bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Translation as Translingual Writing Practice in English as an Additional Language
Authors: BEILER INGRID RODRICK , DEWILDE JOKE
Published: August 2020

Translation has recently been revived as an approach to language learning that builds on students’ linguistic repertoires, particularly in linguistically diverse classrooms. However, few studies have examined how students use translation as part of writing in an additional language. This article provides new insights based on the translation practices of 22 newly arrived students in Norway during English writing instruction. Using linguistic ethnographic methods, the study combines multiple data sources (screen recordings, classroom audio recordings, language portraits, student texts, interviews) that provide detailed insights into translation moves and participant perspectives. The findings highlight the linguistic and mediational translation strategies that structured students’ translation practices during English writing, but also reveal tensions in students’ orientations to translation. Despite these tensions, translation served as a key means of aligning students’ communicative resources to write in English as an additional language. A translingual orientation toward writing and translation facilitates the recognition of students’ translation practices as alignment of ecological affordances with an integrated repertoire of semiotic resources across languages, modalities, and media. We conclude that translation can develop students’ performative competence in ways that support their in‐school English writing but also prepare them to encounter text in new contexts.
Optimal robot for intervention for individuals with autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Kumazaki Hirokazu , Muramatsu Taro , Yoshikawa Yuichiro , Matsumoto Yoshio , Ishiguro Hiroshi , Kikuchi Mitsuru , Sumiyoshi Tomiki , Mimura Masaru
Published: August 2020

With recent rapid advances in technology, human‐like robots have begun functioning in a variety of ways. As increasing anecdotal evidence suggests, robots may offer many unique opportunities for helping individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Individuals with ASD often achieve a higher degree of task engagement through the interaction with robots than through interactions with human trainees. The type and form of robots to be used for individuals with ASD have been meticulously considered. Simple robots and animal robots are acceptable because of their simplicity and the ease of interesting and engaging interactions. Android robots have the benefit of the potential of generalization into daily life to some extent. Considering the affinity between robots and users is important to draw out the potential capabilities of robotic intervention to the fullest extent. In the robotic condition, factors such as the appearance, biological motion, clothes, hairstyle, and disposition are important. Many factors of a user, such as age, sex, and IQ, may also affect the affinity of individuals with ASD toward a robot. The potential end‐users of this technology may be unaware or unconvinced of the potential roles of robots in ASD interventions. If trainers have extensive experience in using robots, they can identify many potential roles of robots based on their experience. To date, only a few studies have been conducted in the field of robotics for providing assistance to individuals with ASD, and future studies are needed to realize an optimal robot for this purpose.
Double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study of lurasidone monotherapy for the treatment of bipolar I depression
Authors: Kato Tadafumi , Ishigooka Jun , Miyajima Mari , Watabe Kei , Fujimori Tomohiro , Masuda Takahiro , Higuchi Teruhiko , Vieta Eduard
Published: August 2020

Aim

Previous studies conducted primarily in the USA and Europe have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of lurasidone 20–120 mg/day for the treatment of bipolar I depression. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of lurasidone monotherapy for the treatment of bipolar I depression among patients from diverse ethnic backgrounds, including those from Japan.

Methods

Patients were randomly assigned to double‐blind treatment for 6 weeks with lurasidone, 20–60 mg/day (n = 184) or 80–120 mg/day (n = 169), or placebo (n = 172). The primary end‐point was change from baseline to Week 6 on the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS).

Results

Lurasidone treatment significantly reduced mean MADRS total scores from baseline to Week 6 for the 20–60‐mg/day group (−13.6; adjusted P = 0.007; effect size = 0.33), but not for the 80–120‐mg/day group (−12.6; adjusted P = 0.057; effect size = 0.22) compared with placebo (−10.6). Treatment with lurasidone 20–60 mg/day also improved MADRS response rates, functional impairment, and anxiety symptoms. The most common adverse events associated with lurasidone were akathisia and nausea. Lurasidone treatments were associated with minimal changes in weight, lipids, and measures of glycemic control.

Conclusion

Monotherapy with once daily doses of lurasidone 20–60 mg, but not 80–120 mg, significantly reduced depressive symptoms and improved functioning in patients with bipolar I depression. Results overall were consistent with previous studies, suggesting that lurasidone 20–60 mg/day is effective and safe in diverse ethnic populations, including Japanese.
Benign notochordal cell tumor of the lung: Report of a case
Authors: Shintaku Masayuki , Kikuchi Ryutaro
Published: August 2020

A surgical case of a benign notochordal cell tumor of the lung is reported. The patient was an asymptomatic 41‐year‐old man, who was incidentally found to have a small tumor in the subpleural region of the left lingular segment. Since wedge resection of the tumor, the patient has been free from recurrence. The tumor measured 12 mm in diameter and showed a central cystic change. It consisted of a diffuse proliferation of polygonal cells with abundant, uni‐ or multi‐vacuolated cytoplasm and bland nuclei. The tumor did not show a lobular architecture and lacked a myxoid or fibrous connective tissue containing blood vessels. In the peripheral region of the tumor, a small number of alveolar epithelial cells were entrapped. The nuclei of tumor cells were immunoreactive for brachyury, and the cytoplasm was positive for cytokeratin and S‐100 protein. The entrapment of alveolar epithelial cells suggests infiltrative growth of the tumor, and the almost complete absence of blood vessels within the tumor may have restricted tumor growth and induced a cystic change in the central region.
Expanding the Reach of Representativeness, Discretion, and Collaboration: The Unrealized Potential of Public Administration Research in Atrocity Prevention
Authors: Appe Susan , Rubaii Nadia , Whigham Kerry
Published: August 2020

Mass atrocities constitute a “wicked” problem that warrants greater attention from public administration scholars. The role bureaucrats have in committing or contributing to mass atrocities is well documented, yet bureaucrats also have the potential to play crucial roles in stopping current, preventing future, and responding to past atrocities. Despite the central role of public administrators in mass atrocities and prevention, public administration scholarship is largely silent on such topics, effectively ceding this problem to other disciplines and professions. Using three pressing challenges facing atrocity prevention practitioners and scholars as examples, this article illustrates how public administration theories and public administrators in practice can contribute to prevention by focusing their attention on upstream (before conflict) stages. The overarching goal is to frame atrocity prevention in terms that will resonate with public administration scholars while also providing a roadmap for the field's engagement with these issues.
Engaging Multiple Worldviews With Quantitative Decision Support: A Robust Decision‐Making Demonstration Using the Lake Model
Authors: Lempert Robert J. , Turner Sara
Published: August 2020

Many of today's most pressing policy challenges are usefully characterized as wicked problems. With contested framings parties to a decision disagree not only on potential solutions, but on the nature of the problem they are trying to solve. The quantitative tools of risk and policy analysis, commonly designed to develop and compare choices within a single decision framing, are poorly designed to bring quantitative information into debates with contested framings. This study aims to build on recent advances in decision making under deep uncertainty (DMDU) to demonstrate methods and tools that may help resolve the tension between quantitative decision support and multiworldview approaches for addressing wicked problems. The study employs robust decision making (RDM), one common DMDU method, and a new version of the lake model, a simple and widely used model of a coupled human and natural system, to conduct a stylized analysis that reflects three different worldviews. The RDM analysis solves the decision challenge independently for each worldview and then compares each set of solutions from the vantage of the other worldviews. The resulting utopia–dystopia matrix informs problem reframing that seeks robust, adaptive strategies independently consistent with each worldview and thus provides a locus for agreement. The study describes how stakeholder engagements might use such analytic tools and their information products to provide overlapping but alternative entry points for groups with fundamentally different worldviews to engage with each other in deliberative processes appropriate for wicked problems.
HLA allele frequencies and susceptibility to COVID‐19 in a group of 99 Italian patients
Authors: Novelli Antonio , Andreani Marco , Biancolella Michela , Liberatoscioli Laura , Passarelli Chiara , Colona Vito Luigi , Rogliani Paola , Leonardis Francesca , Campana Andrea , Carsetti Rita , Andreoni Massimo , Bernardini Sergio , Novelli Giuseppe , Locatelli Franco
Published: August 2020

With the aim to individuate alleles that may reflect a higher susceptibility to the disease, in the present study we analyzed the HLA allele frequency distribution in a group of 99 Italian patients affected by a severe or extremely severe form of COVID‐19. After the application of Bonferroni's correction for multiple tests, a significant association was found for HLA‐DRB1*15:01, ‐DQB1*06:02 and ‐B*27:07, after comparing the results to a reference group of 1017 Italian individuals, previously typed in our laboratory. The increased frequencies observed may contribute to identify potential markers of susceptibility to the disease, although controversial results on the role of single HLA alleles in COVID‐19 patients have been recently reported.
Identification of an HLA‐B*35:01:01:01 variant, HLA‐B*35:01:23, in a Taiwanese individual
Authors: Yang Kuo‐Liang , Li Chi‐Cheng , Lin Py‐Yu
Published: August 2020

One nucleotide substitution at residue 72 of HLA‐B*35:01:01:01 results in a novel allele, HLA‐B*35:01:23.
Energy, Financial, and Environmental Investigation of a Direct Steam Production Power Plant Driven by Linear Fresnel Solar Reflectors
Authors: Ghodbane Mokhtar , Bellos Evangelos , Said Zafar , Boumeddane Boussad , Khechekhouche Abderrahmane , Sheikholeslami Mohsen , Ali Ziad M.
Published: August 2020

The objective of this paper is the investigation of the annual performance of a solar power plant with linear Fresnel reflectors in the El-Oued region at Algeria. The solar collectors produce water steam that feeds a turbine to produce electricity. The System Advisor Model (sam) tool is used for simulation. The mean net daily electricity production rate from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm is 48 MWe, and the respective annual production is 210,336 MWh/year. The mean daily optical efficiency of the solar field was close to 52%, while the mean thermal efficiency was about 39%. The net daily cycle efficiency is found to be 24%. The net capital cost of the examined system is $393 million, and the developer net present value is $47 million; the investor net present value is $15 million, the entire period of capital recovery is 11 years, and the levelized cost of electricity is 0.0382 $/kWh. The solar power plant leads to the yearly avoidance of 420,672 tons carbon dioxide emissions (operational cost savings of $6.1 million). Based on the obtained results, linear Fresnel reflectors can be used to achieve satisfying, energetic, financial, and environmental performance that can lead to sustainability.
Through the Perilous Fight: A Case Analysis of Professional Wrestling During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Davidson Nicholas P. , Du James , Giardina Michael D.
Published: August 2020

The rapidly escalating COVID-19 pandemic has forced the sport industry into unchartered territory. Beginning on March 11, 2020, when the National Basketball Association suspended its season, the American sports landscape has consequently encountered an unprecedented number of temporary suspensions, postponements, and cancellations. Although most major leagues and their pertaining sports have halted to a sudden stop, professional wrestling has surprisingly continued on, including World Wrestling Entertainment’s WrestleMania 36, which was held without fans in attendance. The maintenance of professional wrestling during the COVID-19 crisis has presented a unique situation, in which fans and companies involved in the sport have rallied on social media platforms behind the sport’s relative normality in a time of global uncertainty. Leveraging publicly trackable Twitter data, we analyzed public sentiments toward two of the largest companies (e.g., World Wrestling Entertainment and All Elite Wrestling) in the professional wrestling industry and related trends during the widespread onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. The results represent exploratory insights surrounding the continuation of professional wrestling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tai Chi for the Prevention of Falls Among Older Adults: A Critical Analysis of the Evidence
Authors: Nyman Samuel R.
Published: August 2020

Despite interest as to the benefits of Tai Chi, there remains a controversy over its effectiveness as an exercise intervention for preventing falls among older adults. This review synthesizes the evidence base with a focus on meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials with community-dwelling older adults. It provides a critical lens on the evidence and quality of the trials. High-quality evidence suggests that Tai Chi is an effective intervention for preventing falls in community settings; however, there is unclear evidence for long-term care facilities and an absence of evidence for hospital settings. When compared directly with other exercise interventions, Tai Chi may offer a superior strategy for reducing falls through its benefits on cognitive functioning. Using data from the current Cochrane review, a new synthesis is presented suggesting that 71–81% of community-dwelling older adults are adherent to class-based Tai Chi interventions. The practical opportunities and challenges for practitioners are discussed.
Transcultural Impact of Learning to Teach Sport Education on Preservice Teachers’ Perceived Teaching Competence, Autonomy, and Academic Motivation
Authors: Hortigüela-Alcalá David , Calderón Antonio , González-Calvo Gustavo
Published: August 2020

Purpose: To compare the impact of the experience of learning to teach sport education on preservice teachers’ (from Spain, Chile, and Mexico) perceived professional competence, autonomy, and academic motivation and to explore participants’ perceptions of their country’s sociocultural and curricular aspects that may influence sport education implementation. Method: Framed by the “pedagogy of dialogue” and a “living the curriculum” approach, three consecutive miniseasons on alternative invasion games were enacted (n = 30 lessons). A quasi-experimental pre- and posttest mixed-methods design was followed, with a total of 163 preservice teachers. The quantitative data on preservice teachers’ teaching competence, autonomy, and academic motivation were collected through three validated questionnaires. Focus group interviews and field notes were used to gather qualitative information. Results: The main quantitative analysis exposed no relevant differences among the transcultural sample of preservice teachers related to the analyzed variables. Qualitative analysis showed the power of contextual factors to filter preservice teachers’ understanding of the model. Conclusions: The dialogical nature of the approach and the miniseason structure allowed the preservice teachers to achieve a better understanding of the pedagogy of sport education and to optimize their motivation to use it in the future. The rigidity of the national curriculum and the custodial nature of school reality, however, present strong barriers to this end.
Cooperation, Competition, and Specialized Metabolism in a Simplified Root Nodule Microbiome
Authors: Hansen Bridget L. , Pessotti Rita de Cassia , Fischer Monika S. , Collins Alyssa , El-Hifnawi Laila , Liu Mira D. , Traxler Matthew F.
Published: August 2020

Microbiomes associated with various plant structures often contain members with the potential to make specialized metabolites, e.g., molecules with antibacterial, antifungal, or siderophore activities. However, when and where microbes associated with plants produce specialized metabolites, and the potential role of these molecules in mediating intramicrobiome interactions, is not well understood. Root nodules of legume plants are organs devoted to hosting symbiotic bacteria that fix atmospheric nitrogen and have recently been shown to harbor a relatively simple accessory microbiome containing members with the ability to produce specialized metabolites
in vitro
.
Supplemental Material: Chronology of terraces in the Rio Grande rift, Socorro basin, New Mexico: Implications for terrace formation
Authors: Sion B.D. , al. et
Published: August 2020

Data tables, corresponding figures, and additional information regarding instrumentation and analytical procedures.
Long-term anatomical and functional outcomes after autokeratoplasty
Authors: Sanjuán Pablo , Julio Gemma , Bolaños Jennifer , Álvarez de Toledo Juan , García de Oteyza Gonzalo , Temprano José , Barraquer Rafael Ignacio
Published: August 2020

Background

To evaluate the anatomical and functional outcomes of autologous contralateral penetrating keratoplasty (autokeratoplasty).

Methods

Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were retrospectively performed. Anatomical failure was defined as regraft or graft permanently cloudy at any time during follow-up. Functional failure was defined as the final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) <20/400.

Results

Thirty-one eyes of 31 patients (19 men), with a mean age of 52±18 years (range 15–81 years) were studied during a mean follow-up of 11.3 years (from 13 months to 48 years). At 12 months postoperatively, all the recipient eyes showed a transparent cornea, but 23% showed functional failure. At the final followup, 16 recipient eyes (52%) showed anatomical and functional success. Twenty-three eyes (74%) showed a clear cornea and 68% reached a better BCVA when compared with preoperative measurements. Nevertheless, 13/31 eyes (42%) displayed functional failure. The accumulative probabilities for anatomical success were 100%, 72% and 48% and 77%, 59% and 29% for functional success at 1, 10 and 40 years, respectively. The most common risk factor for failure was progression of previous glaucoma in 50% of the anatomical failures and in 77% of the functional failures.

Conclusions

Autokeratoplasty could be a successful long-term option in patients having one eye with a clear cornea but with irreversible visual dysfunction and the contralateral eye having favourable visual potential limited only by a completely opacified cornea. Progression of previous glaucoma was the most important risk factor for long-term cornea decompensation and visual functional failure in the sample.
Progression of diffuse chorioretinal atrophy among patients with high myopia: a 4-year follow-up study
Authors: Li Zhixi , Liu Ran , Xiao Ou , Guo Xinxing , Zhang Jian , Wang Decai , Jong Monica , Sankaridurg Padmaja , Ohno-Matsui Kyoko , He Mingguang
Published: August 2020

Aims

To investigate the progression pattern of diffuse chorioretinal atrophy (DCA) among Chinese participants with high myopia.

Methods

This is a longitudinal, non-interventional study. Participants with high myopia, defined as ≤−6 diopters spherical power, were included and followed up for 4 years, and underwent cycloplegic autorefraction, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and fundus photography examinations. Newly established DCA, enlargement of existing DCA and development of other lesions of myopic maculopathy were regarded as DCA progression.

Results

Of the 484 participants with a mean age of 21.5±12.7 years (range, 6.8–69.7 years), 68 eyes (14.0%) showed DCA progression, with 88 lesion changes. The first appearance of DCA was identified in 21 eyes (23.9%). Of 88 eyes with DCA at baseline, 47 eyes (53.4%) showed progression, with 67 lesion changes, including 45 eyes (67.2%) with enlargement of DCA, 17 (25.3%) with a first appearance of lacquer cracks, 4 (6.0%) with development of patchy chorioretinal atrophy and 1 (1.5%) with increased numbers of lacquer cracks. Longer axial length (p<0.001), baseline DCA (p=0.005) and baseline DCA closer to the fovea (p=0.013) predicted DCA progression. Eyes had poorer BCVA at the follow-up if DCA was enlarging (p<0.001) or DCA was closer to the fovea at baseline (p=0.028) after adjusting for age,gender and cataract.

Conclusion

Approximately half of the participants with DCA had progression over a 4-year follow-up. Enlargement and newly developed DCA were common progression patterns. Larger areas of DCA and foveal involvement with DCA could be indicators of a worse BCVA later.
Prevalence, incidence and risk factors of strabismus in a Chinese population-based cohort of preschool children: the Nanjing Eye Study
Authors: Chen Danni , Li Rui , Li Xiaoxiao , Huang Dan , Wang Yue , Zhao Xiaoyan , Zhang Xiaohan , Sun Qigang , Hao Qingfeng , Tong Haohai , Yao Xinyuan , Fan Weixiao , Lu Weijing , Dang Jingsong , Zhu Hui , Liu Hu
Published: August 2020

Aims

To evaluate the prevalence, incidence and their related risk factors of strabismus among preschool children in China.

Methods

Children born between September 2011 and August 2012 in Yuhuatai District of Nanjing were invited to participate in the Nanjing Eye Study for a comprehensive eye examination annually since 2015. The data presented in this paper were obtained from 2015 to 2017, when these children grew from the age of 3 to 5 years. Eye examinations included visual acuity, anterior segment, posterior segment, refraction, and ocular alignment and motility. Risk factors were evaluated using univariable and multivariable logistic regression models for prevalent and incident strabismus.

Results

In 2015, a total of 2018 children (87.7% response rate) of 2300 eligible preschoolers completed the baseline eye examination when they were 3 years old. Among the 2018 participants, 50 had strabismus (prevalence rate, 2.48%). In multivariable analysis, prevalent strabismus was independently associated with parental strabismus history (OR=11.60, p<0.001), hyperopia (OR=6.22, p<0.001), prematurity (OR=3.07, p=0.01) and astigmatism (OR=2.15, p=0.04). Among 1766 children followed up for 2 years, 63 developed strabismus (annual incidence rate, 1.78%), of whom 57 had exotropia and 6 had esotropia. In multivariable analysis, incident strabismus was significantly associated with parental strabismus history (OR=5.55, p=0.04) and prematurity (OR=3.77, p<0.001).

Conclusions

In this population-based cohort study, we found a higher incidence of strabismus and a higher exotropia:esotropia ratio than previous studies in preschool children. Parental strabismus history and prematurity were associated with a higher risk for both prevalent and incident strabismus.
Health economic evaluation in ophthalmology
Authors: Atik Alp , Barton Keith , Azuara-Blanco Augusto , Kerr Nathan M
Published: August 2020

Health economic evaluation is the application of economic theories, tools and concepts to healthcare. In the setting of limited resources, increasing demand and a growing array of intervention options, economic evaluation provides a framework for measuring, valuing and comparing the costs and benefits of different healthcare interventions. This review provides an overview of the concepts and methods of economic evaluation, illustrated with examples in ophthalmology. Types of economic evaluation include cost-minimisation, cost-benefit, cost-effectiveness, cost-utility and economic modelling. Topics including utility measures, the quality-adjusted lifeyear, discounting, perspective and timeframe are discussed. Health economic evaluation is important to understand the costs and value of interventions in ophthalmology and to inform health policy as well as guide clinical decision-making.
Clinical spectrum of non-syndromic microphthalmos, anophthalmos and coloboma in the paediatric population: a multicentric study from North India
Authors: Tibrewal Shailja , Subhedar Ketaki , Sen Pradnya , Mohan Amit , Singh Shivanand , Shah Chintan , Nischal Ken K , Ganesh Suma ,   The Bodhya Eye Consortium
Published: August 2020

Aims

To describe the clinical features, visual acuity and causes of ocular morbidity in children (0–18 years) with microphthalmos, anophthalmos, and coloboma (MAC) from North India.

Methods

A retrospective study conducted between October 2017 and September 2018 in three tertiary eye institutes, part of the Bodhya Eye Consortium with consensus led common pro formas. Children with complete clinical data and without syndromic/systemic involvement were included. The clinical phenotype was divided into isolated ocular coloboma (CB), coloboma with microcornea (CBMC), colobomatous microphthalmos (CBMO), non-colobomatous microphthalmos (MO) and anophthalmos (AO).

Results

A total of 532 children with MAC were examined. Seventeen records were excluded due to incomplete data (0.2%). 515 children (845 eyes) were included: 54.4% males and 45.6% females. MAC was unilateral in 36% and bilateral in 64%. CB, CBMC, CBMO, MO and AO were seen in 26.4%, 31%, 22%, 8% and 12.5% of eyes, respectively. Nystagmus was found in 40%, strabismus in 23%, cataract in 18.7% and retinal detachment in 15%. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of <3/60 was seen in 62.4% eyes. Blindness (BCVA <3/60 in better eye) was seen in 42.8% of bilateral patients. Those with microcornea or microphthalmos with coloboma had worse BCVA (p<0.001). There were regional differences in the type of MAC phenotype presenting to the three institutes.

Conclusion

The MAC group of disorders cause significant ocular morbidity. The presence of microcornea or microphthalmos with coloboma predicts worse BCVA. The variation of the MAC phenotype with the district of origin of the patient raises questions of aetiology and is subject to further studies.
Longitudinal panretinal microaneurysm dynamics on ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography in eyes treated with intravitreal aflibercept for proliferative diabetic retinopathy in the recovery study
Authors: Babiuch Amy , Wykoff Charles Clifton , Hach Jenna , Srivastava Sunil , Talcott Katherine E , Yu Hannah J , Nittala Muneeswar , Sadda SriniVas , Ip Michael S , Le Thuy , Hu Ming , Reese Jamie , Ehlers Justis P
Published: August 2020

Background/Aims

Quantifying microaneurysms (MAs) turnover may be an objective measure for therapeutic response in diabetic retinopathy. This study assesses changes in MA counts on ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography (UWFA) in subjects undergoing treatment with intravitreal aflibercept injection (IAI) for proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) in the Intravitreal Aflibercept for Retinal Non-Perfusion in Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy(RECOVERY) study using an automated MA detection platform.

Methods

RECOVERY is a prospective study that enrolled 40 subjects with PDR randomised 1:1 to receive 2 mg IAI every 4 weeks(q4wk) or every 12 weeks (q12wk). UWFA images were obtained at baseline, 6 months and 1 year. Images were analysed using an automated segmentation platform to detect and quantify MAs. Zones 1, 2 and 3 correspond to the macula, mid-periphery and far-periphery, respectively.

Results

The q4wk cohort demonstrated a significant decline in MAs in all zones and panretinally at baseline versus month 6, baseline versus year 1, and month 6 versus year 1 (−20.0% to −61.8%; all p<0.001). In the q12wk cohort, baseline versus month 6 showed a significant decline panretinally (mean: −34.2%; p<0.001) and in zone 3 (mean −44.18%; p<0.001). Addiitonally, baseline to year 1 in the q12wk group demonstrated significant decline panretinally (mean: −47.7%; p<0.001) and in zone 3 (mean: −59.8%; p<0.001). All zones demonstrated significantly decline from month 6 to year 1 in the q12wk group.

Conclusion

Therapy with IAI demonstrates significantly reduced panretinal MA counts in PDR at 1 year in both treatment groups. The use of automated platforms to detect and quantify MAs may provide a novel imaging marker for evaluating disease activity and therapeutic impact.

Trial registration number

NCT02863354.
Intra-articular saline injection is as effective as corticosteroids, platelet-rich plasma and hyaluronic acid for hip osteoarthritis pain: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Gazendam Aaron , Ekhtiari Seper , Bozzo Anthony , Phillips Mark , Bhandari Mohit
Published: August 2020

Objective

Intra-articular (IA) injections represent a commonly used modality in the treatment of hip osteoarthritis (OA). Commonly used injections include corticosteroids (CCS), hyaluronic acid (HA) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP). A network meta-analysis allows for comparison among more than two treatment arms and uses both direct and indirect comparisons between interventions. The objective of this network meta-analysis is to compare the efficacy of the various IA injectable treatments in treating hip OA at up to 6 months of follow-up.

Design

This is a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Bayesian random-effects model was performed to assess the direct and indirect comparisons of all treatment options.

Data sources

PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus and Web of Science, from inception to October 2019.

Eligibility criteria for selected studies

Randomised controlled trials assessing the efficacy of CCS, HA, PRP and placebo in the form of IA saline injection for patients with hip OA.

Results

Eleven randomised controlled trials comprising 1353 patients were included. For pain outcomes at both 2–4 and 6 months, no intervention significantly outperformed placebo IA injection. For functional outcomes at both 2–4 and 6 months, no intervention significantly outperformed placebo IA injection. Regarding change from baseline at 2–4 months and 6 months, pooled data demonstrated that all interventions (including placebo), with the exception of HA+PRP, led to a clinically important improvement in both pain, exceeding the minimal clinically important difference.

Conclusion

Evidence suggests that IA hip saline injections performed as well as all other injectable options in the management of hip pain and functional outcomes.
Community engagement in outbreak response: lessons from the 2014–2016 Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone
Authors: Bedson Jamie , Jalloh Mohamed F , Pedi Danielle , Bah Saiku , Owen Katharine , Oniba Allan , Sangarie Musa , Fofanah James S , Jalloh Mohammed B , Sengeh Paul , Skrip Laura , Althouse Benjamin M , Hébert-Dufresne Laurent
Published: August 2020

Documentation of structured community engagement initiatives and real-time monitoring of community engagement activities during large-scale epidemics is limited. To inform such initiatives, this paper analyses the Community Led Ebola Action (CLEA) approach implemented through the Social Mobilization Action Consortium (SMAC) during the 2014–2016 Ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone. The SMAC initiative consisted of a network of 2466 community mobilisers, >6000 religious leaders and 42 local radio stations across all 14 districts of Sierra Leone. Community mobilisers were active in nearly 70% of all communities across the country using the CLEA approach to facilitate community analysis, trigger collective action planning and maintain community action plans over time. CLEA was complemented by interactive radio programming and intensified religious leader engagement.

Community mobilisers trained in the CLEA approach used participatory methods, comprised of an initial community ‘triggering’ event, action plan development and weekly follow-ups to monitor progress on identified action items. Mobilisers collected operational and behavioural data on a weekly basis as part of CLEA. We conducted a retrospective analysis of >50 000 weekly reports from approximately 12 000 communities from December 2014 to September 2015. The data showed that 100% of the communities that were engaged had one or more action plans in place. Out of the 63 110 cumulative action points monitored by community mobilisers, 92% were marked as ‘in-progress’ (85%) or ‘achieved’ (7%) within 9 months. A qualitative examination of action points revealed that the in-progress status was indicative of the long-term sustainability of most action points (eg, continuous monitoring of visitors into the community) versus one-off action items that were marked as achieved (eg, initial installation of handwashing station). Analysis of behavioural outcomes of the intervention indicate an increase over time in the fraction of reported safe burials and fraction of reported cases referred for medical care within 24 hours of symptom onset in the communities that were engaged.

Through CLEA, we have demonstrated how large-scale, coordinated community engagement interventions can be achieved and monitored in real-time during future Ebola epidemics and other similar epidemics. The SMAC initiative provides a practical model for the design, implementation and monitoring of community engagement, integration and coordination of community engagement interventions with other health emergency response pillars, and adaptive strategies for large-scale community-based operational data collection.
Time to resolution of genital symptoms for uncomplicated gonorrhoea: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Ayinde Oluseyi , Ross Jonathan D C
Published: August 2020

Objectives

To determine the time to resolution of symptoms (TTR) following treatment of uncomplicated gonorrhoea and to identify factors associated with TTR in a cohort of sexual health clinic attendees.

Methods

Participants were recruited from 14 clinics across England into the ‘Gentamicin for the Treatment of Gonorrhoea (GToG)’ trial between October 2014 and November 2016. We analysed demographic, behavioural and clinical data in a subset of the GToG study cohort presenting with genital discharge and/or dysuria, who subsequently experienced microbiological clearance ofNeisseria gonorrhoeae2 weeks after treatment. Testing for gonorrhoea was performed using a nucleic acid amplification test. The results were expressed as median TTR (IQR) and HRs with 95% CIs for resolution of symptoms.

Results

216 participants (89% male) with a mean age of 32 years reported genital discharge (204/216 (94%)) or dysuria (173/216 (80%)) at their baseline visit. Symptom resolution occurred in 202/216 (94%) at the 2-week follow-up appointment. The median TTR was 2 days (IQR 1–3 days). 50/216 (23%) patients presented with gonorrhoea–chlamydia coinfection at their baseline attendance and in this group symptom resolution was slower (3 days for gonorrhoea–chlamydia coinfection compared with 2 days for gonorrhoea only, HR 0.68 (95% CI 0.48 to 0.95)). TTR was also longer in women (4 days for females compared with 2 days for males, HR 0.47 (95% CI 0.29 to 0.77)).

Conclusions

The time to resolution of genital symptoms following effective treatment of gonorrhoea is variable, but 90% of patients report symptom resolution within 1 week. Concurrent chlamydia infection and being female were associated with prolonged TTR.
INTERGENERATIONAL TRANSMISSION OF MARRIED WOMEN’S EMPLOYMENT IN JAPAN
Authors: AYDINBAKAR AYSENUR
Published: August 2020

Using the 2011–2016 Japan Household Panel Survey, this study examines the intergenerational transmission of married women’s employment in Japan. The study also analyzes two driving mechanisms. The findings suggest that the wife’s labor supply is positively associated with the mother-in-law’s former employment and the mother’s former employment. The preference mechanism reveals the effect of the wife’s employment on her husband’s satisfaction differs between men raised by a working mother and those with an unemployed mother in the past. The endowment mechanism suggests that married man with working wife cooperates to do domestic tasks regardless of his mother’s former employment.
Neutron’s dark secret
Authors: Fornal Bartosz , Grinstein Benjamín
Published: August 2020

The existing discrepancy between neutron lifetime measurements in bottle and beam experiments has been interpreted as a sign of the neutron decaying to dark particles. We summarize the current status of this proposal, including a discussion of particle physics models involving such a portal between the Standard Model and a baryonic dark sector. We also review further theoretical developments around this idea and elaborate on the prospects for verifying the neutron dark decay hypothesis in current and upcoming experiments.
Axionic dark matter halos in the gravitational field of baryonic matter
Authors: Berman Gennady P. , Gorshkov Vyacheslav N. , Tsifrinovich Vladimir I.
Published: August 2020

We consider a dark matter halo (DMH) of a spherical galaxy as a Bose–Einstein condensate (BEC) of the ultra-light axions (ULA) interacting with the baryonic matter. In the mean-field (MF) limit, we have derived the integro-differential equation of the Hartree–Fock type for the spherically symmetrical wave function of the DMH component. This equation includes two independent dimensionless parameters: (i) [Formula: see text] is the ratio of baryon and axion total mases and (ii) [Formula: see text] is the ratio of characteristic baryon and axion spatial parameters. We extended our “dissipation algorithm” for studying numerically the ground state of the axion halo in the gravitational field produced by the baryonic component. We calculated the characteristic size, [Formula: see text] of DMH as a function of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] and obtained an analytical approximation for [Formula: see text].
Investigation of the magnetized string distribution in the Marder universe with the cosmological term in f(R,T) theory
Authors: Kömürcü Cihan , Aktaş Can
Published: August 2020

In this study, we first obtained the cosmological term naturally in the Einstein–Hilbert type effect for the [Formula: see text] theory, then we discussed the magnetized string matter in the Marder universe, later the matter Lagrangian is not equivalent to string dust and we calculated independently for the string dust and the electromagnetic field, and added the magnetized string together. Finally, we studied the physical and geometric structure of the universe, limiting our results to some astrophysical observation data.
EoS of Casimir vacuum of massive fields in Friedmann universe
Authors: Pavlov Alexander E.
Published: August 2020

In this paper we study equations of state of Casimir vacuum of massive scalar field and massive bispinor field in compact Friedmann universe. With use of the Abel–Plana formula the renormalization of divergent series for calculation of the quantum means of operators is implemented.
On a mechanism realizing quark mass hierarchy
Authors: Kawamura Yoshiharu
Published: August 2020

We reconsider a generation of up-type quark mass hierarchy in the standard model and clarify how a mechanism works to realize the hierarchy without severe fine tuning.
Non-Isolated High Step Up in Voltage DC–DC Converter Topology for Renewable Applications
Authors: Gupta Pavan Prakash , Kishore G. Indira , Tripathi Ramesh Kumar
Published: August 2020

In the class of the boost converters, the conventional DC–DC boost converters are in common practice but their limited boost capabilities at higher duty ratios are one of the concerns. The isolated and non-isolated step-up DC–DC converters are one of the remedies of the above issue. The presence of switched inductor and switched capacitors in the circuit of non-isolated configuration can provide considerable step-up in voltage at the output, and also facilitate lower voltage stress on components. In this paper, work has been done to propose three non-isolated high-voltage gain DC–DC boost converter topologies. Along with the high voltage gain, the topologies also have lesser voltage stress across the active power switches and diodes used in topologies. The proposed topologies are suitable for low dc input levels like renewable sources, microgrid and grid-connected applications. A Matlab/Simulink 2017a environment is utilized to derive, design and simulate the proposed topologies for a 100-W load operation. The basic topology is also realized in hardware as a prototype circuit with 100-W resistive load, operated at 50[Formula: see text]kHz switching frequency.
Gated Neural Network-Based Mean–EVaR–Skewness Portfolio Optimization under Uncertain Environment
Authors: Mittal Sunil Kumar , Srivastava Namita
Published: August 2020

Numerous empirical studies show that portfolio returns are generally asymmetric, and investor would prefer a portfolio return with larger degree of asymmetry along with risk and return. In this paper, a concept of skewness is defined as the third central moment and studied its mathematical properties. To predict the stock prices, a novel recurrent neural network with gated recurrent unit (GRU) cell is preferred. Based on these predictions, stock returns, entropic value at risks and skewness are calculated. A mean–EVaR–skewness multi-objective portfolio optimization model is devised to account for market uncertainty. Cardinality, bounding restrictions, and liquidity are considered in addition to risk and return to make the model more effective. Uncertain goal programming is used to solve the proposed model. Finally, an example portfolio is presented to display the efficacy and the feasibility of the model suggested in this paper.
Nuclear transition matrix elements for neutrinoless double-β decay within Rp-violating squark-neutrino mechanism
Authors: Rath P. K. , Shukla B. , Chaturvedi K. , Nautiyal V. K. , Chandra R. , Raina P. K.
Published: August 2020

Within the squark-neutrino mechanism of [Formula: see text]-violating SUSY, sets of 12 nuclear transition matrix elements (NTMEs) are calculated for the neutrinoless double-[Formula: see text] decay [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text]Zr, [Formula: see text]Mo, [Formula: see text]Pd, [Formula: see text]Te and [Formula: see text]Nd isotopes. Specifically, four sets of HFB wave functions generated with four different parametrizations of the pairing plus multipolar two-body interactions, dipole form factor and three different parametrizations of the Jastrow short-range correlations are employed in the calculation of NTMEs with two possible prescriptions for the hadronization, namely the two-nucleon mode and the pionic mode. Without (with) Miller–Spencer parametrization of short-range correlation, uncertainties in average NTMEs [Formula: see text] (QBM), [Formula: see text] (NRQM), [Formula: see text] (FF3) and [Formula: see text] turn out be 11–18% (29–37%), 11–16% (27–31%), 5–12% (13–17%) and 3–13% (9–15%), respectively.
CONTACT PROCESS ON FRACTAL CLUSTERS SIMULATED BY GENERALIZED DIFFUSION-LIMITED AGGREGATION (g-DLA) MODEL
Authors: MAHAJAN ASHWINI V. , LIMAYE ABHAY V. , BANPURKAR ARUN G. , GADE PRASHANT M.
Published: August 2020

The spread of infectious disease, virus epidemic, fashion, religion and rumors is strongly affected by the nearest neighbor hence underlying morphologies of the colonies are crucial. Likewise, the morphology of naturally grown patterns ranges from fractal to compact with lacunarity. We analyze the contact process on the fractal clusters simulated by generalized Diffusion-limited Aggregation (g-DLA) model. In g-DLA model, randomly walking particle is added to the cluster with sticking probability [Formula: see text] depending on the local density of occupied sites in the neighborhood of radius [Formula: see text] from the center of active site. It takes values [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]) for highly dense, moderately dense and sparsely occupied regions, respectively. The corresponding morphology varies from fractal to compact as [Formula: see text] varies from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text]. Interestingly, the contact process on the g-DLA clusters shows clear transition from active phase to absorbing phase and the exponent values fall between 1-d and 2-d in directed percolation (DP) universality class. The local persistence exponents at transition are studied and are found to be much smaller than that for 1-d and 2-d DP cases. We conjecture that infection in the fractal cluster does not easily reach far-flung or remote areas at the periphery of the cluster.
FRACTAL MODELS FOR GAS–WATER TRANSPORT IN SHALE POROUS MEDIA CONSIDERING WETTING CHARACTERISTICS
Authors: ZHANG QI , WU XINYUE , MENG QINGBANG , WANG YAN , CAI JIANCHAO
Published: August 2020

Complicated gas–water transport behaviors in nanoporous shale media are known to be influenced by multiple transport mechanisms and pore structure characteristics. More accurate characterization of the fluid transport in shale reservoirs is essential to macroscale modeling for production prediction. This paper develops the analytical relative permeability models for gas–water two-phase in both organic and inorganic matter (OM and IM) of nanoporous shale using the fractal theory. Heterogeneous pore size distribution (PSD) of the shale media is considered instead of the tortuous capillaries with uniform diameters. The gas–water transport models for OM and IM are established, incorporating gas slippage described by second-order slip condition, water film thickness in IM, surface diffusion in OM, and the total organic carbon. Then, the presented model is validated by experimental results. After that, sensitivity analysis of gas–water transport behaviors based on pore structure properties of the shale sample is conducted, and the influence factors of fluid transport behaviors are discussed. The results show that the gas relative permeability is larger than 1 at the low pore pressure and water saturation. The larger pore pressure causes slight effect of gas slippage and surface diffusion on the gas relative permeability. The larger PSD fractal dimension of IM results in larger gas relative permeability and smaller water relative permeability. Besides, the large tortuosity fractal dimension will decrease the gas flux at the same water saturation, and the surface diffusion decreases with the increase of tortuosity fractal dimension of OM and pore pressure. The proposed models can provide an approach for macroscale modeling of the development of shale gas reservoirs.
THE FRACTIONAL COMPLEX TRANSFORM: A NOVEL APPROACH TO THE TIME-FRACTIONAL SCHRÖDINGER EQUATION
Authors: AIN QURA TUL , HE JI-HUAN , ANJUM NAVEED , ALI MUHAMMAD
Published: August 2020

This paper presents a thorough study of a time-dependent nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) differential equation with a time-fractional derivative. The fractional time complex transform is used to convert the problem into its differential partner, and its nonlinear part is then discretized using He’s polynomials so that the homotopy perturbation method (HPM) can be applied powerfully. The two-scale concept is used to explain the substantial meaning of the fractional time complex transform and the solution.