bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distinct mutations and lineages of SARS-CoV-2 virus in the early phase of COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent one-year global expansion
Authors: Chen Yan , Li Shiyong , Wu Wei , Geng Shuaipeng , Mao Mao
Published: January 2021

A novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has caused over 190 million cases and over 4 million deaths worldwide since it occurred in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. Here we conceptualized the temporospatial evolutionary and expansion dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 by taking a series of cross-sectional view of viral genomes from early outbreak in January 2020 in Wuhan to early phase of global ignition in early April, and finally to the subsequent global expansion by late December 2020. Based on the phylogenetic analysis of the early patients in Wuhan, Wuhan/WH04/2020 is supposed to be a more appropriate reference genome of SARS-CoV-2, instead of the first sequenced genome Wuhan-Hu-1. By scrutinizing the cases from the very early outbreak, we found a viral genotype from the Seafood Market in Wuhan featured with two concurrent mutations (i.e. M type) had become the overwhelmingly dominant genotype (95.3%) of the pandemic one year later. By analyzing 4,013 SARS-CoV-2 genomes from different continents by early April, we were able to interrogate the viral genomic composition dynamics of initial phase of global ignition over a timespan of 14-week. 11 major viral genotypes with unique geographic distributions were also identified. WE1 type, a descendant of M and predominantly witnessed in western Europe, consisted a half of all the cases (50.2%) at the time. The mutations of major genotypes at the same hierarchical level were mutually exclusive, which implying that various genotypes bearing the specific mutations were propagated during human-to-human transmission, not by accumulating hot-spot mutations during the replication of individual viral genomes. As the pandemic was unfolding, we also used the same approach to analyze 261,323 SARS-CoV-2 genomes from the world since the outbreak in Wuhan (i.e. including all the publicly available viral genomes) in order to recapitulate our findings over one-year timespan. By 25 December 2020, 95.3% of global cases were M type and 93.0% of M-type cases were WE1. In fact, at present all the four variants of concern (VOC) are the descendants of WE1 type. This study demonstrates the viral genotypes can be utilized as molecular barcodes in combination with epidemiologic data to monitor the spreading routes of the pandemic and evaluate the effectiveness of control measures. Moreover, the dynamics of viral mutational spectrum in the study may help the early identification of new strains in patients to reduce further spread of infection, guide the development of molecular diagnosis and vaccines against COVID-19, and help assess their accuracy and efficacy in real world at real time.
HLA-SPREAD: A Natural Language Processing based resource for curating HLA association from PubMed abstracts
Authors: Dholakia Dhwani , Kalra Ankit , Misir Bishnu Raman , Kanga Uma , Mukerji Mitali
Published: January 2021

Extreme complexity in the Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) system and its nomenclature makes it difficult to interpret and integrate relevant information for HLA associations with diseases, Adverse Drug Reactions (ADR) and Transplantation. PubMed search displays ∼144,000 studies on HLA reported from multiple diseases in diverse locations. Currently, IPD-IMGT/HLA database houses data on 28,320 HLA alleles. We developed an automated pipeline with a unified graphical user interface HLA-SPREAD that provides a structured information on SNPs, Populations, REsources, ADRs and Diseases information. Information on HLA was extracted from ∼24 million PubMed abstracts extracted using Natural Language Processing (NLP). Python scripts were used to mine and curate information on diseases, filter false positives and categorize to 24 tree hierarchical groups and named Entity Recognition (NER) algorithms followed by semantic analysis to infer HLA association(s). This resource from 112 countries and 32 ethnic groups provides interesting insights on: markers associated with allelic/haplotypic association in autoimmune, cancer, viral and skin diseases, transplantation outcome and ADRs for hypersensitivity. Summary information on clinically relevant biomarkers related to HLA disease associations with mapped susceptible/risk alleles are readily retrievable from HLASPREAD. The resource is available at URLhttp://hla-spread.igib.res.in/. This resource is first of its kind that can help uncover novel patterns in HLA gene-disease associations.
Role of NGOs in women empowerment: case studies from Uttarakhand, India
Authors: Gupta Minisha
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Women empowerment is essential for the growth and development of the nation. This study aims to identify the role of non-government organisations (NGOs) in promoting women empowerment through immediate livelihood facilities. Women are creative enough to start their own venture, but they are not able to explore the available opportunities because of male dominance, lack of education and proper government support. Thus, NGOs play a major role in training and empowering women to attain immediate livelihood.

Design/methodology/approach

The role of NGOs in empowering women has been explored using the case study method. A total of five case studies of women who attained training and started their own venture have been developed using in-depth interviews.

Findings

Women empowerment occurs through venture creation and entrepreneurship, which can be attained with proper training and information. Motivation and effective leadership help women in gaining confidence, and they aim to achieve their goals. Proper information about government policies, networking with customers, relationship with self-help groups (SHGs) and NGOs also help them in attaining empowerment.

Practical implications

This study indicates to the government and researchers that, instead of initiating new policies, it is important to focus on the existing policies and improve them. NGOs or SHGs must focus on providing immediate livelihood through venture creation or entrepreneurial activities.

Social implications

Women need to be more socialised and develop a habit of partnership with their friends and neighbours to extend their ventures (Dixitet al., 2020). To meet the demand of sustainable and green environment, women must be trained about green manufacturing and to prepare products which are environmentally friendly and sustainable (Agarwalet al., 2020). Instead of initiating new policies, government must review their existing policies and provide equal opportunities to increase female workforce.

Originality/value

This study focusses on the role of NGOs in empowering women by focussing on their immediate livelihood through venture creation or entrepreneurship.
Gender paths in international careers: an approach centred on demands and resources
Authors: Dolce Valentina , Molino Monica , Wodociag Sophie , Ghislieri Chiara
Published: January 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the interplay between international experiences and male and female top managers' career paths, taking into consideration gender differences. Furthermore, the research investigates the specific job and personal demands and resources related to the different types of international work experiences.

Design/methodology/approach

This study provides an in-depth subjective reconstruction of the international professional experience of 37 male and female top managers employed in Italy, using semi-structured interviews.

Findings

Participants highlighted the benefits of their international assignments (IAs) in terms of the development of managerial, soft and cross-cultural skills. Family issues and cultural differences were frequently cited as challenges by the top managers interviewed. Culture shock and perceived difficulty in managing multicultural teams were reported by both women and men. Men reported experiencing long periods of separation from their family more often than women and cited the support of their partner as a valuable resource. In addition to the support of a partner, women also indicated that certain job resources and welfare policies played a crucial role. Moreover, women appear to be more interested in work-family management issues, thus suggesting that the traditional division of roles between men and women continues to persist in Italy.

Originality/value

This study provides an insight into the extrinsic factors linked to career success, as well as the challenges and the resources associated with different forms of global work other than traditional expatriation. It takes into consideration a specific country, Italy, where a traditional family paradigm persists, providing an insight into better understanding the link between IA experiences and gender roles in global mobility. Managerial implications are also discussed.
A taxonomy of sustainability topics: a guide to set the corporate sustainability content on the web
Authors: Confetto Maria Giovanna , Covucci Claudia
Published: January 2021

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to propose a taxonomy of sustainability communication (SC) topics that provide digital content managers with a guide for setting a sustainability content agenda and for fostering stakeholder engagement mechanisms on environmental, social and economic issues that increasingly characterize conversations on social media of all stakeholder groups.

Design/methodology/approach

Taxonomy is a conceptual and qualitative way used to classify and represent the corporate sustainability (CS) domain of knowledge. The taxonomy categories of SC topics are both theoretically and empirically derived, combining an in-depth literature review with a thematic content analysis of 300 web pages of the corporate websites of the top ten sustainable brands selected in “The 2019 GlobeScan-SustainAbility Leaders Survey.”

Findings

The analysis of the results led to the construction of a hierarchical dictionary of tags that categorizes all sustainability topics based on a new, four-dimensional conceptual structure: planet, people, profit and governance. Each dimension is organized in four groups of sustainability themes, which, in turn, group multiple topics, considered the smallest communication unit to develop the SC content.

Practical implications

The taxonomy provides a concise and immediate conceptual framework on all those topics of broader interest, which, suitably modulated, can act as touch points with several groups of stakeholders. Drawn upon the best practices of thematic organization of SCs via the web, the taxonomy represents a guide for programming an editorial plan based on environmental, social, economic and governance issues from a sustainability content marketing perspective. The taxonomy of sustainability topics also finds application as a framework for a content intelligent system, providing a dictionary of tags that can be used for the indexing and retrieval of SC web content.

Originality/value

The study represents the first attempt at reaching a taxonomic organization of the sustainability aspects from a communicational perspective, supporting a new way of thinking and managing SC in the digital realm. Moreover, the results highlight, for the first time, that the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) theory, applied to corporate communications, lacks the governance aspect, which is essential to pursue sustainability consistently and effectively.
Recent reductions in the size of facial pigmented basal cell carcinoma at diagnosis and the surgical margin: A retrospective and comparative study
Authors: Mae Kenichiro , Tsuboi Ryoji , Irisawa Ryokichi , Sato Toshitsugu , Fukushima Noritoshi , Harada Kazutoshi
Published: January 2021

The present, retrospective, single‐center study analyzed various factors associated with primary basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in the period before and after the introduction of dermoscopy (BD and AD, respectively). The demographic data of patients with primary BCC between 2001 and 2005 (BD: 84 patients, 90 cases) and 2011 and 2018 (AD: 297 patients, 320 cases) were analyzed. In the pigmented BCC‐predominant cohort (94%), the proportion of smaller tumors as well as the total number of tumors significantly increased during AD (median tumor size, 10.0 mm in BD, 8.0 mm in AD; Mann–Whitney U‐test, p = 0.011). BCC were excised with a significantly narrower margin during AD (median, 2.0 mm) than during BD (median, 3.0 mm; Mann–Whitney U‐test, p < 0.001; odds ratio, 0.30; multivariate logistic regression analysis, p < 0.001); the incomplete excision rate was 1.9%, and the recurrence rate was 0%. The present study suggests that the introduction of dermoscopy might have aided in the early diagnosis of smaller BCC, especially in the face region, and determining the appropriate surgical margin. The smaller pigmented BCC can be excised with a narrower margin than stated in the guidelines (4 mm).
How disasters drive media channel preferences: Tracing news consumption before, during, and after Hurricane Harvey
Authors: Petrun Sayers Elizabeth L. , Parker Andrew M. , Seelam Rachana , Finucane Melissa L.
Published: January 2021

Understanding public media channel preferences can inform preparedness plans, response strategies and long‐term recovery. However, questions remain about how media consumption changes across pre‐crisis, crisis, and post‐crisis phases. Past theories argue that media use may change for several reasons, including during times of societal conflict and challenge. These theories point to the belief that, during a crisis, we expect media channel use to change because media preferences during a crisis will be fundamentally different compared with everyday routines.

This paper takes advantage of a survey fielded to Texas residents soon after Hurricane Harvey. Here, we ask the following: (a) “what media channels are most prominent in each crisis phase?” and (b) “do media channel preferences change across crisis phases?”. We use simple descriptive statistics and chi‐square tests to describe media channel preferences across the three crisis phases by demographics. Additionally, we use alluvial diagrams to visualize media channel preferences over time. In total, 62% (n = 174) of respondents reported no changes in channel preferences. However, chi‐square tests identified significant differences in media use changes related to a handful of demographic characteristics. These findings are explored alongside theories that would hypothesize likely media use changes across pre‐crisis, crisis and post‐crisis phases.
Management of multiple trichoepithelioma: A review of pharmacological therapies
Authors: Lobo Yolanka , Blake Tristan , Wheller Laura
Published: January 2021

Trichoepithelioma is a rare benign adnexal neoplasm that can occur in various forms including solitary, multiple, familial or nonfamilial. Multiple facial trichoepithelioma can be associated with significant psychosocial burden. Conventional treatment modalities such as surgical excision and ablative laser have variable results and can be associated with unacceptable complications and tumour regrowth. Pharmacological interventions such as topical and systemic agents are potentially effective but clinical data are limited and treatments are poorly standardised. We review the available evidence to determine the role of pharmacological therapies in the management of multiple trichoepithelioma. Demographic and clinical data were retrospectively collected from the available English literature. Majority of cases treated with pharmacological therapies (93.75%) had a positive treatment outcome, achieving partial lesion response. Adverse effects associated with pharmacological therapies were generally well tolerated and did not interrupt treatment. There are limitations as to how our results can be interpreted owing to the paucity of good quality evidence, spectrum of disease severity, and diversity of study designs utilised in the included articles. Nonetheless, the results of our study indicate that while most pharmacological interventions for multiple trichoepithelioma produce a partial response, they can be employed as effective suppressive therapies, either alone or in conjunction with conventional treatments. The current evidence for pharmacological therapies remains largely anecdotal justifying the need for further clinical studies in this area.
How the Human Mind Grounds Numerical Quantities on Space
Authors: de Hevia Maria Dolores
Published: January 2021

The propensity to use a spatial framework to organize other pieces of information is a widespread phenomenon that permeates humans’ representation of diverse concepts, including numerical quantities. Developmental studies on numerical cognition have revealed that humans possess a system for abstract quantity representation that is functional at birth and connects to a spatial representation system. Human infants, children, and adults link increases and decreases in numerical quantity to corresponding increases and decreases of spatial extent, as well as to lateralized right/left spatial positions, respectively. In this article, I discuss the origins of number‐space mappings, their presence throughout development, and their functional properties. I also argue that number‐space mappings reflect inborn biases, possibly shared across other species, that support both efficient magnitude processing and serial learning.
Mental health presentations to the paediatric emergency department: A retrospective study
Authors: Say Daniela F , Carison Anna , Hill Ashley , Hiscock Harriet , Babl Franz E , O'Donnell Sinead M
Published: January 2021

Aim

To describe a cohort of patients aged 7–17 years presenting with mental health (MH) problems to an Australian tertiary paediatric emergency department (ED), in order to identify: (i) predictors of admission; and (ii) prolonged length of stay (LOS); (iii) reasons for ED presentation based on diagnosis and (iv) differences between major diagnostic groups.

Methods

Data for all presentations from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018 were extracted and analysed from the hospital's electronic medical record system. MH presentations were identified though rule‐based coding and manual file review.

Results

In this 12‐month period, 1071 children had 1690 emergency MH presentations constituting 6.7% of all ED presentations for children aged 7–17 years. Collectively, the leading cause for presentations was suicidal ideation, self‐harm or drug overdose (55%). Compared to discharged patients, admitted patients were more likely to be female (odds ratio (OR) 1.82, confidence interval (CI) 1.41–2.35), aged over 14–years (OR 2.50, CI 1.98–3.15), triaged with high acuity (OR 2.70, CI 2.00–3.65) and arrive by ambulance or police (OR 1.31, CI 1.04–1.64). The highest risk diagnosis associated with admission was eating disorders (OR 9.19, CI 5.48–15.40). Patients with a prolonged LOS (>8 h) were more likely to need admission (OR 5.38, CI 3.81–7.61) and be diagnosed with drug overdose (OR 2.39, CI 1.51–3.80) or acute behavioural disturbance (OR 1.61, CI 1.09–2.39).

Conclusion

Mental health presentations constitute a large proportion of ED presentations. Suicidal behaviour and self‐harm account for half of them. We have identified patients at increased risk of admission and prolonged ED LOS.
Political Congregations, Race, and Environmental Policy Attitudes
Authors: Brown R. Khari , Eschler Edwin , Brown Ronald E.
Published: January 2021

Using data from eight surveys collected between 1996 and 2016, this study examines race differences in the association between hearing sermons about environmental and other social‐political issues and support for policies aimed at protecting the environment. While accounting for religious faith, political partisanship, and social‐demographic characteristics, we find that Blacks and Hispanics are more likely to hear sermons about environmental and other social‐political issues. However, hearing such messages more strongly associates with Whites supporting environmental conservation policies than it does for Blacks and Hispanics.
Use of donor human milk in nonhospitalized infants: An infant growth study
Authors: Bramer Solange , Boyle Robert , Weaver Gillian , Shenker Natalie
Published: January 2021

When mother's own milk (MOM) is unavailable or insufficient, donor human milk (DHM) is recommended as the next best alternative for low birthweight infants. DHM use for healthy, term infants is increasing, but evidence for growth and tolerability is limited. This retrospective study evaluated growth in term infants in the community who received DHM from a UK milk bank. Mothers of infants receiving DHM between 2017 and 2019 were contacted (n = 49), and 31 (63.2%) agreed to participate. Fourteen infants received DHM as a supplement to other feeds (MOM and/or infant formula) and 17 were exclusively fed DHM where breastfeeding was impossible (range: 3–6 weeks). Growth was assessed by deriving z‐scores using the WHO standard for infant growth and compared with 200 exclusively breastfed infants. Multivariate regression analysis revealed no feeding method‐specific association between z‐score and age, nor between weight and age, suggesting that z‐scores and growth velocity were not affected by feeding exclusive MOM, supplemental DHM or exclusive DHM. DHM was well‐tolerated with no adverse events that led to early cessation. After receiving supplemental DHM group, 63% of infants whose mothers had no physical barrier to breastfeeding (5/8 infants) were exclusively breastfed. This novel study reports adequate growth outcomes of healthy nonhospitalized infants receiving DHM, either as the sole milk source or supplement. Prospective studies are needed to confirm whether DHM is a suitable feeding alternative for term infants in the community, optimal durations, as well as the impact of DHM availability on breastfeeding rates and maternal mental health.
Caretakers' perceptions and willingness‐to‐pay for complementary food in urban and rural Cambodia
Authors: Nurhasan Mulia , Prima Rizal Adi , Olsen Søren Bøye , Wieringa Frank T. , Dijkhuizen Marjoleine A. , Chamnan Chhoun , Roos Nanna
Published: January 2021

Inadequate child nutrition during the first ‘1000 days’ is widespread in Cambodia, resulting in a high prevalence of child malnutrition. Access to processed complementary food in packages (PCFP) may support caretakers in improving diet of young children. This study aimed to evaluate the caretakers' preferences and willingness‐to‐pay (WTP) for PCFP in Cambodia. The study was conducted in urban and rural settings, involving 520 caretakers with children aged 7–24 months in Phnom Penh (urban) and Prey Veng (rural). Four PCFPs were included: a commercial brand, a social‐commercial brand, a worldwide distributed fortified complementary food aid product (CSB++) and an experimental fortified rice‐and‐fish‐based PCFP developed in Cambodia (WF‐L). Sensory analysis was conducted for all products, stated WTP was assessed for three products (excluding CSB++) and actual WTP experiment was conducted on WF‐L only. Our results show that overall, WF‐L was preferred by the rural participants over food aid CSB++. Further improvements in the organoleptic qualities of WF‐L should focus on consistency and taste. The participants were, on average, willing to pay 1,667 Cambodian riel (KHR, $0.4) and 1,192 KHR ($0.3) in urban and rural settings, respectively, for 35 g of WF‐L. We also found that despite being nutritionally inadequate, most participants considered homemade porridge to be healthier, more practical and preferred by the children. Therefore improving the quality of homemade foods merits urgent consideration. When applying PCFP in nutrition programmes as a supplementary option to homemade complementary foods, locally produced products could be a more viable supplementary option than global food aid.
Time to focus on circulating nucleic acids for diagnosis and monitoring of gliomas: A systematic review of their role as biomarkers
Authors: Díaz Méndez Ana Belén , Tremante Elisa , Regazzo Giulia , Brandner Sebastian , Rizzo Maria G.
Published: January 2021

Gliomas are diffusely growing tumours arising from progenitors within the central nervous system. They encompass a range of different molecular types and subtypes, many of which have a well‐defined profile of driver mutations, copy number changes and DNA methylation patterns. A majority of gliomas will require surgical intervention to relieve raised intracranial pressure and reduce tumour burden. A proportion of tumours, however, are located in neurologically sensitive areas and a biopsy poses a significant risk of a deficit. A majority of gliomas recur after surgery, and monitoring tumour burden of the recurrence is currently achieved by imaging. However, most imaging modalities have limitations in assessing tumour burden and infiltration into adjacent brain, and sometimes imaging is unable to discriminate between tumour recurrence and pseudo‐progression. Liquid biopsies, obtained from body fluids such as cerebrospinal fluid or blood, contain circulating nucleic acids or extracellular vesicles containing tumour‐derived components. The studies for this systematic review were selected according to PRISMA criteria, and suggest that the detection of circulating tumour‐derived nucleic acids holds great promises as biomarker to aid diagnosis and prognostication by monitoring tumour progression, and thus can be considered a pathway towards personalized medicine.
The performance implications of patenting – the moderating effect of informal institutions in emerging economies
Authors: Zhao Xiaoyang , Tan Justin
Published: January 2021

Research has highlighted the role of patenting on firms’ performance without elaborating on how patents can be leveraged to capture value. Drawing on the resource‐based view and institutional theory, this research attempts to extend patenting‐performance debate by examining the moderating effects of informal institutions – or specifically, political ties – on the patenting‐performance relationship. We argue that the leverage of political ties could eliminate uncertainty in patent rights by accessing information, reducing transaction costs, and facilitating bureaucratic arbitration, and therefore leads to better performance. Moreover, considering resource limitations and jurisdictional variations, the benefits of such a moderating approach may be more pronounced in a context characterized by high financial slack or low formal institutional development. Our analysis of panel data from 761 Chinese‐listed companies in the chemical, electronics, and pharmaceutical industries provides supports for both the moderating role of informal institutions on the patenting‐performance relationship and the contingency effects of financial slack and formal institutional development. This paper contributes to patent management literature by elaborating upon the mechanisms of how informal institutions can be leveraged to capture value from firms’ patent portfolios.
Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics Modeling of Natural Convection Around a Heated Horizontal Cylinder: A Comparison With Experiments
Authors: Aragón F. , Guzmán J. E. V. , Alvarado-Rodríguez C. E. , Sigalotti L. Di G. , Carvajal-Mariscal I. , Klapp J. , Uribe-Ramírez A. R.
Published: January 2021

An experimental and numerical smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) analysis was performed for the convective flow arising from a horizontal, thin cylindrical heat source enclosed in a glycerin-filled, slender enclosure at low Rayleigh numbers (1.18≤Ra≤242). Both the experiments and the SPH calculations were performed for positive (0.1≤ΔT≤10 K) and negative (−10≤ΔT≤−0.1 K) temperature differences between the source and the surrounding fluid. In all cases, a pair of steady, counter-rotating vortices is formed, accompanied by a plume of vertically ascending flow just above the source for ΔT>0 and a vertically descending flow just below the source for ΔT<0. The maximum flow velocities always occur within the ascending/descending plumes. The SPH predictions are found to match the experimental observations acceptably well with root-mean-square errors (RMSE) in the velocity profiles of the order of ∼10−5 m s−1. The fact that the SPH method is able to reveal the detailed features of the flow phenomenon demonstrates the correctness of the approach.
Nonlinear ultrasonic technique for the characterization of microstructure in additive materials
Authors: Bellotti Aurelio , Kim Jin-Yeon , Bishop Joseph E. , Jared Bradley H. , Johnson Kyle , Susan Donald , Noell Philip J. , Jacobs Laurence J.
Published: January 2021

This study employs nonlinear ultrasonic techniques to track microstructural changes in additively manufactured metals. The second harmonic generation technique based on the transmission of Rayleigh surface waves is used to measure the acoustic nonlinearity parameter, β. Stainless steel specimens are made through three procedures: traditional wrought manufacturing, laser-powder bed fusion, and laser engineered net shaping. The β parameter is measured through successive steps of an annealing heat treatment intended to decrease dislocation density. Dislocation density is known to be sensitive to manufacturing variables. In agreement with fundamental material models for the dislocation-acoustic nonlinearity relationship in the second harmonic generation, β drops in each specimen throughout the heat treatment before recrystallization. Geometrically necessary dislocations (GNDs) are measured from electron back-scatter diffraction as a quantitative indicator of dislocations; average GND density and β are found to have a statistical correlation coefficient of 0.852 showing the sensitivity of β to dislocations in additively manufactured metals. Moreover, β shows an excellent correlation with hardness, which is a measure of the macroscopic effect of dislocations.
Gene therapy beats premature-aging syndrome in mice
Authors: Kaiser Jocelyn
Published: January 2021

CRISPR-inspired base editor to be tried on progeria patients.
Response to Comment on “Global distribution of earthworm diversity”
Authors: Phillips Helen R. P. , Briones Maria J. I. , Brown George G. , Decaëns Thibaud , Cameron Erin , Eisenhauer Nico
Published: January 2021

James
et al
. claim that there are areas of concern in our work. We believe that they have misunderstood the methods behind our paper and that differences in scale have been overlooked. Once those misunderstandings have been resolved, their remaining criticisms are either not sustained or agree with our statements. To advance the field, we recommend additional sampling using comparable methodologies in underrepresented areas.
Probed, pierced, and revered
The Mantle of the Earth: Genealogies of a Geographical Metaphor
Veronica della Dora
University of Chicago Press, 2020. 416 pp.
Authors: Dixon Deborah P.
Published: January 2021

Earth's mantle acts as a metaphor for the planet's unknowns, for its beauty, and for its fragility
How mice feel each other's pain or fear
Authors: Klein Alexandra S. , Gogolla Nadine
Published: January 2021

Distinct neuronal pathways mediate empathy with different affective states
Neurovirulence of Avian Influenza Virus Is Dependent on the Interaction of Viral NP Protein with FMRP in the Murine Brain
Authors: Zhang Xuxiao , Pu Juan , Sun Yipeng , Bi Yuhai , Jiang Zhimin , Xu Guanlong , Zhang Hongyu , Cao Jing , Chang Kin-Chow , Liu Jinhua , Sun Honglei
Published: January 2021

Infection of the CNS is a serious complication of human cases of AIV infection. The viral and host factors associated with neurovirulence of AIV infection are not well understood.
Alveolar soft part sarcoma presenting in an unusual laryngeal location
Authors: Jang Sylvia , Emanuel Anthony , Worley Mitchell , Richardson Mary
Published: January 2021

Alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) is a rare malignant neoplasm that tends to occur in the deep soft tissues of both adults and children. ASPS has a progressive clinical course that is unfortunately characterised by late metastases and an overall poor prognosis. Although the tumour has been reported in a wide range of anatomic sites, few cases of primary laryngeal ASPS are reported in the literature. Here, we report the case of a 24-year-old man with no significant medical history who presented with progressive mild dysphonia and hoarseness. Imaging studies revealed a well-circumscribed, partially cystic submucosal mass with involvement of the right vocal fold and other local structures, and the patient was referred for surgical excision. Morphological and immunohistochemical examination of the excised lesion revealed ASPS. The findings of this case are compared with those of seven additional cases of primary laryngeal ASPS, which were found following literature review.
Reducing unnecessary CT scan of the head for minor paediatric head injuries at the emergency department
Authors: Elmoheen Amr , Salem Waleed , Bashir Khalid
Published: January 2021

The CT scan is a determining imaging study in the diagnosis and treatment of head trauma; however, its indiscriminate application can have serious consequences for patients and the health system. More than 45% of CT scans of the head requested for minor head injuries in the paediatric age group in the emergency department were not correctly indicated according to international guidelines. The root of such a high percentage was misinformation and lack of knowledge about the ideal parameters for requesting a CT scan for minor head injuries. To achieve this, survey-based interventions and educational programmes were conducted to improve understanding of international guidelines and access to this information, which was the most important parameter during this project. A decreasing rate of CT scans for paediatric minor head injuries was demonstrated at the rate of 17%, achieving a reduction by more than 47% after the implementation of the interventions. Besides, misinformation and documentation deficits improved by more than 30%. Quality improvement methods decreased misinformation and improved access to information, which reduced errors in the indication of CT scans of the head in the paediatric age group and increased efficiency of patient care.
Objectively quantified physical activity and sedentary behaviour in a young UAE population
Authors: Dalibalta Sarah , Majdalawieh Amin , Yousef Sarah , Gusbi Mohammed , Wilson Jason J , Tully Mark A , Davison Gareth
Published: January 2021

Objectives

There is a lack of public awareness of the importance of engaging in physical activity (PA) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Nearly 58% of the UAE adult population self-reports as being physically inactive although little accelerometer data currently exists. The aim of this study was to obtain the first dataset that objectively quantifies PA and sedentary behaviour (SB) in young UAE adults.

Methods

This cross-sectional study recruited 140 university students. Body composition and accelerometry was assessed using a Tanita body composition analyser and ActiGraph accelerometer. Differences (p≤0.05) between gender (male vs female) and body mass index (normal vs overweight/obese) were determined using independent samples t-tests and χ2tests for nominal variables.

Results

Both males and females spent high amounts of time in SB, encompassing ~80% of waking hours. PA was primarily light intensity (14.1%), although males spent significantly greater time in moderate-to-vigorous intensity activity. Moreover, 50% of males compared with 76.6% of females were classified as sedentary/low active according to daily step counts.

Conclusion

Our data provide evidence of high levels of SB among young adults in the UAE with PA being predominantly light intensity, therefore, both PA and SB should be carefully monitored in this country.
Comparisons of leisure-time physical activity participation by adults with and without a disability: results of an Australian cross-sectional national survey
Authors: Hassett Leanne , Shields Nora , Cole Jenni , Owen Katherine , Sherrington Catherine
Published: January 2021

Objectives

The objective of this study was to describe and compare the amount and type of leisure-time physical activity, and motivations and barriers to participation among adults with and without a disability.

Methods

Analysis of deidentified data from an Australian cross-sectional national telephone-based survey (October 2015 to June 2018) of sport and physical recreation participation over the previous 12 months, and barriers and motivations to participation. Descriptive statistics (incorporating weighted proportions), χ2tests and regression analyses were conducted to describe aspects of participation and compare those with and without self-reported disability.

Results

Of the 54 343 adults surveyed, 15% reported a disability. Adults with a disability were half as likely to meet physical activity guidelines through sport and/or physical recreation than adults without a disability (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.57). A greater proportion of adults with a disability participated in physical recreation only (40% vs 31%; χ2=187; p<0.001), whereas a greater proportion of adults without a disability participated in sport only (20% vs 12%; χ2=188; p<0.001). Adults with a disability were more motivated than adults without a disability to try a new activity for physical health or fitness benefits (55% vs 46%; χ2=36; p<0.001). The most reported barrier to participation for adults with a disability not currently participating in sport and/or physical recreation was poor health or injury (62%), whereas for adults without a disability it was lack of time/too many other commitments (43%).

Conclusion

Adults with a disability are less physically active and report different physical activity profiles and barriers to being active than adults without a disability. Urgent action is required to address this discrepancy.
Incidence and predictors of stroke in patients with rheumatic heart disease
Authors: Vasconcelos Marcelle , Vasconcelos Luiz , Ribeiro Victor , Campos Carolina , Di-Flora Francisco , Abreu Lara , Silva Lucas , Diamantino Tatiana , Padilha da Silva Jose Luiz , Esteves William Antonio M , Teixeira Antonio Lucio , Nunes Maria Carmo Pereira
Published: January 2021

Objective

Ischaemic stroke is a severe complication of rheumatic heart disease (RHD), which may result in permanent disability and death. This study aimed to assess the incidence and predictors of stroke in patients with RHD in the current era of evidence-based recommendations for prevention.

Methods

Consecutive patients with RHD diagnosed by clinical and echocardiographic criteria were selected. A structured clinical and neurological assessment was performed to determine the aetiology and classification of stroke at enrolment. The primary endpoint was an ischaemic cerebrovascular event, which included fatal or non-fatal stroke. Risk of stroke was estimated accounting for competing risks.

Results

A total of 515 patients were enrolled, 438 women (85%), 46±12 years of age. The most frequent valve lesion was mixed mitral (80%). At the time of enrolment, 92 patients (18%) had a prior stroke, with anterior circulation infarction being the most frequent topography (72%). During the mean follow-up of 3.9 years, 27 patients (5.2%) had stroke with the overall incidence of 1.47 strokes per 100 patient-years. Predictors of stroke by the Cox model were prior stroke (adjusted HR 5.395, 95% CI 2.272 to 12.811), age (HR 1.591, 95% CI 1.116 to 2.269) and atrial fibrillation (AF) at baseline (HR 2.945, 95% CI 1.083 to 8.007). By considering death as a competing risk, the effect of AF on stroke risk was attenuated (HR 2.287, 95% CI 0.962 to 5.441).

Conclusions

In this large cohort of patients with RHD, stroke occurred in 5.2% of the patients, which was predicted by age, AF and prior stroke. The effect of AF on stroke risk estimation was influenced by death as competing risk.
Influence of the nozzle head geometry on the energy flux of an atmospheric pressure plasma jet
Authors: Kewitz Thorben , Regula Christoph , Fröhlich Maik , Ihde Jörg , Kersten Holger
Published: January 2021

The influence of different nozzle head geometries and, therefore, the variation of the excitation and relaxation volume on the energy flux from an atmospheric pressure plasma jet to a surface have been investigated. Measurements have been performed by passive calorimetric probes under variation of the gas flow through the nozzle. The results show that the geometry of the nozzle head has a significant impact on the resulting energy flux. The relaxation volume affects the dependence of the energy flux on the gas flow. While there is no significant influence of the working gas flow on the energy flux without a relaxation volume, utilizing a relaxation volume leads to a decrease of the energy flux with increasing working gas flow. Within the analyzed parameter range, the energy flux reveals for both nozzle heads a linear dependency on the applied primary voltage.
High frequency gravitational waves from spin-3/2 fields
Authors: Benakli Karim
Published: January 2021

We point out the peculiar form of the gravitational wave signal expected from a gas of particles carry spin-3/2 produced during preheating. Given the very few ways that gravitinos can manifest themselves in an experimentally observable way, we stress the importance of improving the sensitivity of ultrahigh frequency detectors in the future. This review is based on work that appeared in Ref. 1.
Computational simulation of al-based alloy surface structure dislocation: the first-principles calculation and atomic pair-potential lattice dynamics calculation
Authors: Huo Jin-Rong , Yang Hou-Yong , Wang Jia , He Chao-Zheng
Published: January 2021

In this paper, the first-principles calculation methods are used to obtain the generalized stacking fault (GSF) energy of Al and Al alloy surface structures. At the same time, after obtaining the atomic pair potential, GSF energy is calculated by the means of atomic simulation simultaneously. By comparison, the calculation of GSF energy at different scales is consistent and the study of GSF energy from different scale level with an acceptable accuracy is realized. For the study of surface structure dislocation defects, the calculation of antiphase boundary (APB) energy is pretty significant. By means of the atomic pair potential, we calculate the APB energy of surface structure of the NiAl, FeAl and CoAl binary Al-based alloys. Therefore, in this paper, the surface structural dislocation of Al-base binary alloys was studied on different scales.
Introduction to the Theme “Old and New Toxicology: Interfaces with Pharmacology”
Authors: Costa Max , Blaschke Terrence F. , Amara Susan G. , Meyer Urs A. , Insel Paul A.
Published: January 2021

The theme of Volume 61 is “Old and New Toxicology: Interfaces with Pharmacology.” Old toxicology is exemplified by the authors of the autobiographical articles: B.M. Olivera's work on toxins and venoms from cone snails and P. Taylor's studies of acetylcholinesterase and the nicotinic cholinergic receptor, which serve as sites of action for numerous pesticides and venoms. Other articles in this volume focus on new understanding and new types of toxicology, including ( a) arsenic toxicity, which is an ancient poison that, through evolution, has caused most multicellular organisms to express an active arsenic methyltransferase to methylate arsenite, which accelerates the excretion of arsenic from the body; ( b) small molecules that react with lipid dicarbonyls, which are now considered the most toxic oxidative stress end products; ( c) immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), which have revolutionized cancer therapy but have numerous immune-related adverse events, including cardiovascular complications; ( d) autoimmunity caused by the environment; ( e) idiosyncratic drug-induced liver disease, which together with the toxicity of ICIs represents new toxicology interfacing with pharmacology; and ( f) sex differences in the development of cardiovascular disease, with men more susceptible than women to vascular inflammation that initiates and perpetuates disease. These articles and others in Volume 61 reflect the interface and close integration of pharmacology and toxicology that began long ago but continues today.
A New Numerical Approach for Solving 1D Fractional Diffusion-Wave Equation
Authors: Ali Umair , Khan Muhammad Asim , Khater Mostafa M. A. , Mousa A. A. , Attia Raghda A. M.
Published: January 2021

Fractional derivative is nonlocal, which is more suitable to simulate physical phenomena and provides more accurate models of physical systems such as earthquake vibration and polymers. The present study suggested a new numerical approach for the fractional diffusion-wave equation (FDWE). The fractional-order derivative is in the Riemann-Liouville (R-L) sense. Discussed the theoretical analysis of stability, consistency, and convergence. The numerical examples demonstrate that the method is more workable and excellently holds the theoretical analysis, showing the scheme’s feasibility.
Development and Validation of a Complexometric and Potentiometric Titration Method for the Quantitative Determination of Zinc Pyrithione in Shampoo
Authors: Egurrola Greciel E. , Mazabel Angela P. , García Johnbrynner
Published: January 2021

Most of the pharmaceutical and cosmetic products used for the treatment of dandruff have zinc pyrithione as an active ingredient; therefore; quantifying this component becomes necessary. The purpose of this study was the validation of two simple and fast methodologies in the quantification of zinc pyrithione for shampoo quality control to guarantee consumer safety. The first method comprised a manual complexometric titration, and the second comprised a potentiometric titration performed with an automatic titrator, obtaining sensitivity values of 0.0534% and 0.0038%, respectively, precision expressed in RSD% values below than 1%, and accuracy in recovery percentage greater than 99%. Additionally, both methods were robust when subjected to significant changes in working conditions (temperature and pH) and were selective even in the presence of interferences and degradation products. Finally, the methodologies were adequate to ensure the quality of shampoo to ensure the safety of consumers.
Edge Computing‐ and H∞‐Switching‐Based Networked Control for Frequency Control in Multi‐Microgrids with Time Delays
Authors: Yang Peng , Guo Wei , Wu Guanghua , Wang Cong , Zhang Kai , Zhang Ran
Published: January 2021

The frequency stability of multi‐microgrids is easily affected by random load fluctuations and intermittent renewable resources. Additionally, geographically distributed generation equipment usually cannot adopt the “point‐to‐point” dedicated communication scheme to realize the information exchange considering the construction and computation costs. Therefore, a H∞‐switching frequency control strategy for multi‐microgrids based on edge computing framework is proposed in this paper. Firstly, an edge computing device is set up in each microgrid to collect the operation statuses of local participating equipment and generate the control instructions to ensure the real‐time local frequency stability. Secondly, the multihop data transmission process in edge computing environment is described as a cascade queuing model. Then, the frequency control system in each microgrid is described as a switching model dependent on the varying time delays. Finally, via constructing a Lyapunov function, the constraints of the controller gains ensuring the H∞‐damping performance for external load demands and the renewable outputs are derived at the same time. Simulation results show that compared with the traditional centralized control schemes, the peak value of our proposed edge computing framework is reduced by 32.51% compared with the traditional centralized control scheme. Moreover, under the same edge computing framework, the integral of absolute error (IAE) of frequency with the proposed H∞ control strategy can be reduced by 37.19% at least. Therefore, a better transient performance can be obtained with our proposed method.