bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of thrombocytopenia in adult critical care patients in China
Authors:   on behalf of the Critical Care Medicine Committee of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA); Chinese Society of Laboratory Medicine, Chinese Medical Association, Song Jing-Chun , Liu Shu-Yuan , Zhu Feng , Wen Ai-Qing , Ma Lin-Hao , Li Wei-Qin , Wu Jun
Published: April 2020

Thrombocytopenia is a common complication of critical care patients. The rates of bleeding events and mortality are also significantly increased in critical care patients with thrombocytopenia. Therefore, the Critical Care Medicine Committee of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) worked with Chinese Society of Laboratory Medicine, Chinese Medical Association to develop this consensus to provide guidance for clinical practice. The consensus includes five sections and 27 items: the definition of thrombocytopenia, etiology and pathophysiology, diagnosis and differential diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
Globeville: the neighborhood that shapes the learning environment for BFLA Spanish-English Mexican Americans
Authors: Nalls Irdawati Bay
Published: April 2020

Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological model is a theory of educational psychology that studies human development over time. Drawing on Bronfenbrenner’s early theory on ecological systems, this paper focuses on the Mesosystem and Exosystem – environments in which Bilingual First Language Acquisition (BFLA) Spanish-English Mexican American children develop. It can also be regarded as a research on the immigrant community, as this paper looks at BFLA Spanish-English Mexican American bilinguals at an elementary school in Denver Public Schools (DPS), Colorado. As a marginalized immigrant community in America, their voices tell a story of their struggles, as they acculturate in America through their attempt to blend heritage, societal languages, and cultural practices. Globeville, a neighborhood located in North Denver, is home to many BFLA Spanish-English Mexican Americans. It shapes their growth, repositioning, and struggles as they learn to assimilate and acculturate in order to be accepted. Using historiography as a methodology, Globeville became the data itself, presenting a different kind of learning environment that promotes growth despite the odds.
Temporal and spatial variations of vegetation in a riparian zone of South Korea
Authors: Park Hyekyung , Kim Jae Geun
Published: April 2020

Understanding vegetation structure and the relationship with environmental factors has been crucial for restoration and conservation of riparian zones. In this study, we conducted field survey in a riparian zone of Namhan River in South Korea both before and after flooding in order to understand temporal and spatial variations of riparian vegetation. There were significant temporal and spatial variations in species composition, and distribution patterns of vegetation were different along a gradient of elevation above the water level. At low elevation, Zizania latifolia was dominant throughout the field survey periods, and Bidens frondosa began to grow late and dominated both in post-flooding 1 and 2. Prior to flooding, Scirpus radicans and Polygonum thunbergii were widely distributed at middle elevation, while Artemisia vulgaris, Phragmites australis, and Miscanthus sacchariflorus were dominant at high elevation. After flooding, P. thunbergii was dominant at middle elevation with most other species decreasing, and more invasive or pioneer plants, including Artemisia princeps, H. scandens, and Sicyos angulatus, were observed at high elevation. Species composition and distribution patterns were homogeneous at low elevation, whereas dynamic variations of vegetation were observed both temporally and spatially at higher elevations. Elevation and distance from the water front were the most principal factors governing vegetation structure. Furthermore, soil physicochemical properties were also found to determine species composition and distribution patterns. These results indicate that vegetation structure in the riparian zones is formed by the combined effects of hydrological regime and soil physicochemical properties, inherent characteristics of species, and interspecific competition. Understanding of temporal and spatial variations of riparian vegetation may provide useful insights into ecological restoration and conservation of the vegetation within the riparian zones.
Susceptibility of different tomato, Solanum lycopersicum L., varieties to infestation with some insect pests in Egypt
Authors: Mahmoud Youssef Ahmed , Ebadah Ibrahim Mohamed Abd El-Monem , Attwa Wedad , Moawad Sayed , Omar Neama , El-Wahab Tarek Essa Abd , Sadek Hanaa
Published: April 2020

Background

Tomato,Solanum lycopersicum L(=Lycopersicon esculentumMiller), is one of the most economically important crops in the world. In Egypt, tomato is infested with different pests causing damages in both quantity and quality of the yields. Six varieties of tomato, ‘Strain B,’ ‘Beto’, ‘El bandora,’ ‘GS,’ ‘Casterlok,’ and ‘Super strain B’, were evaluated for their susceptibility to some insect pest infestations during summer plantation under field conditions.

Results

According to the infestation withTuta absoluta, the highly susceptible varieties that received the highest number of eggs were El bandora, followed by Strain B, while Super strain was the lowest. The obtained results indicated that the tomato Super strain B variety had much tolerance to the infestation byT. absoluta. GS variety recorded the highest mean number of eggs deposited byPhthorimaea operculella, but no eggs were observed on the leaves of El bandora and Super strain B varieties. Results also indicated that mean number ofLiriomyza trifoliilarvae/20 leaflets was the highest in Strain B and GS varieties. Strain B variety recorded the highest mean number ofBemisia tabacieggs and nymphs/20leaflets than GS, which recorded the lowest value. Casterlok variety had the lowest mean number ofAphis gossypii,while, Super strain B and Strain B recorded the highest values.

Conclusions

Generally, all the six tested varieties were susceptible to infestation with several insect pests. The most susceptible variety was Strain B, followed by El bandora and GS while the lowest ones were the varieties Beto 86 and Super strain B.
Promising applications of aggregation-induced emission luminogens in organic optoelectronic devices
Authors: Yu Maoxing , Huang Ruishan , Guo Jingjing , Zhao Zujin , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: April 2020

Since the first report of aggregation-induced emission (AIE) concept in 2001, it has received intense attentions from academy and industry because of its important applications in diverse research fronts. Up to now, the luminogens with AIE property (AIEgens) have been widely used in optoelectronic devices, fluorescent bioprobes and chemosensors, and researchers have also committed to exploring the potentials of AIEgens in other cross-cutting areas. The AIEgens have shown superior advantages such as highly efficient emissions in the aggregated state and thus exhibited better performances in comparison with traditional luminescent materials whose emissions are usually quenched upon aggregate formation. In view of the significant achievements of AIEgens in recent years, this review presents representative advancements of AIEgens for the applications in organic optoelectronic devices, mainly including organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) devices, electrofluorochromic (EFC) devices, luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs), and liquid crystal displays (LCDs). Not only the design strategies of AIEgens for these optoelectronic devices are analyzed, but also their structure-property relationship and working mechanism are elucidated. It is foreseeable that robust AIEgens with specific functionalities will find more and more applications in various research fields and play an increasingly important role in high-tech devices.
Environmental technology and a multiple approach of competitiveness
Authors: Salem Milad Abdelnabi , Shawtari Fekri , Hussain Hafezali Bin Iqbal , Shamsudin Mohd Farid
Published: April 2020

This paper investigates the relationships between environmental technology and competitiveness focusing on 224 industrial corporations. To date, there is still a debate regarding the benefits of being green. Previous literature has investigated this relationship mostly in developed countries. Additionally, the majority of these studies do not disaggregate the environmental practices and competitiveness. Less attention has been given to the environmental issues in developing countries. This study aims to fill these gaps by breaking down the environmental technology into two processes and products-focused practices and investigating their effects on the multiple approaches of competitiveness represented by image-, profits-, and satisfaction-related aspects of competitiveness. The study adopts a cross-sectional study using a self-reported questionnaire. The collected data are analysed using structural equation modelling technique based on AMOS methods. The results revealed that only products-focused practices could improve the three dimensions of competitiveness. The processes-focused practices did not contribute to any of the competitiveness aspects. Such results provide new insight for the application of resource-based view theory in green-based developing countries.
Economic burden of maternal depression among women with a low income in Cape Town, South Africa
Authors: Cleary Susan , Orangi Stacey , Garman Emily , Tabani Hanani , Schneider Marguerite , Lund Crick
Published: April 2020

Background

Maternal depression is a notable concern, yet little evidence exists on its economic burden in low- and middle-income countries.

Aims

This study assessed societal costs and economic outcomes across pregnancy to 12 months postpartum comparing women with depression with those without depression. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01977326 (registered on 24 October 2013); Pan African Clinical Trials Registry (www.pactr.org): PACTR201403000676264 (registered on 11 October 2013).

Method

Participants were recruited during the first antenatal visit to primary care clinics in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. In total, 2187 women were screened, and 419 women who were psychologically distressed were retained in the study. Women were interviewed at baseline, 8 months gestation and at 3 and 12 months postpartum; the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression was used to categorise women as having depression or not having depression at each interview. Collected data included sociodemographics; health service costs; user fees; opportunity costs of accessing care; and travelling expenses for the women and their child(ren). Using Markov modelling, the incremental economic burden of maternal depression was estimated across the period.

Results

At 12 months postpartum, women with depression were significantly more likely to be unemployed, to have lower per capita household income, to incur catastrophic costs and to be in a poorer socioeconomic group than those women without depression. Costs were higher for women with depression and their child(ren) at all time points. Modelled provider costs were US$805 among women without depression versus US$1303 in women with depression.

Conclusions

Economic costs and outcomes were worse in perinatal women with depression. The development of interventions to reduce this burden is therefore of significant policy importance.
History of psychiatry in the curriculum? History is part of life and life is part of history: why psychiatrists need to understand it better
Authors: Ash Graham , Hilton Claire , Freudenthal Robert , Stephenson Thomas , Ikkos George
Published: April 2020

The General Medical Council has introduced a generic professional capabilities framework. It includes the need to develop the professional values, actions and aspirations fundamental to becoming a ‘dedicated doctor’. The history of psychiatry has potential to facilitate this learning, both by an understanding of content and the ability to think historically.
Management of Hereditary Breast Cancer: American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society for Radiation Oncology, and Society of Surgical Oncology Guideline
Authors: Tung Nadine M. , Boughey Judy C. , Pierce Lori J. , Robson Mark E. , Bedrosian Isabelle , Dietz Jill R. , Dragun Anthony , Gelpi Judith Balmana , Hofstatter Erin W. , Isaacs Claudine J. , Jatoi Ismail , Kennedy Elaine , Litton Jennifer K. , Mayr Nina A. , Qamar Rubina D. , Trombetta Mark G. , Harvey Brittany E. , Somerfield Mark R. , Zakalik Dana
Published: April 2020

PURPOSE

To develop recommendations for management of patients with breast cancer (BC) with germline mutations in BC susceptibility genes.

METHODS

The American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society for Radiation Oncology, and Society of Surgical Oncology convened an Expert Panel to develop recommendations based on a systematic review of the literature and a formal consensus process.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight articles met eligibility criteria and formed the evidentiary basis for the local therapy recommendations; six randomized controlled trials of systemic therapy met eligibility criteria.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Patients with newly diagnosed BC and BRCA1/ 2 mutations may be considered for breast-conserving therapy (BCT), with local control of the index cancer similar to that of noncarriers. The significant risk of a contralateral BC (CBC), especially in young women, and the higher risk of new cancers in the ipsilateral breast warrant discussion of bilateral mastectomy. Patients with mutations in moderate-risk genes should be offered BCT. For women with mutations in BRCA1/ 2 or moderate-penetrance genes who are eligible for mastectomy, nipple-sparing mastectomy is a reasonable approach. There is no evidence of increased toxicity or CBC events from radiation exposure in BRCA1/ 2 carriers. Radiation therapy should not be withheld in ATM carriers. For patients with germline TP53 mutations, mastectomy is advised; radiation therapy is contraindicated except in those with significant risk of locoregional recurrence. Platinum agents are recommended versus taxanes to treat advanced BC in BRCA carriers. In the adjuvant/neoadjuvant setting, data do not support the routine addition of platinum to anthracycline- and taxane-based chemotherapy. Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors (olaparib and talazoparib) are preferable to nonplatinum single-agent chemotherapy for treatment of advanced BC in BRCA1/ 2 carriers. Data are insufficient to recommend PARP inhibitor use in the early setting or in moderate-penetrance carriers. Additional information available at www.asco.org/breast-cancer-guidelines .
ESR1 Mutations Associated With Estrogen Insensitivity Syndrome Change Conformation of Ligand-Receptor Complex and Altered Transcriptome Profile
Authors: Li Yin , Hamilton Katherine J , Perera Lalith , Wang Tianyuan , Gruzdev Artiom , Jefferson Tanner B , Zhang Austin X , Mathura Emilie , Gerrish Kevin E , Wharey Laura , Martin Negin P , Li Jian-Liang , Korach Kenneth S
Published: April 2020

Estrogen insensitivity syndrome (EIS) arises from rare mutations in estrogen receptor-α (ERα, encoded by ESR1 gene) resulting in the inability of estrogen to exert its biological effects. Due to its rarity, mutations in ESR1 gene and the underlying molecular mechanisms of EIS have not been thoroughly studied. Here, we investigate known ESR1 mutants, Q375H and R394H, associated with EIS patients using in vitro and in vivo systems. Comparison of the transcriptome and deoxyribonucleic acid methylome from stable cell lines of both Q375H and R394H clinical mutants shows a differential profile compared with wild-type ERα, resulting in loss of estrogen responsiveness. Molecular dynamic simulation shows that both ESR1 mutations change the ERα conformation of the ligand-receptor complexes. Furthermore, we generated a mouse model Esr1-Q harboring the human mutation using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. Female and male Esr1-Q mice are infertile and have similar phenotypes to αERKO mice. Overall phenotypes of the Esr1-Q mice correspond to those observed in the patient with Q375H. Finally, we explore the effects of a synthetic progestogen and a gonadotropin-releasing hormone inhibitor in the Esr1-Q mice for potentially reversing the impaired female reproductive tract function. These findings provide an important basis for understanding the molecular mechanistic consequences associated with EIS.
Burden of disease due to hip, knee, and unspecified osteoarthritis in the Peruvian social health insurance system (EsSalud), 2016
Authors: Araujo-Castillo Roger V. , Culquichicón Carlos , Solis Condor Risof
Published: April 2020

Introduction: Since its introduction by the World Health Organization (WHO), the concept of burden of disease has been evolving. The current method uses life expectancy projected to 2050 and does not consider age-weighting and time-discounting. Our aim is to estimate the burden of disease due to hip, knee, and unspecified osteoarthritis using this new method in the Peruvian Social Health Insurance System (EsSalud) during 2016.

Methods: We followed the original 1994 WHO study and the current 2015 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) methods to estimate disability adjusted life years (DALY) due to osteoarthritis, categorized by sex, age, osteoarthritis type, and geographical area. We used disability weights employed by the Peruvian Ministry of Health, and the last update issued by WHO.

Results: Overall, EsSalud reported 17.9 new cases of osteoarthritis per 1000 patients per year. Annual incidence was 23.7/1000 among women, and 72.6/1000 in people above 60 years old. Incidence was 5.6/1000 for knee osteoarthritis and 1.1/1000 for hip. According to the 1994 WHO method, there were 399,884 DALYs or 36.6 DALYs/1000 patients per year due to osteoarthritis. 12.4 and 2.2 DALYs/1000 patients per-year were estimated for knee and hip osteoarthritis, respectively. Using the 2015 GBD method, there were 1,037,865 DALYs or 94.9 DALYs/1000 patients per year. 31.4 and 5.3 DALYs/1000 patients per year were calculated for knee and hip osteoarthritis, respectively.

Conclusions: In the Peruvian social health insurance subsystem, hip, knee, and unspecified osteoarthritis produced a high burden of disease, especially among women and patients over 60. The 2015 GBD methodology yields values almost three times higher than the original recommendations.
Mean Service Metrics: Biased Quality Judgment and the Customer–Server Quality Gap
Authors: Batt Robert J. , Tong Jordan D.
Published: April 2020

Problem definition: People often make service-quality judgments based on information about the quality of each server even though they care primarily about the quality each customer experiences. When and how do server-level quality metrics differ from customer-experienced ones? Can people properly account for these differences, or do they drive human judgment and decision biases? Academic/practical relevance: Biased judgments about service quality can cause governments to fund programs suboptimally, organizations to promote the wrong employees, and customers to make disappointing purchases. We further our understanding of the role that cognitive biases play in services and how to manage quality information in light of them. Methodology: We use a mathematical model to define the gap between server-level and customer-experienced quality metrics. We use secondary data in the context of the higher-education industry to quantify the customer–server quality gap in practice. We construct a behavioral model to derive hypotheses about how environmental factors impact the direction and magnitude of judgment biases. Controlled laboratory experiments test the hypothesized biases and mitigation techniques. Results: Our empirical study reveals that the two measures differ enough to drive significant differences in the rank order of school majors, teachers, and airports. Our experiments support our main conjecture that judgments and decisions about customer-experienced metrics are biased toward server-level metrics. Consequently, (1) judgments about customer-experienced quality are biased high/low when quality and server load are negatively/positively correlated, (2) judgments about a server’s absolute impact on customer experience are biased high/low when a server has a smaller/larger load than average, and (3) providing customer-experienced quality metrics mitigate these biases. Managerial implications: Our results help identify when and why service-quality metrics are likely to mislead judgments and bias decisions as well as who is likely to benefit from such biases. The results also guide system designers on how to report metrics when seeking to help support effective decision making.
Information Provision and Farmer Welfare in Developing Economies
Authors: Zhou Junjie , Fan Xiaoshuai , Chen Ying-Ju , Tang Christopher S.
Published: April 2020

Problem definition: To alleviate farmer poverty, governments and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are developing different mechanisms for disseminating market information to farmers in developing countries. This paper examines whether a wider dissemination of information will always benefit farmers. Academic/practical relevance: The characterization of the farmers’ equilibrium production decisions and the implications of information provision provide practical guidance for governments and NGOs when developing agricultural information services. Methodology: We develop an “asymmetric” two-stage game to analyze a base model in which n ≥ 4 heterogeneous farmers need to determine their production quantities when the underlying market condition is uncertain. Our base model relies on four key modeling assumptions: (1) farmers engage in Cournot (quantity) competition, (2) the social planner cares about farmers’ total income, (3) yields are deterministic, and (4) information service is publicly funded so that information access is free. We further examine alternative market environments by relaxing or changing these modeling assumptions separately. Results: Through the analysis of our base model, we find that providing information to only one farmer is optimal but providing information to all n farmers can be detrimental. In alternative market environments, we obtain the following results. First, when the information service is self-financed, we find that the “exclusivity” result no longer holds when farmers are heterogeneous (even though it holds for the case when farmers are homogeneous). Second, when yield rates are uncertain, we find it is optimal to disseminate to more farmers when the yield rates become more uncertain (in terms of coefficient of variation). Third, when the central planner only cares about creating economic value for those farmers with information access, it is optimal for the social planner to disseminate information to more farmers. Fourth, when farmers engage in Bertrand (price) competition, it is optimal to disseminate information to all n farmers. Managerial implications: By combining different results obtained under different market environments, we conclude that the optimal information provision policy depends on the competition type (Cournot or Bertrand competition), yield uncertainty, source of funding, and the social planner’s ultimate goal.
Promoting Solar Panel Investments: Feed-in-Tariff vs. Tax-Rebate Policies
Authors: Babich Volodymyr , Lobel Ruben , Yücel Şafak
Published: April 2020

Problem definition: Governments have adopted various subsidy policies to promote investment in renewable energy sources such as rooftop solar panels. The German government uses a feed-in-tariff policy that provides a guaranteed stream of payments for each unit of electricity generated by a household. In contrast, the U.S. government uses a tax-rebate policy that reduces the initial investment cost, and the household receives the retail price for the generated electricity. In this paper, we study the key practical factors that favor one policy over the other from the perspective of the government. These factors are the heterogeneity in the generating efficiency, the variability in the electricity price, and the variability in the investment cost. Academic relevance: Unlike the previous literature on the feed-in-tariff and tax-rebate policies, we focus on the effects of variability on a household’s investment timing. We identify the optimal policy for the government to manage the aggregate household investment, accounting for the heterogeneity in efficiency. Methodology: We consider an infinite-horizon, continuous-time model where the government moves first and announces either a feed-in tariff or a tax rebate. Then each household dynamically decides if and when to invest in a unit of solar panels. The objective of the government is to maximize the expected value of a subsidy policy, that is, the difference between the societal benefit of solar panel investments and the subsidy cost over time. Results: We characterize the timing of the investment decision of the households and the optimal subsidy parameters for the government. We identify which practical factors favor the feed-in-tariff or the tax-rebate policy. Policy implications: Our results suggest that a government should prefer the feed-in-tariff policy when the electricity price is highly uncertain. Intuitively, feed-in-tariff policy eliminates the price variability; thus, it removes the strategic delay in the investment. The tax-rebate policy should be adopted if the households are heterogeneous in generating efficiency, if the investment cost is highly variable, or if the price and cost uncertainty are positively correlated.
Superresolved space-dependent sensing of temporal signals by space multiplexing
Authors: Chen Gal , Asraf Sagie , Zalevsky Zeev
Published: April 2020

In this paper we present a novel, to the best of our knowledge, superresolved sensing concept aiming to improve the resolution of temporal signals obtained by applying space multiplexing. The system’s temporal resolution is limited due to the sensor’s time averaging. The proposed superresolution technique overcomes this time average and can therefore increase the system’s temporal resolution. In addition, we also show how to increase the temporal sampling rate, which also affects the temporal resolution. The proposed concept requires that the object will be fixed in space in order to apply the space multiplexing. It can especially be relevant for superresolving laser-based time-of-flight sensors and images as well as light detection and ranging (lidar) devices.
Equivalence of two optical quality metrics to predict the visual acuity of multifocal pseudophakic patients
Authors: Armengol Jesús , Garzón Nuria , Vega Fidel , Altemir Irene , Millán Maria S.
Published: April 2020

This article studies the relationship between two metrics, the area under the modulation transfer function (MTFa) and the energy efficiency (EE), and their ability to predict the visual quality of patients implanted with multifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs). The optical quality of IOLs is assessed in vitro using two metrics, the MTFa and EE. We measured them for three different multifocal IOLs with parabolic phase profile using image formation, through-focus (TF) scanning, three R, G, B wavelengths, and two pupils. We analyzed the correlation between MTFa and EE. In parallel, clinical defocus curves of visual acuity (VA) were measured and averaged from sets of patients implanted with the same IOLs. An excellent linear correlation was found between the MTFa and EE for the considered IOLs, wavelengths and pupils (R2 > 0.9). We computed the polychromatic TF-MTFa, TF-EE, and derived mathematical relationships between each metrics and clinical average VA. MTFa and EE proved to be equivalent metrics to characterize the optical quality of the studied multifocal IOLs and also in terms of clinical VA predictability.
Beam waist shrinkage of high-power broad-area diode lasers by mode tailoring
Authors: Su Jiaxin , Tong Cunzhu , Wang Lijie , Wang Yanjing , Lu Huanyu , Zhao Zhide , Wang Jun , Tan Shaoyang , Shu Shili , Wang LiJun
Published: April 2020

A new approach was proposed and its role in improvement of the beam quality of high-power broad-area diode lasers was demonstrated, in which a composite arrow array and trench microstructure was used to suppress the beam waist and tailor the high order lateral modes. The beam waist shows a special shrinkage with increasing injection current resulting from the combined effect of mode tailoring and the thermal lens effect. A 58% improvement in lateral beam parameter product was realized compared with conventional broad-area diode lasers.
Residual D2NN: training diffractive deep neural networks via learnable light shortcuts
Authors: Dou Hongkun , Deng Yue , Yan Tao , Wu Huaqiang , Lin Xing , Dai Qionghai
Published: April 2020

The diffractive deep neural network (

D

2

N
N

) has demonstrated its importance in performing various all-optical machine learning tasks, e.g.,  classification, segmentation, etc. However, deeper

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2

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s

that provide higher inference complexity are more difficult to train due to the problem of gradient vanishing. We introduce the residual

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s

(Res-

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), which enables us to train substantially deeper diffractive networks by constructing diffractive residual learning blocks to learn the residual mapping functions. Unlike the existing plain

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s

, Res-

D

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s

contribute to the design of a learnable light shortcut to directly connect the input and output between optical layers. Such a shortcut offers a direct path for gradient backpropagation in training, which is an effective way to alleviate the gradient vanishing issue on very deep diffractive neural networks. Experimental results on image classification and pixel super-resolution demonstrate the superiority of Res-

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over the existing plain

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architectures.
2  Gbps/3  m air–underwater optical wireless communication based on a single-layer quantum dot blue micro-LED
Authors: Wei Zixian , Zhang Li , Wang Lei , Chen Chien-Ju , Pepe Alberto , Liu Xin , Chen Kai-Chia , Wu Meng-Chyi , Dong Yuhan , Wang Lai , Luo Yi , Fu H. Y.
Published: April 2020

Blue/green light-emitting diodes (LEDs) show great potential in medium/short distance underwater optical wireless communication (UOWC) while suffering limited bandwidth caused by a long radiative recombination carrier lifetime and large resistance–capacitance (RC) constant. We designed, fabricated, and packaged a 75-µm single-layer quantum dot (QD) blue micro-LED with a record high modulation bandwidth up to 1.03 GHz. The single-layer structure of QD reduces the carrier lifetime and RC delay. A data rate of 2 Gbps over a 3-m air–underwater channel using a non-return-to-zero on–off-keying modulation format with a low bit-error rate of

2
.
03
×

10

−
3

was achieved below the forward error correction limit, which is the highest data rate of micro-LED-based UOWC systems, to the best of our knowledge.
Framing Standing Rock: Market orientation and television news
Authors: Canella Gino , Ferrucci Patrick
Published: April 2020

This article analyses news coverage by CNN and Democracy Now! of the Dakota Access Pipeline protests at Standing Rock, North Dakota. Through an ethnographic content analysis (ECA) of a strongly and weakly market-oriented television news organization, we examine frames, sources used and time devoted to the story, to understand how market orientation may influence the journalistic decisions of television news outlets. We find that although both outlets framed the story primarily through the lens of protest and violence, the ways in which this was done differed significantly.
Paisajes de Interés Natural (PIN) en los Arribes del Duero (Zamora, España)
Authors: Marino Alfonso José Luis , Poblete Piedrabuena Miguel Ángel , Beato Bergua Salvador
Published: April 2020

A partir del análisis integrado del paisaje se efectúa la identificación, caracterización y valoración de Paisajes de Interés Natural (PIN) en un sector representativo del Parque Natural de Arribes del Duero enclavado en la provincia de Zamora (Castilla y León). La investigación parte del trabajo de campo, la interpretación paisajística del medio natural y su representación cartográfica. Sobre esta base se realiza la tipificación y jerarquización de las unidades de paisaje natural en tres niveles: conjuntos, tipos y unidades. A continuación se seleccionan los lugares y elementos paisajísticos de mayor interés natural en función de criterios de representatividad y singularidad. La posterior descripción permite realizar una evaluación de los valores científicos, culturales y de uso y gestión, a tenor de la cual se formaliza, en última instancia, un diagnóstico general de los PIN. Como resultado de la aplicación metodológica se han inventariado ocho PIN, de los cuales cinco han obtenido una valoración global alta. En definitiva, se desarrolla una herramienta que pretende facilitar la catalogación y calificación de los paisajes naturales a escala local, a la vez que generar un recurso territorial favorable para el desarrollo sostenible.
Comportamiento espacial del uso de las TIC en los hogares e individuos. Un análisis regional europeo
Authors: Ruiz-Rodríguez Francisca , González-Relaño Reyes , Lucendo-Monedero Ángel Luis
Published: April 2020

Estudios recientes muestran la existencia de desigualdades espaciales en la dotación y uso de infraestructuras TIC de los hogares e individuos entre el norte, sur y este de Europa. Los estudios previos se han realizado a escala país o para ámbitos rurales-urbanos, sin analizar la existencia de patrones de distribución espacial. El objetivo es identificar patrones espaciales de uso de las TIC en hogares e individuos a nivel regional en Europa. La investigación se realiza con dos variables complejas: “Disponibilidad de acceso a internet y uso diario de comercio, banca y administración electrónica” o uso transaccional; y, “Uso de redes sociales por banda ancha” o uso relacional. Con 233 NUT 2 se analiza la: a) distribución y dispersión estadística del grado de variabilidad del uso de TIC; y, 2) autocorrelación espacial con SIG para identificar patrones espaciales mediante el cálculo de los índices globales de I de Moran y Getis-Ord, Anselin local de Moran y Getis-Ord Gi*. Se obtiene como resultado que el uso relacional presenta valores similares entre las regiones europeas, mostrando una distribución territorial uniforme, donde la componente espacial no es un factor de igual magnitud que para la variable transaccional que dibuja un definido patrón espacial con gradiente noroeste-sureste.
In vivo measurement of enhanced agouti-related peptide release in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus through Gs activation of agouti-related peptide neurons
Authors: Cui Zhenzhong , S. Smith Adam
Published: April 2020

Agouti-related peptide (AgRP) neurons of the hypothalamus play a role in hunger-triggered food intake, stability of body weight, and long-term energy balance. A recent study showed that activation of the Gs-linked G protein-coupled receptors (GCPR) expressed by hypothalamic AgRP neurons promotes a sustained increase in food intake. Enhanced AgRP release has been the postulated underlying mechanism. Here, we confirmed that activation of Gs-coupled receptors expressed by AgRP neurons in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the hypothalamus, which is the primary brain region for the synthesis and release of AgRP, leads to increased release of AgRP in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN). We were unable to confirm changes in AgRP expression or intracellular content using traditional histological techniques. Thus, we developed an assay to measure AgRP in the extracellular fluid in the brain using large molecular weight cut-off microdialysis probes. Our technique enables assessment of brain AgRP pharmacokinetics under physiological conditions and in response to specific pharmacological interventions designed to modulate AgRP signaling.
A multivariate statistical analysis of the effects of styrene maleic acid encapsulated RL71 in a xenograft model of triple negative breast cancer
Authors: N.K. Martey Orleans , Greish Khaled , F. Smith Paul , J. Rosengren Rhonda
Published: April 2020

We have previously shown that the curcumin derivative 3,5-bis(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzylidene)-1-methylpiperidine-4-one (RL71), when encapsulated in styrene maleic acid micelles (SMA-RL71), significantly suppressed the growth of MDAMB-231 xenografts by 67%. Univariate statistical analysis showed that pEGFR/EGFR, pAkt/Akt, pmTOR/mTOR and p4EBP1/4EPBP1 were all significantly decreased in tumors from treated mice compared to SMA controls. In this study, multivariate statistical analyses (MVAs) were performed to identify the molecular networks that worked together to drive tumor suppression, with the aim to determine if this analysis could also be used to predict treatment outcome. Linear discriminant analysis correctly predicted, to 100% certainty, mice that received SMA-RL71 treatment. Additionally, results from multiple linear regression showed that the expression of Ki67, PKC-α, PP2AA-α, PP2AA-β and CaD1 networked together to drive tumor growth suppression. Overall, the MVAs provided evidence for a molecular network of signaling proteins that drives tumor suppression in response to SMA-RL71 treatment, which should be explored further in animal studies of cancer.
A simple method for short-term maintenance of neonatal mice without foster mothers
Authors: Kreikemeier-Bower Craig , Polepole Pascal , Pinkerton Katherine , Zhang Luwen
Published: April 2020

Mice are typically weaned from their mother between 21 and 28 days of age, or at 10 grams of body weight. However, some biochemical experiments need to be done before the weaning days, and the mother might cannibalize or ignore those manipulated pups. Here, we provide a detailed protocol for maintenance of neonatal mice without the presence of their mothers for biomedical research. The basic instinct of neonate mice to hide under covers is harnessed for their survival in a mother-free environment. When covers are soaked with milk and the only targets for hiding, the neonates would acquire their nutrients at least in an involuntary fashion. The protocol is simple and can be used for neonatal rodent studies for short periods of times, and assures the accuracy of the biomedical experiments if survival rate of neonates is critical.
Optimized methodology for product recovery following emulsion PCR: applications for amplification of aptamer libraries and other complex templates
Authors: C. O’Connel Grant , G. Smothers Christine
Published: April 2020

Bias and background issues make efficient amplification of complex template mixes such as aptamer and genomic DNA libraries via conventional PCR methods difficult; emulsion PCR is being increasingly used in such scenarios to circumvent these problems. However, before products generated via emulsion PCR can be used in downstream workflows, they need to be recovered from the water-in-oil emulsion. Often, emulsions are broken following amplification using volatile organic solvents, and product is subsequently isolated via precipitation. Unfortunately, the use of such solvents requires the implementation of special environmental controls, and the yield and purity of DNA isolated by precipitation can be highly variable. Here, we describe the optimization of a simple protocol which can be used to recover products following emulsion PCR using a 2-butanol extraction and subsequent DNA isolation via a commercially available clean-up kit. This protocol avoids the use of volatile solvents and precipitation steps, and we demonstrate that it can be used to reliably recover DNA from water-in-oil emulsions with efficiencies as high as 90%. Furthermore, we illustrate the practical applicability of this protocol by demonstrating how it can be implemented to recover a complex random aptamer library following amplification via emulsion PCR.
Systémy odborného vzdělávání v zahraničí
Authors: Průcha Jan
Published: April 2020

Text je zaměřen na u nás dosud opomíjenou problematiku komparace zahraničních systémů odborného školství a profesní přípravy v úrovni středního (vyššího sekundárního) vzdělávání. Je uvedena typologie systémů, které jsou velmi odlišné – od švédského modelu se silným zastoupením jednotného vzdělávání až po výrazně diferencovaný německý model duálního odborného vzdělávání. Je popsán také systém odborného vzdělávání a vzrůstající podpora učňovské profesní přípravy v USA. Autor stati apeluje na to, aby se v ČR věnovala větší pozornost výzkumu odborného školství a odborného vzdělávání.
„Už to dál nešlo“ – meziškolní mobilita ve středním odborném vzdělávání zpětným pohledem žáků
Authors: Hlaďo Petr , Šlapalová Klára
Published: April 2020

Aktuálním problémem ve středním odborném školství je narůstající meziškolní mobilita žáků. Cílem studie je proto zjistit příčiny vedoucí k reaktivním non-normativním přestupům žáků na jinou střední školu, dále identifi kovat strategie žáků a jejich dopady na meziškolní mobilitu. Metody: Zvolen byl kvalitativní přístup s využitím metody ohniskových skupin a polostrukturovaných rozhovorů. Sběr dat proběhl v říjnu 2017 a respondenty bylo 31 žáků, kteřív průběhu svého středoškolského vzdělávání alespoň jedenkrát změnili školu z jiného důvodu, než je změna bydliště. Výsledky: Ve studii je zachycena a objasněna meziškolní mobilita žáků jako vývojový proces, jehož kořeny mohou u některých žáků zasahovat až do kariérového rozhodování na základní škole, dále byly popsány dvě kategorie možných příčin meziškolní mobility a především odkryty neefektivní žákovské strategie, které mohou vést k reaktivním non-normativním přestupům na jinou střední školu. V závěru jsou nastíněna doporučení pro pedagogickou praxi.
Moral Education in Secondary Schools: What, how, and why?
Authors: Hejduk Tomáš
Published: April 2020

Abstract: The paper argues for a philosophical approach to the teaching of moral education in secondary schools. Because students at this level are already capable of conceptual thinking, but are still at a formative stage, teachers can encourage them in their autonomous thought and life orientation through reference to meta-ethical authorities. In terms of these authorities, students may be led to fi nd that there is something (beauty, truth, goodness) other than the ordinary, narrow concerns of everyday life. At the same time, truth or beauty should be unveiled in everyday life; ordinary matters such as language must be revealed as moral concerns, and be liberated from vulgarity. For this to provide a suffi cient experience of things beautiful and good, I argue, the ethos of moral education at secondary schools should reflect the ethos of the university. I also argue that we need this kind of education to counterbalance the expanding informational and consumer character of our society, and to give meaning to the life of every participating individual. Finally, I warn against doctrinal simplifi cation, specifically, the misuse of the liberal spirit of the university and moral education (using the example of the Czech National School Curriculum).

Keywords: secondary school; moral education; virtue ethics; the idea of the university
Genome wide characterization of WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) gene family in Apostasia shenzhenica, a primeval orchid
Authors: Ramkumar Thakku R , Kanchan Madhvi , Sembi Jaspreet K.
Published: April 2020

In the present study, we report identification and characterization of the plant-specific WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) gene family in Apostasia shenzhenica, a primeval orchid. WOX proteins are DNA-binding WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) encoding transcription factors that play critical role in zygote patterning, embryo development, organogenesis, florigenesis, stress responses etc. Ten putative AsWOX genes were predicted in the A. shenzhenica genome and were characterized by the presence of DNA-binding helix-loop-helix-turn-helix motif. AsWOX proteins were grouped into three clades, ancient, intermediate and WUS on the basis of sequence homology with Arabidopsis thaliana (AtWOX), Oryza sativa (OsWOX), Phalaenopsis equestris (PeWOX) and Dendrobium catenatum (DcWOX) and their phylogenetic relationship was established. Gene structure analysis revealed that three AsWOX genes had two introns, six genes had a single intron, and one gene was intron-less. Expression profiling in a variety of tissue (tubers, seeds and pollens) was analysed in light of the presence of specific cis-regulatory elements in the promoter region and their role in various developmental processes was discussed. Three dimensional structures were predicted for three selected AsWOX proteins representing the three clades. The present study provides insights to the role of AsWOX gene family in various vital developmental processes, establishes phylogenetic relationships with related plant species and provides a platform for functional validation of specific AsWOX genes.
Long-latency Responses to a Mechanical Perturbation of the Index Finger Have a Spinal Component
Authors: Soteropoulos Demetris S. , Baker Stuart N.
Published: April 2020

In an uncertain external environment, the motor system may need to respond rapidly to an unexpected stimulus. Limb displacement causes muscle stretch; the corrective response has multiple activity bursts, which are suggested to originate from different parts of the neuraxis. The earliest response is so fast, it can only be produced by spinal circuits; this is followed by slower components thought to arise from primary motor cortex (M1) and other supraspinal areas. Spinal cord (SC) contributions to the slower components are rarely considered. To address this, we recorded neural activity in M1 and the cervical SC during a visuomotor tracking task, in which 2 female macaque monkeys moved their index finger against a resisting motor to track an on-screen target. Following the behavioral trial, an increase in motor torque rapidly returned the finger to its starting position (lever velocity >200°/s). Many cells responded to this passive mechanical perturbation (M1: 148 of 211 cells, 70%; SC: 67 of 119 cells, 56%). The neural onset latency was faster for SC compared with M1 cells (21.7 ± 11.2 ms vs 25.5 ± 10.7 ms, respectively, mean ± SD). Using spike-triggered averaging, some cells in both regions were identified as likely premotor cells, with monosynaptic connections to motoneurons. Response latencies for these cells were compatible with a contribution to the muscle responses following the perturbation. Comparable fractions of responding neurons in both areas were active up to 100 ms after the perturbation, suggesting that both SC circuits and supraspinal centers could contribute to later response components.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTFollowing a limb perturbation, multiple reflexes help to restore limb position. Given conduction delays, the earliest part of these reflexes can only arise from spinal circuits. By contrast, long-latency reflex components are typically assumed to originate from supraspinal centers. We recorded from both spinal and motor cortical cells in monkeys responding to index finger perturbations. Many spinal interneurons, including those identified as projecting to motoneurons, responded to the perturbation; the timing of responses was compatible with a contribution to both short- and long-latency reflexes. We conclude that spinal circuits also contribute to long-latency reflexes in distal and forearm muscles, alongside supraspinal regions, such as the motor cortex and brainstem.