bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Axenic in vitro cultivation of 19 peat moss (Sphagnum L.) species as a resource for basic biology, biotechnology, and paludiculture
Authors: Heck Melanie A. , Lüth Volker M. , van Gessel Nico , Krebs Matthias , Kohl Mira , Prager Anja , Joosten Hans , Decker Eva L. , Reski Ralf
Published: September 2020

Sphagnum farming can substitute peat with renewable biomass and thus help mitigate climate change. Large volumes of the required founder material can only be supplied sustainably by axenic cultivation in bioreactors.

We established axenic in vitro cultures from sporophytes of 19 Sphagnum species collected in Austria, Germany, Latvia, the Netherlands, Russia, and Sweden: S. angustifolium, S. balticum, S. capillifolium, S. centrale, S. compactum, S. cuspidatum, S. fallax, S. fimbriatum, S. fuscum, S. lindbergii, S. medium/divinum, S. palustre, S. papillosum, S. rubellum, S. russowii, S. squarrosum, S. subnitens, S. subfulvum and S. warnstorfii. These species cover five of the six European Sphagnum subgenera; namely, Acutifolia, Cuspidata, Rigida, Sphagnum and Squarrosa.

Their growth was measured in suspension cultures, whereas their ploidy was determined by flow cytometry and compared with the genome size of Physcomitrella patens. We identified haploid and diploid Sphagnum species, found that their cells are predominantly arrested in the G1 phase of the cell cycle, and did not find a correlation between plant productivity and ploidy. DNA barcoding was achieved by sequencing introns of the BRK1 genes.

With this collection, high‐quality founder material for diverse large‐scale applications, but also for basic Sphagnum research, is available from the International Moss Stock Center.
Quantifying vulnerability to embolism in tropical trees and lianas using five methods: can discrepancies be explained by xylem structural traits?
Authors: Chen Ya‐Jun , Maenpuen Phisamai , Zhang Yong‐Jiang , Barai Kallol , Katabuchi Masatoshi , Gao Hui , Kaewkamol Sasiwimol , Tao Lian‐Bin , Zhang Jiao‐Lin
Published: September 2020

Vulnerability curves (VCs) describe the loss of hydraulic conductance against increasing xylem tension, providing valuable insights about the response of plant water transport to water stress. Techniques to construct VCs have been developed and modified continuously, but controversies continue.

We compared VCs constructed using the bench‐top dehydration (BD), air‐injection‐flow (AI), pneumatic‐air‐discharge (PAD), optical (OP) and X‐ray‐computed microtomography (MicroCT) methods for tropical trees and lianas with contrasting vessel lengths.

The PAD method generated highly vulnerable VCs, the AI method intermediate VCs, whereas the BD, OP and MicroCT methods produced comparable and more resistant VCs. Vessel‐length and diameter accounted for the overestimation ratio of vulnerability estimated using the AI but not the PAD method. Compared with directly measured midday embolism levels, the PAD and AI methods substantially overestimated embolism, whereas the BD, MicroCT and OP methods provided more reasonable estimations.

Cut‐open vessels, uncertainties in maximum air volume estimations, sample‐length effects, tissue cracks and shrinkage together may impede the reliability of the PAD method. In conclusion, we validate the BD, OP and MicroCT methods for tropical plants, whereas the PAD and AI need further mechanistic testing. Therefore, applications of VCs in estimating plant responses to drought need to be cautious.
Corruption consolidation in local governments: A grounded analytical framework
Authors: Meza Oliver , Pérez‐Chiqués Elizabeth
Published: September 2020

This article constructs a grounded framework to study how corruption is consolidated in local governments. We focus on the fine‐grained texture of corrupt practices that can only be achieved by looking at rich contextual studies. We argue that neglecting the way corruption becomes the ‘rule of the game’ has led to the creation of anti‐corruption policies that tend to be overly reliant on formal institutions, addressing only dyadic and venal types of corruption, and have therefore proven ineffective. Based on a two‐staged, mixed methods research design—including 50 in‐depth interviews in two Mexican cities and three surveys applied to citizens and public officials—this article's framework focuses on how networks are shaped and organized to perform corrupt practices, and how opacity and weak checks and balances grant them impunity. Results show corrupt schemes to be outstandingly malleable and resilient, able to circumvent formal anti‐corruption strategies.
Wood day capacitance is related to water content, wood density, and anatomy across 30 temperate tree species
Authors: Ziemińska Kasia , Rosa Emily , Gleason Sean M. , Holbrook N. Michele
Published: September 2020

Water released from wood during transpiration (capacitance) can meaningfully affect daily water use and drought response. To provide context for better understanding of capacitance mechanisms, we investigated links between capacitance and wood anatomy. On twigs of 30 temperate angiosperm tree species, we measured day capacitance (between predawn and midday), water content, wood density, and anatomical traits, that is, vessel dimensions, tissue fractions, and vessel–tissue contact fractions (fraction of vessel circumference in contact with other tissues). Across all species, wood density (WD) and predawn lumen volumetric water content (VWCL‐pd) together were the strongest predictors of day capacitance (r2adj = .44). Vessel–tissue contact fractions explained an additional ~10% of the variation in day capacitance. Regression models were not improved by including tissue lumen fractions. Among diffuse‐porous species, VWCL‐pd and vessel–ray contact fraction together were the best predictors of day capacitance, whereas among semi/ring‐porous species, VWCL‐pd, WD and vessel–fibre contact fraction were the best predictors. At predawn, wood was less than fully saturated for all species (lumen relative water content = 0.52 ± 0.17). Our findings imply that day capacitance depends on the amount of stored water, tissue connectivity and the bulk wood properties arising from WD (e.g., elasticity), rather than the fraction of any particular tissue.
Indiscriminate, Irrelevant, and Sometimes Wrong: Causal Misconceptions about Climate Change
Authors: Fleming Whitney , Hayes Adam L. , Crosman Katherine M. , Bostrom Ann
Published: September 2020

Prior research demonstrates widespread persistence of beliefs about climate change causes and risks that are arguably misconceptions. They include believing pollution causes climate change, believing ozone depletion causes climate change, the combination of these two “green beliefs,” referred to as environmental problems, and believing natural climate variation significantly contributes to current climate trends. Each of these causal beliefs has the potential to weaken or divert support away from effective climate change risk mitigation policies. To assess this potential, we explore the nature and prevalence of these beliefs in the United States with a national sample of interviews (N = 77) and two national surveys (N = 1,013, N = 1,820), and apply regression and mediation analyses to explore whether they explain any of the variation in individuals’ concern or support for policy to mitigate climate change. Adherence to these beliefs—which reflect a variety of misconceptions illustrated in the interviews—differs by political ideology but is common, with over a third of interviewees mentioning one or more. Controlling for general knowledge, political ideology, and other factors, misconceptions about environmental problems are still associated directly with support for climate change policies. On average adherence to the belief that environmental problems cause climate change is associated with a 25% higher probability of policy support. In contrast, believing natural climate variability is a major recent cause of climate change is associated with a 7% lower probability of supporting climate policy, even after controlling for political ideology and other knowledge about climate change.
Local asymptotic properties for Cox‐Ingersoll‐Ross process with discrete observations
Authors: Ben Alaya Mohamed , Kebaier Ahmed , Tran Ngoc Khue
Published: September 2020

In this paper, we consider a one‐dimensional Cox‐Ingersoll‐Ross (CIR) process whose drift coefficient depends on unknown parameters. Considering the process discretely observed at high frequency, we prove the local asymptotic normality property in the subcritical case, the local asymptotic quadraticity in the critical case, and the local asymptotic mixed normality property in the supercritical case. To obtain these results, we use the Malliavin calculus techniques developed recently for CIR process together with the estimation for positive and negative polynomial moments of the CIR process. In this study, we require the same conditions of high frequency and infinite horizon as in the case of ergodic diffusions with globally Lipschitz coefficients studied earlier in the literature. However, in the non‐ergodic cases, additional assumptions on the decreasing rate are required due to the fact that the square root diffusion coefficient of the CIR process is not regular enough.
Designing AfriCultuReS services to support food security in Africa
Authors: Alexandridis T. K. , Ovakoglou G. , Cherif I. , Gómez Giménez M. , Laneve G. , Kasampalis D. , Moshou D. , Kartsios S. , Karypidou M. C. , Katragkou E. , Herrera García S. , Kganyago M. , Mashiyi N. , Pattnayak K. , Challinor A. , Pritchard R. , Brockington D. , Kagoyire C. , Suarez Beltran J.
Published: September 2020

Earth observation (EO) data are increasingly being used to monitor vegetation and detect plant growth anomalies due to water stress, drought, or pests, as well as to monitor water availability, weather conditions, disaster risks, land use/land cover changes and to evaluate soil degradation. Satellite data are provided regularly by worldwide organizations, covering a wide variety of spatial, temporal and spectral characteristics. In addition, weather, climate and crop growth models provide early estimates of the expected weather and climatic patterns and yield, which can be improved by fusion with EO data. The AfriCultuReS project is capitalizing on the above to contribute towards an integrated agricultural monitoring and early warning system for Africa, supporting decision‐making in the field of food security. The aim of this article is to present the design of EO services within the project, and how they will support food security in Africa. The services designed cover the users’ requirements related to climate, drought, land, livestock, crops, water, and weather. For each category of services, results from one case study are presented. The services will be distributed to the stakeholders and are expected to provide a continuous monitoring framework for early and accurate assessment of factors affecting food security in Africa.
Erythropoiesis‐stimulating agents as replacement therapy for blood transfusions in critically ill patients with anaemia: A systematic review with meta‐analysis
Authors: Wijnberge Marije , Rellum Santino R. , de Bruin Sanne , Cecconi Maurizio , Oczkowski Simon , Vlaar Alexander P.
Published: September 2020

Objectives

The primary objectives of this meta‐analysis in critically ill adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) were to analyse whether erythropoiesis‐stimulating agents (ESAs) reduced the number of patients receiving red blood cell (RBC) transfusion and resulted in a change in haemoglobin (Hb) concentration. Our secondary objectives were adverse events and mortality.

Background

Anaemia is common in ICU patients, and currently, the standard therapy is RBC transfusion, which is known to be associated with adverse events. ESA could potentially reduce the need for RBC transfusion.

Methods

EMBASE, Cochrane and PubMed were searched up to January 2020.

Results

A total of 1357 articles were identified, of which 18 articles met the inclusion criteria for the qualitative synthesis. Eight of these studies were used in the meta‐analyses. Comparing ESA vs control group, there was a small reduction in the proportion of patients who received one or more RBC transfusions (relative risk [RR] 0.88; confidence interval [CI] 0.78‐1.00, moderate certainty). The change in Hb concentration was trivial (mean difference −0.31 g/dL; CI −0.51 to −0.05, high certainty). The number of serious adverse events (RR 1.02; 0.90‐1.15, low certainty) and the overall short‐term mortality were similar (RR 0.80; CI 0.61‐1.05, low certainty) between the groups.

Conclusion

ESA resulted in a small reduction in the proportion of patients transfused and a trivial increase in haemoglobin concentration, both of questionable clinical relevance, without impacting adverse events or mortality. These results do not support the routine use of ESA to treat anaemia in critically ill adults.
Screening for SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies in convalescent plasma in Brazil: Preliminary lessons from a voluntary convalescent donor program
Authors: Wendel Silvano , Kutner Jose Mauro , Machado Rafael , Fontão‐Wendel Rita , Bub Carolina , Fachini Roberta , Yokoyama Ana , Candelaria Gabriela , Sakashita Araci , Achkar Ruth , Hamerschlak Nelson , Scuracchio Patricia , Amaral Marcelo , Dal Ben Mirian , Araujo Danielle , Soares Camila , Camargo Anamaria , Kallás Esper , Durigon Edison , Reis Luiz Fernando , Rizzo Luiz Vicente
Published: September 2020

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) convalescent plasma (CCP) collection began in two Brazilian hospitals for treatment of severe/critical patients.

Methods and Materials

Mild/moderate COVID‐19 convalescents were selected as CCP donors after reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection and absence of symptoms for ≥14 days plus (a) age (18‐60 years), body weight greater than 55 kg; (b) immunohematological studies; (c) no infectious markers of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, human immunodeficiency virus, human T‐lymphotropic virus‐1/2, Chagas and syphilis infection; (d) no HLA antibodies (multiparous); (e) second RT‐PCR (nasopharyngeal swab and/or blood) negativity; (f) virus neutralization test (cytopathic effect–based virus neutralization test neutralizing antibody) and anti–nucleocapsid protein SARS‐CoV‐2 IgM, IgG, and IgA enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays.

Results

Among 271 donors (41 females, 230 males), 250 presented with neutralizing antibodies. Final RT‐PCR was negative on swab (77.0%) or blood (88.4%; P = .46). Final definition of RT‐PCR was only defined at more than 28 days after full recovery in 59 of 174 (33.9%) RT‐PCR –ve, and 25/69 RT‐PCR +ve (36.2%; 13 between 35 and 48 days). Neutralizing antibody titers of 160 or greater were found in 63.6%. Correlation between IgG signal/cutoff of 5.0 or greater and neutralizing antibody of 160 or greater was 82.4%. Combination of final RT‐PCR –ve with neutralizing antibody ≥160 was 41.3% (112/271). Serial plasma collection showed decline in neutralizing antibody titers and IgA levels (P < .05), probably denoting a “golden period” for CCP collection (≤28 days after joining the program); IgA might have an important role as neutralizing antibody. Donor's weight, days between disease onset and serial plasma collection, and IgG and IgM levels are important predictors for neutralizing antibody titer.

Conclusions

RT‐PCR +ve cases are still detected in 36.2% within 28 to 48 days after recovery. High anti–nucleocapsid protein IgG levels may be used as a surrogate marker to neutralizing antibody.
Topology of conductive clusters in sputtered high-quality VO2 thin films on the brink of percolation threshold during insulator-to-metal and metal-to-insulator transitions
Authors: Koughia Cyril , Gunes Ozan , Zhang Chunzi , Wen Shi-Jie , Wong Rick , Yang Qiaoqin , Kasap Safa O.
Published: September 2020

Electrical conductivity (σ) and optical transmittance of high quality VO2 thin films deposited by DC reactive magnetron sputtering on r-cut sapphire substrates (at 650 °C) have been measured simultaneously as a function of temperature by heating and cooling scans through the phase transition region. The partial concentration of the metallic phase (Xm) has been calculated from the optical transmittance, and the σ(Xm) dependence has been analyzed through an insulator-to-metal transition (IMT) during heating and through a metal-to-insulator transition (MIT) during cooling. The results have shown to be consistent with the Efros–Shklovskii percolation theory, predicting the formation of two-dimensional infinite conductive cluster (ICC) during IMT and the preservation of three-dimensional ICC during MIT. The critical concentrations (Xc) corresponding to the appearance of ICC at IMT and the disappearance of ICC at MIT were found to be very different, 0.57 and 0.06, respectively. A mathematical model explaining very small Xc at MIT was developed. The dissimilarity of the ICC topology during IMT and MIT is connected with the appearance and disappearance of local mechanical stresses imminent in VO2 phase transitions.
Cavefish brain atlases reveal functional and anatomical convergence across independently evolved populations
Authors: Jaggard James B. , Lloyd Evan , Yuiska Anders , Patch Adam , Fily Yaouen , Kowalko Johanna E. , Appelbaum Lior , Duboue Erik R. , Keene Alex C.
Published: September 2020

Brain atlases reveal neuroanatomical and activity signatures associated with behavioral evolution in cavefish.
Seismic observations, numerical modeling, and geomorphic analysis of a glacier lake outburst flood in the Himalayas
Authors: Maurer J. M. , Schaefer J. M. , Russell J. B. , Rupper S. , Wangdi N. , Putnam A. E. , Young N.
Published: September 2020

Remote seismic observations of a glacial lake outburst flood highlight potential for improving early warning systems.
3D curvature-instructed endothelial flow response and tissue vascularization
Authors: Mandrycky Christian , Hadland Brandon , Zheng Ying
Published: September 2020

Engineered spiral microvessels reveal unique contributions of curvature to EC responses to flow and support tissue perfusion.
B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells mediate RANK-RANKL–dependent bone destruction
Authors: Rajakumar Sujeetha A. , Papp Eniko , Lee Kathy K. , Grandal Ildiko , Merico Daniele , Liu Careesa C. , Allo Bedilu , Zhang Lucia , Grynpas Marc D. , Minden Mark D. , Hitzler Johann K. , Guidos Cynthia J. , Danska Jayne S.
Published: September 2020

Primary B-ALL cells cause RANKL-mediated trabecular bone and growth plate destruction in patient-derived xenograft models.
The Enzymatic Activity of the nsp14 Exoribonuclease Is Critical for Replication of MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Ogando Natacha S. , Zevenhoven-Dobbe Jessika C. , van der Meer Yvonne , Bredenbeek Peter J. , Posthuma Clara C. , Snijder Eric J.
Published: September 2020

The bifunctional nsp14 subunit of the coronavirus replicase contains 3′-to-5′ exoribonuclease (ExoN) and guanine-N7-methyltransferase domains. For the betacoronaviruses MHV and SARS-CoV, ExoN was reported to promote the fidelity of genome replication, presumably by mediating a form of proofreading. For these viruses, ExoN knockout mutants are viable while displaying an increased mutation frequency. Strikingly, we have now established that the equivalent ExoN knockout mutants of two other betacoronaviruses, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, are nonviable, suggesting an additional and critical ExoN function in their replication. This is remarkable in light of the very limited genetic distance between SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, which is highlighted, for example, by 95% amino acid sequence identity in their nsp14 sequences. For (recombinant) MERS-CoV nsp14, both its enzymatic activities were evaluated using newly developed
in vitro
assays that can be used to characterize these key replicative enzymes in more detail and explore their potential as target for antiviral drug development.
No to
Neocosmospora
: Phylogenomic and Practical Reasons for Continued Inclusion of the Fusarium solani Species Complex in the Genus
Fusarium
Authors: O’Donnell Kerry , Al-Hatmi Abdullah M. S. , Aoki Takayuki , Brankovics Balázs , Cano-Lira José F. , Coleman Jeffrey J. , de Hoog G. Sybren , Di Pietro Antonio , Frandsen Rasmus J. N. , Geiser David M. , Gibas Connie F. C. , Guarro Josep , Kim Hye-Seon , Kistler H. Corby , Laraba Imane , Leslie John F. , López-Berges Manuel S. , Lysøe Erik , Meis Jacques F. , Monod Michel , Proctor Robert H. , Rep Martijn , Ruiz-Roldán Carmen , Šišić Adnan , Stajich Jason E. , Steenkamp Emma T. , Summerell Brett A. , van der Lee Theo A. J. , van Diepeningen Anne D. , Verweij Paul E. , Waalwijk Cees , Ward Todd J. , Wickes Brian L. , Wiederhold Nathan P. , Wingfield Michael J. , Zhang Ning , Zhang Sean X.
Published: September 2020

This article is to alert medical mycologists and infectious disease specialists of recent name changes of medically important species of the filamentous mold
Fusarium
.
Fusarium
species can cause localized and life-threating infections in humans. Of the 70
Fusarium
species that have been reported to cause infections, close to one-third are members of the
Fusarium solani
species complex (FSSC), and they collectively account for approximately two-thirds of all reported
Fusarium
infections.
Supplemental Material: Dendritic reidite from the Chesapeake Bay impact horizon, Ocean Drilling Program Site 1073 (offshore northeastern USA): A fingerprint of distal ejecta?
Authors: Cavosie Aaron , al. et
Published: September 2020

Additional information on the sample analyzed, EBSD data (Figures S1 and S2), and methods.
Cerebrospinal fluid confirmed COVID-19-associated encephalitis treated successfully
Authors: Kamal Yasmine Mohamed , Abdelmajid Yasmin , Al Madani Abubaker Abdul Rahman
Published: September 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic that attracted global attention in December 2019 is well known for its clinical picture that is consistent with respiratory symptoms. Currently, the available medical literature describing the neurological complications of COVID-19 is gradually emerging. We hereby describe a case of a 31-year-old COVID-19-positive patient who was admitted on emergency basis. His clinical presentation was primarily neurological, rather than the COVID-19’s classical respiratory manifestations. He presented with acute behavioural changes, severe confusion and drowsiness. The cerebrospinal fluid analysis was consistent with COVID-19 encephalitis, as well as the brain imaging. This experience confirms that neurological manifestations might be expected in COVID-19 infections, despite the absence of significant respiratory symptoms. Whenever certain red flags are raised, physicians who are involved in the management of COVID-19 should promptly consider the possibility of encephalitis. Early recognition of COVID-19 encephalitis and timely management may lead to a better outcome.
Use of virtual consultations in an orthopaedic rehabilitation setting: how do changes in the work of being a patient influence patient preferences? A systematic review and qualitative synthesis
Authors: Gilbert Anthony W , Jones Jeremy , Jaggi Anju , May Carl R
Published: September 2020

Objectives

To systematically review qualitative studies reporting the use of virtual consultations within an orthopaedic rehabilitation setting and to understand how its use changes the work required of patients.

Methods

Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis statement, we conducted a systematic review of papers to answer the research question ‘How do changes in the work of being a patient when using communication technology influence patient preferences?’ Electronic databases were searched for studies meeting the inclusion criteria in April 2020.

Results

The search strategy identified 2057 research articles from the database search. A review of titles and abstracts using the inclusion criteria yielded 21 articles for full-text review. Nine studies were included in the final analysis. Six studies explored real-time video conferencing and three explored telephone consultations. The use of communication technology changes the work required of patients. Such changes will impact on expectations for care, resources required of patients, the environment of receiving care and patient–clinician interactions. This adjustment of the work required of patients who access orthopaedic rehabilitation using communication technology will impact on their experience of receiving care. It is proposed that changes in the work of being a patient will influence preferences for or against the use of communication technology consultations for orthopaedic rehabilitation.

Conclusion

We found that the use of communication technology changes the work of being a patient. The change in work required of patients can be both burdensome (it makes it harder for patients to access their care) and beneficial (it makes it easier for patients to access their care). This change will likely to influence preferences. Keeping the concept of patient work at the heart of pathway redesign is likely to be a key consideration to ensure successful implementation.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42018100896.
Surgical trends, outcomes and disparities in minimal invasive surgery for patients with endometrial cancer in England: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Moss Esther L. , Morgan George , Martin Antony P. , Sarhanis Panos , Ind Thomas
Published: September 2020

Objective

To examine surgical outcomes and trends in the implementation of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) use for endometrial cancer (EC).

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

English National Health Service hospitals 2011–2017/2018.

Population

35 304 patients having a hysterectomy for EC identified from Hospital Episode Statistics.

Methods

Univariate and multivariate analyses compared MIS to open hysterectomy (OH) by assessing the association between demographic, clinical and hospital characteristics by using logistic regression. A propensity score was created, to control for confounding factors including demographics, clinical and hospital characteristics, from a logistic regression which enabled the inverse probability weighting of treatment to be applied in order to compare outcomes of treatment.

Main outcome measures

The association between route of surgery on perioperative morbidity and mortality.

Results

The MIS rate rose from 40.3% in 2011 to 68.7% in 2017/2018, however, there was significant geographical variation (p<0.001). The overall 90-day mortality was significantly higher with OH versus MIS (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.62, p=0.0002). MIS rates were significantly lower in patients from the lowest socioeconomic group (LSEG) compared with patients from the highest group (HSEG) (55.4% vs 59.9%, p<0.01), and in the black population as compared with white and Asian populations (40.4% vs 58.6% and 56.0%, p<0.0001). When patients from LSEG and black patients were treated in hospitals with high MIS rates, the MIS rate increased close to that of the HSEG and white patients (81.0% and 74.1% vs 83.2% and 82.6%).

Conclusions

Further investigation is needed to understand the barriers to MIS and improve access so that as many patients as possible can benefit from the reduced morbidity/mortality associated with MIS.
Domestic violence victimisation and its association with mental distress: a cross-sectional study of the Yangon Region, Myanmar
Authors: Aye Win Thuzar , Lien Lars , Stigum Hein , Schei Berit , Sundby Johanne , Bjertness Espen
Published: September 2020

Objectives

To estimate the prevalence of domestic violence, with subgroups of physical, sexual and emotional violence, among men and women and to assess the association between any lifetime domestic violence (DV) and mental distress among ever-married men and women.

Design

We conducted a cross-sectional study from October to November 2016 using a multistage sampling design. DV questionnaire was adopted from the Demographic and Health Survey programme. Mental distress was estimated using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-10 (HSCL-10). HSCL-score and DV were the outcome and exposure variables, respectively, in multiple linear regression. Prevalence estimates and associations were presented with a 95% CI and the Wald test.

Setting

Urban and rural areas of the Yangon region, Myanmar.

Participants

Men and women ages 18 to 49 years were included. Institutionalised people, monks, nuns and individuals deemed too ill physically and/or mentally to participate were excluded.

Results

A random sample of 2383 people was included in the analyses. Among ever-married participants, lifetime (LT) and past-12-month (12M) prevalence of any domestic violence victimisation was higher in women compared with men: LT women: 61.8% (95% CI: 54.3 to 68.9) versus LT men: 42.4% (95% CI: 37.5 to 47.5) and 12M women: 51.2% (95% CI: 44.9 to 57.5) versus 12M men: 37.7% (95% CI: 32.9 to 42.7). Among never-married participants, lifetime physical and sexual violence victimisation rates was higher in men (34.3% and 7.9%) compared with women (19.1% and 6.4%). Mental distress was significantly associated with lifetime DV in women who were afraid of their husbands and men who had wives who exhibited controlling behaviours.

Conclusions

Domestic violence is prevalent among both men and women and is associated with mental distress. The findings highlight an urgent need to prevent domestic violence in both sexes, including through legal and policy reform and improved mental health services for DV victims.
Augmented reality in patient education and health literacy: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Adapa Karthik , Jain Saumya , Kanwar Richa , Zaman Tanzila , Taneja Trusha , Walker Jennifer , Mazur Lukasz
Published: September 2020

Background

Health literacy enables the patients in understanding the basic healthcare information and taking informed health decisions; thus, it is a desirable goal of any healthcare system. It increases patients’ adherence to treatment, improves the quality of care and eases the overall burden on the healthcare system. In recent years, technological solutions are being increasingly used in educating patients and achieving better health literacy. Augmented reality (AR) provides powerful, contextual and situated learning experiences and supplements the real world with virtual objects. AR could potentially be an effective learning methodology for the patients, thus, warranting a comprehensive overview of the current state of AR in patient education and health literacy.

Methods

The proposed scoping review will be based on the framework developed by Arksey and O’Malley, including the refinements suggested by Levac et al. A systematic search for references in the published literature will be conducted in nine research databases—Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PubMed, PsycInfo, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and Association for Information Systems eLibrary (AISeL). The unpublished studies from ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, Conference Proceedings Citation Index and grey literature references obtained from a web search will also be included. Databases will be searched from inception to 14 January 2020. Two independent reviewers will screen the studies from the search results in two successive stages of title/abstract screening followed by full-text screening. Data variables will be extracted from the selected studies to characterise study design, type of AR technology employed and the relational factors affecting patient education. Lastly, key stakeholders will be consulted to gather their insights about the study findings.

Ethics and dissemination

The results will be disseminated through stakeholder meetings and conference presentations. The data used are from publicly available secondary sources, so this study does not require ethical review.
Cohort profile: the ChicagO Multiethnic Prevention and Surveillance Study (COMPASS)
Authors: Aschebrook-Kilfoy Briseis , Kibriya Muhammad G , Jasmine Farzana , Stepniak Liz , Gopalakrishnan Rajan , Craver Andrew , Zakin Paul , Tasmin Saira , Kim Karen E , Goss Kathleen H , List Marcy , LeBeau Michelle , Ahsan Habibul
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The ChicagO Multiethnic Prevention and Surveillance Study or ‘COMPASS’ is a population-based cohort study with a goal to examine the risk and determinants of cancer and chronic disease. COMPASS aims to address factors causing and/or exacerbating health disparities using a precision health approach by recruiting diverse participants in Chicago, with an emphasis on those historically underrepresented in biomedical research.

Participants

Nearly 8000 participants have been recruited from 72 of the 77 Chicago community areas. Enrolment entails the completion of a 1-hour long survey, consenting for past and future medical records from all sources, the collection of clinical and physical measurement data and the on-site collection of biological samples including blood, urine and saliva. Indoor air monitoring data and stool samples are being collected from a subset of participants. On collection, all biological samples are processed and aliquoted within 24 hours before long-term storage and subsequent analysis.

Findings to date

The cohort reported an average age of 53.7 years, while 80.5% identified as African-American, 5.7% as Hispanic and 47.8% as men. Over 50% reported earning less than US$15 000 yearly, 35% were obese and 47.8% were current smokers. Moreover, 38% self-reported having had a diagnosis of hypertension, while 66.4% were measured as hypertensive at enrolment.

Future plans

We plan to expand recruitment up to 100 000 participants from the Chicago metropolitan area in the next decade using a hybrid community and clinic-based recruitment framework that incorporates data collection through mobile medical units. Follow-up data collection from current cohort members will include serial samples, as well as longitudinal health, lifestyle and behavioural assessment. We will supplement self-reported data with electronic medical records, expand the collection of biometrics and biosamples to facilitate increasing digital epidemiological study designs and link to state and/or national level databases to ascertain outcomes. The results and findings will inform potential opportunities for precision disease prevention and mitigation in Chicago and other urban areas with a diverse population.

Registration

NA.
“It’s not just hacking for the sake of it”: a qualitative study of health innovators’ views on patient-driven open innovations, quality and safety
Authors: Rivard Lysanne , Lehoux Pascale , Alami Hassane
Published: September 2020

Background

Open do-it-yourself (DIY) health innovations raise new dilemmas for patient-oriented and service-oriented scholars and healthcare providers. Our study aimed to generate practical insights into quality and safety issues to patient care raised by two volunteer-run, open DIY solutions: Nightscout Project (patient-driven, open-source software for type 1 diabetes management) and e-NABLE (volunteers who design and three-dimensionally print upper-limb assistive devices). To this end, we examined the views of health innovators who are knowledgeable about medical devices standards and regulations.

Methods

We applied a multimedia-based, data-elicitation technique to conduct indepth interviews with a diversified sample of 31 health innovators practising in two Canadian provinces (Quebec and Ontario). An exploratory thematic analysis approach was used to identify respondents’ reasoning processes and compare their overall judgements of Nightscout and e-NABLE.

Results

Respondents pondered the following quality and safety issues: importance of the need addressed; accessibility; volunteers’ ability to develop and maintain a safe solution of good quality; risks involved for users; consequences of not using the solution; and liability. Overall, innovators see Nightscout as a high-risk DIY solution that requires expert involvement and e-NABLE as a low-risk one that fills a hard-to-meet gap.

Conclusion

Health innovators generally support patient-driven initiatives but also call for the involvement of professionals who possess complementary skills and knowledge. Our findings provide a list of issues healthcare providers may discuss with patients during clinical consultations to document potential risks and benefits of open DIY solutions. To inform new policy approaches, we propose the development of publicly funded umbrella organisations to act as intermediaries between open DIY solutions and regulatory bodies to help them meet quality and safety standards.
Incidence, predictors, and prognostic impact of recurrent acute myocardial infarction in China
Authors: Song Jiali , Murugiah Karthik , Hu Shuang , Gao Yan , Li Xi , Krumholz Harlan M , Zheng Xin
Published: September 2020

Background

Incidence, predictors, and prognostic impact of recurrent acute myocardial infarction (AMI) after initial AMI remain poorly understood. Data on recurrent AMI in China is unknown.

Methods

Using the China Patient-centred Evaluative Assessment of Cardiac Events (PEACE)-Prospective AMI Study, we studied 3387 patients admitted to 53 hospitals for AMI and discharged alive. The association of recurrent AMI with 1-year mortality was evaluated using time-dependent Cox regression. Recurrent AMI events were classified as early (1–30 days), late (31–180 days), and very late (181–365 days). Their impacts on 1-year mortality were estimated by Kaplan-Meier methodology and compared by the log-rank test. Multivariable modelling was used to identify factors associated with recurrent AMI.

Results

The mean (SD) age was 60.7 (11.9) years and 783 (23.1%) were women. The observed 1-year recurrent AMI rate was 2.5% (95% CI 2.00 to 3.07) with 35.7% events occurring within the first 30 days. Recurrent AMI was associated with 1-year mortality with an adjusted HR of 25.42 (95% CI 15.27 to 42.34). Early recurrent AMI was associated with the highest 1-year mortality rate of 53.3% (log-rank p<0.001). Predictors of recurrent AMI included age 75–84, in-hospital percutaneous coronary intervention, heart rate >90 min/beats at initial admission, renal dysfunction, and not being prescribed any of guideline-based medications at discharge.

Conclusions

One-third of recurrent AMI events occurred early. Recurrent AMI is strongly associated with 1-year mortality, particularly if early. Heightened surveillance during this early period and improving prescription of recommended discharge medications may reduce recurrent AMI in China.
Modulating TNFα activity allows transgenic IL15-Expressing CLL-1 CAR T cells to safely eliminate acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Ataca Atilla Pinar , McKenna Mary K , Tashiro Haruko , Srinivasan Madhuwanti , Mo Feiyan , Watanabe Norihiro , Simons Brian Wesley , McLean Stevens Alexandra , Redell Michele S , Heslop Helen E , Mamonkin Maksim , Brenner Malcolm K , Atilla Erden
Published: September 2020

Background

C-type lectin-like molecule 1 (CLL-1) is highly expressed in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) but is absent in primitive hematopoietic progenitors, making it an attractive target for a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. Here, we optimized our CLL-1 CAR for anti-leukemic activity in mouse xenograft models of aggressive AML.

Methods

First, we optimized the CLL-1 CAR using different spacer, transmembrane and costimulatory sequences. We used a second retroviral vector to coexpress transgenic IL15. We measured the effects of each construct on T cell phenotype and sequential (recursive) co culture assays with tumor cell targets to determine the durability of the anti tumor activity by flow cytometry. We administered CAR T cells to mice engrafted with patient derived xenografts (PDX) and AML cell line and determined anti tumor activity by bioluminescence imaging and weekly bleeding, measured serum cytokines by multiplex analysis. After euthanasia, we examined formalin-fixed/paraffin embedded sections. Unpaired two-tailed Student’s t-tests were used and values of p<0.05 were considered significant. Survival was calculated using Mantel-Cox log-rank test.

Results

In vitro, CLL-1 CAR T cells with interleukin-15 (IL15) were less terminally differentiated (p<0.0001) and had superior expansion compared with CD28z-CD8 CAR T cells without IL15 (p<0.001). In both AML PDX and AML cell line animal models, CLL-1 CAR T coexpressing transgenic IL15 initially expanded better than CD28z-CD8 CAR T without IL15 (p<0.0001), but produced severe acute toxicity associated with high level production of human tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), IL15 and IL2. Histopathology showed marked inflammatory changes with tissue damage in lung and liver. This acute toxicity could be managed by two strategies, individually or in combination. The excessive TNF alpha secretion could be blocked with anti-TNF alpha antibody, while excessive T cell expansion could be arrested by activation of an inducible caspase nine safety switch by administration of dimerizing drug. Both strategies successfully prolonged tumor-free survival.

Conclusion

Combinatorial treatment with a TNFα blocking antibody and subsequent activation of the caspase-9 control switch increased the expansion, survival and antileukemic potency of CLL-1 CAR T-cells expressing transgenic IL15 while avoiding the toxicities associated with excessive cytokine production and long-term accumulation of activated T-cells.
Endothelin XVI
Authors: Widyantoro Bambang , Emoto Noriaki
Published: September 2020

Although 31 years have passed since the discovery of endothelin, that pioneering report, and the subsequent flood of influential studies elucidating its molecular and clinical details, have since paved the way for thousands of publications. They showed the promise of endothelin and the vast amount of work that remains to be done to fully unleash the potential this peptide possesses, both as a key physiological regulator and as a therapeutic target. Endothelin conferences and their proceedings have served as a host for many of these breakthrough studies, and in keeping with this fine tradition, Endothelin XVI will host novel research articles presented at the Sixteenth International Conference on Endothelin (ET-16) as its proceedings. On September 22–25, 2019, ET-16 was held at Kobe Port Oasis, Kobe, Japan, where numerous important discoveries were presented to the scientific community for the first time, many of which are compiled and published in this special issue. As the Editors of this special issue that comprises in-depth reviews, insightful editorials, and numerous original research articles discussing findings from various biomedical fields, we are extremely proud to present Endothelin XVI. We sincerely hope for the continued growth of this field for the benefit of the patients and the advancement of biomedical science.
Boundary conditions for dynamic wetting - A mathematical analysis
Authors: Fricke Mathis , Bothe Dieter
Published: September 2020

The moving contact line paradox discussed in the famous paper by Huh and Scriven has lead to an extensive scientific discussion about singularities in continuum mechanical models of dynamic wetting in the framework of the two-phase Navier–Stokes equations. Since the no-slip condition introduces a non-integrable and therefore unphysical singularity into the model, various models to relax the singularity have been proposed. Many of the relaxation mechanisms still retain a weak (integrable) singularity, while other approaches look for completely regular solutions with finite curvature and pressure at the moving contact line. In particular, the model introduced recently in [A.V. Lukyanov, T. Pryer, Langmuir 33, 8582 (2017)] aims for regular solutions through modified boundary conditions. The present work applies the mathematical tool of compatibility analysis to continuum models of dynamic wetting. The basic idea is that the boundary conditions have to be compatible at the contact line in order to allow for regular solutions. Remarkably, the method allows to compute explicit expressions for the pressure and the curvature locally at the moving contact line for regular solutions to the model of Lukyanov and Pryer. It is found that solutions may still be singular for the latter model.
Steady moving contact line of water over a no-slip substrate
Authors: Lācis Uǧis , Johansson Petter , Fullana Tomas , Hess Berk , Amberg Gustav , Bagheri Shervin , Zaleski Stephané
Published: September 2020

The movement of the triple contact line plays a crucial role in many applications such as ink-jet printing, liquid coating and drainage (imbibition) in porous media. To design accurate computational tools for these applications, predictive models of the moving contact line are needed. However, the basic mechanisms responsible for movement of the triple contact line are not well understood but still debated. We investigate the movement of the contact line between water, vapour and a silica-like solid surface under steady conditions in low capillary number regime. We use molecular dynamics (MD) with an atomistic water model to simulate a nanoscopic drop between two moving plates. We include hydrogen bonding between the water molecules and the solid substrate, which leads to a sub-molecular slip length. We benchmark two continuum methods, the Cahn–Hilliard phase-field (PF) model and a volume-of-fluid (VOF) model, against MD results. We show that both continuum models reproduce the statistical measures obtained from MD reasonably well, with a trade-off in accuracy. We demonstrate the importance of the phase-field mobility parameter and the local slip length in accurately modelling the moving contact line.
Comprehensive Cross-Efficiency Methods with Common Weight Restrictions in Data Envelopment Analysis
Authors: Wang Qing , Wei Keke , Zhang Yang , Wang Xuan
Published: September 2020

Considering both self-evaluation and peer evaluation, the traditional data envelopment analysis (DEA) cross-efficiency method has been widely used to evaluate efficiency scores. However, it has several defects such as excessive weight flexibility, unstable evaluation, and aggregation irrationality. This paper proposes a novel comprehensive DEA cross-efficiency method where two novel weight restriction methods are used to enhance the stability and feasibility of evaluation. Then, final efficiency scores were calculated through the geometric mean aggregation method. Finally, an empirical example is used to demonstrate that the proposed methods are more reasonable and scientific.
An extension of the Glauberman ZJ-theorem
Authors: Kızmaz M. Yasir
Published: September 2020

Let [Formula: see text] be an odd prime and let [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] denote the three different versions of Thompson subgroups for a [Formula: see text]-group [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we first prove an extension of Glauberman’s replacement theorem [G. Glauberman, A characteristic subgroup of a p-stable group, Canad. J. Math. 20 (1968) 1101–1135, Theorem 4.1]. Second, we prove the following: Let [Formula: see text] be a [Formula: see text]-stable group and [Formula: see text]. Suppose that [Formula: see text]. If [Formula: see text] is a strongly closed subgroup in [Formula: see text], then [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are normal subgroups of [Formula: see text]. Third, we show the following: Let [Formula: see text] be a [Formula: see text]-free group and [Formula: see text]. If [Formula: see text] is a strongly closed subgroup in [Formula: see text], then the normalizers of the subgroups [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] control strong [Formula: see text]-fusion in [Formula: see text]. We also prove a similar result for a [Formula: see text]-stable and [Formula: see text]-constrained group. Finally, we give a [Formula: see text]-nilpotency criteria, which is an extension of Glauberman–Thompson [Formula: see text]-nilpotency theorem.