bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lifestyle habits associated with screen time among pupils in Japan
Authors: Kohyama Jun
Published: July 2020

Background

Media use is pervasive among pupils. This study aimed to determine lifestyle factors associated with screen time.

Methods

The study used a cross‐sectional design, and 2,722 questionnaires obtained from pupils in grades 5–12 were analyzed. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine significant lifestyle factors associated with screen time. Grade, gender, bedtime and waking time on both school days and non‐school days, academic performance, sleepiness, breakfast, dinner regularity, defecation habits, hours of after‐school activities, physical activity, and body mass index were used as the variables.

Results

Significant regression formulae were obtained for all school types: adjusted R2/P values were 0.21/<0.001 for elementary school, 0.21/<0.001 for junior high school, and 0.14/<0.001 for high school. Later non‐school‐day bedtime (standardized regression coefficient/P values were 0.14/< 0.001 for elementary school, 0.14/<0.001 for junior high school, and 0.09/<0.05 for high school) was significantly associated with increased screen time for all school types. In both elementary and junior high schools, more sleepiness (0.12/<0.001 for elementary school, 0.13/<0.001 for junior high school), shorter after‐school activity (−0.24/<0.001 for elementary school, −0.19/<0.001 for junior high school), and higher standardized body mass index (0.08/<0.05 for elementary school, 0.08/<0.01 for junior high school) were significantly associated with screen time increase. In both junior and senior high schools, breakfast skipping (0.15/<0.001 for junior school, 0.14/<0.001 for high school) revealed a significant association with screen time increase.

Conclusions

Media use is associated with variable lifestyle habits. Effective approaches to reduce heavy media use remain to be determined.
Cordella et al v Italy and the effectiveness of human rights law remedies in cases of environmental pollution
Authors: Greco Roberta
Published: July 2020

This case note focuses on the ongoing monitoring of the execution of the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights of 24 January 2019 in Cordella et al v Italy, in which the Court found Italy responsible for the violation of the right to private and family life of the applicants due to its failure to adopt the necessary measures for preventing and prohibiting the environmental pollution caused by the ex‐Ilva steelworks. After highlighting the shortcomings of the judgment, in particular the decision not to adopt the pilot judgment procedure, the note shows how these weaknesses have impacted the execution of the Court’s decision, which, after more than a year, is at a standstill.
Pleural effusions and pneumothorax: Beyond simple plumbing
Authors: Thomas Rajesh , Rahman Najib M. , Maskell Nick A. , Lee Y.C. Gary
Published: July 2020

Pleural diseases affect millions of people worldwide. Pleural infection, malignant pleural diseases and pneumothorax are common clinical challenges. A large number of recent clinical trials have provided an evidence‐based platform to evaluate conventional and novel methods to drain pleural effusions/air which reduce morbidity and unnecessary interventions. These successes have generated significant enthusiasm and raised the profile of pleural medicine as a new subspecialty. The ultimate goal of pleural research is to prevent/stop development of pleural effusions/pneumothorax. Current research studies mainly focus on the technical aspects of pleural drainage. Significant knowledge gaps exist in many aspects such as understanding of the pathobiology of the underlying pleural diseases, pharmacokinetics of pleural drug delivery, etc. Answers to these important questions are needed to move the field forward. This article collates opinions of leading experts in the field in highlighting major knowledge gaps in common pleural diseases to provoke thinking beyond pleural drainage. Recognizing the key barriers will help prioritize future research in the quest to ultimately cure (rather than just drain) these pleural conditions.
Effect of aerobic fitness on the relation between age and whole‐body heat exchange during exercise‐heat stress: a retrospective analysis
Authors: Notley Sean R. , Meade Robert D. , Kenny Glen P.
Published: July 2020

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Does higher aerobic fitness, indexed by peak oxygen uptake (), attenuate the age‐related decline in thermoregulatory function during exercise in the heat?

What is the main finding and its importance?

When assessed in aerobically fit and less fit adults (: ∼30 vs. ∼50 ml kg−1 min−1) aged 18–66 years, a steeper decline in whole‐body total heat loss (evaporative + dry heat exchange) was observed with increasing age in less aerobically fit adults. These outcomes indicate that increased aerobic fitness may attenuate the age‐related decline in thermoregulatory function during exercise‐heat stress.

Ageing is associated with decrements in cutaneous vasodilatation and sweating that attenuate whole‐body total heat loss (evaporative + dry heat exchange) during exercise‐heat stress. However, it remains uncertain whether increased aerobic fitness, as indexed by peak oxygen uptake (), slows that age‐related decline. To evaluate this possibility, we conducted a retrospective analysis of data from aerobically fit (n = 38; : (mean (SD)) 49 (4) ml kg−1 min−1) and less fit (n = 35; : 32 (3) ml kg−1 min−1) adults spanning a broad age range (18–65 vs. 18–66 years). Participants performed three, 30 min bouts of cycling at metabolic heat productions of 150, 200 and 250 W m−2, each separated by 15 min recovery, in dry heat (40˚C, ∼15% relative humidity). Metabolic heat production and whole‐body total heat loss were measured using indirect and direct calorimetry, respectively. Total heat loss (mean (95% CI)) declined at a rate of 5 (2, 8), 6 (3, 8) and 5 (3, 10) W m−2 per decade during exercise at metabolic heat productions of 150, 200 and 250 W m−2, respectively, in less aerobically fit individuals (all P ≤ 0.002), due primarily to reductions in evaporative heat loss. In contrast, no significant associations between age and total heat loss were observed in aerobically fit individuals (all P ≥ 0.146). As such, the slope of the age‐related reduction in total heat loss was steeper in less fit compared to fit individuals across all three exercise bouts (all P ≤ 0.029). These outcomes indicate that increased aerobic fitness attenuates the age‐related decline in exercise thermoregulation.
Dynamic Modeling for Bi-Modal, Rotary Wing, Rolling-Flying Vehicles
Authors: Atay Stefan , Buckner Gregory , Bryant Matthew
Published: July 2020

This paper presents a rigorous analysis of a promising bi-modal multirotor vehicle that can roll and fly. This class of vehicle provides energetic and locomotive advantages over traditional unimodal vehicles. Despite superficial similarities to traditional multirotor vehicles, the dynamics of the vehicle analyzed herein differ substantially. This paper is the first to offer a complete and rigorous derivation, simulation, and validation of the vehicle's terrestrial rolling dynamics. Variational mechanics is used to develop a six degrees-of-freedom dynamic model of the vehicle subject to kinematic rolling constraints and various nonconservative forces. The resulting dynamic system is determined to be differentially flat and the flat outputs of the vehicle are derived. A functional hardware embodiment of the vehicle is constructed, from which empirical motion data are obtained via odometry and inertial sensing. A numerical simulation of the dynamic model is executed, which accurately predicts complex dynamic phenomena observed in the empirical data, such as gravitational and gyroscopic nonlinearities; the comparison of simulation results to empirical data validates the dynamic model.
Nonlinearities in balanced armature transducers
Authors: Klippel Wolfgang
Published: July 2020

Electromagnetic transducers using a balanced armature play an important role in hearing aids and in-ear headphones because they generate required sound output at high efficiency. This paper investigates the transfer behavior at high amplitudes and develops a lumped parameter model of this transducer that considers the nonlinearities caused by the geometry and material properties. This model is a basis for optimal transducer design, adjusting the armature in production and actively canceling the nonlinear distortion through nonlinear, adaptive control.
Greenland rock cores to trace ice's past melting
Authors: Voosen Paul
Published: July 2020

U.S. drilling campaign could also date controversial Hiawatha impact crater.
Strongly correlated superfluid order parameters from dc Josephson supercurrents
Authors: Kwon W. J. , Del Pace G. , Panza R. , Inguscio M. , Zwerger W. , Zaccanti M. , Scazza F. , Roati G.
Published: July 2020

A gas junction

In superconductors, electrons form a macroscopic wave function that has a definite phase. If two superconductors with different wave function phases are placed in contact with each other through an insulating link, a current will flow through this so-called Josephson's junction without any external voltage. Luick
et al.
and Kwon
et al.
observed an analogous phenomenon in a setup that involved two reservoirs of superfluid Fermi gases. Both groups measured the so-called current-phase relation: the dependence of the magnitude of the current on the relative phase. By tuning an external magnetic field, they were able to study how the interactions between fermions affected the nature of the superfluid state.

Science
, this issue p.
89
, p.
84
Thermal bottlenecks in the life cycle define climate vulnerability of fish
Authors: Dahlke Flemming T. , Wohlrab Sylke , Butzin Martin , Pörtner Hans-Otto
Published: July 2020

Some cope better than others

Increasingly, research is revealing how organisms may, or may not, adapt to a changing climate. Understanding the limitations placed by a species's physiology can help to determine whether it has an immediate potential to deal with rapid change. Many studies have looked at physiological tolerance to climate change in fishes, with results indicating a range of responses. Dahlkeet al.conducted a meta-analysis to explore how life stage may influence a species's ability to tolerate temperature change (see the Perspective by Sunday). They found that embryos and breeding adult fishes are much more susceptible to temperature change than those in other life stages and that this factor must therefore be considered in evaluations of susceptibility.

Science, this issue p.65; see also p.35
The histone H3-H4 tetramer is a copper reductase enzyme
Authors: Attar Narsis , Campos Oscar A. , Vogelauer Maria , Cheng Chen , Xue Yong , Schmollinger Stefan , Salwinski Lukasz , Mallipeddi Nathan V. , Boone Brandon A. , Yen Linda , Yang Sichen , Zikovich Shannon , Dardine Jade , Carey Michael F. , Merchant Sabeeha S. , Kurdistani Siavash K.
Published: July 2020

Enzymatic activity of histones

Eukaryotic histones serve as structural elements to package DNA. However, they contain a copper-binding site for which the biological relevance is unknown. Copper homeostasis is critical for several fundamental eukaryotic processes, including mitochondrial respiration. Attar
et al.
hypothesized that histones may play a critical role in cellular copper utilization (see the Perspective by Rudolph and Luger). Using a multifaceted approach ranging from in vitro biochemistry to in vivo genetic and molecular analyses, they found that the histone H3-H4 tetramer is an oxidoreductase enzyme that catalyzes reduction of cupric ions, thereby providing biologically usable cuprous ions for various cellular processes. This work opens a new front for chromatin biology, with implications for eukaryotic evolution and human biology and disease.

Science
, this issue p.
59
; see also p.
33
Improve alignment of research policy and societal values
Authors: Novitzky Peter , Bernstein Michael J. , Blok Vincent , Braun Robert , Chan Tung Tung , Lamers Wout , Loeber Anne , Meijer Ingeborg , Lindner Ralf , Griessler Erich
Published: July 2020

The EU promotes Responsible Research and Innovation in principle, but implementation leaves much to be desired
Stronger bonds bring bigger challenges
Authors: Oksdath-Mansilla Gabriela
Published: July 2020

A polyoxometalate photocatalyst enables selective bond activation of light alkanes
Monoclonal Antibody Therapy Protects Pharmacologically Immunosuppressed Mice from Lethal Infection with Influenza B Virus
Authors: Marathe Bindumadhav M. , Asthagiri Arunkumar Guha , Vogel Peter , Pascua Philippe Noriel Q. , Jones Jeremy , Webby Richard J. , Krammer Florian , Govorkova Elena A.
Published: July 2020

Human influenza A and B viruses are highly contagious and cause similar illnesses and seasonal epidemics. Currently available antiviral drugs have limited efficacy in humans with compromised immune systems; therefore, alternative strategies for protection are needed. Here, we investigated whether monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) targeting hemagglutinin (HA) and/or neuraminidase (NA) proteins would protect immunosuppressed mice from severe infections with influenza B virus. Pharmacologically immunosuppressed BALB/c mice were inoculated with B/Brisbane/60/2008 (BR/08) influenza virus and were treated with a single dose of 1, 5, or 25 mg/kg of body weight per day of either an anti-HA MAb (1D2) or an anti-NA MAb (1F2) starting at 24 hours postinoculation (hpi).
Role of
N
,
N
-Dimethylglycine and Its Catabolism to Sarcosine in Chromohalobacter salexigens DSM 3043
Authors: Yang Ting , Shao Ya-Hui , Guo Li-Zhong , Meng Xiang-Lin , Yu Hao , Lu Wei-Dong
Published: July 2020

Although
N
,
N
-dimethylglycine (DMG) dehydrogenase (DMGDH) activity was detected in cell extracts of microorganisms, the genes encoding microbial DMGDHs have not been determined until now. In addition, to our knowledge, the physiological role of DMG in moderate halophiles has never been investigated. In this study, we identified the genes involved in DMG degradation to sarcosine, characterized an unusual DMGDH, and investigated the role of DMG in
Chromohalobacter salexigens
DSM 3043 and its mutants. Our results suggested that the conversion of DMG to sarcosine is accompanied by intramolecular delivery of electrons in DMGDH and intermolecular electron transfer between DMGDH and other electron acceptors. Moreover, an unidentified methyltransferase catalyzing the production of glycine betaine (GB) from DMG but sharing no homology with the reported sarcosine DMG methyltransferases was predicted to be present in the cells. The results of this study expand our understanding of the physiological role of DMG and its catabolism to sarcosine in
C. salexigens
.
Rapid and Sensitive Direct Detection and Identification of Poliovirus from Stool and Environmental Surveillance Samples by Use of Nanopore Sequencing
Authors: Shaw Alexander G. , Majumdar Manasi , Troman Catherine , O’Toole Áine , Benny Blossom , Abraham Dilip , Praharaj Ira , Kang Gagandeep , Sharif Salmaan , Alam Muhammad Masroor , Shaukat Shahzad , Angez Mehar , Khurshid Adnan , Mahmood Nayab , Arshad Yasir , Rehman Lubna , Mujtaba Ghulam , Akthar Ribqa , Salman Muhammad , Klapsa Dimitra , Hajarha Yara , Asghar Humayun , Bandyopadhyay Ananda , Rambaut Andrew , Martin Javier , Grassly Nicholas
Published: July 2020

Global poliovirus surveillance involves virus isolation from stool and environmental samples, intratypic differential (ITD) by PCR, and sequencing of the VP1 region to distinguish vaccine (Sabin), vaccine-derived, and wild-type polioviruses and to ensure an appropriate response. This cell culture algorithm takes 2 to 3 weeks on average between sample receipt and sequencing. Direct detection of viral RNA using PCR allows faster detection but has traditionally faced challenges related to poor sensitivity and difficulties in sequencing common samples containing poliovirus and enterovirus mixtures.
Viral and bacterial coinfection of the respiratory tract in a 10-month-old child
Authors: Govindarajan Sandhya , Bivan Saha
Published: July 2020

A 10-month-old child, immunised appropriately for age, presented with a history of cough, vomiting, diarrhoea, increased work of breathing and eye redness for 1 week. She was treated for suspected bronchiolitis with supportive oxygen and hypertonic saline nebulisation. In view of continuing fever spikes and persistent oxygen requirement, she was evaluated further. Her inflammatory markers were raised, blood film showed neutrophils left shift with toxic granulations and chest X-ray was suggestive of the right upper lobe segmental atelectasis suggestive of a bacterial infection. Her nasopharyngeal aspirate for multiplex tandem PCR was positive for adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus andBordetellaspecies. She was treated with oral clarithromycin for 5 days which improved her symptoms. She was discharged with further follow-up. Coinfection with bacteria or atypical bacteria in children with acute respiratory tract infection is common and this coinfection can induce serious illness.
Effect of socioeconomic deprivation on outcomes of diabetes complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a nationwide population-based cohort study of South Korea
Authors: Choi Dong-Woo , Lee Sang Ah , Lee Doo Woong , Joo Jae Hong , Han Kyu-Tae , Kim SeungJu , Park Eun-Cheol
Published: July 2020

Introduction

This study aimed to examine the effect of socioeconomic deprivation on the outcomes of diabetes complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Research design and methods

We conducted a cohort study using claims data and 2005 national census data. We included of 7510 patients newly diagnosed with T2DM from 2004 to 2012 and aged 40 years or above. We excluded participants who had onset of diabetes complications and hospitalization within 1 year after initial onset T2DM, aged less than 40 years and with missing covariates. We used the regional socioeconomic deprivation index and classified study participants into five categories according to the quintile distribution. We calculated the adjusted HR and 95% CI for hospitalization related to diabetes complications and all-cause mortality by applying Cox proportional hazards model and the adjusted subdistribution hazards model.

Results

The percentages of participants in the first quintile (least deprived) to fifth quintile (most deprived) were 27.0%, 27.9%, 19.5%, 14.8%, and 10.8% for socioeconomic deprivation; 25.4%, 28.8%, 32.4%, 34.6%, and 37.6% for hospitalization due to diabetes complications; 1.3%, 2.1%, 2.5%, 2.9%, and 3.6% for deaths from diabetes complications; and 5.7%, 7.2%, 9.7%, 9.7%, and 13.1% for deaths from all causes, respectively. Participants with higher socioeconomic deprivation had a higher HR for hospitalization and mortality from all-cause and diabetes complications. These associations were the strongest among men and participants in their 40s in hospitalization related to diabetes complications, 50s in diabetes complications-specific mortality and 50s and 60s in all-cause mortality.

Conclusions

Patients with T2DM with high socioeconomic deprivation had higher hospital admission and mortality rates for diabetes complications than those with low deprivation. We cannot fully explain the effect of socioeconomic deprivation on diabetes outcomes. Therefore, further studies are needed in order to find underlying mechanisms for these associations.
Association of cerebral blood flow with myelin content in cognitively unimpaired adults
Authors: Bouhrara Mustapha , Alisch Joseph S R , Khattar Nikkita , Kim Richard W , Rejimon Abinand C , Cortina Luis E , Qian Wenshu , Ferrucci Luigi , Resnick Susan M , Spencer Richard G
Published: July 2020

Background

Myelin loss and cerebral blood flow (CBF) decline are central features of several neurodegenerative diseases. Myelin maintenance through oligodendrocyte metabolism is an energy-demanding process, so that myelin homeostasis is particularly sensitive to hypoxia, hypoperfusion or ischaemia. However, in spite of its central importance, little is known about the association between blood supply and myelin integrity.

Objective

To assess associations between cortical and subcortical CBF, and subcortical myelin content, in critical brain white matter regions.

Materials and methods

MRI was performed on a cohort of 67 cognitively unimpaired adults. Using advanced MRI methodology, we measured whole-brain longitudinal and transverse relaxation rates (R1and R2), sensitive but non-specific markers of myelin content, and myelin water fraction (MWF), a direct surrogate of myelin content, as well as regional CBF, from each of these participants.

Results

All quantitative relaxometry metrics were positively associated with CBF in all brain regions evaluated. These associations between MWF orR1and CBF, and, to a lesser extent, betweenR2and CBF, were statistically significant in most brain regions examined, indicating that lower regional cortical or subcortical CBF corresponds to a decrease in local subcortical myelin content. Finally, all relaxometry metrics exhibited a quadratic, inverted U-shaped, association with age; this is attributed to the development of myelination from young to middle age, followed by progressive loss of myelin in later years.

Conclusions

In this first study examining the association between local blood supply and myelin integrity, we found that myelin content declines with CBF across a wide age range of cognitively normal subjects.
Prevalence and correlates of physical activity in a sample of UK adults observing social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Smith Lee , Jacob Louis , Butler Laurie , Schuch Felipe , Barnett Yvonne , Grabovac Igor , Veronese Nicola , Caperchione Cristina , Lopez-Sanchez Guillermo F , Meyer Jacob , Abufaraj Mohammad , Yakkundi Anita , Armstrong Nicola , Tully Mark A
Published: July 2020

Objective

To investigate the levels and correlates of physical activity during COVID-19 social distancing in a sample of the UK public.

Methods

This paper presents analyses of data from a cross-sectional study. Levels of physical activity during COVID-19 social distancing were self-reported. Participants also reported on sociodemographic and clinical data. The association between several factors and physical activity was studied using regression models.

Results

Nine hundred and eleven adults were included (64.0% were women and 50.4% of the participants were aged 35–64 years). 75.0% of the participants met the physical activity guidelines during social distancing. Meeting these guidelines during social distancing was significantly associated with sex (reference: male; female: OR=1.60, 95% CI 1.10 to 2.33), age (reference: 18–34 years; ≥65 years: OR=4.11, 95% CI 2.01 to 8.92), annual household income (reference: <£15 000; £15 000–<£25 000: OR=2.03, 95% CI 1.11 to 3.76; £25 000–<£40 000: OR=3.16, 95% CI 1.68 to 6.04; £40 000–<£60 000: OR=2.27, 95% CI 1.19 to 4.34; ≥£60 000: OR=2.11, 95% CI 1.09 to 4.09), level of physical activity per day when not observing social distancing (OR=1.00 (per 1 min increase), 95% CI 1.00 to 1.01), and any physical symptom experienced during social distancing (reference: no; yes: OR=0.31, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.46).

Conclusion

During COVID-19, social distancing interventions should focus on increasing physical activity levels among younger adults, men and those with low annual household income. It should be noted in the present sample that women and younger adults are over-represented.
Endotracheal intubation with barrier protection
Authors: Jazuli Farah , Bilic Monika , Hanel Erich , Ha Michael , Hassall Kelly , Trotter Brendon Gordon
Published: July 2020

Given the high risk of healthcare worker (HCW) infection with COVID-19 during aerosol-generating medical procedures, the use of a box barrier during intubation for protection of HCWs has been examined. Previous simulation work has demonstrated its efficacy in protecting HCWs from cough-expelled droplets. Our objective was to assess its ability to protect HCWs against aerosols generated during aerosol-generating medical procedures. We used a battery-powered vapouriser to assess movement of vapour with: (1) no barrier; (2) a box barrier; and (3) a box barrier and a plastic sheet covering the box and patient’s body. We visualised the trajectory of vapour and saw that the vapour remained within the barrier space when the box barrier and plastic sheet were used. This is in contrast to the box barrier alone, where vapour diffused towards the feet of the patient and throughout the room, and to no barrier where the vapour immediately diffused to the laryngoscopist. This demonstrates that the box with the plastic sheet has the potential to limit the spread of aerosols towards the laryngoscopist, and thus may play a role in protecting HCWs during aerosol-generating medical procedures. This is of particular importance in the care of patients with suspected COVID-19.
Prediction of cardiovascular health by non-exercise estimated cardiorespiratory fitness
Authors: Cabanas-Sánchez Verónica , Artero Enrique G , Lavie Carl J , Higueras-Fresnillo Sara , García-Esquinas Esther , Sadarangani Kabir P , Ortolá Rosario , Rodríguez-Artalejo Fernando , Martínez-Gómez David
Published: July 2020

Objective

To estimate the incidence of major biological cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in adults using non-exercise estimated cardiorespiratory fitness (eCRF).

Methods

200 039 healthy people (99 957 women), aged ≥18 years (38.5±12.1 years) from the Taiwan MJ Cohort. eCRF was estimated with validated algorithms. Biological CVD risk factors, including hypertension (HTN), hypercholesterolemia, atherogenic dyslipidaemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and systemic inflammation, were assessed by standardised physical examinations and laboratory tests.

Results

In a basic model, baseline eCRF was inversely associated with the incidence of each CVD risk factor in both men and women (HR per 1 metabolic equivalent (MET) increase in eCRF ranged from 0.53 for T2DM in women to 0.96 for hypercholesterolemia in women). In full adjusted models, the associations were attenuated but remained statistically significant, with the exception of hypercholesterolemia in women. In a subcohort of 116 313 individuals with two repeated exposure measurements, an increase in eCRF was associated in both sexes with a subsequent lower incidence of CVD risk factors (HR per 1-MET increase ranged from 0.58 to 0.91 in models adjusted for age, year of examination and baseline eCRF). Comparisons of predictive performance showed that the addition of eCRF to values of traditional CVD risk factors had relevant improvements in risk discrimination (C-index increased from 0.1% to 3.2%), mainly for HTN and T2DM risk prediction.

Conclusions

eCRF and its changes predict the incidence of biological CVD risk factors, especially HTN and T2DM. Routine assessment of eCRF in clinical settings is technically feasible and might be useful for CVD prevention.
Epigenetic-sensitive liquid biomarkers and personalised therapy in advanced heart failure: a focus on cell-free DNA and microRNAs
Authors: Mansueto Gelsomina , Benincasa Giuditta , Della Mura Nunzia , Nicoletti Giovanni Francesco , Napoli Claudio
Published: July 2020

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) represents a common genetic cause of mechanical and/or electrical dysfunction leading to heart failure (HF) onset for which truncating variants in titin (TTN) gene result in the most frequent mutations. Moreover, myocyte and endothelial cell apoptosis is a key endophenotype underlying cardiac remodelling. Therefore, a deeper knowledge about molecular networks leading to acute injury and apoptosis may reveal novel circulating biomarkers useful to better discriminate HF phenotypes, patients at risk of heart transplant as well as graft reject in order to improve personalised therapy. Remarkably, increased plasma levels of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) may reflect the extent of cellular damage, whereas circulating mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) may be a promising biomarker of poor prognosis in patients with HF. Furthermore, some panels of circulating miRNAs may improve the stratification of natural history of disease. For example, a combination of miR-558, miR-122* and miR-520d-5p, as well as miR-125a-5p, miR-550a-5p, miR-638 and miR-190a, may aid to discriminate different phenotypes of HF ranging from preserved to reduced ejection fraction. We give update on the most relevant genetic determinants involved in DCM and discuss the putative role of non-invasive biomarkers to overcome current limitations of the reductionist approach in HF management.
Infodemic: what physician leaders learned during the COVID-19 outbreak: a qualitative study
Authors: Tham Kum-Ying , Lu Qinghui , Teo Winnie
Published: July 2020

Background

Effective crisis leadership is dependent on the key tasks of sense-making, decision-making, meaning-making, learning and crisis termination. While instant messaging and social media provided abundant and powerful sources of information during the COVID-19 pandemic, the infodemic—an overabundance of information, some of which is inaccurate—has also complicated the tasks of crisis leadership.

Methods

A qualitative study was undertaken, using semistructured interviews with physician leaders in the hospital dealing with majority of Singapore’s COVID-19 cases. Participants were asked about how they used digital communication tools in their leadership roles before and during the outbreak, and their reflections on the use of these tools. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, coded and subjected to inductive thematic analysis.

Results

Twenty-four physician leaders described the adaptations to crisis leadership tasks using digital communication tools. While these tools were useful for rapid collective sense-making, meaning-making was the most challenging because information was posted by others who were faster, competed with their ability to create nuanced versions of a coherent narrative for stakeholders. Leaders also shared the need to balance their relationship with their smartphone and use digital tools to communicate purpose and meaning to and with their staff when face-to-face meetings are not possible.

Conclusions

The COVID-19 infodemic has disrupted the key tasks of crisis leadership. For each task leaders on the front line can adopt measures to harness the power of and minimise the risk of damage by instant messaging. Infodemic management must be explicitly included in crisis management training for leaders.
Controlled human infection with SARS-CoV-2 to study COVID-19 vaccines and treatments: bioethics in Utopia
Authors: Holm Søren
Published: July 2020

A number of papers have appeared recently arguing for the conclusion that it is ethically acceptable to infect healthy volunteers with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 as part of research projects aimed at developing COVID-19 vaccines or treatments. This position has also been endorsed in a statement by a working group for the WHO. The papers generally argue that controlled human infection (CHI) is ethically acceptable if (1) the risks to participants are low and therefore acceptable, (2) the scientific quality of the research is high, (3) the research has high social value, (4) participants give full informed consent, and (5) there is fair selection of participants. All five conditions are necessary premises in the overall argument that such research is ethically acceptable. The arguments concerning risk and informed consent have already been critically discussed in the literature. This paper therefore looks specifically at the arguments relating to condition 3 ‘high social value’ and condition 5 ‘fair selection of participants’ and shows that whereas they may be valid, they are not sound. It is highly unlikely that the conditions that are necessary for ethical CHI trials to take place will be fulfilled. Most, if not all, CHI trials will thus be well intentioned but unethical.
Who may benefit from lower dosages of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator? Results from a cluster data analysis
Authors: Dong Yi , Han Ye , Shen Haipeng , Wang Yilong , Ma Frank , Li Hao , Wang Yongjun , Dong Qiang
Published: July 2020

Background

The risk of symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (sICH) after thrombolysis is low but severe. Lower dose of alteplase may reduce the risk of sICH. We aim to identify subsets of patients who could beneﬁt from lower dose of alteplase compared with standard dose.

Methods

Data from two observational registries were pooled together. A total of 3479 patients who had acute ischaemic stroke were entered into the interaction tree model. The response variable was the rate of sICH per the definition of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Study. Clinical improvement was measured by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and defined as NIHSS 0 or 1 or an improvement of more than 4 points (within 7 days or at discharge). Rare event logistic regression was performed to analyse the OR of safety outcome.

Results

To optimise the interaction effect between tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) dosage (standard/lower) and patient subgroups, three subgroups based on the severity of stroke were identified: (1) NIHSS ≤4, (2) NIHSS between 5 and 14, and (3) NIHSS ≥15. The estimated difference of OR of having sICH was 2.71 (95% CI 0.80 to 7.69, p=0.10) for mild, 0.13 (95% CI 0.02 to 0.68, p=0.01) for moderate, and 0.65 (95% CI 0.19 to 2.55, p=0.52) for severe, respectively. In addition, patients who had moderate stroke treated with lower dose had comparable efficacy outcome (OR 1.23, 95% CI 0.71 to 2.13, p=0.45).

Conclusion

Our analysis demonstrated that in patients who had moderate stroke, lower doses of alteplase are associated with significant sICH reduction and non-inferior performance in efficacy, compared with those in the standard dose group.

Trial registration number

The TIMS-China was a national prospective stroke registry on thrombolytic therapy using intravenous tPA in patients who had acute ischaemic stroke. The results were initially published in 2012 without a clinical trial registration number. The Shanghai Stroke Service System was registered atwww.clinicaltrial.gov(NCT02735226).
Spatial segregation and habitat partitioning of bobcat and Canada lynx
Authors: Marrotte Robby R. , Bowman Jeff , Morin Samantha J.
Published: July 2020

Harvest records suggest that the abundance of bobcats ( Lynx rufus) has increased and the leading edge of their distribution has spread northward, while the trailing edge of the Canada lynx ( Lynx canadensis) range has contracted in Ontario, Canada. There has been a debate about whether these closely related felids might compete in areas of sympatry, but there is little research on sympatric populations of bobcat and lynx. Both species are found on the north shore of Lake Huron in Ontario, Canada, which provided an opportunity to investigate their spatial patterns and habitat use. We surveyed snowmobile routes for snow tracks over three winters and estimated probability of occupancy for the two felid species while accounting for detectability. Bobcat and lynx tracks were never found on the same survey route. Bobcat occupancy increased with habitat heterogeneity, whereas lynx occupancy increased with homogeneity. Our results fit with the common assumption of the generalist and specialist natures of bobcat and lynx, respectively. Our findings suggest that bobcats invaded former lynx territory after these areas became vacant. The story of the bobcat and the lynx is one of the loss of a unique, boreal specialist due to anthropogenic change, and eventual replacement by an adaptable generalist.
Direct CP violation in $$D^+ \rightarrow K^0({\bar{K}}^0) \pi ^+$$ decays as a probe for new physics
Authors: Delepine David , Faisel Gaber , Ramirez Carlos A.
Published: July 2020

In this paper we investigate CP violation in charged decays of D meson. Particularly, we study the direct CP asymmetry of the Cabibbo favored non-leptonic $$D^+ \rightarrow {\bar{K}}^0 \pi ^+$$D+→K¯0π+ and the doubly Cabibbo-suppressed decay mode $$D^+ \rightarrow K^0 \pi ^+$$D+→K0π+ within standard model, two Higgs doublet model with generic Yukawa structure and left right symmetric models. In the standard model, we first derive the contributions from box and di-penguin diagrams contributing to their amplitudes which are relevant to the generation of the weak phases essential for non-vanishing direct CP violation. Then, we show that the generated phases are so tiny leading to null direct CP asymmetries of both decay modes. Regarding the two Higgs doublet model with generic Yukawa structure, after taking into account all constraints on the parameter space of the model, we show that the weak phases of the amplitudes can be enhanced compared to the standard model ones. However, the enhancement is still not enough to have sizable direct CP asymmetries. Finally, within left right symmetric models, we find that $$|A^{SM+LR}_{CP} (D^+ \rightarrow {\bar{K}}^0 \pi ^+)|\lesssim \mathcal {O}(10^{-3})$$|ACPSM+LR(D+→K¯0π+)|≲O(10-3) after respecting all relevant constraints on the parameter space of the model.
The uneasy coexistence of predators and pathogens
Authors: Eilersen Andreas , Sneppen Kim
Published: July 2020

Disease and predation are both highly important in ecology, and pathogens with multiple host species have turned out to be common. Nonetheless, the interplay between multi-host epidemics and predation has received relatively little attention. Here, we analyse a model of a predator-prey system with disease in both prey and predator populations and determine reasonable parameter values using allometric mass scaling relations. Our analysis focuses on the possibility of extinction events rather than the linear stability of the model equations, and we derive approximate relations for the parameter values at which we expect these events to occur. We find that if the predator is a specialist, epidemics frequently drive the predator species to extinction. If the predator has an additional, immune prey species, predators will usually survive. Coexistence of predator and disease is impossible in the single-prey model. We conclude that for the prey species, carrying a pathogen can be an effective weapon against predators, and that being a generalist is a major advantage for a predator in the event of an epidemic affecting the prey or both species.

Graphical abstract
Alleviation of Data Timing Channels in Normalized/Subnormal Floating Point Multiplier
Authors: Pitchai Senthil , Jayanthi VE.
Published: July 2020

Floating point (FP) multiplication goes down in the scientific application when it sustains the subnormal inputs either in the implementation of software or hardware. Any high-level language executes the FP instructions in the graphics processing unit (GPU) and floating-point unit (FPU) for supporting the normalized numbers alone. In FP multiplication, execution times for normalized and subnormal numbers are not equal. Execution time variations create unintentional delay and data timing channels (DTCs). A circuit is proposed for floating-point multiplication to minimize the unintentional delay for the holistic support of subnormal numbers. In this proposed four-path FP multiplication, the circuit produces the four types of output in four paths having different delays for all cases of input combination. These four paths are establishing the DTCs. A maximum delay path is taken into account to combine and equalize the four paths into a single output path. Two levels of the control circuit combine the four paths to a single path for reducing the DTC effect. To evaluate the performance after path equalization, the proposed FP multiplier is implemented in Stratix-IV and Cyclone-IV FPGAs with a delay of 57.25 and 82.82 ns, respectively. Here, eight pipeline stages reduce the delay and improve the operating speed of the entire circuit. Stage delay and operating speed for this FP multiplier in both FPGA implementations are 12.44 and 16.86[Formula: see text]ns, and 153.19 and 116.78[Formula: see text]MHz, respectively.
Cooperation among Tumor Cell Subpopulations Leads to Intratumor Heterogeneity
Authors: Li Xin , Thirumalai D.
Published: July 2020

Heterogeneity is a hallmark of all cancers. Tumor heterogeneity is found at different levels — interpatient, intrapatient, and intratumor heterogeneity. All of them pose challenges for clinical treatments. The latter two scenarios can also increase the risk of developing drug resistance. Although the existence of tumor heterogeneity has been known for two centuries, a clear understanding of its origin is still elusive, especially at the level of intratumor heterogeneity (ITH). The coexistence of different subpopulations within a single tumor has been shown to play crucial roles during all stages of carcinogenesis. Here, using concepts from evolutionary game theory and public goods game, often invoked in the context of the tragedy of commons, we explore how the interactions among subclone populations influence the establishment of ITH. By using an evolutionary model, which unifies several experimental results in distinct cancer types, we develop quantitative theoretical models for explaining data from in vitro experiments involving pancreatic cancer as well as in vivo data in glioblastoma multiforme. Such physical and mathematical models complement experimental studies, and could optimistically provide new ideas for the design of efficacious therapies for cancer patients.
An integrated stochastic model and algorithm for multi-product newsvendor problems
Authors: Wan Zhaoman , Zhu Saihua , Wan Zhong
Published: July 2020

In this paper, a multi-product newsvendor problem is formulated as a random nonlinear integrated optimization model by taking into consideration the selling price, the producing and outsourcing quantities, and the nonlinear budget constraint. Different from the existing models, the demands of products depend on the prices, as well as being time-varying due to random market fluctuation. In addition, outsourcing strategy is adopted to deal with possible shortage caused by the limited capacity. Consequently, the constructed model is involved with joint optimization of the producing and outsourcing quantities, and the selling prices of all the products. For this model with continuous random demands, we first transform it into a nonlinear programming problem by expectation method. Then, an efficient algorithm, called the feasible-direction-based spectral conjugate gradient algorithm, is developed to find a robust solution of the model. By case study and sensitivity analysis, some interesting conclusions are drawn as follows: (a) Budget is a critical constraint for optimizing the decision-making of the retailer, and there exist different threshold values of the budget for the substitute and complementarity scenarios. (b) The price sensitivity matrix seriously affects the maximal expected profit mainly through affecting the optimal outsourcing quantity.
High-Energy X-Ray Diffraction Microscopy in Materials Science
Authors: Bernier Joel V. , Suter Robert M. , Rollett Anthony D. , Almer Jonathan D.
Published: July 2020

High-energy diffraction microscopy (HEDM) is an implementation of three-dimensional X-ray diffraction microscopy. HEDM yields maps of internal crystal orientation fields, strain states, grain shapes and locations as well as intragranular orientation distributions, and grain boundary character. Because it is nondestructive in hard materials, notably metals and ceramics, HEDM has been used to study responses of these materials to external fields including high temperature and mechanical loading. Currently available sources and detectors lead to a spatial resolution of ∼1 μm and an orientation resolution of <0.1○. With the penetration characteristic of high energies ( E ≥ 50 keV), sample cross-section dimensions of ∼1 mm can be studied in materials containing elements across much of the Periodic Table. This review describes hardware and software associated with HEDM as well as examples of applications. These applications include studies of grain growth, recrystallization, texture development, orientation gradients, deformation twinning, annealing twinning, plastic deformation, and additive manufacturing. We also describe relationships to other X-ray-based methods as well as prospects for further development.
Synthesis of Porous N-Rich Carbon/MXene from MXene@Polypyrrole Hybrid Nanosheets as Oxygen Reduction Reaction Electrocatalysts
Authors: Lei Yanhua , Tan Ning , Zhu Yizhen , Huo Da , Sun Shibin , Zhang Yuliang , Gao Guanhui
Published: July 2020

Noble Metal-free catalysts attracted much attention as promising candidates for Pt-based catalyst replacement to advance applications related to oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), which is critical for large-scale renewable energy storage and conversion. Herein, this work focused on a synthesis of noble metal-free ORR electrocatalysts consisting of porous N-rich carbon/MXene, which was obtained using very conductive and reactive Ti3C2 MXene and polypyrrole (PPy) as a C and N source. The electrocatalyst exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity and stability with an onset and a half-wave potentials equal to 0.85 and 0.71 V, respectively. Results obtained in this work demonstrate how to design efficient noble metal-free ORR electrocatalysts applicable to other chemical systems.
Electrosynthesis of MoTe2 Thin Films: A Combined Voltammetry-Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Microgravimetry Study of Mechanistic Aspects
Authors: Myung Noseung , Park Hyo-Yoon , Jee Hyung-Woo , Sohn Eun Bee , Lee Su Jin , Paeng Ki-Jung , Rhee Insook , Vali Abbas , Rajeshwar Krishnan
Published: July 2020

Molybdenum telluride (MoTe2) belongs to the family of layered transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) with unique optical, optoelectronic, structural properties and potential applications in a wide array of technologies related to solar energy conversion, optoelectronics, lubrication, and hydrogen production. Here, electrodeposition is shown to be a facile method for the synthesis of MoTe2 in bulk (i.e., not exfoliated) form. The electrosynthesis of MoTe2 films and the underlying compound formation mechanism were investigated for the first time using linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) combined with electrochemical quartz crystal microgravimetry (EQCM). A Te-modified electrode in an electrolyte containing molybdenum precursor species, a MoO
x
-modified electrode in tellurium precursor-containing electrolyte and a variety of control experiments were employed to elucidate the electrodeposition mechanism of MoTe2 films. Electrogeneration of HTe− was the key step in MoTe2 film formation which occurred by the reaction of electrodeposited MoO
x
with HTe− generated by electroreduction of Te or HTeO2
+. Thermodynamic aspects of this reaction are finally presented.