bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Angioedema, endothelium, ACE2, and bradykinin - interrelationships in COVID-19: a case report
Authors: Florêncio Francisco Kleyton Zacarias , Tenório Maiza de Oliveira , Macedo Júnior Aluísio Roberto Andrade , Lima Sandro Gonçalves de
Published: October 2020

COVID-19 is a new disease, whose several atypical clinical manifestations began to be observed with the evolution of the pandemic, and have been investigated to understand the pathophysiology of the disease. In this article, the objective is to describe a case of angioedema in COVID-19, considered an atypical manifestation, and rarely described in the literature. The case is of a 55-year-old patient who sought medical attention for a complaint of intermittent fever for four days. On the seventh day, he manifested angioedema in the left zygomatic projection and the right subpalpebral region. The patient had no history of angioedema earlier in life. The following day, he presented a regression of the angioedema concerning the previous day. After this period, the patient progressed well and became asymptomatic. The RT-PCR laboratory test performed on the first days of manifesting symptoms was positive for SARS-CoV-2. We correlate the onset of angioedema with the possible endotheliitis present in the disease, which has been evidenced by the observation of severe endothelial injury associated with the intracellular presence of the virus in several histopathological studies of patients with COVID-19. Also, possible deregulation of the Kininogen-Kallikrein-Kinin System (KKKS) could explain this manifestation, as SARS-CoV-2 binds to the ACE2 receptor, which is responsible for degrading kinins, such as bradykinin.
Acidente vascular encefálico isquêmico devido à síndrome do anticorpo antifosfolípide em paciente lúpica: um relato de caso
Authors: Costa Thiago Azevedo de Lucena , Santana Leonardo Fernandes e , Rodrigues Mateus de Sousa , Bezerra Caroline Diniz , Gomes Orlando Vieira , Duarte Rita Marina Soares de Castro
Published: October 2020

Lúpus eritematoso sistêmico é uma doença de origem autoimune que apresenta um amplo espectro de manifestações clínicas causadas pelo estado inflamatório crônico. A associação com a síndrome do anticorpo antifosfolípide ocorre em aproximadamente 36% dos pacientes lúpicos. Nesses pacientes, a doença de base e o uso crônico de corticosteroides contribuem para aterosclerose acelerada, uma complicação que agrega risco cardiovascular. Relatamos um caso de acidente vascular encefálico em paciente de 25 anos portadora de lúpus eritematoso sistêmico e síndrome do anticorpo antifosfolípide.
Representação e poder: a mulher que falou através de Apolo em Histórias de Heródoto
Authors: Torres Isabela Casellato
Published: October 2020

A obra Histórias, produzida no século V a.C. por Heródoto de Halicarnasso, é o único escrito do chamado “Pai da História” que chegou até a contemporaneidade. O autor viveu em torno de 480 até aproximadamente 425 a.C. Em Histórias, aborda muito além das Guerras Greco-Pérsicas, cujo relato é o mais substancial na posteridade. Heródoto descreve, dentro deste contexto, as representações de atuações de mulheres gregas e persas como conselheiras de assuntos bélicos junto aos seus maridos e/ou demais personagens masculinos próximos. Nesse sentido, temos como hipótese que o autor grego coloca mulheres gregas e persas no mesmo patamar de atuação: de mantenedoras da ordem político-social. Analisaremos como a historiografia atual compreendeu o lugar do feminino na obra de Heródoto, dialogando com estudo de caso presente no documento, nesse artigo, a profetisa Pítia.
moedas das mulheres imperiais
Authors: Bélo Tais Pagoto
Published: October 2020

Este artigo visa expor a imagem pública de algumas mulheres do final da República e início do Império através de exemplares de moedas que datam do período do Principado, que se estabeleceu com Augusto (27 a.C.), até a morte de Nero (68 d.C.). Tem-se o intuito de ilustrar como, nesse período, essas mulheres melhoraram sua visibilidade na vida pública, por meio de afazeres ligados à família imperial, que as levaram ao Patronato e, consequentemente, à autopropaganda, englobando suas imagens em moedas, como uma forma de se demonstrar poder.

As mulheres dessa época eram restritas à vida privada e doméstica devido à existência da patria potestas, que era significante e marcava as relações de poder do pai dentro da família romana, classificando a mulher como desigual ao homem. A conquista das mulheres em terem seus nomes lembrados, através de estátuas, placas e moedas, era algo recente no final da República e início do Império, tendo sido estabelecida através do Patronato. A lembrança da pessoa, dessa forma, era importante e poderia repercutir por gerações na família.

As moedas com representações das mulheres imperiais possibilitam não somente reconstruir cronologicamente a existência delas na história, mas também revelam que elas eram ativas na vida pública.
Depression and suicidal ideation among the geriatric population of Kashmir, India
Authors: Shoib Sheikh , Islam Sheikh Mohammed Shariful , Arafat SM Yasir , Hakak Sohail Ahmad
Published: October 2020

Background:

Depression is a common disorder that can lead to suicidal behaviours among the geriatric population.

Aim:

We aimed to assess depression, hopelessness, and suicidal ideation among the elderly population of Kashmir.

Methods:

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in three districts of Kashmir between June and August 2019. The sample consisted of 200 persons aged >65 years. Beck’s Depression Inventory, Beck’s Hopelessness Scale, and the Beck Suicide Ideation scale were used to determine depression, hopelessness, and suicide ideation. Pearson’s correlation was performed to assess the relationships between depression, hopelessness, and suicide.

Results:

The prevalence of severe depression with a score of ⩾31 on Beck’s Depression Inventory was 56% among the studied population. Most of these elderly were found to have moderate levels of suicidal ideation (62.5%) and hopelessness (61%). Depression had a positive correlation with suicidal ideation ( r = 0.35). Hopelessness and suicidal intent had a more significant positive correlation ( r = 0.54), as compared to depression and hopelessness ( r = 0.43).

Conclusion:

More than half of the older persons in Kashmir had depression with superimposed hopelessness which is an important risk factor of suicidal ideation.
The antidepressant-like activity of chiral xanthone derivatives may be mediated by 5-HT1A receptor and β-arrestin signalling
Authors: Sałaciak Kinga , Głuch-Lutwin Monika , Siwek Agata , Szafarz Małgorzata , Kazek Grzegorz , Bednarski Marek , Nowiński Leszek , Mitchell Emma , Jastrzębska-Więsek Magdalena , Partyka Anna , Wesołowska Anna , Kołaczkowski Marcin , Szkaradek Natalia , Marona Henryk , Sapa Jacek , Pytka Karolina
Published: October 2020

Background:

Our previous studies showed that xanthone derivatives with N-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazine fragment have an affinity to the 5-HT1A receptor and show antidepressant-like properties in rodents. In this study, we tested three xanthone derivatives, HBK-1 (R, S) and its enantiomers, in which we increased the distance between the piperazine and xanthone fragments by using a hydroxypropoxy linker. We hypothesized that this would increase the binding to the 5-HT1A receptor and consequently, pharmacological activity.

Aims:

We aimed to assess the in vitro and in vivo pharmacological activity of the xanthone derivatives.

Methods:

We evaluated the in vitro affinity for serotonin 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors and serotonin transporter. We also determined the intrinsic activity at the 5-HT1A receptor. We investigated the antidepressant-like properties and safety after acute administration (dose range: 1.25–20 mg/kg) using the forced swim, tail suspension, locomotor activity, rotarod and chimney tests in mice. We also evaluated the basic pharmacokinetic parameters.

Results:

Our results indicated that the compounds showed a high affinity for the 5-HT1A receptor but very weak antagonistic properties in the Ca2+ mobilization assay; however, they showed significant agonistic properties in the β-arrestin recruitment assay. In both behavioural tests the studied xanthone derivatives showed antidepressant-like activity. Pre-treatment with p-chlorophenylalanine or WAY-100635 abolished their antidepressant-like activity. None of the compounds caused motor impairments at antidepressant-like doses. The racemate penetrated the blood–brain barrier and had a relatively high bioavailability after intraperitoneal administration.

Conclusions:

Xanthone derivatives with N-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazine fragment and hydroxypropoxy linker show increased binding to the 5-HT1A receptor and may represent an attractive putative treatment candidate for depression.
A worldwide meta-analysis review of restriction criteria for landfill siting using geographic information systems
Authors: Fernandez Nascimento Victor , Loureiro Anna Isabel Silva , Andrade Pedro R. , Guasselli Laurindo Antonio , Ometto Jean Pierre Balbaud
Published: October 2020

One of the most crucial parts of solid waste management is determining landfill site location, since multiple factors must be considered and there is no universal formula. The main purpose of this study is to make a worldwide systematic review of restriction criteria used for landfill siting using geographic information systems (GIS). Literature from the last years was thoroughly assessed, and 45 restrictions found were classified as environmental, economic, or social criteria. Our findings show that although the number of articles published has increased recently, they use on average seven restrictions, focusing mainly on environmental over economic and social criteria. In our boxplot statistical analysis, the most frequently used environmental restrictions are the distance from surface water resources (used in 77% of articles), slope (52%), and distance from groundwater founts (40%), with a median of 300 m, 20%, and 250 m, respectively. The most frequently used economic restrictions are distances from roads (60%), airports (40%), and power lines (18%), with medians of 275 m, 3000 m, and 75 m, respectively. The most frequently used social restrictions are distances from urban areas (45%), settlements and residential areas (40%), and cultural heritage or archaeological areas (23%), with medians of 1000 m. This information might help, on the one hand, governments to develop new legislation about landfill siting and on the other hand, decision-makers and scientists to produce new studies with different restrictive scenarios.
A comparative life cycle assessment on lithium-ion battery: Case study on electric vehicle battery in China considering battery evolution
Authors: Wang Shuoyao , Yu Jeongsoo
Published: October 2020

China has become the largest electric vehicle (EV) market in the world since 2015. Consequently, the lithium-ion battery (LiB) market in China is also expanding fast. LiB makers are continually introducing new types of LiBs into the market to improve LiBs’ performance. However, there will be a considerable amount of waste LiBs generated in China. These waste LiBs should be appropriately recycled to avoid resources’ waste or environmental pollution problems. Yet, because LiBs’ type keeps changing, the environmental impact and profitability of the waste LiB recycling industry in China become uncertain. In this research, we reveal the detailed life cycle process of EVs’ LiBs in China first. Then, the environmental impact of each type of LiB is speculated using the life cycle assessment (LCA) method. Moreover, we clarify how LiBs’ evolution will affect the economic effect of the waste battery recycling industry in China. We perform a sensitivity analysis focusing on waste LiBs’ collection rate. We found that along with LiBs’ evolution, their environmental impact is decreasing. Furthermore, if waste LiBs could be appropriately recycled, their life cycle environmental impact would be further dramatically decreased. On the other hand, the profitability of the waste battery recycling industry in China would decrease in the future. Moreover, it is essential to improve waste LiBs’ collection rate to establish an efficient waste LiB industry. Such a trend should be noticed by the Chinese government and waste LiB recycling operators to establish a sustainable waste LiB recycling industry in the future.
Blame Attributions Against Heterosexual Male Victims of Sexual Coercion: Effects of Gender, Social Influence, and Perceptions of Distress
Authors: Catton Ashley K. H. , Dorahy Martin J.
Published: October 2020

If heterosexual male victims had been more active in the #MeToo movement, how might they have been judged? Although the #MeToo movement has been regarded as an historic milestone for women who were victimized by men in positions of power, participation in the movement by male victims has been noticeably absent. Research indicates that victims may avoid disclosure if they anticipate negative social reactions, and male victims may attract greater levels of victim blaming than female victims, particularly if their perpetrator was female. The current study investigated attributions of victim blame against a fictional heterosexual male in a between-subjects vignette design. Perpetrator gender and their social influence were manipulated in a sample of 208 college students. Results did not support the hypothesized main effects of perpetrator gender or social influence. Greater blame attributions were made against victims of a male perpetrator compared to one of an unspecified gender. Male participants attributed greater blame than females, and the relationship between shame proneness and blame was moderated by participant gender, males experiencing higher levels of shame engaged in less victim blame. Blame increased when participants believed the court case to be more distressing than the victimizing act. Results support the male rape myth framework, which posits that beliefs about a male victim’s experience of his own violation, particularly whether he experienced distress or pleasure, are related to gendered norms of masculinity, which include normative traits of toughness, dominance, and high sexual performance. Implications on the role of gender as a barrier to disclosure by male victims are discussed.
Exposure to Parental Aggression and the Development of Psychopathology in Young Children: The Mediating Role of Early Dissociative Symptoms
Authors: Zhang Xutong , Gatzke-Kopp Lisa M.
Published: October 2020

Exposure to child-directed parental aggression in early life has been found to increase the risk of later psychopathological symptoms among children and adolescents. However, little is known about intermediate phenotypes and the developmental progression of symptoms, especially across the transition to grade school. Using prospectively collected longitudinal data from a large sample of children enrolled in the Family Life Project ( n = 1,166, 49.7% female), the current study examined the mediating role of early dissociative symptoms in the relations between parental aggression and children’s psychopathological symptoms. Children’s exposure to parental aggression and their dissociative symptoms before school entry were assessed based on primary caregivers’ reports. Teacher ratings of children’s internalizing and externalizing symptoms were collected in pre-kindergarten as well as in the 1st, 3rd, and 5th grades. Results showed that dissociative symptoms before school entry partially mediated the association between parental aggression and persistent externalizing symptoms in school years. However, no significant associations were found between parental aggression or dissociative symptoms and internalizing symptoms. Findings suggest that dissociative symptoms manifested early in life serve as a mediating mechanism and indicator of risk for persistent impulsivity and behavioral problems. Thus, these symptoms could be an important target of preventive services provided to children with adverse experiences in their families.
Body attitude control strategy based on road level for heavy rescue vehicles
Authors: Chen Hao , Gong Mingde , Zhao Dingxuan , Zhu Jianxu
Published: October 2020

This paper proposes an attitude control strategy based on road level for heavy rescue vehicles. The strategy aims to address the problem of poor ride comfort and stability of heavy rescue vehicles in complex road conditions. Firstly, with the pressure of the suspension hydraulic cylinder chamber without a piston rod as the parameter, Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy controller classification and adaptive network-based fuzzy inference system controller classification are used to recognise the road level. Secondly, particle swarm optimisation is adopted to obtain the optimal parameters of the active suspension system of vehicle body attitude control under different road levels. Lastly, the parameters of the active suspension system are selected in accordance with the road level recognised in the driving process to improve the adaptive adjustment capability of the active suspension system at different road levels. Test results show that the root mean square values of vertical acceleration, pitch angle and roll angle of the vehicle body are reduced by 59.9%, 76.2% and 68.4%, respectively. This reduction improves the ride comfort and stability of heavy rescue vehicles in complex road conditions.
Tribological enhancement of piston skirt conjunction using graphene-based coatings
Authors: Hildyard Robin , Bewsher Stephen Richard , Walker Jack , Umer Jamal , Saremi-Yarahmadi Sina , Pacella Manuela , Mohammadpour Mahdi , Offner Guenter
Published: October 2020

Piston skirt to cylinder liner conjunctions are amongst the major contributors to frictional power losses of Internal Combustion Engines (ICEs). Efforts have been made to mitigate the frictional losses of these conjunctions by incorporating different technologies such as texturing and application of novel coatings. Any potential technology needs to provide adequate wear resistance as well as frictional reduction in order to be practically applicable. In this paper, the piston skirt of a gasoline engine is deposited by three different variants of Graphene Oxide (GO) coatings deposited using an Electro-Phoretic Deposition (EPD) method. Their tribological performance is benchmarked against uncoated steel and graphite coated aluminium skirts. These coatings are experimentally characterised in terms of asperity level friction, topography and wear resistance. The conjunction and system level performance of these coatings considering both boundary and viscous friction and system dynamics are then evaluated using a multi-physics tribo-dynamic model. Results show that by incorporating an appropriate GO coating, the frictional power loss of the piston skirt to cylinder liner conjunction can be improved by up to 14% whilst maintaining the wear resistance of the coating at the level of an uncoated steel surface.
Prediction of raw meal fineness in the grinding process of cement raw material: A two-dimensional convolutional neural network prediction method
Authors: Liu Gang , Ouyang Zhiyong , Hao Xiaochen , Shi Xin , Zheng Lizhao , Zhao Yantao
Published: October 2020

Raw meal fineness is the percentage content of 80 µm sieving residue after the cement raw material is ground. The accurate prediction of raw meal fineness in the vertical mill system is very helpful for the operator to control the vertical mill. However, due to the complexity of the industrial environment, the process variables have coupling, time-varying delay and nonlinear characteristics in the grinding process of cement raw material. At present, few people pay attention to the coupling characteristics among variables, thus solving this problem is particularly important in raw meal fineness prediction. In this article, we propose a two-dimensional convolutional neural network method that is used to predict raw meal fineness during the grinding process of raw material. Convolutional neural network has strong feature extraction capabilities and does not require manual feature selection. The two-dimensional convolution kernels are used to extract the coupling, time-varying delay and nonlinear features among variables, especially the coupling features. In addition, two important parameters P and L of two-dimensional convolutional neural network model are optimized, respectively. The optimized model solves the problems of coupling, time-varying delay and nonlinearity among variables. Our two-dimensional convolutional neural network model is proved to be very effective by comparing with the state-of-the-art methods.
An Indigenous self-determination social movement response to COVID-19
Authors: McMeeking Sacha , Leahy Helen , Savage Catherine
Published: October 2020

For Māori in New Zealand, COVID-19 is remarkable in two particular ways. First, we bet the odds for the first time in contemporary history. Forecasts predicted that Māori would have double the infection and mortality rates of non-Māori. However, as at June 2020, Māori have a disproportionately lower infection rate than non-Māori. This is perhaps the only example in our contemporary history of the Māori community having better social outcomes than non-Māori. Second is that attribution is due, perhaps not exclusively, but materially to a self-determination social movement within our Indigenous communities that the pandemic response unveiled and accelerated. This article comments on this self-determination social movement, with a particular focus on how that movement has manifested within the South Island of New Zealand. We specifically draw on the work of Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu, the South Island Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency to illustrate our analysis.
Sound insulation of timber hollow box floors: Collection of laboratory measurement data and trend analysis
Authors: Homb Anders , Conta Simone , Geyer Christoph , Kumer Niko
Published: October 2020

The industrialisation of timber buildings has improved strongly in recent years. When long span is required, timber hollow-box floor elements are increasingly used due to their structural performance. The aim of this paper is to assess the acoustic performance of timber hollow-box floors, determine the governing parameters and identify the corresponding trends. We collected results from laboratory measurements covering both airborne and impact sound insulation from four different laboratories covering a wide range of application. Data include the bare floor constructions and their combination with different floating floors including both lightweight solutions and hybrid solution. We performed the analysis focusing on following parameters: element stiffness, element mass per unit area, dynamic stiffness of the resilient layer, cavity filling and floating floor material. We present the collected data both frequency-dependent and as single number quantities. General trends and features are identified in the frequency-dependent diagrams. A further detailed analysis is based on the single number quantities. It includes a general relationship between element mass per unit area and given requirements for R’W + C50-5000 and L’n,w + CI,50-2500. Furthermore, diagrams are presented illustrating the dependence of impact sound insulation numbers on the cavity filling, the dynamic stiffness of the resilient layer and the type of material used for the floating floor. The additional mass in the cavity improves both airborne and impact sound insulation by minimum 10 dB. This, combined with a floating floor, allows the fulfilment of a wide range of requirements.
Numerical analysis of heat source/sink on peristalsis of MHD carbon-water nanofluid in symmetric channel with permeable space
Authors: Sheriff Samreen , Mir Nazir Ahmad , Ahmad Shakeel
Published: October 2020

Nanoparticles of carbon has auspicious uses in a biomedical procedures like energy storage, catalyst supports, biomedical, in drug targeting system, in cancer treatment, in biological therapy, in blood diagnostic and coagulation systems. Motivated from these processes, peristalsis features have been accounted to study the mixed convection of the nanofluid, that is, Carbon-water in a vertical type channel with symmetric walls. Heat transport of magneto-hydro nanoliquid flow inside porous media is scrutinized. Single wall and multiwall Carbon nanotubes with water based nanoparticles are considered. Viscosity is prescribed as variable. The channel boundaries satisfy wall compliant and slip condition. Heat generation or absorption term is present. Assumptions of small Reynolds number along with long wave length are implemented for mathematical modeling. Transformed form of flow equations are evaluated by using numerical scheme. Through different parameters, graphical behaviors of temperature and velocity are displayed and elaborated. Moreover heat transfer rate is computed. Results revealed that for larger [Formula: see text], velocity is minimum at upper region and it grows in the lower region. The larger variation in [Formula: see text] leads deceleration in the velocity in lower portion and an enhancement is observed in velocity in upper portion. Further, it is seen that the heat transfer rate is larger for the MWCNT nanoparticles case as compared to the case of SWCNT nanoparticles.
Analysis on mechanical characteristics of welded joint with a new reinforced device in high-speed railway
Authors: Xiao Hong , Yan Dongwei , Liu Guangpeng , Wang Haoyu
Published: October 2020

High-speed railways adopt continuous welded rail to maintain the smoothness and continuity of the rail surface. However, the welded joint became one of the weakest parts. In order to clear the characteristics and mechanical properties of the new reinforced device, a dynamic three-dimensional vehicle-reinforced device-track coupling model is established. The mechanical characteristics of the track structure under high-speed train load were simulated and analyzed. After installing the new reinforced device, the dynamic response and service life of the track structure are obviously improved compared with the unreinforced rail. When the train speed is 300 km/h, the dynamic bending stress at the bottom of rail is reduced by 26.90%, the vertical and lateral acceleration of the rail are reduced by 42.78% and 21.56%, the vertical and lateral displacement of the rail are reduced by 6.36% and 8.67%, and the theoretical service life of the rail is greatly extended.
Multi-response optimization for Nimonic alloy miniature gear fabrication using wire electrical discharge machining
Authors: Chaudhary Tina , Siddiquee Arshad Noor , Chanda Arindam Kumar , Abidi Mustufa Haider , Al-Ahmari Abdulrahman
Published: October 2020

Generally, gear is an essential component in various electro-mechanical devices, but its manufacturing at the micro-level is challenging. The non-conventional manufacturing processes, such as electro-discharge machining (EDM), is suitable in gear fabrication. Although miniature gears have strict accuracy requirements, the optimization of the EDM process parameters, especially for advanced materials and alloys, is critical. In this paper, Nimonic alloy miniature gears are manufactured using wire-EDM and the effect of process parameters, such as peak current, pulse-off (POFF) time, pulse-on (PON) time, wire tension, and dielectric fluid on the response factors are analyzed. The primary response factors, such as surface roughness, machining time, material removal rate, kerf width (KW), surface microhardness, and depth of microhardness are considered. Also, different dielectric fluids are prepared, which include ethylene glycol mixed demineralized water, oxygen mixed demineralized water, ethylene glycol and alumina powder mixed demineralized water, and ethylene glycol alumina powder and oxygen mixed demineralized water. Furthermore, the effect of process parameters on the multi-response using Pareto ANOVA has been analyzed. The results demonstrate that ethylene glycol mixed demineralized water, as a dielectric fluid, is the most influencing parameter to reduce the surface roughness, machining time, KW, and improve micro-hardness. Thus, dielectric fluid is an essential factor obtained from multi-response optimization followed by peak current, POFF time, wire tension, and PON time.
Circulating microRNA-145 as a diagnostic biomarker for non-small-cell lung cancer: A systemic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Tao Shaohua , Ju Xuegui , Zhou Hui , Zeng Qianglin
Published: October 2020

Background:

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small non-coding, highly stable RNAs, have been reported to have diagnostic value for variety types of cancers.

Objectives:

To assess the diagnostic value of circulating miR-145 for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by using systemic review and meta-analysis.

Methods:

A systematic literature search was conducted in five databases until 20 February 2020 to identify diagnostic trials of miR-145 in the diagnosis of NSCLC. The quality of included studies was assessed by the QUADAS-2 tool with Review Manager 5.3, and the summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve was plotted by STATA 13.1 software.

Results:

A total of 1394 patients from 11 data sets in trials (published in nine studies) were recruited. The area under the curve of the SROC was 0.83. According to the meta regression, the specimen selection was considered the source of heterogeneity, the SROC in serum (0.90 (95% CI 0.87, 0.92), the sensitivity was 0.84 (95% CI 0.79, 0.89), and the specificity was 0.80 (95% CI 0.71, 0.89)) was obviously higher than that in plasma (SROC=0.75).

Conclusion:

Serum miR-145 might be served as a potentially useful biomarker for NSCLC diagnosis. However, due to the existing limited-quality research, more large-scale and multicenter studies are required for further verification.
Using human factors engineering and Garvin’s product quality to develop a basketball shoe taxonomy
Authors: Luczak Tony , Burch Reuben , Smith Brian , Chander Harish , Carruth Daniel , Lamberth John , Crane Collin , Bollwinkel Dave , Burgos Bill
Published: October 2020

Garvin’s seminal work “What Does ‘Product Quality’ Really Mean?” defines product quality based on five approaches: transcendent, product-based, user-based, manufacturing-based, and value-based. In addition to presenting five definitions of product quality, Garvin presents eight dimensions of product quality: performance, features, reliability, conformance, durability, serviceability, aesthetics, and perceived quality. The purpose of this research is to present a taxonomy for establishing product quality metrics for basketball shoes based on Garvin’s eight dimensions and the user-based definition of product quality. There is no clear explanation for what constitutes a properly fitted and usable basketball shoe. Constructing a multi-dimensional basketball shoe quality taxonomy, as presented in this paper, captures relationships between features and user needs to improve the fitness for use in basketball shoes beyond commonly-used marketing jargon. Several contextual relationships of basketball are identified and associated with the requirements of basketball players, thereby resulting in a basketball shoe quality taxonomy that defines the relationships of shoe features to user preference. This taxonomy can be used to derive what product quality means to the basketball athlete and thus improve the decision-making process for the basketball shoe wearer and coaching staff.
The impact of off-centred groups on an archer’s score
Authors: Park James L
Published: October 2020

Archers frequently lose score by having their sights set incorrectly, resulting in off-centre groups on the target and lower scores than would otherwise have been possible. The archer’s group on the target has been modelled using a normal distribution where the size of the archer’s group depends upon the archer’s skill level and target distance. Off-centred groups were modelled by varying the arrow positions on the vertical axis and the score loss at the usual competition distances using a Monte Carlo technique. A method of using the centroid of each three or six-arrow end is used to optimise the sight setting and minimise score loss, realising that this is done using data from a very limited number of shots. It is best to correct for only a portion of the error for each end, rather than for the full error.
Gender disparities in health resource utilization in patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis: a prospective longitudinal real-world study with more than 2000 patients
Authors: Schriefer Dirk , Ness Nils-Henning , Haase Rocco , Ziemssen Tjalf
Published: October 2020

Background:

For the case of multiple sclerosis, research on gender differences from a health economics perspective has not received much attention. However, cost-of-illness analyses can provide valuable information about the diverse impact of the disease and thus help decision-makers to allocate scarce resources. The aim of this study was to describe healthcare resource use and associated societal costs from a gender perspective. In particular, we aimed to identify how resource utilization potentially differs in certain cost components between men and women.

Methods:

Clinical and economic data were extracted from two prospective, multicentre, non-interventional, observational studies in Germany. Information on health resource use was obtained from all patients on a quarterly basis using a validated questionnaire. Cost analyses were conducted from the societal perspective including all direct (healthcare-related) and indirect (work-related) costs, regardless of who bears them. Gender-related differences were analysed by a multivariable generalized linear model with a negative binomial distribution and log link function due to the right-skewed distribution pattern of cost data. In addition, costs for men and women were descriptively analysed within subgroups of two-year disease activity.

Results:

In total, 2095 patients (women-to-men ratio of 2.7:1) presented a mean age of 41.85 years and a median Expanded Disability Status Scale of 2 (interquartile range 1–3.5) ( p > 0.30 for gender-related differences). Women and men did not statistically differ in total quarterly costs (€2329 ± €2570 versus €2361 ± €2612). For both, costs were higher with advancing disease severity and indirect costs were the main societal cost driver. Regarding healthcare-related resources, women incurred higher costs for ambulant consultations [incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.16, confidence interval (CI) 1.04–1.31], complementary medicine (IRR 2.41, CI 1.14–5.06), medical consumables (IRR 2.53, CI 1.69–3.79) and informal care (IRR 2.79, CI 1.56–5.01). Among indirect costs, we found higher costs for men for presenteeism (IRR 0.62; CI 0.53–0.72) and higher costs for women for disability pension (IRR 1.62; CI 1.23–2.13).

Conclusions:

Multiple sclerosis poses a significant economic burden on patients, families and society. While the total economic burden did not differ between male and female patients, we found gender differences in specific cost items that are similar to those in the wider non-MS population.
COVID-19 in cancer patients on systemic anti-cancer therapies: outcomes from the CAPITOL (COVID-19 Cancer PatIenT Outcomes in North London) cohort study
Authors: Crolley Valerie E. , Hanna Daire , Joharatnam-Hogan Nalinie , Chopra Neha , Bamac Ekin , Desai Meera , Lam Yuk-Chun , Dipro Sabiq , Kanani Ruhi , Benson Jack , Wilson William , Fox Thomas A. , Shiu Kai-Keen , Forster Martin , Bridgewater John , Hochhauser Daniel , Khan Khurum
Published: October 2020

Background:

Patients with cancer are hypothesised to be at increased risk of contracting COVID-19, leading to changes in treatment pathways in those treated with systemic anti-cancer treatments (SACT). This study investigated the outcomes of patients receiving SACT to assess whether they were at greater risk of contracting COVID-19 or having more severe outcomes.

Methods:

Data was collected from all patients receiving SACT in two cancer centres as part of CAPITOL (COVID-19 Cancer PatIenT Outcomes in North London). The primary outcome was the effect of clinical characteristics on the incidence and severity of COVID-19 infection in patients on SACT. We used univariable and multivariable models to analyse outcomes, adjusting for age, gender and comorbidities.

Results:

A total of 2871 patients receiving SACT from 2 March to 31 May 2020 were analysed; 68 (2.4%) were diagnosed with COVID-19. Cancer patients receiving SACT were more likely to die if they contracted COVID-19 than those who did not [adjusted (adj.) odds ratio (OR) 9.84; 95% confidence interval (CI) 5.73–16.9]. Receiving chemotherapy increased the risk of developing COVID-19 (adj. OR 2.99; 95% CI = 1.72–5.21), with high dose chemotherapy significantly increasing risk (adj. OR 2.36, 95% CI 1.35–6.48), as did the presence of comorbidities (adj. OR 2.29; 95% CI 1.19–4.38), and having a respiratory or intrathoracic neoplasm (adj. OR 2.12; 95% CI 1.04–4.36). Receiving targeted treatment had a protective effect (adj. OR 0.53; 95% CI 0.30–0.95). Treatment intent (curative versus palliative), hormonal- or immunotherapy and solid versus haematological cancers had no significant effect on risk.

Conclusion:

Patients on SACT are more likely to die if they contract COVID-19. Those on chemotherapy, particularly high dose chemotherapy, are more likely to contract COVID-19, while targeted treatment appears to be protective.
Responsible Leadership in the Manager–Employee Relationship
Authors: Lämsä Anna-Maija , Keränen Anne
Published: October 2020

Research questions:

The aim of this study is to explore and conceptualize responsible leadership. The topic is viewed from the viewpoint of the dyadic level between managers and employees. The following research questions are answered: What principles do managers and employees perceive as being significant for responsible leadership in the manager–employee relationship? What social contexts in the relationship call for the principles to occur? To whom do the parties place responsibility for the advancement of the principles?

Theory:

The study draws on relational leadership theory as well as literature on responsible leadership. Responsible leadership is understood as a dynamic and contextual process of social construction through relationships between managers and employees rooted in principles, which guide the parties’ actions.

Type of the case:

An explorative case study strategy was adopted. Two executive MBA groups are the cases through which the research phenomenon, responsible leadership, is explored. The data consists of a sample of 22 participants in the groups. Content analysis was used to analyse the data.

Basis of the case:

The participants in the executive MBA groups offer real-life data from which the results can be built. The participants represent professionals who have a broad and versatile perspective to leadership issues from the viewpoint of employee and manager. In general, an executive MBA programme advances its participants’ competency to reflect and analyse leadership topics.

Findings:

Conceptualization that shows the principles of responsibility in leadership—fairness, empowerment, openness, trust and caring—and their contextual and dynamic nature in the manager–employee relationship was formed.

Discussions:

This case study implies that exercising responsible leadership is produced differently in different social contexts: in some contexts the manager is expected to take the lead and be in charge, while at other times it is expected that practising responsible leadership principles will be shared between partners. A limitation is that this study explored its topic only at the dyadic level between manager and employee.
School Choice and Implementation: Survey Evidence Across Indian States
Authors: Ayyangar Srikrishna , Kashyap Sham N. , Prasad Prateeti , Rishikesh B.S.
Published: October 2020

Research on implementation of basic services points out that the upwardly mobile seem to be exiting the public system for private alternatives, straining the capacity of the public system to serve the poor. But is this national narrative representative of implementation across the various states in India?

Based on questions of school choice from a national survey, we argue that respondents’ choice of public or private service seems to be affected by state-level patterns that are obscured by both individual background characteristics from below and the national narrative from above. We argue that background characteristics do explain current school choices but do not fully explain ideal school choices. If ideal school choices are considered akin to the demand side of implementation, then our study shows that both societal and state-level patterns matter as we identified certain underserved populations that still aspire for public services, and who typically get obscured by national-level explanations.
Correction to: Improving infant sleep safety via electronic health record communication: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Canty Ethan A. , Fogel Benjamin N. , Batra Erich K. , Schaefer Eric W. , Beiler Jessica S. , Paul Ian M.
Published: October 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
A bioinformatics analysis to identify novel biomarkers for prognosis of pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Sun Yahong , Chen Gang , Liu Zhihao , Yu Lina , Shang Yan
Published: October 2020

Background

Due to the fact that pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is a highly infectious respiratory disease characterized by high herd susceptibility and hard to be treated, this study aimed to search novel effective biomarkers to improve the prognosis and treatment of PTB patients.

Methods

Firstly, bioinformatics analysis was performed to identify PTB-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from GEO database, which were then subjected to GO annotation and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis to initially describe their functions. Afterwards, clustering analysis was conducted to identify PTB-related gene clusters and relevant PPI networks were established using the STRING database.

Results

Based on the further differential and clustering analyses, 10 DEGs decreased during PTB development were identified and considered as candidate hub genes. Besides, we retrospectively analyzed some relevant studies and found that 7 genes (CCL20, PTGS2, ICAM1, TIMP1, MMP9, CXCL8 and IL6) presented an intimate correlation with PTB development and had the potential serving as biomarkers.

Conclusions

Overall, this study provides a theoretical basis for research on novel biomarkers of PTB, and helps to estimate PTB prognosis as well as probe into targeted molecular treatment.
Serum alkaline phosphatase levels and the risk of new-onset diabetes in hypertensive adults
Authors: Zhang Yuanyuan , Zhou Chun , Li Jianping , Zhang Yan , Xie Di , Liang Min , Wang Binyan , Song Yun , Wang Xiaobin , Huo Yong , Hou Fan Fan , Xu Xiping , Qin Xianhui
Published: October 2020

Background

The association between alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and incident diabetes remains uncertain. Our study aimed to investigate the prospective relation of serum ALP with the risk of new-onset diabetes, and explore possible effect modifiers, in hypertensive adults.

Methods

A total 14,393 hypertensive patients with available ALP measurements and without diabetes and liver disease at baseline were included from the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial (CSPPT). The primary outcome was new-onset diabetes, defined as physician-diagnosed diabetes or use of glucose-lowering drugs during follow-up, or fasting glucose ≥ 7.0 mmol/L at the exit visit. The secondary study outcome was new-onset impaired fasting glucose (IFG), defined as FG < 6.1 mmol/L at baseline and ≥ 6.1 but < 7.0 mmol/L at the exit visit.

Results

Over a median of 4.5 years follow-up, 1549 (10.8%) participants developed diabetes. Overall, there was a positive relation of serum ALP and the risk of new-onset diabetes (per SD increment, adjusted OR, 1.07; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.14) and new-onset IFG (per SD increment, adjusted OR, 1.07; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.14). Moreover, a stronger positive association between baseline ALP (per SD increment) with new-onset diabetes was found in participants with total homocysteine (tHcy) < 10 μmol/L (adjusted OR, 1.24; 95% CI: 1.10, 1.40 vs. ≥ 10 μmol/L: adjusted OR, 1.03; 95% CI: 0.96, 1.10;P-interaction = 0.007) or FG ≥ 5.9 mmol/L (adjusted OR, 1.16; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.27 vs. < 5.9 mmol/L: adjusted OR, 1.00; 95% CI: 0.93, 1.08;P-interaction = 0.009)

Conclusions

In this non-diabetic, hypertensive population, higher serum ALP was significantly associated with the increased risk of new-onset diabetes, especially in those with lower tHcy or higher FG levels.

Clinical Trial Registration-URLTrial registration: NCT00794885 (clinicaltrials.gov). Retrospectively registered November 20, 2008.
Diet quality indices and their associations with health-related outcomes in children and adolescents: an updated systematic review
Authors: Dalwood Phoebe , Marshall Skye , Burrows Tracy L. , McIntosh Ashleigh , Collins Clare E.
Published: October 2020

Background

To describe a-priori diet quality indices used in children and adolescents, appraise the validity and reliability of these indices, and synthesise evidence on the relationship between diet quality and physical and mental health, and growth-related outcomes.

Methods

Five electronic databases were searched until January 2019. An a-priori diet quality index was included if it applied a scoring structure to rate child or adolescent (aged 0–18-years) dietary intakes relative to dietary or nutrient guidelines. Diagnostic accuracy studies and prospective cohort studies reporting health outcomes were appraised using the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Quality Criteria Checklist.

Results

From 15,577 records screened, 128 unique paediatric diet quality indices were identified from 33 countries. Half of the indices’ scores rated both food and nutrient intakes (n = 65 indices). Some indices were age specific: infant (< 24-months; n = 8 indices), child (2–12-years; n = 16), adolescent (13–18 years; n = 8), and child/adolescent (n = 14). Thirty-seven indices evaluated for validity and/or reliability. Eleven of the 15 indices which investigated associations with prospective health outcomes reported significant results, such as improved IQ, quality of life, blood pressure, body composition, and prevalence of metabolic syndrome.

Conclusions

Research utilising diet quality indices in paediatric populations is rapidly expanding internationally. However, few indices have been evaluated for validity, reliability, or association with health outcomes. Further research is needed to determine the validity, reliability, and association with health of frequently utilised diet quality indices to ensure data generated by an index is useful, applicable, and relevant.

Registration

PROSPERO number: CRD42018107630.