bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recent developments in gastroesophageal mesenchymal tumours
Authors: Papke David J. , Hornick Jason L.
Published: December 2020

The pathologist’s approach to gastroesophageal mesenchymal tumours has changed dramatically during the last 25 years. In particular, gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) has evolved from a wastebasket mesenchymal tumour category to a precisely defined entity with an increasingly detailed genetic subclassification. This subclassification has brought gastrointestinal mesenchymal neoplasia into the realm of precision medicine, with specific treatments optimised for particular genetic subtypes. Molecular genetic data have also greatly improved our understanding of oesophageal mesenchymal tumours, including the discovery that so‐called ‘giant fibrovascular polyps’ in fact represent a clinically distinctive presentation of well‐differentiated liposarcoma. Here, we will focus on gastroesophageal mesenchymal tumours for which there have been recent developments in classification, molecular genetics or tumour biology: granular cell tumour, ‘giant fibrovascular polyp’/well‐differentiated liposarcoma, plexiform fibromyxoma, gastroblastoma and, of course, GIST.
Hybrid metaheuristics to solve a multiproduct two‐stage capacitated facility location problem
Authors: Mauri Geraldo Regis , Biajoli Fabrício Lacerda , Rabello Rômulo Louzada , Chaves Antônio Augusto , Ribeiro Glaydston Mattos , Lorena Luiz Antonio Nogueira
Published: December 2020

This paper presents two hybrid metaheuristics to solve a multiproduct two‐stage capacitated facility location problem (MP‐TSCFLP). In this problem, a set of different products must be transported from a set of plants to a set of intermediate depots (first stage) and from these depots to a set of customers (second stage). The objective is to minimize the cost related to open plants and depots plus the cost for transporting the products from the plants to the customers satisfying demand and capacity constraints. Recently, the methods clustering search (CS) and biased random‐key genetic algorithm (BRKGA) were successfully applied to solve a single‐product problem (SP‐TSCFLP). Therefore, in this paper we propose adaptations and implementations of these methods for handling with a multiproduct approach. To the best of our knowledge, CS and BRKGA presented the best results for the SP‐TSCFLP and both have not yet been applied to solve the problem with multiple products. Four sets of large‐sized instances with different characteristics are proposed and computational experiments compare the obtained results to those from a commercial solver.
Preferred‐oriented polycrystalline Y3Fe5O12 films grown on quartz with low microwave loss
Authors: Bhoi Biswanath , Diware Mangesh S.
Published: December 2020

Yttrium iron garnet (YIG) is an ideal magnetic insulator for room temperature microwave and spintronic applications. The growth of high‐quality YIG films on substrates other than isostructural Gadolinium gallium garnet (GGG) is a primary requirement to integrate with current semiconductor electronics. Here, we are presenting the growth of highly oriented YIG films on amorphous quartz substrates using pulsed laser deposition. Structural characterization suggests the growth of pure polycrystalline garnet phase with preferred (100) orientation. The 430‐nm thick YIG film shows a saturation magnetization (4πMS) of 1620 (92% of the bulk value of YIG) with a very small coercive field of 6 Oe and a minimum value for ferromagnetic resonance linewidth of 78 Oe for the magnetic field applied perpendicular to the film plane. Estimated damping constant shows reasonably low value, beneficial for realizing the applications integrated with semiconductor technology. Importantly, the formation of YIG with preferred orientation could unveil enormous opportunities in the preparation of textured or single crystal materials on amorphous substrates.
Efficacy of catheter ablation for patients with atrial fibrillation and atrial septal defect
Authors: Ogiso Masataka , Ejima Koichiro , Shoda Morio , Sugiyama Hisashi , Kato Ken , Tanaka Hiroyuki , Ohki Hirotaka , Miura Masaru , Hagiwara Nobuhisa
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Given that few studies investigated the efficacy of catheter ablation (CA) in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial septal defect (ASD), this study evaluated its effectiveness in patients with paroxysmal AF and ASD.

Methods and Results

Of the 216 patients who underwent ASD device closure at two hospitals, 36 patients had paroxysmal AF. After April 2012, CA for AF was performed before ASD device closure (ASD‐CA group; n = 20). The ASD‐CA group had a significantly higher AF‐free survival rate after ASD device closure compared to patients without CA for AF before ASD device closure (ASD‐non‐CA group; n = 16) (ASD‐CA group: 2 patients vs. ASD‐non‐CA group: 9 patients; follow‐up period: 4.2 ± 2.5 years; log‐rank p = .01). In addition, the AF‐free survival rates were similar between the ASD‐CA group and 80 paroxysmal AF patients who underwent CA without any detectable structural heart disease (non‐SHD‐CA group). The two groups were matched by propensity scores for age, sex, and left atrium dimension (ASD‐CA group: 2 patients vs. non‐SHD‐CA group: 5 patients; follow‐up period: 3.3 ± 1.8 years; log‐rank p = .28).

Conclusion

CA for AF before ASD device closure might be an effective treatment option for patients with paroxysmal AF and ASD.
Predictors of the maximal oxygen consumption in adult patients with type 1 diabetes treated with personal insulin pumps
Authors: Matejko Bartłomiej , Tota Łukasz , Mrozińska Sandra , Morawska Małgorzata , Pałka Tomasz , Kieć‐Wilk Beata , Klupa Tomasz , Malecki Maciej T
Published: December 2020

Aims/Introduction

Regular physical activity for adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus improves cardiorespiratory fitness (CF) and quality of life. The aim of our study was to evaluate clinical and biochemical features that might be associated with CF in a homogenous group of adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus who are all treated with a personal insulin pump (continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion).

Materials and Methods

We assessed CF in 62 patients (74.2% of whom were men) who fulfilled the eligibility criteria. To determine maximal oxygen consumption, the march‐running test on the treadmill was carried out. Two hours before the test, the patients consumed a defined meal covered by a dose of rapid acting insulin analog that was reduced by 25% from their regular dose. Basal insulin infusion was reduced by 50% for an hour. Additionally, the Perceived Stress Scale‐10 questionnaire was used to measure the perception of stress.

Results

There was no episode of severe hypoglycemia during or after the test. In the final model, independent predictors of maximal oxygen consumption were sex, body fat percentage, lactate at 20 min after CF test and Perceived Stress Scale‐10 score. Of interest, neither short‐term (continuous glucose monitoring) nor long‐term (glycosylated hemoglobin) metabolic control parameters were predictors of CF.

Conclusions

In our selected homogenous group of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus treated with personal insulin pumps, higher CF was associated with a lower percentage of body fat, male sex, higher lactate level after the CF test and the Perceived Stress Scale‐10 score. The proposed protocol in our cohort proved to be safe with regard to glycemic control.
Intergroup contact and social change: An integrated Contact‐Collective Action Model
Authors: Hässler Tabea , Uluğ Özden Melis , Kappmeier Mariska , Travaglino Giovanni A.
Published: December 2020

Previous research has shown that positive intergroup contact among disadvantaged group members may predict a so‐called sedative effect according to which positive contact is associated with reduced support for social change. Conversely, positive contact is associated with increased support for social change toward equality among advantaged group members. This raises the important question of under which circumstances intergroup contact can encourage support for social change among both disadvantaged and advantaged groups. In this theoretical article, we tackle this question by introducing a new Integrated Contact‐Collective Action Model (ICCAM). We first provide an up‐to‐date review of how intergroup contact may promote or hinder social change for both disadvantaged and advantaged groups. We, then, use ICCAM to examine when the many forms of intergroup contact promote or hinder support for social change, proposing the existence of two different paths for disadvantaged and advantaged group members. Finally, we discuss the implications of the model for social intervention and make policy recommendations stemming from a review of available evidence.
Decline in Inpatient Volume at Rural Hospitals
Authors: Malone Tyler L. , Pink George H. , Holmes George M.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

To investigate (1) all‐payer inpatient volume changes at rural hospitals and (2) whether trends in inpatient volume differ by organizational and geographic characteristics of the hospital and characteristics of the patient population.

Methods

We used a retrospective, longitudinal study design. Our study sample consisted of rural hospitals between 2011 and 2017. Inpatient volume was measured as inpatient average daily census (ADC). Additional measured hospital characteristics included census region, Medicare payment type, ownership type, number of beds, local competition, total margin, and whether the hospital was located in a Medicaid expansion state. Measured characteristics of the local patient population included total population size, percent of population aged 65 years or older, and percent of population in poverty. To identify predictors of inpatient volume trends, we fit a linear multiple regression model using generalized estimating equations.

Findings

Rural hospitals experienced an average change in ADC of −13% between 2011 and 2017. We found that hospital characteristics (eg, census region, Medicare payment type, ownership type, total margin, whether the hospital was located in a Medicaid expansion state) and patient population characteristics (eg, percent of population in poverty) were significant predictors of inpatient volume trends.

Conclusions

Trends in inpatient volume differ by organizational and geographic characteristics of the hospital and characteristics of the patient population. Researchers and policy makers should continue to explore the causal mechanisms of inpatient volume decline and its role in the financial viability of rural hospitals.
Development of a novel AlphaLISA ImmunoAssay for Big angiotensin‐25
Authors: Nagata Sayaka , Fukuda Akihiro , Kikuchi Masao , Sato Yuji , Nagatomo Masanao , Aburaya Junko , Fujimoto Shouichi , Kitamura Kazuo
Published: December 2020

We previously described the discovery of Big angiotensin‐25 (Bang‐25), an angiotensin‐related peptide isolated from human urine. Bang‐25 consists of the first 25 amino acids of the N‐terminus of angiotensinogen (Aogen), with N‐linked glycosylation on the 14th amino acid and a cysteine conjugated to the 18th amino acid. Bang‐25 is rapidly converted into angiotensin II (Ang II) by chymase. Because Bang‐25 is widely distributed in human tissues, including islet cells in the pancreas and podocytes in the kidney, we hypothesized that it may participate in the Ang II production system in these tissues. To test this hypothesis, we developed a specific assay for Bang‐25 and used it to examine the urinary concentrations of Bang‐25 in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). The assay used the Amplified Luminescent Proximity Homogeneous Assay (Alpha)‐based ELISA method (AlphaLISA) of PerkinElmer Japan and included antibodies specific to the N‐terminus of Ang II and the C‐terminus of Bang‐25. The AlphaLISA ImmunoAssay specifically recognized Bang‐25 and had no cross‐reactivity with Aogen or Ang I. Bang‐25 was detected in healthy volunteers' urine samples but not in their plasma samples. In patients with DM, the urinary Bang‐25 concentration was significantly higher than in healthy volunteers. Moreover, the results indicated that the Bang‐25 concentration in the urine may offer a different perspective on disease status from that provided by urinary albumin. This assay could provide a useful tool for determining urinary Bang‐25, which may prove an important biomarker for diabetic kidney disease.
Quantitative and dynamic cell polarity tracking in plant cells
Authors: Gong Yan , Varnau Rachel , Wallner Eva‐Sophie , Acharya Raghav , Bergmann Dominique C. , Cheung Lily S.
Published: December 2020

Quantitative information on the spatiotemporal distribution of polarised proteins is central for understanding cell‐fate determination, yet collecting sufficient data for statistical analysis is difficult to accomplish with manual measurements.

Here we present Polarity Measurement (Pome), a semi‐automated pipeline for the quantification of cell polarity and demonstrate its application to a variety of developmental contexts.

Pome analysis reveals that, during asymmetric cell divisions in the Arabidopsis thaliana stomatal lineage, polarity proteins BASL and BRXL2 are more asynchronous and less mutually dependent than previously thought. A similar analysis of the linearly arrayed stomatal lineage of Brachypodium distachyon revealed that the MAPKKK BdYDA1 is segregated and polarised following asymmetrical divisions.

Our results demonstrate that Pome is a versatile tool, which by itself or combined with tissue‐level studies and advanced microscopy techniques can help to uncover new mechanisms of cell polarity.
Short‐period temporal repolarization dispersion in subjects with atrial fibrillation and decompensated heart failure
Authors: Piccirillo Gianfranco , Moscucci Federica , Bertani Gaetano , Lospinuso Ilaria , Sabatino Teresa , Zaccagnini Giulia , Crapanzano Davide , Diego Ilaria Di , Corrao Andrea , Rossi Pietro , Magrì Damiano
Published: December 2020

Background/objectives

The association between chronic heart failure (CHF) and permanent atrial fibrillation is very frequent. The repolarization duration was already found predictive for atrial fibrillation. Aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of atrial fibrillation on short period repolarization variables in decompensated CHF patients.

Method

We used 5 min ECG recordings to assess the mean, standard deviation (SD), and normalized variance (NV) of the following variables: QT end (QTe), QT peak (QTp), and T peak to T end (Te) in 121 decompensated CHF, of whom 40 had permanent atrial fibrillation, too. We reported also the 30‐day mortality.

Results

QTpSD (p < .01), TeSD (p < .01), QTpVN (p < .01), and TeVN (p < .01) were higher in the atrial fibrillation than among sinus rhythm CHF subjects. Multivariable logistic analysis selected only TeSD (odd ratio, o.r.: 1.32, 95% confidence interval, c.i.: 1.06–1.65, p: .015) associated with atrial fibrillation. A total of 27 patients died during the 30‐days follow‐up (overall mortality rate 22%), 7 (18%), and 20 (25%) respectively in the atrial fibrillation and sinus rhythm patients. Furthermore, the following variables were associated to the morality risk: NT‐pro Brain Natriuretic Peptide (o.r.: 1.00, 95% c.i.: 1.00–1.00, p: .041), left ventricular end diastolic diameter (o.r.: 0.81, 95% c.i.: 0.67–0.96, p: .010), and Te mean (o.r.: 1.04, 95% c.i.: 1.02–1.09, p: .012).

Conclusion

In decompensated CHF subjects, Te mean seems be associated to mortality and TeSD to the permanent atrial fibrillation. We could hypothesize that, during severe CHF, the multi‐level ionic CHF channel derangement could be critical in influencing these non‐invasive markers. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04127162).
A global survey of the gene network and key genes for oil accumulation in cultivated tetraploid cottons
Authors: Zhu De , Le Yu , Zhang Ruiting , Li Xiaojing , Lin Zhongxu
Published: December 2020

To enrich our knowledge about gene network of fatty acid biosynthesis in cottonseed, we conducted comparative transcriptome to reveal the differences in gene expression between Gossypium hirsutum and Gossypium barbadense during cottonseed development. The prolonged expression period and increased expression abundance of oil‐related genes are the main reasons for producing high seed oil content (SOC) in G. barbadense, which manifested as the bias of homeologous gene expression in Dt‐subgenome after 25 day postanthesis (DPA). The dynamic expression profile showed that SAD6 and FATA are more important for oil biosynthesis in G. barbadense than that in G. hirsutum. Three key transcription factors, WRI1, NF‐YB6 and DPBF2, showed their elite roles in regulating seed oil in cotton. We observed that sequence variations in the promoter region of BCCP2 genes might contribute to its divergence in expression level between the two species. Based on the quantitative trait loci (QTL) information of the seed oil content and utilizing additional G. barbadense introgression lines (ILs), we propose 21 candidate genes on the basis of their differential expression level, of which the GbSWEET and the GbACBP6 showed the potential functional to improve the oil content. Taken together, studying the different expression of oil‐related genes and their genetic regulation mechanisms between G. hirsutum and G. barbadense provide new insights to understanding the mechanism of fatty acid biosynthesis network and fatty acid genetic improving breeding in cotton.
Implementation and evaluation of an oral health education programme for caregivers in nursing homes
Authors: Konstantopoulou Kalliopi , Kossioni Anastassia , Karkazis Hercules , Polyzois Gregory
Published: December 2020

Aim

The aim was the design, implementation, and evaluation of an oral health education program for nursing home caregivers.

Methods and results

Fifty‐five formal caregivers working in the three units of a nursing home were allocated to either a control (n = 27) or an intervention group (n = 28). A knowledge and attitudes questionnaire about oral health was developed and completed by the caregivers. Then, an education program about oral heath in older people was applied to the intervention group, and the completion of the questionnaire was repeated by both the intervention and control groups. Two months after the intervention, the questionnaire was completed again by the intervention group. Within groups analyses revealed a statistically significant increase in knowledge and attitudes only in the intervention group after the implementation of the education program (P < .001). Between‐group analyses showed that the total knowledge and attitudes score in the intervention group were statistically significantly higher than in the control group (P < .001 and P = .02, respectively). In the intervention group, knowledge and attitudes were maintained in the measurement recorded 2 months later (P = .11 and P = .21, respectively).

Conclusion

The education program was effective in improving the caregivers’ knowledge and attitudes toward nursing home residents’ oral health and maintaining them 2 months after implementation.
Reading tidal processes where their signature is cryptic: The Maastrichtian meandering channel deposits of the Tremp Formation (Southern Pyrenees, Spain)
Authors: Ghinassi Massimiliano , Oms Oriol , Cosma Marta , Finotello Alvise , Munari Giovanni
Published: December 2020

Tidal currents can propagate tens of kilometres landward from the shoreline, forming dense networks of meandering channels, which drain vegetated areas and range in width from tens to hundreds of metres. Sedimentary products of these inland tidal channels are poorly documented in the stratigraphic record, as most studies on tidal processes occurring in inland areas are focused on fluvio‐tidal interaction. The present study contributes to filling this gap, investigating Late Maastrichtian meandering‐channel deposits of the Tremp‐Graus Basin (Southern Pyrenees, Spain). These deposits accumulated in a growth syncline, which allowed the development of a 20 to 30 km wide, 80 to 100 km long, tidal embayment. Sporadic occurrence of poorly‐developed rhythmites and bidirectional currents confirms the occurrence of tidal processes, whereas their local dominance is inferred from several pieces of evidence, including: (i) disproportion between depth of the larger channels and related catchment area; (ii) landward‐accretion of point‐bar bodies; (iii) landward fining of point‐bar bodies, and (iv) reconstruction of palaeo‐flow patterns at the meander bend scale. This work shows that three‐dimensional architectural modelling and reconstruction of bar planform transformation styles can provide a critical contribution to the understanding of tidal control on sedimentation in inland areas.
Applying a holistic hamstring injury prevention approach in elite football: 12 seasons, single club study
Authors: Suarez‐Arrones Luis , Nakamura Fábio Yuzo , Maldonado Rafael A. , Torreno Nacho , Di Salvo Valter , Mendez‐Villanueva Alberto
Published: December 2020

The aim was to investigate the preventive effect of a complex training program based on holistic hamstring health understanding in elite professional soccer players. This study involved an elite club in Europe and was conducted over 12 seasons. The last 2 seasons were the intervention period, and the others were the control seasons. During the intervention period, players performed a complex program organized into different interventions throughout the week having as a priority the player health. Hamstring injuries, absenteeism, injury rates, and injury burden between the control and intervention seasons were compared using a rate ratio (RR) with 95% CI. Players had a mean exposure of 333.5 ± 18.6 hours per season with no significant differences between the intervention and control seasons. The overall injury rate was 3 times lower during the two intervention seasons than during the previous seasons (P < .01); the match injury rate was 2.7 times lower (P < .01) and the training rate 4.3 times (P < .01). Injury burden was almost 4 times lower during the two intervention seasons than during the previous seasons (P < .01), and recurrences in the control group were 10% vs 0% in the intervention group. Hamstring injuries were reduced ~3 times during the seasons in which elite football players were exposed to multicomponent, complex prevention training with individual approaches based on player needs, management of training load, individualized physiotherapy treatment, and planned staff communication, in comparison to the control seasons without a clearly defined and structured injury prevention intervention.
The correlations among the skin conductance features responding to physiological stress stimuli
Authors: Bari Dindar S. , Aldosky Haval Y. Yacoob , Tronstad Christian , Martinsen Ørjan G.
Published: December 2020

Background/aim

The skin conductance responses (SCRs) are a well‐accepted indicator of physiological arousal for both research purposes and clinical approaches. The shape of SCRs is analyzed by various features. However, the estimation of how much (in %) one feature can explain another is still an open issue. The aim of this study was to assess whether variation in one SCR feature predicts changes in other features.

Methods

Skin conductance (SC) was measured during relaxation and mental stress in 40 subjects. SCRs were induced by three external stimuli, which were deep breath, a mental arithmetic, task and a visual task.

Results

The findings of this study showed that about 55% (R2 = 0.55) of the variation in the half recovery time (SCRs_rec 50%) can be explained by the rise time (SCRs_ris), whereas variation in amplitude of the skin conductance responses (SCRs_amp) and the skin conductance level (SCL) is independent and cannot be explained by the other features, as R2 values obtained from all analyses among these SCR features in average were lower 0.19.

Conclusions

The study results suggest that the two timing phases (SCRs_rec and SCRs_ris) are not completely independent from each other, although they might be governed by different sweating mechanisms (secretion and reabsorption). However, SCRs_amp and SCL were independent. These findings can help in choosing the optimal set of features of an automated system for processing EDA, which reflect the alterations in the activation level generated during an emotional episode.
Knockout of sodium channel Nax delays re‐epithelializathion of splinted murine excisional wounds
Authors: Hou Chun , Dolivo David , Rodrigues Adrian , Li Yingxing , Leung Kai , Galiano Robert , Hong Seok Jong , Mustoe Thomas
Published: December 2020

Mammalian wound healing is a carefully orchestrated process in which many cellular and molecular effectors respond in concert to perturbed tissue homeostasis in order to close the wound and re‐establish the skin barrier. The roles of many of these molecular effectors, however, are not entirely understood. Our lab previously demonstrated that the atypical sodium channel Nax (encoded by Scn7a) responds to wound‐induced epidermal dehydration, resulting in molecular cascades that drive pro‐inflammatory signaling. Acute inhibition of Nax was sufficient to attenuate dermatopathological symptoms in models of hypertrophic scar and dermatitis. To date, however, the role of Nax in excisional wound healing has not been demonstrated. Here we report development of a knockout mouse that lacks expression of functional Nax, and we demonstrate that lack of functional Nax results in deficient wound healing in a murine splinted excisional wound healing model. This deficiency in wound healing was reflected in impaired re‐epithelialization and decreased keratinocyte proliferation, a finding which was further supported by decreased proliferation upon Nax knockdown in HaCaT cells in vitro. Defective wound healing was observed alongside increased expression of inflammatory genes in the wound epidermis of Nax−/− mice, suggesting that mice lacking functional Nax retain the ability to undergo skin inflammation. Our observations here motivate further investigation into the roles of Nax in wound healing and other skin processes.
Design and Development of a Programmable Painting Robot for Houses and Buildings
Authors: Aris Ishak , A. K. M. Parvez Iqbal , A. R. Ramli , S. Shamsuddin
Published: December 2020

Nowadays robots are widely used in many applications such as military, medical application, factories, entertainment, automobile industries etc. However, the application of robot is still not widely implemented in construction industry. In construction industry, robots are designed to increase speed and improve the accuracy of construction field operations. It can also be used to do hazardous and dangerous jobs in construction. For example, currently house painting is done manually. This process can be simplified using a special dedicated robot. It is very difficult and troublesome for human being to work in an upright position, especially for painting, cleaning and screwing in the ceiling for a long time. Painting in an upright position is also very dangerous for the eyes. To overcome this difficulty, a programmable painter robotic system is proposed, designed and developed. This paper describes all the processes that are involved in designing and constructing the proposed painter robot. The system is divided into two main parts namely hardware and software. In hardware part, mechanical design, fabrication, electrical and electronics system are described and in software part, control algorithm is explained. The testing results indicate that the performance of the painter robot is better compared with that of using manual painting technique.

Key words: Painting machine, cartesian robotic system, PLC (Programmable logic controller), electro-pneumatic system, motor controlling, construction robotics
Design of Multiâ€“family Product Platform by Using Modularity Approach
Authors: Abdullah A. B. , Kamaruddin A. R. , Ripin Z. M.
Published: December 2020

Reka bentuk untuk pemodularan adalah antara teknik reka bentuk yang terbaik yang mana ia menjanjikan proses reka bentuk yang lebih baik dan lebih cepat. Berdasarkan ciri kebebasan fungsi dan kesamaan fizikal yang dimilikinya, ia akan menjurus kepada penghasilan platform yang lebih baik. Kertas kerja ini membincangkan aplikasi pendekatan pemodularan untuk menghasilkan platform reka bentuk daripada produk pelbagai keluarga. Garis panduan heuristik sedia ada digunakan untuk mengenal pasti modul, dan kemudiannya platform akan dihasilkan dan boleh dikongsi oleh kesemua produk berkenaan. Tiga produk pengguna daripada keluarga yang berlainan digunakan sebagai kajian kes. Keputusan menunjukkan reka bentuk baru telah dapat dihasilkan yang memaparkan beberapa penambahbaikan.

Kata kunci: Reka bentuk produk modular, pendekatan heuristik, platform reka bentuk

Design for modularity is one of the best design technique as it promotes better and faster designing process. Due to functional independence and physical similarities, it tends to drive for better platform development. This paper discusses the application of modularity approach to design platform from multiâ€“family product. By utilizing the conventional heuristics rules to identify modules, a platform is then developed so that it can be shared among products. Three consumer products from different family were used as case study. As a result, new designs were proposed that depicted several improvements to the products.

Key words: Modular product design, heuristic approach, design platform
Factors that sustain Indigenous youth mentoring programs: a qualitative systematic review protocol
Authors: Millerick Jade , Barton Elsa , Quinn Donna , Hines Sonia , Lim David
Published: December 2020

Objective:

This qualitative systematic review aims to identify the barriers and enablers to delivering and sustaining Indigenous youth mentoring programs for improving mental health and reducing suicide rates.

Introduction:

The United Nations has called for global action to address Indigenous youth suicide and suicidal behavior. Indigenous youth mentoring programs aimed at improving mental health and reducing suicide rates have been conducted at smaller scales at other sites. Mentoring is culturally appropriate as it empowers communities and aligns with the principles of community, teaching and learning, kinship, and holistic health. There is a gap in the understanding of what the barriers and enablers of mentoring are in addressing Indigenous youth mental health and, ultimately, Indigenous youth suicide.

Inclusion criteria:

This review will consider studies that include mentoring programs specifically targeted at Indigenous youth mental health and well-being that are based within a community or organization setting.

Methods:

Databases to be searched include CINAHL, PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Embase, as well as grey literature within Trove, OpenGrey, Indigenous HealthInfoNet, and Informit Indigenous Collection. The search will be limited to articles written in English and published from 2007 to the present. Titles and abstracts will be screened by two independent reviewers; full-text studies will be retrieved and assessed against the inclusion criteria. Results will be recorded in a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) diagram. Where possible, qualitative research findings will be pooled. Where textual pooling is not possible, the findings will be presented in narrative form.
Effectiveness of Structured Physical Activity Interventions Through the Evaluation of Physical Activity Levels, Adoption, Retention, Maintenance, and Adherence Rates: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Willinger Nadja , Steele James , Atkinson Lou , Liguori Gary , Jimenez Alfonso , Mann Steve , Horton Elizabeth
Published: December 2020

Background: Structured physical activity (PA) interventions (ie, intentionally planned) can be implemented in a variety of facilities, and therefore can reach a large proportion of the population. The aim of the authors was to summarize the effectiveness of structured interventions upon PA outcomes, in addition to proportions of individuals adopting and maintaining PA, and adherence and retention rates. Methods: Systematic review with narrative synthesis and exploratory meta-analyses. Twelve studies were included. Results: Effectiveness on PA levels during adoption (pre- to first time point) showed a trivial standardized effect (0.15 [−0.06 to 0.36]); during maintenance (any time point after the first and >6 mo since initiation) the standardized effect was also trivial with a wide interval estimate (0.19 [−0.68 to 1.07]). Few studies reported adoption (k = 3) or maintenance rates (k = 2). Retention at follow-up did not differ between structured PA or controls (75.1% [65.0%–83.0%] vs 75.4% [67.0%–82.3%]), nor did intervention adherence (63.0% [55.6%–69.6%] vs 77.8% [19.4%–98.1%]). Conclusion: Structured PA interventions lack evidence for effectiveness in improving PA levels. Furthermore, though retention is often reported and is similar between interventions and controls, adoption, maintenance, and adherence rates were rarely reported rendering difficulty in interpreting results of effectiveness of structured PA interventions.
The Political Economy of Mass Sport Participation Legacies From Large-Scale Sport Events: A Conceptual Paper
Authors: Thomson Alana , Toohey Kristine , Darcy Simon
Published: December 2020

Sport event studies have demonstrated that relevant stakeholders must share objectives and coordinate efforts to leverage a large-scale sport event to secure positive legacies. However, the challenging and complex task of collaboration between networks of diverse organizational stakeholders to secure legacies has received little scholarly attention. In this conceptual paper, the authors explore, through a political economy lens, differences between the political economies of sports and sport events pertaining to mass sport participation legacies. The authors focus on the mesolevel and consider how divergences in political economy elements—structure and context, stakeholders and ideas/incentives, and bargaining processes—influence the likelihood of mass sport participation legacies from large-scale sport events. The authors suggest a need for event legacy stakeholders to engage more meaningfully with the complexities surrounding securing mass sport participation legacies. In addition, they provide pragmatic, actionable implications for policy and practice to assist stakeholders in addressing the challenges they face to maximize legacy outcomes.
Open access takes flight
Authors: Brainard Jeffrey
Published: December 2020

As a new mandate takes effect, researchers and institutions grapple with the trade-offs of making scientific publications free for all
RNA-targeted drugs for neuromuscular diseases
Authors: Ferlini Alessandra , Goyenvalle Aurelie , Muntoni Francesco
Published: December 2020

Progress with antisense oligonucleotide therapies opens a path for future development
A rechargeable zinc-air battery based on zinc peroxide chemistry
Authors: Sun Wei , Wang Fei , Zhang Bao , Zhang Mengyi , Küpers Verena , Ji Xiao , Theile Claudia , Bieker Peter , Xu Kang , Wang Chunsheng , Winter Martin
Published: December 2020

When two is better than four

Batteries based on the reaction of zinc and oxygen have been used for more than a century, but these have been primary (that is, nonrechargeable) cells. These batteries use an alkaline electrolyte and require a four-electron reduction of oxygen to water, which is a slow process. Sun
et al.
show that with the right choice of nonalkaline electrolyte, the battery can operate using a two-electron zinc-oxygen/zinc peroxide chemistry that is far more reversible. By making the electrolyte hydrophobic, water is excluded from the near surface of the cathode, thus preventing the four-electron reduction. These batteries also show higher energy density and better cycling stability.

Science
, this issue p.
46
COVID-19 and cancer in Africa
Authors: Addai Beatrice Wiafe , Ngwa Wilfred
Published: December 2020

The impacts of COVID-19 present substantial challenges and opportunities in global oncology
Nocardiosis—an uncommon infection in patients with myasthenia gravis: report of three cases and review of literature
Authors: Muralidhar Reddy Y , Parida Subhendu , Jaiswal Shyam K , Murthy Jagarlapudi MK
Published: December 2020

Nocardiosis is a rare infection in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). We identified three cases of MG admitted with nocardiosis in our unit. We performed systematic literature search of previous publications and identified 18 patients. This paper presents three patients and reviews the clinical characteristics of 21 patients. The first case was a 69-year-old woman with thymomatous MG who presented with pustules and left lower limb pain. Evaluation showed osteomyelitis of the pubic ramus and ileopsoas abscess. The second case was a 54-year-old man who presented in myasthenic crisis due to pulmonary nocardiosis. The third case was a 48-year-old man with thymomatous MG who presented with lung abscess. All of them recovered completely after treatment with co-trimoxazole. Analysis of the 21 patients identified four risk factors for nocardiosis in MG: elderly men; thymoma; immunosuppressant medication, mainly steroid therapy; and pre-existing lung disease. Lungs was the most common site of infection. Suppurative disease was common manifestation regardless of organ involved. Clinical course is not unfavourable.
Searching for the erosion of empathy in medical undergraduate students: a longitudinal study
Authors: Blanco José Manuel , Caballero Fernando , Álvarez Santiago , Plans Mercedes , Monge Diana
Published: December 2020

Objective

To analyse the trajectory of empathy throughout the degree programme of medicine in a Spanish school of medicine.

Design

Longitudinal, prospective 5-year study, between October 2014 and June 2019.

Setting

Students from a Spanish university of medicine.

Participants

Two voluntary cohorts of undergraduate medical students from two different school years were invited to participate (n=135 (cohort 1, C1) and 106 (cohort 2, C2) per school year). Finally, a total number of 174 students (102 (C1, 71.6% women) and 72 (C2, 70.8% women) students, respectively) were monitored for 5 years. Each cohort was divided in two subcohorts of paired and unpaired students that were analysed to check possible social desirability bias.

Primary outcome measure

The Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSE).

Results

The cohort of 102 students (C1) monitored between their first and fifth years of study (71.6% women) showed an improvement among paired women of 2.15 points in total JSE score (p=0.01) and 2.39 points in cognitive empathy (p=0.01); in the unpaired female cohort the increase was of 2.32 points (cognitive empathy) (p=0.02). The cohort of 72 students (C2) monitored between their second and sixth years of study (70.8% women) displayed a cognitive empathy increase of 2.32 points (p=0.04) in the paired group of women. There were no significant differences between paired and unpaired results for either cohort. Empathy scores among men did not decrease.

Conclusions

The empathy of medical students at our school did not decline along grade years. In fact, it improved slightly, particularly cognitive empathy, among women. This paper contributes to enlarge data from Europe, where longitudinal studies are scarce. It supports the idea that there may be global geo-sociocultural differences; however, more studies comparing different school settings are needed.
Impact of the 2017 ACC/AHA guideline on the prevalence of elevated blood pressure and hypertension: a cross-sectional analysis of 10 799 individuals
Authors: Alyabsi Mesnad , Gaid Reham , Alqunaibet Ada , Alaskar Ahmed , Mahmud Azra , Alghamdi Jahad
Published: December 2020

Objectives

To assess the effect of the 2017 American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) hypertension guideline on the prevalence of elevated blood pressure (BP) and hypertension and the initiation of antihypertensive treatment, as well as the level of adherence to the BP target in the Saudi population.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Participants

A total of 10 799 adults (≥18 years old), with three BP readings during 2017–2020 from the Saudi Biobank was used.

Primary outcome

Hypertension was defined using three sources: the Joint National Committee 7 Blood Pressure Guideline (JNC-7) guideline (systolic BP (SBP)≥140 or diastolic BP (DBP)≥90 mm Hg), the 2017 ACC/AHA guideline (SBP≥130 or DBP≥80 mm Hg) and a self-reported hypertension diagnosis.

Results

The prevalence of hypertension, according to the JNC-7 guideline, was 14.49% (95% CI 14.37 to 14.61), and the 2017 ACC/AHA, 40.77% (95% CI 40.60 to 40.94), a difference of 26.28%. Antihypertensive medication was recommended for 24.84% (95% CI 24.69 to 24.98) based on the JNC-7 guideline and 27.67% (95% CI 27.52 to 27.82) using the 2017 ACC/AHA guideline. Lifestyle modification was recommended for 13.10% (95% CI 12.47 to 13.74) of patients with hypertension who were not eligible for a pharmacological intervention, based on the 2017 ACA/AHA guideline. For patients with prescribed antihypertensive medication, 49.56% (95% CI 45.50 to 53.64) and 27.81% (95% CI 24.31 to 31.59) presented with a BP reading above the treatment goal, based on the 2017 ACA/AHA and JNC-7 guidelines, respectively. Using the two definitions, the risk factors were older age, male gender, diabetes diagnosis, increased body mass index, waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio.

Conclusions

According to the 2017 ACC/AHA guideline, the prevalence of hypertension has increased significantly, but there was only a small increase in the proportion of patients recommended for antihypertensive treatment. A large proportion of patients with prescribed antihypertensive medication, had a BP above the target. Unless public health prevention efforts are adopted, the increased prevalence of elevated BP and hypertension will increase cardiovascular disease.
First-line treatment with infliximab versus conventional treatment in children with newly diagnosed moderate-to-severe Crohn’s disease: an open-label multicentre randomised controlled trial
Authors: Jongsma Maria M E , Aardoom Martine A , Cozijnsen Martinus A , van Pieterson Merel , de Meij Tim , Groeneweg Michael , Norbruis Obbe F , Wolters Victorien M , van Wering Herbert M , Hojsak Iva , Kolho Kaija-Leena , Hummel Thalia , Stapelbroek Janneke , van der Feen Cathelijne , van Rheenen Patrick F , van Wijk Michiel P , Teklenburg-Roord Sarah T A , Schreurs Marco W J , Rizopoulos Dimitris , Doukas Michail , Escher Johanna C , Samsom Janneke N , de Ridder Lissy
Published: December 2020

Objective

In newly diagnosed paediatric patients with moderate-to-severe Crohn’s disease (CD), infliximab (IFX) is initiated once exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN), corticosteroid and immunomodulator therapies have failed. We aimed to investigate whether starting first-line IFX (FL-IFX) is more effective to achieve and maintain remission than conventional treatment.

Design

In this multicentre open-label randomised controlled trial, untreated patients with a new diagnosis of CD (3–17 years old, weighted Paediatric CD Activity Index score (wPCDAI) >40) were assigned to groups that received five infusions of 5 mg/kg IFX at weeks 0, 2, 6, 14 and 22 (FL-IFX), or EEN or oral prednisolone (1 mg/kg, maximum 40 mg) (conventional). The primary outcome was clinical remission on azathioprine, defined as a wPCDAI <12.5 at week 52, without need for treatment escalation, using intention-to-treat analysis.

Results

100 patients were included, 50 in the FL-IFX group and 50 in the conventional group. Four patients did not receive treatment as per protocol. At week 10, a higher proportion of patients in the FL-IFX group than in the conventional group achieved clinical (59% vs 34%, respectively, p=0.021) and endoscopic remission (59% vs 17%, respectively, p=0.001). At week 52, the proportion of patients in clinical remission was not significantly different (p=0.421). However, 19/46 (41%) patients in the FL-IFX group were in clinical remission on azathioprine monotherapy without need for treatment escalation vs 7/48 (15%) in the conventional group (p=0.004).

Conclusions

FL-IFX was superior to conventional treatment in achieving short-term clinical and endoscopic remission, and had greater likelihood of maintaining clinical remission at week 52 on azathioprine monotherapy.

Trial registration number

ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT02517684).
Analyzing the Impact of COVID-19 on the Cross-Correlations between Financial Search Engine Data and Movie Box Office
Authors: Wang Renyu , Xie Yujie , Chen Hong , Jia Guozhu
Published: December 2020

This paper explores the COVID-19 influences on the cross-correlation between the movie market and the financial market. The nonlinear cross-correlations between movie box office data and Google search volumes of financial terms such as Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), NASDAQ and PMI are investigated based on multifractal detrended cross-correlation analysis (MF-DCCA). The empirical results show there are nonlinear cross-correlations between movie market and financial market. Metrics such as Hurst exponents, singular exponents and multifractal spectrum demonstrate that the cross-correlation between movie market and financial market is persistent, and the cross-correlation in long term is more stable than that in short term. In the COVID-19 period, the multifractal features of cross-correlation become stronger implying that COVID-19 enhanced the complexity between the movie industry and the financial market. Furthermore, through the rolling window analysis, the Hurst exponent dynamic trends indicate that COVID-19 has a clear influence on the cross-correlation between movie market and financial market.
Do High-Frequency Volatility Methods Improve the Accuracies of Risk Forecasts? Evidence from Stock Indexes and Portfolio
Authors: Xu Siqi , Yang Kun , Zhang Yifeng , Li Bo
Published: December 2020

Though the high-frequency volatility approaches are increasingly introduced to forecast financial risk in recent years, whether they can improve the accuracies of risk forecasts remains controversial. This paper compares the risk forecasting abilities of four pairs of low- and high-frequency volatility models, by calculating and evaluating the downside and upside value-at-risk and expected shortfall of stock indexes and portfolio. The empirical results show that, first, all the volatility models can well filter the serial dependence in the extremes, and the conditional standard deviation obtained from the GARCH model performs best in filtering the dependence. Secondly, the backtesting results of stock index and portfolio risk forecasts are consistent. More specifically, the traditional low-frequency volatility models produce more accurate risk forecasts in most cases, whereas the high-frequency volatility methods also manifest some advantages in the upside extreme risk forecasting.
Splitting quaternion algebras defined over a finite field extension
Authors: Becher Karim Johannes , Bi̇ngöl Fatma Kader , Leep David B.
Published: December 2020

We study systems of quadratic forms over fields and their isotropy over [Formula: see text]-extensions. We apply this to obtain particular splitting fields for quaternion algebras defined over a finite field extension. As a consequence we obtain that every central simple algebra of degree [Formula: see text] is split by a [Formula: see text]-extension of degree at most [Formula: see text].