bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determination of Level of Lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd) Migration on Bowl and Clear Plastic Cup Using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer
Authors: Riyanti Hurip Budi , Yeni Y
Published: July 2021

Food safety is a condition and efforts needed to prevent food from biological and chemical pollutants and other things that might irritate, harm, endanger human health. So the food is safe to consume. Besides, it should not against religion, faith, and culture. Chemical pollutants may come from migration of the food container or packaging, for example from a bowl or clear plastic cup. Migration happens as a result of the high temperature of food, duration of storage, and the production process. The higher the temperature the higher the possibility of migration. The existence of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in food may be because of environmental pollution, absorption of metal from equipment. Research has been conducted on the determination of the level of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) from the migration of some bowls and plastic glasses that are available online by using spectrophotometer atomic absorption. The research is using acetic acid 4 % simulant. The sample is identified by using Near Infra-Red. The result of two kinds of plastic bowls and one kind of clear plastic cup are Polypropylene (PP). The sample is filled with acetic acid 4% simulant, stored in a dark place for twenty- four hours, then it is measured with Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). In all samples consist of two kinds of bowls and one clear plastic cup. The lead and cadmium are not detected with a limit of detection (LoD) Pb is 1.33 µg/ml dan (LoD ) Cd is 0.22 µg/ml, while the limit of quantitative (LoQ) Pb is 4.43 µg/ml and ( LoQ) Cd is 0.74 µg/ml. LoD dan LoQ for lead is too high because are using AAS Flame, while ideally using AAS Graphite Furnace.
Diversity of insect pollinator on farmland near to mount Ciremai National Park
Authors: Nurlaila Ai , Karyaningsih Ika , Herlina Nina , Nasihin Iing , Yudayana Bambang
Published: July 2021

The purpose of this study was to determine the diversity and abundance of insect pollinator and to determine the correlation of insect pollinator to the distance between farmland and the conservation area of Mount Ciremai National Park (MCNP). The method used is scan sampling. Traps were installed sequentially at intervals of 100m, with 5 observation points (100 m, 200 m, 300 m, 400 m, and 500 m) with 3 replications. There are 573 individual insects found, with a value of H '= 3.285 (moderate diversity). There are 94 individuals (relative abundance = 16.4%) were insect pollinator, consisting of 3 orders, 7 families, and 8 species. The pollinator species found were: Anopilus, Athyma perius, Campsomeris plumipes fossulana, Erynnis tages, Pison spinolae, Syrphus ribesii, Vanessa sp, and Xylocopa. The order of Hymenoptera was most found followed by the order of Lepidoptera and Diptera. The distance between farmland and the MCNP area has a positive correlation (r = 0.592) with the amount of pollinator, meaning that the amount of pollinator increases as the distance between farmland and the MCNP area increases. The distance between farmland and the MCNP area has a negative correlation (r = -0.576) with the amount of insect species, meaning that the distance the farmland to the MCNP area increasingly, more insect species are found.
Diversity and abundance of insect pollinator on dimocarpus longan l. in Sawitsari research station, Sleman, Yogyakarta
Authors: Riswanta Ultha Rifqy , Aditya Nico Chandra , Sobri Anas , Sukirno Sukirno
Published: July 2021

Kelengkeng Super Sleman (KSS) is a new variety of Dimocarpus longan L. developed at Sawitsari Research Station, Sleman, Yogyakarta. As the key of agroecosystems, insects play an important role in aiding the process of pollination of flowers. The research was aimed to study the diversity and pollination effectivity of insect pollinators on Kelengkeng Super Sleman (Dimocarpus longan L.) in Sawitsari Research Station, Sleman, Yogyakarta. The purposive sampling method including active and passive was used to explore the diversity of insect pollinators. Observation was conducted on three ranges of time, morning (08.00 to 09.00 am), noon (11.00 am to 12.00 pm), and evening (03.00 to 05.00 pm). The result showed that 19 families identified and 21 families unidentified from active and passive methods with Calliphoridae and Formicidae had the highest flower-visiting activity in the morning, noon, and evening. Besides that, uncovered panicles successfully pollinated with an average of 114 flowers, while covered panicles only 43 flowers. In conclusion, both Calliphoridae and Formicidae were the most KSS pollinators and the flower cover hinders the pollination process.
Study of proximate composition, antioxidant activity and sensory evaluation of cooked rice with addition of cherry (Muntingia calabura) leaf extract.
Authors: Bait Yoyanda , Marseno Djagal Wiseso , Santoso Umar , Marsono Yustinus
Published: July 2021

The aim of this study is to analysis the composition of proximate, antioxidant activity and sensory test of rice cooked from rice that has been added with cherry leaf extract. The ingredients used are rice without addition (NF0) and that has been added cherry leaf extract with a concentration of 20% (NF20). Rice is added water in a ratio of 1:2, then cook using a rice cooker until cooked through. Parameters tested in this study are proximate composition, total phenolics, total flavonoids, antioxidant activity, and sensory tests (color, taste, aroma, texture, overall). Proximate composition of the cooked rice showed the presence of quantities of total ash (0.27 – 0.24%), carbohydrate (83.15 – 82.72%), protein (8.05% - 8.16%) and fat (0.43-0.46%). This result showed that NF20 have high quantities on protein and fat than NF0. Phenolic, flavonoid and antioxidant levels of NF20 were higher than NF0 (66.79 mg GAE/g extract; 38.10 mg Quersetin/g extract; 87.16%). Sensory evaluation results of color, aroma, and taste showed that NF20 and NF0, are in the “neutral” range.
Study of rice seed certification at the Gorontalo Province seed certification supervision center
Authors: Indrianti Merita Ayu , Hala Jefri , Mokoginta Meity Melani , Ervandi Mohamad , Fahrullah
Published: July 2021

This research aimed to determine the management system of rice seed certification in the Seed Certification Office at Gorontalo Province and determine the obstacles of the system. This research was conducted at Gorontalo Seed Center. The research applied survey design. There were 4 informants in this research. The procedures of rice seed certification system at the seed certification office are as follow: applications for food crop certification, verification of seed source, inspection of field, plant isolation and harvest equipment, seed sampling and quality testing, labelling and issuance seeds contains high level of water and low physical quality, it can be reprocessed to be re-sampled. If it does not pass seed germination test, then the existing samples can be retested without taking samples in the field.
Effect of Heterogeneity of Reservoir Properties on Sandstone Formations in Oil Recovery
Authors: Samsol  , Rahmawan Sigit , Ridaliani Onnie
Published: July 2021

The case study for this research is an oil field with sandstone formations. The background of this problem is that many oil fields in Indonesia have been operating for a long time. The method used to analysis heterogeneity and its effect on oil recovery was carried out by using Dykstra Parson[1] analysis, analysis of porosity and permeability data distribution, analysis of the calculation of the mobility ratio[2][3]. Furthermore, it can be calculated the efficiency of oil sweeping[4][2]. Based on the Dykstra Parson analysis, the value obtained is 0.93 and the mobility ratio is more than 1. The next method is to determine the efficiency of mobility (sweep efficiency) which is associated with the average standard deviation of the values of porosity and permeability. The mobility efficiency value of this field is 47.12%. From the relationship between the value of mobility efficiency to the standard deviation of porosity and permeability, it shows that the greater the standard deviation value, the smaller the oil sweeping gain. Finally, this research aims to know the heterogeneity of the rocks to obtain predictions of oil recovery.
Allicin Chemical Stability Test in the Phytosome of Garlic Extract (Allium sativum L)
Authors: Elfiyani Rahmah , Amalia Anisa , Chenia Adesi
Published: July 2021

Allicin contained in garlic extract is unstable at high temperatures. Meanwhile, this compound has the potential to be widely used as an antidiabetic. One way to optimize the use of allicin is by using a phytosome delivery system that can protect allicin so that it does not degradation easily. The purpose of this study was to determine the storage temperature which indicates the slow rate of degradation of allicin in the phytosomes of garlic extract (PGE). PGE were stored for 8 weeks at 4°C, 25°C and 40°C. Allicin content were measured every 2 weeks using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The results of the degradation rate of allicin in PGE at temperatures of 40C; 250C; 400C were 0.0191; 0.0185; 0.0212, respectively. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the storage temperature of 250C showed the degradation rate of allicin in the PGE is slower than the other storage temperatures.
Spatial Analysis of Rainfall Return Period and Probable Maximum Precipitation over Central Java - Indonesia
Authors: Sekaranom Andung Bayu , Fianggoro Muhammad , Wicaksono Rinut Manuhana
Published: July 2021

Most of the lowlands and coastal area in Indonesia are highly affected by flood hazards, particularly Central Java Area. The flood hazards are often associated with extreme precipitation that occur in long duration. This research aims to identify the spatial distribution of extreme precipitations based on daily rain gauge precipitation data over Central Java. Daily precipitation data from 1998-2010 were obtained from rain gauge stations from Indonesian Bureau of Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics (BMKG). Extreme precipitation identification taken by precipitation threshold, return period rainfall, and probable maximum precipitation (PMP). The results indicate that extreme precipitation occurs mainly in the lowlands and coastal areas over the northern and southern part of Central Java. The distribution of extreme precipitation could be utilized to map the susceptible area affected by floods, such as Tegal, Pekalongan, Kendal, Semarang, Demak, Purworejo, Kebumen, Kutoarjo, Gombong, and Cilacap.
Analysis of the Economic and Environmental Feasibility of a Home Automation System
Authors: Pico G. , Llosas Y. , Maques P. , Mendoza E. , Nuñez R. , Castro N. , Nuñez J.
Published: July 2021

The current research was carried out to analyze the economic feasibility and contribution to homes and buildings automation in the field of environmental protection. The objective that led this study was to explore and investigate the increase in comfort and safety, as well as, the reduction in the electrical energy consumption, so that, it is possible to achieve greater energy efficiency in the No 3 building at the Technical University of Manabí (UTM) in Ecuador. In order to, investigate deeply the economic feasibility; it is relevant to be aware of the electric power and automation equipment cost that will be integrated into the Z-wave protocol. Moreover, the electric bill study contracted by the UTM this was developed initially with the monetary value of the electric power, which was regulated by the Electricity Control Agency. On regards to the environmental analysis, it was shown that the projection uses of the domotic system in the teaching building No. 3, not only reflected some economic and energy savings but also, it presented a considerable contribution to the environment, due to, the emissions reduction in CO2 to the atmosphere. To accomplish this environmental analysis, the CO2 Emission Factor was considered, regulated by the Ministry of the Environment, which is 0.7079 Kg CO2/kWh. It is important to mention that this value is applicable to all systems that are connected to the national electrical system. To validate the fulfillment of the outlined objective, it was considered two very important scenarios. The first one reflected the reduction of polluting emissions to the atmosphere, because of the use of the photovoltaic located in this build. The second one referred to the theoretical energy saving that will be obtained as the implementation of the home automation system.
Recognition of Colombian Alphabeth in Sign Language Using Deep Learning Techniques
Authors: Arrieta-Rodríguez E , Monterroza-Barrios R E , Torres-Alvarez P L , Castro-Lozano G E
Published: July 2021

This work presents the development of an algorithm for sign language alphabet recognition Colombian in images, using the deep learning technique. For this, a data set consisting of each letter of the alphabet from A up to Z and a total of 4043 images with a resolution of 150×150 pixels of 3 channels, a red neural was built convolutional with 256 layers, with an accuracy of 75%.
Simulation-aided walking pattern generation for a humanoid robotic platform
Authors: Velásquez Sergio Zapata , Mora Orozco Iván Darío , Guerrero Gustavo Suárez , Jara Wuitman Garrafa
Published: July 2021

Bipedal locomotion is one of the main research topics in humanoid robotics due to the complexity of generating dynamically stable gait patterns in robots that are generally very unstable. Good walking performance requires diverse and complex control strategies based on a mathematical model of the robot. Here, a methodology to easily generate stable bipedal locomotion patterns in a humanoid robotic platform is presented. Using a simulation environment and a simple programming method, the robot gait, stability and general behaviour are first simulated and then transferred to the actual machine. Three gait patterns are developed according to the biomechanics of human walking and validated using a humanoid robot platform. The robot exhibits good performance in terms of stability, displacement and velocity. The proposed methodology allows the study of locomotion in biped robots and can serve as a basis for developing controls in closed-loop schemes.
Topology optimization and additive manufacturing in the building and construction industry
Authors: Barragan G A , Perafan J , Urrea G
Published: July 2021

A systematic review covering Topology optimization and Additive manufacturing has been conducted. Covering areas such as its application on the building and construction industry and the potential of its mixed-use. The results found shows the increased interest of the research in this area during the last decade and the vast potential of its full application for safety improvements and resource efficiency.
AISI SAE 1045 steel tenacity variation evaluation subjected to corrosion process by chloride using the Charpy pendulum machine
Authors: Cárdenas-Arias C G , Rincón-Quintero A D , Sandoval-Rodriguez C L , Tarazona-Romero B E , Muñoz-Gutierrez J S , Jímenez-Rueda J L , Acosta-Cárdenas O A
Published: July 2021

The steel corrosion affecting study is important for industries and companies as well as for manufacturers of these material types. AISI SAE 1045 steel was used in this study, due to its frequent use. A specimen’s series were prepared which were induced in an aggressive environment with the aim of degenerative process accelerating by increasing the material corrosion impact by altering the material mechanical properties. 15 specimens were exposed to the fog bank chamber, likewise 15 specimens in saline immersion chamber all with different exposure times 15. 30, and 45 days, subsequently the specimens are the impact test subjected to by the method of Charpy obtaining the tenacity value. To determine these values, the ASTM E23, ASTM A673 and ASTM E739 standards were used.
Development of A Station for The Measurement of Environmental Conditions in The Unidades Tecnologicas De Santander (UTS), Using Telemetry and Database Management with Raspberry Pi
Authors: Quintero Ruiz A , Sandoval-Rodriguez C L , Rincon-Quintero A D , Tarazona-Romero B E , Cárdenas-Arias C G , Ascanio-Villabona J G
Published: July 2021

This article focuses on the development of an electronic remote data acquisition system which will have the following sensors adapted: thermometer, hygrometer and barometer. From the measurements of these will be obtained data of temperature, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure, which will be stored in the form of records in a data recorder using Raspberry Pi and through wireless communication the data will be transmitted when the software requires it to a module Central of visualization, which according to some parameters will automatically update the histories according to the defined times, or at the request of the user. It will be implemented following a process of research, planning, execution and validation. It implies the necessary information for the implementation, in the planning process the different systems to be used will be divided into 3 groups, measurement and registration system, communication system and a control system composed of the software, and then the acquisition will proceed of the equipment and accessories necessary to execute the assembly.

In the execution process, the physical implementation of all the systems will be carried out and the programming of the data acquisition, communication and data storage systems will be developed.
Synthesis and characterization of potassium-doped multilayer graphene prepared by wet process using potassium hydroxide
Authors: Masuzawa Tomoaki , Okigawa Yuki , Ogawa Shuichi , Takakuwa Yuji , Hatakeyama Kazuto , Yamada Takatoshi
Published: July 2021

Potassium (K) doping of multilayer graphene was demonstrated by means of a wet chemical process using potassium hydroxide (KOH) aqueous solution (KOH treatment). The presence of K atoms along the stacking direction was confirmed from depth profiles of 41K+ ions obtained by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (TOF-SIMS). The intensity images of 41K+ ions obtained by TOF-SIMS suggested that the K atoms existed throughout the whole area. For the KOH-treated multilayer graphene, no peak due to K intercalation between graphene layers was obtained by x-ray diffraction (XRD); in Raman spectra, splitting of the G-band peak and disappearance of the 2D-band peak were not observed. A graphite intercalation compound structure was not determined by either XRD or Raman results. However, the up-shift in the G-band peak position in the Raman spectra suggested that K atoms were doped in the graphene. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy carbon 1s spectra implied that KOH treatment resulted in K-termination at the edges and/or domains of graphene. In addition, a C1s shoulder peak appeared at 1 eV higher binding energy compared to the C1s peak of pristine graphene. Temperature-dependent conductivity measurement results indicated that the conductivity of multilayer graphene was increased by KOH treatment. In addition, the conductivity increased with increasing temperature, which could be explained by band overlap.
p52Shc regulates the sustainability of ERK activation in a RAF-independent manner
Authors: Yoshizawa Ryo , Umeki Nobuhisa , Yamamoto Akihiro , Okada Mariko , Murata Masayuki , Sako Yasushi
Published: July 2021

SHC and GRB2 transduce ERBB signals to the cytoplasm. Unexpectedly, these proteins show distinct translocation dynamics. Sustained SHC dynamics induces sustained ERK activation via a pathway from PI3K to MEK.
Survey of cancer cell anatomy in nonadhesive confinement reveals a role for filamin-A and fascin-1 in leader bleb–based migration
Authors: Adams Gregory , López Magdalena Preciado , Cartagena-Rivera Alexander X. , Waterman Clare M.
Published: July 2021

We analyzed the localization of fluorescently tagged organelle-specific markers and actin-associated proteins in human melanoma and osteosarcoma cells undergoing leader bleb-based migration (LBBM) in nonadhesive confinement. It is also found that filamin-A and fascin-1 are important regulators in LBBM.
From Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time to Antifactor Xa and Back Again
Authors: May Jori E , Siniard Rance Chad , Taylor Laura J , Marques Marisa B , Gangaraju Radhika
Published: July 2021

Objectives

Monitoring is essential to safe anticoagulation prescribing and requires close collaboration among pathologists, clinicians, and pharmacists.

Methods

We describe our experience in the evolving strategy for laboratory testing of unfractionated heparin (UFH).

Results

An intrainstitutional investigation revealed significant discordance between activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and antifactor Xa (anti-Xa) assays, prompting a transition from the former to the latter in 2013. With the increasing use of oral factor Xa inhibitors (eg, apixaban, rivaroxaban, edoxaban, betrixaban), which interfere with the anti-Xa assay, we adapted our protocol again to incorporate aPTT in patients admitted on oral Xa inhibitors who require transition to UFH.

Conclusions

Our experience demonstrates key challenges in anticoagulation and highlights the importance of clinical pathologists in helping health systems adapt to the changing anticoagulation landscape.
AIPW: An R Package for Augmented Inverse Probability–Weighted Estimation of Average Causal Effects
Authors: Zhong Yongqi , Kennedy Edward H , Bodnar Lisa M , Naimi Ashley I
Published: July 2021

An increasing number of recent studies have suggested that doubly robust estimators with cross-fitting should be used when estimating causal effects with machine learning methods. However, not all existing programs that implement doubly robust estimators support machine learning methods and cross-fitting, or provide estimates on multiplicative scales. To address these needs, we developed AIPW, a software package implementing augmented inverse probability weighting (AIPW) estimation of average causal effects in R (R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria). Key features of the AIPW package include cross-fitting and flexible covariate adjustment for observational studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs). In this paper, we use a simulated RCT to illustrate implementation of the AIPW estimator. We also perform a simulation study to evaluate the performance of the AIPW package compared with other doubly robust implementations, including CausalGAM, npcausal, tmle, and tmle3. Our simulation showed that the AIPW package yields performance comparable to that of other programs. Furthermore, we also found that cross-fitting substantively decreases the bias and improves the confidence interval coverage for doubly robust estimators fitted with machine learning algorithms. Our findings suggest that the AIPW package can be a useful tool for estimating average causal effects with machine learning methods in RCTs and observational studies.
Impact of smart pump-electronic health record interoperability on patient safety and finances at a community hospital
Authors: Wei Wenfei , Coffey William , Adeola Mobolaji , Abbasi Ghalib
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Integrating smart pumps with an electronic health record (EHR) reduces medication errors by automating pump programming and EHR documentation. This study describes the patient safety and financial impact of pump-EHR interoperability at a community hospital.

Methods

A 316-bed community hospital in Sugar Land, TX, went live with pump-EHR interoperability in October 2019. Data were collected from April 1, 2019, to June 30, 2019 (before implementation) and from April 1, 2020, to June 30, 2020 (after implementation). Rates of drug library compliance, alert firing, alert override, override within 2 seconds, high-risk alert override, and alert resulting in pump reprogramming were measured. Financial impact was measured by Current Procedural Terminology code capture per kept appointment in the infusion center.

Results

Drug library compliance increased from 73.8% to 82.9% with pump-EHR interoperability (P < 0.001). Infusions generating alerts among all infusions programmed with the drug library decreased from 3.5% to 2.6% (P < 0.001), overridden alerts increased from 64.8% to 68.9% (P < 0.001), alerts overridden within 2 seconds decreased from 17.3% to 13.8% (P < 0.001), and reprogrammed alerts decreased from 20.7% to 18.3% (P = 0.002).

Conclusion

Pump-EHR interoperability leads to safer administration of intravenous medications based on improved drug library compliance and more accurate smart pump programming.
Clinical Improvement, Outcomes, Antiviral Activity, and Costs Associated With Early Treatment With Remdesivir for Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Authors: Wong Carlos K H , Lau Kristy T K , Au Ivan C H , Xiong Xi , Lau Eric H Y , Cowling Benjamin J
Published: July 2021

Background

Evidence remains inconclusive on any significant benefits of remdesivir in patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19. This study explored the disease progression, various clinical outcomes, changes in viral load, and costs associated with early remdesivir treatment among COVID-19 patients.

Methods

A territory-wide retrospective cohort of 10 419 patients with COVID-19 hospitalized from 21 January 2020 to 31 January 2021 in Hong Kong was identified. Early remdesivir users were matched with controls using propensity-score matching in a ratio ≤1:4. Study outcomes were time to clinical improvement of at least 1 point on WHO clinical progression scale, hospital discharge, recovery, viral clearance, low viral load, positive IgG antibody, in-hospital death, and composite outcomes of in-hospital death requiring invasive ventilation or intensive care.

Results

After multiple imputation and propensity-score matching, median follow-up was 14 days for both remdesivir (n = 352) and control (n = 1347) groups. Time to clinical improvement was significantly shorter in the remdesivir group than that of control (HR: 1.14; 95% CI: 1.01–1.29; P = .038), as well as for achieving low viral load (1.51; 1.24–1.83; P < .001) and positive IgG antibody (1.50; 1.31–1.70; P < .001). Early remdesivir treatment was associated with lower risk of in-hospital death (HR: .58; 95% CI: .34–.99; P = .045), in addition to a significantly shorter length of hospital stay (difference: −2.56 days; 95% CI: −4.86 to −.26; P = .029), without increasing risks of composite outcomes for clinical deterioration.

Conclusions

Early remdesivir treatment could be extended to hospitalized patients with moderate COVID-19 not requiring oxygen therapy on admission.
Fingerprint Template Protection Using Irreversible Minutiae Tetrahedrons
Authors: Lahmidi Ayoub , Minaoui Khalid , Moujahdi Chouaib , Rziza Mohammed
Published: July 2021

The use of fingerprint continues to increase constantly with the propagation of biometric authentication technologies. Fingerprint is today the most widely used biometric modality for human verification and identification, due to its practical use and its discriminative structure that allows to different identities to be easily distinguished. Unfortunately, this emergence has been accompanied by a number of problems and challenges related to identity theft and to security issues in general. To address these concerns, many approaches have been proposed in which only few of them were able to reach an acceptable level of both security and performance. In this paper, we propose a new fingerprint template protection scheme that enhances the security of protected system while preserving performance. The proposed approach is a minutiae-based technique that performs fingerprint matching in a transformed space using irreversible minutiae tetrahedrons. Using the original Fingerprint Verification Competition (FVC) protocol, the provided experimental results on FVC2002 DB1, DB2 and DB3 fingerprint databases have shown satisfactory recognition rates. Our results are compared to some existing techniques that use the same protocol of test. We have proved as well that the proposed scheme meets the requirements of revocability, unlinkability and irreversibility.
Are Women in Hypogamous Unions More Depressed? A Cross-National Comparison among the Highly Educated
Authors: Potarca Gina , Rossier Clémentine
Published: July 2021

Owing to educational expansion, women are now increasingly over-represented in higher education. Faced with diminished opportunities to homogamously match, a rising number of women opt for lower educated partners (female hypogamy). Up to now, patterns of women’s mental health across educational sorting configurations have remained largely undocumented. Compared to those in homogamous couples, hypogamous women may be more vulnerable to stress and poor mental health given a presumably stronger double burden, lower partnership quality, or greater financial strain. In this study, we explore whether hypogamy is linked to greater levels of depression among highly educated women. We also examine contextual variation by looking at the effect of three dimensions of gender regimes: women’s educational advantage, family-related social spending, and gender pay gap. The study investigates women’s depression in 69 country-period clusters across 27 countries (N = 9,659) via a series of multilevel linear regression models drawing on data from three rounds of the European Social Survey (2006, 2012, and 2014). Results confirmed that women in hypogamous unions were more depressed than those in homogamous couples, largely due to greater economic insecurity. We also found that the mental health disadvantage of hypogamous women, especially when married, faded in contexts that institutionally and economically promoted gender equality and female empowerment.
Does the Local Presence of Asylum Seekers Affect Attitudes toward Asylum Seekers? Results from a Natural Experiment
Authors: Deiss-Helbig Elisa , Remer Uwe
Published: July 2021

The influx of refugees to Europe is a topic that dominates the political and media agenda. Furthermore, the installation of asylum-seeker centres (ASCs) has made asylum seekers and refugees highly visible in the everyday life of many European citizens. Drawing on theories of ethnic threat and intergroup contact, we examine how geospatial proximity to ASCs translates into threat or contact in an everyday context and how this affects attitudes toward asylum seekers. By taking advantage of a natural experiment, where the ASCs are assigned to city districts as-if at random, as well as innovating measures of outgroup exposure and geospatial proximity, we find that, although higher numbers of asylum seekers in one’s own neighbourhood are related to an increased perception of their local presence, the actual presence of asylum seekers does not lead to more negative attitudes or a greater threat perception, nor to more frequent contact. It is only when the number of asylum seekers in one’s own direct neighbourhood suddenly increases that attitudes toward asylum seekers deteriorate.
Prognostic value of stress echocardiography assessed by the ABCDE protocol
Authors: Ciampi Quirino , Zagatina Angela , Cortigiani Lauro , Wierzbowska-Drabik Karina , Kasprzak Jaroslaw D , Haberka Maciej , Djordjevic-Dikic Ana , Beleslin Branko , Boshchenko Alla , Ryabova Tamara , Gaibazzi Nicola , Rigo Fausto , Dodi Claudio , Simova Iana , Samardjieva Martina , Barbieri Andrea , Morrone Doralisa , Lorenzoni Valentina , Prota Costantina , Villari Bruno , Antonini-Canterin Francesco , Pepi Mauro , Carpeggiani Clara , Pellikka Patricia A , Picano Eugenio
Published: July 2021

Aim

The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of ABCDE-SE in a prospective, large scale, multicentre, international, effectiveness study. Stress echocardiography (SE) was recently upgraded to the ABCDE protocol: step A, regional wall motion abnormalities; step B, B lines; step C, left ventricular contractile reserve; step D, Doppler-based coronary flow velocity reserve in left anterior descending coronary artery; and step E, electrocardiogram-based heart rate reserve.

Methods and results

From July 2016 to November 2020, we enrolled 3574 all-comers (age 65 ± 11 years, 2070 males, 58%; ejection fraction 60 ± 10%) with known or suspected chronic coronary syndromes referred from 13 certified laboratories. All patients underwent clinically indicated ABCDE-SE. The employed stress modality was exercise (n = 952, with semi-supine bike, n = 887, or treadmill, n = 65 with adenosine for step D) or pharmacological stress (n = 2622, with vasodilator, n = 2151; or dobutamine, n = 471). SE response ranged from score 0 (all steps normal) to score 5 (all steps abnormal). All-cause death was the only endpoint. Rate of abnormal results was 16% for A, 30% for B, 36% for C, 28% for D, and 37% for E steps. During a median follow-up of 21 months (interquartile range: 13–36), 73 deaths occurred. Global X  2 was 49.5 considering clinical variables, 50.7 after step A only (P = NS (not significant)) and 80.6 after B–E steps (P < 0.001 vs. step A). Annual mortality rate ranged from 0.4% person-year for score 0 up to 2.7% person-year for score 5.

Conclusion

ABCDE-SE allows an effective prediction of survival in patients with chronic coronary syndromes.
Cardiomyocyte-produced miR-339-5p mediates pathology in Duchenne muscular dystrophy cardiomyopathy
Authors: Gartz Melanie , Beatka Margaret , Prom Mariah J , Strande Jennifer L , Lawlor Michael W
Published: July 2021

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked genetic disease characterized by severe, progressive muscle wasting. Cardiomyopathy has emerged as a leading cause of death in patients with DMD. The mechanisms contributing to DMD cardiac disease remain under investigation and specific therapies available are lacking. Our prior work has shown that DMD-iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (DMD-iCMs) are vulnerable to oxidative stress injury and chronic exposure to DMD-secreted exosomes impaired the cell’s ability to protect against stress. In this study, we sought to examine a mechanism by which DMD cardiac exosomes impair cellular response through altering important stress-responsive genes in the recipient cells. Here, we report that DMD-iCMs secrete exosomes containing altered microRNA (miR) profiles in comparison to healthy controls. In particular, miR-339-5p was upregulated in DMD-iCMs, DMD exosomes and mdx mouse cardiac tissue. Restoring dystrophin in DMD-iCMs improved the cellular response to stress and was associated with downregulation of miR-339-5p, suggesting that it is disease-specific. Knockdown of miR-339-5p was associated with increased expression of MDM2, GSK3A and MAP2K3, which are genes involved in important stress-responsive signaling pathways. Finally, knockdown of miR-339-5p led to mitochondrial protection and a reduction in cell death in DMD-iCMs, indicating miR-339-5p is involved in direct modulation of stress-responsiveness. Together, these findings identify a potential mechanism by which exosomal miR-339-5p may be modulating cell signaling pathways that are important for robust stress responses. Additionally, these exosomal miRs may provide important disease-specific targets for future therapeutic advancements for the management and diagnosis of DMD cardiomyopathy.
Higher adiposity and mental health: causal inference using Mendelian randomization
Authors: Casanova Francesco , O’Loughlin Jessica , Martin Susan , Beaumont Robin N , Wood Andrew R , Watkins Edward R , Freathy Rachel M , Hagenaars Saskia P , Frayling Timothy M , Yaghootkar Hanieh , Tyrrell Jess
Published: July 2021

Higher adiposity is an established risk factor for psychiatric diseases including depression and anxiety. The associations between adiposity and depression may be explained by the metabolic consequences and/or by the psychosocial impact of higher adiposity. We performed one- and two- sample Mendelian randomization (MR) in up to 145 668 European participants from the UK Biobank to test for a causal effect of higher adiposity on 10 well-validated mental health and well-being outcomes derived using the Mental Health Questionnaire (MHQ). We used three sets of adiposity genetic instruments: (a) a set of 72 BMI genetic variants, (b) a set of 36 favourable adiposity variants and (c) a set of 38 unfavourable adiposity variants. We additionally tested causal relationships (1) in men and women separately, (2) in a subset of individuals not taking antidepressants and (3) in non-linear MR models. Two-sample MR provided evidence that a genetically determined one standard deviation (1-SD) higher BMI (4.6 kg/m2) was associated with higher odds of current depression [OR: 1.50, 95%CI: 1.15, 1.95] and lower well-being [ß: −0.15, 95%CI: −0.26, −0.04]. Findings were similar when using the metabolically favourable and unfavourable adiposity variants, with higher adiposity associated with higher odds of depression and lower well-being scores. Our study provides further evidence that higher BMI causes higher odds of depression and lowers well-being. Using genetics to separate out metabolic and psychosocial effects, our study suggests that in the absence of adverse metabolic effects higher adiposity remains causal to depression and lowers well-being.
A Critical Reflection on the Right to the Truth about Gross Human Rights Violations
Authors: van Noorloos Marloes
Published: July 2021

The right to the truth about gross human rights violations is gradually becoming more firmly entrenched in international human rights law. However, the content and contours of the right to the truth are not without controversy. Some of the most pressing issues that have arisen are the extent of society’s right to the truth, the scope of the truth that it pursues (fact-finding or broader historical truth) and the relationship between truth seeking and official acknowledgment.

This article turns to multidisciplinary research about truth seeking and memory with regard to gross human rights violations, which provides rich insights into the role of truth in the aftermath of mass atrocities that can shed light on the possible implications of the right to the truth. It thus provides a critical reflection on the right to the truth, in order to consider how it could perform a valuable function.
Revisiting the Association Between Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Coates Matthew D , Ba Djibril M , Liu Guodong , Dalessio Shannon , Leslie Douglas L , Huang Xuemei
Published: July 2021

Background

Several studies have reported an association between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). The aim of this study is to re-evaluate for an association between IBD and PD while controlling for potential socioeconomic and environmental confounders.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study using the Truven Health Marketscan database between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2014. Individuals with IBD and household age-matched controls were identified. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated for the development of incident PD, adjusting for age, sex, residence type, US region, comorbidities, and behavior.

Results

In all, 154 051 subjects with IBD and an equal number of controls were identified. During a mean (SD) follow-up of 3.8 (2.2) years, 132 incident PD cases were identified. There was no significant association between IBD and PD (adjusted HR, 1.01; 0.72–1.42) when adjusting for the confounders previously mentioned.

Conclusions

We found no statistically significant association between these disorders. It is possible that previous associations identified between these disorders were confounded by environmental and socioeconomic factors.
Understanding Organismal Capacity to Respond to Anthropogenic Change: Barriers and Solutions
Authors: Gabor Caitlin R , Kivlin Stephanie N , Hua Jessica , Bickford Nate , Reiskind Martha O Burford , Wright Timothy F
Published: July 2021

Synopsis

Global environmental changes induced by human activities are forcing organisms to respond at an unprecedented pace. At present we have only a limited understanding of why some species possess the capacity to respond to these changes while others do not. We introduce the concept of multidimensional phenospace as an organizing construct to understanding organismal evolutionary responses to environmental change. We then describe five barriers that currently challenge our ability to understand these responses: (1) Understanding the parameters of environmental change and their fitness effects, (2) Mapping and integrating phenotypic and genotypic variation, (3) Understanding whether changes in phenospace are heritable, (4) Predicting consistency of genotype to phenotype patterns across space and time, and (5) Determining which traits should be prioritized to understand organismal response to environmental change. For each we suggest one or more solutions that would help us surmount the barrier and improve our ability to predict, and eventually manipulate, organismal capacity to respond to anthropogenic change. Additionally, we provide examples of target species that could be useful to examine interactions between phenotypic plasticity and adaptive evolution in changing phenospace.
Numerical continuation of spiral waves in heteroclinic networks of cyclic dominance
Authors: Hasan Cris R , Osinga Hinke M , Postlethwaite Claire M , Rucklidge Alastair M
Published: July 2021

Heteroclinic-induced spiral waves may arise in systems of partial differential equations that exhibit robust heteroclinic cycles between spatially uniform equilibria. Robust heteroclinic cycles arise naturally in systems with invariant subspaces, and their robustness is considered with respect to perturbations that preserve these invariances. We make use of particular symmetries in the system to formulate a relatively low-dimensional spatial two-point boundary-value problem in Fourier space that can be solved efficiently in conjunction with numerical continuation. The standard numerical set-up is formulated on an annulus with small inner radius, and Neumann boundary conditions are used on both inner and outer radial boundaries. We derive and implement alternative boundary conditions that allow for continuing the inner radius to zero and so compute spiral waves on a full disk. As our primary example, we investigate the formation of heteroclinic-induced spiral waves in a reaction–diffusion model that describes the spatiotemporal evolution of three competing populations in a 2D spatial domain—much like the Rock–Paper–Scissors game. We further illustrate the efficiency of our method with the computation of spiral waves in a larger network of cyclic dominance between five competing species, which describes the so-called Rock–Paper–Scissors–Lizard–Spock game.
Rigorous antibiotic stewardship in the hospitalized elderly population: saving lives and decreasing cost of inpatient care
Authors: Mauro James , Kannangara Saman , Peterson Joanne , Livert David , Tuma Roman A
Published: July 2021

Background

There is limited literature evaluating the effect of antibiotic stewardship programmes (ASPs) in hospitalized geriatric patients, who are at higher risk for readmissions, developing Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) or other adverse outcomes secondary to antibiotic treatments.

Methods

In this cohort study we compare the rates of 30 day hospital readmissions because of reinfection or development of CDI in patients 65 years and older who received ASP interventions between January and June 2017. We also assessed their mortality rates and length of stay. Patients were included if they received antibiotics for pneumonia, urinary tract infection, acute bacterial skin and skin structure infection or complicated intra-abdominal infection. The ASP team reviewed patients on antibiotics daily. ASP interventions included de-escalation of empirical or definitive therapy, change in duration of therapy or discontinuation of therapy. Treatment failure was defined as readmission because of reinfection or a new infection. A control group of patients 65 years and older who received antibiotics between January and June 2015 (pre-ASP) was analysed for comparison.

Results

We demonstrated that the 30 day hospital readmission rate for all infection types decreased during the ASP intervention period from 24.9% to 9.3%, P < 0.001. The rate of 30 day readmissions because of CDI decreased during the intervention period from 2.4% to 0.30%, P = 0.02. Mortality in the cohort that underwent ASP interventions decreased from 9.6% to 5.4%, P = 0.03. Lastly, antibiotic expenditure decreased after implementation of the ASP from $23.3 to $4.3 per adjusted patient day, in just 6 months.

Conclusions

Rigorous de-escalation and curtailing of antibiotic therapies were beneficial and without risk for the hospitalized patients 65 years and over.
Dermatan sulphate is an activating ligand of anaplastic lymphoma kinase
Authors: Machino Masaaki , Gong Yuanhao , Ozaki Tomoya , Suzuki Yuji , Watanabe Eri , Imagama Shiro , Kadomatsu Kenji , Sakamoto Kazuma
Published: July 2021

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) is a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) that harbours a tyrosine kinase domain in its intracellular region and is expressed in both central and peripheral nervous systems. RTKs are activated upon ligand binding and receptor clustering; however, ALK remains an orphan receptor despite its pathological significance, especially in malignancy. Recent biochemical work showed that heparan sulphate (HS), an unbranched sulphated glycan, acts as a ligand for and activates ALK. Here, we show that dermatan sulphate (DS, chondroitin sulphate B) directly interacts with the extracellular N-terminal region of ALK as well as HS. The tetrasaccharide of DS was required and was sufficient for inducing autophosphorylation of ALK at tyrosine 1604, a marker for activated ALK. Interestingly, longer oligosaccharides caused enhanced activation of ALK, as was the case for HS. Our results provide a novel example of glycans as signalling molecules and shed light on the pathophysiological roles of ALK.
Branched-Chain Amino Acids and Risk of Breast Cancer
Authors: Zeleznik Oana A , Balasubramanian Raji , Ren Yumeng , Tobias Deirdre K , Rosner Bernard A , Peng Cheng , Bever Alaina M , Frueh Lisa , Jeanfavre Sarah , Avila-Pacheco Julian , Clish Clary B , Mora Samia , Hu Frank B , Eliassen A Heather
Published: July 2021

Background

Circulating branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) levels reflect metabolic health and dietary intake. However, associations with breast cancer are unclear.

Methods

We evaluated circulating BCAA levels and breast cancer risk within the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) and NHSII (1997 cases and 1997 controls). A total of 592 NHS women donated 2 blood samples 10 years apart. We estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of breast cancer risk in multivariable logistic regression models. We conducted an external validation in 1765 cases in the Women’s Health Study (WHS). All statistical tests were 2-sided.

Results

Among NHSII participants (predominantly premenopausal at blood collection), elevated circulating BCAA levels were associated with lower breast cancer risk (eg, isoleucine highest vs lowest quartile, multivariable OR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.65 to 1.13, Ptrend = .20), with statistically significant linear trends among fasting samples (eg, isoleucine OR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.53 to 1.05, Ptrend = .05). In contrast, among postmenopausal women, proximate measures (<10 years from blood draw) were associated with increased breast cancer risk (eg, isoleucine OR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.12 to 2.39, Ptrend = .01), with stronger associations among fasting samples (OR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.15 to 2.61, Ptrend = .01). Distant measures (10-20 years since blood draw) were not associated with risk. In the WHS, a positive association was observed for distant measures of leucine among postmenopausal women (OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 0.96 to 1.58, Ptrend = .04).

Conclusions

No statistically significant associations between BCAA levels and breast cancer risk were consistent across NHS and WHS or NHSII and WHS. Elevated circulating BCAA levels were associated with lower breast cancer risk among predominantly premenopausal NHSII women and higher risk among postmenopausal women in NHS but not in the WHS. Additional studies are needed to understand this complex relationship.