bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Happiness and Fear
Authors: Wisniewski Pamela , Badillo-Urquiola Karla , Ashtorab Zahra , Vitak Jessica
Published: October 2020

In February 2016, Facebook launched Reactions, an interactive feature expanding the Like button to include five additional emotional responses: Love, Sadness, Anger, Wow, and Haha. In this article, we examine users’ feedback about this new feature and identify important design implications of this significant modification of Facebook's interface. We did this by applying theories of human emotion and emotion-specific influences on cognitive appraisals to conduct a heuristic evaluation of Facebook Reactions and a thematic content analysis of the 3,000 “top” comments posted by Facebook users on the official pre- and post-launch announcements about Reactions. Prior to launch, many users were concerned that the addition of a Dislike button would lead to abuse; thus, they favored the more nuanced design of Reactions. After launch, users were more positive about the feature as many of their misconceptions were clarified through actual use. Overall, we identified several design constraints of this new feature, including users’ inability to express conflicting emotions. We conclude the article by discussing the implications of our findings and the challenges around research and design for sociotechnical systems that involve complex human emotions.
Group Fairness in Committee Selection
Authors: Cheng Yu , Jiang Zhihao , Munagala Kamesh , Wang Kangning
Published: October 2020

In this article, we study
fairness
in committee selection problems. We consider a general notion of fairness via stability: A committee is
stable
if no coalition of voters can deviate and choose a committee of proportional size, so that all these voters strictly prefer the new committee to the existing one. Our main contribution is to extend this definition to stability of a distribution (or lottery) over committees. We consider two canonical voter preference models: the A
pproval
S
et
setting where each voter approves a set of candidates and prefers committees with larger intersection with this set; and the R
anking
R
epresentative
setting where each voter ranks committees based on how much she likes her favorite candidate in a committee. Our main result is to show that stable lotteries always exist for these canonical preference models. Interestingly, given preferences of voters over committees, the procedure for computing an approximately stable lottery is the
same
for both models and therefore extends to the setting where some voters have the former preference structure and others have the latter. Our existence proof uses the probabilistic method and a new large deviation inequality that may be of independent interest.
Tracking Urban Mobility and Occupancy under Social Distancing Policy
Authors: Ju Wendy , Yavo-Ayalon Sharon , Mandel Ilan , Saldarini Federico , Friedman Natalie , Sibi Srinath , Zamfirescu-Pereira J. D. , Ortiz Jorge
Published: October 2020

The effectiveness of social distancing as a disease-slowing measure is dependent on the degree of compliance that individuals demonstrate to such orders. In this ongoing research, we study outdoor pedestrian activity in New York City, specifically using (a) video streams gathered from public traffic cameras (b) dashcam footage from vehicles driving through the city, and (c) mobile phone geo-location data volunteered by local citizens. This project seeks to form a multi-scale map of urban mobility and space occupancy under social distancing policy. The data collected will enable researchers to infer the activities, contexts, origins, and destinations of the people in public spaces. This information can reveal where and, in turn, why stay-at-home orders are and are not being followed. As a work in progress, it is yet too early for detailed findings on this project. However, we report here on several unanticipated factors that have already influenced the course of the project, among them: the death of George Floyd and subsequent protests, data collection challenges, changes in the weather, and the unexpected nature of the progression of COVID-19.
Noncanonical Passives: A Typology of Voices in an Impoverished Universal Grammar
Authors: Legate Julie Anne
Published: October 2020

Noncanonical passives crosslinguistically exhaust the space of possible variation, supporting an approach whereby Universal Grammar is underspecified for the characteristics of voice and the properties of any particular construction are learned through experience. Languages considered include Passamaquoddy and Oji-Cree (Algonquian); Dutch and Icelandic (Germanic); Ukrainian (Slavic); Welsh and Irish (Celtic); Hindi (Indo-Aryan); Acehnese, Indonesian, and Manggarai (Malayo-Polynesian); Sason Arabic (Arabic); Bemba and Kirundi (Bantu); Lithuanian (Baltic); Turkish (Turkic); and Mandarin (Sinitic).
Output Monomial Reachability and Zero Output Controllability of Positive Switched Systems
Authors: Riouali Maryam , Lahmidi Fouad , Namir Abdelwahed
Published: October 2020

In this paper, we present a sufficient condition for the output reachability of discrete-time positive switched systems. Besides, necessary and sufficient conditions for output monomial reachability and zero output controllability are provided. Further, some examples are shown.
Exploring the Impact of Stress on Burnout: A Mathematical Model and Empirical Research
Authors: Jin Cheng-Lin , Chen Ting , Wu Shu-Yang , Yang Yi-Lin
Published: October 2020

Educational management and social psychology researchers have frequently suggested that job burnout and even turnover intention of college teachers can be induced by stress, which is an inherent part of fast-changing environments and advanced educational technology. However, studies about the contingency effect remain limited. We articulate the effect of role stress and technostress by integrating organizational behaviour and educational management literature. Particularly, this study tries to investigate the moderating effect of teacher agility and leader-member exchange differentiation on suppressing burnout. According to the job demands-resources model, we proposed that the negative effect of stress on burnout depends on the degree of agility and leader-member change quality (LMXD). A study of 271 samples supports the propositions. Specifically, the adverse effect of role stress on job burnout is strengthened by both employee agility and LMXD. We further elaborate theoretical implications on educational management, social psychology, and job demands-resources model.
Real-Life Data on the Efficacy of Canakinumab in Patients with Adult-Onset Still’s Disease
Authors: Vitale Antonio , Berlengiero Virginia , Sota Jurgen , Ciarcia Luisa , Ricco Nicola , Barneschi Sara , Mourabi Mariam , Lopalco Giuseppe , Marzo Chiara , Bellisai Francesca , Iannone Florenzo , Frediani Bruno , Cantarini Luca
Published: October 2020

Background. Interleukin-1 inhibition has revealed to be a successful treatment approach for patients with adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD). However, real-life experience is focused on the use of anakinra, while data about canakinumab (CAN) are mainly based on case reports and small case series. Patients and Methods. Patients classified with AOSD according to Yamaguchi criteria and treated with CAN were consecutively enrolled. Their clinical and therapeutic data were retrospectively collected and statistically analysed to assess the role of CAN as a therapeutic opportunity in AOSD patients in terms of clinical and laboratory disease control along with corticosteroid-sparing effect. Results. Nine AOSD patients (8 females and 1 male) treated with CAN for

15.00
±
12.3

months were enrolled. Resolution of clinical manifestations was reported in 8/9 cases at the 3-month assessment; a significant decrease in the number of tender joints (

p
=
0.009

), swollen joints (

p
=
0.027

), and disease activity score on 28 joints-C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) (

p
=
0.044

) was observed during the study period. The systemic score of disease activity significantly decreased at the 3-month and 6-month assessments and at the last visit compared to the start of treatment (

p
=
0.028

,

p
=
0.028

, and

p
=
0.018

, respectively). The daily corticosteroid dosage was significantly reduced at the 3-month and at the last follow-up visits (

p
=
0.017

and

p
=
0.018

, respectively). None of the patients experienced adverse events or severe adverse events during the follow-up. Conclusions. CAN has shown prompt and remarkable effectiveness in controlling AOSD activity in a real-life contest, with a significant glucocorticoid-sparing effect and an excellent safety profile.
Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis: Case Report with a SCNA4 Gene Mutation and Literature Review
Authors: Quiroga-Carrillo Manuela , Correa-Arrieta Cristian , Ortiz-Corredor Fernando , Suarez-Obando Fernando
Published: October 2020

Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis is a rare musculoskeletal disorder characterized by episodic muscle weakness associated with hyperkalemia. It is a channelopathy associated with point mutations in the SCNA4 gene, with an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. We report the case of a 39-year-old patient with a picture with onset at six years of age, consisting of episodes of weakness caused by physical activity and intercurrent infectious processes, in whom a point mutation was found in the SCNA4 gene, not previously reported in the literature.
A Novel Machine Learning-Based Approach for Security Analysis of Authentication and Key Agreement Protocols
Authors: Zahednejad Behnam , Ke Lishan , Li Jing
Published: October 2020

The application of machine learning in the security analysis of authentication and key agreement protocol was first launched by Ma et al. in 2018. Although they received remarkable results with an accuracy of 72% for the first time, their analysis is limited to replay attack and key confirmation attack. In addition, their suggested framework is based on a multiclassification problem in which every protocol or dataset instance is either secure or prone to a security attack such as replay attack, key confirmation, or other attacks. In this paper, we show that multiclassification is not an appropriate framework for such analysis, since authentication protocols may suffer different attacks simultaneously. Furthermore, we consider more security properties and attacks to analyze protocols against. These properties include strong authentication and Unknown Key Share (UKS) attack, key freshness, key authentication, and password guessing attack. In addition, we propose a much more efficient dataset construction model using a tenth number of features, which improves the solving speed to a large extent. The results indicate that our proposed model outperforms the previous models by at least 10–20 percent in all of the machine learning solving algorithms such that upper-bound performance reaches an accuracy of over 80% in the analysis of all security properties and attacks. Despite the previous models, the classification accuracy of our proposed dataset construction model rises in a rational manner along with the increase of the dataset size.
Long Noncoding RNA TINCR-Mediated Regulation of Acetyl-CoA Metabolism Promotes Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Progression and Chemoresistance
Authors: Zheng Zi-Qi , Li Zhi-Xuan , Guan Jia-Li , Liu Xu , Li Jun-Yan , Chen Yue , Lin Li , Kou Jia , Lv Jia-Wei , Zhang Lu-Lu , Zhou Guan-Qun , Liu Rui-Qi , Chen FoPing , He Xiao-Jun , Li Ying-Qin , Li Feng , Xu Si-Si , Ma Jun , Liu Na , Sun Ying
Published: October 2020

Frontier evidence suggests that dysregulation of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA) is ubiquitous in all human tumors, indicating that lncRNAs might have essential roles in tumorigenesis. Therefore, an in-depth study of the roles of lncRNA in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) carcinogenesis might be helpful to provide novel therapeutic targets. Here we report that lncRNA TINCR was significantly upregulated in NPC and was associated positively with poor survival. Silencing TINCR inhibited NPC progression and cisplatin resistance. Mechanistically, TINCR bound ACLY and protected it from ubiquitin degradation to maintain total cellular acetyl-CoA levels. Accumulation of cellular acetyl-CoA promoted de novo lipid biosynthesis and histone H3K27 acetylation, which ultimately regulated the peptidyl arginine deiminase 1 (PADI1)–MAPK–MMP2/9 pathway. In addition, insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 3 interacted with TINCR and slowed its decay, which partially accounted for TINCR upregulation in NPC. These findings demonstrate that TINCR acts as a crucial driver of NPC progression and chemoresistance and highlights the newly identified TINCR–ACLY–PADI1–MAPK–MMP2/9 axis as a potential therapeutic target in NPC.

Significance:

TINCR-mediated regulation of a PADI1–MAPK–MMP2/9 signaling pathway plays a critical role in NPC progression and chemoresistance, marking TINCR as a viable therapeutic target in this disease.
Evolution of the Epigenetic Landscape in Childhood B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Its Role in Drug Resistance
Authors: Saint Fleur-Lominy Shella , Evensen Nikki A. , Bhatla Teena , Sethia Gunjan , Narang Sonali , Choi Jun H. , Ma Xiaotu , Yang Jun J. , Kelly Stephen , Raetz Elizabeth , Harvey Richard C. , Willman Cheryl , Loh Mignon L. , Hunger Stephen P. , Brown Patrick A. , Getz Kylie M. , Meydan Cem , Mason Christopher E. , Tsirigos Aristotelis , Carroll William L.
Published: October 2020

Although B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is the most common malignancy in children and while highly curable, it remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality. The outgrowth of tumor subclones carrying mutations in genes responsible for resistance to therapy has led to a Darwinian model of clonal selection. Previous work has indicated that alterations in the epigenome might contribute to clonal selection, yet the extent to which the chromatin state is altered under the selective pressures of therapy is unknown. To address this, we performed chromatin immunoprecipitation, gene expression analysis, and enhanced reduced representation bisulfite sequencing on a cohort of paired diagnosis and relapse samples from individual patients who all but one relapsed within 36 months of initial diagnosis. The chromatin state at diagnosis varied widely among patients, while the majority of peaks remained stable between diagnosis and relapse. Yet a significant fraction was either lost or newly gained, with some patients showing few differences and others showing massive changes of the epigenetic state. Evolution of the epigenome was associated with pathways previously linked to therapy resistance as well as novel candidate pathways through alterations in pyrimidine biosynthesis and downregulation of polycomb repressive complex 2 targets. Three novel, relapse-specific superenhancers were shared by a majority of patients including one associated with S100A8, the top upregulated gene seen at relapse in childhood B-ALL. Overall, our results support a role of the epigenome in clonal evolution and uncover new candidate pathways associated with relapse.

Significance:

This study suggests a major role for epigenetic mechanisms in driving clonal evolution in B-ALL and identifies novel pathways associated with drug resistance.
RNA-Binding RING E3-Ligase DZIP3/hRUL138 Stabilizes Cyclin D1 to Drive Cell-Cycle and Cancer Progression
Authors: Kolapalli Srinivasa P. , Sahu Rinku , Chauhan Nishant R. , Jena Kautilya K. , Mehto Subhash , Das Saroj K. , Jain Ashish , Rout Manaswini , Dash Rupesh , Swain Rajeeb K. , Lee David Y. , Rusten Tor Erik , Chauhan Santosh , Chauhan Swati
Published: October 2020

DZIP3/hRUL138 is a poorly characterized RNA-binding RING E3-ubiquitin ligase with functions in embryonic development. Here we demonstrate that DZIP3 is a crucial driver of cancer cell growth, migration, and invasion. In mice and zebrafish cancer models, DZIP3 promoted tumor growth and metastasis. In line with these results, DZIP3 was frequently overexpressed in several cancer types. Depletion of DZIP3 from cells resulted in reduced expression of Cyclin D1 and a subsequent G1 arrest and defect in cell growth. Mechanistically, DZIP3 utilized its two different domains to interact and stabilize Cyclin D1 both at mRNA and protein levels. Using an RNA-binding lysine-rich region, DZIP3 interacted with the AU-rich region in 3′ untranslated region of Cyclin D1 mRNA and stabilized it. Using a RING E3-ligase domain, DZIP3 interacted and increased K63-linked ubiquitination of Cyclin D1 protein to stabilize it. Remarkably, DZIP3 interacted with, ubiquitinated, and stabilized Cyclin D1 predominantly in the G1 phase of the cell cycle, where it is needed for cell-cycle progression. In agreement with this, a strong positive correlation of mRNA expression between DZIP3 and Cyclin D1 in different cancer types was observed. Additionally, DZIP3 regulated several cell cycle proteins by modulating the Cyclin D1–E2F axes. Taken together, this study demonstrates for the first time that DZIP3 uses a unique two-pronged mechanism in its stabilization of Cyclin D1 to drive cell-cycle and cancer progression.

Significance:

These findings show that DZIP3 is a novel driver of cell-cycle and cancer progression via its control of Cyclin D1 mRNA and protein stability in a cell-cycle phase-dependent manner.
A Hyperactive RelA/p65-Hexokinase 2 Signaling Axis Drives Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma
Authors: Tateishi Kensuke , Miyake Yohei , Kawazu Masahito , Sasaki Nobuyoshi , Nakamura Taishi , Sasame Jo , Yoshii Yukie , Ueno Toshihide , Miyake Akio , Watanabe Jun , Matsushita Yuko , Shiba Norio , Udaka Naoko , Ohki Kentaro , Fink Alexandria L. , Tummala Shilpa S. , Natsumeda Manabu , Ikegaya Naoki , Nishi Mayuko , Ohtake Makoto , Miyazaki Ryohei , Suenaga Jun , Murata Hidetoshi , Aoki Ichio , Miller Julie J. , Fujii Yukihiko , Ryo Akihide , Yamanaka Shoji , Mano Hiroyuki , Cahill Daniel P. , Wakimoto Hiroaki , Chi Andrew S. , Batchelor Tracy T. , Nagane Motoo , Ichimura Koichi , Yamamoto Tetsuya
Published: October 2020

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is an isolated type of lymphoma of the central nervous system and has a dismal prognosis despite intensive chemotherapy. Recent genomic analyses have identified highly recurrent mutations of MYD88 and CD79B in immunocompetent PCNSL, whereas LMP1 activation is commonly observed in Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-positive PCNSL. However, a lack of clinically representative preclinical models has hampered our understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms by which genetic aberrations drive PCNSL disease phenotypes. Here, we establish a panel of 12 orthotopic, patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models from both immunocompetent and EBV-positive PCNSL and secondary CNSL biopsy specimens. PDXs faithfully retained their phenotypic, metabolic, and genetic features, with 100% concordance of MYD88 and CD79B mutations present in PCNSL in immunocompetent patients. These models revealed a convergent functional dependency upon a deregulated RelA/p65-hexokinase 2 signaling axis, codriven by either mutated MYD88/CD79B or LMP1 with Pin1 overactivation in immunocompetent PCNSL and EBV-positive PCNSL, respectively. Notably, distinct molecular alterations used by immunocompetent and EBV-positive PCNSL converged to deregulate RelA/p65 expression and to drive glycolysis, which is critical for intracerebral tumor progression and FDG-PET imaging characteristics. Genetic and pharmacologic inhibition of this key signaling axis potently suppressed PCNSL growth in vitro and in vivo. These patient-derived models offer a platform for predicting clinical chemotherapeutics efficacy and provide critical insights into PCNSL pathogenic mechanisms, accelerating therapeutic discovery for this aggressive disease.

Significance:

A set of clinically relevant CNSL xenografts identifies a hyperactive RelA/p65-hexokinase 2 signaling axis as a driver of progression and potential therapeutic target for treatment and provides a foundational preclinical platform.
Circulating Tumor DNA Predicts Outcome from First-, but not Second-line Treatment and Identifies Melanoma Patients Who May Benefit from Combination Immunotherapy
Authors: Marsavela Gabriela , Lee Jenny , Calapre Leslie , Wong Stephen Q. , Pereira Michelle R. , McEvoy Ashleigh C. , Reid Anna L. , Robinson Cleo , Warburton Lydia , Abed Afaf , Khattak Muhammad A. , Meniawy Tarek M. , Dawson Sarah-Jane , Sandhu Shahneen , Carlino Matteo S. , Menzies Alexander M. , Scolyer Richard A. , Long Georgina V. , Amanuel Benhur , Millward Michael , Ziman Melanie R. , Rizos Helen , Gray Elin S.
Published: October 2020

Purpose:

We evaluated the predictive value of pretreatment ctDNA to inform therapeutic outcomes in patients with metastatic melanoma relative to type and line of treatment.

Experimental Design:

Plasma circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) was quantified in 125 samples collected from 110 patients prior to commencing treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), as first- (n = 32) or second-line (n = 27) regimens, or prior to commencing first-line BRAF/MEK inhibitor therapy (n = 66). An external validation cohort included 128 patients commencing ICI therapies in the first- (N = 77) or second-line (N = 51) settings.

Results:

In the discovery cohort, low ctDNA (≤20 copies/mL) prior to commencing therapy predicted longer progression-free survival (PFS) in patients treated with first-line ICIs [HR, 0.20; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.07–0.53; P < 0.0001], but not in the second-line setting. An independent cohort validated that ctDNA is predictive of PFS in the first-line setting (HR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.22–0.83; P = 0.006), but not in the second-line ICI setting. Moreover, ctDNA prior to commencing ICI treatment was not predictive of PFS for patients pretreated with BRAF/MEK inhibitors in either the discovery or validation cohorts. Reduced PFS and overall survival were observed in patients with high ctDNA receiving anti–PD-1 monotherapy, relative to those treated with combination anti–CTLA-4/anti–PD-1 inhibitors.

Conclusions:

Pretreatment ctDNA is a reliable indicator of patient outcome in the first-line ICI treatment setting, but not in the second-line ICI setting, especially in patients pretreated with BRAF/MEK inhibitors. Preliminary evidence indicated that treatment-naïve patients with high ctDNA may preferentially benefit from combined ICIs.
Vesicular Cystitis: A Chronic Cystitis Variant Often Unresponsive to Antibiotics and Electrofulguration
Authors: Crivelli Joseph J. , Zimmern Philippe E.
Published: October 2020

Objective: The aim of the study was to report on the presentation and outcomes of vesicular cystitis (VC), a chronic cystitis exhibiting translucent bladder mucosal vesicles, among women with antibiotic-refractory recurrent urinary tract infections (RUTIs). Methods: An analysis of our Institutional Review Board-approved series on antibiotic-refractory RUTIs was performed, selecting for documented VC lesions on cystoscopy. All patients had RUTIs defined as ≥3 urinary tract infections/year with positive urine culture. All patients were extensively treated with antibiotics with no resolution of RUTIs and were offered electrofulguration (EF) of VC lesions under anesthesia as a last resort. All patients had a 6-month post-EF office cystoscopy documenting persistence or resolution of the lesions, and a clinical outcome assessment based on RUTI frequency. Results: Of 482 patients, 18 (3.7%) treated during 2011–2017 met the study criteria. VC was most commonly found over the dome/anterior wall (7/18, 38%) and as pancystitis (7/18, 38%). There was often concomitant cystitis cystica of the trigone (8/18, 44%). At post-EF cystoscopy, persistence of VC was noted in 10/18 (56%) patients; 6/18 (33%) underwent repeat EF and an additional 3/18 (17%) were retreated due to new lesions after initial resolution. Two (11%) patients required simple cystectomy and urinary diversion due to RUTIs refractory to all interventions. Within a median follow-up of 2.8 years after EF, clinical cure was observed in 5/18 (28%), improvement in 10/18 (56%), and failure in 3/18 (17%) patients. Conclusions: Among women with antibiotic-refractory RUTIs, VC is an infrequent and persistent form of cystitis with a predilection for non-trigonal bladder surfaces, whose management is challenging.
Single‐Cell Transcriptomics of Engineered Cardiac Tissues From Patient‐Specific Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell–Derived Cardiomyocytes Reveals Abnormal Developmental Trajectory and Intrinsic Contractile Defects in Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome
Authors: Lam Yin‐Yu , Keung Wendy , Chan Chun‐Ho , Geng Lin , Wong Nicodemus , Brenière‐Letuffe David , Li Ronald A. , Cheung Yiu‐Fai
Published: October 2020

Background

To understand the intrinsic cardiac developmental and functional abnormalities in pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PAIVS) free from effects secondary to anatomic defects, we performed and compared single‐cell transcriptomic and phenotypic analyses of patient‐ and healthy subject–derived human‐induced pluripotent stem cell–derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC‐CMs) and engineered tissue models.

Methods and Results

We derived hiPSC lines from 3 patients with PAIVS and 3 healthy subjects and differentiated them into hiPSC‐CMs, which were then bioengineered into the human cardiac anisotropic sheet and human cardiac tissue strip custom‐designed for electrophysiological and contractile assessments, respectively. Single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNA‐seq) of hiPSC‐CMs, human cardiac anisotropic sheet, and human cardiac tissue strip was performed to examine the transcriptomic basis for any phenotypic abnormalities using pseudotime and differential expression analyses. Through pseudotime analysis, we demonstrated that bioengineered tissue constructs provide pro‐maturational cues to hiPSC‐CMs, although the maturation and development were attenuated in PAIVS hiPSC‐CMs. Furthermore, reduced contractility and prolonged contractile kinetics were observed with PAIVS human cardiac tissue strips. Consistently, single‐cell RNA sequencing of PAIVS human cardiac tissue strips and hiPSC‐CMs exhibited diminished expression of cardiac contractile apparatus genes. By contrast, electrophysiological aberrancies were absent in PAIVS human cardiac anisotropic sheets.

Conclusions

Our findings were the first to reveal intrinsic abnormalities of cardiomyocyte development and function in PAIVS free from secondary effects. We conclude that hiPSC‐derived engineered tissues offer a unique method for studying primary cardiac abnormalities and uncovering pathogenic mechanisms that underlie sporadic congenital heart diseases.
Identification of Key Small Non‐Coding MicroRNAs Controlling Pacemaker Mechanisms in the Human Sinus Node
Authors: Petkova Maria , Atkinson Andrew J. , Yanni Joseph , Stuart Luke , Aminu Abimbola J. , Ivanova Alexandra D. , Pustovit Ksenia B. , Geragthy Connor , Feather Amy , Li Ning , Zhang Yu , Oceandy Delvac , Perde Filip , Molenaar Peter , D’Souza Alicia , Fedorov Vadim V. , Dobrzynski Halina
Published: October 2020

Background

The sinus node (SN) is the primary pacemaker of the heart. SN myocytes possess distinctive action potential morphology with spontaneous diastolic depolarization because of a unique expression of ion channels and Ca
2+
‐handling proteins. MicroRNAs (miRs) inhibit gene expression. The role of miRs in controlling the expression of genes responsible for human SN pacemaking and conduction has not been explored. The aim of this study was to determine miR expression profile of the human SN as compared with that of non‐pacemaker atrial muscle.

Methods and Results

SN and atrial muscle biopsies were obtained from donor or post‐mortem hearts (n=10), histology/immunolabeling were used to characterize the tissues, TaqMan Human MicroRNA Arrays were used to measure 754 miRs, Ingenuity Pathway Analysis was used to identify miRs controlling SN pacemaker gene expression. Eighteen miRs were significantly more and 48 significantly less abundant in the SN than atrial muscle. The most interesting miR was miR‐486‐3p predicted to inhibit expression of pacemaking channels: HCN1 (hyperpolarization‐activated cyclic nucleotide‐gated 1), HCN4, voltage‐gated calcium channel (Ca
v
)1.3, and Ca
v
3.1. A luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed that miR‐486‐3p can control HCN4 expression via its 3′ untranslated region. In
ex vivo
SN preparations, transfection with miR‐486‐3p reduced the beating rate by ≈35±5% (
P
<0.05) and HCN4 expression (
P
<0.05).

Conclusions

The human SN possesses a unique pattern of expression of miRs predicted to target functionally important genes. miR‐486‐3p has an important role in SN pacemaker activity by targeting HCN4, making it a potential target for therapeutic treatment of SN disease such as sinus tachycardia.
N‐Terminal Pro Brain, N‐Terminal Pro Atrial Natriuretic Peptides, and Dynamic Cerebral Autoregulation
Authors: Mahinrad Simin , Sabayan Behnam , Garner Chaney R. , Lloyd‐Jones Donald M. , Sorond Farzaneh A.
Published: October 2020

Background

Elevated natriuretic peptides (NP) are associated with adverse cerebrovascular conditions including stroke, cerebral small vessel disease, and dementia. However, the mechanisms underlying these associations remain unclear. In this study, we examined the relationship of NT‐proBNP (N‐terminal pro brain NP) and NT‐proANP (N‐terminal pro atrial NP) with cerebrovascular function, measured by cerebral autoregulation.

Methods and Results

We included 154 participants (mean age 56±4 years old) from the CARDIA (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults) cohort. NT‐proBNP and NT‐proANP were measured in blood samples from the year 25 examination using electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay and enzyme‐linked immunoassay, respectively. Dynamic cerebral autoregulation (dCA) was assessed at the year 30 examination by transcranial Doppler ultrasound, using transfer function analysis (phase and gain) of spontaneous blood pressure and flow velocity oscillations, where lower phase and higher gain reflect less efficient cerebral autoregulation. We used multivariable linear regression models adjusted for demographics, vascular risk factors, and history of kidney and cardiac diseases. Higher NT‐proBNP levels at year 25 were associated with lower phase (β [95% CI]=−5.30 lower degrees of phase [−10.05 to −0.54]) and higher gain (β [95% CI]=0.06 higher cm/s per mm Hg of gain [0.004–0.12]) at year 30. Similarly, higher NT‐proANP levels were associated with lower phase (β [95% CI]=−9.08 lower degrees of phase [−16.46 to −1.70]).

Conclusions

Higher circulating levels of NT‐proBNP and NT‐proANP are associated with less efficient dCA 5 years later. These findings link circulating NP to cerebral autoregulation and may be one mechanism tying NP to adverse cerebrovascular outcomes.
The Ascent of the Soul as Spiritual Exercise in Plotinus’ Enneads
Authors: Stróżyński Mateusz
Published: October 2020

The purpose of the article is to demonstrate that the ascent of the soul as one of the fundamental spiritual exercises in Plotinus’ philosophy can be approached from three perspectives: anabatic proper, aphaeretic and agnoetic. All of them are based on the hierarchical structure of knowledge and being in Plotinus’ philosophy, but they differ in details. The methods are reconstructed on the basis of the analysis of selected passages from the Enneads.
Arrian’s Ektaxis in the Roman Empire
Authors: Chiritoiu Daniel
Published: October 2020

This paper proposes to discuss one of Arrian’s so-called ‘minor texts’—the Acies contra Alanos which I prefer to call Ektaxis kata Alanōn—and show how it is not only a military manual, but also allows Arrian to discuss identity, fitting into broader patterns and discourses of the Second Sophistic. In the Ektaxis Arrian, much like a sophist, creates different personas and layers of identity not just for himself but also for his troops, and takes the opportunity to present the Roman army in a diverse way, which differs from portrayals in other authors.
Trojan Restoration and the Aeneid in Horace, Odes 3.3
Authors: Wallis Jonathan
Published: October 2020

This article argues that Juno’s speech in Horace’s Odes 3.3 includes a short series of programmatic allusions to Virgil’s Aeneid that assist Horace in promoting the distinct identity of his own lyric poetry. Juno’s speech asserts that Rome’s passage to greatness depends on not ‘rebuilding Troy’. Horace’s allusions identify the motif of Trojan restoration as a central theme in the Aeneid’s narrative, and, in a metapoetic sense, associate it pejoratively with the cultural performance of the epic itself in its canonical retelling of the Trojan story. In this way Horace uses Juno’s speech strategically to characterise the Aeneid as decadent and regressive; by contrast Juno promotes moral restraint as a virtue that characterises Horatian lyric.
Prudentius’ Agnes and the Elegiac puella
Authors: Tsartsidis Thomas
Published: October 2020

In Peristephanon 14, Prudentius creates an inventive verse rendering of the martyrdom of Agnes. Interestingly, in this poem, the portrayal of Agnes shares many features with the elegiac puellae of Roman love elegy. Prudentius’ classicising poetry is characterised by the mixture of genres and literary traditions, one of them being Roman love elegy. The affinities, however, between Prudentius and the latter tradition deserve closer attention. In this paper, by identifying vocabulary, themes and motifs of Roman elegy in Peristephanon 14, I will illustrate ways in which Prudentius’ Agnes can be read as a Christianised elegiac puella.
Some new and known species of Bomolochidae (Copepoda, Cyclopoida) parasitic on Japanese actinopterygian fishes, 1 — with discussion on sexually dimorphic features in the family
Authors: Izawa Kunihiko
Published: October 2020

Three new and five known species of Bomolochidae Claus, 1875, parasitic on Japanese actinopterygian fishes, are (re)described. They are Bomolochus bellones Burmeister, 1835, B. decapteri Yamaguti, 1936, B. hoi sp. nov., Naricolax sphyraenae sp. nov., Nothobomolochus cypseluri (Yamaguti, 1953), Orbitacolax brevispinus Moon, Choi & Venmathi Maran, 2018, O. scombropsi sp. nov., and O. unguifer Kim & Moon, 2013. The copepodid IV female of B. bellones, the male and copepodid IV female of Na. sphyraenae, the male and copepodid IV and V female of No. cypseluri and O. unguifer are herein described. Sexual dimorphism is found in the antennule, maxilliped, and legs in the family.
Towards the rebuilding of spiny lobster stocks in Brazil: a review
Authors: Cruz Raúl , Santana João V. M. , Barreto Carlos G. , Borda Carlos A. , Torres Marina T. , Gaeta Juliana C. , Da Silva Jessica L. S. , Saraiva Soniamar Z. R. , Salazar Ivo S. O. , Cintra Israel H. A.
Published: October 2020

In this study, we used the Monte Carlo model (CMSY) to estimate fisheries reference points based on annual lobster landings. During the period 2012-2018, fishing pressure on lobster stocks decreased and a tendency for recovery was observed, despite the low biomass levels of approximately 29%. In 2019, the stock size was capable of producing yields close to the maximum sustainable yield (5770 t), with a probability of 58.1%. The enforcement of management measures should be continued in order to eliminate sources of negative externalities and rebuild stocks. We also demonstrate that the closed season does in fact protect the main events of the lobster life cycle. Responsible and efficient management should focus on life cycle studies and reliable monitoring of fishing data.
Additions to the knowledge of the Tribe Alyssontini (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae: Bembicinae) in India with description of two new species of the genus Alysson Panzer
Authors: KUMAR P. GIRISH , SHEELA S. , SHARMA GAURAV
Published: October 2020

Two new species of the genus Alysson Panzer, namely, A. bengalensis Girish Kumar sp. nov. and A. himachalensis Girish Kumar sp. nov. are described from the Indian Himalayas. Alysson triangularis Krombein, 1985 is reported here for the first time from India. Analysson rufescens Krombein, 1985 is reported here for the first time from Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. A key to species of Alysson of the Indian subcontinent is provided.
Theodor Billroth: Surgeon, Musician, and Composer
Authors: Lin Tami Yu-Yu , Seal Andrew
Published: October 2020

Music and surgery have a long and shared history, and the existence of musician-surgeons has been well documented. Best known for his 2 gastric reconstruction operations, Theodor Billroth was also a skilled musician and made valuable contributions to the field of music theory and composition. While he was a prolific composer during his lifetime, most of his works have unfortunately been lost. His 1 surviving composition Todessehnsucht offers insight into his composition process and serves as a testament to the amalgamation of his personal life, his career as a surgeon, and his lifelong love of music. This article seeks to analyze Billroth’s only musical composition from a historical, musical, and sociopolitical perspective and to illustrate the close interplay between science and art in one of the most quintessential musician-surgeons in history.
Vocal Fold Immobility Following Vaccination
Authors: Talmor Guy , Nguyen Brandon , Din-Lovinescu Corina , Paskhover Boris , Kaye Rachel
Published: October 2020

Objective:

Vocal fold immobility (VFI) may severely affect quality of life due to dysphonia and respiratory distress. Many etiologies of this disorder have been evaluated, however the relationship between VFI and vaccination has yet to be explored. The objective of this study was to identify the relationship between VFI and vaccine administration.

Methods:

The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) database was queried for patients exhibiting symptoms of VFI following vaccination. Patient demographics and clinical information including presenting symptoms, time of symptom onset, laterality, outcomes, and adverse events were documented.

Results:

Twenty-two patients were found to have VFI following vaccination. Of those reported, 13 patients were female (59.1%) and 8 were male (36.4%) with an average age of 48.4 years. Vaccinations for influenza, shingles, pneumococcus, and hepatitis B were reported. A majority of these cases were unilateral in nature (73.3%). Mean lag time from vaccination to symptom onset was 6.3 days (range 0-45 days). Five adverse events were reported, with 4 patients requiring intubation and tracheostomy.

Conclusion:

Vaccine administration may be associated with VFI and physicians should be cognizant of this potential adverse event. This is a rare complication with less reported cases than other post-vaccination cranial neuropathies. The difficulty in establishing an initial diagnosis and need for specialized evaluation by an otolaryngologist may result in under-reporting of such events. Further research is needed to delineate the exact pathophysiology of this complication and determine whether a causal relationship exists.
Consumers and Artificial Intelligence: An Experiential Perspective
Authors: Puntoni Stefano , Reczek Rebecca Walker , Giesler Markus , Botti Simona
Published: October 2020

Artificial intelligence (AI) helps companies offer important benefits to consumers, such as health monitoring with wearable devices, advice with recommender systems, peace of mind with smart household products, and convenience with voice-activated virtual assistants. However, although AI can be seen as a neutral tool to be evaluated on efficiency and accuracy, this approach does not consider the social and individual challenges that can occur when AI is deployed. This research aims to bridge these two perspectives: on one side, the authors acknowledge the value that embedding AI technology into products and services can provide to consumers. On the other side, the authors build on and integrate sociological and psychological scholarship to examine some of the costs consumers experience in their interactions with AI. In doing so, the authors identify four types of consumer experiences with AI: (1) data capture, (2) classification, (3) delegation, and (4) social. This approach allows the authors to discuss policy and managerial avenues to address the ways in which consumers may fail to experience value in organizations’ investments into AI and to lay out an agenda for future research.
Mechanistic-empirical evaluation of specific polymer-modified asphalt binders effect on the rheological performance
Authors: Al-Khateeb Ghazi G , Zeiada Waleed , Ismail Mohammed , Shabib Ahmad , Tayara Adel
Published: October 2020

Major distresses such as rutting, fatigue, and thermal cracking are facing asphalt pavement structures due to continuous heavy traffic loading and climate change. The modification of asphalt binders (one of the main components of the asphalt paving mix) has the potential to mitigate distresses through using different additives. Polymer modified asphalt (PMA) binders showed a noticeable resistance to pavement distresses as reported in previous studies. The present study aims to evaluate the effect of polymer modification on the rheological properties of asphalt binders through laboratory tests. The polymers included styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) and epolene emulsifiable (EE2) types. The 60/70 binder was used as a control for comparison. The Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) was also utilized to simulate the effect of PMA binders on the rheological properties under different climatic conditions and structural capacities. Additionally, the MEPDG was further utilized to compare the effect of asphalt binders on rheological properties using four different binder input levels. Findings of the study showed that laboratory tests experienced varying outcomes regarding the most efficient asphalt binder by means of distresses resistance. However, the MEPDG evaluation showed that the overall ranking of asphalt binders positively impacting the rheological properties was as following: (1) 4.5% EE2 PMA, (2) 4% EE2 PMA, (3) 60/70 binder, (4) 5% SBS PMA, and (5) 4% SBS PMA binders. Furthermore, statistical analysis illustrated that the effect of using different binder input levels on the performance of pavement varied relatively to the evaluated distresses. The analysis showed that using different binder input levels would affect, to a certain extent, the asphalt binder influence on rheological properties only when evaluating rutting and fatigue distresses. Therefore, it is recommended that precise asphalt binder inputs, that is, shear complex modulus (G*) and phase angle (δ) are used when designing pavement structures in regions with hot and mild climate conditions.
An Emotive Operation of Neoliberalism in Higher Education: Seeking a Second Chance in Hong Kong
Authors: Wong Yi-Lee
Published: October 2020

Objective: Educational expansion as a policy is believed to address the issue of the youth’s blocked social mobility. But, the argument that the transition to university is emotionally straining in a deindustrialized neoliberal context suggests an emotive aspect of neoliberalism in higher education. This article seeks to offer an illustration of such an emotive operation of neoliberalism through examining the emotional struggles of community-college students in Hong Kong. Method: This study draws on two qualitative analyses based on data collected from 83 community-college students in Hong Kong pursuing a bachelor’s degree through a newly available transfer function of an associate degree. Results: Given an emphasis of neoliberalism on individualism and competition, the respondents showed the following negative emotions: perverse feelings of inferiority about the new option, stress about the competitiveness of this pursuit and strategic/calculating in organizing their learning and dealing with their classmates, and anxiety of being seen as inadequate despite their successful transferals. Contributions: The emotional struggles of the respondents suggest that in view of a lack of well-paid prestigious professional or managerial jobs in a deindustrialized capitalist context, educational expansion as a policy—expanding the sector of community college in particular—wrapped up in a neoliberal discourse is not merely giving the youth a false hope but inflicting on them unnecessarily strained emotions. This suggestion urges policy makers to rethink the effectiveness of adopting an educational policy with a neoliberal approach to address an economic issue.
Factors Predictive of Outcome in Inferior Turbinate Surgery
Authors: Harju Teemu , Numminen Jura
Published: October 2020

Objectives:

The purpose of the study was to examine the various preoperative predictive factors of inferior turbinate surgery and to find possible factors that predict an optimal subjective response using 3 common surgical techniques—radiofrequency ablation (RFA), diode laser, and microdebrider-assisted inferior turbinoplasty (MAIT)—in a randomized, prospective study with a 1-year follow-up.

Methods:

The patients filled a visual analogue scale (VAS) questionnaire regarding the severity of nasal obstruction prior to and 1 year after surgery. A VAS score improvement of 3 points or more was chosen as an optimal subjective response. Univariate and multivariate regressions were used to evaluate the effect of the predictive factors. In total, 80 patients attended a 1-year control visit.

Results:

In the multivariate analysis, patients without anterior septal deviation had a statistically significantly higher odds ratio of a satisfactory subjective response compared to patients with anterior septal deviation (5.6; 95% CI: 1.4-23.1; P = .02). Patients treated with RFA had a statistically significantly higher odds ratio of an optimal subjective response compared to patients treated with MAIT (9.0; 95% CI: 1.5-54.2; P = .02).

Conclusions:

Anterior septal deviation seems to decrease the likelihood of an optimal subjective response to inferior turbinate surgery, which supports the consideration of concomitant septoplasty at least in clear cases to optimize the subjective response. Radiofrequency ablation had a significantly higher likelihood of an optimal subjective response compared to MAIT. Further investigations regarding the findings are needed.
Effect of Disclosure on Receiving Spousal Support in Korean Immigrants With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Choi Sarah , Toyama Joy , Brecht Mary-Lynn
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate factors associated with receiving diabetes spousal support in a sample of Korean immigrants with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and to test whether disclosure (culture-specific factor) is a significant predictor of spousal support receipt in this group.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a convenience sample of 136 US community-dwelling Korean immigrants with T2DM ages 46 to 89 years old. Potential predictors were sociodemographic factors (age, gender, education, years in US), personal characteristics (quality of marriage and depression), diabetes severity (duration of diabetes, A1C, insulin use), diabetes self-management, diabetes worries/concerns (psychological factor), and disclosure of worries (cultural factor). The study used validated survey instruments including Diabetes Care Profile for spousal support received, Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities, Problem Area in Diabetes, and Diabetes Distress Disclosure Index. Descriptive statistics, correlations, and hierarchical multivariable linear regression models were conducted.

Results

Six predictors (education level, years spent in the US, glucose control status, diabetes self-management level, diabetes worries/concerns, and disclosure of diabetes worries) were significantly related to receiving spousal support. At least some college education, less time in the US, better glucose control (lower A1C), poor self-management, more diabetes worries, and more disclosure of diabetes worries/distress were associated with receiving higher level of spousal support. Disclosure was the strongest predictor.

Conclusion

Receiving spousal support for diabetes self-management among Korean immigrants is influenced by 6 factors identified in this study. Disclosing diabetes worries (cultural factor) is most impactful.