility as a wife and a mother. Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) was selected as the treatment choice as an evidence-based peripartum treatment that could specifically address the two presenting problem areas, i.e., marital interpersonal dispute and role transition. This paper provides an illustration of IPT sessions conducted with verbatim selections of the sessions.
Person Detection for an Orthogonally Placed Monocular Camera
Authors: Skrabanek Pavel , Dolezel Petr , Nemec Zdenek , Stursa Dominik
Published: October 2020

Counting of passengers entering and exiting means of transport is one of the basic functionalities of passenger flow monitoring systems. Exact numbers of passengers are important in areas such as public transport surveillance, passenger flow prediction, transport planning, and transport vehicle load monitoring. To allow mass utilization of passenger flow monitoring systems, their cost must be low. As the overall price is mainly given by prices of the used sensor and processing unit, we propose the utilization of a visible spectrum camera and data processing algorithms of low time complexity to ensure a low price of the final product. To guarantee the anonymity of passengers, we suggest orthogonal scanning of a scene. As the precision of the counting is relevantly influenced by the precision of passenger recognition, we focus on the development of an appropriate recognition method. We present two opposite approaches which can be used for the passenger recognition in means of transport with and without entrance steps, or with split level flooring. The first approach is the utilization of an appropriate convolutional neural network (ConvNet), which is currently the prevailing approach in computer vision. The second approach is the utilization of histograms of oriented gradients (HOG) features in combination with a support vector machine classifier. This approach is a representative of classical methods. We study both approaches in terms of practical applications, where real-time processing of data is one of the basic assumptions. Specifically, we examine classification performance and time complexity of the approaches for various topologies and settings, respectively. For this purpose, we form and make publicly available a large-scale, class-balanced dataset of labelled RGB images. We demonstrate that, compared to ConvNets, the HOG-based passenger recognition is more suitable for practical applications. For an appropriate setting, it defeats the ConvNets in terms of time complexity while keeping excellent classification performance. To allow verification of theoretical findings, we construct an engineering prototype of the system.
Endometrial Cancer Cells Promote M2-Like Macrophage Polarization by Delivering Exosomal miRNA-21 under Hypoxia Condition
Authors: Xiao Li , He Yumin , Peng Fan , Yang Jianlin , Yuan Chengfu
Published: October 2020

Increasing evidence has demonstrated that hypoxia was an aggressive feature in endometrial cancer (EC), which is significantly associated with the tumor grade, lymph node metastasis, and tumor resistance to chemotherapy. However, the relationship between hypoxia and the immune microenvironment in EC is not very clear. Exosomes are small membrane vesicles secreted from a variety of cell types which mediate cell-to-cell communication through transported biomolecules. Here, we investigated whether exosomes can play an immunomodulatory role in intercellular communication between EC cells and macrophages. EC KEL cells were cultured under hypoxia or normoxic condition to collect exosomes. After identification, the exosomes derived from hypoxic or normoxic KEL cells were cultured with the monocyte cell line THP-1 to study the immunoregulation function of KEL cells. The results showed that the total number of exosomes produced by hypoxic KEL cells was significantly higher than that in normoxic condition. In addition, hypoxia markedly stimulated the increase in miRNA-21 expression in the exosomes. After coculture, we found that exosomal miRNA-21 could be horizontally transferred into THP-1 cells. And then, the notably enhanced mRNA expression levels of IL-10 and CD206 in THP-1 cells were observed, suggestive of M2 polarization. To further study the effect of miRNA-21-containing exosomes, we transfected miRNA-21 mimics or inhibitor into THP-1 cells. The results showed that miRNA-21 mimics promoted IL-10 and CD206 mRNA expression levels, and the miRNA-21 inhibitor significantly prevented the alteration induced by intake of hypoxic KEL cell-derived exosomes. In summary, we found that endometrial cancer KEL cells in hypoxic condition promoted monocyte THP-1 cell transformation to M2-like polarization macrophages through delivering exosomal miRNA-21, which may be a potential mechanism of the formation of the immune microenvironment in EC progression.
Development of a Fluorescence-Based Caries Scoring System for an Intraoral Scanner: An in vitro Study
Authors: Michou Stavroula , Benetti Ana Raquel , Vannahme Christoph , Hermannsson Pétur Gordon , Bakhshandeh Azam , Ekstrand Kim Rud
Published: October 2020

Objectives: To develop an automated fluorescence-based caries scoring system for an intraoral scanner and totest the performance of the system compared to state-of-the-art methods. Methods: Seventy-three permanent posterior teeth were scanned with a three-dimensional (3D) intraoral scanner prototype which emitted light at 415 nm. An overlay representing the fluorescence signal from the tissue was mapped onto 3D models of the teeth. Multiple examination sites (n = 139) on the occlusal surfaces were chosen, and their red and green fluorescence signal components were extracted. These components were used to calculate 4 mathematical functions upon which a caries scoring system for the scanner prototype could be based. Visual-tactile (International Caries Detection and Assessment System, ICDAS), radiographic (ICDAS), and histological assessments were conducted on the same examination sites. Results: Most index tests showed significant correlation with histology. The strongest correlation was observed for the visual-tactile examination (rs = 0.80) followed by the scanner supported by the caries classification function that quantifies the overall fluorescence compared to sound surfaces (rs = 0.78). Additionally, this function resulted in the highest intra-examiner reliability (κ = 0.964), and the highest sum of sensitivity (SE) and specificity (SP) (sum SE-SP: 1.60–1.84) at the 2 histological levels where the comparison with visual-tactile assessment was possible (κ = 0.886, sum SE-SP = 1.57–1.81) and at the 3 out of 4 histological levels where the comparison with radiographic assessment was possible (κ = 0.911, sum SE-SP = 1.37–1.78); the only exception was for the lesions in the outer third of dentin, where the radiographic assessment showed the highest sum SE-SP (1.78). Conclusion: A fluorescence-based caries scoring system was developed for the intraoral scanner showing promising performance compared to state-of-the-art caries detection methods. The intraoral scanner accompanied by an automated caries scoring system may improve objective caries detection and increase the efficiency and effectiveness of oral examinations. Furthermore, this device has the potential to support reliable monitoring of early caries lesions.
Cutaneous Melanoma Arising in Congenital Melanocytic Nevus: A Retrospective Observational Study
Authors: Caccavale Stefano , Calabrese Giulia , Mattiello Emanuela , Broganelli Paolo , Ramondetta Alice , Pieretti Gorizio , Alfano Roberto , Argenziano Giuseppe
Published: October 2020

Background: Congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) are benign proliferations of melanocytes usually present at birth. The magnitude of the melanoma risk for CMN is controversial, generating an ongoing debate on the best approach to manage these lesions. Objective: To perform a retrospective, observational study with the aim to evaluate the prevalence of CMN-associated melanomas in tertiary referral centers, as well as the eventual correlation between clinical, dermoscopic, and histological features of CMN-associated melanomas. Methods: A single-center retrospective observational study was performed on all clinical and dermoscopic images of histologically confirmed melanomas arising on CMN over a 14-year period (January 2005 to March 2019). Results:Our database included 2,159 melanomas in the considered period. Of those, 27 (1.3%) were CMN-associated melanomas. The mean age of patients with CMN-associated melanoma was 33 years (range, 11–70 years). The mean diameter of CMN-associated melanoma was 18 mm (range, 6 mm to 20 cm), and 56% were located on the back. Twenty-one (77.8%) of CMN-associated melanomas arose on small CMN (<1.5 cm), 5 (18.5%) on medium-sized CMN (1.5–19.9 cm), and 1 (3.7%) on a large/giant type (≥20 cm). The majority of CMN-associated melanomas (63%) exhibited a globular dermoscopic pattern in their benign part, while a blue-white veil and irregular blotches were the most frequent dermoscopic features in the malignant part. About three quarters of melanomas occupied 10–50% of the nevus surface. Breslow thickness was higher in melanomas involving less than 10% of nevus surface (mean thickness, 1 mm) than in those affecting 10–50 and >50% of the nevus surface (0.8 and 0.7 mm, respectively). Conclusions: In our series, small CMN was the most frequent type of CMN-associated melanoma. Although the risk of melanoma is increasing by the increasing size of CMN, our finding is definitely related to the much higher prevalence of small CMN in the general population as compared to the prevalence of intermediate-sized and large CMN. Limitations: Small sample size, single-center experience, retrospective design.
Chemoradiotherapy Using Carboplatin plus Paclitaxel versus Cisplatin plus Fluorouracil for Esophageal or Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer
Authors: Jiang Di Maria , Sim Hao-Wen , Espin-Garcia Osvaldo , Chan Bryan A. , Natori Akina , Lim Charles H. , Moignard Stephanie , Chen Eric X. , Liu Geoffrey , Darling Gail , Swallow Carol J. , Brar Savtaj , Brierley James , Ringash Jolie , Wong Rebecca , Kim John , Rogalla Patrik , Hafezi-Bakhtiari Sara , Knox Jennifer J. , Jang Raymond W. , Elimova Elena
Published: October 2020

Background: Trimodality therapy (TMT) with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) using concurrent carboplatin plus paclitaxel (CP) followed by surgery is the standard of care for locoregional esophageal or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancers. Alternatively, nCRT with cisplatin plus fluorouracil (CF) can be used. Definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT) with CP or CF can be used if surgery is not planned. In the absence of comparative trials, we aimed to evaluate outcomes of CP and CF in the settings of TMT and dCRT. Methods: A single-site, retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre to identify all patients who received CRT for locoregional esophageal or GEJ cancer. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method and multivariable Cox regression model. The inverse probability treatment weighting (IPTW) method was used for sensitivity analysis. Results: Between 2011 and 2015, 93 patients with esophageal (49%) and GEJ (51%) cancers underwent nCRT (n = 67; 72%) or dCRT (n = 26; 28%). Median age was 62.3 years and 74% were male. Median follow-up was 23.9 months. Comparing CP to CF in the setting of TMT, the OS and DFS rates were similar. In the setting of dCRT, CP was associated with significantly inferior 3-year OS (36 vs. 63%; p = 0.001; HR 3.1; 95% CI: 1.2–7.7) and DFS (0 vs. 41%; p = 0.004; HR 3.6; 95% CI: 1.4–8.9) on multivariable and IPTW sensitivity analyses. Conclusions: TMT with CF and CP produced comparable outcomes. However, for dCRT, CF may be a superior regimen.
Irinotecan and Gemcitabine as Second-Line Treatment in Patients with Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma following Platinum plus Pemetrexed Chemotherapy: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Koda Yuichi , Kuribayashi Kozo , Doi Hiroshi , Kitajima Kazuhiro , Nakajima Yasuhiro , Ishigaki Hirotoshi , Nakamura Akifumi , Minami Toshiyuki , Takahashi Ryo , Yokoi Takashi , Kijima Takashi
Published: October 2020

Background: Cisplatin-pemetrexed combination chemotherapy is the current standard primary treatment for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). It was first approved for untreated and unresectable MPM in the 2003 National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines. However, to date, standard treatments for patients with MPM who previously underwent chemotherapy, as recommended by the NCCN Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma guidelines, have been inadequate. To explore treatment options for such patients, we performed this retrospective study of patients who received irinotecan plus gemcitabine as second-line therapy for MPM. Methods: We investigated 62 patients diagnosed with unresectable MPM between January 2008 and October 2017 who experienced recurrence following cisplatin treatment (or carboplatin) plus pemetrexed or pemetrexed monotherapy as first-line treatment, and who underwent irinotecan plus gemcitabine combination therapy as second-line treatment. Irinotecan (60 mg/m2) and gemcitabine (800 mg/m2) were administered on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks, including a 1-week washout period. Our endpoints were efficacy, survival period, and toxicity. Results: patients’ median age was 65 years (range 50–79), and the histological MPM types were epithelioid (n = 48), sarcomatoid (n = 6), biphasic (n = 6), and desmoplastic (n = 2). One patient experienced a partial response, 40 had stable disease, and 21 had progressive disease. The disease control rate was 66.1% and the response rate 2.1%. Additionally, the median progression-free and overall survival time were 5.7 and 11.3 months, respectively. The most common adverse events were neutropenia (32.2%), loss of appetite (16.1%), nausea/diarrhea (11.3%), and thrombocytopenia/phlebitis (9.7%). Grade 3 adverse events included neutropenia (12.9%) and thrombocytopenia/phlebitis (2.1%); however, all adverse events were managed with symptomatic therapy. Conclusions: Despite the fact that second-line irinotecan plus gemcitabine combination therapy did not produce marked tumor shrinkage, it achieved a relatively high disease control rate of >65% with an acceptable toxicity profile. Hence, the combination of irinotecan plus gemcitabine may be considered for MPM treatment, with consideration of combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors as a potential next step.
Intravitreal Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Therapy for Diabetic Macular Edema in Clinical Practice of Single Center: Three-Year Outcomes
Authors: Choovuthayakorn Janejit , Phinyo Phichayut , Tantraworasin Apichat , Kunavisarut Paradee , Patikulsila Direk , Chaikitmongkol Voraporn , Watanachai Nawat , Pathanapitoon Kessara
Published: October 2020

Introduction: The objective of this study was to explore visual and anatomical outcomes in patients who underwent intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injection for visual impairment from center-involved diabetic macular edema (CI-DME) in clinical practice. Methods: Medical records of consecutive CI-DME patients who initiated treatment with intravitreal bevacizumab injection between January 2012 and December 2016 and were followed for at least 12 months were retrospectively reviewed. Visual and anatomical changes after treatment over a 36-month period were evaluated. Results: There were 286 patients (423 eyes) with a mean (standard deviation, SD) age of 56.8 (8.5) years included in this study. One hundred and forty-six (51%) patients were female, and 137 (47.9%) patients received bilateral eye treatment. Mean (SD) presenting visual acuity (VA) of overall eyes was 50.2 (19.6) letter scores. Stratified by baseline vision, eyes with initial VA worse than 20/40 achieved a statistically significant VA improvement, compared to baseline, by +8.4, +6.9, and +5.4 letters at 12, 24, and 36 months, respectively, with all p values <0.001. However, when initial VA was 20/40 and better, a non-statistically significant change in mean VA by +2.0, −3.5, and −3.6 letters were noted at the same time point (p value between 0.078 and 0.273). Unlike visual changes, a statistically significant decline in central subfield thickness compared to baseline was noted at the end of months 12, 24, and 36 in both initial VA subgroups (all p values <0.001). Nevertheless, even though the median number of given injections considerably decreased from 6 in the first 12 months to 2 in the second 12-month period and 1 in the final 12-month interval, required ophthalmic clinic visits decreased in frequency with median numbers of 10, 7, and 6 appointments in each consecutive 12-month duration. Conclusion: This study supports the benefits of practical intravitreal anti-VEGF utilization to manage CI-DME in real-world settings. The improvement of vision in eyes presenting with poor baseline VA and maintenance of vision in eyes with better baseline VA were demonstrated through the 3-year review of each case. However, the burden of frequent monitoring warrants further evaluation of long-term compliance and efficacy.
Institutionalizing Financial Cooperation in East Asia
Authors: Grimes William W. , Kring William N.
Published: October 2020

Since the 1997 Asian financial crisis, East Asia’s ASEAN+3 states have built the second-largest regional emergency liquidity fund in the world, the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralization (CMIM). With a total commitment of $ 240 billion to aid member states facing a currency crisis, CMIM can provide more funds to members than the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Nonetheless, CMIM continues to be functionally subordinate to IMF decisions. This may now be changing following the 2011 creation of the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) as a regional mechanism to manage surveillance and design of CMIM lending programs. The ability to delegate surveillance and program design to an independent body is a crucial prerequisite to ending CMIM’s subordination to the IMF, and AMRO seeks to ensure such autonomy through its institutional design. This article analyzes AMRO’s progress toward autonomy, using indicators of effective delegation drawn from organizational theory and newly available information and data on AMRO.
Identifications and typifications of Ficus pubigera var. maliformis and related names

Authors: ZHANG ZHEN , LIAO SHUAI , LI HONG-QING , ZHANG DE-SHUN
Published: October 2020

In Ficus subsect. Plagiostigma, the identities of F. pubigera var. maliformis and some other related names are confusing presently, which hinders their precise application. Based on extensive examinations of related specimens, the lectotype of F. foveolata var. maliformis is designated here. F. pubigera var. maliformis is proved to be misapplied so far in most floras and herbaria. Furthermore, F. yunnanensis is treated as a new synonym of F. pubigera var. maliformis, and F. howii is reinstated to be a separate species, which had been wrongly identified as F. pubigera var. maliformis.
Asymmetric Rainband Processes Leading to Secondary Eyewall Formation in a Model Simulation of Hurricane Matthew (2016)
Authors: Yu Chau-Lam , Didlake Anthony C. , Zhang Fuqing , Nystrom Robert G.
Published: October 2020

The dynamics of an asymmetric rainband complex leading into secondary eyewall formation (SEF) are examined in a simulation of Hurricane Matthew (2016), with particular focus on the tangential wind field evolution. Prior to SEF, the storm experiences an axisymmetric broadening of the tangential wind field as a stationary rainband complex in the downshear quadrants intensifies. The axisymmetric acceleration pattern that causes this broadening is an inward-descending structure of positive acceleration nearly 100 km wide in radial extent and maximizes in the low levels near 50 km radius. Vertical advection from convective updrafts in the downshear-right quadrant largely contributes to the low-level acceleration maximum, while the broader inward-descending pattern is due to horizontal advection within stratiform precipitation in the downshear-left quadrant. This broad slantwise pattern of positive acceleration is due to a mesoscale descending inflow (MDI) that is driven by midlevel cooling within the stratiform regions and draws absolute angular momentum inward. The MDI is further revealed by examining the irrotational component of the radial velocity, which shows the MDI extending downwind into the upshear-left quadrant. Here, the MDI connects with the boundary layer, where new convective updrafts are triggered along its inner edge; these new upshear-left updrafts are found to be important to the subsequent axisymmetrization of the low-level tangential wind maximum within the incipient secondary eyewall.
Prospective study of association of characteristics of hotline psychological intervention in 778 high-risk callers with subsequent suicidal act
Authors: Tong Yongsheng , Conner Kenneth R , Wang Cuiling , Yin Yi , Zhao Liting , Wang Yuehua , Liu Yue
Published: October 2020

Objectives:

This study aimed to assess the association of the quality scores of hotline psychological intervention and the reduction of subsequent suicidal acts among high suicidal risk callers.

Methods:

High-risk callers at a national crisis hotline service in China were recruited and prospectively followed for up to 3 months after receiving a hotline psychological intervention. The quality of the intervention was evaluated by supervisors who listened to the tape-recorded calls using the Counseling Skills Rating Scale for Psychological Support Hotlines, which assessed three counseling domains: process, attitude and communication skill. The primary outcome was the occurrence of suicidal acts during the follow-up period. Secondary outcomes were before versus after changes during the intake intervention call in hopefulness, psychological stress and suicide intention reported by the callers.

Results:

Over the 3-month follow-up, 45 of 778 high-risk callers reported 61 suicide attempts, and 3 other callers died by suicide. Subsequent suicidal act was significantly more common in callers classified as being at higher risk during the intake call. Higher scores on the quality of suicidality assessing of the Counseling Skills Rating Scale for Psychological Support Hotlines were associated with reduced risk of suicidal acts during follow-up (hazard ratio = 0.38, 95% confidence interval = [0.18, 0.85]). Higher scores on the communication skill domain were associated with increases in hopefulness (β = 0.09) after the intervention, and higher scores on the counseling process domain (β = −0.12) and higher suicidal risk scores (β = −0.12) were associated with decreased suicide intention after intervention.

Conclusion:

Several characteristics of a hotline intervention for suicide prevention were associated with decreased risk of suicidal acts during follow-up. Intervention skill training for hotline operators should emphasize these specific counseling skills.
Examining Feminist and Critical Consciousness Conceptualizations of Women’s Subjective Well-Being
Authors: Conlin Sarah E. , Douglass Richard P. , Moradi Bonnie , Ouch Staci
Published: October 2020

Feminist and critical consciousness theories, that shaped the practice of feminist therapy, are unique in considering the impact of power and privilege on women’s well-being. We investigated tenets of these conceptualizations cross-sectionally by examining relations of critical consciousness, feminist collective action, personal empowerment, and subjective well-being among 247 women recruited via MTurk. We found that critical consciousness had a significant, positive direct link with collective action. Collective action, in turn, had significant, positive direct links with life satisfaction and positive affect. Importantly, critical consciousness via collective action was associated indirectly with greater satisfaction and positive affect. In contrast, critical consciousness was associated directly with lower satisfaction and positive affect. Personal empowerment was associated directly with greater well-being, but only collective action was a mechanism through which critical consciousness was associated with greater well-being. These findings are consistent with theory and support connecting the personal with the political in feminist therapy.
Psychological Resilience of Healthcare Professionals During COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Bozdağ Faruk , Ergün Naif
Published: October 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic as a public health issue has spread to the rest of the world. Although the wellbeing and emotional resilience of healthcare professionals are key components of continuing healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare professionals have been observed in this period to experience serious psychological problems and to be at risk in terms of mental health. Therefore, this study aims to probe psychological resilience of healthcare workers. The findings of this study showed that in order to raise psychological resilience of healthcare professionals working during the COVID-19 pandemic their quality of sleep, positive emotions and life satisfaction need to be enhanced. Psychological resilience levels of healthcare workers in their later years were found to be higher. Doctors constitute the group with the lowest levels of psychological resilience among healthcare workers. The current study is considered to have contributed to the literature in this regard. Primary needs such as sleep which are determinants of quality of life, life satisfaction and psychological resilience should be met.
Patterns and Predictors of Preparation for Future Care Among Older Rural Chinese Adults: A Latent Profile Analysis
Authors: Li Yuqin , Sun Yaoyao , Li Junxin , Jia Jihui
Published: October 2020

This study aimed to identify profiles of preparation for future care (PFC) among older rural Chinese adults. A total of 481 older adults were recruited. PFC was evaluated using Preparation for Future Care Needs and respondents’ social services knowledge. Information on individual characteristics, physical health indicators, mental health, and support system was collected. Four profiles of PFC were identified: scarce-preparation (22.42%), high-avoidance/low-action (26.91%), moderate-preparation (44.17%), and high-avoidance/high-action (6.50%). The scarce-preparation and high-avoidance/low-action profiles had the lowest levels of social services knowledge. Multinomial logistic regression showed that older adults in moderate-preparation and high-avoidance/high-action profiles had fewer illnesses, exercised more frequently, and had higher loneliness levels compared with those in the scarce-preparation profile. Compared with high-avoidance/low-action persons, high-avoidance/high-action persons had fewer illnesses, exercised more frequently, and had lower self-esteem and higher loneliness levels. People who performed poorly in physical health indicators and well in mental health need to increase PFC.
A Valid and Reliable Scale for Developing Programming-Oriented Computational Thinking
Authors: Kılıç Servet , Gökoğlu Seyfullah , Öztürk Mücahit
Published: October 2020

In this research, a scale was developed to determine the programming-oriented computational thinking skills of university students. The participants were 360 students studying in various departments at different universities in Turkey for computer programming. The scale consists of 33 items under conceptual knowledge, algorithmic thinking, and evaluation subscale. While there was no significant difference between the students’ conceptual knowledge and algorithmic thinking skills, the evaluation skills of male students differed significantly compared to females. Programming experience has a significant effect on conceptual knowledge, algorithmic thinking, and evaluation. The algorithmic thinking skills of the students who have low, middle, and high-level programming experience differed significantly. In terms of the development of conceptual knowledge and evaluation skills, it was observed that students should have at least one year of programming experience, but this experience will not make a significant difference if it is four years or more. It is thought that this scale, which is structured for different applications (e.g., web, game, robot) and learning environments (e.g., text, block) within the framework of its programming capabilities (conceptual, semantic, strategic knowledge), will contribute significantly to the evaluation of computational thinking as programming oriented.
Ethical aspects in dementia care - The use of psychosocial interventions
Authors: Strøm Benedicte Sørensen , Engedal Knut
Published: October 2020

The use of psychosocial interventions for people with dementia is common and recommended because they focus on the underlying problem and well-being of the person. The promotion of well-being is a relevant dimension in person-centred care, where the aim is to confirm the person’s ‘personhood’. Most literature about ethics in dementia care instructs us on how and when to include people with dementia in our research. Little is written about the ethical aspects regarding the use of psychosocial interventions in daily care. In clinical practise, several challenges arise about the use of psychosocial interventions. Those include questions about the person’s ability to participate in decision-making and how we know what is best for them. Furthermore, we must consider what kinds of psychosocial interventions are best for everybody, or if intervention causes discomfort for the person. This article emphasizes the necessity to consider the ethical aspects of the implementation of psychosocial interventions while taking into consideration the persons individual needs. A particular ethical challenge arises when a person with dementia is unable to express themselves verbally. Therefore, it is essential that the staff know the history and preferences of each person with dementia. The ethical aspects of psychosocial interventions for people with dementia will be discussed using Beauchamp and Childress four ethical principles: respect for autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice. The person-centred approach proposed by Kitwood’s and Brooker.
Mental Health Issues of International Mainland Chinese College Students in Thailand
Authors: Chen Pengfei , Wang Hsuanpo , You Xiang , Chen Dui , Chew Renee Shiun Yee
Published: October 2020

This study extends previous research by examining the mental health issues of international mainland Chinese college students in Thailand. The research specifically proposed that mental health issues originate from the relationship between life adaptation and mental health disorders, and this study was conducted to test this assertion. Nine hundred international mainland Chinese college students in Thailand participated in an online survey. The results showed that life adaptation in respect of family relationships, interpersonal relationships, emotions, and learning had a positive effect on mental health disorders and that female and junior students who stayed in Thailand for 1 to 2 years were likely to have significant mental health issues.