bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced photovoltaic conversion of ZnO/PANI/NiOx heterostructure devices with ZnO nanorod array
Authors: Mohammed Muatez , AbdulAmohsin Samir , Li Zhongrui , Zheng Liqiu
Published: November 2020

An n-i-p type of organic-inorganic hybrid bifacial solar cells was constructed with a ZnO/polyaniline/NiO
x
heterostructure, in which vertically aligned ZnO nanorods (ZnONd) were synthesized by a facile electrochemical deposition process and act as an electron-transport layer. Semitransparent p-type semiconducting NiO
x
films were utilized as a hole-transport layer. Devices based on the ZnONd considerably outperform those employing ZnO thin films. The contact and electrical properties of NiO
x
can be carefully tuned through controlling the deposition parameters as well as surface treatments. Intimate contact between NiO
x
with PANI, created by in situ electrochemical polymerization, greatly improves the charge movement. Furthermore, an O2-plasma treatment of the NiO
x
film has a significant impact on the performance of polyaniline/ZnONd hybrid photovoltaic devices, reflected by the enhancement in the fill-factor and efficiency. The power conversion efficiency of the ZnONd/PANI/NiO
x
device under the optimized O2 plasma condition can reach up to 2.79% under AM1.5 illumination.
Portigon v Spain: new frontiers for financial institutions in investor–state arbitration?
Authors: Apostolova Kate
Published: November 2020

Historically, financial institutions have preferred litigation over arbitration as a dispute resolution mechanism. In recent years, however, financial institutions have turned to international arbitration more often. This is reflected in the 2018 Queen Mary International Arbitration Survey which concluded that financial institutions are ‘contemplating arbitration with much greater interest than ever before’. In addition to incorporating international arbitration clauses more often in their contracts, financial institutions have become increasingly aware of the protections established by international investment treaties and are more actively seeking to benefit from the rights they establish for qualifying investors. A recent decision has revealed how important those rights could be. In August 2020, for the first time in investor–state arbitration, in Portigon v Spain, a tribunal found that a financial institution may seek protection under an investment treaty for project finance because project finance, in the form of long-term loans and swaps, constitutes a protected ‘investment’ under the relevant investment treaty. While the decision remains confidential as of the publication of this article, it is an opportune moment to review the proposition that project financiers may seek protection under investment treaties against state actions that affect adversely the projects they are financing.
EpiGraphDB: a database and data mining platform for health data science
Authors: Liu Yi , Elsworth Benjamin , Erola Pau , Haberland Valeriia , Hemani Gibran , Lyon Matt , Zheng Jie , Lloyd Oliver , Vabistsevits Marina , Gaunt Tom R
Published: November 2020

Motivation

The wealth of data resources on human phenotypes, risk factors, molecular traits and therapeutic interventions presents new opportunities for population health sciences. These opportunities are paralleled by a growing need for data integration, curation and mining to increase research efficiency, reduce mis-inference and ensure reproducible research.

Results

We developed EpiGraphDB (https://epigraphdb.org/), a graph database containing an array of different biomedical and epidemiological relationships and an analytical platform to support their use in human population health data science. In addition, we present three case studies that illustrate the value of this platform. The first uses EpiGraphDB to evaluate potential pleiotropic relationships, addressing mis-inference in systematic causal analysis. In the second case study, we illustrate how protein–protein interaction data offer opportunities to identify new drug targets. The final case study integrates causal inference using Mendelian randomization with relationships mined from the biomedical literature to ‘triangulate’ evidence from different sources.

Availability and implementation

The EpiGraphDB platform is openly available at https://epigraphdb.org. Code for replicating case study results is available at https://github.com/MRCIEU/epigraphdb as Jupyter notebooks using the API, and https://mrcieu.github.io/epigraphdb-r using the R package.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Strengthening Social Welfare Administration Practice in India: A Context Centric Social Work Approach
Authors: Akhup Alex
Published: November 2020

This article explores the possibility of strengthening social welfare administration practice in social work training and education to respond to complex and varied issues located within Indian social reality keeping in view the people in concrete situations of vulnerabilities. Based on the case analysis approach, it situates the history of social work education and practice closely linked to the social welfare administration practice in Mumbai School of Social Work. The experience in this school reaffirms the contribution of social work administration practice towards welfare and development of people, and suggests the need for strengthening the practice suited to the changing needs of the time. Learning from this experience, this article argues for a positive recognition of context centric approach in social work practice.
COVID: Not a Great Equalizer
Authors: Galasso Vincenzo
Published: November 2020

Coronavirus has been portrayed as the ‘great equalizer’. None seems immune to the virus and to the economic consequences of the lockdown measures imposed to contain its diffusion. We exploit novel data from two real-time surveys to study the early impact on the labor market of the lockdown in Italy—one of the two countries, with China, hit hard and early. We find that low-educated workers, blue collars, and low-income service workers were more likely to have stopped working both 3-week and 6-week after the lockdown. Low-educated workers were less likely to work from home. Blue collars worked more from their regular workplace, but not from home. Low-income service workers were instead less likely to work from the regular workplace. For both blue collars and low-income service workers, the monthly labor income dropped already in March. Some positive adjustments took place between the 3rd and the 6th week from the lockdown: the share of idle workers dropped, as the proportion of individuals working at home and from their regular workplace increased. However, these adjustments benefited mostly highly educated workers and white collars. Overall, low-income individuals faced worse labor market outcomes and suffered higher psychological costs. (JEL codes: J21, I24, and H12)
Prevalence of Immunoglobulin G (IgG) Against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and Evaluation of a Rapid MEDsan IgG Test in Children Seeking Medical Care
Authors: Posfay-Barbe Klara M , Andrey Diego O , Virzi Julien , Cohen Patrick , Pigny Fiona , Goncalves Ana R , Pinosch Selina , Lacroix Laurence , Stringhini Silvia , Kaiser Laurent , Vuilleumier Nicolas , L’Huillier Arnaud G
Published: November 2020

In 208 children seeking medical care, the seropositivity rate of anti–SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies was 8.7%, suggesting an infection rate similar to that observed in adults but >100-fold the incidence of RT-PCR–confirmed pediatric cases. Compared with the gold-standard combined ELISA + immunofluorescence, the MEDsan IgG rapid diagnostic test performed accurately.
Early Elevation of Fibrosis-4 Liver Fibrosis Score Is Associated With Adverse Outcomes Among Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019
Authors: Xiang Fangfei , Sun Jing , Chen Po-Hung , Han Peijin , Zheng Haipeng , Cai Shuijiang , Kirk Gregory D
Published: November 2020

Background

Limited prior data suggest that preexisting liver disease is associated with adverse outcomes among patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) is a noninvasive index of readily available laboratory measurements that represents hepatic fibrosis. We evaluated the association between FIB-4 at the early stage of infection and COVID-19 outcomes.

Methods

FIB-4 was evaluated at admission in a cohort of 267 patients admitted with early-stage COVID-19 confirmed through reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction assay. Hazard of ventilator use and of high-flow oxygen was estimated using Cox regression models controlled for covariates. Risks of progression to severe disease and of death/prolonged hospitalization were estimated using multivariable logistic regression models.

Results

Forty-one (15%) patients progressed to severe disease, 36 (14%) required high-flow oxygen support, 10 (4%) required mechanical ventilator support, and 1 died. FIB-4 between 1.45 and 3.25 was associated with a greater than 5-fold (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2–28) increased hazard of high-flow oxygen use, a greater than 4-fold (95% CI, 1.5–14.6) increased odds of progression to severe disease, and an over 3-fold (95% CI, 1.4–7.7) increased odds of death or prolonged hospitalization. FIB-4 >3.25 was associated with a greater than 12-fold (95% CI, 2.3–68. 7) increased hazard of high-flow oxygen use and an over 11-fold (95% CI, 3.1–45) increased risk of progression to severe disease. All associations were independent of sex, number of comorbidities, and inflammatory markers (D-dimer, C-reactive protein).

Conclusions

FIB-4 at the early-stage of COVID-19 had an independent and dose-dependent association with adverse outcomes during hospitalization. FIB-4 provided significant prognostic value for estimating adverse outcomes among COVID-19 patients.
A Randomized Trial of Two 2-Dose Influenza Vaccination Strategies for Patients Following Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Teh Benjamin W , Leung Vivian K Y , Mordant Francesca L , Sullivan Sheena G , Joyce Trish , Harrison Simon J , Khvorov Arseniy , Barr Ian G , Subbarao Kanta , Slavin Monica A , Worth Leon J
Published: November 2020

Background

Seroprotection and seroconversion rates are not well understood for 2-dose inactivated influenza vaccination (IIV) schedules in autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (autoHCT) patients.

Methods

A randomized, single-blind, controlled trial of IIV in autoHCT patients in their first year post-transplant was conducted. Patients were randomized 1:1 to high-dose (HD) IIV followed by standard dose (SD) vaccine (HD-SD arm) or 2 SD vaccines (SD-SD arm) 4 weeks apart. Hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay for IIV strains was performed at baseline, 1, 2, and 6 months post–first dose. Evaluable primary outcomes were seroprotection (HI titer ≥40) and seroconversion (4-fold titer increase) rates and secondary outcomes were geometric mean titers (GMTs), GMT ratios (GMRs), adverse events, influenza-like illness (ILI), and laboratory-confirmed influenza (LCI) rates and factors associated with seroconversion.

Results

Sixty-eight patients were enrolled (34/arm) with median age of 61.5 years, majority male (68%) with myeloma (68%). Median time from autoHCT to vaccination was 2.3 months. For HD-SD and SD-SD arms, percentages of patients achieving seroprotection were 75.8% and 79.4% for H1N1, 84.9% and 88.2% for H3N2 (all P > .05), and 78.8% and 97.1% for influenza-B/Yamagata (P = .03), respectively. Seroconversion rates, GMTs and GMRs, and number of ILI or LCIs were not significantly different between arms. Adverse event rates were similar. Receipt of concurrent cancer therapy was independently associated with higher odds of seroconversion (OR, 4.3; 95% CI, 1.2–14.9; P = .02).

Conclusions

High seroprotection and seroconversion rates against all influenza strains can be achieved with vaccination as early as 2 months post-autoHCT with either 2-dose vaccine schedules.

Clinical Trials Registration

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12619000617167.
Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia complicated by dilated cardiomyopathy: a case report
Authors: Christina Granitz , Peter Jirak , Bernhard Strohmer , Gerhard Pölzl
Published: November 2020

Background 

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a severe genetic arrhythmogenic disorder characterized by adrenergically induced ventricular tachycardia manifesting as stress-induced syncope and sudden cardiac death. While CPVT is not associated with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in most cases, the combination of both disease entities poses a major diagnostic and therapeutic challenge.

Case summary 

We present the case of a young woman with CPVT. The clinical course since childhood was characterized by repetitive episodes of exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmias and a brady-tachy syndrome due to rapid paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and sinus bradycardia. Medical treatment included propranolol and flecainide until echocardiography showed a dilated left ventricle with severely depressed ejection fraction when the patient was 32 years old. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging revealed non-specific late gadolinium enhancement. Myocardial inflammation, however, was excluded by subsequent endomyocardial biopsy. Genetic analysis confirmed a mutation in the cardiac ryanodine receptor but no pathogenetic variant associated with DCM. Guideline-directed medical therapy for HFrEF was limited due to symptomatic hypotension. Over the next months, the patient developed progressive heart failure symptoms that were finally managed by heart transplantation.

Discussion 

Management in patients with CPVT and DCM is challenging, as Class I antiarrhythmic drugs are not recommended in structural heart disease and prophylactic internal cardioverter-defibrillator implantation without adjuvant antiarrhythmic therapy can be detrimental. Regular echocardiographic screening for DCM is recommendable in patients with CPVT. A multidisciplinary team of heart failure specialists, electrophysiologists, geneticists, and imaging specialists is needed to collaborate in the delivery of clinical care.
An unusual precipitant of acute heart failure—ANCA-associated vasculitis in a patient with ischaemic cardiomyopathy: a case report
Authors: Prasad Krishna , Revaiah Pruthvi C , Santosh Vemuri Krishna , Barwad Parag
Published: November 2020

Background

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated pulmonary renal vasculitis is an uncommon disease entity. Its presentation as acute heart failure for the first time in a patient with established coronary artery disease (CAD) is even rarer. We present here a case of such an association and an approach to managing this clinical situation.

Case summary

A 60-year-old male patient presented to the emergency room with recent-onset dyspnoea New York Heart Association Class IV. He was having hypertension, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and CAD. He also underwent a percutaneous coronary intervention to left anterior descending in the past for acute coronary syndrome and had moderate left ventricular dysfunction. He was being managed as a case of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) and was mechanically ventilated. Suddenly his ventilator requirement increased and endotracheal aspirate contained blood. The chest radiograph showed bilateral hilar infiltrates. Simultaneously he also had recurrent episodes of ventricular tachycardia (VT) requiring direct current (DC) cardioversion. Blood investigations showed deranged renal function and severe hyperkalaemia, but no evidence of coagulopathy. High-resolution computed tomography chest showed features of diffuse alveolar haemorrhage. Further investigations revealed high titres of c-ANCA and raised inflammatory biomarkers. A diagnosis of ANCA-associated vasculitis presenting as acute on CKD with dyselectrolytaemia (hyperkalaemia) leading to VT was made. Apart from standard management for associated illness, he was treated with plasma exchange, steroids, and cyclophosphamide to which he responded and was later on discharged.

Discussion

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-related pulmonary renal vasculitis can lead to rapidly progressing renal failure and may present as ADHF in a patient with existent CAD. The associated VT storm in our patient can be attributed to hyperkalaemia secondary to acute renal failure. A multidisciplinary approach is required for the successful management of such a complex clinical scenario.
Public health and clinical implications of multidrug-resistant shigellosis cases in a reception centre for refugees/migrants, Greece, October–December 2019
Authors: Mellou Kassiani , Mandilara Georgia , Chrysostomou Anthi , Tryfinopoulou Kyriaki , Sideroglou Theologia , Karadimas Kleon , Agiassoti Vasiliki Taxiarhoula , Lamprou Dimitra , Zampeta Eleni , Antoniou Garyfallia , Maltezou Helen C , Panayiotakopoulos George
Published: November 2020

From October to December 2019, 18 shigellosis cases (median age: 4.3 years, range: 0–21) were identified in the Reception Center for refugees/migrants on the Greek island of Samos. Fifteen cases (83.3%) were Afghani. Median time from arrival to symptoms onset was 53 days (40–101). Isolates from 14 cases, serotyped as Shigella flexneri 1b, and from three cases, serotyped as S. sonnei phase S (I), presented a multidrug-resistant phenotype. S. flexneri 1b isolates also produced extended-spectrum β-lactamases. Shigella flexneri 2a isolate from the remaining case was resistant to sulfomethoxazole, trimethoprim and pefloxacin. Improvement of hygiene and strengthening of laboratory investigation is needed.
Comparing ray-theoretical and finite-frequency teleseismic traveltimes: implications for constraining the ratio of S-wave to P-wave velocity variations in the lower mantle
Authors: Chaves Carlos A M , Ritsema Jeroen , Koelemeijer Paula
Published: November 2020

A number of seismological studies have indicated that the ratio R of S-wave and P-wave velocity perturbations increases to 3–4 in the lower mantle with the highest values in the large low-velocity provinces (LLVPs) beneath Africa and the central Pacific. Traveltime constraints on R are based primarily on ray-theoretical modelling of delay times of P waves (ΔTP) and S waves (ΔTS), even for measurements derived from long-period waveforms and core-diffracted waves for which ray theory (RT) is deemed inaccurate. Along with a published set of traveltime delays, we compare predicted values of ΔTP, ΔTS, and the ΔTS/ΔTP ratio for RT and finite-frequency (FF) theory to determine the resolvability of R in the lower mantle. We determine the FF predictions of ΔTP and ΔTS using cross-correlation methods applied to spectral-element method waveforms, analogous to the analysis of recorded waveforms, and by integration using FF sensitivity kernels. Our calculations indicate that RT and FF predict a similar variation of the ΔTS/ΔTP ratio when R increases linearly with depth in the mantle. However, variations of R in relatively thin layers (< 400 km) are poorly resolved using long-period data (T > 20 s). This is because FF predicts that ΔTP and ΔTS vary smoothly with epicentral distance even when vertical P-wave and S-wave gradients change abruptly. Our waveform simulations also show that the estimate of R for the Pacific LLVP is strongly affected by velocity structure shallower in the mantle. If R increases with depth in the mantle, which appears to be a robust inference, the acceleration of P waves in the lithosphere beneath eastern North America and the high-velocity Farallon anomaly negates the P-wave deceleration in the LLVP. This results in a ΔTP of about 0, whereas ΔTS is positive. Consequently, the recorded high ΔTS/ΔTP for events in the southwest Pacific and stations in North America may be misinterpreted as an anomalously high R for the Pacific LLVP.
Mesh repairing using topology graphs
Authors: Charton Jerome , Baek Stephen , Kim Youngjun
Published: November 2020

Geometrical and topological inconsistencies, such as self-intersections and non-manifold elements, are common in triangular meshes, causing various problems across all stages of geometry processing. In this paper, we propose a method to resolve these inconsistencies using a graph-based approach. We first convert geometrical inconsistencies into topological inconsistencies and construct a topology graph. We then define local pairing operations on the topology graph, which is guaranteed not to introduce new inconsistencies. The final output of our method is an oriented manifold with all geometrical and topological inconsistencies fixed. Validated against a large data set, our method overcomes chronic problems in the relevant literature. First, our method preserves the original geometry and it does not introduce a negative volume or false new data, as we do not impose any heuristic assumption (e.g. watertight mesh). Moreover, our method does not introduce new geometric inconsistencies, guaranteeing inconsistency-free outcome.
Urca nuclide production in Type-I X-ray bursts and implications for nuclear physics studies
Authors: Merz Grant , Meisel Zach
Published: November 2020

The thermal structure of accreting neutron stars is affected by the presence of urca nuclei in the neutron star crust. Nuclear isobars harbouring urca nuclides can be produced in the ashes of Type I X-ray bursts, but the details of their production have not yet been explored. Using the code MESA, we investigate urca nuclide production in a one-dimensional model of Type I X-ray bursts using astrophysical conditions thought to resemble the source GS 1826-24. We find that high-mass (A ≥ 55) urca nuclei are primarily produced late in the X-ray burst, during hydrogen-burning freeze-out that corresponds to the tail of the burst light curve. The ∼0.4–0.6 GK temperature relevant for the nucleosynthesis of these urca nuclides is much lower than the ∼1 GK temperature most relevant for X-ray burst light curve impacts by nuclear reaction rates involving high-mass nuclides. The latter temperature is often assumed for nuclear physics studies. Therefore, our findings alter the excitation energy range of interest in compound nuclei for nuclear physics studies of urca nuclide production. We demonstrate that for some cases this will need to be considered in planning for nuclear physics experiments. Additionally, we show that the lower temperature range for urca nuclide production explains why variations of some nuclear reaction rates in model calculations impacts the burst light curve but not local features of the burst ashes.
Highly turbulent gas on GMC scales in NGC 3256, the nearest luminous infrared galaxy
Authors: Brunetti Nathan , Wilson Christine D , Sliwa Kazimierz , Schinnerer Eva , Aalto Susanne , Peck Alison B
Published: November 2020

We present the highest resolution CO (2–1) observations obtained to date (0.25 arcsec) of NGC 3256 and use them to determine the detailed properties of the molecular interstellar medium in the central 6 kpc of this merger. Distributions of physical quantities are reported from pixel-by-pixel measurements at 55 and 120 pc scales and compared to disc galaxies observed by PHANGS-ALMA (Physics at High Angular resolution in Nearby GalaxieS with Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array). Mass surface densities range from 8 to 5500 M⊙ pc−2 and velocity dispersions from 10 to 200 km s−1. Peak brightness temperatures as large as 37 K are measured, indicating the gas in NGC 3256 may be hotter than all regions in nearby disc galaxies measured by PHANGS-ALMA. Brightness temperatures even surpass those in the overlap region of NGC 4038/9 at the same scales. The majority of the gas appears unbound with median virial parameters of 7–19, although external pressure may bind some of the gas. High internal turbulent pressures of 105–1010 K cm−3 are found. Given the lack of significant trends in surface density, brightness temperature, and velocity dispersion with physical scale we argue the molecular gas is made up of a smooth medium down to 55 pc scales, unlike the more structured medium found in the PHANGS-ALMA disc galaxies.
Black hole spin evolution in warped accretion discs
Authors: Cenci Elia , Sala Luca , Lupi Alessandro , Capelo Pedro R , Dotti Massimo
Published: November 2020

Massive black holes (BHs) inhabiting galactic nuclei can be described by two parameters only, i.e. mass and spin, that change through cosmic time in response to accretion and merger events. While most numerical simulations accurately track the BH mass, spin evolution is rarely taken into account. In this work, we implement and validate a self-consistent sub-grid model for the evolution of the BH mass and spin via gas accretion in the hydrodynamics code gizmo. The model assumes that accretion from resolved scales does not occur instantaneously but is mediated by a sub-grid geometrically thin α-disc. After validating our model semi-analytically, we test it in an idealized environment consisting of a circumnuclear disc, where gas accretion on to the accretion disc is consistently determined by gizmo. In the absence of any accretion-related feedback, the spin evolution closely traces that observed in the semi-analytical models, and depends on the free parameters of our implementation, such as the initial BH spin, angular momentum of the accretion disc, and radius at which the gas inflow circularizes. In gizmo, we also couple our model with the biconical-outflow model presented in a companion paper, wherein the feedback axis is always aligned with the BH spin. In this last case, the evolution of the central BH differs significantly from the previous cases, since the feedback process modifies the gas dynamics and its inflow rates from resolved scales. Such an interaction cannot be modelled by simple semi-analytical models and should be treated using full N-body hydrodynamical simulations.
Rest-frame UV spectroscopy of extreme [O iii] emitters at 1.3 < z < 3.7: toward a high-redshift UV reference sample for JWST
Authors: Tang Mengtao , Stark Daniel P , Chevallard Jacopo , Charlot Stéphane , Endsley Ryan , Congiu Enrico
Published: November 2020

Deep spectroscopy of galaxies in the reionization era has revealed intense C iii] and C iv line emission (equivalent width, EW >15–20 Å). In order to interpret the nebular emission emerging at z > 6, we have begun targeting rest-frame ultraviolet (UV) emission lines in galaxies with large specific star formation rates (sSFRs) at 1.3 < z < 3.7. We find that C iii] reaches the EWs seen at z > 6 only in large sSFR galaxies with [O iii]+Hβ EW >1500 Å. In contrast to previous studies, we find that many galaxies with intense [O iii] have weak C iii] emission (EW = 5–8 Å), suggesting that the radiation field associated with young stellar populations is not sufficient to power strong C iii]. Photoionization models demonstrate that the spread in C iii] among systems with large sSFRs ([O iii]+Hβ EW >1500 Å) is driven by variations in metallicity, a result of the extreme sensitivity of C iii] to electron temperature. We find that the strong C iii] emission seen at z > 6 (EW >15 Å) requires metal-poor gas (≃ 0.1 Z⊙), whereas the weaker C iii] emission in our sample tends to be found at moderate metallicities (≃ 0.3 Z⊙). The luminosity distribution of the C iii] emitters in our z ≃ 1–3 sample presents a consistent picture, with stronger emission generally linked to low-luminosity systems (MUV > −19.5) where low metallicities are more likely. We quantify the fraction of strong C iii] and C iv emitters at z ≃ 1–3, providing a baseline for comparison against z > 6 samples. We suggest that the first UV line detections at z > 6 can be explained if a significant fraction of the early galaxy population is found at large sSFR (>200 Gyr−1) and low metallicity (< 0.1 Z⊙).
A randomized trial of stereotactic versus conventional radiotherapy in young patients with low-grade brain tumors: occupational therapy-based neurocognitive data
Authors: Chatterjee Abhishek , Goda Jayant S , Gupta Tejpal , Kamble Rashmi , Mokal Smruti , Krishnatry Rahul , Sarin Rajiv , Jalali Rakesh
Published: November 2020

Background

Radiotherapy for brain tumors in young patients is not only associated with improved survival but also long-term neurocognitive sequelae. We aimed to compare group differences in the executive neurocognitive outcomes in young patients with low-grade brain tumors treated with stereotactic conformal radiotherapy (SCRT) and conventional RT (ConvRT) techniques.

Methods

This a phase 3 randomized trial that enrolled 200 young patients with benign brain tumors and low-grade gliomas. Patients were randomly allocated (1:1) to either SCRT or ConvRT arms and treated to a dose of 54 Gy in 30 fractions over 6 weeks. Lowenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment battery was performed at preradiotherapy baseline, 6 months, and annually thereafter until 5 years. Executive functions measures included orientation, visual perception, spatial perception, motor praxis, visuomotor organization, thinking operations, and attention and concentration. The trajectory of these parameters was compared between the treatment arms over 5 years.

Results

Two hundred patients were enrolled in the study (SCRT: 104 and ConvRT: 96). The median age was 13 years (interquartile range: 9–17); mean total neurocognitive scores over 5 years were significantly superior in SCRT arm as compared to ConvRT (difference in slope: 2.27, P = .024). Outcomes improved in the SCRT arm vis-à-vis ConvRT for the subdomain of visuomotor organization (difference in slope: 0.66, P < .001). Visuomotor organization scores significantly improved in majority of the substratification groups. Spatial perception improved in craniopharyngioma patients with SCRT technique as opposed to ConvRT.

Conclusions

SCRT achieved superior outcomes compared to ConvRT in certain executive neurocognitive functional domains. We provide high level of evidence in favor of SCRT.

Trial Registration. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00517959.
The gender pay gap in the UK: children and experience in work
Authors: Costa Dias Monica , Joyce Robert , Parodi Francesca
Published: November 2020

In this study, we document the evolution of the gender pay gap in the UK over the past three decades and its association with fertility, examining the role of various differences in career patterns between men and women and how they change with the arrival of the first child. We show that differences in accumulated years of labour market experience play an important role, while differences in industry, occupation, and job characteristics explain less, conditional on working experience. We develop an empirical wage model to estimate the causal effect of working experience on the wages of women. Estimates from this model are then used to simulate two counterfactual scenarios in which women who are employed always work full-time, or women’s rates of both part-time and full-time work are the same as men’s. We find that differences in working experience explain up to two-thirds of the gender pay gap of college graduates 20 years after the first childbirth, and that the gap is largely driven by differences in full-time experience. The role of working experience is more moderate for individuals with no college education, but it can still account for about one-third of the overall long-term gender wage gap.
Cumulative Lifetime Violence Severity and Chronic Pain in a Community Sample of Canadian Men
Authors: Wuest Judith , O’Donnell Sue , Scott-Storey Kelly , Malcolm Jeannie , Vincent Charlene D , Taylor Petrea
Published: November 2020

Objective

To create a descriptive profile of chronic pain severity in men with lifetime cumulative violence histories, as a target and/or a perpetrator, and investigate how chronic pain severity is associated with and predicted by lifetime cumulative violence severity and known determinants of chronic pain.

Methods

Analysis of variance and binary logistic regression were performed on data collected in an online survey with a community convenience sample of 653 men who reported experiences of lifetime violence.

Results

The prevalence of high-intensity / high-disability pain in men with lifetime violence was 35.8%. Total Cumulative Lifetime Violence Severity-44 (CLVS-44) scores were significantly associated with high-intensity / high-disability chronic pain measured by the Chronic Pain Grade Scale (odds ratio= 8.40). In a model with 10 CLVS-44 subscale scores, only psychological workplace violence as a target (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]= 1.44) and lifetime family physical violence as a target (aOR= 1.42) significantly predicted chronic pain severity. In a multivariate model, chronic pain severity was predicted by CLVS-44 total score (aOR= 2.69), age (aOR= 1.02), injury with temporary impairment (aOR= 1.99), number of chronic conditions (aOR= 1.37), and depressive symptoms (aOR= 1.03).

Conclusion

The association between lifetime cumulative violence severity and chronic pain severity in men is important new information suggesting the need for trauma- and violence-informed approaches to assessment and intervention with men. This is the first analysis using CLVS-44 subscales to understand which configurations of lifetime cumulative violence may be most predictive of chronic pain severity; further investigation is needed to confirm these findings.
Evaluation of a commercial genetic test for fescue toxicosis in pregnant Angus beef cattle1
Authors: Galliou Justine M , Khanal Piush , Mayberry Kyle , Poore Matt H , Poole Daniel H , Serão Nick V L
Published: November 2020

Most tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh] in the Southeastern United States contains an endophyte that causes fescue toxicosis (FT) in grazing animals, a serious disease that causes approximately $1 billion in economic losses to the animal industries in the United States. Recently, a genetic test called T-Snip (AgBotanica, LCC, Columbia, MO), was developed with the objective of identifying animals with genetic variation for FT tolerance. The aim of this study was to validate the use of this genetic test in mature, pregnant cows. Over 13 wk, weekly phenotypic data, including body weight, rectal temperatures, hair coat scores, hair shedding scores, and body condition scores, were collected on 148 pregnant purebred Angus cows at 2 locations in NC where infected fescue was the primary source of feed. Birth weights (cBW) and 205-d adjusted weaning weights (adjWW) from these cow’s calves were recorded. All cows were genotyped for T-Snip. At the end of the trial, each phenotypic trait was calculated as the slope of the linear regression of performance on weeks. The effect of T-Snip rating genotypes (4 levels) on slope traits was tested using a linear model also including the fixed-effects of location, parity, and the initial measurement for each trait (covariate). For cBW and adjWW, the model also included the sex of the calf and the month of birth as categorical effects. Associations of T-Snip genotypes were observed for body weight gain (aBWd) of pregnant cows (P = 0.15; interaction with location), change in body condition score (aBCSd; P = 0.13), and adjWW (P = 0.06; interaction with location). For aBWd and adjWW, associations were found just within one location (P = 0.017 and 0.047, respectively), which was the location with higher endophyte infection rate. For all associations, the direction of the T-Snip genotypes was the same and as expected: the greater the genotype score, the better performance. No associations were found for the other traits (P > 0.10). These results indicate that the T-Snip test may be predictive of cow performance (aBWd, aBCSd, and adjWW) in an endophyte-infected tall fescue environment.
Corticostriatal Projections of Macaque Area 44
Authors: Korponay Cole , Choi Eun Young , Haber Suzanne N
Published: November 2020

Ventrolateral frontal area 44 is implicated in inhibitory motor functions and facilitating prefrontal control over vocalization. The contribution of corticostriatal circuits to area 44 functions is unclear, as prior investigation of area 44 projections to the striatum—a central structure in motor circuits—is limited. Here, we used anterograde and retrograde tracing in macaques to map the innervation zone of area 44 corticostriatal projections, quantify their strengths, and evaluate their convergence with corticostriatal projections from other frontal cortical regions. First, whereas terminal fields from a rostral area 44 injection site were found primarily in the central caudate nucleus, those from a caudal area 44 injection site were found primarily in the ventrolateral putamen. Second, amongst sampled injection sites, area 44 input as a percentage of total frontal cortical input was highest in the ventral putamen at the level of the anterior commissure. Third, area 44 projections converged with orofacial premotor area 6VR and other motor-related projections (in the putamen), and with nonmotor prefrontal projections (in the caudate nucleus). Findings support the role of area 44 as an interface between motor and nonmotor functional domains, possibly facilitated by rostral and caudal area 44 subregions with distinct corticostriatal connectivity profiles.
1Black Critical and Cultural Theory
Authors: Anucha Kelechi
Published: November 2020

This chapter reviews black critical and cultural theory under the following headings: 1. Introduction; 2. Cultural Studies (Kara Keeling, Queer Times, Black Futures, Jennifer C. Nash, Black Feminism Reimagined: After Intersectionality, and Tiffany Lethabo King, The Black Shoals: Offshore Formations of Black and Native Studies); 3. History and Sociology (Saidiya Hartman, Wayward Lives, Beautiful Experiments, and Ruha Benjamin, Race After Technology: Abolitionist Tools for the New Jim Code); 4. Interdisciplinary Literary Studies (Therí Alyce Pickens, Black Madness :: Mad Blackness).
Esophageal intramural squamous cell carcinomas presenting as subepithelial lesions removed by endoscopic submucosal dissection
Authors: Zhu He , Shi Bing , Li Fudong , Xu Hong
Published: November 2020

Introduction:

Esophageal subepithelial lesions (SELs) are rare, and the majority of them are benign. SELs are often covered with normal mucosa, thereby resulting in some malignant SELs to be easily missed or misdiagnosed. We report 2 cases of esophageal intramural squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) that presented as SELs and were endoscopically removed.

Patient concerns:

Case 1 is a 63-year-old man with abdominal distension; case 2 is a 65-year-old man with increasing dysphagia for 2 months.

Diagnosis:

In case 1, endoscopy showed a 1.5-cm mucosal eminence with normal overlying mucosa. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) revealed that it might be derived from the muscularis mucosa or submucosa. In case 2, endoscopy revealed a 1.2-cm hemispherical lesion covered with smooth mucosa. Furthermore, EUS revealed that this lesion might be derived from the submucosa.

Interventions:

In both cases, the lesions were removed by endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). Pathological examination revealed esophageal SCC nests with intramural growth patterns.

Outcomes:

The first patient underwent postoperative radiotherapy, whereas the second patient did not receive any additional treatment. Both patients agreed to regular follow-up, and no tumor recurrence or metastasis was observed.

Conclusion:

First, not all esophageal SELs are benign, and a small number of SELs can be malignant. Second, these cases illustrate the value of newer endoscopic techniques, especially ESD. Thus, it is important to be alert when visualizing the esophagus for the possibility of a subtle SEL so that further evaluation and treatment, if necessary, can be undertaken, ideally with a less invasive approach afforded by ESD.
Clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with diabetic ketoacidosis of different severity
Authors: Wei Ying , Wu Chushan , Su Feiya , Zhang Han , Zhang Jinxia , Zheng Rongxiu
Published: November 2020

To analyze the influencing factors and outcomes of the different severity of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

A total of 50 children with DKA admitted to the Department of Pediatrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital from January 2009 to December 2018 were included in this study. The patients were divided into mild group, moderate group, and severe group according to the severity of the disease. We then analyzed the clinical characteristics and outcomes of the 3 groups.

Compared to mild and moderate DKA groups, patients with severe DKA were more likely to present chest tightness, and higher levels of blood osmotic pressure, urea, and creatinine (P < .05). Logistic regression analysis showed that blood osmotic pressure, creatinine, and chest tightness were independent factors for severity of DKA. There was a significant difference in the resolution time of DKA among the 3 groups (mild vs moderate: 9.0 hours vs 15.25 hours; moderate vs severe: 15.25 hours vs 24.5 hours, P < .001). There were statistical differences in the decline of Glasgow score among 3 groups (P = .004).

Patients with severe DKA showed higher osmotic pressure and creatinine, as well as dyspnea. The children with severe DKA were more likely to present progression of neurological symptoms, which was necessary to pay attention to the presence of brain edema.
Postoperative Yanghe decoction regimen improves outcomes for idiopathic granulomatous mastitis
Authors: Zhang Xing , Li Jing , Hu Xian-Jie
Published: November 2020

The etiology of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM), a rare inflammatory breast disease, is not understood. There is no consensus regarding the treatment of IGM. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of surgery combined with traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of IGM.

We retrospectively analyzed 53 patients of IGM who were treated with surgical excision at our hospital. Group A (n = 25) included patients treated with only surgery, and Group B included patients treated with surgery combined with postoperative Yanghe decoction. The clinical data were compared between the 2 groups, including demographics, clinical characteristics, and outcomes.

All patients were female with a mean age of 34.6 ± 5.9 years. There were no significant differences between the groups regarding preoperative demographics or clinical characteristics. The follow-up time was comparable between the groups (13.2 ± 10.0 vs 12.0 ± 10.2 months). Patients in Group B had shorter complete remission (CR) times than patients in Group A (76.1 ± 15.2 vs 84.0 ± 12.2 days; P < .05). The CR rate was higher in Group B than in Group A (96.4% vs 76.0%; P < .05), and the recurrence rate was lower in Group B than in Group A (0% vs 16.0%; P < .05).

The postoperative Yanghe decoction regimen was associated with more rapid recovery after IGM surgery. Surgical management combined with postoperative oral Yanghe decoction treatment yielded a higher CR rate and lower recurrence rate than surgery alone. The effect of traditional Chinese medicine in IGM treatment requires further study.
Long‐Term Urinary Copper Excretion on Chelation Therapy in Children with Wilson Disease
Authors: Chanpong Atchariya , Dhawan Anil
Published: November 2020

Objectives:

In Wilson disease (WD), 24‐hour urinary copper excretion (UCE) is recommended to be used for diagnosis. It may be a useful tool to assess the efficacy of treatment during follow‐up; however, there are limited data regarding the cutoff value of 24‐hour UCE during follow‐up in children. Therefore, we aim to evaluate the clinical use of 24‐hour UCE during follow‐up in children with WD.

Patients and Methods:

Medical records of children diagnosed with WD at Kings’ College Hospital from 2005 to 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. The UCE, serum copper, and ceruloplasmin levels, tested during follow‐up, were statistically analyzed.

Results:

Over the median duration of 7 years (range 1.4–14.4), 28 patients (age ranged 3.8–17.3 years) had UCE tests during follow‐up. Of those, 21 patients had at least one 24‐hour UCE test and 7 children had only spot UCE tests. In comparison with the level of 24‐hour UCE collected at the first visit after penicillamine challenge test, the median excretion rate was significantly reduced over the follow‐up period (P < 0.001), from 26.2 to 8.9 μmol/day following 1–2 years of therapy (P = 0.15), then reduced significantly to 2.2 μmol/day after 3–4 years (P = 0.009), and 5.6 μmol/day at >5 years of follow‐up (P = 0.003).

Conclusions:

Our study suggests that within 1 year of treatment, the level of nonceruloplasmin‐bound copper concentration (NCC) drops to <0.8 μmol/L. In the absence of progressive liver disease or signs of copper deficiency, 24‐hour UCE decreases to ≤8 μmol/day and <6 μmol/day after 1 and 5 years of treatment, respectively.
Simulation model for productivity, risk and GDP impact forecasting of the COVID-19 portfolio vaccines
Authors: Shnaydman Vladimir
Published: November 2020

Executive summary

The paper presents the methodology and modeling results for COVID-19 vaccines portfolio forecasting, including R&D output (rate and likelihood of approvals at a vaccine technology platform level) and manufacturing production output to meet worldwide demand.

In order to minimize the time and risk of global vaccination, scaling up of Operation Warp Speed (OWS) and other programs could be very beneficial, leading to increased financing for additional vaccine development programs, in both Phase III clinical trials and in manufacturing. It would also lead to a reduction of the global production time for world vaccination, from 75 months for a baseline scenario to 36 months, reducing potential global GDP loss by as much as US$4.2 trillion (US ∼ $1 trillion) when compared to the baseline scenario.
Adaptive metabolic and inflammatory responses identified using accelerated aging metrics are linked to adverse outcomes in severe SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Márquez-Salinas Alejandro , Fermín-Martínez Carlos A. , Antonio-Villa Neftalí Eduardo , Vargas-Vázquez Arsenio , Guerra Enrique C. , Campos-Muñoz Alejandro , Zavala-Romero Lilian , Mehta Roopa , Bahena-López Jessica Paola , Ortiz-Brizuela Edgar , González-Lara María Fernanda , Roman-Montes Carla M. , Martinez-Guerra Bernardo A. , de Leon Alfredo Ponce , Sifuentes-Osornio José , Gutiérrez-Robledo Luis Miguel , Aguilar-Salinas Carlos A. , Bello-Chavolla Omar Yaxmehen
Published: November 2020

INTRODUCTION

Chronological age (CA) is a predictor of adverse COVID-19 outcomes; however, CA alone does not capture individual responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Here, we evaluated the influence of aging metrics PhenoAge and PhenoAgeAccel to predict adverse COVID-19 outcomes. Furthermore, we sought to model adaptive metabolic and inflammatory responses to severe SARS-CoV-2 infection using individual PhenoAge components.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, we assessed cases admitted to a COVID-19 reference center in Mexico City. PhenoAge and PhenoAgeAccel were estimated using laboratory values at admission. Cox proportional hazards models were fitted to estimate risk for COVID-19 lethality and adverse outcomes (ICU admission, intubation, or death). To explore reproducible patterns which model adaptive responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection, we used k-means clustering using PhenoAge/PhenoAccelAge components.

RESULTS

We included 1068 subjects of whom 401 presented critical illness and 204 died. PhenoAge was a better predictor of adverse outcomes and lethality compared to CA and SpO2 and its predictive capacity was sustained for all age groups. Patients with responses associated to PhenoAgeAccel>0 had higher risk of death and critical illness compared to those with lower values (log-rank p<0.001). Using unsupervised clustering we identified four adaptive responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection: 1) Inflammaging associated with CA, 2) metabolic dysfunction associated with cardio-metabolic comorbidities, 3) unfavorable hematological response, and 4) response associated with favorable outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Adaptive responses related to accelerated aging metrics are linked to adverse COVID-19 outcomes and have unique and distinguishable features. PhenoAge is a better predictor of adverse outcomes compared to CA.