bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feasibility of using acceleration-derived jerk to quantify bimanual arm use
Authors: Pan Ying-Chun , Goodwin Brianna , Sabelhaus Emily , Peters Keshia M. , Bjornson Kristie F. , Pham Kelly L. D. , Walker William , Steele Katherine M.
Published: March 2020

Background

Accelerometers have become common for evaluating the efficacy of rehabilitation for patients with neurologic disorders. For example, metrics like use ratio (UR) and magnitude ratio (MR) have been shown to differentiate movement patterns of children with cerebral palsy (CP) compared to typically-developing (TD) peers. However, these metrics are calculated from “activity counts” – a measure based on proprietary algorithms that approximate movement duration and intensity from raw accelerometer data. Algorithms used to calculate activity counts vary between devices, limiting comparisons of clinical and research results. The goal of this research was to develop complementary metrics based on raw accelerometer data to analyze arm movement after neurologic injury.

Method

We calculated jerk, the derivative of acceleration, to evaluate arm movement from accelerometer data. To complement current measures, we calculated jerk ratio (JR) as the relative jerk magnitude of the dominant (non-paretic) and non-dominant (paretic) arms. We evaluated the JR distribution between arms and calculated the 50th percentile of the JR distribution (JR50). To evaluate these metrics, we analyzed bimanual accelerometry data for five children with hemiplegic CP who underwent Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) and five typically developing (TD) children. We compared JR between the CP and TD cohorts, and to activity count metrics.

Results

The JR50 differentiated between the CP and TD cohorts (CP = 0.578 ± 0.041 before CIMT, TD = 0.506 ± 0.026), demonstrating increased reliance on the dominant arm for the CP cohort. Jerk metrics also quantified changes in arm use during and after therapy (e.g., JR50 = 0.378 ± 0.125 during CIMT, 0.591 ± 0.057 after CIMT). The JR was strongly correlated with UR and MR (r = − 0.92, 0.89) for the CP cohort. For the TD cohort, JR50 was repeatable across three data collection periods with an average similarity of 0.945 ± 0.015.

Conclusions

Acceleration-derived jerk captured differences in motion between TD and CP cohorts and correlated with activity count metrics. The code for calculating and plotting JR is open-source and available for others to use and build upon. By identifying device-independent metrics that can quantify arm movement in daily life, we hope to facilitate collaboration for rehabilitation research using wearable technologies.
Indirubin, a small molecular deriving from connectivity map (CMAP) screening, ameliorates obesity-induced metabolic dysfunction by enhancing brown adipose thermogenesis and white adipose browning
Authors: Wei Gang , Sun Honglin , Liu Jun-li , Dong Kai , Liu Junli , Zhang Min
Published: March 2020

Background

Obesity occurs when the body’s energy intake is constantly greater than its energy consumption and the pharmacological enhancing the activity of brown adipose tissue (BAT) and (or) browning of white adipose tissue (WAT) has been considered promising strategies to treat obesity.

Methods

In this study, we took a multi-pronged approach to screen UCP1 activators, including in silico predictions, in vitro assays, as well as in vivo experiments.

Results

Base on Connectivity MAP (CMAP) screening, we obtained multiple drugs that possess a remarkably correlating gene expression pattern to that of enhancing activity in BAT and (or) sWAT signature. Particularly, we focused on a previously unreported drug-indirubin, a compound obtained from the Indigo plant, which is now mainly used for the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). In the current study, our results shown that indirubin could enhance the BAT activity, as evidenced by up-regulated Ucp1 expression and enhanced mitochondrial respiratory function in vitro cellular model. Furthermore, indirubin treatment restrained high-fat diet (HFD)-induced body weight gain, improved glucose homeostasis and ameliorated hepatic steatosis which were associated with the increase of energy expenditure in the mice model. Moreover, we revealed that indirubin treatment increased BAT activity by promoting thermogenesis and mitochondrial biogenesis in BAT and induced browning of subcutaneous inguinal white adipose tissue (sWAT) of mice under HFD. Besides, our results indicated that indirubin induced UCP1 expression in brown adipocytes, at least in part, via activation of PKA and p38MAPK signaling pathways.

Conclusions

Our results clearly show that as an effective BAT (as well as beige cells) activator, indirubin may have a protective effect on the prevention and treatment of obesity and its complications.
Implementation process and outcomes of a mental health programme integrated in primary care clinics in rural Mexico: a mixed-methods study
Authors: Miguel-Esponda Georgina , Bohm-Levine Nathaniel , Rodríguez-Cuevas Fátima Gabriela , Cohen Alex , Kakuma Ritsuko
Published: March 2020

Background

Policies and programmes in Mexico promote the integration of mental health services into primary health care (PHC), however these services remain largely unavailable in the country. Since 2014 a non-governmental organisation has delivered a mental health programme at PHC clinics in the state of Chiapas, in partnership with the local Ministry of Health (MoH). The programme provides mental health services based on the mhGAP guidelines through multiple implementation strategies, including programme financing, infrastructure strengthening, high-intensity training, and supervision. This study aimed to examine the implementation process and outcomes of this mental health programme to understand the extent to which mental health care integration has been achieved and to identify the successes and remaining challenges in order to inform the development and implementation of similar programmes.

Methods

We used a mixed-methods convergent design. Quantitative data for the period between December 2016 and December 2017 were extracted from the organisation’s health information system to capture process indicators, including the amount (dose) and quality (fidelity) of services delivered. We conducted two focus groups and 24 semi-structured interviews with health providers and managers to ascertain implementation outcome data: penetration, fidelity, acceptability, appropriateness and feasibility. Quantitative and qualitative data were analysed using descriptive and framework analyses, respectively.

Results

During the study period, health providers delivered mental health consultations to 486 adults diagnosed with a mood or anxiety disorder. Programme fidelity was limited given that talk-based interventions, which are required in all consultations according to programme guidelines, were only provided in 24% of consultations. Only 42% of service users attended more than 50% of scheduled mental health follow-up consultations, which also hindered fidelity. Low attendance is partially attributed to limited programme appropriateness, given that interventions to address social risk factors are not available. High levels of acceptability and feasibility enabled through strong support from the organisation were key programme strengths.

Conclusions

Mental health programmes at PHC can be implemented when adequate support and supervision structures are in place, and key resources are available. There is an urgent need for health systems strengthening to support efforts to provide mental health care, and to link PHC with locally-relevant social interventions.
Time in range: a new parameter to evaluate blood glucose control in patients with diabetes
Authors: Gabbay Monica Andrade Lima , Rodacki Melanie , Calliari Luis Eduardo , Vianna Andre Gustavo Daher , Krakauer Marcio , Pinto Mauro Scharf , Reis Janice Sepúlveda , Puñales Marcia , Miranda Leonardo Garcia , Ramalho Ana Claudia , Franco Denise Reis , Pedrosa Hermelinda Pedrosa Cordeiro
Published: March 2020

The International Consensus in Time in Range (TIR) was recently released and defined the concept of the time spent in the target range between 70 and 180 mg/dL while reducing time in hypoglycemia, for patients using Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM). TIR was validated as an outcome measures for clinical Trials complementing other components of glycemic control like Blood glucose and HbA1c. The challenge is to implement this practice more widely in countries with a limited health public and private budget as it occurs in Brazil. Could CGM be used intermittently? Could self-monitoring blood glucose obtained at different times of the day, with the amount of data high enough be used? More studies should be done, especially cost-effective studies to help understand the possibility of having sensors and include TIR evaluation in clinical practice nationwide.
Cross-sectional study of the association between skin tags and vascular risk factors in a bariatric clinic-based cohort of Irish adults with morbid obesity
Authors: Fang Clarissa Ern Hui , Crowe Catherine , Murphy Annette , O’Donnell Martin , Finucane Francis M.
Published: March 2020

Objective

Skin tags are associated with an insulin resistant phenotype but studies in White Europeans with morbid obesity are lacking. We sought to determine whether the presence of cervical or axillary skin tags was associated with increased cardiovascular risk in Irish adults with morbid obesity. We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients attending our Irish regional bariatric centre with a BMI ≥ 40 kg m−2(or ≥ 35 kg m−2with co-morbidities). We compared anthropometric and metabolic characteristics in those with versus without skin tags.

Results

Of 164 patients, 100 (31 male, 37 with type 2 diabetes, 36 on lipid lowering therapy, 41 on antihypertensive therapy) participated. Mean age was 53.7 ± 11.3 (range 31.1–80) years. Cervical or axillary tags were present in 85 patients. Those with tags had higher systolic blood pressure 138.0 ± 16.0 versus 125.1 ± 8.3 mmHg, p = 0.003) and HbA1c (46.5 ± 13.2 versus 36.8 ± 3.5 mmol/mol, p = 0.017). Tags were present in 94.6% of patients with diabetes, compared to 79.4% of those without diabetes (p = 0.039). Antihypertensive therapy was used by 45.8% of patients with skin tags compared to 13.3% without tags (p = 0.018). In bariatric clinic attenders skin tags were associated with higher SBP and HbA1c and a higher prevalence of diabetes and hypertension, consistent with increased vascular risk, but lipid profiles were similar.
The invariant subspace method for solving nonlinear fractional partial differential equations with generalized fractional derivatives
Authors: Abdel Latif Mohamed S. , Abdel Kader Abass H. , Baleanu Dumitru
Published: March 2020

In this paper, we show that the invariant subspace method can be successfully utilized to get exact solutions for nonlinear fractional partial differential equations with generalized fractional derivatives. Using the invariant subspace method, some exact solutions have been obtained for the time fractional Hunter–Saxton equation, a time fractional nonlinear diffusion equation, a time fractional thin-film equation, the fractional Whitman–Broer–Kaup-type equation, and a system of time fractional diffusion equations.
On Hilfer fractional difference operator
Authors: Haider Syed Sabyel , Rehman Mujeeb ur , Abdeljawad Thabet
Published: March 2020

In this article, a new definition of fractional Hilfer difference operator is introduced. Definition based properties are developed and utilized to construct fixed point operator for fractional order Hilfer difference equations with initial condition. We acquire some conditions for existence, uniqueness, Ulam–Hyers, and Ulam–Hyers–Rassias stability. Modified Gronwall’s inequality is presented for discrete calculus with the delta difference operator.
Bioenergy plants’ potential for contributing to heat generation in Germany
Authors: Steubing M. , Dotzauer M. , Zakaluk T. , Wern B. , Noll F. , Thraen D.
Published: March 2020

Background

The Paris Climate Agreement requires a rapid and efficient shift to renewable energies and a decarbonization of the energy system. Combined heat and power provision from biomass is one way to efficiently provide renewable heat. Despite this, many bioenergy plants in Germany are mainly used to generate electricity and the provision of externally usable heat still has untapped potential. In this study, we investigated gross quantities as well as the economically viable potential of Germany’s current bioenergy plant stock in supplying renewable heat.

Methods

We used a top-down GIS modeling approach to spatially and explicitly assess the heat demand of three different categories of heat sinks at sub-municipal level. These included residential, commercial, and industrial areas, as well as large individual heat consumers. We then calculated the plant-specific heat sales potential for two different district heating network options. In addition, we developed a method for assessing the economic efficiency of the previously identified technical heat sales volume for a set of 20 different clusters of bioenergy plants.

Results

The results show that about 50% of the bioenergy plants have potential heat consumers in their immediate proximity. The overall technical heat sales potential for all three categories totals around 150 TWhth/a. However, this potential is not evenly distributed throughout Germany. Certain regions appear to be more favorable for investing in district heating networks powered by heat from biomass. The economically viable heat sales potential related to electrical energy generation ranges from − 0.128 to 0.160 €/kWhth.

Conclusion

We concluded that, under certain conditions such as location or supply and demand structure, German bioenergy plants have the potential to provide a significant share to renewable energies in the heating sector. In addition, the heat sales potential is highly relevant for plant operators as the importance of heat as a business segment is set to increase. Furthermore, bioenergy plants could contribute 2.1% (16.3 TWhth/a) to the total demand for space heating in Germany (765 TWhth/a) when considering certain technical and economic constraints.
Development of amoxicillin resistance in Escherichia coli after exposure to remnants of a non-related phagemid-containing E. coli: an exploratory study
Authors: Stohr Joep J. J. M. , Kluytmans-van den Bergh Marjolein F. Q. , Verhulst Carlo J. M. M. , Rossen John W. A. , Kluytmans Jan A. J. W.
Published: March 2020

Objective

To determine the effect of exposure to remnants of a phagemid-containing E. coli, killed by treatment with a propanol-based hand rub, on antimicrobial resistance in E. coli isolates.

Methods

An in vitro model was developed in which a clinical E. coli isolate (EUR1) was exposed to remnants of an E. coli K-12 strain containing a phagemid (pBS-E12) strain treated with Sterillium®. A series of 200 experiments was performed using this in vitro model. As a control, a series of 400 experiments was performed where the EUR1 was exposed either to the remnants of an E. coli K-12 strain (not containing a phagemid) (E12) treated with Sterillium® (n = 200) or to dried Sterillium® only (n = 200). The number of experiments that showed growth of an amoxicillin-resistant EUR1 isolate was evaluated in all three groups. An additional 48 experiments were performed in which a different clinical E. coli isolate (EUR2) was exposed to remnants of the pBS-E12 treated with Sterillium®. Whole-genome sequencing and phenotypic testing for AmpC beta-lactamase production was performed to investigate the mechanism behind this resistance development.

Results

In 22 (11.0%) of 200 experiments in which the EUR1 isolate was exposed to remnants of a pBS-E12 an amoxicillin-resistant mutant isolate was obtained, as opposed to only 2 (1.0%) of 200 experiments involving the exposure of the EUR1 to Sterillium® only (risk difference: 10.0%; 95% CI 5.4–14.6%)) and 1 (0.5%) of 200 experiments involving the exposure of the EUR1 isolate to the remnants of the phagemid-free E12 (risk difference: 10.5%; 95% CI 6.1–14.9%). In 1 (2.1%) of the 48 experiments in which the EUR2 isolate was exposed to remnants of a pBS-E12 an amoxicillin-resistant mutant isolate was obtained. The development of resistance in all experiments was due to mutations in the promoter/attenuator region of the chromosomal AmpC beta-lactamase (cAmpC) gene leading to cAmpC hyperproduction.

Conclusion

Exposure of an E. coli isolate to another phagemid-containing E. coli that was treated with propanol-based hand rub increased the development of amoxicillin resistance. Although phagemids are cloning vectors that are not present in clinical isolates, this finding may have implications for hand disinfection practices in healthcare facilities.
Dietary substitution of soybean oil with coconut oil in the absence of dietary antibiotics supports growth performance and immune function in nursery and grower pigs
Authors: Braundmeier-Fleming Andrea G. , Skenandore Cassandra S. , Gil Lesly , Jacobsen Victoria , Cregger Melissa , Badger Taylor , Karr Mallory , Wu Guoyao , Smith Stephen B. , Newell-Fugate Annie E.
Published: March 2020

Background

We hypothesized that supplementation of nursery and grower pig diets with coconut oil in the absence of antibiotics would yield maintenance of glucose homeostasis, growth performance, and immune function similar to what is achieved with nursery and grower pig diets containing antibiotics. Pigs received the same base treatment diets from d24 (weaning) to d71 of age and had blood and fecal samples collected on d24, d31, d45 and d71 for measurement of whole blood glucose, serum insulin, cortisol and cytokines, and fecal microbiome. Pigs had weekly weights and daily feed consumption measured throughout the study. Animals were euthanized at d71 and subcutaneous fat and ileal contents were collected for assessment for fatty acids and microbiome, respectively. Diet treatments consisted of 2% soybean oil plus antibiotics (ABX; n = 22), 2% soybean oil without antibiotics (NABX; n = 22), and 2% coconut oil without antibiotics (COC; n = 22). Statistical analysis examined the effect of diet within each timepoint using a repeated measures ANOVA.

Results

Pigs fed COC diet had decreased serum insulin levels, maintained feed intake, feed conversion and weight gain, and, based on serum cytokines and fecal microbiome, were immunologically similar to ABX-fed pigs. However, NABX-fed pigs performed similarly to the ABX-fed pigs in all parameters except for serum cytokines. Additionally, there was no difference in the incidence of diarrhea between any of the diet treatments.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that dietary antibiotics are not necessary to maintain growth performance in nursery and grower pigs. However, dietary antibiotics appear to modulate circulating cytokine levels. Dietary coconut oil is neither harmful nor helpful to growth performance or immune function in nursery and grower pigs but does modulate serum insulin levels. Therefore, while coconut oil fed at 2% by weight is a suitable substitute for dietary antibiotics, this study suggests that no substitute for dietary antibiotics is needed at all.
Lifting the veil on arid-to-hyperarid Antarctic soil microbiomes: a tale of two oases
Authors: Zhang Eden , Thibaut Loïc M. , Terauds Aleks , Raven Mark , Tanaka Mark M. , van Dorst Josie , Wong Sin Yin , Crane Sally , Ferrari Belinda C.
Published: March 2020

Background

Resident soil microbiota play key roles in sustaining the core ecosystem processes of terrestrial Antarctica, often involving unique taxa with novel functional traits. However, the full scope of biodiversity and the niche-neutral processes underlying these communities remain unclear. In this study, we combine multivariate analyses, co-occurrence networks and fitted species abundance distributions on an extensive set of bacterial, micro-eukaryote and archaeal amplicon sequencing data to unravel soil microbiome patterns of nine sites across two east Antarctic regions, the Vestfold Hills and Windmill Islands. To our knowledge, this is the first microbial biodiversity report on the hyperarid Vestfold Hills soil environment.

Results

Our findings reveal distinct regional differences in phylogenetic composition, abundance and richness amongst microbial taxa. Actinobacteria dominated soils in both regions, yet Bacteroidetes were more abundant in the Vestfold Hills compared to the Windmill Islands, which contained a high abundance of novel phyla. However, intra-region comparisons demonstrate greater homogeneity of soil microbial communities and measured environmental parameters between sites at the Vestfold Hills. Community richness is largely driven by a variable suite of parameters but robust associations between co-existing members highlight potential interactions and sharing of niche space by diverse taxa from all three microbial domains of life examined. Overall, non-neutral processes appear to structure the polar soil microbiomes studied here, with niche partitioning being particularly strong for bacterial communities at the Windmill Islands. Eukaryotic and archaeal communities reveal weaker niche-driven signatures accompanied by multimodality, suggesting the emergence of neutrality.

Conclusion

We provide new information on assemblage patterns, environmental drivers and non-random occurrences for Antarctic soil microbiomes, particularly the Vestfold Hills, where basic diversity, ecology and life history strategies of resident microbiota are largely unknown. Greater understanding of these basic ecological concepts is a pivotal step towards effective conservation management.
Living la Vida T-LoCoH: site fidelity of Florida ranched and wild white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) during the epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) transmission period
Authors: Dinh Emily T. N. , Cauvin Allison , Orange Jeremy P. , Shuman Rebecca M. , Wisely Samantha M. , Blackburn Jason K.
Published: March 2020

Background

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) is a pathogen vectored by Culicoides midges that causes significant economic loss in the cervid farming industry and affects wild deer as well. Despite this, its ecology is poorly understood. Studying movement and space use by ruminant hosts during the transmission season may elucidate EHDV ecology by identifying behaviors that can increase exposure risk. Here we compared home ranges (HRs) and site fidelity metrics within HRs using the T-LoCoH R package and GPS data from collared deer.

Methods

Here, we tested whether white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) roaming within a high-fenced, private deer farm (ranched) and native deer from nearby state-managed properties (wild) exhibited differences in home range (HR) size and usage during the 2016 and 2017 EHDV seasons. We captured male and female individuals in both years and derived seasonal HRs for both sexes and both groups for each year. HRs were calculated using a time-scale distance approach in T-LoCoH. We then derived revisitation and duration of visit metrics and compared between years, sexes, and ranched and wild deer.

Results

We found that ranched deer of both sexes tended to have smaller activity spaces (95% HR) and revisited sites within their HR more often but stayed for shorter periods than wild deer. However, core area (25% HR) sizes did not significantly differ between these groups.

Conclusions

The contrast in our findings between wild and ranched deer suggest that home range usage, rather than size, in addition to differences in population density, likely drive differences in disease exposure during the transmission period.
Prevalence of posterior alveolar bony dehiscence and fenestration in adults with posterior crossbite: a CBCT study
Authors: Choi Jin Young , Chaudhry Kishore , Parks Edwin , Ahn Ji Hyun
Published: March 2020

Background

Correcting posterior crossbite in adult patients using nonsurgical methods may involve buccolingual tooth movement. Knowing the extent of the pretreatment alveolar bony dehiscences and fenestrations in the posterior area will aid orthodontists in planning posterior crossbite patients accordingly to minimize posttreatment bony defects. Before the advent of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), observing buccal and lingual bony defects was not possible unless other treatment needs allowed for an open-flap procedure. With CBCT technology, we can now detect posterior defects with some accuracy. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of posterior alveolar bony dehiscence and fenestration in adults with posterior crossbite compared with noncrossbite adults.

Methods

The study group consisted of pretreatment CBCTs of 28 samples with at least one or more teeth in posterior crossbite or edgebite. The comparison group consisted of pretreatment CBCTs of 28 samples with no posterior crossbite or edgebite. All buccal and lingual sides of the upper and lower posterior segments were measured for the presence of dehiscence, fenestration, and combined total bony defects.

Results

The prevalence of total bony defects was higher in the study group (61.6%) than in the comparison group (52.1%) (p < 0.05). While there was no difference in prevalence between crossbite teeth in the study group and noncrossbite teeth in the comparison group, the noncrossbite teeth in the study group showed a higher prevalence of total bony defects, dehiscence, and fenestration than the noncrossbite teeth in the comparison group (p < 0.05). The prevalence of dehiscence was higher in the study group (41.2%) than in the comparison group (33.3%) (p < 0.05). Neither the prevalence of fenestration nor the mean bony defect size showed statistical significance between the two groups. First premolars showed a higher prevalence of dehiscence than other posterior teeth, and maxillary posterior teeth had a higher prevalence of fenestration than mandibular posterior teeth. Among the maxillary posterior teeth, second premolars had the least amount of fenestration.

Conclusions

Adult subjects with posterior crossbite had a higher prevalence of total bony defects and dehiscence, especially buccal dehiscence, in the posterior region than subjects with no posterior crossbite. This was due to the high prevalence observed in the noncrossbite teeth in posterior crossbite subjects.
Pitfalls of anesthetic management with the Impella® 5.0 device: a case series
Authors: Hotta Naoshi , Tsukinaga Akito , Yoshitani Kenji , Ohnishi Yoshihiko
Published: March 2020

Background

Impella® is an antegrade left ventricular assist device with a pump catheter in the left ventricle. We report three cases in which we experienced some pitfalls with circulatory management during Impella placement due to new-onset aortic insufficiency (AI) associated with device placement or the limited maximum flow rate.

Case presentation

Three patients developed new-onset AI due to Impella placement. In a patient, the total assisted flow rate was relatively low because of his large body size. In the other patients, in whom the Impella device was used in combination with percutaneous cardiopulmonary support or venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMELLA), total flow was maintained at a sufficient level.

Conclusions

New-onset of AI after Impella placement and its limited flow rate are considered to be pitfalls in circulatory management. Management with ECMELLA is considered to be effective during the acute phase when patients have decreased cardiac function.
The neoadjuvant paradigm reinvigorated: a review of pre-surgical immunotherapy in HNSCC
Authors: Stafford Margaret , Kaczmar John
Published: March 2020

Background

There remains up to a 50% recurrence rate in advanced p16- head and neck squamous cell carcinoma with current standard of care treatment. In an attempt to improve survival, multiple trials administering induction or neoadjuvant chemotherapy have been conducted but none demonstrated improved overall survival. The established efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in the recurrent and metastatic setting has produced widespread interest in their neoadjuvant use.

Purpose

To survey the landscape of active neoadjuvant immunotherapy trials in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and summarize and synthesize currently available outcomes from these trials.

Conclusions

Neoadjuvant immunotherapy has proven safe and well tolerated in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma with encouraging efficacy results, including relatively high rates of pathologic response. Ongoing studies offer an opportunity to study immune responses in vivo. PD-L1 positivity, high tumor mutational burden and infiltration of NK cells, CD8, CD26 and Tim3 positive lymphocytes at time of surgery have been correlated with pathologic responses. We await updated reports of disease free survival and overall survival data and results of ongoing phase III studies utilizing neoadjuvant immunotherapy to determine if this treatment paradigm will have a place in the standard of care treatment in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Effects of mobile phones electromagnetic radiation on patients with epilepsy: an EEG study
Authors: Azmy Radwa , Shamloul Reham , Elsawy Noha Abdalla Farag , Elkholy Saly , Maher Eman
Published: March 2020

Background

Recently, an exceptional increase was witnessed in cell phone users. The brain has greater exposure to the electromagnetic field (EMF) created during mobile phone use than the rest of the body, which may impair its function. In persons with epilepsy, the brain has more tendencies towards electrical instability.

Objectives

The current study aims at investigating the effect of mobile phone radiation (MPR) on the electroencephalogram (EEG) of persons with epilepsy as well as healthy adults.

Subjects and methods

Thirty patients with idiopathic epilepsy and 30 matching controls underwent EEG recording including 15 min of sham exposure followed by 30 min of real exposure to MPR and a final post-exposure recording for extra 15 min. The number of abnormal EEG events was counted during sham and real exposure for each subject. Correlation analysis was done between the number of epileptic events detected during the real exposure to MPR and the patients’ clinical data

Results

In the control group, the EEG under real MPR exposure showed no abnormal discharges. In persons with epilepsy, all those with abnormal EEG during sham exposure MPR (33%) showed an increase in the number of events with real exposure to MPR. One patient showed a change in the pattern of discharge from interictal changes to an ictal rhythm. Another patient with normal EEG during sham record developed temporal epileptiform discharges during real exposure.

Conclusion

Mobile phone radiation shows recognizable effects on the brain rhythm of persons with epilepsy. These results should be confirmed by future studies to establish a recommendation addressing the use of such devices in epileptic patients.
Correction to: Endovascular management of unruptured intercostal artery aneurysms
Authors: Fenwick Andrew K. C. , Omotoso Patrick , Ferguson Darren
Published: March 2020

‘In the published article (Fenwick et al., 2019) the statement under the subheading ‘Consent for publication’ is incorrect.
Correction to: The GhREV transcription factor regulate the development of shoot apical meristem in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)
Authors: YANG Doudou , AN Jing , LI Fangjun , ENEJI A. Egrinya , TIAN Xiaoli , LI Zhaohu
Published: March 2020

In the original publication of this article [1] the name of the forth author is incorrect.
Appraisal of magnetotelluric galvanic electric distortion by optimizing amplitude and phase tensor relations
Authors: Neukirch Maik , Galiana Savitri , Garcia Xavier
Published: March 2020

The introduction of the phase tensor marked a major breakthrough in the analysis and treatment of electric field galvanic distortion in the magnetotellurics method. Recently, the phase tensor formulation has been extended to a complete impedance tensor decomposition by introducing the complementary amplitude tensor, and both tensors can be further parameterized to represent geometric properties such as dimensionality, strike angle, and macroscopic anisotropy. Both tensors are characteristic for the electromagnetic induction phenomenon in the conductive subsurface with its specific geometric structure. The central hypothesis is that this coupling should result in similarities in both tensor’s geometric parameters, skew, strike, and anisotropy. A synthetic example illustrates that the undistorted amplitude tensor parameters are more similar to the phase tensor than increasingly distorted ones and provides empiric evidence for the predictability of the proposed hypothesis. Conclusions drawn are reverse engineered to produce an objective function that minimizes when amplitude and phase tensor parameter dissimilarity is, along with any present distortion, minimal. A genetic algorithm with such an objective function is used to systematically seek the distortion parameters necessary to correct any affected amplitude tensor and, thus, impedance data. The successful correction of a large synthetic impedance data set with random distortion further supports the central hypothesis and serves as comparison to the state-of-the-art. The classic BC87 data set sites lit007/ lit008 and lit901/ lit902 have been noted by various authors to contain significant distortion and a 3D regional response, thus invalidating current distortion analysis methods and eluding geologic interpretation. Correction of the BC87 responses based on the present hypothesis conforms to the regional geology.
Antinoise performance of time-reverse imaging conditions for microseismic location
Authors: Yuan Jianlong , Yu Jiashun , Fu Xiaobo , Han Chao
Published: March 2020

A suitable imaging condition is critical for the success of seismic imaging or source location. To understand what imaging condition to select for handling noisy data, the antinoise performance of the maximum amplitude imaging condition (MAIC), the autocorrelation imaging condition (ACIC), and the geometric mean imaging condition (GMIC) were comparatively studied. Synthetic microseismic data based on the Marmousi2 model, with different levels of synthetic Gaussian noise and field noise separately added, were used for tests. For Gaussian noise data, five signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio levels were considered, ranging from an absolutely clean level of [Formula: see text] to an extremely noisy level of [Formula: see text], in an increment of five times of the lower level of S/N. It was found that the antinoise ability of MAIC outperforms ACIC, and ACIC outperforms GMIC. This conclusion was confirmed to be valid for field noise in the further experiments performed, using 16 groups of industrial noise recordings from different areas. The statistical analysis shows these performance differences are statistically consistently significant. In terms of spatial resolution, it is the other way around; that is, GMIC outperforms ACIC, and ACIC outperforms MAIC. These suggest that in choosing a suitable imaging condition for time-reverse imaging location, one needs to consider the balance between the resolution demand and data quality requirement. If the data quality is very high, GMIC may be used to achieve a high-resolution location result. Conversely, if the data quality is poor, MAIC is a good choice for obtaining a robust location result. In between, ACIC or grouped GMIC is a proper approach to work out a balanced result for resolution demand and the noisy level provision.
Significant Dose–Response between Exercise Adherence and Hemoglobin A1c Change
Authors: BENHAM JAMIE L. , BOOTH JANE E. , DUNBAR MARY J. , DOUCETTE STEVE , BOULÉ NORMAND G. , KENNY GLEN P. , PRUD’HOMME DENIS , SIGAL RONALD J.
Published: March 2020

Introduction

The Diabetes Aerobic and Resistance Exercise trial found that aerobic training and resistance training alone each reduced hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) compared with nonexercising controls, and combined aerobic and resistance training caused greater HbA1c reduction than either training type alone. Our objective was to determine whether a dose–response relationship existed between frequency of exercise training and HbA1c change, and whether this varied by exercise modality or participant characteristics.

Methods

Post hoc analysis of data from 185 Diabetes Aerobic and Resistance Exercise trial participants with type 2 diabetes randomized to aerobic, resistance or combined training thrice weekly. Dose–response relationships between adherence (percent of prescribed training sessions completed) and HbA1c change were assessed with linear regression.

Results

Median overall adherence was 84.9% (interquartile range, 74.4%–93.6%). Higher exercise adherence was associated with greater HbA1c reduction; a 20% increase in adherence (e.g., an additional two sessions per month) was associated with a 0.15% (2 mmol·mol−1) decrease in HbA1c (β = −0.0076, R = −0.170, P = 0.021). Significant dose–response relationships were identified for aerobic (β = −0.0142, R = −0.313, P = 0.016) and combined training (β = −0.0109, R = −0.259, P = 0.041), but not resistance training (β = 0.0068, R = 0.153, P = 0.233). Dose–response relationships in all training groups combined were significant in subgroups younger than 55 yr (β = −0.0113, R = −0.286, P = 0.005), males (β = −0.0123, R = −0.234, P = 0.010), and baseline HbA1c ≥7.5% (58 mmol·mol−1) (β = −0.013, R = −0.263, P = 0.011).

Conclusions

There was a dose–response relationship between adherence to prescribed exercise and HbA1c reduction suggesting that glycemic control is improved more in individuals with type 2 diabetes with a higher training volume. Dose–response relationships existed for aerobic and combined training but not resistance training. These findings support aerobic and combined exercise prescriptions outlined in clinical practice guidelines.
Salivary nitric oxide, Simplified Oral Hygiene Index, and salivary flow rate in smokers and non-smokers: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Bachtiar Endang Winiati , Putri Atikah Cyntia , Bachtiar Boy Muchlis
Published: March 2020

Background: Salivary nitric oxide plays an important role as an antibacterial agent in the oral cavity. Here, we analyze salivary nitric oxide, Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S) scores and the salivary flow rate in smokers and non-smokers which has not been done previously.

Methods: A cross sectional study included 25 smokers and 25 non-smokers. Their OHI-S results were categorized as “good,” “medium,” or “bad.” Unstimulated saliva samples were collected, and their nitric oxide concentration was measured using the Griess method.

Results: The salivary flow rate in smokers was lower, at 0.30 ml/minute, compared to non-smokers who had a salivary flow rate of 0.33 ml/minute. This was statistically insignificant. There was a significant difference in the concentrations of nitric oxide between smokers and non-smokers (p < 0.05). Smokers had higher concentrations than non-smokers (185.4 µM Vs 114.60 µM). In addition, there was a moderate positive correlation (r = 0.305) between the concentration of salivary nitric oxide level and the OHI-S results.

Conclusions: It was concluded that salivary nitric oxide concentration was higher in smokers, and the oral hygiene condition of smokers was poor.
Analysis of Universities’ Readiness for the Introduction of Digital Educational Technologies and Products
Authors: Mitrofanova Elena , Mitrofanova Aleksandra
Published: March 2020

At the present stage of the information technologies development, the most important aspect of the eff ectiveness of higher education in Russia is the readiness of the higher education system in general and teachers of higher educational institutions in particular to work with digital technologies. The results of the monitoring presented in this article allow to evaluate important indicators such as the level of digital literacy of teachers, the presence of the necessary ICT competencies of teachers, and the level of development of the digital educational environment of Russian universities, including the degree of universities’ digital equipment, the use of educational software products and educational online services, the degree of development of eeducation. This study allows us to draw a number of signifi cant conclusions necessary for the development of the higher education system in Russia and the development of the necessary methodological tools for conducting a comprehensive assessment of the universities’ readiness to introduce digital educational technologies and products.
How to Ensure the Effectiveness of Corporate Onboarding Programs Today and Tomorrow
Authors: Tihonov A. , Konovalova Valeriya
Published: March 2020

The article summarizes the results of a comparative study of the eff ectiveness of popular measures included in corporate onboarding programs in foreign and Russian practice. Data are presented confi rming the positive impact of a structured and balanced onboarding process on staff recruitment and retention, indicators of engagement and performance. Along with this, there is a discrepancy between the requests of applicants and employees and the perceptions of employers when managing onboarding. It substantiates recommendations on expanding the practice of socializing new employees, introducing them to the norms of corporate culture, introducing separate tools for communication, conducting joint events, lengthening onboarding programs and their personalization, and using niche training and microtraining during the adaptation period. The necessity of refl ecting in the onboarding programs changes in the structure of the workforce, including “alternative workforce” is emphasized.
Urban-rural differences of free activities in children of age 11-14
Authors: Brestovci Shqipe Bajcinca , Morina Besnik , Berisha Mentor
Published: March 2020

Objectives: The problem of the research is to investigate the situation of free activities of primary school students in urban and rural areas in Kosovo. The subject of the research is male and female third level elementary school students (grades 6, 7, 8, 9) in urban and rural areas. In accordance with the object and the problem defined in this research, the main purpose of the research is also defined. The main purpose of this research is to determine what children do during their free time, as well as to look at the differences between children in urban and rural areas. Methods: The research was conducted in a sample consisting of 413 boys and girls (11 – 14) attending elementary school. The total sample includes 413 respondents, 202 boys and 211 girls. The sample is divided into the following sub-samples: 115 eleven year old male and female students, 144 twelve year old male and female students, 97 thirteen year old male and female students, 57 fourteen year old male and female students. The research material was collected in 2017. To assess what the students do more in their spare time a questionnaire called "My Lifestyle" was used. Results: Research results show that the most frequent forms of leisure time spending are: listening to music, meeting friends, playing with friends, reading books and watching videos/TV. The obvious reason for this may be the lack of access to sports equipment and facilities. Conclusion: This research shows that the level of wealthier (not very high both in households and in the whole country) can have an impact on the choice of activities undertaken by young people. Undoubtedly, social and cultural as well as traditional factors also have a great influence in the way of spending free time as can be seen in the case of this study.
Current review of conections between lichen planus and mental disorders
Authors: Cholewa Krystian , Mitas Kinga , Zaremba Bartłomiej , Artykiewicz Klaudia , Kozyra Magdalena , Milanowska Joanna
Published: March 2020

The major aim of this article was to examine causal connection or temporal relation between mental disorders and lichen planus (LP). LP is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition affecting less than 1% of the adult population. It is observed in many different clinical forms, some affecting more psychical state than others. Indeed, connection exist between LP and mental state. LP as an autoimmune disease can also be aggravated by psychosocial stressors. Etiopatogenesis of LP is idiopathic and involves immunologic components. Main pathogenetic mechanism of LP include increased apoptosis of keratinocytes and decreased apoptosis of T-cells. Many authors report relationship LP between mental illness like depression and anxiety disorder or lack of emotional stability. One of the main symptoms of LP is is severe itch (present in 74 from 78 patients), which can be induced by stress.
Interfirm Ties Between Ventures and Limited Partners of Venture Capital Funds: Performance Effects in Financial Markets
Authors: Ozmel Umit , Yavuz Deniz , Trombley Tim , Gulati Ranjay
Published: March 2020

We argue that strong indirect ties are conducive to the transfer of private information, which provides an advantage in identifying profitable investment opportunities. In our context, a strong indirect tie is generated between an investor and a focal firm if the investor was a limited partner of the focal firm’s lead venture capital fund. We suggest that an investor can access private information on the focal firm’s underlying value through its strong indirect tie to the focal firm via the focal firm’s lead venture capitalist. Supporting our theory, we show that after the focal firm’s initial public offering, the investor with a strong indirect tie to the focal firm receives high risk-adjusted return when the investor chooses to invest in the focal firm’s stock in the stock exchange market. We also show that the investor’s private information attained through its strong indirect tie to the focal firm is more valuable (i) when there is higher exogenous market uncertainty and (ii) when the investor faces higher information asymmetry.
Effects of an Advancing Tenure on CEO Cognitive Complexity
Authors: Graf-Vlachy Lorenz , Bundy Jonathan , Hambrick Donald C.
Published: March 2020

We study how the cognitive complexity of chief executive officers (CEOs) changes during their tenures. Drawing from prior theory and research, we argue that CEOs attain gradually greater role-specific knowledge, or expertise, as their tenures advance, which yields more complex thinking. Beyond examining the main effect of CEO tenure on cognitive complexity, we consider three moderators of this relationship, each of which is expected to influence the accumulation of expertise over a CEO’s time in office: industry dynamism, industry jolts, and CEO positional power. We conduct our tests on a sample of 684 CEOs of public corporations. The analytic centerpiece of our study is a novel index of CEO cognitive complexity based on CEOs’ language patterns in the question-and-answer portions of quarterly conference calls. As part of our extensive theory of measurement, we provide evidence of the reliability and validity of our index. Our results indicate that CEOs, in general, experience substantial increases in cognitive complexity over their time in office. Examined moderators somewhat, but modestly, alter this general trajectory, and nonlinearities are not observed. We discuss the implications of our findings.