bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcomes of dogs with progressive myelomalacia treated with hemilaminectomy or with extensive hemilaminectomy and durotomy
Authors: Nakamoto Yuya , Uemura Takashi , Hasegawa Hiroki , Nakamoto Miwa , Ozawa Tsuyoshi
Published: September 2020

Objective

To evaluate the ability of extensive hemilaminectomy and durotomy (EHLD) to control progressive myelomalacia (PMM) in dogs.

Study design

Retrospective clinical study.

Animals

Twenty‐eight client owned dogs that underwent EHLD (n = 10) or HL alone (n = 18).

Methods

After diagnosis by MRI, dogs were immediately treated with HL alone or EHLD at the site of intramedullary hyperintensity on T2‐weighted (T2W)‐MRI. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Follow‐up data were collected via telephone interviews with the referring veterinarian and a standardized questionnaire. Postoperative survival outcome between groups was compared (log‐rank test) by using Cox's proportional hazard analysis with baseline characteristics entered as covariates.

Results

The survival rate was higher in the EHLD group (P = .03) compared with the HL‐alone group. Eleven of 18 dogs treated with HL survived, while seven of 18 dogs died (median, 5 days after surgery). In the EHLD group, 10 of 10 dogs survived postoperatively. Baseline characteristics were not associated with postoperative survival outcomes. According to multivariate analysis, EHLD was the independent factor associated with an increase in survival rate (P = .0002).

Conclusion

EHLD durotomy at the intramedullary hyperintense region on T2W‐MRI improved the survival rate of dogs with PMM compared with dogs treated with standard HL.

Clinical significance

This study provides evidence that supports treatment with EHLD in dogs with PMM. Additional prospective studies are required.
Exploring the Metacognitive Skills of Secondary School Students’ Use During Problem Posing
Authors: Karnain Tony , Bakar Md Nor , Siamakani Seyed Yaser Mousavi , Mohammadikia Hossein , Candra Muhammad
Published: September 2020

The purpose of our study was to explore students’ use of metacognitive skills during problem posing activities. This qualitative research explored the metacognitive skill of 21 secondary school students in a rural Anambas Indonesia while posing individually mathematical problems. Thinking-Aloud protocol was conducted during the problem posing activities. The audio recordings of Thinking-Aloud protocol for the students provided the data to address this question. Analysis of their written work and Thinking-Aloud protocols provided evidence of how students used metacognitive skills while problem posing and revealed different levels of these skills. Analyses of the Thinking-Aloud protocol also provided evidence for the metacognitive skills associated with planning, monitoring, and evaluation. The students used planning and monitoring skills equally. Furthermore, different levels of sophistication of planning were apparent. Students who combined these metacognitive skills demonstrated a higher level of monitoring. However, from our analyses that there was considerable overlap in the metacognitive activities associated with monitoring and evaluation.
Imej Karakter Animasi Jepun (Anime) dalam Kalangan Remaja di Selangor
Authors: Mamat Roslina , Abdul Rashid Roswati , Abd Rahim Normaliza , Abdul Halim Hazlina
Published: September 2020

Japanese animation or anime started to gain interest among teenagers and adults since 1990s. Now the popularity increases parallel with the new technologies. This paper looks into the outcome of conversatsion among the students at two secondary schools in Selangor, Malaysia. The students were chosen based on the questionnaire. 34 students were selected based on their answers from the questionaire. Based on the interview session, they were fanatic fans of animation and manga. The results of the study revealed that they were five main characteristics in anime characters that the liked; bravery, hardworking, sense of humour, appreciative in relationship as well as individual speciality.
Importance of Cultivating Emotional Intelligence in Children
Authors: Rohaizad Nor Aizal Akmal , Mohd Kosnin Azlina
Published: September 2020

Educating children in the present age is not easy. Various challenges and disturbances to be encountered. Educating children not only with only enough food, clothes and education. The emphasis is only concerned with the aspect of intellectual intelligence regardless of their feelings will leave a negative impact on the emotional development of children (Poh Siew Boon, 2001). According to Boon Siew Boon (2001), elements of emotional intelligence should be taught to children as the world now has a complex change in patterns of human social relations that much negative influence that can be seen through the mass media and television. This causes children present irritability and aggressive due to change this phenomenon. This paper will discuss the conceptual concept of emotional intelligence instilled in preschool children. This paper also discusses the problems faced by pre-school teachers in the implementation of teaching and learning practices of emotional intelligence preschoolers. Limitations of teaching aids (BBM) in teaching and learning elements of emotional intelligence in the preschool lead teachers teaching hard to deliver this element to a child. Finally, teachers are making element of emotional intelligence as a side subject only infused with any other subject that are important in the learning process. This shows lack of emotional intelligence elements emphasized by pre-school teachers in the teaching and learning of children. In fact, this element is very important in the development and formation of a stable of kid emotional. It is important to produce individuals who can and are able to control and manage emotions well and be able to avoid the temptations of the things that should not be a result of failure to control his emotions when faced with the pressures experienced in life (Saarni, 1999).
How to Fix Coordination Lags in the Keynesian Macroeconomical Intervention?
Authors: Laiho Tommi P.
Published: September 2020

The Keynesian macroecomic intervention often fails. This is most likely due to forecasting problems of the macroeconomy. This article present a software idea of fuzzy logic controlling unit which replaces long and tedious human intervention in macroeconomic stimulation process. The Keynesian Macroeconomic intervention now made by officials and politicians is suggested to be made by much faster and more purposeful automatic computer adjustment process. It is assumed that this kind of just in time and very fast automatic computer intervention would lead to optimimal usage of the resources in a much better way than any current human lead  systems would be able to do.
Performance Matrix Analysis Method of Power Battery System Based on Multi-Parameters’ Model
Authors: Xu You , Wu Jing , Xu Wei , Li Guiping , Gao Qun
Published: September 2020

Power battery system is widely used in new energy vehicles. The performance of power battery directly affects the safety of new energy vehicles. At present, the research of battery system safety focuses on specific parameters such as the status of charge (SoC), the state of health (SoH), and so on. However, a single performance evaluation may lead to some defects in system safety. The influences on the power battery system of SoC, SoH, and the status of consistency, which are essential factors in battery system safety were analyzed in this study. In view of the conclusion of the analysis result, the concept of the power battery system performance matrix, which includes the parameters of SoC, SoH, the status of consistency and temperature, was proposed. The state-space expression was studied and used for the expression of the performance matrix. Cyclic charging and discharging experiments of Lithium-ion batteries were carried out, and the result showed that the performance matrix based on state-space could describe the dynamic changes of battery system status. It was sufficient for the estimate of the battery system’s safety status, and it can provide the effective and reliable data resources for the system maintenance.
Effect of Conical Spray and Multi-Hole Spray on Gasoline Engine Mixture Formation and Combustion Performance Based on Different Injection Strategies
Authors: Wei Shengli , Yu Zhiqing , Song Zhilei , Yang Fan , Wu Chengcheng
Published: September 2020

This article presents a numerical investigation carried out to determine the effects of second and third injection timing on combustion characteristics and mixture formation of a gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine by comparing conical spray against multihole spray. The results showed that at the engine 80% full load of 2000 r/min, the difference in mixture distribution between the two sprays was obvious with double and triple injection strategies. With the second injection timing from 140 deg CA delay to 170 deg CA, the in-cylinder pressure, the in-cylinder temperature, and the heat release rate of the conical spray increased by 20.8%, 9.8%, and 30.7% and that of the multihole spray decreased by 30.7%, 13.6%, and 37.8%. The delay of the injection time reduced the performance of the engine with the multihole spray, and the performance of the multihole spray was obviously in the simulation of the triple injection strategy. However, for the conical spray, the application of the triple injection strategy increased the temperature and the pressure compared with the double injection strategy.
Structural Insights into Inhibition of the Acinetobacter-Derived Cephalosporinase ADC-7 by Ceftazidime and Its Boronic Acid Transition State Analog
Authors: Curtis Brandy N. , Smolen Kali A. , Barlow Sara J. , Caselli Emilia , Prati Fabio , Taracila Magdalena A. , Bonomo Robert A. , Wallar Bradley J. , Powers Rachel A.
Published: September 2020

Extended-spectrum class C β-lactamases have evolved to rapidly inactivate expanded-spectrum cephalosporins, a class of antibiotics designed to be resistant to hydrolysis by β-lactamase enzymes. To better understand the mechanism by which

A
cinetobacter

-
d
erived
c
ephalosporinase-7 (ADC-7), a chromosomal AmpC enzyme, hydrolyzes these molecules, we determined the X-ray crystal structure of ADC-7 in an acyl-enzyme complex with the cephalosporin ceftazidime (2.
The Unique C-Terminal Extension of Mycobacterial F-ATP Synthase Subunit α Is the Major Contributor to Its Latent ATP Hydrolysis Activity
Authors: Wong Chui-Fann , Grüber Gerhard
Published: September 2020

Mycobacterial F
1
F
o
-ATP synthases (α
3
:β
3
:γ:δ:ε:
a
:
b
:
b′
:

c
9

) are incapable of ATP-driven proton translocation due to their latent ATPase activity. This prevents wasting of ATP and altering of the proton motive force, whose dissipation is lethal to mycobacteria. We demonstrate that the mycobacterial C-terminal extension of nucleotide-binding subunit α contributes mainly to the suppression of ATPase activity in the recombinant mycobacterial F
1
-ATPase.
Structure-Based Deep Mining Reveals First-Time Annotations for 46 Percent of the Dark Annotation Space of the 9,671-Member Superproteome of the Nucleocytoplasmic Large DNA Viruses
Authors: Mirzakhanyan Yeva , Gershon Paul David
Published: September 2020

We extended the known annotation space for the NCLDV by 46%, revealing high-probability structural matches for fully 45% of the 9,671 query proteins and confirming up to 98% of existing annotations per virus. The most prevalent protein families included ankyrin repeat- and MORN repeat-containing proteins, many of which included an F-box, suggesting extensive host cell modulation among the NCLDV. Regression suggested a minimum requirement for around 36 protein structural superfamilies for a viable NCLDV, and beyond around 200 superfamilies, genome expansion by the acquisition of new functions was abruptly replaced by paralogization. We found homologs to herpesvirus surface glycoprotein gB in cytoplasmic viruses. This study provided the first prediction of an endonuclease in 10 of the 20 viruses examined; the first report in a virus of a phenolic acid decarboxylase, proteasomal subunit, or cysteine knot (defensin) protein; and the first report of a prokaryotic-type ribosomal protein in a eukaryotic virus.
Antimicrobial Peptide Exposure Selects for Resistant and Fit Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Mutants That Show Cross-Resistance to Antibiotics
Authors: Blanco Paula , Hjort Karin , Martínez José L. , Andersson Dan I.
Published: September 2020

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
is an increasingly relevant multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterium found, for example, in people with cystic fibrosis and associated with other respiratory infections and underlying pathologies. The infections caused by this nosocomial pathogen are difficult to treat due to the intrinsic resistance of this bacterium against a broad number of antibiotics. Therefore, new treatment options are needed, and considering the growing interest in using AMPs as alternative therapeutic compounds and the restricted number of antibiotics active against
S. maltophilia
, we addressed the potential for development of AMP resistance, the genetic mechanisms involved, and the physiological effects that acquisition of AMP resistance has on this opportunistic pathogen.
Detection of advanced colorectal neoplasia and relative colonoscopy workloads using quantitative faecal immunochemical tests: an observational study exploring the effects of simultaneous adjustment of both sample number and test positivity threshold
Authors: Young Graeme P , Woodman Richard J , Symonds Erin
Published: September 2020

Objective

When screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) using quantitative faecal immunochemical tests (FIT), test parameters requiring consideration are the faecal haemoglobin concentration (f-Hb) positivity cut-off and the number of stools sampled. This observational study explored variation in f-Hb between samples and the relationship between sensitivity for advanced neoplasia (AN, cancer or advanced adenoma) and colonoscopy workload across a range of independently-adjusted parameter combinations.

Design

Quantitative FIT data (OC-Sensor) were accessed from individuals undergoing personalised colonoscopic screening with an offer of 2-sample FIT in the intervening years. We estimated variation in f-Hb between samples in 12 710 completing 2-sample FIT, plus test positivity rates (colonoscopy workload) and sensitivity for AN according to parameter combinations in 4037 instances where FIT was done in the year preceding colonoscopy.

Results

There was large within-subject variability between samples, with the ratio for the second to the first sample f-Hb ranging up to 18-fold for all cases, and up to 56-fold for AN cases. Sensitivity for AN was greatest at lower f-Hb cut-offs and/or using 2-sample FIT. Colonoscopy workload varied according to how parameters were combined. Using different cut-offs for 1-sample FIT and 2-sample FIT to return similar sensitivity, workload was less with 2-sample FIT when the sensitivity goal exceeded 35%.

Conclusion

Variation in f-Hb between samples is such that both parameters are crucial determinants of sensitivity and workload; independent adjustment of each should be considered. The 2-sample FIT approach is best for detecting advanced adenomas as well as CRC provided that the colonoscopy workload is feasible.
Confronting power in low places: historical analysis of medical dominance and role-boundary negotiation between health professions in Nigeria
Authors: Badejo Okikiolu , Sagay Helen , Abimbola Seye , Van Belle Sara
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Interprofessional interaction is intrinsic to health service delivery and forms the basis of task-shifting and task-sharing policies to address human resources for health challenges. But while interprofessional interaction can be collaborative, professional hierarchies and discipline-specific patterns of socialisation can result in unhealthy rivalry and conflicts which disrupt health system functioning. A better understanding of interprofessional dynamics is necessary to avoid such negative consequences. We, therefore, conducted a historical analysis of interprofessional interactions and role-boundary negotiations between health professions in Nigeria.

Methods

We conducted a review of both published and grey literature to provide historical accounts and enable policy tracing of reforms related to interprofessional interactions. We used Nancarrow and Borthwick’s typology for thematic analysis and used medical dominance and negotiated order theories to offer explanations of the conditions that facilitated or constrained interprofessional collaboration.

Results

Despite an overall context of medical dominance, we found evidence of professional power changes (dynamics) and role-boundary shifts between health professions. These shifts occurred in different directions, but shifts between professions that are at different power gradients were more likely to be non-negotiable or conflictual. Conditions that facilitated consensual role-boundary shifts included the feasibility of simultaneous upward expansion of roles for all professions and the extent to which the delegating profession was in charge of role delegation. While the introduction of new medical diagnostic technology opened up occupational vacancies which facilitated consensual role-boundary change in some cases, it constrained professional collaboration in others.

Conclusions

Health workforce governance can contribute to better functioning of health systems and voiding dysfunctional interprofessional relations if the human resource for health interventions are informed by contextual understanding (informed by comparative institutional and health systems research) of conditions that facilitate or constrain effective interprofessional collaboration.
Infection and transmission of COVID-19 among students and teachers in schools in Japan after the reopening in June 2020
Authors: Wada Koji , Okabe Nobuhiko , Shobugawa Yugo
Published: September 2020

We aimed to investigate the confirmed COVID-19 cases among students and teachers in elementary schools (ages 6–12 years) and junior high schools (ages 13–15 years) in Japan between 1 June and 31 July 2020. We requested all schools to provide reports when students or teachers tested positive for COVID-19. A total of 207 cases were reported among students. Household transmission was identified as the dominant transmission route, confirmed in 71.4% of elementary schools and 60.3% of junior high schools. A total of 39 cases were reported among teachers, of which transmission route was unknown in 72.4% of elementary schools and 90.0% of junior high schools.
Systematic development of an injury prevention programme for judo athletes: the IPPON intervention
Authors: von Gerhardt Amber L , Vriend Ingrid , Verhagen Evert , Tol Johannes L , Kerkhoffs Gino M M J , Reurink Guus
Published: September 2020

Objectives

To systematically develop an injury prevention programme in judo and test its feasibility: Injury Prevention and Performance Optimization Netherlands (IPPON) intervention.

Methods

We used the five-step Knowledge Transfer Scheme (KTS) guidelines. In the first two steps, we described the injury problem in judo and showed possibilities to reduce the injury rates. In the third step, the Knowledge Transfer Group (KTG) translated this information into actions in judo practice. Expert meetings and practical sessions were held. In the fourth step, we developed the injury prevention programme and evaluated its feasibility in judo practice in a pilot study. As a final step, we will evaluate the injury prevention programme on its effectiveness to reduce injuries.

Results

In the first two steps, information collected indicated the need for reducing judo injuries due to high incidence rates. Injury prevention programmes have shown to be effective in reducing injuries in other sports. For judo, no injury prevention programme has yet been systematically developed. In the third step, the KTG reached consensus about the content: a trainer-based warm-up programme with dynamic exercises focusing on the shoulder, knee and ankle. In the fourth step, the intervention was developed. All exercises were approved in the pilot study. Based on the pilot study’s results, the IPPON intervention was extended and has become suitable for the final step.

Conclusion

We developed the IPPON intervention using the systematic guidance of the KTS. This trainer-based programme focuses on the prevention of shoulder, knee and ankle injuries in judo and consists of 36 exercises classified in three categories: (1) flexibility and agility, (2) balance and coordination and (3) strength and stability. The effectiveness and feasibility of the intervention on injury reduction among judo athletes will be conducted in a randomised controlled trial.
Clinical phenotype and loss of the slow skeletal muscle troponin T in three new patients with recessive TNNT1 nemaline myopathy
Authors: Géraud Justine , Dieterich Klaus , Rendu John , Uro Coste Emmanuelle , Dobrzynski Murielle , Marcorelle Pascale , Ioos Christine , Romero Norma Beatriz , Baudou Eloise , Brocard Julie , Coville Anne-Cécile , Fauré Julien , Koenig Michel , Juntas Morales Raul , Lacène Emmanuelle , Madelaine Angéline , Marty Isabelle , Pegeot Henri , Theze Corinne , Siegfried Aurore , Cossee Mireille , Cances Claude
Published: September 2020

Background

Congenital nemaline myopathies are rare pathologies characterised by muscle weakness and rod-shaped inclusions in the muscle fibres.

Methods

Using next-generation sequencing, we identified three patients with pathogenic variants in the Troponin T type 1 (TNNT1) gene, coding for the troponin T (TNT) skeletal muscle isoform.

Results

The clinical phenotype was similar in all patients, associating hypotonia, orthopaedic deformities and progressive chronic respiratory failure, leading to early death. The anatomopathological phenotype was characterised by a disproportion in the muscle fibre size, endomysial fibrosis and nemaline rods. Molecular analyses of TNNT1 revealed a homozygous deletion of exons 8 and 9 in patient 1; a heterozygous nonsense mutation in exon 9 and retention of part of intron 4 in muscle transcripts in patient 2; and a homozygous, very early nonsense mutation in patient 3.

Western blot analyses confirmed the absence of the TNT protein resulting from these mutations.

Discussion

The clinical and anatomopathological presentations of our patients reinforce the homogeneous character of the phenotype associated with recessive TNNT1 mutations. Previous studies revealed an impact of recessive variants on the tropomyosin-binding affinity of TNT. We report in our patients a complete loss of TNT protein due to open reading frame disruption or to post-translational degradation of TNT.
Visualisation of the tricuspid valve using a new 3D echocardiographic scoring system
Authors: Kücken Tanja , Tamm Sarah , Haase-Fielitz Anja , Edlinger Christoph Roland , Neuss Michael , Bannehr Marwin , Butter Christian
Published: September 2020

With rising focus on interventional treatment of the tricuspid valve (TV), the need for good echocardiographic imaging increases. Aim of this study was to develop a scoring system describing how accurate three dimensional (3D) echocardiographic imaging of TV and its anatomical structures is.

Methods and results

In this retrospective exploratory cohort study, we analysed data from consecutive patients undergoing transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). 3D sequences were stored using eight different views. In each view, scoring focused on visualisation of five (in TOE 6) anatomical structures with a maximum of three points per structure for excellent imaging quality. We compared the scores of patients with and without relevant tricuspid regurgitation (TR) (cut-off effective regurgitant orifice 0.4 cm² measured in two-dimensional (2D) TTE using velocity time integral and proximal isovolumetric velocity area). 108 consecutive patients were examined, 40.7% presented with relevant TR. With the exception of coaptation, a higher score was achieved for all structures in TOE than in TTE. TV ring (TVR) was easiest to visualise with TOE in four-chamber view (4 CV) (2.42±0.67 points) presenting the highest score independent of anatomical structure and view. Posterior leaflet had best imaging scores in TOE in 4 CV (2.0±0.86) compared with TTE in 4 CV (1.64±0.80), p=0.001. Patients with relevant TR had significantly better 3D imaging scores in 4 CV compared with patients without relevant TR (TTE p<0.013, TOE p<0.002).

Conclusion

4 CV delivers the most detailed information in TTE, whereas multiple views deliver good scores in TOE. As TVR is easiest to visualise, most of the patients would be suitable for a ring-based echocardiography-guided intervention. The score enables a standardised comparison of image quality.
Huntington’s disease-like 2: a phenocopy not to miss
Authors: De Oliveira Daniel Sabino , Santos Daniela Pereira , Araujo Daniel Oliveira , Tomaselli Pedro José , Júnior WIlson Marques , Vale Thiago Cardoso
Published: September 2020

A 67-year-old Brazilian man of African ancestry and his 60-year-old sister both presented with choreiform movements, although in the man these were significantly overshadowed by additional parkinsonism. The man also had a history of four epileptic seizures. Neurological examination in each also found slow saccades and a dysexecutive syndrome. Genetic tests for Huntington’s disease were negative but were positive for Huntington’s disease-like 2. There are various genetic causes of chorea diseases, and their correct identification is important for appropriate clinical management and genetic counselling.
Probability-based algorithm using ultrasound and additional tests for suspected GCA in a fast-track clinic
Authors: Sebastian Alwin , Tomelleri Alessandro , Kayani Abdul , Prieto-Pena Diana , Ranasinghe Chavini , Dasgupta Bhaskar
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Clinical presentations of giant cell arteritis (GCA) are protean, and it is vital to make a secure diagnosis and exclude mimics for urgent referrals with suspected GCA. The main objective was to develop a joined-up, end-to-end, fast-track confirmatory/exclusionary, algorithmic process based on a probability score triage to drive subsequent investigations with ultrasound (US) and any appropriate additional tests as required.

Methods

The algorithm was initiated by stratifying patients to low-risk category (LRC), intermediate-risk category (IRC) and high-risk category (HRC). Retrospective data was extracted from case records. The Southend pretest probability score (PTPS) overall showed a median score of 9 and a 75th percentile score of 12. We, therefore, classified LRC as PTPS <9, IRC 9–12 and HRC >12. GCA diagnosis was made by a combination of clinical, US, and laboratory findings. The algorithm was assessed in all referrals seen in 2018–2019 to test the diagnostic performance of US overall and in individual categories.

Results

Of 354 referrals, 89 had GCA with cases categorised as LRC (151), IRC (137) and HRC (66). 250 had US, whereas 104 did not (score <7, and/or high probability of alternative diagnoses). In HRC, US showed sensitivity 94%, specificity 85%, accuracy 92% and GCA prevalence 80%. In LRC, US showed sensitivity undefined (0/0), specificity 98%, accuracy 98% and GCA prevalence 0%. In IRC, US showed sensitivity 100%, specificity 97%, accuracy 98% and GCA prevalence 26%. In the total population, US showed sensitivity 97%, specificity 97% and accuracy 97%. Prevalence of GCA overall was 25%.

Conclusions

The Southend PTPS successfully stratifies fast-track clinic referrals and excludes mimics. The algorithm interprets US in context, clarifies a diagnostic approach and identifies uncertainty, need for re-evaluation and alternative tests. Test performance of US is significantly enhanced with PTPS.
Risk of venous thromboembolism in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases: a UK matched cohort study
Authors: Galloway James , Barrett Kevin , Irving Peter , Khavandi Kaivan , Nijher Monica , Nicholson Ruth , de Lusignan Simon , Buch Maya H
Published: September 2020

Objectives

To describe the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), and risk factors for VTE, in people with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID) (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease (CD), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA)), compared with a matched control population.

Methods

A total of 53 378 people with an IMID were identified over 1999–2019 in the UK Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) Research and Surveillance Centre (RSC) primary care database and were matched to 213 512 people without an IMID. The association between the presence of any IMID, and each IMID separately, and risk of VTE was estimated using unadjusted and multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models. The prevalence of VTE risk factors, and associations between VTE risk factors and risk of VTE, were estimated in people with and without an IMID.

Results

People with an IMID were at increased risk of VTE (adjusted HR [aHR] 1.46, 95% CI 1.36,1.56), compared with matched controls. When assessing individual diseases, risk was increased for CD (aHR 1.74, 95% CI 1.45 to 2.08), ulcerative colitis (aHR 1.27, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.45) and RA (aHR 1.54, 95% CI 1.40 to 1.70) but there was no evidence of an association for PsA (aHR 1.21, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.52). In people with an IMID, independent risk factors for VTE included male sex, overweight/obese body mass index, current smoking, history of fracture, and, across study follow-up, abnormal platelet count.

Conclusions

VTE risk is increased in people with IMIDs. Routinely available clinical information may be helpful to identify individuals with an IMID at increased future risk of VTE.

Observational study registration number

Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03835780).
Cigarette smoking patterns preceding primary Sjögren’s syndrome
Authors: Mofors Johannes , Björk Albin , Richardsdotter Andersson Elina , Kvarnström Marika , Forsblad d’Elia Helena , Magnusson-Bucher Sara , Padyukov Leonid , Kockum Ingrid , Hillert Jan , Eriksson Per , Mandl Thomas , Nordmark Gunnel , Alfredsson Lars , Wahren-Herlenius Marie
Published: September 2020

Background

Cigarette smoking is a well-established risk factor for several autoimmune diseases, but its role in primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) remains unclear. Here, we investigated the association between cigarette smoking and subsequent development of pSS.

Methods

Information on smoking habits was collected from lifestyle habit questionnaires of patients with pSS (n=815) and a matched control group (n=4425) for a case–control study. Differences in smoking exposure were analysed by conditional logistic regression. Potential interactions between smoking and risk-associated human leucocyte antigens (HLA) were assessed by multivariate regression.

Results

The fraction of patients with pSS having ever smoked prior to diagnosis was lower than in controls (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.81). Current smoking at diagnosis was also less prevalent in cases (OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.53). However, period prevalence of smoking during early adulthood was not statistically different from controls (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.22) but markedly decreased over time. This was partly due to patients being more prone to stop smoking, starting already 30 years prior to diagnosis (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.22 to 3.30). Smoking patterns were also stratified by autoantibody status, yielding similar estimates. No interaction effects between HLA-DRB1 haplotypes and smoking were observed.

Conclusion

The observed smoking patterns indicate that individuals who develop pSS smoke equally much as the general population during early life but are then more prone to stop. The data can be interpreted as smoking conferring protective effects, or reflecting early symptoms of pSS that affect smoking habits, emphasising the slow, progressive development of the disease.
The quality of physical activity guidelines, but not the specificity of their recommendations, has improved over time: a systematic review and critical appraisal
Authors: Siedler Madelin R. , Lamadrid Priscila , Humphries Megan N. , Mustafa Reem A. , Falck-Ytter Yngve , Dahm Philipp , Sultan Shahnaz , Murad M. Hassan , Morgan Rebecca L.
Published: September 2020

While numerous guidelines for the prescription of physical activity are released each year, the quality and practicability of these guidelines is unknown. We assessed the quality of 95 guidance documents published since 2000 that included recommendations about physical activity for the promotion of general health and prevention of cardiometabolic disease. We used 3 tools: Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II), the National Academy of Medicine’s (NAM) Standards for Trustworthy Clinical Practice Guidelines, and the Frequency, Intensity, Time, and Type (FITT) score. Average AGREE II domain scores ranged from 38%−84%, and the portion of criteria fulfilled per NAM domain ranged from 7%–39%. The average FITT score for all recommendations was 2.48 out of 4. While guidelines improved according to both AGREE II and the NAM standards over time, their practicability as assessed by FITT score did not improve. Guidelines produced by governmental agencies or other nonprofit organizations, using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach, or fulfilling a higher number of NAM criteria tended to be of higher quality. Organizations producing physical activity guidelines can improve their quality by establishing and reporting processes for public representation, external review, and conflict of interest (COI) management. Future recommendations about physical activity should be more specific and include strategies to improve implementation. Registration no.: PROSPERO CRD42019126364.

Novelty: Most physical activity recommendations are not sufficiently specific to be practically implemented. The overall quality of guidelines has improved over time, but the specificity of recommendations has not. Improved public representation, external review, and COI disclosure and management processes would improve guideline quality.
LncRNA IDH1-AS1 suppresses cell proliferation and tumor growth in glioma
Authors: Wang Jubo , Quan Yu , Lv Jian , Dong Quan , Gong Shouping
Published: September 2020

Glioma is a type of brain tumor that is common globally, and is associated with a variety of genetic changes. It has been reported that isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) is overexpressed in glioma and in HeLa cells. The lncRNA IDH1-AS1 is believed to interact with IDH1, and when IDH1-AS1 is overexpressed, HeLa cell proliferation is inhibited. However, the effects of IDH1-AS1 on glioma were relatively unknown. The results from this work show that IDH1-AS1 is downregulated in the glioma tissues. We used primary glioblastoma cell lines U251 and U87-MG to study the effects of IDH1-AS1 on glioma cell growth, in vitro and in vivo. We found that when IDH1-AS1 is overexpressed cell proliferation is inhibited, cell cycle is arrested at the G1 phase, and the protein expression levels of cyclinD1, cyclinA, cyclinE, CDK2, and CDK4 are decreased. We found that cell apoptosis was increased when IDH1-AS1 was overexpressed, as evidenced by increases in the levels of cleaved caspase-9 and -3. Conversely, knockdown of IDH1-AS1 promoted cell proliferation. Moreover, we proved that overexpression of IDH1-AS1 inhibits the tumorigenesis of U251 cells, in vivo. Furthermore, IDH1-AS1 did not affect IDH1 protein expression, but altered its enzymatic activities in glioma cells. Silencing of IDH1 reversed the effects of IDH1-AS1 upregulation on cell viability. Hence, our study provides first-hand evidence for the effects of lncRNA IDH1-AS1 on gliomas. Because overexpressing IDH1-AS1 inhibited cell growth, IDH1-AS1 could also be considered as a potential target for glioma treatment.
Environmental variables associated with littoral macroinvertebrate community composition in Arctic lakes
Authors: Cohen Rachel S. , Gray Derek K. , Vucic Jasmina M. , Murdoch Alyssa D. , Sharma Sapna
Published: September 2020

The relationship between littoral macroinvertebrate communities and environmental gradients in Arctic lakes is poorly understood, making it difficult to predict whether these important components of lake ecosystems will be affected by emerging stressors such as permafrost thaw and road development. To better understand how littoral macroinvertebrates are related to environmental gradients, we characterized macroinvertebrate communities and environmental variables for 32 Arctic lakes across the boreal–tundra transition in the Northwest Territories. Our analysis showed that a small selection of variables had strong relationships with community structure: calcium, conductivity, latitude, surface area, catchment area, percent fine sediment, chlorophyll a, and whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis or Coregonus nasus) presence. Many of these variables, including calcium, conductivity, and chlorophyll a levels, are affected by permafrost thaw and road dust contamination. Based on the direction and magnitude of these relationships, we hypothesize that macroinvertebrate abundance might decline in response to permafrost thaw and road dust contamination, while taxon diversity may rise. While correlative in nature, our results and hypotheses may be valuable as future studies evaluate ongoing changes in Canada’s Arctic lakes.
Multiple-resistant waterhemp control in herbicide-resistant 3 (HT3) soybean
Authors: Soltani Nader , Brown Lynette R. , Sikkema Peter H.
Published: September 2020

Herbicide-resistant (HR) crops, specifically glyphosate-, glufosinate-, and dicamba-resistant (HT3) soybean, will offer producers a new weed management option for the control of some HR weeds in soybean. Four field experiments were conducted near Cottam and on Walpole Island, ON, Canada, during 2017 and 2018 to assess the control of multiple-resistant (MR) waterhemp (herbicide groups 2, 5, and 9) in HT3 soybean treated with various herbicide programs. Pyroxasulfone/flumioxazin, flumioxazin plus metribuzin, or S-metolachlor/metribuzin applied preemergence (PRE) and followed by (fb) glyphosate postemergence (POST) controlled MR waterhemp at 94%, 66%, and 78%, respectively, in early September. Pyroxasulfone/flumioxazin, flumioxazin plus metribuzin, or S-metolachlor/metribuzin applied PRE controlled MR waterhemp 86%–97% when fb glufosinate POST; 100% when fb glyphosate plus dicamba POST; 99%–100% when fb glufosinate plus dicamba POST; and 100% when fb glyphosate plus dicamba POST and fb glufosinate POST2 (before the R2 soybean growth stage) in early September. Reduced MR waterhemp interference with all herbicide programs resulted in an increase in HT3 soybean yield (up to 59%) relative to the weedy control. Results indicate that pyroxasulfone/flumioxazin, flumioxazin plus metribuzin, or S-metolachlor/metribuzin applied PRE fb glufosinate POST, glyphosate plus dicamba POST, glufosinate plus dicamba POST, or glyphosate plus dicamba POST fb glufosinate POST2 provides similar and excellent season-long control of MR waterhemp in HT3 soybean.
Calculating the complexity of spatially distributed physical quantities
Authors: Arsenić I. , Krmar M. , Mihailovic D. T.
Published: September 2020

With the development of mathematics as well as natural sciences and with the improvement of the human cognitive level, a new discipline dealing with complexity of different and complex natural systems has been recognized. Therefore, several complexity measures have been developed. Complexity measures provided to scientific community new insights into environmental processes that cannot be discovered by the traditional mathematical methods. Spatial distribution of heavy metals and radionuclides (HM&RN further) is formed by acting natural processes as well as human activities. Despite the fact that this distribution plays an important role in environmental processes, it has not been analyzed with deserving attention. The usual way to present the results obtained by some measurements having an objective to describe environmental properties is by creating a map of spatial distributions of some chosen quantities or indices. Attempts to introduce some quantitative measure, which characterizes measured areal distribution (and corresponding map) of physical quantity, cannot be frequently encountered in scientific community. In this paper, we invested an effort to introduce some numerical indices as a new measure which can describe spatial distributions of physical quantity based on the complexity computed by the Lempel–Ziv algorithm (LZA) or Lempel–Ziv complexity (LZC).
Detection of Fiber Defects Using Keypoints and Deep Learning
Authors: Siegmund Dirk , Fu Biying , José-García Adán , Salahuddin Ahmad , Kuijper Arjan
Published: September 2020

Due to the deforming and dynamically changing textile fibers, the quality assurance of cleaned industrial textiles is still a mostly manual task. Usually, textiles need to be spread flat, in order to detect defects using computer vision inspection methods. Already known methods for detecting defects on such inhomogeneous, voluminous surfaces use mainly supervised methods based on deep neural networks and require lots of labeled training data. In contrast, we present a novel unsupervised method, based on SURF keypoints, that does not require any training data. We propose using their location, number and orientation in order to group them into geographically close clusters. Keypoint clusters also indicate the exact position of the defect at the same time. We furthermore compared our approach to supervised methods using deep learning. The presented processing pipeline shows how normalization and classification methods need to be combined, in order to reliably detect fiber defects such as cuts and holes. We evaluate the performance of our system in real-world settings with images of piles of textiles, taken in stereo vision. Our results show that our novel unsupervised classification method using keypoint clustering achieves comparable results to other supervised methods.
XPS, AES AND UPS INVESTIGATION OF SnO2/Si AND DFT-BASED THEORETICAL STUDY WITHIN THE mBJ-GGA SCHEME
Authors: MOKADEM A. , BOUSLAMA M. , KHAROUBI B. , OUERDANE A. , KHENATA R. , GUEZZOUL M. , BAIZID A. , ABDELKRIM M. , BENSASSI K. B. , NAQIB S. H. , WANG XIAOTIAN
Published: September 2020

We investigate the growth performance of tin oxide on the Si substrate, achieved by spray pyrolysis using the sensitive analysis techniques X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES). These complementary techniques confirm the growth of homogeneous SnO2 thin films. We also study the electronic distribution of the valence band of SnO2 theoretically using density functional theory (DFT). The chemical and physical properties of the material depend on the electron structure varying as a function of energy. The density of states (DOS) is calculated using the modified Becke–Johnson-Generalized Gradient Approximation (mBJ-GGA) in order to identify the electronic orbitals and the importance of their contribution to the electronic structure of the valence band. Furthermore, we use the experimental technique UV Photoelectron Spectroscopy (UPS) for studying the electronic distribution within the valence band and for validating the theoretical results of the density of states of SnO2/Si.
FROM POPULAR TO PROFITABLE: INCUMBENTS’ EXPERIENCES AND CHALLENGES WITH EXTERNAL CORPORATE ACCELERATORS
Authors: HUTTER KATJA , GFRERER ANNE , LINDNER BETTINA
Published: September 2020

In search of innovation, incumbent firms are leveraging the creativity, knowledge and capabilities of corporate accelerators and are boosting their innovation engines by collaborating with startups. While this form of collaboration network with its heterogeneous partners is theoretically compelling and growing in popularity practically, the majority of corporate accelerators fails to deliver the desired results. Existing research still lacks an in-depth exploration of corporate accelerators explaining and suggesting how failure and challenges of incumbent firms can be overcome. Twenty-eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with managers and innovation experts across industries and within one of Europe’s biggest corporate accelerators. This study contributes to the field of open innovation and collaboration networks by expanding our knowledge about challenges of corporate accelerators and in particular to decode the difficulties that occur during the different phases of accelerator programmes. Based on the findings, guidelines for practitioners are presented to enhance organisational learning and innovation performance for incumbent firms.
Being Fair about the Design of FAIR Data Standards
Authors: Bezuidenhout Louise
Published: September 2020

Since 2014 the FAIR data movement has been rapidly altering the landscape of data sharing and re-use. Support for the FAIR movement has seen the evolution of disciplinary-specific standards to foster data that are “finable, accessible, interoperable and reusable.” While these exciting developments should not be minimised, it is important to interrogate how these standards are set. Key questions to ask include how representation in standard setting communities is addressed; what infrastructures and resources these emergent standards are reliant on; and how standards dictate specific interpretations of “value” and “valuable data.” Asking such questions introduces a needed reflexivity into FAIR discussions, as standard setters interrogate what data practices commit present—and future—researchers to.
What Facebook Taught Me About Research
Authors: Heller Lee
Published: September 2020

Distance education has exploded, in recent years, with more students taking online courses than ever before. However, despite the explosion in online course takers, the number of students who are not completing their online degree programs is also growing. Online students report feeling isolation, and a disconnect with their classmates and educational institution. Another phenomenon, social media, has also experienced explosive growth, including the largest in modern society, Facebook. The goal of my research study was to understand if there could be a connection between the use of social media, specifically Facebook and Facebook Messenger, and the isolation that distance students experience. My hope was that this might pave the way to further research using social media as a tool to curb rising attrition rates. Unfortunately, Facebook had some things to teach me first.
A new Kenzo module for computing the Eilenberg-Moore spectral sequence
Authors: Romero Ana , Rubio Julio , Sergeraert Francis , Szymik Markus
Published: September 2020

In this work we present a new module for the computer algebraic topology system Kenzo computing the Eilenberg-Moore spectral sequence of fibrations between spaces with effective homology. These programs can be applied to determine the Eilenberg-Moore spectral sequence of extensions of finitely generated abelian groups.