bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Possible control of acute outbreaks of a marine fungal pathogen by nominally herbivorous tropical reef fish
Authors: Neal B. P. , Honisch B. , Warrender T. , Williams G. J. , Work T. M. , Price N. N.
Published: July 2020

Primary producers in terrestrial and marine systems can be affected by fungal pathogens threatening the provision of critical ecosystem services. Crustose coralline algae (CCA) are ecologically important members of tropical reef systems and are impacted by coralline fungal disease (CFD) which manifests as overgrowth of the CCA crust by fungal lesions causing partial to complete mortality of the CCA host. No natural controls for CFD have been identified, but nominally herbivorous fish could play a role by consuming pathogenic fungi. We documented preferential grazing on fungal lesions by adults of six common reef-dwelling species of herbivorous Acanthuridae and Labridae, (surgeonfish and parrotfish) which collectively demonstrated an ~ 80-fold higher grazing rate on fungal lesions relative to their proportionate benthic coverage, and a preference for lesions over other palatable substrata (e.g. live scleractinian coral, CCA, or algae). Furthermore, we recorded a ~ 600% increase in live CFD lesion size over an approximately 2-week period when grazing by herbivorous fish was experimentally excluded suggesting that herbivorous reef fish could control CFD progression by directly reducing biomass of the fungal pathogen. Removal rates may be sufficient to allow CCA to recover from infection and explain historically observed natural waning behaviour after an outbreak. Thus, in addition to their well-known role as determinants of macroalgal overgrowth of reefs, herbivorous fish could thus also be important in control of diseases affecting crustose coralline algae that stabilize the foundation of coral reef substrata.
Associations between commonly used patient-reported outcome tools in postpartum depression clinical practice and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression
Authors: Gerbasi Margaret E. , Eldar-Lissai Adi , Acaster Sarah , Fridman Moshe , Bonthapally Vijayveer , Hodgkins Paul , Kanes Stephen J. , Meltzer-Brody Samantha
Published: July 2020

The objective of this study is to explore the associations between the patient-reported Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9 and clinician-reported 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) in order to facilitate clinical decision-making. An integrated efficacy dataset of three randomized placebo-controlled trials (NCT02614547, NCT02942004, and NCT02942017) evaluating brexanolone injection, a neuroactive steroid chemically identical to allopregnanolone, in women with postpartum depression was used for this post hoc analysis. Data were pooled across treatment arms. Associations were assessed at day 30 (end-of-trial follow-up). Pearson correlation assessed the relationship between EPDS and PHQ-9 item and total scores and HAMD-17 total score. Cohen’s kappa assessed agreement of EPDS remission (score < 10) and PHQ-9 remission (score < 5) with HAMD-17 remission (score ≤ 7). Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression models were used to develop equations estimating HAMD-17 total scores from EPDS and PHQ-9 scores, respectively. The total scores showed large correlations (HAMD-17/EPDS: r = 0.71, p < 0.001; HAMD-17/PHQ-9: r = 0.75, p < 0.001). Individual EPDS and PHQ-9 items significantly correlated (r= 0.35 to 0.67, all p < 0.001) with HAMD-17 total score. EPDS had 79% sensitivity and 67% specificity to detect HAMD-17 remission; corresponding estimates for PHQ-9 were 76% and 78%. OLS models yielded the following equations: HAMD-17 total = 2.66 + (EPDS total × 0.87) and HAMD-17 total = 3.99 + (PHQ-9 total × 0.97). There were large and statistically significant associations between patient-reported outcomes (EPDS, PHQ-9) and clinician-reported outcomes (HAMD-17) as clinical improvements were associated with patient-reported symptom improvement. These results provide tools to help translate clinical trial data to clinical practice, thus aiding shared decision-making for this critical population.
Impact of single-heterozygous UGT1A1 on the clinical outcomes of irinotecan monotherapy after fluoropyrimidine and platinum-based combination therapy for gastric cancer: a multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Nakano Shintaro , Yuki Satoshi , Kawamoto Yasuyuki , Nakatsumi Hiroshi , Ando Takayuki , Kajiura Shinya , Yoshikawa Ayumu , Harada Kazuaki , Hatanaka Kazuteru , Tanimoto Aya , Ishiguro Atsushi , Honda Takuya , Dazai Masayoshi , Sasaki Takahide , Sakamoto Naoya , Komatsu Yoshito
Published: July 2020

Background

It is unclear whether the UGT1A1 status, single heterozygous (SH) or wild type (WT), is associated with the efficacy and toxicity of irinotecan monotherapy in advanced gastric cancer (AGC). We investigated the association between clinical outcomes (efficacy and safety) and UGT1A1 status in patients who received irinotecan monotherapy.

Methods

We evaluated AGC patients who received irinotecan monotherapy between January 2011 and December 2017. Efficacy was assessed according to overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Toxicity was graded using the Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events (version 4.0).

Results

A total of 100 patients were evaluated (62 and 38 patients with UGT1A1 WT and SH, respectively). In the WT and SH groups, the irinotecan dose was reduced in 19 (30.6%) and 18 (47.2%) patients (p = 0.135), respectively; treatment was delayed due to adverse events (AEs) in 19 (30.6%) and 13 (34.2%) patients (p = 0.826), respectively; the median PFS was 3.15 and 3.25 months (HR, 0.734; 95% CI 0.465–1.158; p = 0.184), respectively; and the median OS was 10.4 and 7.26 months (HR, 1.137; 95% CI 0.752–1.721; p = 0.543), respectively. Severe hematological AEs (Grade ≥ 3) were significantly more frequent in the SH group than in the WT group (63% vs. 36%; p = 0.008), while severe non-hematological AEs was not significantly different (16.0% vs. 6.5%; p = 0.173).

Conclusion

There was no significant difference in the efficacy of irinotecan monotherapy between UGT1A1 WT and UGT1A1 SH, but UGT1A1 SH was associated with a high frequency of severe hematological toxicity.
Role of the DEK oncogene in the development of squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Ishida Kazuhisa , Nakashima Takayuki , Shibata Toshiyuki , Hara Akira , Tomita Hiroyuki
Published: July 2020

DEK is a highly conserved nuclear factor that plays an important role in the regulation of multiple cellular processes.DEKwas discovered to be an oncogene as a fusion withNUP214gene, which results in producing DEK-NUP214 proteins, in a subset of patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Subsequently, DEK overexpression was reported in many cancers, thus DEK itself is considered to be an oncoprotein. DEK has been reported to play important roles in the progression of early and late stage squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and is useful for early diagnosis of the disease. These findings have made DEK an attractive therapeutic target, especially for human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated SCC. However, the mechanism of DEK in SCC remains unclear. In this review, we discuss humanDEKoncogene-related SCC.
Functional analysis and exterior calculus on mixed-dimensional geometries
Authors: Boon Wietse M. , Nordbotten Jan M. , Vatne Jon E.
Published: July 2020

We are interested in differential forms on mixed-dimensional geometries, in the sense of a domain containing sets of d-dimensional manifolds, structured hierarchically so that each d-dimensional manifold is contained in the boundary of one or more $$d + 1$$

d
+
1

-dimensional manifolds. On any given d-dimensional manifold, we then consider differential operators tangent to the manifold as well as discrete differential operators (jumps) normal to the manifold. The combined action of these operators leads to the notion of a semi-discrete differential operator coupling manifolds of different dimensions. We refer to the resulting systems of equations as mixed-dimensional, which have become a popular modeling technique for physical applications including fractured and composite materials. We establish analytical tools in the mixed-dimensional setting, including suitable inner products, differential and codifferential operators, Poincaré lemma, and Poincaré–Friedrichs inequality. The manuscript is concluded by defining the mixed-dimensional minimization problem corresponding to the Hodge Laplacian, and we show that this minimization problem is well-posed.
Claimed advantages and disadvantages of (dedicated) model transformation languages: a systematic literature review
Authors: Götz Stefan , Tichy Matthias , Groner Raffaela
Published: July 2020

There exists a plethora of claims about the advantages and disadvantages of model transformation languages compared to general-purpose programming languages. With this work, we aim to create an overview over these claims in the literature and systematize evidence thereof. For this purpose, we conducted a systematic literature review by following a systematic process for searching and selecting relevant publications and extracting data. We selected a total of 58 publications, categorized claims about model transformation languages into 14 separate groups and conceived a representation to track claims and evidence through the literature. From our results, we conclude that: (i) the current literature claims many advantages of model transformation languages but also points towards certain deficits and (ii) there is insufficient evidence for claimed advantages and disadvantages and (iii) there is a lack of research interest into the verification of claims.
Grundstrukturen des Bundes-Klimaschutzgesetzes
Authors: Saurer Johannes
Published: July 2020

Am 18.12.2019 ist das Bundes-Klimaschutzgesetz in Kraft getreten. Damit wurde erstmals eine übergreifende
gesetzliche Grundlage geschaffen für den Beitrag Deutschlands zu den Zielen des Pariser Abkommens der
internationalen Staatengemeinschaft und der Europäischen Union zur Senkung von anthropogenen Treibhausgas-Emissionen.
Der folgende Beitrag analysiert das Bundes-Klimaschutzgesetz (KSG) in seinen Grundstrukturen.
How estimated ant diversity is biased by the sampling method? A case study of Crete: a Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot
Authors: Salata Sebastian , Kalarus Konrad , Borowiec Lech , Trichas Apostolos , Kujawa Krzysztof
Published: July 2020

Defining biodiversity conservation goals requires representative and reliable data. However, data collected with the use of different methods can lead to divergent conclusions. Regardless of the high level of biodiversity of Mediterranean habitats, very little attention was paid in developing methods allowing rapid and scalable estimation of their richness. This study aims to recognize and explain the differences in performance of two methods: pitfall traps (PTM) and a complementary method based on hand collecting (HCM), in surveys of ants in the Mediterranean. We compared the results of applying both methods in three habitats in relation to α-, β-, and γ-diversity, and functional traits of species, i.e. Webber’s length (WL), nesting preferences, and evolutionary origin. Mean species number per HCM was significantly higher than per PTM sample. Spatial species turnover of HCM samples was higher than in PTM ones. However, assemblage dispersion did not differ. HCM detected a higher number of species and genera. WL differed significantly between HCM and PTM, and HCM recorded significantly more species in individual nesting guilds, regardless of considered habitat. HCM detected higher diversity of functional characteristic combinations of species. PTM detected fewer species with slightly larger body size and is useful in recognizing spatial species diversity patterns. HCM detected a higher number of species and produced more comprehensive results in identifying the functional diversity of ant assemblages. In conclusion, an integrated approach, described here as HCM, appears to be more suitable for heterogeneous Mediterranean habitats, especially when a survey aims at α-, β-, and γ-diversity assessments.
Sphingolipids and plasma membrane hydrolases in human primary bronchial cells during differentiation and their altered patterns in cystic fibrosis
Authors: Loberto Nicoletta , Mancini Giulia , Bassi Rosaria , Carsana Emma Veronica , Tamanini Anna , Pedemonte Nicoletta , Dechecchi Maria Cristina , Sonnino Sandro , Aureli Massimo
Published: July 2020

Human primary bronchial epithelial cells differentiated in vitro represent a valuable tool to study lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis (CF), an inherited disorder caused by mutations in the gene coding for the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator. In CF, sphingolipids, a ubiquitous class of bioactive lipids mainly associated with the outer layer of the plasma membrane, seem to play a crucial role in the establishment of the severe lung complications. Nevertheless, no information on the involvement of sphingolipids and their metabolism in the differentiation of primary bronchial epithelial cells are available so far. Here we show that ceramide and globotriaosylceramide increased during cell differentiation, whereas glucosylceramide and gangliosides content decreased. In addition, we found that apical plasma membrane of differentiated bronchial cells is characterized by a higher content of sphingolipids in comparison to the other cell membranes and that activity of sphingolipids catabolic enzymes associated with this membrane results altered with respect to the total cell activities. In particular, the apical membrane of CF cells was characterized by high levels of ceramide and glucosylceramide, known to have proinflammatory activity. On this basis, our data further support the role of sphingolipids in the onset of CF lung pathology.
Correction to: CircUBAP2 promotes SEMA6D expression to enhance the cisplatin resistance in osteosarcoma through sponging miR-506-3p by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway
Authors: Gong Xuelian , Li Wei , Dong Lin , Qu Fangfei
Published: July 2020

The authors of the article want to add Xuelian Gong and Wei Li as the first author and co-first author as they have greatly contributed to the revision work. The correct author group is given in this Correction.
Fine-Grained Complexity of Safety Verification
Authors: Chini Peter , Meyer Roland , Saivasan Prakash
Published: July 2020

We study the fine-grained complexity of Leader Contributor Reachability ($${\textsf {LCR}} $$
LCR
) and Bounded-Stage Reachability ($${\textsf {BSR}} $$
BSR
), two variants of the safety verification problem for shared memory concurrent programs. For both problems, the memory is a single variable over a finite data domain. Our contributions are new verification algorithms and lower bounds. The latter are based on the Exponential Time Hypothesis ($${\textsf {ETH}} $$
ETH
), the problem $${\textsf {Set~Cover}} $$

Set

Cover

, and cross-compositions. $${\textsf {LCR}} $$
LCR
is the question whether a designated leader thread can reach an unsafe state when interacting with a certain number of equal contributor threads. We suggest two parameterizations: (1) By the size of the data domain $${\texttt {D}}$$
D
and the size of the leader $${\texttt {L}}$$
L
, and (2) by the size of the contributors $${\texttt {C}}$$
C
. We present algorithms for both cases. The key techniques are compact witnesses and dynamic programming. The algorithms run in $${\mathcal {O}}^*(({\texttt {L}}\cdot ({\texttt {D}}+1))^{{\texttt {L}}\cdot {\texttt {D}}} \cdot {\texttt {D}}^{{\texttt {D}}})$$

O

∗

(

(
L
·

(
D
+
1
)

)

L
·
D

·

D

D

)

and $${\mathcal {O}}^*(2^{{\texttt {C}}})$$

O

∗

(

2
C

)

time, showing that both parameterizations are fixed-parameter tractable. We complement the upper bounds by (matching) lower bounds based on $${\textsf {ETH}} $$
ETH
and $${\textsf {Set~Cover}} $$

Set

Cover

. Moreover, we prove the absence of polynomial kernels. For $${\textsf {BSR}} $$
BSR
, we consider programs involving $${\texttt {t}}$$
t
different threads. We restrict the analysis to computations where the write permission changes $${\texttt {s}}$$
s
times between the threads. $${\textsf {BSR}} $$
BSR
asks whether a given configuration is reachable via such an $${\texttt {s}}$$
s
-stage computation. When parameterized by $${\texttt {P}}$$
P
, the maximum size of a thread, and $${\texttt {t}}$$
t
, the interesting observation is that the problem has a large number of difficult instances. Formally, we show that there is no polynomial kernel, no compression algorithm that reduces the size of the data domain $${\texttt {D}}$$
D
or the number of stages $${\texttt {s}}$$
s
to a polynomial dependence on $${\texttt {P}}$$
P
and $${\texttt {t}}$$
t
. This indicates that symbolic methods may be harder to find for this problem.
PioLaG: a piosphere landscape generator for savanna rangeland modelling
Authors: Hess Bastian , Dreber Niels , Liu Yihui , Wiegand Kerstin , Ludwig Marvin , Meyer Hanna , Meyer Katrin M.
Published: July 2020

Context

Piospheres describe herbivore utilization gradients around watering points, as commonly found in grass-dominated ecosystems. Spatially explicit, dynamic models are ideal tools to study the ecological and economic problems associated with the resulting land degradation. However, there is a need for appropriate landscape input maps to these models that depict plausible initial vegetation patterns under a range of scenarios.

Objectives

Our goal was to develop a spatially-explicit piosphere landscape generator (PioLaG) for semi-arid savanna rangelands with a focus on realistic vegetation zones and spatial patterns of basic plant functional types around livestock watering points.

Methods

We applied a hybrid modelling approach combining aspects of both process- and pattern-based modelling. Exemplary parameterization of PioLaG was based on literature data and expert interviews in reference to Kalahari savannas. PioLaG outputs were compared with piosphere formations identified on aerial images.

Results

PioLaG allowed to create rangeland landscapes with piospheres that can be positioned within flexible arrangements of grazing units (camps). The livestock utilization gradients showed distinct vegetation patterns around watering points, which varied according to the pre-set initial rangeland condition, grazing regime and management type. The spatial characteristics and zoning of woody and herbaceous vegetation were comparable to real piosphere patterns.

Conclusions

PioLaG can provide important input data for spatial rangeland models that simulate site-specific savanna dynamics. The created landscapes can also be used as a direct decision support for land managers in attempts to maintain or restore landscape functionality and key ecosystem services such as forage production.
The subsegmental structure of German plural allomorphy
Authors: Trommer Jochen
Published: July 2020

Plurals in the native stratum of German nouns exhibit a complex interlacing of arbitrary lexical classes and virtually exceptionless generalizations across them. Thus while it is not fully predictable phonologically or semantically which suffix allomorph a plural noun takes and whether it undergoes umlaut (vowel fronting), specific suffixes consistently trigger or block umlaut (Augst 1979; Wurzel 1998; Wunderlich 1999), and all plural forms obey a fixed prosodic template (Wiese 1996b, 2009). This combination of regular and irregular has given rise to the claim that German noun plurals defy a morpheme-based analysis and require global paradigm structure conditions (Bittner 1991; Wurzel 1998; Carstairs-McCarthy 2008) or construction-specific constraints (Neef 1998; Wunderlich 1999; Wiese 2009). In this paper, I present a new, purely concatenative analysis of German plurals combining and extending on elements of the classical autosegmental analyses for German umlaut (Yu 1992; Lieber 1992; Féry 1994) and schwa (Hall 1992; Noske 1993; Wiese 1996b) couched in Stratal OT (Kiparsky 2015; Bermúdez-Otero 2018) and Containment Theory (Prince and Smolensky 1993; Revithiadou 2007; van Oostendorp 2008). I show that assuming a general plural suffix consisting of a featurally underspecified segmental root node and a floatingCoronalfeature allows for a purely phonological explanation of both paradigmatic implications and the templatic shape of noun plurals, which have so far been treated as independent problems, and gives rise to a principled account of apparent exceptions.
Association between habitual physical activity (HPA) and sleep quality in patients with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Dietz-Terjung Sarah , Gruber Wolfgang , Sutharsan Sivagurunathan , Taube Christian , Olivier Margarete , Mellies Uwe , Koerner-Rettberg Cordula , Dillenhöfer Stefanie , Stehling Florian , Welsner Matthias
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Sleep disturbances and poor sleep quality are known to be present in patients with CF. Regular physical activity plays an important role in the treatment of CF patients due to its positive influence on progression of disease and quality of life. The aim of this work is to create a home-based sleep and activity profile and to investigate the influence of habitual physical activity (HPA) on sleep quality in children, adolescents, and adults with CF.

Methods

A total of 109 CF patients (64 male, mean age 22.7 ± 12.0 years; mean ppFEV1 63.0 ± 26.7) were equipped with an actigraph for a home-based collection of data on sleep and activity over 4 weeks.

Results

Age, FEV1, and BMI affect sleep and activity in CF patients. Especially younger age and higher FEV1 show a great influence on certain aspects of sleep (SE, TST, TIB, WASO, # of awakenings) and activity and its different intensities. General HPA does not affect sleep, but there is a strong correlation between times spent in vigorous to very vigorous intensities and better sleep quality.

Conclusion

Besides younger age and higher FEV1, daily activity in higher intensities influences sleeping behavior of CF patients in a positive way. Patients with poor sleep quality and sleep disturbances possibly benefit from an intensification of physical activity in the home environment.

Trail registration

number: 14–6117-BO (University Duisburg-Essen) and NCT 03518697 (clinical trials).
In vitro and in vivo studies of triacetone triperoxide (TATP) metabolism in humans
Authors: Gonsalves Michelle D. , Colizza Kevin , Smith James L. , Oxley Jimmie C.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Triacetone triperoxide (TATP) is a volatile but powerful explosive that appeals to terrorists due to its ease of synthesis from household items. For this reason, bomb squad, canine (K9) units, and scientists must work with this material to mitigate this threat. However, no information on the metabolism of TATP is available.

Methods

In vitro experiments using human liver microsomes and recombinant enzymes were performed on TATP and TATP-OH for metabolite identification and enzyme phenotyping. Enzyme kinetics for TATP hydroxylation were also investigated. Urine from laboratory personnel collected before and after working with TATP was analyzed for TATP and its metabolites.

Results

While experiments with flavin monooxygenases were inconclusive, those with recombinant cytochrome P450s (CYPs) strongly suggested that CYP2B6 was the principle enzyme responsible for TATP hydroxylation. TATP-O-glucuronide was also identified and incubations with recombinant uridine diphosphoglucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) indicated that UGT2B7 catalyzes this reaction. Michaelis–Menten kinetics were determined for TATP hydroxylation, with Km = 1.4 µM and Vmax = 8.7 nmol/min/nmol CYP2B6. TATP-O-glucuronide was present in the urine of all three volunteers after being exposed to TATP vapors showing good in vivo correlation to in vitro data. TATP and TATP-OH were not observed.

Conclusions

Since scientists working to characterize and detect TATP to prevent terrorist attacks are constantly exposed to this volatile compound, attention should be paid to its metabolism. This paper is the first to elucidate some exposure, metabolism and excretion of TATP in humans and to identify a marker of TATP exposure, TATP-O-glucuronide in urine.
Large River Effect or Frozen Kinetics: How Complex Nonlinear Living Systems Solve Optimization Problems
Authors: Filippov Alexander , Kovalev Alexander , Gorb Stanislav
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we introduce general idea of trajectories attraction in phase space, which is very common phenomenon for the processes in the Nature. We start from a rather general biological example of natural selection, where adaptation to the environmental conditions can be described as attraction of some population distribution in the phenotype space to a center of ecological niche. The niche is mathematically represented as the “survival coefficient” which in turn can be linked to a kind of energy potential. This link between biological and physical approaches may be very useful for solution of a wide range of biological problems. In particular, we discuss an evolution in complex potential with a lot of valleys in a multi-dimensional space accompanied by the so-called large river effect, which corresponds to an extremely slow evolution of some, normally close to final, stages of the adaptation. This effect is related to the practically important states of the “frozen kinetics” which accompanies extremely wide spectrum of phenomena and allows understanding different physical and biological processes.
Computing Methods in the Analysis of Road Accident Reconstruction Uncertainty
Authors: Guzek Marek , Lozia Zbigniew
Published: July 2020

The study is dedicated to the problem of uncertainty in the analysis of accident situations in road traffic. The term “uncertainty” is generally known when used with reference to measurement techniques, but its application to the analyses of accident situations in road traffic, including accident reconstruction, is a relatively new field of knowledge. The objectives of this work include the presentation and examination of selected aspects related to the taking of uncertainty into account when analysing the course of an accident and making the necessary calculations. Apart from the scientific objectives, an important utilitarian goal may also be pointed out. The data and methods presented may be used by automotive technology experts in their accident reconstruction work. The paper shows seven methods that enable the taking into account of the uncertainty of the data used for calculations, i.e. extreme values method, total differential method, higher-order total differential method, finite-difference method, Gauss method, method based on the description of stochastic processes, and Monte-Carlo method. Apart from formal (mathematical) descriptions of the methods, an example of their use for the estimation of uncertainty of selected quantities that describe an accident situation has been demonstrated. The bad and good points of individual methods have been shown in the context of the application considered.
Priming autonomous and controlling motivation and effects on persistence
Authors: Murphy Stephen L. , Taylor Ian M.
Published: July 2020

The present studies examined whether priming distinct motivational states influenced persistence at a task designed to promote repeated failure, and post-task plans for engaging in self-regulatory activity. Two double-blind, between-subject experiments (Study 1: N = 58; Study 2: N = 92) involved participants being randomized to Autonomous Motivation, Controlling Motivation, or Neutral prime conditions using a scrambled-sentence test. Participants then attempted an impossible persistence task that promoted repeated failure. Following, participants reported their plans to engage in exercise. Using frequentist and Bayesian analyses, Study 1, Study 2, and an internal meta-analysis showed no differences in persistence or planned exercise across priming conditions, thus contrasting with previous research. Unanticipated moderation effects or motivational priming effects being smaller than those inputted into a priori power analyses may be the most likely reasons for these findings.
Basal and stimulated calcitonin for the diagnosis of medullary thyroid cancer: updated thresholds and safety assessment
Authors: Fugazzola L. , Di Stefano M. , Censi S. , Repaci A. , Colombo C. , Grimaldi F. , Magri F. , Pagotto U. , Iacobone M. , Persani L. , Mian C.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Reliable cut-offs for basal (bCT) and calcium stimulated calcitonin (casCT)
are needed for an early and accurate diagnosis of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC).

Patients and methods

Fifty-four new patients with nodular goiter were enrolled and analysed together with those previously published by our group for a total of 135 cases. bCT and casCT were measured by a highly sensitive method and the results compared with histological findings. In a subgroup of patients, cardiac rhythm was recorded before and during the calcium test.

Results

In both females (F) and males (M), there was a significant correlation between tumor size and bCT levels (P < 0.001). The receiver operating characteristic plot analyses showed that, for bCT, the new cut-off points able to separate non-MTC from MTC patients were > 30 (F) and > 34 pg/mL (M), whereas the best casCT thresholds were > 79 (F) and > 466 pg/mL (M). bCT was shown to harbour a high accuracy, though some cases were diagnosed only upon stimulation test. Importantly, combining bCT, below or above the cut-offs, with casCT above the cut-offs, all the MTC cases were correctly identified. A reversible sinus bradycardia was observed in 9% of cases during the test.

Conclusions

Refined cut-offs for bCT and casCT in patients with nodular goiter are reported. Sensitive bCT was shown to have a high accuracy, but the combination with casCT data was needed to identify all MTC cases. The reliability and safety of calcium test strongly favour the routine use of CT determination in nodular thyroid disease.
An XGBoost-based casualty prediction method for terrorist attacks
Authors: Feng Yi , Wang Dujuan , Yin Yunqiang , Li Zhiwu , Hu Zhineng
Published: July 2020

Terrorist attacks have been becoming one of the severe threats to national public security and world peace. Ascertaining whether the behaviors of terrorist attacks will threaten the lives of innocent people is vital in dealing with terrorist attacks, which has a profound impact on the resource optimization configuration. For this purpose, we propose an XGBoost-based casualty prediction algorithm, namely RP-GA-XGBoost, to predict whether terrorist attacks will cause the casualties of innocent civilians. In the proposed RP-GA-XGBoost algorithm, a novel method that incorporates random forest (RF) and principal component analysis (PCA) is devised for selecting features, and a genetic algorithm is used to tune the hyperparameters of XGBoost. The proposed method is evaluated on the public dataset (Global Terrorism Database, GTD) and the terrorist attack dataset in China. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm achieves area under curve (AUC) of 87.00%, and accuracy of 86.33% for the public dataset, and sensitivity of 94.00%, AUC of 94.90% for the terrorist attack dataset in China, which proves the superiority and higher generalization ability of the proposed algorithm. Our study, to the best of our knowledge, is the first to apply machine learning in the management of terrorist attacks, which can provide early warning and decision support information for terrorist attack management.
Portfolio diversification, differentiation and the robustness of holdings networks
Authors: Delpini Danilo , Battiston Stefano , Caldarelli Guido , Riccaboni Massimo
Published: July 2020

Networks of portfolio holdings exemplify how interdependence both between the agents and their assets can be a source of systemic vulnerability. We study a real-world holdings network and compare it with various alternative scenarios from randomization and rebalancing of the original investments. Scenarios generation relies on algorithms that satisfy the global constraints imposed by the numbers of outstanding shares in the market. We consider fixed-diversification models and diversification-maximizing replicas too. We extensively analyze the interplay between portfolio diversification and differentiation, and how the outreach of exogenous shocks depends on these factors as well as on the type of shock and the size of the network with respect to the market. We find that real portfolios are poorly diversified but highly similar, that portfolio similarity correlates with systemic fragility and that rebalancing can come with an increased similarity depending on the initial network configuration. We show that a large diversification gain is achieved through rebalancing but, noteworthy, that makes the network vulnerable in front of unselective shocks. Also, while the network is riskier in the presence of targeted shocks, it is safer than its random counterparts when it is stressed by widespread price downturns.
Sexual Complaints and Ethnicity: Ethnic Differences in a Help-Seeking Sample
Authors: Tijdink Simone , De Graaf Hanneke , Hehenkamp Lieve , Laan Ellen
Published: July 2020

Background

Sexual complaints are a widespread problem around the globe. Ethnicity and culture play a vital role in sexual complaints, in terms of presentation, treatment, etiology, meaning, help-seeking behavior, and treatment preferences.

Aim

This study investigates whether there are differences in the type of sexual complaints among Dutch people with various ethnic backgrounds, using a help-seeking sample from 16 outpatient clinics based in different regions in the Netherlands.

Methods

Differences in sexual complaints between various ethnic groups were analyzed separately for women and men, using logistic regression, controlling for age.

Main Outcome Measures

The primary outcome measures included sexual complaints determined as per the registered details of the Dutch Registry for Sexology Outpatient Clinics.

Results

Both similarities and differences were found between ethnic groups. Dyspareunia was an important complaint among women from all ethnic backgrounds, as were erectile problems among men. For most complaints, however, modest yet significant ethnic differences were found.

Clinical Translation

Health practitioners need to be aware of this ethnic and cultural variation, while acknowledging variety within groups as well.

Strengths & Limitations

This study is the first to include a help-seeking sample large enough to investigate ethnic differences in sexual complaints in this level of detail. An important limitation is the fact that this study pooled together diverse groups of people into ethnic categories.

Conclusion

The differences found were significant, yet modest. We can state that ethnic background does play a role in etiology and/or help-seeking in patients with sexual complaints, as long as we maintain an open stance and acknowledge similarities between ethnic groups as well.
Understanding Sexual Help-Seeking for Women with Breast Cancer: What Distinguishes Women Who Seek Help from Those Who Do Not?
Authors: Reese Jennifer Barsky , Sorice Kristen A. , Pollard Whitney , Zimmaro Lauren A. , Beach Mary Catherine , Handorf Elizabeth , Lepore Stephen J.
Published: July 2020

Background

Sexual problems are extremely common for women after breast cancer (BC).

Aim

To determine, in a sample of BC outpatients, how commonly women sought help for sexual concerns, from a health care provider (HCP), from other individuals, or from alternate sources; and to examine whether help-seeking was associated with women's sexual function/activity, self-efficacy for clinical communication about sexual health, or sociodemographic/medical characteristics.

Methods

BC patients participating in a sexual/menopausal health communication intervention trial completed web-based baseline self-report surveys. One-way analysis of variances compared effects of the level of sexual help-seeking (none; 1 outlet; 2–3 outlets) on sexual function domains. Chi-square or t-tests compared women seeking help with those not seeking help on other study variables.

Main Outcome Measures

Patient-reported outcome instruments assessed sexual help-seeking (past month), sexual function and activity (PROMIS Sexual Function and Satisfaction Brief Profile Version 2.0), and self-efficacy (confidence) for communicating with their BC clinician about sexual health.

Results

144 women (mean age = 56.0 years; 62% partnered; 67% white; 27% black/African American; 4% Hispanic/Latina; 15% stage IV) participated in this study. 49% of women sought help for sexual concerns, most often from intimate partners, family and/or friends (42%), followed by HCPs (24%), or online/print materials (19%); very few women (n = 4; 3%) sought help only from a HCP. Women seeking help were younger and more likely to be partnered and sexually active than those not seeking help. Sexual function was impaired for all domains but was most impaired for sexual interest. Among sexually active women, those seeking help from 2 to 3 sources reported worse sexual function in certain domains (sexual interest, lubrication, vaginal discomfort, vulvar discomfort–labial, satisfaction). Women seeking help from outlets other than HCPs had significantly lower self-efficacy than those who did not.

Clinical Implications

BC patients with access to a partner and who are sexually active but find sex unsatisfying, uncomfortable, or lack interest may be in particular need of sexual help. Further, women may turn to outlets other than HCPs for sexual help partly because they lack the confidence to do so with a HCP. Sexual health information should be made available to women's partners, family, and friends, so they may effectively discuss such issues if needed.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths of the study included examination of a range of sexual function domains and a theoretical construct in relation to BC patients' sexual help-seeking and a medically diverse sample. Limitations include a cross-sectional design.

Conclusion

Women treated for BC should receive accurate and timely sexual health information.
Gender Imbalance in Public Sector Leadership
Authors: DeHart-Davis Leisha , Hatmaker Deneen , Nelson Kim , Pandey Sanjay K. , Pandey Sheela , Smith Amy
Published: July 2020

Women are still underrepresented as public-sector organizational leaders, despite comprising half of the United States public-sector workforce. To explore the factors driving gender imbalance, this Element employs a problem-driven approach to examine gender imbalance in local government management. We use multiple methods, inductive and deductive research, and different theoretical frames for exploring why so few women are city or county managers. Our interviews, resume analysis and secondary data analysis suggesting that women in local government management face a complex puzzle of gendered experiences, career paths and appointment circumstances that lend insights into gender imbalanced leadership in this domain.
COVID-19 Contact Tracing Solutions for Mass Gatherings
Authors: Ryan Benjamin J. , Coppola Damon , Williams James , Swienton Raymond
Published: July 2020

Mass gatherings and high-density activities, such as sporting events, conventions, and theme parks, are consistently included among highest-risk activities given the increased potential for widespread coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission. A more balanced risk management approach is required because absolute suppression of risk is unrealistic in all facets of life. Contact tracing remains a limiting factor in achieving such a balance. The use of Bluetooth or pairing devices is proposed to address this challenge. This simple approach, when applied in a manner that satisfies privacy and trust concerns, would allow high-risk encounters to be quickly identified, namely those where participants have spent 15 minutes or more within 6 ft of each other per current guidelines. If an attendee later tests positive for COVID-19 and tracing is required, the event organizer can provide a limited list of potential close contacts rather than an exhaustive list of all attendees. Contact tracers can, therefore, limit efforts to this concise group rather than needing to contact thousands of people or conduct mass media communications. Such a system, if institutionalized, supports risk assurance and safety measures for businesses by demonstrating a commitment to staff, customer protection, and ensuring high-risk encounters are logged, reinforcing longer-term societal pandemic resilience.
Mitigating the Twin Threats of Climate-Driven Atlantic Hurricanes and COVID-19 Transmission
Authors: Shultz James M. , Kossin James P. , Hertelendy Attila , Burkle Fredrick , Fugate Craig , Sherman Ronald , Bakalar Johnna , Berg Kim , Maggioni Alessandra , Espinel Zelde , Sands Duane E. , LaRocque Regina C. , Salas Renee N. , Galea Sandro
Published: July 2020

The co-occurrence of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season and the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic creates complex dilemmas for protecting populations from these intersecting threats. Climate change is likely contributing to stronger, wetter, slower-moving, and more dangerous hurricanes. Climate-driven hazards underscore the imperative for timely warning, evacuation, and sheltering of storm-threatened populations – proven life-saving protective measures that gather evacuees together inside durable, enclosed spaces when a hurricane approaches. Meanwhile, the rapid acquisition of scientific knowledge regarding how COVID-19 spreads has guided mass anti-contagion strategies, including lockdowns, sheltering at home, physical distancing, donning personal protective equipment, conscientious handwashing, and hygiene practices. These life-saving strategies, credited with preventing millions of COVID-19 cases, separate and move people apart. Enforcement coupled with fear of contracting COVID-19 have motivated high levels of adherence to these stringent regulations. How will populations react when warned to shelter from an oncoming Atlantic hurricane while COVID-19 is actively circulating in the community? Emergency managers, health care providers, and public health preparedness professionals must create viable solutions to confront these potential scenarios: elevated rates of hurricane-related injury and mortality among persons who refuse to evacuate due to fear of COVID-19, and the resurgence of COVID-19 cases among hurricane evacuees who shelter together.
To Be an Apolitical Political Scientist: A Chinese Immigrant Scholar and (Geo)politicized American Higher Education
Authors: Liu Qing
Published: July 2020

While educating international students is celebrated as a means of promoting mutual understanding among nations, American higher education has always been entangled with geopolitics. This essay focuses on Tang Tsou, the Chinese scholar who came to the United States as a student in 1941, eventually becoming the nation's leading China expert and producing knowledge about China for the United States during the Cold War. It analyzes how Tsou navigated a complex political terrain in which his Chinese identity was both a professional asset and a liability. Examining Tsou's personal and professional decisions as well as his response to the politicization of his Chinese identity reveals the (geo)politicization of higher education more broadly.
Kin-State Politics: Causes and Consequences
Authors: Waterbury Myra A.
Published: July 2020

This article situates the development of the kin-state politics literature within the context of post-Cold War scholarship on ethnicity, nationalism, and conflict. It outlines how an increasingly mature literature emerged around the domestic political and foreign policy drivers of kin-state politics as scholars drew from a number of perspectives, from the literature on irredentism to that on diaspora politics and transborder nationalism. The article then evaluates scholarship on the drivers and impacts of kin-state politics, with a focus on the consequences of kin-state politics for the cultural and political landscape of external kin communities and the impact on regional security and stability. While a rich and nuanced literature has helped to contextualize the tensions and complexities of the former, I argue that the latter needs to be developed further. Careful work needs to be done to more precisely establish the conditions under which kin-state politics constitute a security threat. Future scholarship should bring together a more ground level perspective of how kin-state policies are perceived, utilized, and/or instrumentalized by their intended subjects with a critical understanding of how the “game” of kin-state politics is played within the home state and the kin-state.
Combined anthocyanins and bromelain supplement improves endothelial function and skeletal muscle oxygenation status in adults: a double-blind placebo-controlled randomised crossover clinical trial
Authors: Pekas Elizabeth J. , Shin Jeonghwa , Headid Ronald J. , Son Won-Mok , Layec Gwenael , Yadav Santosh K. , Scott Steven D. , Park Song-Young
Published: July 2020

Anthocyanins and bromelain have gained significant attention due to their antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. Both have been shown to improve endothelial function, blood pressure (BP) and oxygen utility capacity in humans; however, the combination of these two and the impacts on endothelial function, BP, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and oxygen utility capacity have not been previously investigated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impacts of a combined anthocyanins and bromelain supplement (BE) on endothelial function, BP, TAC, oxygen utility capacity and fatigability in healthy adults. Healthy adults (n 18, age 24 (sd 4) years) received BE or placebo in a randomised crossover design. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD), BP, TAC, resting heart rate, oxygen utility capacity and fatigability were measured pre- and post-BE and placebo intake. The BE group showed significantly increased FMD, reduced systolic BP and improved oxygen utility capacity compared with the placebo group (P < 0·05). Tissue saturation and oxygenated Hb significantly increased following BE intake, while deoxygenated Hb significantly decreased (P < 0·05) during exercise. Additionally, TAC was significantly increased following BE intake (P < 0·05). There were no significant differences for resting heart rate, diastolic BP or fatigability index. These results suggest that BE intake is an effective nutritional therapy for improving endothelial function, BP, TAC and oxygen utility capacity, which may be beneficial to support vascular health in humans.