bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electric-field control of spin dynamics during magnetic phase transitions
Authors: Nan Tianxiang , Lee Yeonbae , Zhuang Shihao , Hu Zhongqiang , Clarkson James D. , Wang Xinjun , Ko Changhyun , Choe HwanSung , Chen Zuhuang , Budil David , Wu Junqiao , Salahuddin Sayeef , Hu Jiamian , Ramesh Ramamoorthy , Sun Nian
Published: October 2020

Phase change materials help realize voltage tunable spin dynamics.
Two decades of bridging immunological divides
Authors: Williams Ifor R.
Published: October 2020

The two cofounders of FOCIS recall some of the events surrounding the launch of the federation in 2001.
Mycobacterium
Phage Butters-Encoded Proteins Contribute to Host Defense against Viral Attack
Authors: Mageeney Catherine M. , Mohammed Hamidu T. , Dies Marta , Anbari Samira , Cudkevich Netta , Chen Yanyan , Buceta Javier , Ware Vassie C.
Published: October 2020

Many sequenced bacterial genomes, including those of pathogenic bacteria, contain prophages. Some prophages encode defense systems that protect their bacterial host against heterotypic viral attack. Understanding the mechanisms undergirding these defense systems is crucial to appreciate the scope of bacterial immunity against viral infections and will be critical for better implementation of phage therapy that would require evasion of these defenses. Furthermore, such knowledge of prophage-encoded defense mechanisms may be useful for developing novel genetic tools for engineering phage-resistant bacteria of industrial importance.
Virulence of the Pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis Is Controlled by the CRISPR-Cas Protein Cas3
Authors: Solbiati Jose , Duran-Pinedo Ana , Godoy Rocha Fernanda , Gibson Frank C. , Frias-Lopez Jorge
Published: October 2020

Porphyromonas gingivalis
is a key pathogen of periodontitis, a polymicrobial disease characterized by a chronic inflammation that destroys the tissues supporting the teeth. Thus, understanding the virulence potential of
P. gingivalis
is essential to maintaining a healthy oral microbiome. In nonoral organisms, CRISPR-Cas systems have been shown to modulate a variety of microbial processes, including protection from exogenous nucleic acids, and, more recently, have been implicated in bacterial virulence. Previously, our clinical findings identified activation of the CRISPR-Cas system in patient samples at the transition to disease; however, the mechanism of contribution to disease remained unknown. The importance of the present study resides in that it is becoming increasingly clear that CRISPR-associated proteins have broader functions than initially thought and that those functions now include their role in the virulence of periodontal pathogens. Studying a
P. gingivalis
cas
3 mutant, we demonstrate that at least one of the CRISPR-Cas systems is involved in the regulation of virulence during infection.
Supplemental Material: A new glacial varve chronology along the southern Laurentide Ice Sheet that spans the Younger Dryas–Holocene boundary
Authors: Breckenridge Andy , al. et
Published: October 2020

Varve thickness data and 14C-date metadata.
Over the reception desk: advice for creating a positive practice experience
Authors: Clark Caroline
Published: October 2020

It is not uncommon for veterinary practices to be daunting places for many pets. This article highlights the important role that reception staff have in creating a positive patient experience, and identifies a number of practical strategies that can easily be adopted and implemented to achieve this.
The carnage of substandard research during the COVID-19 pandemic: a call for quality
Authors: Bramstedt Katrina A
Published: October 2020

Worldwide there are currently over 1200 research studies being performed on the topic of COVID-19. Many of these involve children and adults over age 65 years. There are also numerous studies testing investigational vaccines on healthy volunteers. No research team is exempt from the pressures and speed at which COVID-19 research is occurring. And this can increase the risk of honest error as well as misconduct. To date, 33 papers have been identified as unsuitable for public use and either retracted, withdrawn, or noted with concern. Asia is the source of most of these manuscripts (n=19; 57.6%) with China the largest Asian subgroup (n=11; 57.9%). This paper explores these findings and offers guidance for responsible research practice during pandemics.
Maintaining High Professional Standards, morally, ethically and fairly: what doctors need to know right now
Authors: Ataullah Ifat , Livesey Alexandra
Published: October 2020

Facing an investigation into performance concerns can be one of the most traumatic events in a doctor’s career, and badly handled investigations can lead to severe distress. Yet there is no systematic way for National Health Service (NHS) Trusts to record the frequency of investigations, and extremely little data on the long-term outcomes of such action for the doctors. The document—Maintaining High Professional Standards in the Modern NHS (a framework for the initial investigation of concerns about doctors and dentists in the NHS)—should protect doctors from facing unfair or mismanaged performance management procedures, which include conduct, capability and health. Equally, it provides NHS Trusts with a framework that must be adhered to when managing performance concerns regarding doctors. Yet, very few doctors have even heard of it or know about the provisions it contains for their protection, and the implementation of the framework appears to be very variable across NHS Trusts. By empowering all doctors with the knowledge of what performance management procedures exist and how best practice should be implemented, we aim to ensure that they are informed participants in any investigation should it occur.
FRACTAL N/MEMS: FROM PULL-IN INSTABILITY TO PULL-IN STABILITY
Authors: TIAN DAN , AIN QURA-TUL , ANJUM NAVEED , HE CHUN-HUI , CHENG BIN
Published: October 2020

Pull-in instability, as an inherent nonlinear problem, continues to become an increasingly important and interesting topic in the design of electrostatic Nano/Micro-electromechanical systems (N/MEMS) devices. Generally, the pull-in instability was studied in a continuous space, but when the electronic devices work in a porous medium, they need to be analyzed in a fractal partner. In this paper, we establish a fractal model for N/MEMS, and find a pull-in stability plateau, which can be controlled by the porous structure, and the pull-in instability can be finally converted to a stable condition. As a result, the pull-in instability can be completely eliminated, realizing the transformation of pull-in instability into pull-in stability.
APPLICATION OF OPTIMIZED FRACTIONAL GREY MODEL-BASED VARIABLE BACKGROUND VALUE TO PREDICT ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION
Authors: LIU CHONG , LAO TONGFEI , WU WEN-ZE , XIE WANLI
Published: October 2020

In recent years, the grey-based models with fractional accumulation have received extensive attention by scholars and have been widely used in various fields. However, the existing rough construction of the background value in the fractional grey model impairs its predictive performance to some extent. To address this problem, this paper reconstructs a dynamic background value for the fractional grey model by the composite integral median theorem, as a result, a novel fractional grey model-based variable background value (denoted as OFAGM(1,1) for short) is proposed. In particular, the Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm (PSO) is then employed to determine the optimum for the fractional order and the background value coefficients. Based on electricity consumption of two regions of China (i.e. Beijing, Inner Mongolia), the superiority of the proposed model has been verified in comparison with other benchmark models, the electricity consumption of Beijing is predicted to reach [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]Kwh in 2022 and that of Inner Mongolia will reach [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]Kwh in 2023. This study also takes the relative growth rate and the doubling time into account for these two regions that facilities comparison of the regions’ performance.
South Korea’s 2020 Election Amid COVID-19
Authors: KIM Sung Chull
Published: October 2020

At the general election on 15 April 2020 held amid the COVID-19 crisis, the ruling party in South Korea won an overwhelming majority. This election was a kind of “critical election” in which swing voters in particular took a safe, risk-aversive option of supporting the ruling party which responded successfully to the pandemic.
A Quantum Interior Point Method for LPs and SDPs
Authors: Kerenidis Iordanis , Prakash Anupam
Published: October 2020

We present a quantum interior point method (IPM) for semi-definite programs that has a worst-case running time of Õ(
n
2.5
/ ξ
2
μ κ
3
log(1/ϵ)). The algorithm outputs a pair of matrices (
S,Y
) that have objective value within ϵ of the optimal and satisfy the constraints approximately to error xi. The parameter mu is at most √2
n
while kappa is an upper bound on the condition number of the intermediate solution matrices arising in the classical IPM. For the case where κ ≪
n
5/6
, our method provides a significant polynomial speedup over the best-known classical semi-definite program solvers that have a worst-case running time of Õ(
n
6
). For linear programs, our algorithm has a running time of Õ(
n
1.5
/ ξ
2
μ κ
3
log (1/ϵ)) with the same guarantees and with parameter μ < √2
n
. Our technical contributions include an efficient quantum procedure for solving the Newton linear systems arising in the classical IPMs, an efficient pure state tomography algorithm, and an analysis of the IPM where the linear systems are solved approximately. Our results pave the way for the development of quantum algorithms with significant polynomial speedups for applications in optimization and machine learning.
The Fluid Mechanics of Tidal Stream Energy Conversion
Authors: Adcock Thomas A.A. , Draper Scott , Willden Richard H.J. , Vogel Christopher R.
Published: October 2020

Placing mechanical devices into fast-moving tidal streams to generate clean and predictable electricity is a developing technology. This review covers the fundamental fluid mechanics of this application, which is important for understanding how such devices work and how they interact with the tidal stream resource. We focus on how tidal stream turbines and energy generation are modeled analytically, numerically, and experimentally. Owing to the nature of the problem, our review is split into different scales—from turbine to array and regional—and we examine each in turn.
Salicylate Method for Ammonia Quantification in Nitrogen Electroreduction Experiments: The Correction of Iron III Interference
Authors: Giner-Sanz Juan José , Leverick Graham M. , Pérez-Herranz Valentín , Shao-Horn Yang
Published: October 2020

The salicylate method is one of the ammonia quantification methods that has been extensively used in literature for quantifying ammonia in the emerging field of nitrogen (electro)fixation. The presence of iron in the sample causes a strong negative interference on the salicylate method. Today, the recommended method to deal with such interferences is the experimental correction method: the iron concentration in the sample is measured using an iron quantification method, and then the corresponding amount of iron is added to the calibration samples. The limitation of this method is that when a batch of samples presents a great iron concentration variability, a different calibration curve has to be obtained for each sample. In this work, the interference of iron III on the salicylate method was experimentally quantified, and a model was proposed to capture the effect of iron III interference on the ammonia quantification result. This model can be used to correct the iron III interferences on ammonia quantification. The great advantage of this correction method is that it only requires three experimental curves in order to correct the iron III interference in any sample provided the iron III concentration is below the total peak suppression concentration.
HIV-related cardiovascular disease: any role for high-density lipoproteins?
Authors: Hudson Peter , Woudberg Nicholas J. , Kamau Festus , Strijdom Hans , Frias Miguel A. , Lecour Sandrine
Published: October 2020

The introduction of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has improved the life expectancy of patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, this population is at an increased risk for noncommunicable diseases, including atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). Both ART and viral infection may be potential contributors to the pathophysiology of HIV-related CVD. The mechanisms behind this remain unclear, but it is critical to delineate early biomarkers of cardiovascular risk in the HIV population. In this review, we postulate that potential biomarkers could include alterations to high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Indeed, recent data suggest that HIV and ART may induce structural changes of HDL, thus resulting in shifts in HDL subclass distribution and HDL functionality.
Heat-not-burn tobacco products: an emerging threat to cardiovascular health
Authors: Fried Nicholas D. , Gardner Jason D.
Published: October 2020

Cigarette smoking is at all-time lows globally, but the use of electronic cigarettes has increased profoundly. Recent reports of electronic cigarette or vaping use-associated lung injury may lead individuals to explore novel methods of nicotine consumption, such as heat-not-burn devices. IQOS from Philip Morris, a heat-not-burn device, became available for purchase in the United States in October 2019. Philip Morris claims that 8.8 million people have abandoned traditional cigarettes in favor of IQOS; however, evidence suggests that it may act as a gateway or complement to cigarette smoking, rather than a replacement. Surveys indicate that 96% of Korean IQOS users also smoke cigarettes, and 45% of Italian users of IQOS had never smoked cigarettes. In the United States, Canada, and England, susceptibility of youth to trying IQOS was slightly lower than electronic cigarettes, but higher than cigarette smoking. Heat-not-burn products produce mainstream and second-hand emissions of harmful chemicals, including nicotine, particulate matter, benzene, acrolein, and tobacco-specific nitrosamines. The levels of these emissions, despite being less than those of traditional cigarettes, are potentially harmful to cardiovascular health. A study of current smokers showed similar acute effects of heat-not-burn tobacco products and traditional cigarettes on heart rate, blood pressure, and arterial stiffness. Rats exposed to IQOS had similar vascular endothelial function impairment to those exposed to cigarettes. Heat-not-burn aerosol exposure of cultured macrophages elicited increased oxidative stress, although less than that induced by cigarette smoke. Further studies are needed to better understand the cardiovascular effects of heat-not-burn tobacco products.
Effect of Adding Losartan to Bevacizumab for Treating Diabetic Macular Edema
Authors: Ghassemi Fariba , Amini Abdulrahim , Yasemi Masoud , Nabavi Amin , Johari Mohammadkarim
Published: October 2020

Introduction. Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of visual loss and blindness in the age group of 20 to 64 years. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of oral Losartan adjuvant therapy in combination with intravitreal injection of Bevacizumab in the treatment of diabetic macular edema. Methods. In this randomized clinical trial, 61 eyes of 47 patients with normal blood pressure and diabetic macular edema and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy were studied. Patients were randomly divided into Losartan (n = 33) and control (n = 28) groups. All patients received 3–6 intravitreal injections of Bevacizumab over 6 months. General examination including blood pressure and glycosylated hemoglobin measurements were performed in all patients. Complete ophthalmologic examination and macular OCT were performed at the first, third, and sixth months of treatment in all patients. Results. The mean age of the patients studied was 57.1 ± 7.4 years and 37.7% of the patients were male. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of initial visual acuity, central macular thickness, and frequency of injections. There was no significant difference in visual acuity and central macular thickness between the two groups at the first, third, and sixth months of treatment. Age, frequency of injection, and initial macular thickness less than 450 microns were effective in patients’ final visual acuity. Conclusion. Short-term adjuvant treatment with Losartan in patients with diabetic macular edema and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy has no greater effect than the standard treatment.
Description of Ventricular Arrhythmia after Taking Herbal Medicines in Middle-Aged Couples
Authors: Zakeri Mohammad Ali , Mohammadi Vahid , Bazmandegan Gholamreza , Zakeri Maryam
Published: October 2020

Medicinal herbs and some derivatives have been used in the treatment of heart disease which is rarely responsible for ventricular arrhythmias and cardiac arrest. Ventricular tachycardia (VT) increases the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). However, only a few reports are available about the cardiac ventricular arrhythmia followed by taking herbal medicines. We present two patients (a couple) without a history of heart disease who referred to the hospital with ventricular arrhythmia.
The Role of the Dental Surgeon in Controlling the Dissemination of COVID-19: A Literature Review
Authors: Batista Régida C. S. , Arruda Caio V. B. , Cassimiro Marcely , Gominho Luciana , Moura Antônio Carlos , Albuquerque Diana S. , Romeiro Kaline
Published: October 2020

As early as December 2019 in the province of Hubei, China, contamination of patients with pneumonia of an unknown etiology occurred. These patients presented with symptoms such as coughing, sore throat, malaise, diarrhea, high fever, and dyspnea. This emerging disease was named COVID-19 due to being part of the group of coronaviruses (CoVs) belonging to the subfamily Orthocoronavirinae, in the Coronaviridae family and in the Nidovirales order. COVID-19 is most commonly transmitted through speech, coughing, sneezing, and salivary sputum. Because dental professionals work closely with the oral cavity, it is imperative that infection prevention controls are strictly adhered to. It is important that the dental profession treats patients while also limiting the possible contamination through the production of aerosol in the dental environment. Furthermore, the dental professional also has a key role in raising awareness and guidance amongst the population concerning COVID-19 related biosafety measures. This literature review aims to inform dental professionals about the COVID-19 pandemic and to present the implications of the virus to the dentist. Dental professionals are considered to be at high risk for contracting SARS-CoV-2.
Metabarcoding Analysis of Bacterial Communities Associated with Media Grow Bed Zones in an Aquaponic System
Authors: Kasozi Nasser , Kaiser Horst , Wilhelmi Brendan
Published: October 2020

The development of environmentally sustainable plant and fish production in aquaponic systems requires a complete understanding of the systems’ biological components. In order to better understand the role of microorganisms in this association, we studied the bacterial communities in the dry, root, and mineralized zones of a flood-and-drain media bed aquaponic system. Bacterial communities were characterized using metabarcoding of the V3-V4 16S rRNA regions obtained from paired-end Illumina MiSeq reads. Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes accounted for more than 90% of the total community in the dry zone and the effluent water. These phyla also accounted for more than 68% of the total community in the root and mineralized zones. The genera Massilia, Mucilaginibacter, Mizugakiibacter, and Rhodoluna were most dominant in the dry, root, and mineralized zones and in the effluent water, respectively. The number of shared operational taxonomic units (OTUs) for the three zones was 241, representing 7.15% of the total observed OTUs. The number of unique OTUs in samples from dry zone, root zone, mineralized zone, and effluent water was 485, 638, 445, and 383, respectively. The samples from the root zone harbored more diverse communities than either the dry or mineralized zones. This study is the first to report on the bacterial community within the zones of a flood-and-drain media bed. Thus, this information will potentially accelerate studies on other microbial communities involved in the bioconversion of nitrogen compounds and mineralization within these types of aquaponic systems.
Gene Expression Signatures of BRCAness and Tumor Inflammation Define Subgroups of Early-Stage Hormone Receptor–Positive Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Schroth Werner , Büttner Florian A. , Kandabarau Siarhei , Hoppe Reiner , Fritz Peter , Kumbrink Jörg , Kirchner Thomas , Brauer Heather A. , Ren Yuqi , Henderson David , Madden Stephen F. , Sauer Georg , Fehm Tanja , Wallwiener Diethelm , Fasching Peter A. , Mürdter Thomas , Schwab Matthias , Brauch Hiltrud
Published: October 2020

Purpose:

Patients with estrogen receptor– and/or progesterone receptor–positive, early breast cancer benefit from hormonal treatment, yet high global death burdens due to high prevalence and long-term recurrence risk call for biomarkers to guide additional treatment approaches.

Experimental Design:

From a prospective, observational study of postmenopausal early breast cancer patients treated with tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors, gene expression analyses of 612 tumors was performed using the NanoString Breast Cancer 360 panel to interrogate 23 breast cancer pathways. Candidate signatures associated with disease subtype and event-free survival (EFS) were obtained by cluster analysis, Cox modeling, and conditional inference trees, and were independently tested in 613 patients from BreastMark. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) were assessed on tissue sections, and mutational burden was assessed in 36 tumors by whole-exome sequencing.

Results:

PAM50-derived classification distinguished lower-risk (Luminal A) from higher-risk subtypes (Luminal B, P = 0.04; HER2, P = 0.006; Basal, P = 0.008). In higher-risk patients, shorter EFS was associated with low androgen receptor [HR = 3.61; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.72–7.56; P = 0.001] or high BRCAness signature expression (HR = 3.58; 95% CI, 1.19–10.7; P = 0.023). BRCAness was independently confirmed as a predictor of shorter EFS (HR = 2.64; 95% CI, 1.31–5.34; P = 0.007). About 13%–15% of patients, enriched for high-grade, higher-risk subtypes (P ≤ 0.0001), had strong expression of the Tumor Inflammation Signature (TIS) suggestive of an inhibited antitumor immune response. TIS scores were strongly associated with TIL numbers (P < 1e-30) but not with tumor mutation status.

Conclusions:

BRCA-related DNA repair deficiency and suppressed tumor immune responses may be clinically relevant predictors of endocrine therapy complementing treatment options in subgroups of hormone-sensitive early breast cancer.
Postpancreatoduodenectomy Hemorrhage: Association between the Causes and the Severity of the Bleeding
Authors: Khuri Safi , Mansour Subhi , Obeid Amir , Azzam Ameer , Borzellino Guiseppe , Kluger Yoram
Published: October 2020

Introduction: Of the complications following pancreatoduodenectomy (PD), postpancreatoduodenectomy hemorrhage (PPH) is the least common, but severe forms can be life-threatening without urgent treatment. While early PPH is mostly related to surgical hemostasis, late PPH is more likely due to complex physiopathological pathways secondary to different etiologies. The understanding of such etiologies could therefore be of great interest to help guide the treatment of severe, potentially life-threatening, late PPH cases. Objective: The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the causes of PPH as a complication and explore a possible association between the causes and the severity of late PPH. Methods: A retrospective study was performed at the HPB and Surgical Oncology Unit, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel. The charts of all patients submitted for PD were reviewed, and all patients with PPH were included. The timing, cause, and severity of PPH as well as other information were collected. A statistical analysis on the possible association between cause and severity of late PPH was performed. Results: A total of 347 patients underwent PD, 18 of whom (5.18%) developed PPH. Early PPH was reported in 1 patient (5.6%) with severe bleeding from the gastric staple line. Late PPH was reported in 17 patients (94.4%). The most common causes of late PPH were bleeding from a vascular pseudoaneurysm (PSA) reported in 6 patients, 1 with mild and 5 with severe hemorrhage, and bleeding from a gastroenteric anastomosis marginal ulcer reported in 6 patients, all with mild hemorrhage. No etiology was found in 5 patients with mild hemorrhage. A significant association was found between the severity of late hemorrhage and vascular PSA as the cause of the bleeding (p = 0.001). All PSA bleeding occurred in cases complicated by a postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF), with a significant statistical association (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The most common cause of PPH was bleeding from a vascular PSA; the majority of these cases involved severe bleeding with late presentation, and all were associated with a POPF formation. In such cases, early detection by computed tomography angiography is mandatory, thereby promoting urgent treatment by angiography of vascular bleeding complications following PD.
Perls Stain Grade in Bone Marrow Aspirate Correlates with Overall Survival in Low-Risk Myelodysplastic Patients
Authors: Pilo Federica , Caocci Giovanni , Mele Giannalisa , La Nasa Giorgio
Published: October 2020

Low-risk patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are inclined to long-term accumulation of iron in the organs due mostly to red blood cell transfusion and ineffective erythropoiesis. The effect of free toxic iron species in the liver and heart sites is well known, but recent knowledge assumes that oxidant-mediated tissue injury is also effective in the bone marrow. We aimed to investigate the predictive value of bone marrow iron accumulation as demonstrated by Perls staining on the overall survival (OS) of MDS patients. We retrospectively analyzed 114 low and intermediate-I IPSS risk MDS patients who were diagnosed at our institution in the last 20 years. The median age was 70 years (range 32–93). Two different experienced hematologists analyzed all samples. Perls Prussian blue stain was used to stain the bone marrow, which was assessed by modified Gale’s grading and then correlated with the outcome. Twenty-seven patients had grade 1 (+), 31 grade 2 (++), and 56 grade 3 (+++). The 20-year OS was significantly lower in patients with a higher Perls score (6.8 ± 6.1%, median 80 ± 7 months in grade 3; 18.7 ± 9.4%, median 70 ± 17 months in grade 2; 33.2 ± 16.4%, median 144 ± 18 months in grade 1; p = 0.011); bone marrow iron overload (p = 0.003; HR 1.7) and transfusion dependency (0.001; HR 2.6) negatively impacted on survival. We suggest that a higher grade of iron storage at diagnosis can impact on the outcome in MDS patients. Perls stain, together with ferritin and the blood transfusional burden, could be another marker at diagnosis of iron-related toxicity that predicts survival.
Current Surgical Strategies for the Treatment of Rectal Adenocarcinoma and the Risk of Local Recurrence
Authors: Longchamp Gregoire , Meyer Jeremy , Abbassi Ziad , Sleiman Marwan , Toso Christian , Ris Frederic , Buchs Nicolas Christian
Published: October 2020

Background: Despite new medical and surgical strategies, 5-year local recurrence of rectal adenocarcinoma was reported in up to 25% of cases. Therefore, we aimed to review surgical strategies for the prevention of local recurrences in rectal cancer. Summary: After implementation of the total mesorectal excision (TME), surgical resection of rectal adenocarcinoma with anterior resection or abdominoperineal excision (APE) allowed decrease in local recurrence (3% at 5 years). More recently, extralevator APE was described as an alternative to APE, decreasing specimen perforation and recurrence rate. Moreover, technique modifications were developed to optimize rectal resection, such as the laparoscopic or robotic approach, and transanal TME. However, the technical advantages conferred by these techniques did not translate into a decreased recurrence rate. Lateral lymph node dissection is another technique, which aimed at improving the long-term outcomes; nevertheless, there is currently no evidence to recommend its routine use. Strategies to preserve the rectum are also emerging, such as local excision, and may be beneficial for subgroups of patients. Key Messages: Rectal cancer management requires a multidisciplinary approach, and surgical strategy should be tailored to patient factors: general health, previous perineal intervention, anatomy, preference, and tumor characteristics such as stage and localization.
Computerized Analysis of the Ventricular Fibrillation Waveform Allows Identification of Myocardial Infarction: A Proof‐of‐Concept Study for Smart Defibrillator Applications in Cardiac Arrest
Authors: Thannhauser Jos , Nas Joris , Rebergen Dennis J. , Westra Sjoerd W. , Smeets Joep L. R. M. , Van Royen Niels , Bonnes Judith L. , Brouwer Marc A.
Published: October 2020

Background

In cardiac arrest, computerized analysis of the ventricular fibrillation (VF) waveform provides prognostic information, while its diagnostic potential is subject of study. Animal studies suggest that VF morphology is affected by prior myocardial infarction (MI), and even more by acute MI. This experimental in‐human study reports on the discriminative value of VF waveform analysis to identify a prior MI. Outcomes may provide support for in‐field studies on acute MI.

Methods and Results

We conducted a prospective registry of implantable cardioverter defibrillator recipients with defibrillation testing (2010–2014). From 12‐lead surface ECG VF recordings, we calculated 10 VF waveform characteristics. First, we studied detection of prior MI with lead II, using one key VF characteristic (amplitude spectrum area [AMSA]). Subsequently, we constructed diagnostic machine learning models: model A, lead II, all VF characteristics; model B, 12‐lead, AMSA only; and model C, 12‐lead, all VF characteristics. Prior MI was present in 58% (119/206) of patients. The approach using the AMSA of lead II demonstrated a C‐statistic of 0.61 (95% CI, 0.54–0.68). Model A performance was not significantly better: 0.66 (95% CI, 0.59–0.73),
P
=0.09 versus AMSA lead II. Model B yielded a higher C‐statistic: 0.75 (95% CI, 0.68–0.81),
P
<0.001 versus AMSA lead II. Model C did not improve this further: 0.74 (95% CI, 0.67–0.80),
P
=0.66 versus model B.

Conclusions

This proof‐of‐concept study provides the first in‐human evidence that MI detection seems feasible using VF waveform analysis. Information from multiple ECG leads rather than from multiple VF characteristics may improve diagnostic accuracy. These results require additional experimental studies and may serve as pilot data for in‐field smart defibrillator studies, to try and identify acute MI in the earliest stages of cardiac arrest.
Driving mechanism of dragonfly’s wing flapping pattern for liquid circulation inside wing
Authors: Wang Yunjie , Yin Yajun , Zheng Gangtie , Yao Hongxiang
Published: October 2020

Flying animals can inspire practical approaches to a more advanced way of flying. Dragonflies demonstrate a special flapping pattern in which their wings perform torsional movement while flapping, which is different from that of birds. This flapping pattern is referred to as nonsynchronous flapping in this article. We present a hypothesis that nonsynchronous flapping provides a driving force for enhancing the haemolymph circulation inside dragonfly wings. To support this hypothesis, a controlled experiment was designed and conducted with living dragonflies. By observing the liquid motion inside the vein within free flapping wings and restricted wings of living dragonflies, this hypothesis was supported. A mathematical model of the flapping wing was built and numerically studied to further support the function of the nonsynchronous flapping pattern in driving the circulation. With these studies, a theoretical explanation for the mechanism of enhancing the haemolymph circulation by nonsynchronous flapping was provided.
Spatial and species-level metrics reveal global patterns of irreplaceable and imperiled gecko phylogenetic diversity
Authors: Gumbs Rikki , Williams Rachel C , Lowney Anthony M , Smith Darrell
Published: October 2020

Phylogenetic Diversity (PD) is increasingly recognised as a useful tool for prioritising species and regions for conservation effort. Increased availability of spatial and phylogenetic data for reptiles now facilitates their inclusion in phylogenetically-informed conservation prioritisation efforts. Geckos are a highly divergent and diverse clade that comprises almost 20% of global reptile diversity. Their global distribution is coincident with numerous anthropogenic threats, making them worthy of conservation prioritisation. Here, we combine phylogenetic, spatial distribution and extinction risk data for geckos with global human encroachment data to identify both regions and species representing irreplaceable gecko diversity at risk from human pressure. We show that high levels of irreplaceable gecko diversity are restricted to regions under intense human pressure, such as India, Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. There is a lack of extinction risk data for the western regions of Angola and Namibia, and yet these regions harbour high levels of irreplaceable diversity. At the species level, geckos display more unique PD than other lizards and snakes and are of greater conservation concern under our metric. The PD represented by Data Deficient geckos is at comparable risk to that of Endangered species. Finally, estimates of potential gecko diversity loss increase by up to 300% when species lacking extinction risk data are included. Our analyses show that many evolutionarily unique gecko species are poorly known and are at an increased risk of extinction. Targeted research is needed to elucidate the conservation status of these species and identify conservation priorities.
Rediscovery of Pedicularis denudata (Orobanchaceae), a little known, rare herb after 135 years from India

Authors: BORAH DIPANKAR , SINGH RAJEEV KUMAR , GARG ARTI
Published: October 2020

The hemi-parasitic genus Pedicularis Linnaeus (1753: 607) contains about 671 species, distributed mainly in temperate to tropical mountains and subarctic area of the world, and is the largest genus of the family Orobanchaceae (POWO 2020, Borah et al. 2020, Garg et al. 2020). Presently, 86 species, 13 subspecies and 9 varieties are known from India, of which 20 species, 5 subspecies and 5 varieties are endemic (Husain et al. 2010, Garg & Singh 2015, Singh et al. 2016, Borah et al. 2020, Garg & Singh 2020, Garg et al. 2020). The Himalayan region hosts 83 species, 13 subspecies and 9 varieties, while 2 species Pedicularis perrottetii Bentham (1846: 565) and P. zeylanica Bentham (1835: 54) are confined to the southern Western Ghats.
Dynamical Roles of Mixed Rossby–Gravity Waves in Driving Convective Initiation and Propagation of the Madden–Julian Oscillation: General Views
Authors: Takasuka Daisuke , Satoh Masaki
Published: October 2020

Motivated by the previous case study, this work shows that dynamical variations of mixed Rossby–gravity waves with tropical depression–type circulations (MRGTDs) are possible drivers of convective initiation and propagation of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) by performing statistical analysis. MJO events initiated in the Indian Ocean (IO) in boreal winter are objectively identified solely using outgoing longwave radiation data. The lagged-composite analysis of detected MJO events demonstrates that MJO convection is initiated in the southwestern IO (SWIO), where strong MRGTD–convection coupling is statistically found. Further classification of MJO cases in terms of intraseasonal convection and MRGTD activities in the SWIO suggests that 26 of 47 cases are related to more enhanced MRGTDs, although they can also be secondarily affected by Kelvin waves. For those MRGTD-enhanced MJO events, MJO convective initiation is primarily triggered by low-level MRGTD circulations that develop via the enhancement of downward energy dispersion in accordance with upper-tropospheric baroclinic conversion. This is supported by the modulation of MRGTD structure associated with zonal wave contraction due to upper-tropospheric zonal convergence, and plentiful moisture advected into the western IO. Following this MRGTD-induced MJO triggering and midtropospheric premoistening in the IO contributed by MRGTD shallow circulations as well as intraseasonal winds during the MJO-suppressed phase, low-level MRGTD winds with eastward group velocity successively trigger convection to the east, which helps MJO convective propagation over the IO. The interannual atmospheric variability may affect whether the presented MRGTD-related processes are effective or not.
Smoke with Induced Rotation and Lofting (SWIRL) in the Stratosphere
Authors: Allen Douglas R. , Fromm Michael D. , Kablick III George P. , Nedoluha Gerald E.
Published: October 2020

The Australian bushfires of 2019/20 produced an unusually large number of pyrocumulonimbus (pyroCb) that injected huge amounts of smoke into the lower stratosphere. The pyroCbs from 29 December 2019 to 4 January 2020 were particularly intense, producing hemispheric-wide aerosol that persisted for months. One plume from this so-called Australian New Year (ANY) event evolved into a stratospheric aerosol mass ~1000 km across and several kilometers thick. This plume initially moved eastward toward South America in January, then reversed course and moved westward passing south of Australia in February and eventually reached South Africa in early March. The peculiar motion was related to the steady rise in plume potential temperature of ~8 K day−1 in January and ~6 K day−1 in February, due to local heating by smoke absorption of solar radiation. This heating resulted in a vertical temperature anomaly dipole, a positive potential vorticity (PV) anomaly, and anticyclonic circulation. We call this dynamical component of the smoke plume “smoke with induced rotation and lofting” (SWIRL). This study uses Navy Global Environmental Model (NAVGEM) analyses to detail the SWIRL structure over 2 months. The main diagnostic tool is an anticyclone edge calculation based on the scalar Q diagnostic. This provides the framework for calculating the time evolution of various SWIRL properties: PV anomaly, streamfunction, horizontal size, vertical thickness, flow speed, and tilt. In addition, we examine the temperature anomaly dipole, the SWIRL interaction with the large-scale wind shear, and the ozone anomaly associated with lofting of air from the lower to the middle stratosphere.
The Influence of Turbulence Memory on Idealized Tornado Simulations
Authors: Wang Aaron , Pan Ying , Markowski Paul M.
Published: October 2020

Surface friction contributes to tornado formation and maintenance by enhancing the convergence of angular momentum. The traditional lower boundary condition in atmospheric models typically assumes an instant equilibrium between the unresolved stress and the resolved shear. This assumption ignores the physics that turbulent motions are generated and dissipated at finite rates—in effect, turbulence has a memory through its lifetime. In this work, a modified lower boundary condition is proposed to account for the effect of turbulence memory. Specifically, when an air parcel moves along a curved trajectory, a normal surface-shear-stress component arises owing to turbulence memory. In the accompanying large-eddy simulation (LES) of idealized tornadoes, the normal surface-shear-stress component is a source of additional dynamic instability, which provides an extra pathway for the development of turbulent motions. The influence of turbulence memory on the intensity of quasi-steady-state tornadoes remains negligible as long as assumptions employed by the modified lower boundary condition hold over a relatively large fraction of the flow region of interest. However, tornadoes in a transient state may be especially sensitive to turbulence memory.

Significance Statement

Friction between the wind and the ground can influence atmospheric phenomena in important ways. For example, surface friction can be a significant source of rotation in some thunderstorms, and it can also help to intensify rotation when rotation is already present. Unfortunately, the representation of friction’s effects in atmospheric simulations is especially error-prone in phenomena characterized by rapid temporal evolution or strong spatial variations. Our work explores a new framework for representing friction to include the effect of the so-called turbulence memory. The approach is tested in idealized tornado simulations, but it may be applied to a wide range of atmospheric vortices.
The First Rehoming of Laboratory Beagles in Finland: The Complete Process from Socialisation Training to Follow-up
Authors: Hänninen Laura , Norring Marianna
Published: October 2020

The fate of experimental animals represents an ethical dilemma and a public concern. In the EU, Directive 2010/63/EU allows the rehoming of former experimental animals instead of euthanasia. However, to our knowledge, there are no previous reports of rehoming Beagles in Finland. This study aimed to describe the process behind the first rehoming of laboratory Beagles at the University of Helsinki and evaluate its success. In total, 16 former laboratory Beagles were rehomed in collaboration with animal protection organisations and the University of Helsinki. The dogs had participated in animal cognition studies and had undergone minor procedures during the development of a veterinary drug. While the dogs were still in the laboratory, a socialisation training programme lasting several months was undertaken. Through surveying of the adoptive owners, and interviewing the various stakeholders involved (researchers, animal protection organisations and animal caretakers), the overall process was evaluated, including: the socialisation training programme; the comparative success of rehoming younger compared to older animals; the criteria that were used for the selection of the adoptive owners; and the eventual success of rehoming the dogs with the new owners. The majority of the dogs adjusted well to their new home environment. Euthanasia at the end of their experimental use would have been unnecessary and possibly against the objectives of European directives.
A Human Erythrocyte-based Haemolysis Assay for the Evaluation of Human Complement Activity
Authors: King Ruby Anne N. , Climacosa Fresthel Monica M. , Santos Bobbie Marie M. , Caoili Salvador Eugenio C.
Published: October 2020

The complement system consists of at least 50 proteins that serve as one of the first lines of defence against foreign, or damaged, cells and invading microorganisms. Its dysregulation underlies the pathophysiology of many different diseases, which makes functional assays of complement activity crucial; they are, however, underutilised. Standard haemolysis assays for the analysis of complement function employ sensitised non-human erythrocytes (e.g. from the sheep, guinea-pig or rabbit), the use of which raises animal welfare concerns. To provide an alternative to the use of such animal-derived products for complement function assays, we developed a method that employs modified human erythrocytes to evaluate the activity of complement pathways. Human erythrocytes were subjected to various chemical and/or proteolytic treatments involving 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulphonate (TNBS) and pancreatin. Haemolysis assays demonstrated that sequential treatment with TNBS and pancreatin resulted in significantly greater complement-mediated haemolysis, as compared to TNBS or pancreatin treatment alone. Evidence that lysis of the modified erythrocytes was complement-mediated was provided by the chelation and subsequent restoration of calcium in the plasma. Thus, such modified human erythrocytes could be used as an alternative to animal-derived erythrocytes in haemolysis assays, in order to evaluate complement activity in human plasma during, for example, the screening of patients for complement deficiencies and other abnormalities in a clinical setting.
When Not Choosing Leads to Not Liking: Choice-Induced Preference in Infancy
Authors: Silver Alex M. , Stahl Aimee E. , Loiotile Rita , Smith-Flores Alexis S. , Feigenson Lisa
Published: October 2020

The question of how people’s preferences are shaped by their choices has generated decades of research. In a classic example, work on cognitive dissonance has found that observers who must choose between two equally attractive options subsequently avoid the unchosen option, suggesting that not choosing the item led them to like it less. However, almost all of the research on such choice-induced preference focuses on adults, leaving open the question of how much experience is necessary for its emergence. Here, we examined the developmental roots of this phenomenon in preverbal infants ( N = 189). In a series of seven experiments using a free-choice paradigm, we found that infants experienced choice-induced preference change similar to adults’. Infants’ choice patterns reflected genuine preference change and not attraction to novelty or inherent attitudes toward the options. Hence, choice shapes preferences—even without extensive experience making decisions and without a well-developed self-concept.
Can Organizations Leverage Employer Branding to Gain Employee Engagement and Reduce Turnover Intention? An Empirical Study with Organizational Trust as a Mediator
Authors: Yadav Lalit Kumar , Kumar Ashish , Mishra Shubhra
Published: October 2020

Employee engagement (EE) and turnover intention (TI) are significant goals to pursue for all vibrant organizations. To pursue these goals, organizations need to differentiate itself from other organizations. One important concept that leads organization to a different pedestal is employer branding (EB). This work studies the influence of EB on EE and TI. It also attempts to explain the mechanism through which EB impacts these two variables. This is done by incorporating organizational trust (OT) as a mediating variable.

he sample size of the study is 308, and the respondents were from various organizations spread across India. The statistical tools to get the result were correlation and hierarchical regression in SPSS. The study finds that EB is positively related to EE and negatively aligned with TI. OT partially mediated and fully mediated the relation with EE and turnover intention, respectively. After discussing the result, implications, both practical and theoretical, are laid out. Limitations and further scope of research are discussed in the end.
COVID-19 Pandemic: The Lived Experiences of Older Adults in Aged Care Homes
Authors: Chee Shi Yin
Published: October 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused untold fear and suffering for older adults across the world. According to the World Health Organization, older adults in aged care homes are at a higher risk of the infection living in an enclosed environment with others. This article adopts a qualitative approach using Colaizzi’s phenomenological method to explore the lived experiences of older adults during COVID-19. Between December 2019 and June 2020, 10 in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants aged 60 years and above in two aged care homes. The lived tension that has penetrated all participants’ stories in five themes of the meanings described as ‘disconnected in a shrinking world’ filled with uncertainties. COVID-19 has brought unprecedented challenges and disproportionate threat onto older adults’ lives, relationships and well-being. The overarching message was that older adults believe that ‘this too shall pass’ and regain their freedom that was lost during the pandemic.