bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of an interactive tool of early social responsiveness to track autism risk in infants and toddlers
Authors: Factor Reina S , Arriaga Rosa I , Morrier Michael J , Mathys Jennifer B , Dirienzo Monica , Miller Chanel A , Southerland Audrey M , Abowd Gregory D , Ousley Opal Y
Published: August 2021

Aim

To evaluate the psychometric properties of a 4‐minute assessment designed to identify early autism spectrum disorder (ASD) status through evaluation of early social responsiveness (ESR).

Method

This retrospective, preliminary study included children between 13 and 24 months (78 males, 79 females mean age 19.4mo, SD 3.1) from two independent data sets (an experimental/training sample [n=120] and a validation/test sample [n=37]). The ESR assessment examined social behaviors (e.g. eye contact, smiling, ease‐of‐social‐engagement) across five common play activities (e.g. rolling a ball, looking at a book). Data analyses examined reliability and accuracy of the assessment in identifying ESR abilities and in discriminating children with and without ASD.

Results

Results indicated adequate internal consistency and test–retest reliability of the ESR assessment. Receiver operator curve analysis identified a cutoff score that discriminated infants with ASD‐risk from peers in the training sample. This score yielded moderate sensitivity and high specificity for best‐estimate ASD diagnosis in the validation sample.

Interpretation

Preliminary findings indicated that brief, systematic observation of ESR may assist in discriminating infants with and without ASD, providing concrete evidence to validate or supplement parents’, pediatricians’, or clinicians’ concerns. Future studies could examine the utility of ESR ‘growth curves’.
Hegel's metaphysics of nature
Authors: Kabeshkin Anton
Published: August 2021

Hegel often criticizes the use of unobservable entities postulated in scientific theories. For example, he claims that atoms are not things but, rather, thoughts, and that various imponderable stuffs such as caloric are not independently existing things but, rather, “moments” of material bodies. In this paper I argue that, in such passages, Hegel expresses his original metaphysics of nature, which I relate to the different positions on the relation between what Sellars has called the “scientific image” and the “manifest image.” I reconstruct those aspects of Hegel's philosophy of inorganic nature that allow us to understand Hegel's position in detail, as well as his reasoning in support of it. I argue that, for Hegel, mechanical properties of bodies are abstractions from the bodies that have a full complement of physical and chemical properties standing in specific relations of dependency. Such bodies correspond to the objects of our manifest image, which thus has priority over the scientific image for Hegel.
Epilepsy care during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Cross J Helen , Kwon Churl‐Su , Asadi‐Pooya Ali Akbar , Balagura Ganna , Gómez‐Iglesias Patricia , Guekht Alla , Hall Julie , Ikeda Akio , Kishk Nirmeen A. , Murphy Peter , Kissani Najib , Naji Yahya , Perucca Emilio , Pérez‐Poveda Juan Carlos , Sanya Emmanuel O. , Trinka Eugen , Zhou Dong , Wiebe Samuel , Jette Nathalie ,   ILAE Task Forces on COVID‐19, Telemedicine
Published: August 2021

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has affected the care of all patients around the world. The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) COVID‐19 and Telemedicine Task Forces examined, through surveys to people with epilepsy (PWE), caregivers, and health care professionals, how the pandemic has affected the well‐being, care, and services for PWE. The ILAE included a link on their website whereby PWE and/or their caregivers could fill out a survey (in 11 languages) about the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic, including access to health services and impact on mental health, including the 6‐item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. An anonymous link was also provided whereby health care providers could report cases of new‐onset seizures or an exacerbation of seizures in the context of COVID‐19. Finally, a separate questionnaire aimed at exploring the utilization of telehealth by health care professionals since the pandemic began was available on the ILAE website and also disseminated to its members. Seventeen case reports were received; data were limited and therefore no firm conclusions could be drawn. Of 590 respondents to the well‐being survey (422 PWE, 166 caregivers), 22.8% PWE and 27.5% caregivers reported an increase in seizure frequency, with difficulty in accessing medication and health care professionals reported as barriers to care. Of all respondents, 57.1% PWE and 21.5% caregivers had severe psychological distress (k score >13), which was significantly higher among PWE than caregivers (p<0.01). An increase in telemedicine use during the COVID‐19 pandemic was reported by health care professionals, with 40% of consultations conducted by this method. Although 74.9% of health care providers thought that this impacted positively, barriers to care were also identified. As we move forward, there is a need to ensure ongoing support and care for PWE to prevent a parallel pandemic of unmet health care needs.
Genetic differentiation in pesticide resistance between urban and rural populations of a nontarget freshwater keystone interactor, Daphnia magna
Authors: Brans Kristien I. , Almeida Rafaela A. , Fajgenblat Maxime
Published: August 2021

There is growing evidence that urbanization drives adaptive evolution in response to thermal gradients. One such example is documented in the water flea Daphnia magna. However, organisms residing in urban lentic ecosystems are increasingly exposed to chemical pollutants such as pesticides through run‐off and aerial transportation. The extent to which urbanization drives the evolution of pesticide resistance in aquatic organisms and whether this is impacted by warming and thermal adaptation remains limitedly studied. We performed a common garden rearing experiment using multiple clonal lineages originating from five replicated urban and rural D. magna populations, in which we implemented an acute toxicity test exposing neonates (<24h) to either a solvent control or the organophosphate pesticide chlorpyrifos. Pesticide exposures were performed at two temperatures (20°C vs. 24°C) to test for temperature‐associated differences in urbanization‐driven evolved pesticide resistance. We identified a strong overall effect of pesticide exposure on Daphnia survival probability (−72.8 percentage points). However, urban Daphnia genotypes showed higher survival probabilities compared to rural ones in the presence of chlorpyrifos (+29.7 percentage points). Our experiment did not reveal strong temperature x pesticide or temperature x pesticide x urbanization background effects on survival probability. The here observed evolution of resistance to an organophosphate pesticide is a first indication Daphnia likely also adapts to pesticide pollution in urban areas. Increased pesticide resistance could facilitate their population persistence in urban ponds, and feed back to ecosystem functions, such as top‐down control of algae. In addition, adaptive evolution of nontarget organisms to pest control strategies and occupational pesticide use may modulate how pesticide applications affect genetic and species diversity in urban areas.
Sequential credit card fraud detection: A joint deep neural network and probabilistic graphical model approach
Authors: Forough Javad , Momtazi Saeedeh
Published: August 2021

With the wide usage of e‐banking in recent years, and by increased opportunities for fraudsters subsequently, we are witnessing a loss of billions of Euros worldwide due to credit card fraud every year. Therefore, credit card fraud detection has become a critical necessity for financial institutions. Several studies have used machine learning techniques for proposing a method to address the problem. However, most of them did not take into account the sequential nature of transactional data. In this paper, we proposed a novel credit card fraud detection model using sequence labelling based on both deep neural networks and probabilistic graphical models (PGM). Then by using two real‐world datasets, we compared our model with the baseline model and examined how considering hidden sequential dependencies among transactions and also among predicted labels can improve the results. Moreover, we introduce a novel undersampling algorithm, which helps to maintain the sequential patterns of data during the random undersampling process. Our experiments demonstrate that this algorithm achieves promising results compared to the state‐of‐the‐art methods in oversampling and undersampling.
A modified damage accumulation model for life prediction of aero‐engine materials under combined high and low cycle fatigue loading
Authors: Bai Song , Huang Hong‐Zhong , Li Yan‐Feng , Yu Aodi , Deng Zhiming
Published: August 2021

Aero‐engine hot section components experience combined high and low cycle fatigue (CCF) loading under actual working conditions. This paper proposes a modified fatigue damage accumulation model to precisely predict lifetimes of aero‐engine materials according to the newly presented interaction factor, which is able to quantitatively map damage interactions introduced by high cycle fatigue (HCF) and low cycle fatigue (LCF) loads. With the model, the lifetimes of four typical engine materials are predicted and compared to their factual data from experiments. The validation of the model is illustrated by a comprehensive comparison of the results concluded by the proposed model and that of other classical methodologies, which indicates that the new model holds the best performance in lifetime predictions. Moreover, an actual engineering case, which is the lifetime prediction of third stage turbine blades of an aero‐engine, is completed to validate the feasibility of the proposed method.
Climate‐induced outbreaks in high‐elevation pines are driven primarily by immigration of bark beetles from historical hosts
Authors: Howe Michael , Carroll Allan , Gratton Claudio , Raffa Kenneth F.
Published: August 2021

Warming temperatures are allowing native insect herbivores to expand into regions that previously exceeded their thermal tolerance, encounter new host species, and pose significant threats to native communities. However, the dynamics of these expansions remain poorly understood, particularly in the extent to which outbreaks remain reliant on emigration from historical hosts or are driven by local reproduction within novel hosts in the expanded range. We tested these non‐mutually exclusive hypotheses using spatially explicit data on mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae), which historically undergoes intermittent outbreaks in low‐elevation lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), but is now causing severe mortality in a high‐elevation endangered species, whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis). We compiled data from 2000 to 2019 across British Columbia, Canada, at 1‐km2 resolution, and analyzed spatiotemporal patterns of beetle infestations, lodgepole pine distributions, expansion into habitats dominated by whitebark pine, and the likelihood of future outbreaks in all pine communities under simulated conditions. Overall, we found strong support for the hypothesis of emigration from the historical host species continuing to be a major driver of outbreaks in the more recently accessed host. First, beetle population pressure was consistently the best predictor of infestation severity in both lodgepole and whitebark pine, and appeared to be mostly unidirectional from lodgepole to whitebark pine. Second, infestations in lodgepole pine were of a longer duration than those in whitebark pine, which appeared too brief to sustain transitions from endemic to eruptive dynamics. Furthermore, resource depletion appears to drive emigration from lodgepole pine, whereas in whitebark pine drought appears to favor establishment of immigrants although bioclimatic factors and stand structure preclude self‐sustaining outbreaks. Finally, we project that most pine in British Columbia will be at risk in the event of a new major outbreak. We describe implications for conserving and protecting whitebark pine and to other climate‐driven range expansions.
Development and qualification of a machine learning algorithm for automated hair counting
Authors: Sacha Jarek P. , Caterino Tamara L. , Fisher Brian K. , Carr Gregory J. , Youngquist R. Scott , D’Alessandro Brian M. , Melione Anthony , Canfield Douglas , Bergfeld Wilma F. , Piliang Melissa P. , Kainkaryam Raghu , Davis Michael G.
Published: August 2021

Objective

Determining the amount of hair on the scalp has always been an important metric of patient satisfaction for hair growth and hair retention technologies. While simple in concept, this measurement is a difficult, resource intensive task for the dermatologist and the research scientist. Specifically, counting and measuring hair in phototrichogram images is very time consuming and labour intensive. Due to cost, often only a fraction of available images is manually analysed. There is a need for an automated method that can significantly increase speed and throughput while reducing the cost of counting and measuring hair in phototrichogram images.

Methods

Recent advances in machine learning and deep convolutional neural networks (deep learning) have led to a revolution in the analysis of image, video, speech, text and other sensor data. Image diagnostics have seen remarkable improvements with completely automated methods outperforming both human experts and human‐engineered analysis methods. Deep learning methods can also provide speed and cost benefits. To enable use of a deep learning, we created a data set of 288 manually annotated phototrichogram images with marked location and length of each hair (the training dataset). We designed a custom neural network architecture and custom image processing algorithms to best utilize the available training data and to maximize performance for hair counting and length measurement. The performance of the algorithm was qualified by comparing hair count and length measurements to an independent ground truth method, the semi‐manual Canfield's Hair Metrix method.

Results

Leveraging deep neural networks, we have developed capability to apply machine learning to reduce the time needed to acquire data from phototrichograms of patients’ scalp from months to seconds. Our algorithm enables fast and fully automated hair counting and length measurement. The algorithm shows high agreement with human manually assisted analysis (ground truth).

Conclusions

We have trained and deployed an algorithm utilizing this technology and have demonstrated the reproducibility, accuracy and speed of this algorithm that, once deployed, requires little to no recurring cost or manual intervention for its operation. The method allows fast analysis of large number of images, reducing study cost and significantly reducing study analysis time.
A 24‐month metformin treatment study of children with obesity: Changes in circulating GDF‐15 and associations with changes in body weight and visceral fat
Authors: Carreras‐Badosa Gemma , Gómez‐Vilarrubla Ariadna , Mas‐Parés Berta , Martínez‐Calcerrada José‐María , Xargay‐Torrent Silvia , Prats‐Puig Anna , Puerto‐Carranza Elsa , Díaz‐Roldán Ferran , de Zegher Francis , Ibañez Lourdes , Bassols Judit , López‐Bermejo Abel
Published: August 2021

Background

Metformin treatment for 24 months in children with obesity lowers body mass index (BMI), reduces liver fat, and normalizes endocrine‐metabolic parameters.

Objective

Here we study whether circulating GDF‐15 levels were raised by such metformin treatment and whether they related to changes in body weight and visceral fat in children with obesity.

Methods

The study population consisted of 18 pre‐pubertal/early pubertal children with obesity who had participated in a randomized double‐blind clinical trial receiving metformin (850 mg/day) or placebo for 24 months. Circulating GDF‐15, BMI and abdominal visceral and liver fat (magnetic resonance imaging) were assessed at 0, 6, 12 and 24 months.

Results

Results showed that metformin‐treated children had higher GDF‐15 levels at 6 and 12 months. Higher rises of circulating GDF‐15 associated with more loss of body weight and visceral fat.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the concept that GDF‐15 is among the mediators of metformin's normalizing effects in individuals with obesity is herewith extended into childhood.
The Flesh of the Logos, Instrumentum divinitatis: Retrieving an Ancient Christological Doctrine
Authors: Moser J. David
Published: August 2021

This article defends Thomas Aquinas’s doctrine that Christ’s humanity is an instrument of the divinity (instrumentum divinitatis). This doctrine arises from biblical teaching that God saves us in Christ’s human actions and sufferings. Scripture raises the question of how God saves by human actions. This article argues that Aquinas’s ‘instrument doctrine’ answers this question. It expounds the doctrine, which is constituted in five propositional‐paragraphs drawn from Aquinas’s mature Christology, and contrasts it with another model of how Christ saves. Then it responds to two major objections to the doctrine. It concludes with two theological entailments for Christology.
Reshaping the murine immunoglobulin heavy chain repertoire with bovine DH genes
Authors: Di Yu , Cai Shuyi , Zheng Shunan , Huang Jinwei , Du Lijuan , Song Yu , Zhang Ming , Wang Zhao , Yu Guotao , Ren Liming , Han Haitang , Zhao Yaofeng
Published: August 2021

Having a limited number of VH segments, cattle rely on uniquely long DH gene segments to generate CDRH3 length variation (3–70 aa) far greater than that in humans or mice. Bovine antibodies with ultralong CDRH3s (>50 aa) possess unusual structures and abilities to bind to special antigens. In this study, we replaced most murine endogenous DH segments with bovine DH genes, generating a mouse line termed B‐DH. The use of bovine DH genes significantly increased the length variation of CDRH3 and consequently the Ig heavy chain repertoire in B‐DH mice. However, no ultralong CDRH3 was observed in B‐DH mice, suggesting that other factors, in addition to long DH genes, are also involved in the formation of ultralong CDRH3. The B‐DH mice mounted a normal humoral immune response to various antigens, although the B‐cell developmental paradigm was obviously altered compared with wild‐type mice. Additionally, B‐DH mice are not predisposed to the generation of autoantibodies despite the interspecies DH gene replacement. The B‐DH mice reported in this study provide a unique model to answer basic questions regarding the synergistic evolution of DH and VH genes, VDJ recombination and BCR selection in B‐cell development.
The Ms. Olsen test: Measurement properties of a short test of nursing staffs’ competence in clinical decision‐making
Authors: Bing‐Jonsson Pia Cecilie , Boman Erika , Melin Jeanette
Published: August 2021

Aims

To assess the measurement properties of the Ms. Olsen test for registered nurses and assistant nurses, respectively, and suggest cut‐off points between competence levels.

Design

Cross‐sectional study. The results were analysed by implementing the Rasch Measurement Theory.

Methods

Nursing staff working in various health care settings participated (n = 757). To measure the competence of nursing staff in clinical decision‐making, a 19‐item scale from the Nursing Older People‐Competence Evaluation Tool—the ‘Ms. Olsen test’—was used. Data were collected in October 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Results

The Ms. Olsen test showed reasonably good measurement properties for registered nurses and assistant nurses respectively. Results show slightly better measurement properties for registered nurses than for assistant nurses. The cut‐off for registered nurses, 0.62, corresponds to managing approximately two‐thirds of the items while, for assistant nurses, the cut‐off of 0.01 corresponds to managing approximately half of the items.

Conclusion

The Ms. Olsen test is a short (7‐ to 10‐min) test measuring competence in clinical decision‐making among nursing staff working in older people nursing. Despite reasonably good measurement properties, this should be considered an initial validation in the development of a short test for assessing clinical decision‐making among nursing staff in various health care setting.

Impact

Several scales aiming to measure nursing competence have been developed over the last decade, but measurement properties (beyond classical test theory) are seldom evaluated, few scales concern other staff groups than registered nurses and few scales have proposed or established cut‐offs for safe practice. The Ms. Olsen test is a short test of clinical decision‐making that demonstrates reasonably good measurement properties. Cut‐off points for registered nurses and assistant nurses were established. The Ms. Olsen test may be used to measure and evaluate competence in clinical decision‐making among nursing staff working in older people nursing and educational settings.
CXC chemokine ligand‐13 promotes metastasis via CXCR5‐dependent signaling pathway in non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Chao Chia‐Chia , Lee Wei‐Fang , Wang Shih‐Wei , Chen Po‐Chun , Yamamoto Ayaho , Chang Tsung‐Ming , Weng Shun‐Long , Liu Ju‐Fang
Published: August 2021

The CXC chemokine ligand‐13 (CXCL13) is a chemoattractant of B cells and has been implicated in the progression of many cancers. So far, CXCL13 and its related receptor CXCR5 have been proved to regulate cancer cell migration as well as tumour metastasis. However, the role of CXCL13‐CXCR5 axis in metastasis of lung cancer is still poorly understood. In this study, we found that CXCL13 and CXCR5 were commonly up‐regulated in lung cancer specimens compared with normal tissues among different cohorts. Our evidence showed that CXCL13 obviously promoted migration of lung cancer cells, and this effect was mediated by vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (VCAM‐1) expression. We also confirmed that CXCR5, the major receptor responsible for CXCL13 function, was required for CXCL13‐promoted cell migration. We also test the candidate components which are activated after CXCL13 treatment and found that phospholipase C‐β (PLCβ), protein kinase C‐α (PKCα) and c‐Src signalling pathways were involved in CXCL13‐promoted cell migration and VCAM‐1 expression in lung cancer cells. Finally, CXCL13 stimulated NF‐κB transcription factor in lung cancer cells, contributing to VCAM‐1 expression in translational level. These evidences propose a novel insight into lung cancer metastasis which is regulated by CXCL13.
Assessment of public intention to get vaccination against COVID‐19: Evidence from a developing country
Authors: Irfan Muhammad , Shahid Abdul Latif , Ahmad Munir , Iqbal Wasim , Elavarasan Rajvikram Madurai , Ren Siyu , Hussain Abid
Published: August 2021

Objectives

Widespread acceptance of the COVID‐19 vaccine will be the next important step in fighting the novel coronavirus disease. Though the Pakistani government has successfully implemented robust policies to overcome the COVID‐19 pandemic; however, studies assessing public intention to get COVID‐19 vaccination (IGCV) are limited. The aim of this study is to deal with this literature gap and has also expanded the conceptual framework of planned behaviour theory. We have introduced three new considerations (risk perceptions of the pandemic, perceived benefits of the vaccine, and unavailability of vaccine) to have a better understanding of the influencing factors that encourage or discourage public IGCV.

Methods

Results are based on a sample collected from 754 households using an inclusive questionnaire survey. Hypotheses are tested by utilizing the structural equation modelling approach.

Results

The results disclose that the intention factors, that is, attitude, risk perceptions of the pandemic, and perceived benefits of the vaccine, impart positive effects on public IGCV. In contrast, the cost of the vaccine and the unavailability of the vaccine have negative effects. Notably, environmental concern has an insignificant effect.

Conclusions

Research findings emphasize the importance of publicizing the devastating impacts of COVID‐19 on society and the environment, ensuring vaccination availability at an accessible price while simultaneously improving public healthcare practices.
CRISPR/Sc++‐mediated genome editing in rice
Authors: Ma Guigen , Kuang Yongjie , Lu Zhenwan , Li Xueqi , Xu Ziyan , Ren Bin , Zhou Xueping , Zhou Huanbin
Published: August 2021

Streptococcus canis Cas9 (ScCas9) is an RNA‐guided endonuclease with NNG protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) specificity whose genome‐editing activity in rice is locus‐dependent. Here we investigated the performance of a ScCas9 variant named Sc++ at different NNG PAM sites in the rice genome; Sc++ harbors a T1227K mutation and the substitution of a positively charged loop (residues 367–376). Sc++ nuclease achieved broader genome editing compared to the original ScCas9, and its nickase improved targeted base editing in transgenic rice plants. Using the high‐efficiency adenine base editor rBE73b, we generated many new OsGS1 alleles suitable for screening of rice germplasm for potential herbicide resistance in the future. The CRISPR/Sc++ system expands the genome‐editing toolkit for rice.
My hip journey: A qualitative study of patients’ experiences of an eHealth program for patient preparation and recovery from hip replacement surgery
Authors: Saunders Rosemary , Seaman Karla , Emery Laura , Crompton Debra , Lynch Chantelle , Penjor Dorji , Sagar Sonali
Published: August 2021

Aim and objective

To explore patient experiences, perceived benefits and suggestions of an eHealth program for pre‐ and post‐operative education for total hip arthroplasty.

Background

eHealth programs for surgical patients can facilitate the delivery of information, provide individualised rehabilitation plans and enable communication with health professionals to promote overall patient recovery.

Design

A qualitative descriptive study was conducted following the COREQ guidelines. A convenience sample of nine patients who had total hip arthroplasty and used the My Hip Journey eHealth program were recruited and participated in individual semi‐structured telephone interviews. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

Results

The participant group were aged between 53 and 70 years. The results are described in three overarching themes and sub‐themes: (1) Supported surgical journey—how the My Hip Journey eHealth program supported them in their preparation and recovery from their surgery, and how the program provided information and encouraged engagement; (2) Motivated recovery—how patients found the program motivational, facilitated their self‐management and enabled communication with the healthcare team if they had any concern; and (3) Functionality—how the program related to ease of use, its interactivity with the patient and suggestions for future use.

Conclusions

The patients reported that using the eHealth program for pre‐ and post‐operative education was helpful to their overall surgical experience and recovery. It was found to engage patients in their care, enabled self‐management, encouraged communication with health professionals and motivated them with their recovery. These findings identify the potential for eHealth programs to support patients in the preparation and post‐operative stages, and in their post‐discharge self‐care for other surgical and orthopaedic journeys.

Relevance to clinical practice

Patient experiences of eHealth education can inform nurses of the benefits of eHealth and the development of future eHealth education programs.
Clinical effects of hypertonic saline boluses in children with severe traumatic brain injury
Authors: Read Claire , Wignell Andrew , Stewart Craig , Davies Patrick
Published: August 2021

Aim

To quantify the effects of 3% hypertonic saline (HTS) boluses on intracranial pressure (ICP) and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) in children.

Methods

A retrospective study of patients admitted to a regional neurosurgical children's intensive care unit.

Results

A total of 156 HTS boluses were given to children with traumatic brain injury. ICP decreased 6 mmHg (P < 0.01) and CPP increased 4 mmHg (P = 0.003) 1‐h post‐bolus. Effects persisted for 3 h post‐dose ICP was 5 mmHg lower) and 4 h post‐bolus CPP was 3 mmHg higher. ICP change was not associated with pre‐bolus serum sodium concentration.

Conclusions

Hypertonic saline 3% at 5 mL/kg is an effective osmolar therapy for reducing ICP and increasing CPP in children for up to 3 h. ‘53–53’ is a suitable guide – 5 mL/kg of 3% HTS will on average decrease ICP by at least 5 mmHg for 3 h. Pre‐bolus serum sodium concentration is not correlated with effect size.
Asymmetric linear double autoregression
Authors: Tan Songhua , Zhu Qianqian
Published: August 2021

This article proposes the asymmetric linear double autoregression, which jointly models the conditional mean and conditional heteroscedasticity characterized by asymmetric effects. A sufficient condition is established for the existence of a strictly stationary solution. With a quasi‐maximum likelihood estimation (QMLE) procedure introduced, a Bayesian information criterion (BIC) and its modified version are proposed for model selection. To detect asymmetric effects in the volatility, the Wald, Lagrange multiplier and quasi‐likelihood ratio test statistics are put forward, and their limiting distributions are established under both null and local alternative hypotheses. Moreover, a mixed portmanteau test is constructed to check the adequacy of the fitted model. All asymptotic properties of inference tools including QMLE, BICs, asymmetric tests and the mixed portmanteau test, are established without any moment condition on the data process, which makes the new model and its inference tools applicable for heavy‐tailed data. Simulation studies indicate that the proposed methods perform well in finite samples, and an empirical application to S&P500 index illustrates the usefulness of the new model.
Reversibility of the gel, rheological, and structural properties of alcohol pretreated fish gelatin: Effect of alcohol types
Authors: Cen Shijie , Yu Wenwen , Yang Wenge , Lou Qiaoming , Huang Tao
Published: August 2021

The reversibility of gel property of alcohol (methanol, ethanol)‐pretreated fish gelatin (FG) were investigated through removing alcohol solutions by freeze drying. Results showed that the gel strength and the hardness of FG could be retained (1%, 40%) or even improved (1% methanol) using low or high concentration alcohol solutions, while decreased in medium concentration alcohol solutions. Compared with untreated FG, rheology results showed that, all alcohol solutions pretreated FG had lower apparent viscosity, while higher alcohol solutions pretreated ones decreased the gel and melt points and shorten the gelation time. Sodium dodecyl‐sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that methanol pretreated FG had the higher α contents than those of ethanol pretreated. Circular dichroism spectra results indicated that β‐sheet could be decreased after removing ethanol solutions, whereas the β‐sheet increased after removing the methanol solutions. Moreover, low field nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation test showed that pretreated FG had lower transverse relaxation times of internal water (T21 and T22) compared to that of the untreated FG. Overall, FG still retains higher gel properties after removing the low or high alcohol concentrations.
A strategy of idarucizumab for pericardial tamponade during perioperative period of atrial fibrillation ablation
Authors: Zhao Xin , Chen Li‐zhu , Su Xin , Long De‐yong , Sang Cai‐hua , Yu Rong‐Hui , Tang Ri‐bo , Bai Rong , Liu Nian , Jiang Chen‐xi , Li Song‐nan , Guo Xue‐yuan , Wang Wei , Du Xin , Dong Jian‐zeng , Ma Chang‐sheng
Published: August 2021

Objective

To investigate theoptimal idarucizumab (dabigatran antagonist) usage strategy for patients with acute pericardial tamponade receiving uninterrupted dabigatran during catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods

Ten patients presenting acute pericardial tamponade while receiving uninterrupted dabigatran during catheter ablation for AF in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from January 2019 to July 2020 were enrolled and retrospectively analyzed. A “wait and see” strategy of idarucizumab was carried out for all patients; in brief, idarucizumab was applied following pericardiocentesis, comprehensive evaluation of bleeding and hemostasis.

Results

There were five males, five paroxysmal AF, and the average age of the patients was 64.0 ± 9.8 years. Among the 10 patients, four were treated with dabigatran 110 mg, six were treated with dabigatran 150 mg, and one was simultaneously given clopidogrel. The average time from pericardial tamponade to the last dose of dabigatran was 8.2 ± 3.4 h. All patients underwent pericardiocentesis successfully, and the average drainage volume was 322.5 ml (220.0 ± 935.0 ml). For reversal anticoagulation, six patients received protamine, and five patients received idarucizumab. Of the five patients who were treated with idarucizumab, four presented exact hemostasis, except for one patient who underwent continuous drainage and finally received surgery repair. The average time to restart anticoagulation was 1.1 ± 0.3 days after the procedure, and no rebleeding, embolism or deaths were observed.

Conclusion

The “wait and see” strategy of idarucizumab for acute pericardial tamponade during the perioperative period of catheter ablation for AF may be safe and feasible.
Decline in respiratory and cardiac admissions during the COVID‐19 pandemic: What is the role of common respiratory virus infections?
Authors: Bloom Chloe I. , Johnston Sebastian L.
Published: August 2021

See related article

See related correspondence
Diagnosing OSA in primary care: The utility of clinical judgement, screening questionnaires and portable monitoring
Authors: Chai‐Coetzer Ching Li , Eastwood Peter R
Published: August 2021

See related article
Dispersive Riemann problems for the Benjamin–Bona–Mahony equation
Authors: Congy T. , El G. A. , Hoefer M. A. , Shearer M.
Published: August 2021

Long time dynamics of the smoothed step initial value problem or dispersive Riemann problem for the Benjamin‐Bona‐Mahony (BBM) equation are studied using asymptotic methods and numerical simulations. The catalog of solutions of the dispersive Riemann problem for the BBM equation is much richer than for the related, integrable, Korteweg‐de Vries equation . The transition width of the initial smoothed step is found to significantly impact the dynamics. Narrow width gives rise to rarefaction and dispersive shock wave (DSW) solutions that are accompanied by the generation of two‐phase linear wavetrains, solitary wave shedding, and expansion shocks. Both narrow and broad initial widths give rise to two‐phase nonlinear wavetrains or DSW implosion and a new kind of dispersive Lax shock for symmetric data. The dispersive Lax shock is described by an approximate self‐similar solution of the BBM equation whose limit as is a stationary, discontinuous weak solution. By introducing a slight asymmetry in the data for the dispersive Lax shock, the generation of an incoherent solitary wavetrain is observed. Further asymmetry leads to the DSW implosion regime that is effectively described by a pair of coupled nonlinear Schrödinger equations. The complex interplay between nonlocality, nonlinearity, and dispersion in the BBM equation underlies the rich variety of nonclassical dispersive hydrodynamic solutions to the dispersive Riemann problem.
Traveling capillary waves on the boundary of a fluid disc
Authors: Dyachenko Sergey A.
Published: August 2021

The equation for a traveling wave on the boundary of a two‐dimensional droplet of an ideal fluid is derived by using the conformal variables technique for free surface waves. The free surface is subject only to the force of surface tension and the fluid flow is assumed to be potential. We use the canonical Hamiltonian variables discovered and map the lower complex plane to the interior of a fluid droplet conformally. The equations in this form have been originally discovered for infinitely deep water and later adapted to a bounded fluid domain.The new class of solutions satisfies a pseudodifferential equation similar to the Babenko equation for the Stokes wave. We illustrate with numerical solutions of the time‐dependent equations and observe the linear limit of traveling waves in this geometry.
Assessing the robustness of carbonate‐associated sulfate during hydrothermal dolomitization of the Latemar platform, Italy
Authors: Schurr Simon Lukas , Strauss Harald , Mueller Mathias , Immenhauser Adrian
Published: August 2021

Carbonate‐associated sulfate (CAS) is an important proxy for reconstructing marine sulfur cycling throughout Earth's history. In order to assess the impact of carbonate neomorphism on δ34SCAS data, a mineralogical‐spatial transect from early diagenetic limestone into low‐temperature hydrothermal dolostone was analyzed in the middle Triassic Latemar platform interior, northern Italy. This study addresses the yet unconstrained question whether hydrothermal dolostone preserves a marine δ34SCAS signature and, hence, might represent an archive for past seawater sulfate. In this study, δ34SCAS values were measured in low‐temperature hydrothermal dolostone and compared with data from their corresponding precursor limestone. Results shown here reveal that δ34SCAS values for dolostone and precursor limestone are indistinguishable. This points to a rock‐buffered middle Triassic marine δ34S signature not affected by hydrothermal alteration. Hence, hydrothermal dolostone represents, under favorable conditions, an archive for unraveling past marine sulfur cycling.
Diagnostic accuracy of optical coherence tomography for surgical margin assessment of feline injection‐site sarcoma
Authors: Coleman Mary J. , Selmic Laura E. , Samuelson Jonathan P. , Jennings Ryan , Huang Pin‐Chieh , McLaughlin Eric M. , Wavreille Vincent A. , Dornbusch Josephine A. , Lapsley Janis , Howard James , Cheng Edward , Kalamaras Alex , Hearon Kendra , Cray Megan , Grimes Janet , Wustefeld‐Janssens Brandan , Kennedy Katie , Skinner Owen , Amsellem Pierre , Boppart Stephen A.
Published: August 2021

The invasive, locally aggressive nature of feline injection‐site sarcomas (FISSs) poses a unique challenge for surgeons to obtain complete margins with surgical excision. Optical coherence tomography (OCT), an imaging technology that uses light waves to generate real‐time views of tissue architecture, provides an emerging solution to this dilemma by allowing fast, high‐resolution scanning of surgical margins. The purpose of this study was to use OCT to assess surgical margins of FISS and to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of OCT for detecting residual cancer using six evaluators of varying experience. Five FISSs were imaged with OCT to create a training set of OCT images that were compared with histopathology. Next, 25 FISSs were imaged with OCT prior to histopathology. Six evaluators of varying experience participated in a training session on OCT imaging after which each of the evaluators was given a dataset that included OCT images and videos to score on a scale from cancerous to non‐cancerous. Diagnostic accuracy statistics were calculated. The overall sensitivity and specificity for classification of OCT images by evaluators were 78.9% and 77.6%, respectively. Correct classification rate of OCT images was associated with experience, while individual sensitivities and specificities had more variation between experience groups. This study demonstrates the ability of evaluators to correctly classify OCT images with overall low levels of experience and training and also illustrates areas where increased training can improve accuracy of evaluators in interpretation of OCT surgical margin images.
CO‐oximetry measurements and antioxidant effects of ascorbic acid and methylene blue in equine methemoglobinemic blood
Authors: Corradini Ignacio , Georges Karla , Jose‐Cunilleras Eduard
Published: August 2021

Objectives

To determine the effects of time after sampling on CO‐oximetry measurements of equine blood samples and the effects of adding ascorbic acid (AscAc) and methylene blue (MetBlue) to samples with methemoglobinemia.

Design

Experimental study.

Setting

University teaching hospital.

Animals

Thirty healthy adult horses assigned to 5 groups.

Interventions

Repeated CO‐oximetry determinations were performed on venous (n = 6) and arterial blood samples (n = 7) stored at 0°C for 48 hours. Methemoglobinemia was induced in vitro in 17 additional blood samples. Six were used as untreated controls, 6 had AscAc added, and 5 had MetBlue added. Total hemoglobin, oxyhemoglobin, carboxyhemoglobin, methemoglobin (MetHb), and oxygen saturation of hemoglobin (SO2) were measured.

Measurements and Main Results

Oxyhemoglobin and SO2 increased from 69.8% ± 10.2% and 90% ± 3% to 82.8% ± 7.9% and 99% ± 3%, respectively, after 8 hours in venous blood (mean ± SD, P < 0.001). There was an effect of treatment (P = 0.032) and of time (interaction P = 0.003) on MetHb% in methemoglobinemic samples. The difference in absolute MetHb% from time 0 was as follows: 7.0% (interquartile range [IQR] = 21.2), –0.2% (IQR = 3.5), and –4.4% (IQR = 5.2) at 48 hours in control, AscAc, and MetBlue groups, respectively (P < 0.05). There was no effect of time on MetHb% in the AscAc group (23% [IQR = 52.6] at time 0 to 23.2% [IQR = 56.9] after 48 h).

Conclusions

Storage of blood in ice water to determine O2Hb and SO2 using a CO‐oximeter should not exceed 4 hours. Measurement of MetHb% could be delayed by up to 48 hours if AscAc is added to the sample. MetBlue significantly decreased MetHb% over time. The limitations of this study include the fact that the antioxidant effects of AscAc and MetBlue were evaluated in vitro and not in vivo. Further studies are needed to evaluate different storage temperatures and syringe types.
On Characteristics of Chinese Civilization
Authors: Su Xiangjun
Published: August 2021

Chinese civilization is the only ancient human civilization existing in the world, with a history of more than five thousand years. Over its long history of evolution, Chinese civilization has developed into a distinct civilization. This article briefly discusses eight main characteristics of the Chinese civilization, including the pluralistic and integrated Chinese nation, the wide use of the time-honored Chinese character, and the philosophy of being people-oriented and seeking harmony between man and nature, etc.. Moreover, it is pointed out that Chinese civilization is the fundamental intrinsic driving force for the rapid rise of China in recent decades and the Chinese national rejuvenation, and China is destined to take its own path of development due to its unique civilization.
Electrochemical properties of the non‐excitable tissue stria vascularis of the mammalian cochlea are sensitive to sounds
Authors: Zhang Qi , Ota Takeru , Yoshida Takamasa , Ino Daisuke , Sato Mitsuo P. , Doi Katsumi , Horii Arata , Nin Fumiaki , Hibino Hiroshi
Published: August 2021

Excitable cochlear hair cells convert the mechanical energy of sounds into the electrical signals necessary for neurotransmission. The key process is cellular depolarization via K+ entry from K+‐enriched endolymph through hair cells’ mechanosensitive channels. Positive 80 mV potential in endolymph accelerates the K+ entry, thereby sensitizing hearing. This potential represents positive extracellular potential within the epithelial‐like stria vascularis; the latter potential stems from K+ equilibrium potential (EK) across the strial membrane. Extra‐ and intracellular [K+] determining EK are likely maintained by continuous unidirectional circulation of K+ through a putative K+ transport pathway containing hair cells and stria. Whether and how the non‐excitable tissue stria vascularis responds to acoustic stimuli remains unclear. Therefore, we analysed a cochlear portion for the best frequency, 1 kHz, by theoretical and experimental approaches. We have previously developed a computational model that integrates ion channels and transporters in the stria and hair cells into a circuit and described a circulation current composed of K+. Here, in this model, mimicking of hair cells’ K+ flow induced by a 1 kHz sound modulated the circulation current and affected the strial ion transport mechanisms; the latter effect resulted in monotonically decreasing potential and increasing [K+] in the extracellular strial compartment. Similar results were obtained when the stria in acoustically stimulated animals was examined using microelectrodes detecting the potential and [K+]. Measured potential dynamics mirrored the EK change. Collectively, because stria vascularis is electrically coupled to hair cells by the circulation current in vivo too, the strial electrochemical properties respond to sounds.

image

Key points

A highly positive potential of +80 mV in K+‐enriched endolymph in the mammalian cochlea accelerates sound‐induced K+ entry into excitable sensory hair cells, a process that triggers hearing.

This unique endolymphatic potential represents an EK‐based battery for a non‐excitable epithelial‐like tissue, the stria vascularis.

To examine whether and how the stria vascularis responds to sounds, we used our computational model, in which strial channels and transporters are serially connected to those hair cells in a closed‐loop circuit, and found that mimicking hair cell excitation by acoustic stimuli resulted in increased extracellular [K+] and decreased the battery's potential within the stria.

This observation was overall verified by electrophysiological experiments using live guinea pigs.

The sensitivity of electrochemical properties of the stria to sounds indicates that this tissue is electrically coupled to hair cells by a radial ionic flow called a circulation current.
Qualidade da auditoria no futebol e seus reflexos no valor das marcas dos clubes brasileiros
Authors: Reis Marçal Ronan , Alberton Luiz
Published: August 2021

Este estudo analisa a influência da qualidade da auditoria no valor das marcas dos clubes brasileiros de futebol. Para tal, foram realizadas regressões múltiplas com dados em painel diante de uma amostra de 20 diferentes clubes de futebol do Brasil entre 2014 e 2018. Os resultados indicam influência da qualidade da auditoria no valor das marcas dos clubes, sendo o tempo de permanência das firmas e o rodízio das firmas de auditoria fatores positivos nessa relação. Isto evidencia a relevância de uma auditoria de qualidade no âmbito do futebol, demarcado por práticas ruins de gestão. Em termos práticos, os resultados auxiliam stakeholders na avaliação do valor de mercado dos clubes, ao esclarecer aspectos dúbios para os torcedores, o que tem impacto na esfera social do esporte.
Técnicas e indicadores de rendimiento financiero aplicados al estado de resultados en empresas comerciales y de servicios colombianas
Authors: Morelo Pereira Douglas Jahir , Torres Castro Diocelina
Published: August 2021

Este artículo está dirigido a identificar el grado de utilización de un conjunto de Técnicas e Indicadores de Rendimiento Financiero (TIRF) que permitan monitorear la sostenibilidad financiera de las empresas comerciales y de servicios. El problema radica en las frecuentes reformas tributarias y la constante lucha contra el contrabando; actividades que en su conjunto conjugan una amenaza a la sostenibilidad financiera de la empresa. En este sentido, la presente investigación busca analizar las características predominantes, diferenciales y correlacionales de las TIRF asociadas al estado de resultados. El estudio se desarrolló bajo el paradigma cuantitativo lo que permitió aplicar un cuestionario de nuevo diseño, la muestra estuvo conformada por 90 expertos con funciones asociadas al análisis de estados financieros vinculados a 55 empresas comerciales y 35 empresas de servicios seleccionadas de un listado de 1.000. Entre las conclusiones se determinó que las empresas de servicios tienden a realizar más proyecciones de tendencia y benchmarking contra un competidor clave que las empresas de comerciales. Situación que permite inferir la versatilidad y el dinamismo de estas TIRF en el análisis de estados financieros.