bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The importance of non-forest tree stand features for protection of the Syrian Woodpecker Dendrocopos syriacus in agricultural landscape: a case study from South-Eastern Poland
Authors: Michalczuk Jerzy
Published: May 2020

Non-forest tree stands are important habitats for many species of birds in the agricultural landscape. They are also the main habitat of the Syrian Woodpecker Dendrocopos syriacus, whose numbers have been decreasing in recent years in some parts of Europe. Recognition of the habitat requirements of this species may help better planning of its protection in the context of the treed agricultural landscapes. During this study, the habitat preferences of the Syrian Woodpecker were determined in the agricultural landscape of South-Eastern Poland. A set of 12 habitat parameters of tree stands located in the breeding territories of the Syrian Woodpecker (n = 122) and in randomly chosen control areas (n = 122) located outside the range of the breeding territories of this species were characterized. The number and species diversity of trees was significantly higher in stands located in Syrian Woodpecker territories than in the random control areas. Stands occupied by breeding pairs also had trees of worse health condition and a larger proportion of fruit trees. The model best explaining the probability of the occurrence of the species indicates that the Syrian Woodpecker requires mainly the presence of tree stands with a greater species diversity of trees, as well as tree stands in worse health condition. When planning the protection of this species’ habitats in the agricultural landscape, the characteristics of non-forest tree stands noted above should be taken into account.
Influence of Thickening Factor Treatment on Predictions of Spray Flame Properties Using the ATF Model and Tabulated Chemistry
Authors: Dressler L. , Sacomano Filho F. L. , Sadiki A. , Janicka J.
Published: May 2020

Different strategies to account for the heat and mass transfer between liquid droplets and their carrier phase within the Artificially Thickened Flame (ATF) approach are analyzed and compared. Herein, two approaches are introduced to take into account the droplet movement relative to the thickened flame front orientation. While the first approach achieves this behavior through scalar modifications in the droplet temperature and mass evolution equations, the second one introduces a trajectory modification within the thickened flame front. Both approaches, referred to as projection and refraction correction, are first compared to state of the art methods in a simplified two-dimensional configuration, and then in a complex turbulent spray flame. The investigated spray flame corresponds to the operating condition EtF6 of the Sydney Spray Burner.
The analysis showed that: (1) A consideration of a simplified configuration is insufficient to fully uncover the performance of the different approaches. (2) While the proposed approaches performed best in the two-dimensional configuration, only the projection method outperforms the remaining ones in the turbulent spray flame. (3) The formulation to consider the flame thickening has a strong effect on global flame properties, combustion regime distribution as well as carrier and liquid phase statistics.
Hemocompatible LAT1-inhibitor can induce apoptosis in cancer cells without affecting brain amino acid homeostasis
Authors: Markowicz-Piasecka Magdalena , Huttunen Johanna , Montaser Ahmed , Huttunen Kristiina M.
Published: May 2020

Increased amounts of amino acids are essential for cancer cells to support their sustained growth and survival. Therefore, inhibitors of amino acid transporters, such as l-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) have been developed. In this study, a previously reported LAT1-inhibitor (KMH-233) was studied for its hemocompatibility and toxicity towards human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and human aortic smooth muscle cells (AoSMCs). Furthermore, the cytotoxic effects against human breast adenocarcinoma cells (MCF-7) and its ability to affect mammalian (or mechanistic) target of rapamycin (mTOR) and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) signaling were evaluated. Moreover, the effects of this inhibitor to modulate LAT1 function on the cell surface and the brain amino acid homeostasis were evaluated after intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of LAT1-inhibitor (23 µmol/kg) in mice. The results showed that LAT1-inhibitor (KMH-233) is hemocompatible at concentrations below 25 µM and it does not affect coagulation in plasma. However, it can reduce the total protein amount of mTOR and NF-κB, resulting in increased apoptosis in LAT1-expressing cancer cells. Most importantly, the inhibitor did not affect mouse brain levels of l-Leu, l-Tyr or l-Trp or modulate the function of LAT1 on the MCF-7 cell surface. Therefore, this inhibitor can be considered as a safe but effective anti-cancer agent. However, due to the compensative mechanism of cancer cells for their increased amino acid demand, this compound is most effective inducing apoptosis when used in combinations with other chemotherapeutics, such as protease inhibitor, bestatin, as demonstrated in this study.
Thermal Stratification Effects on Turbulence and Dispersion in Internal and External Boundary Layers
Authors: Sessa Vincenzo , Xie Zheng-Tong , Herring Steven
Published: May 2020

A synthetic-turbulence and temperature-fluctuation-generation method is developed and embedded in large-eddy simulations to investigate the effects of weak stable stratification (i.e. Richardson number $$Ri\le 1$$Ri≤1) on turbulence and dispersion following a simulated rural-to-urban transition. The modelling approach is validated by comparing predictions of mean velocity, turbulent stresses, and point-source dispersion against data from a wind-tunnel experiment that simulates a stable atmospheric boundary layer ($$Ri=0.21$$Ri=0.21) approaching a regular array of uniform rectangular blocks. The depth of the internal boundary layer (IBL) that develops from the leading edge of the block array is determined using the wall-normal turbulent stress method proposed by Sessa et al. (J Wind Eng Ind Aerodyn 182:189–291, 2018). This shows that the depth and growth rate of the IBL are sensitive to the thermal stability and the turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) prescribed at the inlet, such that the IBL depth reduces as the TKE of the inflow is reduced while maintaining the same Ri, or as the Ri is increased while maintaining the same inflow TKE. When a ground level line source is introduced it is found that increasing Ri evidently reduces the vertical scalar fluxes at the canopy height, while increasing the mean concentrations within the streets. Furthermore, as with IBL development it is found that for a given value of Ri the effect of stratification becomes more pronounced as the inflow level of TKE is reduced, affecting scalar fluxes within and above the canopy, and volume-averaged mean concentrations within the streets.
Social Prescribing for Individuals Living with Mental Illness in an Australian Community Setting: A Pilot Study
Authors: Aggar Christina , Thomas Tamsin , Gordon Christopher , Bloomfield Jacqueline , Baker James
Published: May 2020

Social prescribing, also known as “community referral”, is a means of referring individuals living in the community to existing local non-clinical health, welfare, and social support services. International evidence demonstrates that social prescribing improves biopsychosocial quality of life, and burden on health services. Australia’s first social prescribing pilot program for individuals with mental illness (mood and psychotic spectrum disorders) was implemented in Sydney in 2016/2017; this study evaluates that program. Participants included 13 adults who were assessed at baseline and six-month follow-up. Outcomes included self-perceived quality of life, welfare needs, health status, loneliness, social participation, and economic participation. Results indicate significant improvements in quality of life and health status. This pilot program demonstrates that social prescribing may improve participant outcomes. It fits well within Australian health policy and funding models which focus on bolstering community care, and may be scalable, particularly in geographically isolated communities.
Digital platforms and responsible innovation: expanding value sensitive design to overcome ontological uncertainty
Authors: de Reuver Mark , van Wynsberghe Aimee , Janssen Marijn , van de Poel Ibo
Published: May 2020

In this paper, we argue that the characteristics of digital platforms challenge the fundamental assumptions of value sensitive design (VSD). Traditionally, VSD methods assume that we can identify relevant values during the design phase of new technologies. The underlying assumption is that there is onlyepistemic uncertaintyabout which values will be impacted by a technology. VSD methods suggest that one can predict which values will be affected by new technologies by increasing knowledge about how values are interpreted or understood in context. In contrast, digital platforms exhibit a novel form of uncertainty, namely,ontological uncertainty: even with full information and overview, it cannot be foreseen what users or developers will do with digital platforms. Hence, predictions about which values are affected might not hold. In this paper, we suggest expanding VSD methods to account for value dynamism resulting from ontological uncertainty. Our expansions involve (1) extending VSD to the entire lifecycle of a platform, (2) broadening VSD through the addition of reflexivity, i.e. second-order learning about what values to aim at, and (3) adding specific tools of moral sandboxing and moral prototyping to enhance such reflexivity. While we illustrate our approach with a short case study about ride-sharing platforms such as Uber, our approach is relevant for other technologies exhibiting ontological uncertainty as well, such as machine learning, robotics and artificial intelligence.
Approach for Selecting and Integrating Cloud Services to Construct Hybrid Cloud
Authors: Park Joonseok , Kim Ungsoo , Yun Donggyu , Yeom Keunhyuk
Published: May 2020

With the popularization of cloud computing, various cloud services have emerged, and hybrid clouds that can take advantage of combining public and private clouds are attracting attention. However, because of their variety, determining a combination of cloud services suited to the user’s current environment and requirements is expensive when deploying a hybrid cloud. Even if the required services are available, there is a lack of tools to connect them, manage them in batches, and utilize the integrated environment. To solve these problems, this paper proposes a cloud selection and integration process (C-SIP), which selects and integrates a combination of cloud services through a hybrid cloud service broker (hybrid CSB), which is an automation solution supporting hybrid cloud deployment. Moreover, the proposed method is realized using a script including the application programming interface of each cloud service. The proposed C-SIP will be used as a core approach toward the hybrid CSB, which is expected to facilitate the introduction of hybrid clouds and the acquisition of cloud strategies.
A liberal higher education for all? The massification of higher education and its implications for graduates’ participation in civil society
Authors: Evans Ceryn , Rees Gareth , Taylor Chris , Fox Stuart
Published: May 2020

In recent years, questions about the purpose of higher education (HE) have come to the fore as HE tuition fees have escalated both in the UK and internationally. The extent to which universities provide students with opportunities for developing skills needed not only for future employment but participation in civic life has become an important contemporary issue. Drawing on interviews with 29 graduates from three distinct types of UK higher education institutions (HEIs) (‘elite,’ ‘old’ and ‘new’), the paper explores the extent to which the pedagogical experiences provided by these different institutions offer students the sorts of experiences and skills needed for later civic participation. Our analyses suggest that the pedagogical arrangements in these institutions are highly differentiated and provide varying opportunities for developing civic skills. Whilst this potentially has significant implications for the cultivation of students’ civic skills and participation in civil society, we argue that civic participation is not so much determined by pedagogic or disciplinary cultures but is located on the intersection of ranging personal and social circumstances and pedagogic experiences.
Enhanced Sub-wavelength Focusing by Double-Sided Lens with Phase Correction in THz Range
Authors: Rachon M. , Liebert K. , But D. B. , Zagrajek P. , Siemion A. , Kolodziejczyk A. , Sypek M. , Suszek J.
Published: May 2020

High capacity radio lines operating in the sub-THz and THz ranges often require very efficient optical elements with a focal length to an aperture diameter ratio—f-number—less than 1. Here, we propose a new type of double-sided sub-THz focusing diffractive optical element with f-number equal to 0.2, designed for quasi-monochromatic illumination with carrier frequency equal to 170 GHz. The element is manufactured by 3D printing technology. Its focal spot diameter defined as the Airy disc size is comparable to the used wavelength. In order to optimize numerically the phase distribution on the anterior side of the structure, we proposed a novel idea based on reversal of phase distribution in outer zones with additional constant phase factor (a method called free form phase distribution, FFPD). Moreover, we applied the modified numerical algorithm to obtain an additional phase correction in a form of a corrective kinoform placed on the posterior side of the diffractive system. The resulted diffractive structure, illuminated by a quasi-plane wave, forms an extremely small focal spot. The paper presents the technical and the theoretical backgrounds, the results of the computer simulations and finally the experimental results.
Love of Neighbor During a Pandemic: Navigating the Competing Goods of Religious Gatherings and Physical Health
Authors: VanderWeele Tyler J.
Published: May 2020

In light of the present pandemic, many religious communities have been asked to suspend their services and meetings. From the perspective of these communities, this comes at considerable cost to the spiritual good that these religious services bring about. Empirical evidence also indicates that the suspension of these services will have costs concerning physical and mental health as well. However, in the case of a pandemic, because it is an infectious disease that is the concern, love of neighbor arguably does entail the suspension of services for the sake of the preservation of life for others. Religious communities and individuals can, and have, found ways to partially offset the losses from not being able to meet. These have included increased personal and family prayer and devotion, video-streaming of services, and online prayer and discussion meetings. While none of these fully compensates for the loss of in-person meetings, the sacrifice entailed may itself be seen as a means to greater love of God and love of neighbor.
The Sooner the Better: The Arguments for the Use of Extended Welfare Assessment Grids in Animal Welfare Cases
Authors: Dunn Rachel Ann
Published: May 2020

Animals are protected under national animal welfare legislation, against intentional acts of cruelty and a failure to act, resulting in neglect and causing an animal to suffer. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) bears the responsibility of investigating and prosecuting the majority of animal welfare offences in England and Wales. In recent years, how they operate has been criticised, and it has been debated whether they should be able to bring private prosecutions, and what their role should actually be. This criticism calls for a change in the way in which the RSPCA approach cases of animal welfare, to strengthen their continuing role in ensuring positive animal welfare is achieved and, where not, prosecuted. This paper outlines the need for a new approach and how it can be managed. Honess and Wolfensohn (Altern Lab Anim 38:205, 2010) have developed an Extended Welfare Assessment Grid (EWAG), a visualisation mapping tool of welfare impact, which has been useful for assessing the welfare of animals used in laboratories. This tool has proven so useful, veterinarians are now using it in veterinary hospitals to help assess whether an animal is likely to further deteriorate, due to disease and illness, and to show any short-term welfare impact on the animal (Williams in UFAW conference, Newcastle upon Tyne, 2018). This paper will explore the potential for the EWAG to be adapted to assess the welfare of animals when owners are not meeting the welfare needs of their companion animals. RSPCA can use it to support their assessments of the current welfare of an animal under a person’s ownership and whether the animal’s welfare will deteriorate should they remain under that ownership. The EWAG will be a useful tool for those working in animal welfare, such as the RSPCA, to help organisations to intervene earlier, work in partnership with an owner, and support their claims of a risk to animal welfare.
Livelihood and vulnerability in the wake of Typhoon Yolanda: lessons of community and resilience
Authors: Eadie Pauline , Atienza Maria Ela , Tan-Mullins May
Published: May 2020

Livelihood strategies that are crafted in ‘extra-ordinary’ post-disaster conditions should also be able to function once some semblance of normalcy has resumed. This article aims to show that the vulnerability experienced in relation to Typhoon Yolanda was, and continues to be, directly linked to inadequate livelihood assets and opportunities. We examine the extent to which various livelihood strategies lessened vulnerability post-Typhoon Yolanda and argue that creating conditions under which disaster survivors have the freedom to pursue sustainable livelihood is essential in order to foster resilience and reduce vulnerability against future disasters. We offer suggestions to improve future relief efforts, including suggestions made by the survivors themselves. We caution against rehabilitation strategies that knowingly or unknowingly, resurrect pre-disaster vulnerability. Strategies that foster dependency, fail to appreciate local political or ecological conditions or undermine cooperation and cohesion in already vulnerable communities will be bound to fail. Some of the livelihood strategies that we observed post-Typhoon Yolanda failed on some or all of these points. It is important for future policy that these failings are addressed.
Lotus corniculatus-rhizobia symbiosis under Ni, Co and Cr stress on ultramafic soil
Authors: Sujkowska-Rybkowska Marzena , Kasowska Dorota , Gediga Krzysztof , Banasiewicz Joanna , Stępkowski Tomasz
Published: May 2020

Aims

Ultramafic/serpentine soils constitute a stressful environment with many plant growth constrains such as a lack of macronutrients and high levels of potentially toxic metals. We considered the adaptive strategy ofLotus corniculatusL.-rhizobia symbiosis to Ni, Co and Cr stress conditions.

Methods

L. corniculatusnodulating rhizobia from ultramafic soil were isolated, identified and tested for nitrogen fixation, metal tolerance and plant growth promoting abilities. The structural and immunocytochemical analyses of root nodules were also performed.

Results

The isolates effective in nitrogen fixation were identified asRhizobiumandMesorhizobiumtolerant to Ni, Co, and Cr. Some strains directly promoted root growth ofL. corniculatusand non-legumeArabidopsis thalianaunder metal stress. The metal treated nodules showed structural alternations, i.e. enhanced accumulation of phenols and wall thickening with higher cellulose, hemicellulose, pectins, glycoproteins and callose content.

Conclusions

Our results revealed that metal tolerant, growth promoting rhizobacteria inhabitingL. corniculatusroot nodules may improve plant growth in the ultramafic environment. Accumulation of phenols and reorganization of nodule apoplast can counteract harmful effects of Ni, Co and Cr on the symbiosis. These findings imply thatL. corniculatus-rhizobia symbiosis is an important element of plant adaptation to metal stress occurring on the ultramafic soils.
Health-related quality of life (QoL) in patients with advanced melanoma receiving immunotherapies in real-world clinical practice settings
Authors: Joseph Richard W. , Liu Frank Xiaoqing , Shillington Alicia C. , Macahilig Cynthia P. , Diede Scott J. , Dave Vaidehi , Harshaw Qing , Saretsky Todd L. , Pickard Alan Simon
Published: May 2020

Background

Pembrolizumab (PEMBRO) and ipilimumab + nivolumab (IPI + NIVO) are approved advanced melanoma (AM) immunotherapies. To address limited health-related quality of life (QoL) real-world evidence with immunotherapies in AM, we compared QoL in AM patients receiving either treatment in clinical practice.

Methods

A prospective US observational study enrolled adult AM patients initiating first-line PEMBRO or IPI + NIVO between June 2017 and March 2018. Endpoints included the QLQ-C30 global health score (GHS) and EuroQol visual analog scale (EQ-VAS) scores. Mean changes were compared using repeated measures mixed-effects models and are presented covariate adjusted.

Results

225 PEMBRO and 187 IPI + NIVO patients were enrolled. From baseline through week 24, PEMBRO was associated with 3.2 mean GHS score increase (95% CI 0.5, 5.9; p = .02), while no change was observed with IPI + NIVO; 0.2 (95% CI − 2.6, 3.0; p = 0.87). Among objective treatment-responders, GHS scores associated with PEMBRO increased 6.0 (95% CI 3.1, 8.8; p < .0001); IPI + NIVO patients increased 3.8 (95% CI 0.8, 6.9; p = .01). In treatment non-responders, IPI + NIVO was associated with GHS/QoL deterioration of − 3.7 (95% CI − 6.8, − 0.6; p = .02), PEMBRO non-responders demonstrated no change; 0.7 (95% CI − 2.3, 3.7; p = 0.6). Between treatments, PEMBRO patients increased 2.6 greater in EQ-VAS (95% CI 0.6, 4.5; p = .01) vs IPI + NIVO at 24 weeks.

Conclusions

PEMBRO was associated with better 24-week QoL compared to IPI + NIVO in actual clinical practice settings. Real-world data has known limitations, but with further confirmation these results may have implications for treatment selection.
Contextualising the Notion of Context in Jurilinguistic Studies
Authors: Więcławska Edyta
Published: May 2020

Context is a notion that is commonly invoked in many linguistic studies, either with very general reference or, more specifically, in the light of one of a number of research approaches which assign distinct definitions to context, ranging from factors that can be recovered from a text, through social parameters serving as an index for the appropriation of discursive performance, to factors that bring texts into being and give them meaning. This exploratory and descriptive research problematises the notion of context specifically on the grounds of English/Polish translation of corporate documentation processed in company registration proceedings, touching upon factors that are presumed to be discursively relevant in this communicative situation. The study is conducted from the perspective of the sociocultural approach and it adopts the parallel corpus methodology. The author discusses the concept of context on the ground of legal communication and secondarily presents a corpus-based description of the context categories that are idiosyncratic and potentially discursively relevant for the said communicative situation in the cross-linguistic perspective. The contextual variation is tested for its capacity to affect translation performance. The results reveal specific tendencies as regards the distribution patterns in the values corresponding to the investigated context categories. They point to some divergencies in translation output caused by the source text variantivity and they pave the way and directions for further research. Already at this stage the findings may have significant pedagogical value and they constitute a solid starting point for sociolinguistic research on discourse variantivity.
A Lean Six Sigma framework for the insurance industry: insights and lessons learned from a case study
Authors: Sandner Kai , Sieber Sebastian , Tellermann Marleen , Walthes Frank
Published: May 2020

It has long been recognized in the literature that the Lean and Six Sigma methodologies can complement each other fruitfully. So far, however, researchers have not been able to derive definitive conclusions on how to combine these methods; furthermore, there is little research on how to apply them to service firms. We develop a framework for integrating Lean and Six Sigma instruments in the service industry, particularly in the insurance sector, and discuss it in the context of the insights we gained from a large-scale project carried out at a large German insurance company. We show how various instruments drawn from these two methodologies can be (a) adapted to the insurance industry and (b) combined productively to enable a company to achieve its strategy and goals. The conclusions we draw from these insights can help a wide range of companies customize the combination of the Lean and Six Sigma approaches to suit their specific needs.
Universal versus targeted approaches to prevent early education gaps. The Netherlands as case in point
Authors: Leseman Paul P. M. , Slot Pauline L.
Published: May 2020

There is strong evidence that high quality early childhood programs targeting disadvantaged groups can have lasting benefits and high returns on investment. The evidence for universal programs, however, is less conclusive. The present paper examines the claims of universal and targeted approaches to preventing early education gaps. First, recent findings on the universal unitary early education and care systems in Denmark and Norway are reviewed regarding the educational quality and compensating effects on disadvantaged children. Second, the advantages and disadvantages of targeted approaches are discussed, focusing in particular on the trade-off between cost-effectiveness and aggregated impact on society. Third, the Dutch educational equity policy will be analyzed as a case in point to illustrate the dilemmas, contradictions and paradoxes of equity policy pertaining to targeted and universal approaches. Finally, as a synthesis of the findings, two complementary approaches are outlined: a universal within targetedand a targeted within universalapproach.
Short-term impact of PM2.5, PM10, and PMc on mortality and morbidity in the agglomeration of Warsaw, Poland
Authors: Maciejewska Katarzyna
Published: May 2020

The work presents the results of short-term health effects assessment of particulate matter (PM) in Warsaw, the capital of Poland. The influence of three PM fractions, PM10 (particles of aerodynamic diameter < 10 μm), PM2.5 (particles of aerodynamic diameter < 2.5 μm), and PMc (coarse fraction of diameter between 2.5 and 10 μm), modeled by the CALMET/CALPUFF system, has been studied in the period of 2013–2014. Six population health endpoints; daily counts of all-cause (ALL), cardiovascular (CV), and respiratory (RS) death cases; and ALL, CV, and RS hospital admissions were investigated with the use of statistical time series analysis via nonparametric generalized additive model (GAM) approach. The results show that PM2.5 increases the relative risk (RR) of ALL premature deaths by 0.7% per 10 μg/m3, as well as of CV mortality by 0.9%. PM10 exposures reveal the largest influence on mortality in a 2-day lag: 0.3% for all causes and 0.4% for CV causes, while for RS causes only in the elderly group (above 65 years, 1.4%) and for males (2.1%). The risk of hospitalizations increases with elevated PMc levels by 2.5%, 2.1%, and 4.6% for ALL, CV, and RS hospital admissions, respectively. The results suggest that the research on PM impact on health should concentrate more on attempts to assign specific health outcomes to PM originating from different types of sources, characterized by different granulation, as well as physical and chemical properties of emitted particles.
Systemic therapy for metastatic salivary gland tumors—challenges and novel concepts
Authors: Minichsdorfer Christoph
Published: May 2020

Salivary gland cancers (SGC) are a rare and heterogeneous group of malignancies. Most frequently tumors arise in the parotid gland. The most common histologic subtypes are adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) and mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC). Rare subtypes include salivary ductal carcinoma (SDC), mammary analogue secretory carcinoma (MASC) and adenocarcinoma not other specified (AC NOS). For locally advanced or metastatic disease, chemotherapy has been the mainstay of therapy. The course of disease differs markedly between the subtypes, especially ACC usually presents as slowly progressing disease. Due to the rarity of these tumors only small phase I/II studies exist, which report efficacy of cytotoxic regimens in advanced SGC. However, due to advances in the understanding of tumor biology and molecular testing, drugable genetic changes like androgen receptor (AR) status, HER2/neu overexpression and neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) gene fusion have evolved as potential therapy targets in subsets of SGC. Consequently therapy with androgen receptor blockade (ARB) can be offered to patients with AR expressing tumors. Anti-HER2 therapy with trastzumab is an option for the treatment of tumors with overexpression of HER2/neu and finally NTRAK inhibitors can be used for tumors harboring a NTRK gene fusion. Taken together, due to the small number of patients, data from large phase III studies for the treatment of SGC are missing. However, promising targeted therapy approaches have been recently undertaken.
Elastic Moduli of Nanoglasses and Melt-Spun Metallic Glasses by Ultrasonic Time-of-Flight Measurements
Authors: Arnold W. , Birringer R. , Braun C. , Gleiter H. , Hahn H. , Nandam S. H. , Singh S. P.
Published: May 2020

The elastic moduli of the metallic nanoglasses Fe86Sc14,Fe90Sc10, Cu58Zr42, and Cu60Zr40were determined by measuring their longitudinal and shear wave velocities together with their densities. The data were compared to the elastic moduli of the conventional melt-spun metallic glass counterparts of the same chemical composition. The elastic moduli for the nanoglasses were significantly smaller than those of the metallic glass counterparts. Finally, a comparison was made between the data for nanoglasses and metallic glasses from the literature.
Organic seeds of the future: simple material?
Authors: Desclaux Dominique
Published: May 2020

The day where seeds were considered “material” in legal text was a decisive moment. At the European level, that was December 1, 1961, when the international convention for the protection of new varieties of plants (UPOV) was adopted by the diplomatic conference. This paper relates the semantic evolution in French and European regulations concerning seeds. Using the term “material” to define a seed sounds as an oxymoron and especially for the organic sector that highlights the concept of life integrity of plants. Semantic drifts and technical drifts are close. To consider seeds as simple material allows everybody to manipulate them, to modify them, to degrade them, to repair them, to edit them, to market them, and to patent them. The drift in regulatory texts is not insignificant; it reflects the thought of a society but can also have a sustainable impact on this thought. Therefore, it seems urgent to raise the question: What seeds do we want in the future? Patented seeds, edited seeds, certified seeds, farm seeds, peasant seeds, participatory seeds? It’s time to decide! And time to precise the words in legal texts.
‘I’m sorry to hear that’—Empathy and Empathic Dissonance: the Perspectives of PA Students
Authors: Laughey William F. , Brown Megan E. L. , Finn Gabrielle M.
Published: May 2020

Context

Our understanding of clinical empathy could be enhanced through qualitative research—research currently under-represented in the field. Physician associates within the UK undergo an intensive 2-year postgraduate medical education. As a new group of health professionals, they represent a fresh pair of eyes through which to examine clinical empathy, its nature and teaching.

Methods

Working with a constructivist paradigm, utilising grounded theory methodology, researchers studied 19 purposively sampled physician associate students in two UK medical schools. One-to-one semi-structured interviews were transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using a grounded theory approach.

Results

The global themes werethe pathways to empathy,empathy modifiersandempathic dissonancea novel term to describe the discomfort students experience when pressurised into making empathic statements they don’t sincerely feel. Students preferred using non-verbal over verbal expressions of empathy. A conceptual model is proposed. The more substantial empathic pathway, affective empathy, involves input from the heart. An alternative empathy, more constrained, comes from the head: cognitive empathy was considered a solution to time pressure and emotional burden. Formal teaching establishes empathic dissonance, a problem which stems from over-reliance on the empathic statement as the means to deliver clinical empathy.

Conclusions

This study furthers our understanding of the construct and teaching of empathy. It identifies empathic barriers, especially time pressure. It proposes a novel concept—empathic dissonance—a concept that challenges medical educationalists to reframe future empathy teaching.
High-Performance Aqueous Zinc–Manganese Battery with Reversible Mn2+/Mn4+ Double Redox Achieved by Carbon Coated MnOx Nanoparticles
Authors: Huang Jingdong , Zeng Jing , Zhu Kunjie , Zhang Ruizhi , Liu Jun
Published: May 2020

There is an urgent need for low-cost, high-energy-density, environmentally friendly energy storage devices to fulfill the rapidly increasing need for electrical energy storage. Multi-electron redox is considerably crucial for the development of high-energy-density cathodes. Here we present high-performance aqueous zinc–manganese batteries with reversible Mn2+/Mn4+ double redox. The active Mn4+ is generated in situ from the Mn2+-containing MnOx nanoparticles and electrolyte. Benefitting from the low crystallinity of the birnessite-type MnO2 as well as the electrolyte with Mn2+ additive, the MnOx cathode achieves an ultrahigh energy density with a peak of 845.1 Wh kg−1 and an ultralong lifespan of 1500 cycles. The combination of electrochemical measurements and material characterization reveals the reversible Mn2+/Mn4+ double redox (birnessite-type MnO2 ↔ monoclinic MnOOH and spinel ZnMn2O4 ↔ Mn2+ ions). The reversible Mn2+/Mn4+ double redox electrode reaction mechanism offers new opportunities for the design of low-cost, high-energy-density cathodes for advanced rechargeable aqueous batteries.
A Review: Does Complement or the Contact System Have a Role in Protection or Pathogenesis of COVID-19?
Authors: Maglakelidze Natella , Manto Kristen M. , Craig Timothy J.
Published: May 2020

Introduction

COVID-19 presentation may include a profound increase in cytokines and associated pneumonia, rapidly progressing to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This so-called cytokine storm often leads to refractory edema, respiratory arrest, and death. At present, anti-IL-6, antiviral therapy, convalescent plasma, hydroxychloroquine, and azithromycin among others are being investigated as potential treatments for COVID-19. As the disease etiology and precise therapeutic interventions are still not definitively defined, we wanted to review the roles that complement and the contact system may have in either the treatment or pathogenesis of the disease.

Methods

We searched the recent literature (PubMed) on complement and coronavirus; contact system and coronavirus; bradykinin and coronavirus; and angiotensin receptor and coronavirus. The manuscript complies with ethics guidelines and was deemed exempt from institutional review board approval according to Human Subjects Protection Office guidelines.

Results

Mouse models are available for the study of coronavirus and complement. Although complement is effective in protecting against many viruses, it does not seem to be protective against coronavirus. C3 knockout mice infected with SARS-CoV had less lung disease than wild-type mice, suggesting that complement may play a role in coronavirus pathogenesis. Some evidence suggests that the observed pulmonary edema may be bradykinin-induced and could be the reason that corticosteroids, antihistamines, and other traditional interventions for edema are not effective. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a co-receptor for SARS-CoV-2, and studies thus far have not concluded a benefit or risk associated with the use of either ACE-inhibitors or angiotensin receptor antagonists.

Activation of complement and the contact system, through generation of bradykinin, may play a role in the SARS-CoV-2-induced pulmonary edema, and our search suggests that further work is necessary to confirm our suspicions.
Viable but nonculturable bacteria and their resuscitation: implications for cultivating uncultured marine microorganisms
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Hua , Ahmad Waqar , Zhu Xiao-Yu , Chen Jixiang , Austin Brian
Published: May 2020

Culturing has been the cornerstone of microbiology since Robert Koch first successfully cultured bacteria in the late nineteenth century. However, even today, the majority of microorganisms in the marine environment remain uncultivated. There are various explanations for the inability to culture bacteria in the laboratory, including lack of essential nutrients, osmotic support or incubation conditions, low growth rate, development of micro-colonies, and the presence of senescent or viable but nonculturable (VBNC) cells. In the marine environment, many bacteria have been associated with dormancy, as typified by the VBNC state. VBNC refers to a state where bacteria are metabolically active, but are no longer culturable on routine growth media. It is apparently a unique survival strategy that has been adopted by many microorganisms in response to harsh environmental conditions and the bacterial cells in the VBNC state may regain culturability under favorable conditions. The resuscitation of VBNC cells may well be an important way to cultivate the otherwise uncultured microorganisms in marine environments. Many resuscitation stimuli that promote the restoration of culturability have so far been identified; these include sodium pyruvate, quorum sensing autoinducers, resuscitation-promoting factors Rpfs and YeaZ, and catalase. In this review, we focus on the issues associated with bacterial culturability, the diversity of bacteria entering the VBNC state, mechanisms of induction into the VBNC state, resuscitation factors of VBNC cells and implications of VBNC resuscitation stimuli for cultivating these otherwise uncultured microorganisms. Bringing important microorganisms into culture is still important in the era of high-throughput sequencing as their ecological functions in the marine environment can often only be known through isolation and cultivation.
Management recommendations for patients with chronic kidney disease during the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) epidemic
Authors: Li Juan , Li Shuang‐Xi , Zhao Li‐Fang , Kong De‐Liang , Guo Zhi‐Yong
Published: May 2020

COVID‐19 has become a pandemic and it has already spread to at least 171 countries/regions. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global public health problem with a total of approximately 850 million patients with CKD worldwide and 119.5 million in China. Severe COVID‐19 infection may damage the kidney and cause acute tubular necrosis, leading to proteinuria, hematuria and elevated serum creatinine. Since the SARS‐CoV‐2 enters the cells by binding to the angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 receptor, some doctors question its ability to increase the risk and severity of developing COVID‐19. Neither clinical data nor basic scientific evidence supports this assumption. Therefore, patients who take angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker are not advised to change their therapy. Patients with CKD are generally the elderly population suffering from multiple comorbidities. Moreover, some patients with CKD might need to take glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants. Dialysis patients are recurrently exposed to a possible contaminated environment because their routine treatment usually requires three dialysis sessions per week. Considering all the above reasons, patients with CKD are more vulnerable to COVID‐19 than the general population. The development of COVID‐19 may worsen the impaired kidney function and further lead to rapid deterioration of kidney function and even death. Strict comprehensive protocols should be followed to prevent the spread of COVID‐19 among patients with CKD. In this review, we provide some practical management recommendations for health care providers, patients with CKD, dialysis patients and dialysis facilities.
LO47: Hematochezia in children with acute gastroenteritis in the emergency department: clinical phenotype, etiologic pathogens, and resource utilization
Authors: Böhrer M. , Fitzpatrick E. , Hurley K. , Xie J. , Lee B. , Pang X. , Chui L. , Tarr P. , Ali S. , Vanderkooi O. , Freedman S.
Published: May 2020

Introduction: Acute bloody diarrhea obligates rapid and accurate diagnostic evaluation; few studies have described such cohorts of children. Methods: We conducted a planned secondary analysis employing the Alberta Provincial Pediatric EnTeric Infection TEam (APPETITE) acute gastroenteritis study cohort to describe the characteristics of children with acute bloody diarrhea, compared to a cohort of children without hematochezia. Children <18 years of age presenting to 2 pediatric tertiary care emergency departments (EDs) in Alberta, with ≥3 episodes of diarrhea and/or vomiting in the preceding 24 hours and <7 days of symptoms were consecutively recruited. Stools were tested for 17 viruses, bacteria and parasites. Primary outcomes were clinical characteristics and pathogens identified. Secondary outcomes included interventions and resource utilization. Results: Of 2257 children enrolled between October 2015 and August 2018, hematochezia before or at the index ED visit was reported in 122 (5.4%). Compared to children with nonbloody diarrhea, children with hematochezia had longer illness duration [59.5 vs. 41.5 hrs, difference 10.6, 95% CI 3.5, 19.9], more diarrheal episodes in a 24-hour period [8 vs. 5, difference 3, 95% CI 2, 4], and less vomiting [55.7% vs. 91.1%; difference -35.3%; 95% CI -44.7, -26.3]. They received more intravenous fluids [32.0% vs. 18.3%; difference 13.7%, 95% CI 5.5, 23.0], underwent non-study stool testing [53.7% vs. 4.8%; difference 49.0%, 95% CI 39.6, 58.0], experienced longer ED visits [4.1 vs. 3.3 hours, difference 0.9, 95% CI 0.3, 1.0] and were more likely to have repeat healthcare visits within 14 days [54.8% vs. 34.2%; difference 20.6%, 95% CI 10.8, 30.1]. A bacterial enteric pathogen was found in 31.9% of children with hematochezia versus 6.6% without bloody diarrhea (difference 25.4%, 95% CI 17.2, 34.7). In children with hematochezia, the most commonly detected bacteria were Salmonella spp. (N = 15), Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (N = 9), Campylobacter spp. (N = 7), and Shigella spp. (N = 5). Viruses were detected in 32.8% of children with bloody diarrhea, most commonly adenovirus (N = 15), norovirus (N = 14), sapovirus (N = 8) and rotavirus (N = 7). Conclusion: Children with hematochezia differed clinically from those without hematochezia and required more healthcare resources. While bacterial etiologies are common, several viruses were also detected.
LO49: Digital technology distraction for acute pain in children: a meta-analysis
Authors: Gates M. , Hartling L. , Shulhan-Kilroy J. , MacGregor T. , Guitard S. , Wingert A. , Featherstone R. , Vandermeer B. , Poonai N. , Kircher J. , Perry S. , Graham T. , Scott S. , Ali S.
Published: May 2020

Introduction: Digital distraction is being integrated into pediatric pain care, but its efficacy is currently unknown. We conducted a systematic review to determine the effect of digital technology distraction on pain and distress for children experiencing acutely painful conditions or medical procedures. Methods: We searched eight online databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PsycINFO, IEEE Xplore, Ei Compendex, Web of Science), grey literature sources, scanned reference lists, and contacted experts for quantitative studies where digital technologies were used as distraction for acutely painful conditions or procedures in children. Study selection was performed by two independent reviewers with consensus. One reviewer extracted relevant study data and another verified it for accuracy. Appraisal of risk of bias within studies and the certainty of the body of evidence were performed independently in duplicate, with the final appraisal determined by consensus. The primary outcomes of interest were child pain and distress. Results: Of 3247 unique records identified by the search, we included 106 studies (n = 7820) that reported on digital technology distractors (e.g., virtual reality; videogames) used during common procedures (e.g., venipuncture, minor dental procedures, burn treatments). We located no studies reporting on painful conditions. For painful procedures, digital distraction resulted in a modest but clinically important reduction in self-reported pain (SMD -0.48, 95% CI -0.66 to -0.29, 46 RCTs, n = 3200), observer-reported pain (SMD -0.68, 95% CI -0.91 to -0.45, 17 RCTs, n = 1199), behavioural pain (SMD -0.57, 95% CI -0.94 to -0.19, 19 RCTs, n = 1173), self-reported distress (SMD -0.49, 95% CI -0.70 to -0.27, 19 RCTs, n = 1818), observer-reported distress (SMD -0.47, 95% CI -0.77 to -0.17, 10 RCTs, n = 826), and behavioural distress (SMD -0.35, 95% CI -0.59 to -0.12, 17 RCTs, n = 1264) compared to usual care. Few studies directly compared different distractors or provided subgroup data to inform applicability. Conclusion: Digital distraction provides modest pain and distress reduction for children undergoing painful procedures; its superiority over non-digital distractors is not established. Healthcare providers and parents should strongly consider using distractions as a pain-reduction strategy for children and teens during common painful procedures (e.g., needle pokes, dental fillings). Context, child preference, and availability should inform the choice of distractor.