bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gamma‐irradiation‐induced testicular oxidative stress and apoptosis: Mitigation by l‐carnitine
Authors: Soliman Mohamed M. , Elshazly Samir A. , Aldhahrani Adil
Published: July 2020

The current study evaluated the potential ameliorative and protective impacts of l‐carnitine (L‐CAR) against γ‐irradiation (RAD)‐induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in mice testes. Male Swiss mice were allocated into four groups (n = 7). Group 1 served as a control that received saline intraperitoneally (IP). Group 2 received L‐CAR (10 mg/kg bw/day; IP in saline) for 17 days. Group 3 received saline for 17 days and on day 7 exposed to RAD at a dose of 0.1 Gy per day for consecutive 10 days. Group 4 (L‐CAR + RAD), received L‐CAR same as in group 2 and on day 7 exposed to RAD for consecutive 10 days. Testicular antioxidants (malondialdehyde, MDA; γ‐glutamyl‐cysteine synthetase, gGCS; and catalase) were altered by γ‐irradiation. Preadministration of L‐CAR protected γ‐irradiated mice from altered changes induced by γ‐irradiation. γ‐Irradiation affected the mRNA expression of pro‐apoptotic, apoptotic, and anti‐apoptotic genes (c‐jun, c‐fos, Bcl‐xl, caspase‐3, and BAX). All altered genes were ameliorated by prior l‐carnitine administration to γ‐irradiated mice. Testicular cells showed deformities and edema with congestion in seminiferous tubules and strong immunoreactivity for caspase‐9 and a decrease in immunoreactivity of Bcl‐2 in histological and immunohistochemical examination. Prior administration of L‐CAR to γ‐irradiated mice protected this group from reported changes in caspase‐9 and Bcl‐2 immunostaining. In conclusion, the current study provides evidence for the protective and ameliorative impacts of L‐CAR against γ‐irradiation‐induced testicular oxidative stress and apoptosis at biochemical, molecular, and cellular levels.
40 years and beyond for the National Society of Genetic Counselors: Reflections on genetic counseling practice
Authors: Uhlmann Wendy R. , Hoskovec Jennifer , Freivogel Mary
Published: July 2020

The National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) was established in 1979 and has grown from a small dedicated group of genetic counselors to over 5,000 certified genetic counselors in 2019. During this time period, there have been tremendous advances in the practice of genetic counseling, the availability of genetic testing, and the use of technology. These advances have significantly changed our roles and responsibilities and have contributed to the expansion and diversification of our field in clinical and non‐clinical work settings. The launch of genetic counseling services in prenatal, pediatric, and adult genetics clinics has expanded to many medical specialties. Genetic counselors are also working in industry, public health, policy, education, research, and other work settings. With growth into new areas and the significant increase in the number of practitioners, genetic counselors have established themselves professionally and created opportunities where they can not only contribute to the delivery of quality genetic services, but lead the way. The counseling skills that are a core part of training as genetic counselors will continue to have broad application in diverse work settings and roles. Looking to the future, genetic counselors need to proactively consider tasks that artificial intelligence and other technologies can accomplish so that genetic counselors have the bandwidth to use their expertise to successfully and efficiently meet the growing demands for genetic counseling services. During the 40th anniversary celebration at the 2019 NSGC Annual Conference, three of NSGC’s past presidents reflected on the early years of NSGC and clinical practice, recognized key accomplishments and where the profession stands today, and shared thoughts about the future of genetic counseling. Videos of the actual talks can be accessed by internet search ‘NSGC Celebrates 40 Years’ (https://www.nsgc.org/p/bl/et/blogid=53&blogaid=1162). A timeline of the genetic counseling profession is available at https://www.nsgc.org/page/nsgc‐timeline.
Pathogenic genetic variations of C. acnes are associated with clinically relevant orthopedic shoulder infections
Authors: Boyle K. Keely , Marzullo Brandon J. , Yergeau Donald A. , Nodzo Scott R. , Crane John K. , Duquin Thomas R.
Published: July 2020

Many surgeons continue to face the clinical dilemma of interpreting a positive aspiration or unexpected positive Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) culture. There are factors that complicate the interpretation of positive cultures including variations in both frequency of false positive cultures and virulence properties. As indices of virulence, hemolytic strains, from previously confirmed clinically infected shoulders, were compared with non‐hemolytic isolates determined to be contaminants, by RNA‐sequencing (RNA‐Seq). Six C. acnes isolates from patients who underwent revision total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) were identified based on previously described infection criteria. Three C. acnes isolates from each group underwent RNA‐Seq. Differential gene expression analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), and heatmap analysis were used to determine the gene variation and patterning between the definite infection and probable contaminant isolates. Differential gene expression analysis identified genes that were differentially expressed between the isolates classified as definite infection and isolates classified as probable contaminants. PCA using a 500 gene subset of identified genes was able to find combinations of these genes that separated out the definite infection and probable contaminants isolates. The heatmap demonstrated similar gene expression in the three Definite Infections isolates, and significantly different expression when compared with the probable contaminant isolates. Clinical significance: C. acnes revision TSA isolates classified as definite infection and probable contaminant demonstrated a similar gene expression pattern to each respective group and different gene expression pattern when compared between groups. These findings indicate distinct differences in C. acnes strains associated with clinically relevant orthopedic TSA infections.
Shear Wave Elasticity Differentiation Between Low‐ and High‐Grade Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma and Correlation With Collagen Fiber Content
Authors: Huang Xing Zhi , Zhou Ai Yun , Liu Min Wei , Zhang Yan , Xu Pan
Published: July 2020

Objectives

To investigate the differences in the shear wave elasticity and collagen fiber content between low‐ and high‐grade bladder urothelial carcinoma and study the relationship between elasticity and the content of collagen fiber.

Methods

A total of 66 patients with bladder tumors who were referred to our hospital underwent transrectal or transvaginal conventional ultrasound and shear wave elasticity examinations. After bladder urothelial carcinoma was pathologically confirmed, 34 cases of low‐grade and 32 cases of high‐grade carcinoma were enrolled. The specimens underwent Masson trichrome staining, and image‐processing software was used to quantitatively analyze the area of collagen fiber.

Results

Based on conventional ultrasound, the low‐ and high‐grade groups were similar in the number, location, interior echoes, basal portion, size, and vascularity (P > .05); nevertheless, the difference in the surface condition (smooth or rough) was statistically significant (P = .03). The high‐grade group had significantly higher maximum and mean elasticity than the low‐grade group (P < .01). The percentage of the collagen fiber area in the high‐grade group was significantly higher than that in the low‐grade group (mean ± SD, 11.45% ± 1.66% versus 7.64% ± 0.70%; P = .01). There was a positive correlation between maximum elasticity, mean elasticity, and the percentage of the collagen fiber area (r = 0.75 and 0.52, respectively; P < .01).

Conclusions

Shear wave elasticity can be used to differentiate between low‐ and high‐grade bladder urothelial carcinoma. The elasticity of lesions has a close correlation with the content of collagen fiber, which may have an important impact on tissue stiffness and the development of bladder cancer.
Liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry for the analysis of acylglycerols in art and archeology
Authors: La Nasa Jacopo , Modugno Francesca , Degano Ilaria
Published: July 2020

Lipid characterization in art and archeology, together with the study of lipid degradation processes, is an important research area in heritage science. Lipid‐based materials have been used as food since ancient times, but also employed as illuminants and as ingredients in cosmetic, ritual, and pharmaceutical preparations. Both animal and plant lipids have also been processed to produce materials used in art and crafts, such as paint binders, varnishes, waterproofing agents, and coatings. Identifying the origin of the lipid materials is challenging when they are found in association with artistic historical objects. This is due to the inherent complex composition of lipids, their widespread occurrence, and the chemical alterations induced by ageing. The most common approach for lipid characterization in heritage objects entails profiling fatty acids by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry after saponification or transesterification. New developments in high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC‐MS) for the characterization of acylglycerols, together with more efficient sample treatments, have fostered the introduction of liquid chromatography for characterizing the lipid profile in heritage objects. This review reports the latest developments and applications of HPLC‐MS for the characterization of lipid materials in the field of heritage science. We describe the various approaches for sample pretreatment and highlight the advantages and limitations of HPLC‐MS in the analysis of paint and archeological samples. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Application and limitation of radiomics approach to prognostic prediction for lung stereotactic body radiotherapy using breath‐hold CT images with random survival forest: A multi‐institutional study
Authors: Kakino Ryo , Nakamura Mitsuhiro , Mitsuyoshi Takamasa , Shintani Takashi , Kokubo Masaki , Negoro Yoshiharu , Fushiki Masato , Ogura Masakazu , Itasaka Satoshi , Yamauchi Chikako , Otsu Shuji , Sakamoto Takashi , Sakamoto Masato , Araki Norio , Hirashima Hideaki , Adachi Takanori , Matsuo Yukinori , Mizowaki Takashi
Published: July 2020

Purpose

To predict local recurrence (LR) and distant metastasis (DM) in early stage non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients after stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in multiple institutions using breath‐hold computed tomography (CT)‐based radiomic features with random survival forest.

Methods

A total of 573 primary early stage NSCLC patients who underwent SBRT between January 2006 and March 2016 and met the eligibility criteria were included in this study. Patients were divided into two datasets: training (464 patients in 10 institutions) and test (109 patients in one institution) datasets. A total of 944 radiomic features were extracted from manually segmented gross tumor volumes (GTVs). Feature selection was performed by analyzing inter‐segmentation reproducibility, GTV correlation, and inter‐feature redundancy. Nine clinical factors, including histology and GTV size, were also used. Three prognostic models (clinical, radiomic, and combined) for LR and DM were constructed using random survival forest (RSF) to deal with total death as a competing risk in the training dataset. Robust models with optimal hyper‐parameters were determined using fivefold cross‐validation. The patients were dichotomized into two groups based on the median value of the patient‐specific risk scores (high‐ and low‐risk score groups). Gray's test was used to evaluate the statistical significance between the two risk score groups. The prognostic power was evaluated by the concordance index with the 95% confidence intervals (CI) via bootstrapping (2000 iterations).

Results

The concordance indices at 3 yr of clinical, radiomic, and combined models for LR were 0.57 [CI: 0.39–0.75], 0.55 [CI: 0.38–0.73], and 0.61 [CI: 0.43–0.78], respectively, whereas those for DM were 0.59 [CI: 0.54–0.79], 0.67 [CI: 0.54–0.79], and 0.68 [CI: 0.55–0.81], respectively, in the test dataset. The combined DM model significantly discriminated its cumulative incidence between high‐ and low‐risk score groups (P < 0.05). The variable importance of RSF in the combined model for DM indicated that two radiomic features were more important than other clinical factors. The feature maps generated on the basis of the most important radiomic feature had visual difference between high‐ and low‐risk score groups.

Conclusions

The radiomics approach with RSF for competing risks using breath‐hold CT‐based radiomic features might predict DM in early stage NSCLC patients who underwent SBRT although that may not have potential to predict LR.
Diffusion‐prepared 3D gradient spin‐echo sequence for improved oscillating gradient diffusion MRI
Authors: Wu Dan , Liu Dapeng , Hsu Yi‐Cheng , Li Haotian , Sun Yi , Qin Qin , Zhang Yi
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Oscillating gradient (OG) enables the access of short diffusion times for time‐dependent diffusion MRI (dMRI); however, it poses several technical challenges for clinical use. This study proposes a 3D oscillating gradient–prepared gradient spin‐echo (OGprep‐GRASE) sequence to improve SNR and shorten acquisition time for OG dMRI on clinical scanners.

Methods

The 3D OGprep‐GRASE sequence consisted of global saturation, diffusion encoding, fat saturation, and GRASE readout modules. Multiplexed sensitivity‐encoding reconstruction was used to correct the phase errors between multiple shots. We compared the scan time and SNR of the proposed sequence and the conventional 2D‐EPI sequence for OG dMRI at 30‐90‐mm slice coverage. We also examined the time‐dependent diffusivity changes with OG dMRI acquired at frequencies of 50 Hz and 25 Hz and pulsed‐gradient dMRI at diffusion times of 30 ms and 60 ms.

Results

The OGprep‐GRASE sequence reduced the scan time by a factor of 1.38, and increased the SNR by 1.74‐2.27 times compared with 2D EPI for relatively thick slice coverage (60‐90 mm). The SNR gain led to improved diffusion‐tensor reconstruction in the multishot protocols. Image distortion in 2D‐EPI images was also reduced in GRASE images. Diffusivity measurements from the pulsed‐gradient dMRI and OG dMRI showed clear diffusion‐time dependency in the white matter and gray matter of the human brain, using both the GRASE and EPI sequences.

Conclusion

The 3D OGprep‐GRASE sequence improved scan time and SNR and reduced image distortion compared with the 2D multislice acquisition for OG dMRI on a 3T clinical system, which may facilitate the clinical translation of time‐dependent dMRI.
A clinical practice guideline for physical therapy in patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis
Authors: van Doormaal Mitchell C.M. , Meerhoff Guus A. , Vliet Vlieland Thea P.M. , Peter Wilfred F.
Published: July 2020

Objective

The purpose of this paper is to revise the 2010 Dutch guideline for physical therapy (PT) in patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis (OA), issued by the Royal Dutch Society for Physical Therapy (KNGF).

Method

This revised guideline was developed according to the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) and Guidelines International Network (G‐I‐N) standards. A multidisciplinary guideline panel formulated clinical questions based on perceived barriers to current care. A narrative or systematic literature review was undertaken in response to each clinical question. The panel formulated recommendations based on evidence and additional considerations, as described in the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) Evidence‐to‐Decision framework.

Results

A comprehensive assessment should be based on the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF) core set for OA, including the identification of OA‐related red flags. Based on the assessment, four treatment profiles were distinguished: (1) education and instructions for unsupervised exercises, (2) education and short‐term supervised exercise therapy, (3) education and longer term supervised exercise therapy, and (4) education and exercise therapy before and/or after total hip or knee surgery. Education included individualized information, advice, instructions, and self‐management support. Exercise programs were tailored to individual OA‐related issues, were adequately dosed, and were in line with public health recommendations for physical activity. Recommended measurement instruments included the Patient‐Specific Complaints Instrument, the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, the Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score/the Knee Injury Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, and the Six Minute Walk Test.

Conclusion

An evidence‐based PT guideline for the management of patients with hip or knee OA was developed. To improve quality of care for these patients, an extensive implementation strategy is necessary.
Diasporan students social entrepreneurship intention: The moderating role of institutional support
Authors: Lukman Sadia , Bao Peng Xiao , Kweku‐Lugu Benjamin , Arkorful Vincent Ekow , Latif Amadu , Gadabu Annabelle , Charmaine‐Kwade Priscilla , Basiru Ibrahim , Sadiq Mohammed Abubakar
Published: July 2020

The daunting global challenges saddling polities and governments alike have resultantly created a situation whereby governments and corporate civil society have inadvertently reneged on delivering public good and services to citizens. In ensuring and strengthening a public–private actor synergy, with particular emphasis on leveraging acquired knowledge and skills of diaspora‐based students, social entrepreneurship activities could be harnessed to provide sustainable remedies to social challenges such as unemployment, famine amongst others by utilizing social entrepreneurship as a tool. Using the theory of planned behaviour as a theoretical framework, the study elicited data from 322 respondents to empirically investigate determinants of social entrepreneurship intentions of Ghanaian students, with the moderating role of institutional support. Study results revealed that sense of social responsibility and service learning have significant relationship with social entrepreneurship intention. However, social volunteering experience had no significant relationship. Moreover, whereas attitude to social entrepreneurship intention demonstrated a positive relationship, institutional support as a moderator was also revealed to influence the relationship between attitude and social entrepreneurship intention. From the study findings, we discourse on the implications for social entrepreneurship in Ghana to policy makers and stakeholders.
Assessing conformer energies using electronic structure and machine learning methods
Authors: Folmsbee Dakota , Hutchison Geoffrey
Published: July 2020

We have performed a large‐scale evaluation of current computational methods, including conventional small‐molecule force fields; semiempirical, density functional, ab initio electronic structure methods; and current machine learning (ML) techniques to evaluate relative single‐point energies. Using up to 10 local minima geometries across ~700 molecules, each optimized by B3LYP‐D3BJ with single‐point DLPNO‐CCSD(T) triple‐zeta energies, we consider over 6500 single points to compare the correlation between different methods for both relative energies and ordered rankings of minima. We find that the current ML methods have potential and recommend methods at each tier of the accuracy‐time tradeoff, particularly the recent GFN2 semiempirical method, the B97‐3c density functional approximation, and RI‐MP2 for accurate conformer energies. The ANI family of ML methods shows promise, particularly the ANI‐1ccx variant trained in part on coupled‐cluster energies. Multiple methods suggest continued improvements should be expected in both performance and accuracy.
Empirical use of causal inference methods to evaluate survival differences in a real‐world registry vs those found in randomized clinical trials
Authors: Lee Hui‐Jie , Wong John B. , Jia Beilin , Qi Xinyue , DeLong Elizabeth R.
Published: July 2020

With heighted interest in causal inference based on real‐world evidence, this empirical study sought to understand differences between the results of observational analyses and long‐term randomized clinical trials. We hypothesized that patients deemed “eligible” for clinical trials would follow a different survival trajectory from those deemed “ineligible” and that this factor could partially explain results. In a large observational registry dataset, we estimated separate survival trajectories for hypothetically trial‐eligible vs ineligible patients under both coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We also explored whether results would depend on the causal inference method (inverse probability of treatment weighting vs optimal full propensity matching) or the approach to combine propensity scores from multiple imputations (the “across” vs “within” approaches). We found that, in this registry population of PCI/CABG multivessel patients, 32.5% would have been eligible for contemporaneous RCTs, suggesting that RCTs enroll selected populations. Additionally, we found treatment selection bias with different distributions of propensity scores between PCI and CABG patients. The different methodological approaches did not result in different conclusions. Overall, trial‐eligible patients appeared to demonstrate at least marginally better survival than ineligible patients. Treatment comparisons by eligibility depended on disease severity. Among trial‐eligible three‐vessel diseased and trial‐ineligible two‐vessel diseased patients, CABG appeared to have at least a slight advantage with no treatment difference otherwise. In conclusion, our analyses suggest that RCTs enroll highly selected populations, and our findings are generally consistent with RCTs but less pronounced than major registry findings.
Prevalence of endo‐ and ecto‐parasites of equines in Iran: A systematic review
Authors: Khamesipour Faham , Taktaz‐Hafshejani Taghi , Tebit Kwenti E. , Razavi Seyed Mostafa , Hosseini Seyed Reza
Published: July 2020

Equines are subject to infection with many parasites, which threaten their health. In the present study, we systematically reviewed existing literature on the prevalence of endo‐ and ectoparasites of equines in Iran. Major electronic databases, including PubMed, PubMed Central, Google Scholar, Science Direct and Scientific Information Database (SID), were searched (Last updated 11/05/2018) for relevant literature of parasites that have been identified from equines in Iran. Of the 1809 titles produced by bibliographic search, 38 were included in the review. Twenty‐seven of the studies were on horses, six on donkeys, three on both horses and donkeys, and one study was on both horses and mules. Furthermore, 24 of the studies reported infections caused by protozoa, thirteen by helminths, two by ectoparasites, and one by both protozoa and helminths. The overall pooled prevalence of parasitic infection was 28.8% (95%CI: 22.9–35.7, I2 = 93.4%). Helminths were the most prevalent parasites 46.7% (95% CI: 24.1–70.7, I2 = 96.0%). Furthermore, donkeys were the most affected equine, with a prevalence of 70.7% (95% CI: 53.2–83.7, I2 = 92.5%). The protozoa frequently reported included nine species belonging to the genera: Neospora, Toxoplasma, Theileria, Babesia and Eimeria. Also, the helminths frequently reported included 21 species belonging to the genera: Strongylus, Dicrocoelium, Oxyuris, Habronema, Echinococcus, Dictyocaulus, Cyathostomum, Probstmayria, Anoplocephala, Setaria and Fasciola. Ticks were the only ectoparasites frequently reported. Parasitic fly species of the genera Gasterophilus were also reported. The study‐level risk of bias was likely to be high because of differences in study design. Parasitic infections of equines in Iran are frequent and caused by a diversity of parasites, which threatens the health and well‐being of these animals. Further research is needed in the area to identify the risk factors of infection for effective control of the parasites.
Dynamically and thermodynamically stable black holes in Einstein-Maxwell-dilaton gravity
Authors: Astefanesei Dumitru , Blázquez-Salcedo Jose Luis , Herdeiro Carlos , Radu Eugen , Sanchis-Gual Nicolas
Published: July 2020

Abstract

We consider Einstein-Maxwell-dilaton gravity with the non-minimal exponential coupling between the dilaton and the Maxwell field emerging from low energy heterotic string theory. The dilaton is endowed with a potential that originates from an electromagnetic Fayet-Iliopoulos (FI) term in $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 extended supergravity in four spacetime dimensions. For the case we are interested in, this potential introduces a single parameter α. When α → 0, the static black holes (BHs) of the model are the Gibbons-Maeda-Garfinkle-Horowitz-Strominger (GMGHS) solutions. When α → ∞, the BHs become the standard Reissner-Nordström (RN) solutions of electrovacuum General Relativity. The BH solutions for finite non-zero α interpolate between these two families. In this case, the dilaton potential regularizes the extremal limit of the GMGHS solution yielding a set of zero temperature BHs with a near horizon AdS2× S2 geometry. We show that, in the neighborhood of these extremal solutions, there is a subset of BHs that are dynamically and thermodynamically stable, all of which have charge to mass ratio larger than unity. By dynamical stability we mean that no growing quasi-normal modes are found; thus they are stable against linear perturbations (spherical and non-spherical). Moreover, non-linear numerical evolutions lend support to their non-linear stability. By thermodynamical stability we mean the BHs are stable both in the canonical and grand-canonical ensemble. In particular, both the specific heat at constant charge and the isothermal permittivity are positive. This is not possible for RN and GMGHS BHs. We discuss the different thermodynamical phases for the BHs in this model and comment on what may allow the existence of both dynamically and thermodynamically stable BHs.
Study of using cutting chip color to the tool wear prediction
Authors: Chen Shao-Hsien , Luo Zhi-Rong
Published: July 2020

In this study, the correlation between chip surface chromaticity and wear of cutting tools is established through experiments, and a system for judging and predicting tool wear by observing chip color is proposed. At present, the life prediction of cutting tools is indirectly measured and predicted by using vibration and current. In this study, chip color change is used to predict tool wear, and back-propagation Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) is used to predict and verify. The average error percentage between the predicted value and the actual value of tool wear is only 1.73% and 1.66%, respectively, which was confirmed by cutting test and verification experiments. This study uses Taylor’s tool life model and chip color to analyze, and after repeated tests and experimental analysis, the average error of repeatability is 4.5%. In the verification of stainless steel cutting hard-cutting materials, the equipment accuracy is between 0.5 and 3.0 color difference values of grade 2 to 3. Therefore, the measurement and model establishment of the system can accurately and quickly predict tool wear. In prediction experiment and analysis, the back neural network is used for test, the maximum error ranges are 0.0012 mm and 0.0097 mm, the mean error percentages are only 1.73% and 1.66%.
Development and validation of a gas chromatography–mass spectrometry method to analyze octanoate enrichments at low concentrations in human plasma
Authors: van Harskamp Dewi , Knottnerus Suzan J. G. , Visser Gepke , van Goudoever Johannes B. , Schierbeek Henk
Published: July 2020

A new method for accurately analyzing octanoate enrichment in plasma was developed and validated. Samples were derivatized directly in plasma by transesterification with isobutanol and were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). This method was developed to analyze the precursor enrichment in a stable isotope tracer protocol. Glyceryl tri[1,2,3,4-13C4] octanoate, a stable isotope-labeled medium-chain triglyceride (MCT), was orally administered in combination with (1) exclusively MCT or (2) a combination of protein, carbohydrates, and MCT to investigate the metabolic route of oral MCT under various conditions. Accurate analysis of octanoate enrichment in plasma at concentrations as low as 0.43 μM (lower limit of quantification, LLOQ) was performed. This is an improvement of about twenty times for the LLOQ for analysis of the enrichment of octanoate when compared with the gold-standard method for fatty acid analysis (methyl esterification). Moreover, we found that‚ with this gold-standard method, study samples were easily contaminated with (unlabeled) octanoate from other sources, leading to biased, incorrect results. The precision and linearity obtained using the new method were good (coefficient of variation intraday < 9.1%, interday < 9.3%, R2 of the calibration curve > 0.99). The sensitivity was sufficient for analyzing samples obtained using the stable isotope protocol. This new method is more sensitive than methyl esterification and it minimizes the risk of contamination.
Selective defects of face familiarity associated to a left temporo-occipital lesion
Authors: Papagno Costanza , Barvas Edoardo , Tettamanti Marco , Gainotti Guido
Published: July 2020

Acquired prosopagnosia is usually a consequence of bilateral or right hemisphere lesions and is often associated with topographical disorientation and dyschromatopsia. Left temporo-occipital lesions sometimes result in a face recognition disorder but in a context of visual object agnosia with spared familiarity feelings for faces, usually in left-handers. We describe a patient with a left temporo-occipital hemorrhagic lesion unexpectedly resulting in a deficit of face familiarity, which could represent a mild form of associative prosopagnosia. Our patient failed to feel familiarity feelings even with very well-known famous faces but had neither visual object agnosia nor defects with semantics or naming of celebrities. This was confirmed even when the patient was re-tested a year later. We speculate that a graded lateralization of face processing could be at the basis of occasional cases of prosopagnosia.
Motivations for Becoming a Police Officer: a Global Snapshot
Authors: Elntib Stamatis , Milincic Daliborka
Published: July 2020

This study investigated the motives to work for the Police focusing on the differences between recruits from developing and developed countries. Age and year recruited were also accessed to ascertain whether they can account for variance in motives. A total of 233 participants from 28 countries, of which 70 were female, were recruited from active (N = 82) or former (N = 151) Police officers (mean age = 37.65, SD = 8.76, range = 20–62). Of the 28 countries, 16 were classified as developing and 12 as developed by the United Nations classification guide. An adapted 14-item survey was used based on the original scale developed by Lester (1983) listing respectively different reasons for joining the police. Participants from developing countries scored higher motives related to job availability and benefits, helping family and friends, and family influence than those from developed countries. The age recruited was negatively associated with social-capital and family influence motives and positively associated with job availability and benefits-driven motives. Those recruited more recently were more likely to score highly motives related to job availability and benefits motives. The study extended the scope of past research by recruiting a diverse sample of (former) policemen from several countries to offer a more comprehensive snapshot of the factors affecting motives.
Immunomodulation of the NLRP3 Inflammasome in Atherosclerosis, Coronary Artery Disease, and Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Silvis Max J. M. , Demkes Evelyne J. , Fiolet Aernoud T. L. , Dekker Mirthe , Bosch Lena , van Hout Gerardus P. J. , Timmers Leo , de Kleijn Dominique P. V.
Published: July 2020

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Atherosclerosis is responsible for the majority of cardiovascular disorders with inflammation as one of its driving processes. The nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, responsible for the release of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-18 (IL-18), has been studied extensively and showed to play a pivotal role in the progression of atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease (CAD), and myocardial ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury. Both the NLRP3 inflammasome and its downstream cytokines, IL-1ß and IL-18, could therefore be promising targets in cardiovascular disease. This review summarizes the role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in atherosclerosis, CAD, and myocardial I/R injury. Furthermore, the current therapeutic approaches targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome and its downstream signaling cascade in atherosclerosis, CAD, and myocardial I/R injury are discussed.
Multi-layered perspective on the barriers to learning participation of disadvantaged adults
Authors: Cabus Sofie , Ilieva-Trichkova Petya , Štefánik Miroslav
Published: July 2020

We propose a multi-level explanatory model aimed at explaining the variability behind participation in adult learning. Our model focuses on the employed adults, narrowing down to vulnerable sub-groups of employed: low-skilled; young and low-skilled, and immigrants. Adult learning participation is explained identifying determinants at the level of the individual, household, job, employer as well as the system-level. The model is estimated using the European Union Labour Force Survey microdata for 28 European countries. Comparing the results across the vulnerable groups and types of determinants yields interesting insight in understanding the variability in adult learning participation across Europe.
An analysis of the ethics of lockdown in India
Authors: Arunachalam Meghna Ann , Halwai Aarti
Published: July 2020

Over the past 6 months, coronavirus-induced disease (COVID-19) has spread across 212 countries, affecting millions of people. As it has no known cure, social distancing is highly recommended for prevention of spread of the disease. Here, we have described the impact of the social distancing measures implemented by the Government of India on various sections of the society, especially the vulnerable sections. Furthermore, we have presented an analysis of these measures, according to the World Health Organization´s Guidance for Managing Ethical Issues in Infectious Disease Outbreaks (2016); we have also applied principles, as applicable, from the Indian Council of Medical Research’s National Ethical Guidelines for Biomedical and Health Research Involving Human Participants (2017). Finally, we have presented several measures that should have been adopted before and in addition to implementing the lockdown to improve its effectiveness.
Adsorption of Alkaline Phosphates on Palygorskite and Sepiolite: A Tradeoff Between Enzyme Protection and Inhibition
Authors: Shirvani Mehran , Khalili Banafshe , Kalbasi Mahmoud , Shariatmadari Hossein , Nourbakhsh Farshid
Published: July 2020

Enzymes adsorbed on clay minerals and soil colloids may exhibit lower activities compared to those of free enzymes. A particular toxic metal may affect the activity of the adsorbed enzyme less critically than that of the free form, however. This information is necessary for predicting catalytic performances of clay-immobilized enzymes in natural soils as well as in food, pharmaceutical, and chemical systems. The objective of the present study was to find out how adsorption on palygorskite and sepiolite minerals modifies the catalytic activity and the Michaelis–Menten kinetics of alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Inhibition kinetics of adsorbed ALP by Cd was also compared to that of the free enzyme. The results revealed that the affinity to the substrate and the maximum reaction velocity of ALP decreased upon adsorption on the fibrous clay minerals. The ALP adsorbed maintained a reasonably high activity recovery (AR) compared to the free enzyme. The AR of the adsorbed ALP ranged from 76.9 to 92.5% for palygorskite and from 71.2 to 90.2% for sepiolite, depending on the substrate concentration applied. The presence of Cd decreased the affinity to the substrate of both the free and the adsorbed ALP, while the maximum reaction velocity remained nearly unchanged, indicating that the inhibitory effects of Cd on both the free and adsorbed ALP activities were competitive in nature. The adsorbed enzyme, however, was inhibited less severely by Cd compared to the free enzyme. The adsorption of ALP on the fibrous clay minerals, therefore, maintains the ALP activity to a great extent and provides more resistance for the enzyme against the inhibitory effects of Cd.
Fast Ice Prediction System (FIPS) for land-fast sea ice at Prydz Bay, East Antarctica: an operational service for CHINARE
Authors: Zhao Jiechen , Cheng Bin , Vihma Timo , Heil Petra , Hui Fengming , Shu Qi , Zhang Lin , Yang Qinghua
Published: July 2020

A Fast Ice Prediction System (FIPS) was constructed and is the first regional land-fast sea-ice forecasting system for the Antarctic. FIPS had two components: (1) near-real-time information on the ice-covered area from MODIS and SAR imagery that revealed, tidal cracks, ridged and rafted ice regions; (2) a high-resolution 1-D thermodynamic snow and ice model (HIGHTSI) that was extended to perform a 2-D simulation on snow and ice evolution using atmospheric forcing from ECMWF: either using ERA-Interim reanalysis (in hindcast mode) or HERS operational 10-day predictions (in forecast mode). A hindcast experiment for the 2015 season was in good agreement with field observations, with a mean bias of 0.14 ± 0.07 m and a correlation coefficient of 0.98 for modeled ice thickness. The errors are largely caused by a cold bias in the atmospheric forcing. The thick snow cover during the 2015 season led to modeled formation of extensive snow ice and superimposed ice. The first FIPS operational service was performed during the 2017/18 season. The system predicted a realistic ice thickness and onset of snow surface melt as well as the area of internal ice melt. The model results on the snow and ice properties were considered by the captain of R/VXuelongwhen optimizing a low-risk route for on-ice transportation through fast ice to the coastal Zhongshan Station.
Strengthening Primary Health Care: Emergency and Disaster Preparedness in Community with Multidisciplinary Approach
Authors: Mawardi Fitriana , Lestari Ayuningtyas Satya , Randita Amandha Boy Timor , Kambey Daniel Richard , Prijambada Irfan Dwidya
Published: July 2020

The increasing number of disasters and communities affected, coupled with the threats from climate change, has drawn not only national but also international attention to the risks of disasters and what can be done about them. It is important for communities and all global partners to be more prepared by taking action before disasters occur through disaster risk reduction, including the efforts of emergency preparedness, as well as through disaster response and recovery. To meet the emergency public health needs in any population, there is no other option than strengthening the primary health care system. For this goal, practitioners from various professions can work together and share an affinity in synthesizing knowledge and bridging gaps across functional areas. These include the disaster risk assessment and preparedness involving several disciplines for limiting human and material damage. This primary health care strategy with a multidisciplinary approach is the best possible method in developing improved approaches for disaster risk reduction and emergency preparedness by improving health emergency management plans and protocols.
Liberal Policies, Punitive Effects: The Politics of Enforcement Discretion on the US-Mexico Border
Authors: Macías-Rojas Patrisia
Published: July 2020

This article examines why deportation and imprisonment for immigration offenses rose under presidential administrations that claimed to favor more “humane” approaches to immigration enforcement. I examine the politics of enforcement discretion on the US-Mexico border during the administrations of Bill Clinton (1993–2001) and Barack Obama (2009–17). Drawing on historical and ethnographic research, I argue that the Clinton and Obama administrations took a punitive humanitarian approach to enforcement discretion aimed at punishing “illegal immigration” at the border while protecting “legal immigrants” with long-standing ties to the United States from deportation. The findings show that such an approach extended crime control to US-Mexico border enforcement. This blend of humanitarian and punitive approaches systematized criminal enforcement priorities and expanded the discretion of border agents to deport and imprison. Just as other scholars have shown how liberal reform contributed to the rise of the carceral state, this article shows how immigration policies that blended humanitarianism and security punished the very people such policies were designed to protect.
Bullfighting, the Basque Clergy, and Tridentine Reform
Authors: Scott Amanda L.
Published: July 2020

The post–Council of Trent court records for the diocese of Pamplona (northern Iberia) record numerous and ongoing incidents of clergy accused of running with and fighting bulls. Placed within the context of efforts to implement Tridentine and Catholic reform in the diocese, contemporaneous lay legal actions, and conflicting ideas of appropriate gendered behavior and professionalism of the clergy, these episodes illuminate how parishioners effectively used the court system and crafted accusations to promote local interests and punish unpopular priests.
Culture inside: Scale, intimacy, and chronotopic stance in situated narratives
Authors: Pritzker Sonya E. , Perrino Sabina
Published: July 2020

This article focuses on what we define asscalar intimacyin the stories people tell about their embodied experience as sociohistorical beings. Our analysis, based on ethnographic studies in Northern Italy (Perrino) and Beijing, China (Pritzker), examines the ways in which speech participants draw upon various discursive strategies to ‘zoom in’ and ‘pan out’ of both time and space, placing themselves and their activities in relation to various people, ideologies, and practices. Scalar intimacy, we argue, provides a novel framework for understanding the multiple ways in which people use language to scale their embodied experience in relation to culturally situated ideas and forms. Scalar intimacy thus extends the study of scales and fractal recursivity in linguistic anthropology and sociolinguistics. It also contributes to scholarship focusing on how culturally situated meanings are reproduced and challenged over time through specific interactions. (China, chronotope, identity, intimacy, narrative, Northern Italy, scales)*
Deconstructing violence in acutely exacerbating psychotic patients
Authors: Nichtová Andrea , Volavka Jan , Vevera Jan , Příhodová Kateřina , Juríčková Veronika , Klemsová Anna , Páv Marek , Strunzová Věra , Příhodová Tereza , Nocárová Marcela , Papoušková Eva , Žižka Petr , Kališová Lucie
Published: July 2020

Background

This study examined the proximate causes of psychotic patients’ aggression upon the admission to the psychiatric wards of a university and two state hospitals.

Methods

The authors used a semistructured interview to elicit proximate causes of assaults from the assailants and victims. The treating psychiatrists and nurses provided additional information. Based on this interview, aggressive episodes were categorized as psychotic, impulsive and planned.

Results

A total of 820 assaults committed by 289 newly admitted violent psychotic inpatients were evaluated. The interview ratings indicated that 76.71% of the assaults were directly driven by psychotic symptoms and 22.32% of all attacks were labeled as impulsive. Only 0.98% of assaults were categorized as planned.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that assaultive behavior among recently admitted acute psychiatric inpatients with untreated or undertreated psychosis is primarily driven by psychotic symptoms and disordered impulse control. Because each type of assault requires a different management, identifying the type of assault is crucial in determining treatment interventions.
Weed-sensing technology modifies fallow control of rush skeletonweed (Chondrilla juncea)
Authors: Fischer Jacob W. , Thorne Mark E. , Lyon Drew J.
Published: July 2020

Rush skeletonweed is an aggressive perennial weed that establishes itself on land in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), and persists during cropping following contract expiration. It depletes critical soil moisture required for yield potential of winter wheat. In a winter wheat/fallow cropping system, weed control is maintained with glyphosate and tillage during conventional fallow, and with herbicides only in no-till fallow. Research was conducted for control of rush skeletonweed at two sites in eastern Washington, Lacrosse and Hay, to compare the effectiveness of a weed-sensing sprayer and broadcast applications of four herbicides (aminopyralid, chlorsulfuron + metsulfuron, clopyralid, and glyphosate). Experimental design was a split-plot with herbicide and application type as main and subplot factors, respectively. Herbicides were applied in the fall at either broadcast or spot-spraying rates depending on sprayer type. Rush skeletonweed density in May was reduced with use of aminopyralid (1.1 plants m−2), glyphosate (1.4 plants m−2), clopyralid (1.7 plants m−2), and chlorsulfuron + metsulfuron (1.8 plants m−2) compared with the nontreated check (2.6 plants m−2). No treatment differences were observed after May 2019. There was no interaction between herbicide and application system. Area covered using the weed-sensing sprayer was, on average, 52% (P < 0.001) less than the broadcast application at the Lacrosse location but only 20% (P = 0.01) at the Hay location. Spray reduction is dependent on foliar cover in relation to weed density and size. At Lacrosse, the weed-sensing sprayer reduced costs for all herbicide treatments except aminopyralid, with savings up to US$6.80 per hectare. At Hay, the weed-sensing sprayer resulted in economic loss for all products because of higher rush skeletonweed density. The weed-sensing sprayer is a viable fallow weed control tool when weed densities are low or patchy.
Decomposing Temperature Extremes Errors in CMIP5 and CMIP6 Models
Authors: Di Luca Alejandro , Pitman Andrew J. , de Elía Ramón
Published: July 2020

We quantify the skill of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) and CMIP6 models to represent daily temperature extremes. We find CMIP models systematically exaggerate the magnitude of daily temperature anomalies for both cold and hot extremes. We assess the contribution to a daily temperature extreme from four terms: the long‐term mean annual cycle, the diurnal cycle, synoptic variability, and seasonal variability for both cold and hot extremes. These four terms are combined, and the overall performance of individual climate models assessed. This identifies those models that can simulate temperature extremes well and simulate them well for the right reasons. The new error metric shows that increases in horizontal resolution usually lead to a better performance particularly for the coarser resolution models. The CMIP6 improvements relative to CMIP5 are systematic across most land regions and are only partially explained by the increase in horizontal resolution, and other differences must therefore help explain the higher CMIP6 skill.