bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A review on conventional and nonconventional machining of SiC particle-reinforced aluminium matrix composites
Authors: Chen Ji-Peng , Gu Lin , He Guo-Jian
Published: July 2020

Among the various types of metal matrix composites, SiC particle-reinforced aluminum matrix composites (SiCp/Al) are finding increasing applications in many industrial fields such as aerospace, automotive, and electronics. However, SiCp/Al composites are considered as difficult-to-cut materials due to the hard ceramic reinforcement, which causes severe machinability degradation by increasing cutting tool wear, cutting force, etc. To improve the machinability of SiCp/Al composites, many techniques including conventional and nonconventional machining processes have been employed. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the machining performance of SiCp/Al composites using conventional machining, i.e., turning, milling, drilling, and grinding, and using nonconventional machining, namely electrical discharge machining (EDM), powder mixed EDM, wire EDM, electrochemical machining, and newly developed high-efficiency machining technologies, e.g., blasting erosion arc machining. This research not only presents an overview of the machining aspects of SiCp/Al composites using various processing technologies but also establishes optimization parameters as reference of industry applications.
Detoxification of bilirubin and bile acids with intermittent coupled plasmafiltration and adsorption in liver failure (HERCOLE study)
Authors: Donati Gabriele , Angeletti Andrea , Gasperoni Lorenzo , Piscaglia Fabio , Croci Chiocchini Anna Laura , Scrivo Anna , Natali Teresa , Ullo Ines , Guglielmo Chiara , Simoni Patrizia , Mancini Rita , Bolondi Luigi , La Manna Gaetano
Published: July 2020

Background

CPFA is an extracorporeal treatment used in severe sepsis to remove circulating proinflammatory cytokines. Limited evidence exists on the effectiveness of bilirubin adsorption by the hydrophobic styrenic resin, the distinctive part of CPFA. The aim of this study is to validate CPFA effectiveness in liver detoxification.

Methods

In this prospective observational study, we enrolled patients with acute or acute-on-chronic liver failure (serum total bilirubin > 20 mg/dL or MELD Score > 20) hospitalized from June 2013 to November 2017. CPFA was performed using the Lynda (Bellco/MedTronic, Mirandola, Italy) or the Amplya (Bellco/MedTronic, Mirandola, Italy) machines. Anticoagulation was provided with unfractionated heparin or citrate. Bilirubin and bile acids reduction ratios per session (RRs) were the main parameters for hepatic detoxification.

Results

Twelve patients with acute (n = 3) or acute-on-chronic (n = 9) liver failure were enrolled. Alcohol was the main cause of liver disease. Thirty-one CPFA treatments of 6 h each were performed, 19 with heparin and 12 with citrate. RRs was 28.8% (range 2.2–40.5) for total bilirubin, 32.7% (range 8.3–48.9) for direct bilirubin, 29.5% (range 6.5–65.4) for indirect bilirubin and 28.9% (16.7- 59.7) for bile acids. One patient received liver transplantation and 8/9 were alive at 1 year of follow-up. Three patients (25%) died: 2 during hospitalization and 1 for a cardiac event at 4 months of follow up with restored liver function.

Conclusions

CPFA resulted to be effective in liver detoxification. Thus, it may be considered as a “bridge technique” both to the liver transplant and to the recovery of the basal liver function.
Psychological Resilience Interventions to Reduce Recidivism in Young People: A Systematic Review
Authors: Hodgkinson Rowan , Beattie Stuart , Roberts Ross , Hardy Lew
Published: July 2020

“Diversion” schemes encouraging children and young people away from offending have successfully reduced the numbers of young people within the youth justice system. However, for those not successfully diverted, recidivism remains obstinately high. Many of those remaining in the youth justice system appear to have complex psychological needs. Research has also shown that many of this group have experienced a high number of adverse childhood experiences. Investigation into the potential consequences of these experiences suggests the potential disruption of normative adolescent psychological growth. Domains may include emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and interpersonal development. This review assesses the effectiveness of individual interventions that had a psychological focus and succeeded in reducing recidivism. A systematic research review from 2000 to 2019 yielded 206 studies for youth offenders, and of these, 14 met the criteria for inclusion. Sample size varied greatly, from 30 to 3038. Research design, follow-up period and intervention content also varied greatly. Further, intervention success for recidivism ranged from almost total desistance to changes (increased time to re-offend) affecting only 50% of the intervention group. Psychological changes as a result of intervention included an increased sense of coherence, improved emotion recognition, more positive decision-making and reduced defiance. However, none of the studies conducted follow-up psychological assessments post-intervention. Although youth crime is a priority for policy makers, so far research has fallen short of fully examining how the development of psychological resilience via interventions may help reduce persistent offending.
The 2020 Data Breach Investigations Report – a CSO's perspective
Authors: Jartelius Martin
Published: July 2020

There are few moments in the year where the cyber security industry will sit back and take note. One of those is the highly anticipated and much coveted ‘Data Breach Investigations Report' (DBIR) by Verizon, which details the leading attack routes used by today's hackers. 1

There are few moments in the year where the cyber security industry will sit back and take note. One of those is the highly anticipated Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) by Verizon.

Martin Jartelius of Outpost24 explains how the report highlights the way proactive identification of serious threats via automation and continuous scanning can be the difference between resolving a cheap risk or explaining a costly data breach. Yet technology can only do so much and there needs to be a focus on raising staff awareness and overall cyber hygiene.
Adhering to privacy by design with identity-as-a-service
Authors: Wood Simon
Published: July 2020

Many businesses are guilty of underestimating or completely overlooking fundamental digital security requirements, leading to devastating consequences from both a financial and reputational perspective. In fact, a large proportion of headline-hitting data breaches are a result of ill-considered security design choices – the eventual outcome of organisations failing to keep data privacy central to the development process.
Is credential stuffing the new phishing?
Authors: Rees-Pullman Steven
Published: July 2020

Sometimes it seems as though, in a moment of weakness or just wishing for an easier life, the average security pro might wish that Clifford Stoll, writer of an (in)famous 1995 Newsweek article titled ‘The Internet? Bah!' (or ‘Why the web won't be Nirvana') had been right. 1 As the title suggests, Stoll contended that, while fun, the Internet was a bubble set to burst.
How can experiments play a greater role in public policy? Twelve proposals from an economic model of scaling
Authors: AL-UBAYDLI OMAR , LEE MIN SOK , LIST JOHN A. , MACKEVICIUS CLAIRE L. , SUSKIND DANA
Published: July 2020

Policymakers are increasingly turning to insights gained from the experimental method as a means to inform large-scale public policies. Critics view this increased usage as premature, pointing to the fact that many experimentally tested programs fail to deliver their promise at scale. Under this view, the experimental approach drives too much public policy. Yet, if policymakers could be more confident that the original research findings would be delivered at scale, even the staunchest critics would carve out a larger role for experiments to inform policy. Leveraging the economic framework of Al-Ubaydli et al. (2019), we put forward 12 simple proposals, spanning researchers, policymakers, funders and stakeholders, which together tackle the most vexing scalability threats. The framework highlights that only after we deepen our understanding of the scale-up problem will we be on solid ground to argue that scientific experiments should hold a more prominent place in the policymaker's quiver.
Operationalization, implementation, and evaluation of Collaboration Planning: A pilot interventional study of nascent translational teams
Authors: Rolland Betsy , Scholl Linda , Suryanarayanan Sainath , Hatfield Peggy , Judge Kate , Sorkness Christine , Burnside Elizabeth , Brasier Allan R.
Published: July 2020

Background:

The University of Wisconsin Institute for Clinical and Translational Research hub supports multiple pilot award programs that engage cross-disciplinary Translational Teams. To support those teams, our Team Science group aims to offer a learning experience that is accessible, active, and actionable. We identified Collaboration Planning as a high-impact intervention to stimulate team-building activities that provide Translational Team members with the skills to lead and participate in high-impact teams.

Methods:

We adapted the published materials on Collaboration Planning to develop a 90-minute facilitated intervention with questions in 10 areas, presuming no previous knowledge of Science of Team Science (SciTS) or team-science best practices. Attendees received a short follow-up survey and submitted a written collaboration plan with their first quarterly progress report.

Results:

Thirty-nine participants from 13 pilot teams from a wide range of disciplines engaged in these sessions. We found that teams struggled to know who to invite, that some of our questions were confusing and too grounded in the language of SciTS, and groups lacked plans for managing their information and communications. We identified several areas for improvement including ensuring that the process is flexible to meet the needs of different teams, continuing to evolve the questions so they resonate with teams, and the need to provide resources for areas where teams needed additional guidance, including information and data management, authorship policies, and conflict management.

Conclusions:

With further development and testing, Collaboration Planning has the potential to support Translational Teams in developing strong team dynamics and team functioning.
Using bibliometrics to evaluate translational science training: evidence for early career success of KL2 scholars
Authors: Qua Kelli , Pelfrey Clara M.
Published: July 2020

Introduction:

Evaluating clinical and translational research (CTR) mentored training programs is challenging because no two programs are alike. Careful selection of appropriate metrics is required to make valid comparisons between individuals and between programs. The KL2 program provides mentored-training for early-stage CTR investigators. Clinical and Translational Awards across the country have unique KL2 programs. The evaluation of KL2 programs has begun to incorporate bibliometrics to measure KL2 scholar and program impact.

Methods:

This study investigated demographic differences in bibliometric performance and post-K award funding of KL2 scholars and compared the bibliometric performance and post-K award federal funding of KL2 scholars and other mentored-K awardees at the same institution. Data for this study included SciVal and iCite bibliometrics and National Institutions of Health RePORTER grant information for mentored-K awardees (K08, K23, and KL2) at Case Western Reserve University between 2005 and 2013.

Results:

Results showed no demographics differences within the KL2 program scholars. Bibliometric differences between KL2 and other mentored-K awardee indicated an initial KL2 advantage for the number of publications at 5 years’ post-matriculation (i.e., the start of the K award). Regression analyses indicated the number of initial publications was a significant predictor of federal grant funding at the same time point. Analysis beyond the 5-year post-matriculation point did not result in a sustained, significant KL2 advantage.

Conclusions:

Factors that contributed to the grant funding advantage need to be determined. Additionally, differences between translational and clinical bibliometrics must be interpreted with caution, and appropriate metrics for translational science must be established.
Development of Behavior Abnormalities in a Patient Prevented From Returning Home After Evacuation Following the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster: Case Report
Authors: Hori Arinobu , Ozaki Akihiko , Murakami Michio , Tsubokura Masaharu
Published: July 2020

After Japan’s major nuclear accident in 2011, approximately 150,000 Fukushima residents were ordered to evacuate. Beginning in 2015, the evacuation orders have been systematically lifted. However, the health impacts of allowing residents to return to homes in areas previously uninhabitable due to nuclear radiation remain poorly understood.

Declaring radiation levels to be safe does not necessarily eliminate the concerns of residents about the effects of radiation exposure. Rebuilding medical, welfare, and commercial infrastructure and services takes time. Nontangible community elements, such as mutually dependent social networks, also require time to be re-established. Nevertheless, the Japanese government prioritizes policies that encourage evacuees to return home as soon as it is safe to do so.

Post-disaster evacuation situations and subsequent return home pose substantial—and as yet relatively unknown—mental and physical health threats for those affected, especially those in vulnerable groups, such as the sick, the elderly, and children.

Here we report a case of an elderly female evacuee with dementia, who was prevented from returning home after her hometown evacuation order was lifted, began exhibiting marked behavioral abnormalities. Loss of emotional ties that were created while she was housed in temporary accommodation appeared to be a critical contributing factor.
Five Decades of Global Chemical Terror Attacks: Data Analysis to Inform Training and Preparedness
Authors: DeLuca Michael A. , Chai Peter R. , Goralnick Eric , Erickson Timothy B.
Published: July 2020

Background:

Chemical weapons attacks during the recent conflict in Syria and Iraq highlight the need to better understand the changing epidemiology of chemical weapons use, especially among non-state actors. Public health professionals and policy-makers require this data to prioritize funding, training, chemical weapons preparedness, disaster response, and recovery. The purpose of this investigation is to provide descriptive data that can be used by policy-makers and public safety officials to better prepare for these potential attacks.

Methods:

A five-decade descriptive retrospective review of The Global Terrorism Database, maintained by the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism, was conducted to understand trends in chemical agents, targets, and routes of exposure. We reviewed and analyzed data specific to these documented chemical attacks between 1970 and 2017.

Results:

383 terror attacks involved chemical weapons over the study period. A specific agent was named in 154 incidents, while 124 incidents could be classified into traditional chemical weapons categories (eg, vesicant, choking agents). A route of exposure was identified in 242 attacks, with the most common routes of exposure being dermal-mucosal and inhalational. Caustic agents were used in the highest portion of attacks (25%) where the route of exposure was known. Explosive devices were used in 21% of attacks to deliver these chemical agents. Of particular note, private citizens and educational facilities were targeted in 25% and 12% of attacks, respectively. The average number of attacks increased from 6 per year between 1970 and 2011 to 24.9 per year between 2011 and 2017 (coinciding with the start of the Syria conflict). The most commonly utilized chemicals were chlorine (26.0%), tear gas (20.8%), and cyanide (15.6%). Blood agent incidents declined from 32.6% before the September 11, 2001 attacks to 13.6% after 2001, while nerve agent attacks fell from 9.3% to 1.2%. In contrast, choking (namely chlorine) and vesicant (mustard) agent use increased from 7% to 48.1% and from 2.3% to 6.2% of attacks, respectively.

Conclusions:

Chemical weapon use in global terrorism remains an increasingly common occurrence that requires better characterization. The average number of chemical terrorist attacks per year is increasing, with a large proportion resulting from the conflicts in Iraq and Syria. Choking (chlorine) and vesicant (mustard) agents have become the predominant chemical terror agent since 2001, with a decreased incidence of blood (cyanogenic) and nerve (sarin) agents. Future preparedness initiatives should focus on vulnerable targets such as private citizens and educational institutions. Improving blast injury response is essential, along with prioritizing disaster training focused on choking agents, vesicants, and caustics.
Bacterial and fungal coinfections in COVID-19 patients hospitalized during the New York City pandemic surge
Authors: Nori Priya , Cowman Kelsie , Chen Victor , Bartash Rachel , Szymczak Wendy , Madaline Theresa , Punjabi Katiyar Chitra , Jain Ruchika , Aldrich Margaret , Weston Gregory , Gialanella Philip , Corpuz Marilou , Gendlina Inessa , Guo Yi
Published: July 2020

We observed bacterial or fungal coinfections in COVID-19 patients admitted between March 1 and April 18, 2020 (152 of 4,267, 3.6%). Among these patients, mortality was 57%; 74% were intubated; 51% with bacteremia had central venous catheters. Time to culture positivity was 6–7 days, and 79% had received prior antibiotics. Metallo-β-lactamase–producing E. cloacae coinfections occurred in 5 patients.
Quasilinear elliptic inequalities with Hardy potential and nonlocal terms
Authors: Ghergu Marius , Karageorgis Paschalis , Singh Gurpreet
Published: July 2020

We study the quasilinear elliptic inequality
\[ -\Delta_m u - \frac{\mu}{|x|^m}u^{m-1} \geq (I_\alpha*u^p)u^q \quad\mbox{in }\mathbb{R}^N\setminus \overline B_1, N\geq 1, \]
where $p>0$, $q, \mu \in \mathbb {R}$, $m>1$ and $I_\alpha$ is the Riesz potential of order $\alpha \in (0,N)$. We obtain necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of positive solutions.
Broadcasting Solidarity across the Pacific: Reimagining theTongp'oinTake Me Homeand the Free Chol Soo Lee Movement
Authors: Kim Jina E.
Published: July 2020

The South Korean radio docudrama and adapted novelTake Me Home(1978) were based on the real-life case of Chol Soo Lee, who in 1974 was wrongly convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment in the United States. Lee was later acquitted following a series of investigative reports and amid an emerging social movement calling for his release that spanned South Korea and the United States. Influenced by both the American civil rights movement and the Korean progressiveminjungideology,Take Me Homeis among several popular radio programs and novels that helped spark this transpacific movement by critiquing US hegemony and Korean state nationalism and by reimagining the figure of thetongp'oin the context of a nascent pan-Korean consciousness. This article traces how thetongp'ois foregrounded, constructed, and ultimately saved inTake Me Homeand argues that the radio novel's sonic imagination played a crucial role in broadcasting solidarity across the Pacific.
Semi-analytic model for the electromagnetic field of a current-driven antenna in a cold, magnetized plasma
Authors: Robertson J.
Published: July 2020

In this semi-analytic study we develop a mathematical model for determining the electromagnetic field due to a current-driven antenna immersed in a cold, magnetized plasma, valid for frequencies below the electron plasma frequency. At each point in the plasma, it is shown that the vacuum electric field of the antenna couples to the plasma conductivity tensor and acts as an infinitesimal source term to drive plasma currents – the total field is then found from the aggregate sum of these point sources, expressed as an integral across the vacuum field. A general solution is provided for both azimuthally symmetric cylindrical coordinates as well as a fully generalized Cartesian solution. As an example of how this general solution may be applied, we solve for the field due to an electric dipole antenna of length

$\ell$

, aligned along the background field, at frequencies below the ion cyclotron frequency. It is found that the near field decays exponentially with increasing

$k_{\bot }z$

, whereas the far field exhibits wave-like behaviour. The radiation zone exhibits propagation cones emanating from either end of the dipole, with a propagation angle that is consistent with past analytic studies of inertial Alfvén waves. The mathematical model presented here may be advantageous over other numerical methods, as it allows the user to solve parts of the problems analytically, thereby cutting down significantly on computation time, as well as offering physical insight into the system that may not be evident with other numerical solvers.
Diagnosing collisionless energy transfer using field–particle correlations: Alfvén-ion cyclotron turbulence
Authors: Klein Kristopher G. , Howes Gregory G. , TenBarge Jason M. , Valentini Francesco
Published: July 2020

We apply field–particle correlations – a technique that tracks the time-averaged velocity-space structure of the energy density transfer rate between electromagnetic fields and plasma particles – to data drawn from a hybrid Vlasov–Maxwell simulation of Alfvén-ion cyclotron turbulence. Energy transfer in this system is expected to include both Landau and cyclotron wave–particle resonances, unlike previous systems to which the field–particle correlation technique has been applied. In this simulation, the energy transfer rate mediated by the parallel electric field

$E_{\Vert }$

comprises approximately 60 % of the total rate, with the remainder mediated by the perpendicular electric field

$E_{\bot }$

. The parallel electric field resonantly couples to protons, with the canonical bipolar velocity-space signature of Landau damping identified at many points throughout the simulation. The energy transfer mediated by

$E_{\bot }$

preferentially couples to particles with

$v_{tp}\lesssim v_{\bot }\lesssim 3v_{tp}$

, where

$v_{tp}$

is the proton thermal speed, in agreement with the expected formation of a cyclotron diffusion plateau. Our results demonstrate clearly that the field–particle correlation technique can distinguish distinct channels of energy transfer using single-point measurements, even at points in which multiple channels act simultaneously, and can be used to determine quantitatively the rates of particle energization in each channel.
Theistic modal realism and causal modal collapse
Authors: MAIA NUNO
Published: July 2020

Theistic modal realism argues for an extension of Lewis's modal realism capable of accommodating a theistic God. By affording elegant solutions to many atheistic challenges, the view is of great theoretical utility for the theist. However, it has been objected that within a Lewisian framework God cannot be causally efficacious on pain of collapsing intuitively distinct modal notions. In this article I explain why these worries are ill-founded and show how God's existence and causal power over the pluriverse can be consistently understood. If successful, the proposal offers a congenial theistic way to adopt modal realism and address the atheological problems.
Challenging generalisations: Leveraging the power of individuality in support group interactions
Authors: Pino Marco
Published: July 2020

Explicit generalisations are statements that attribute a characteristic to all members of a social category (e.g. drug users). This article examines the tensions and negotiations that the use of generalisations prompts within support group interactions. Generalisations are practices for the cautious implementation of delicate actions. They can be used to convey perspectives on group members’ experiences by implication (without commenting on them directly), by virtue of those members belonging to the category to which a generalisation applies. At the same time, generalisations can misrepresent some individual cases within that category. Using conversation analysis, the article investigates how generalisations are deployed, challenged, and then defended in support group interactions. These analyses identify a tension between utilising the sense-making resources that category memberships afford, and the protection of its members from unwelcome generalisations. Data consist of recorded support-group meetings for people recovering from drug addiction (in Italy) and for bereaved people (in the UK). (Bereavement, conversation analysis, delicacy, drug addiction, generalisation, individuality, membership categorisation, morality, support groups)*
Speech cues to deception in bilinguals
Authors: McDonald Margarethe , Mormer Elizabeth , Kaushanskaya Margarita
Published: July 2020

Acoustic cues to deception on a picture-naming task were analyzed in three groups of English speakers: monolinguals, bilinguals with English as their first language, and bilinguals with English as a second language. Results revealed that all participants had longer reaction times when generating falsehoods than when producing truths, and that the effect was more robust for English as a second language bilinguals than for the other two groups. Articulation rate was higher for all groups when producing lies. Mean fundamental frequency and intensity cues were not reliable cues to deception, but there was lower variance in both of these parameters when generating false versus true labels for all participants. Results suggest that naming latency was the only cue to deception that differed by language background. These findings broadly support the cognitive-load theory of deception, suggesting that a combination of producing deceptive speech and using a second language puts an extra load on the speaker.
Epidemiological study ofTrichosporon asahiiinfections over the past 23 years
Authors: Li Haitao , Guo Meihong , Wang Congmin , Li Yibo , Fernandez Anne Marie , Ferraro Thomas N. , Yang Rongya , Chen Yong
Published: July 2020

Trichosporon is a yeast-like basidiomycete, a conditional pathogenic fungus that is rare in the clinic but often causes fatal infections in immunocompromised individuals.Trichosporon asahiiis the most common pathogenic fungus in this genus and the occurrence of infections has dramatically increased in recent years. Here, we report a systematic literature review detailing 140 cases ofT. asahiiinfection reported during the past 23 years. Statistical analysis shows thatT. asahiiinfections were most frequently reported within immunodeficient or immunocompromised patients commonly with blood diseases. Antibiotic use, invasive medical equipment and chemotherapy were the leading risk factors for acquiring infection.In vitrosusceptibility, clinical information and prognosis analysis showed that voriconazole is the primary drug of choice in the treatment ofT. asahiiinfection. Combination treatment with voriconazole and amphotericin B did not show superiority over either drug alone. Finally, we found that the types of infections prevalent in China are significantly different from those in other countries. These results provide detailed information and relevant clinical treatment strategies for the diagnosis and treatment ofT. asahiiinfection.
A culture-sensitive semi-quantitative FFQ for use among the adult population in Nairobi, Kenya: development, validity and reproducibility
Authors: Vila-Real Catarina , Pimenta-Martins Ana , Magu Jack-Susan , Kunyanga Catherine , Mbugua Samuel , Katina Kati , Maina Ndegwa H , Gomes Ana MP , Pinto Elisabete
Published: July 2020

Objective:

To develop a semi-quantitative FFQ and to evaluate its validity and reproducibility for the assessment of total dietary intake of Kenyan urban adult population, given its non-existence in Kenya.

Design:

The current study adopted a cross-sectional design. A culture-sensitive semi-quantitative FFQ was developed and its validity was tested relative to three non-consecutive 24-h recalls (24hR). Reproducibility was tested by the test–retest method, with a 3-week interval. Spearman’s correlation coefficients and intra-class correlation coefficients were calculated for several macro- and micronutrients. Cross-classification into quartiles and Bland and Altman plots were analysed.

Setting:

Nairobi county (Dagoreti South and Starehe constituencies).

Participants:

A convenient sample was recruited in three different clusters in Nairobi.

Results:

A culture-sensitive 123-food-item semi-quantitative FFQ showed higher nutrient intakes compared with the 24hR (total energy median 12543·632 v. 8501·888 kJ, P < 0·001). Energy-adjusted and deattenuated Spearman’s correlations for macronutrients ranged between 0·21 (total fat) and 0·47 (protein). The agreement in the same quartile varied from 28 % (protein) to 41 % (carbohydrates). Including adjacent quartiles, the range increased: 76 % (protein and fat) to 81 % (carbohydrates). The extreme disagreement was low. The first FFQ application resulted in higher mean values for all nutrients compared with the second FFQ (total energy median 12459·952 v. 10485·104 kJ, P < 0·001). Energy-adjusted correlations for macronutrients ranged from 0·28 (carbohydrates) to 0·61 (protein). Intra-class correlation coefficients for macronutrients were moderate, between 0·6 and 0·7.

Conclusions:

The developed semi-quantitative FFQ was shown to be a valid and reproducible tool for ranking urban adult Kenyans according to their dietary intake.
The EU’sEnfants Terribles: Democratic Backsliding in Central Europe since 2010
Authors: Bakke Elisabeth , Sitter Nick
Published: July 2020

In the academic literature, Hungary and Poland are often cited as paradigmatic cases of democratic backsliding. However, as the backsliding narrative gained traction, the term has been applied to the rest of the post-communist region, including the Czech Republic and Slovakia. We suggest that this diagnosis is in part based on conceptual stretching, and set out to rescue the concept as an analytical tool. We then assess the extent of backsliding in the four Visegrád countries, explaining backsliding (and the relative lack of it) in terms of motive, opportunity, and the strength or weakness of opposing or constraining forces. We conclude that the situation is not as desperate as some commentators would have it: democratic backsliding in Hungary and Poland was contingent on a few exceptional factors, and EU leaders therefore need not be paralysed by the fear of contagion when they contemplate forceful action against backsliding member states.
Navigating to Subsistence: The Gendered Struggles in the Postwar Everyday and Their Implications for Peace
Authors: Stavrevska Elena B.
Published: July 2020

In developing a feminist analysis of postwar political economic practices and institutions, my contribution builds on previous Critical Perspectives forums in following Cynthia Enloe's call (2015, 438) to make sense of people's gendered political lives while embracing their “messiness” and Rahel Kunz's (2017) argument for placing life stories at the center of analysis. It focuses on the everyday life of female petty traders involved in the coping economy in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), including those working at the (in)famous Arizona market in Brčko. By taking postwar gendered everyday experiences seriously, my contribution highlights the need for a gender-just, holistic approach to designing postwar reparative justice measures, labor market interventions, and integration of coping economic practices.
Fractal antennas and arrays: a review and recent developments
Authors: Karmakar Anirban
Published: July 2020

In mathematical definition, a fractal is a self-similar subset of Euclidean space whose fractal dimension strictly exceeds its topological dimension which in turn involves a recursive generating methodology that results in contours with infinitely intricate fine structures. Fractal geometry has been used to model complex natural objects such as clouds coastlines, etc., that has space-filling properties. In the past years, several groups of scientists around the globe tried to implement the structure of fractal geometry for applications in the field of electromagnetism, which led to the development of new innovative antenna configurations called “fractal antennas” which is primarily focused in fractal antenna elements, and fractal antenna arrays. It has been demonstrated that by exploiting the recursive nature of fractals, several marvellous kinds of properties can be observed in antennas and arrays. The primary focus of this article is to provide a compressed overview of the developments in fractal-shaped antennas as well as arrays over the last few decades where the most prominent contributions mostly from IEEE journals have been highlighted. The open intention of this review work is to show an encouraging path to antenna researchers for its advancement using fractal geometries.
AT_HOME – Aufsuchende Therapie zu Hause, Originell, Mobil, Effektiv
Authors: Gehrig Martin , Kaess Michael
Published: July 2020

Zusammenfassung. Die aufsuchende Behandlung durch mobile Equipen respektive durch „Home Treatment“ wird in fachlichen und politischen Kreisen vielseitig diskutiert, ist jedoch bisher nur in wenigen psychiatrischen Institutionen ein etabliertes Behandlungsangebot. Die Universitätsklinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und Psychotherapie der Universitären Psychiatrischen Dienste (UPD) Bern macht einen nächsten Schritt. Dort wird ein Modellversuch für eine stationsersetzende aufsuchende Akutbehandlung zu Hause entwickelt, implementiert und evaluiert. Dieses neue Angebot für die Versorgungsregion Bern (Schweiz) und das damit entstandene „neue“ Praxisfeld für die Pflege und Sozialpädagogik werden hier vorgestellt.
The Seismic Hush of the Coronavirus
Authors: Duncombe Jenessa
Published: July 2020

Scientists are listening for faint natural signals during the quiet of coronavirus lockdowns.
Correction: Shedding a new light on Huntington’s disease: how blood can both propagate and ameliorate disease pathology
Authors: Rieux Marie , Alpaugh Melanie , Sciacca Giacomo , Saint-Pierre Martine , Masnata Maria , Denis Hélèna L. , Lévesque Sébastien A. , Herrmann Frank , Bazenet Chantal , Garneau Alexandre P. , Isenring Paul , Truant Ray , Oueslati Abid , Gould Peter V. , Ast Anne , Wanker Erich E. , Lacroix Steve , Cicchetti Francesca
Published: July 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Termite mounds contain soil-derived methanotroph communities kinetically adapted to elevated methane concentrations
Authors: Chiri Eleonora , Greening Chris , Lappan Rachael , Waite David W , Jirapanjawat Thanavit , Dong Xiyang , Arndt Stefan K , Nauer Philipp A
Published: July 2020

Termite mounds have recently been confirmed to mitigate approximately half of termite methane (CH4) emissions, but the aerobic CH4 oxidising bacteria (methanotrophs) responsible for this consumption have not been resolved. Here, we describe the abundance, composition and CH4 oxidation kinetics of the methanotroph communities in the mounds of three distinct termite species sampled from Northern Australia. Results from three independent methods employed show that methanotrophs are rare members of microbial communities in termite mounds, with a comparable abundance but distinct composition to those of adjoining soil samples. Across all mounds, the most abundant and prevalent methane monooxygenase sequences were affiliated with upland soil cluster α (USCα), with sequences homologous to Methylocystis and tropical upland soil cluster (TUSC) also detected. The reconstruction of a metagenome-assembled genome of a mound USCα representative highlighted the metabolic capabilities of this group of methanotrophs. The apparent Michaelis–Menten kinetics of CH4 oxidation in mounds were estimated from in situ reaction rates. Methane affinities of the communities were in the low micromolar range, which is one to two orders of magnitude higher than those of upland soils, but significantly lower than those measured in soils with a large CH4 source such as landfill cover soils. The rate constant of CH4 oxidation, as well as the porosity of the mound material, were significantly positively correlated with the abundance of methanotroph communities of termite mounds. We conclude that termite-derived CH4 emissions have selected for distinct methanotroph communities that are kinetically adapted to elevated CH4 concentrations. However, factors other than substrate concentration appear to limit methanotroph abundance and hence these bacteria only partially mitigate termite-derived CH4 emissions. Our results also highlight the predominant role of USCα in an environment with elevated CH4 concentrations and suggest a higher functional diversity within this group than previously recognised.
Exercise as a protective mechanism against the negative effects of oxidative stress in first-episode psychosis: a biomarker-led study
Authors: Fisher Emily , Wood Stephen J. , Elsworthy Richard J. , Upthegrove Rachel , Aldred Sarah
Published: July 2020

First-episode psychosis (FEP) is a psychiatric disorder, characterised by positive and negative symptoms, usually emerging during adolescence and early adulthood. FEP represents an early intervention opportunity for intervention in psychosis. Redox disturbance and subsequent oxidative stress have been linked to the pathophysiology of FEP. Exercise training can perturb oxidative stress and rebalance the antioxidant system and thus represents an intervention with the potential to interact with a mechanism of disease. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of exercise on markers of redox status in FEP. Twenty-two young men were recruited from Birmingham Early Intervention services and randomised to either a 12-week exercise programme or treatment as usual (control). Measures of blood and brain glutathione (GSH), markers of oxidative damage, inflammation, neuronal health, symptomology and habitual physical activity were assessed. Exercise training was protective against changes related to continued psychosis. Symptomatically, those in the exercise group showed reductions in positive and general psychopathology, and stable negative symptoms (compared to increased negative symptoms in the control group). Peripheral GSH was increased by 5.6% in the exercise group, compared to a significant decrease (24.4%) (p = 0.04) in the control group. Exercise attenuated negative changes in markers of neuronal function (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), lipid damage (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances) and total antioxidant capacity. C-reactive protein and tumour necrosis factor-α also decreased in the exercise group, although protein and DNA oxidation were unchanged. Moderate-intensity exercise training has the ability to elicit changes in markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant concentration, with subsequent improvements in symptoms of psychosis.
Anlotinib suppresses tumor progression via blocking the VEGFR2/PI3K/AKT cascade in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Song Fei , Hu Bo , Cheng Jian-Wen , Sun Yun-Fan , Zhou Kai-Qian , Wang Peng-Xiang , Guo Wei , Zhou Jian , Fan Jia , Chen Zhong , Yang Xin-Rong
Published: July 2020

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a malignant tumor derived from bile duct epithelium. Its characteristics include an insidious onset and frequent recurrence or metastasis after surgery. Current chemotherapies and molecular target therapies provide only modest survival benefits to patients with ICC. Anlotinib is a novel multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitor that has good antitumor effects in a variety of solid tumors. However, there are few studies of anlotinib-associated mechanisms and use as a treatment in ICC. In this study using in vitro experiments, we found that anlotinib had significant effects on proliferation inhibition, migration and invasion restraint, and cell-cycle arrestment. Anlotinib treatment affected induction of apoptosis and the mesenchymal–epithelial transition. Patient-derived xenograft models generated directly from patients with ICC revealed that anlotinib treatment dramatically hindered in vivo tumor growth. We also examined anlotinib’s mechanism of action using transcriptional profiling. We found that anlotinib treatment might mainly inhibit tumor cell proliferation and invasion and promote apoptosis via cell-cycle arrestment by inactivating the VEGF/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, as evidenced by significantly decreased phosphorylation levels of these kinases. The activation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) can subsequently activate PI3K/AKT signaling. We identified VEGRF2 as the main target of anlotinib. High VEGFR2 expression might serve as a promising indicator when used to predict a favorable therapeutic response. Taken together, these results indicated that anlotinib had excellent antitumor activity in ICC, mainly via inhibiting the phosphorylation level of VEGFR2 and subsequent inactivation of PIK3/AKT signaling. This work provides evidence and a rationale for using anlotinib to treat patients with ICC in the future.
Crosstalk between noncoding RNAs and ferroptosis: new dawn for overcoming cancer progression
Authors: Zhang Xuefei , Wang Lingling , Li Haixia , Zhang Lei , Zheng Xiulan , Cheng Wen
Published: July 2020

Cancer progression including proliferation, metastasis, and chemoresistance has become a serious hindrance to cancer therapy. This phenomenon mainly derives from the innate insensitive or acquired resistance of cancer cells to apoptosis. Ferroptosis is a newly discovered mechanism of programmed cell death characterized by peroxidation of the lipid membrane induced by reactive oxygen species. Ferroptosis has been confirmed to eliminate cancer cells in an apoptosis-independent manner, however, the specific regulatory mechanism of ferroptosis is still unknown. The use of ferroptosis for overcoming cancer progression is limited. Noncoding RNAs have been found to play an important roles in cancer. They regulate gene expression to affect biological processes of cancer cells such as proliferation, cell cycle, and cell death. Thus far, the functions of ncRNAs in ferroptosis of cancer cells have been examined, and the specific mechanisms by which noncoding RNAs regulate ferroptosis have been partially discovered. However, there is no summary of ferroptosis associated noncoding RNAs and their functions in different cancer types. In this review, we discuss the roles of ferroptosis-associated noncoding RNAs in detail. Moreover, future work regarding the interaction between noncoding RNAs and ferroptosis is proposed, the possible obstacles are predicted and associated solutions are put forward. This review will deepen our understanding of the relationship between noncoding RNAs and ferroptosis, and provide new insights in targeting noncoding RNAs in ferroptosis associated therapeutic strategies.
Pyroptosis and ferroptosis induced by mixed lineage kinase 3 (MLK3) signaling in cardiomyocytes are essential for myocardial fibrosis in response to pressure overload
Authors: Wang Junyan , Deng Bo , Liu Qing , Huang Yusheng , Chen Weitao , Li Jing , Zhou Zheng , Zhang Lu , Liang Birong , He Jiaqi , Chen Zixin , Yan Cui , Yang Zhongqi , Xian Shaoxiang , Wang Lingjun
Published: July 2020

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is the final outcome of many cardiovascular diseases, and is a severe health issue faced by the elderly population. Mixed lineage kinase 3 (MLK3), a member of MAP3K family, is associated with aging, inflammation, oxidative stress, and related diseases, such as CHF. MLK3 has also been reported to play an important role in protecting against cardiomyocyte injury; however, its function in myocardial fibrosis is unknown. To investigate the role of MLK3 in myocardial fibrosis, we inhibited the expression of MLK3, and examined cardiac function and remodeling in TAC mice. In addition, we assessed the expression of MLK3 protein in ventricular cells and its downstream associated protein. We found that MLK3 mainly regulates NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway-mediated inflammation and that pyroptosis causes myocardial fibrosis in the early stages of CHF. Similarly, MLK3 mainly regulates the JNK/p53 signaling pathway-mediated oxidative stress and that ferroptosis causes myocardial fibrosis in the advanced stages of CHF. We also found that promoting the expression of miR-351 can inhibit the expression of MLK3, and significantly improve cardiac function in mice subjected to TAC. These results suggest the pyroptosis and ferroptosis induced by MLK3 signaling in cardiomyocytes are essential for adverse myocardial fibrosis, in response to pressure overload. Furthermore, miR-351, which has a protective effect on ventricular remodeling in heart failure caused by pressure overload, may be a key target for the regulation of MLK3.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Upregulation of OSBPL3 by HIF1A promotes colorectal cancer progression through activation of RAS signaling pathway
Authors: Jiao Hong-li , Weng Bin-shu , Yan Shan-shan , Lin Zi-mo , Wang Shu-yang , Chen Xiao-ping , Liang Guang-hua , Li Xiao-Qing , Zhao Wei-yi , Huang Jia-Yi , Zhang Dan , Zhang Ling-jie , Han Fang-yi , Li Sheng-nan , Chen Li-jie , Zhu Jiong-hua , He Wen-feng , Ding Yan-qing , Ye Ya-ping
Published: July 2020

Oxysterol-binding protein like protein 3 (OSBPL3) has been shown involving in the development of several human cancers. However, the relationship between OSBPL3 and colorectal cancer (CRC), particularly the role of OSBPL3 in the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of CRC remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of OSBPL3 in CRC and found that its expression was significantly higher in CRC tissues than that in normal tissues. In addition, high expression of OSBPL3 was closely related to poor differentiation, advanced TNM stage and poor prognosis of CRC. Further experiments showed that over-expression of OSBPL3 promoted the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of CRC in vitro and in vivo models. Moreover, we revealed that OSBPL3 promoted CRC progression through activation of RAS signaling pathway. Furthermore, we demonstrated that hypoxia induced factor 1 (HIF-1A) can regulate the expression of OSBPL3 via binding to the hypoxia response element (HRE) in the promoter of OSBPL3. In summary, Upregulation of OSBPL3 by HIF1A promotes colorectal cancer progression through activation of RAS signaling pathway. This novel mechanism provides a comprehensive understanding of both OSBPL3 and the RAS signaling pathway in the progression of CRC and indicates that the HIF1A–OSBPL3–RAS axis is a potential target for early therapeutic intervention in CRC progression.