bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring mechanisms underlying learning from deliberate reflection: An experimental study
Authors: Ribeiro Ligia Maria Cayres , Mamede Silvia , de Brito Eliza Maria , Moura Alexandre Sampaio , de Faria Rosa Malena Delbone , Schmidt Henk G.
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Previous research suggests that, relative to generating a differential diagnosis, deliberate reflection during practice with clinical cases fosters learning from a subsequently studied scientific text and promotes interest in the subject matter. The present experiment aimed to replicate these findings and to examine whether motivational or cognitive mechanisms, or both, underlie the positive effects of reflection.

Methods

A total of 101 5th‐year medical students participated in an experiment containing four phases: Students (a) diagnosed two clinical cases of jaundice‐related diseases either through deliberate reflection or differential diagnosis; (b) reported their situational interest and awareness of knowledge gaps; (c) studied a text about jaundice, either under free or restricted time; and (d) recalled the text. Outcome measures were text‐recall, situational interest and awareness of knowledge gaps.

Results

A main effect of diagnostic approach on recall of the text was found, with the reflection group recalling more studied material than the differential diagnosis group (means: 72.56 vs 58.80; P = .01). No interaction between diagnostic approach and study time (free or restricted) emerged, nor was there a main effect of the latter. Relative to the differential diagnosis group, students who reflected upon the cases scored significantly higher on both situational interest (means: 4.45 vs 3.99, P < .001) and awareness of knowledge gaps (means: 4.13 vs 3.85, P < .01).

Discussion

Relative to generating differential diagnoses, reflection upon clinical cases increased learning outcomes on a subsequent study task, an effect that was independent of study time, suggesting that cognitive mechanisms underlie this effect, rather than increases in motivation to study. However, higher scores on situational interest and awareness of knowledge gaps and a tendency towards larger gains when time was free suggest that higher motivation may also contribute to learning from reflection.
Navigating the Challenges of L2 Reading: Self‐Efficacy, Self‐Regulatory Reading Strategies, and Learner Profiles
Authors: GRAHAM SUZANNE , WOORE ROBERT , PORTER ALISON , COURTNEY LOUISE , SAVORY CLARE
Published: November 2020

Reading in a foreign language has value for learners as a potentially rich source of input as well as enjoyment. It requires persistence, however. Within models of self‐regulated learning, persistence relates to learners’ self‐efficacy and use of strategies to aid task completion and regulation of engagement. Yet the relationship between self‐efficacy and self‐regulatory strategies is underexplored for second language (L2) reading, despite some intervention studies finding that instruction aimed at improving strategy use positively influences self‐efficacy. The current study investigated the relationship between what we call text engagement regulatory reading strategies (TERRS) and reading self‐efficacy among 529 beginner learners of French. It also explored whether different learner profiles exist with respect to that relationship, and how far learners of different profiles benefited in respect of reading self‐efficacy from 3 instructional approaches: phonics instruction plus the use of challenging texts; strategy‐based instruction using the same texts; and no explicit phonics or strategy instruction using the texts only. The use of TERRS was an important predictor of reading self‐efficacy and central to 3 distinct learner profile clusters. Increases in reading self‐efficacy were significantly greater for learners of certain profiles who received strategy‐based instruction, with implications for theories of self‐regulated language learning and classroom practice.
Routine critical care step‐down programmes: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Tanner John , Cornish Jocelyn
Published: November 2020

Background

Patients discharged from critical care to general hospital wards are vulnerable to clinical deterioration, critical care readmission, and death. In response, routine critical care stepdown programmes (CCSDPs) have been widely developed, which involve the review of all patients on general wards following discharge from critical care by multidisciplinary Outreach teams with critical care skills.

Aims and objectives

This review aims to answer the question: do routine CCSDPs reduce readmission and/or mortality among patients discharged from critical care?

Design

Systematic review of quantitative studies and meta‐analysis.

Methods

Six databases were comprehensively searched from inception (CENTRAL, Cochrane Reviews, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and web of Science), alongside grey literature and trial registers. Studies investigating the effect of routine CCSDPs delivered by Outreach nurses on readmission and/or mortality following discharge from adult critical care to general hospital wards were included. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane ROBINS‐I tool.

Results

Eight studies met the inclusion criteria, with data from 6 studies pooled in 3 meta‐analyses. Among patients exposed to routine CCSDPs, pooled data estimated a statistically nonsignificant reduction in the risk of readmission to critical care (risk ratio [RR] 0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.66‐1.09;P= .19), a statistically significant increase in the risk of readmission to critical care within 72 hours (RR 1.49; 95% CI 1.05‐2.12;P= .03), a statistically non‐significant reduction in risk of mortality following critical care discharge (RR 0.90; 95% CI 0.75‐1.07;P= .22), and no association with mortality within 14 days of discharge.

Conclusion

This review is unable to definitively conclude whether routine CCSDPs reduce critical care readmission or mortality following critical care discharge.

Relevance to clinical practice

While the synthesized evidence does not suggest a change in policy and practice are warranted, neither does it support routine CCSDPs in the absence of high‐quality evidence.
From pollen dispersal to plant diversification: genetic consequences of pollination mode
Authors: Wessinger Carolyn A.
Published: November 2020

Pollinators influence patterns of plant speciation, and one intuitive hypothesis is that pollinators affect rates of plant diversification through their effects on pollen dispersal. By specifying mating events and pollen flow across the landscape, distinct types of pollinators may cause different opportunities for allopatric speciation. This pollen dispersal‐dependent speciation hypothesis predicts that pollination mode has effects on the spatial context of mating events that scale up to impact population structure and rates of species formation. Here I consider recent comparative studies, including genetic analyses of plant mating events, population structure and comparative phylogenetic analyses, to examine evidence for this model. These studies suggest that highly mobile pollinators conduct greater gene flow within and among populations, compared to less mobile pollinators. These differences influence patterns of population structure across the landscape. However, the effects of pollination mode on speciation rates is less predictable. In some contexts, the predicted effects of pollen dispersal are outweighed by other factors that govern speciation rates. A multiscale approach to examine effects of pollination mode on plant mating system, population structure and rates of diversification is key to determining the role of pollen dispersal on plant speciation for model clades.
The Power of Political Déjà Vu: When Collective Action Becomes an Effort to Change the Future by Preventing the Return of the Past
Authors: Chayinska Maria , McGarty Craig
Published: November 2020

This article examines the conditions under which political déjà vu (PDV), a perceived analogy between past and present societal‐level traumatic events, can mobilize people to support system‐changing collective action. We propose that individuals' perceptions of PDV can evolve both social identification with a group that sustains the victimized and disidentification with the perceived perpetrators. We further suggest that disidentification and identification can form two distinct psychological paths to collective action through the sequential effects of moral outrage and collective efficacy beliefs. We tested these ideas in a cross‐sectional field study (N = 272) in the context of antigovernment protests over a missing activist in Argentina, a country with a legacy of enforced disappearances. The findings demonstrated that perceiving two events from different times as similar simultaneously predicted identifying as a supporter of the victimized and disidentifying with the perceived wrongdoer. Disidentification was found to predict collective action intentions through the sequential effect of collective efficacy beliefs and moral outrage, whereas the indirect effect of social identification was nonsignificant. Results provide an intriguing example of the effects of perceived PDV in social mobilization and extend our understanding of disidentification as a powerful predictor of collective action.
Random Effects Dynamic Panel Models for Unequally Spaced Multivariate Categorical Repeated Measures: An Application to Child–Parent Exchanges of Support
Authors: Steele Fiona , Grundy Emily
Published: November 2020

Exchanges of practical or financial help between people living in different households are a major component of intergenerational exchanges within families and an increasingly important source of support for individuals in need. Using longitudinal data, bivariate dynamic panel models can be applied to study the effects of changes in individual circumstances on help given to and received from non-coresident parents and the reciprocity of exchanges. However, the use of a rotating module for collection of data on exchanges leads to data where the response measurements are unequally spaced and taken less frequently than for the time-varying covariates. Existing approaches to this problem focus on fixed effects linear models for univariate continuous responses. We propose a random effects estimator for a family of dynamic panel models that can handle continuous, binary or ordinal multivariate responses. The performance of the estimator is assessed in a simulation study. A bivariate probit dynamic panel model is then applied to estimate the effects of partnership and employment transitions in the previous year and the presence and age of children in the current year on an individual’s propensity to give or receive help. Annual data on respondents’ partnership, employment status and dependent children, and data on exchanges of help collected at 2- and 5-year intervals are used in this study.
On the Interpretation and use of Causal Verb‐first‐clauses in German
Authors: Taigel Sonja
Published: November 2020

This article is concerned with the grammatical properties and interpretations of a particular type of verb‐first‐clause in German, in passing also looking at theWo‐verb‐end‐clause. Based on corpus data and a judgement study, characteristics which have been attributed to these clause types will be questioned: The assumption that the utterances’ contents is presupposed and that this is whydochoccurs in this context so often will be rejected. Data also show that the strict association of verb‐first and causality, on the one hand, andWo‐verb‐end and concessivity, on the other hand, is too strong an assumption. It will be claimed thatdochis indirectly responsible for causality by assuming that a causal default interpretation is decisive. The proposed modelling ofdochprovides an explanation why the particle facilitates the causal reading and it also allows to derive certain stylistic effects.
HIV testing and self‐testing coverage among men and women in South Africa: an exploration of related factors
Authors: Awopegba Oluwafemi Emmanuel , Ologunowa Taiwo Olubunmi , Ajayi Anthony Idowu
Published: November 2020

Objectives

Uptake of HIV testing is critical to halting the spread of HIV. Our study aimed to examine the coverage of HIV testing and self‐testing and the individual‐level, household‐level and community‐level factors associated with HIV testing and self‐testing awareness.

Methods

We analysed data of 12 312 men and women from 2016 SADHS and used multilevel mixed‐effects models to examine the factors associated with uptake of HIV testing and self‐testing awareness.

Results

About 80% of participants had ever tested for HIV, and 64% had tested in the past year. Only 49% of adolescents aged 15–19 years had ever tested for HIV compared with over 80% of adults. Self‐testing awareness was low (22%), and only 2.9% of respondents had ever self‐tested for HIV. The odds of having ever tested for HIV were significantly higher among respondents who were aged 25–29 (AOR: 4.02; 95% CI: 3.27–4.95), had a higher level of education (AOR: 3.18; 95% CI: 2.19–4.61), were married (AOR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.36–1.94), had high media exposure (AOR: 1.23; 95% CI: 1.06–1.44) and had ever had sex (AOR: 5.57; 95% CI: 4.67–6.64), but lower among men (AOR: 0.39; 95% CI: 0.35–0.44).

Conclusion

In conclusion, HIV testing coverage is high in South Africa relative to most countries in sub‐Saharan Africa, but falls short of the UNAIDS first 95. We found no evidence of socioeconomic and geographic inequalities in access to HIV testing. However, adolescents had a lower level of HIV testing uptake, suggesting a need for interventions to expand testing in this age group.
Implementation and operational feasibility of SAMBA I HIV‐1 semi‐quantitative viral load testing at the point‐of‐care in rural settings in Malawi and Uganda
Authors: Gueguen Monique , Nicholas Sarala , Poulet Elisabeth , Schramm Birgit , Szumilin Elisabeth , Wolters Liselotte , Wapling Johanna , Ajule Ephrahim , Rakesh Ankur , Mwenda Reuben , Kiyaga Charles , Balkan Suna
Published: November 2020

Objective

We monitored a large‐scale implementation of the Simple Amplification‐Based Assay semi‐quantitative viral load test for HIV‐1 version I (SAMBA I Viral Load = SAMBA I VL) within Médecins Sans Frontières’ HIV programmes in Malawi and Uganda, to assess its performance and operational feasibility.

Methods

Descriptive analysis of routine programme data between August 2013 and December 2016. The dataset included samples collected for VL monitoring and tested using SAMBA I VL in five HIV clinics in Malawi (four peripheral health centres and one district hospital), and one HIV clinic in a regional referral hospital in Uganda. SAMBA I VL was used for VL testing in patients who had been receiving ART for between 6 months and ten years, to determine whether plasma VL was above or below 1000 copies/mL of HIV‐1, reflecting ART failure or efficacy. Randomly selected samples were quantified with commercial VL assays. SAMBA I instruments and test performance, site throughput, and delays in communicating results to clinicians and patients were monitored.

Results

Between August 2013 and December 2016 a total of 60 889 patient samples were analysed with SAMBA I VL. Overall, 0.23% of initial SAMBA I VL results were invalid; this was reduced to 0.04% after repeating the test once. Global test failure, including instrument failure, was 1.34%. Concordance with reference quantitative testing of VL was 2620/2727, 96.0% (1338/1382, 96.8% in Malawi; 1282/1345, 95.3% in Uganda). For Chiradzulu peripheral health centres and Arua Hospital HIV clinic, where testing was performed on‐site, same‐day results were communicated to clinicians for between 91% and 97% of samples. Same‐day clinical review was obtained for 84.7% across the whole set of samples tested.

Conclusions

SAMBA I VL testing is feasible for monitoring cohorts of 1000 to 5000 ART‐experienced patients. Same‐day results can be used to inform rapid clinical decision‐making at rural and remote health facilities, potentially reducing time available for development of resistance and conceivably helping to reduce morbidity and mortality.
The burden of HIV, syphilis and schistosome infection and associated factors among adults in the fishing communities in northwestern Tanzania
Authors: Kapiga Saidi , Hansen Christian H. , Downs Jennifer A. , Sichalwe Simon , Hashim Ramadhan , Mngara Julius , van Dam Govert J. , Corstjens Paul L. A. M. , Kingery Justin R. , Peck Robert N. , Grosskurth Heiner
Published: November 2020

Objectives

To quantify the burden of HIV, syphilis and schistosome infection and associated risk factors among adults living in seven fishing communities of Lake Victoria in northwest Tanzania.

Methods

Cross‐sectional study conducted between 2015 and 2016 in the selected communities. In each community, we randomly selected a sample of adults from the general population and from three putative risk groups including the following: (i) fishermen, (ii) fish processors and traders, and (iii) women working in the recreational facilities. Participants were interviewed to obtain information about potential risk factors, and venous blood was collected for detection of HIV, syphilis and schistosome infections. We used logistic regression models to quantify the associations between potential risk factors and HIV, and also between schistosome infection and HIV.

Results

We enrolled 1128 people from selected fishing communities. The overall prevalence of HIV, syphilis and schistosome infection was 14.2%, 15.6% and 83.1%, respectively. Female recreational facility workers had the highest prevalence of HIV (30.4%) and syphilis (24%). The odds of being HIV infected were generally higher in all age categories. Transactional sex was commonly reported and especially receiving gifts for sex was found to be strongly associated with HIV (adjusted OR = 2.50; 95% CI: 1.44–4.34,P = 0.008). Confirmed serological syphilis was associated with increased odds of having HIV infection. HIV was not associated with schistosome infection in a combined dataset and when we examined this separately for men and women alone.

Conclusions

We observed a high burden of HIV, syphilis and schistosome infections in the fishing communities. Targeted efforts to treat and control infections have the potential to improve health among their residents.
Spatial analysis of dengue incidence and Aedes aegypti ovitrap surveillance in Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Authors: Schultes Olivia Lang , Morais Maria Helena Franco , Cunha Maria da Consolação Magalhães , Sobral Andréa , Caiaffa Waleska Teixeira
Published: November 2020

Objectives

Understanding the intra‐urban spatial dynamics of Aedes aegypti and dengue transmission is important to effectively guide vector control. Ovitraps are a sensitive, cost‐effective vector surveillance tool, yet few longitudinal studies have evaluated ovitrap indices and dengue occurrence. We aimed to assess the spatial patterns of dengue incidence and Ae. aegypti ovitrap positivity index (OPI) over time and to examine the spatial relationship between these two variables.

Methods

This study used 12 years (2007–2018) of dengue case records and biweekly Ae. aegypti ovitrap data in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. We aggregated data by year and health centre catchment area (n = 152) and used both univariate and bivariate global Moran’s I statistic and LISA to evaluate spatial clustering.

Results

Annual dengue incidence ranged from 18 to 6262/100 000 residents and displayed spatial autocorrelation in 10/12 years, with shifting areas of high incidence. Annual OPI ranged from 35.7 to 47.6% and was clustered in all study years, but unlike dengue had consistent spatial patterns over time. Bivariate analysis found both positive (6/12 years) and negative (1/12 years) spatial associations between the two variables.

Conclusions

Low detected presence of Ae. aegypti was not a limiting factor in dengue transmission. However, stable spatial distribution of OPI suggests that certain areas may have persistent breeding sites. Future research should identify factors related to persistent Ae. aegypti hotspots to better guide vector management. Vector control efforts should be paired with additional data on population immunity, circulating serotypes and urban factors to better predict and control outbreaks.
Wild soybean SNARE proteins BET1s mediate the subcellular localization of the cytoplasmic receptor‐like kinases CRCK1s to modulate salt stress responses
Authors: Sun Xiaoli , Cai Xiaoxi , Yin Kuide , Gu Liwei , Shen Yang , Hu Bingshuang , Wang Yan , Chen Yue , Zhu Yanming , Jia Bowei , Sun Mingzhe
Published: November 2020

Plants have evolved numerous receptor‐like kinases (RLKs) that modulate environmental stress responses. However, little is known regarding soybean (Glycine max) RLKs. We have previously identified that Glycine soja Ca2+/CAM‐binding RLK (GsCBRLK) is involved in salt tolerance. Here, we report that soluble NSF attachment protein receptor proteins BET1s mediate subcellular localization of calmodulin‐binding receptor‐like cytoplasmic kinases CRCK1s to modulate salt stress responses. Direct interaction between GsCBRLK and GsBET11a was initially identified via yeast two‐hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays. Further analysis demonstrated conserved interaction between BET1s and CRCK1s. GsCBRLK interacted with all BET1 proteins in wild soybean (Glycine soja) and Arabidopsis, and GsBET11a strongly associated with GsCRCK1a–1d, but slightly with AtCRCK1. In addition, GsBET11a interacted with GsCBRLK via its C‐terminal transmembrane domain (TMD), where the entire TMD, not the sequence, was critical for the interaction. Moreover, the N‐terminal variable domain (VD) of GsCBRLK was responsible for interacting with GsBET11a, and the intensity of interaction between GsCBRLK/AtCRCK1 and GsBET11a was dependent on VD. Furthermore, GsBET11a was able to mediate the GsCBRLK subcellular localization via direct interaction with VD. Additionally, knockout of AtBET11 or AtBET12 individually did not alter GsCBRLK localization, while GsBET11a expression caused partial internalization of GsCBRLK from the plasma membrane (PM). We further suggest the necessity of GsCBRLK VD for its PM localization via N‐terminal truncation assays. Finally, GsBET11a was shown to confer enhanced salt stress tolerance when overexpressed in Arabidopsis and soybean. These results revealed the conserved and direct interaction between BET1s and CRCK1s, and suggested their involvement in salt stress responses.
Enhanced nitrogen removal by a combination of anammox and heterotrophic denitrification
Authors: Shibata Haruka , Tatara Masahiro , Ueno Yoshiyuki
Published: November 2020

This study examines the removal of nitrogen from nitrate, which accumulates in the anammox process, during the heterotrophic denitrification (HD) reaction using organic compounds that were originally contained in the influent as electron donors. The experimental system comprises a single partial‐nitritation/anammox (PNA) reactor and HD reactor for biological oxygen demand (BOD) reduction that is placed in series before the PNA reactor. A portion of the effluent from the PNA reactor was allowed to flow back to the HD reactor. The nitrate concentration in the effluent from the PNA reactor reduced as the recirculation ratio increased and the maximum nitrogen removal efficiency (NRE) was optimized at a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 3.0 hours in the HD reactor out of a total HRT of 36 hours at 4 backflow/influent, demonstrating an NRE of 95.4% that represented an enhancement of 1.24 times the NRE without recirculation in the flow path.
Ecological features of a Rana iberica population inhabiting a human-altered ecosystem
Authors: Ayres César
Published: November 2020

In this work, data are presented about spatial use and behaviour of Iberian brown frog (Rana iberica) during and after the breeding season in Pontevedra (north-western Spain). Field data were collected between November 2008 and February 2010 at a human-altered stream. The results suggest that there was a change in habitat use between the breeding and the non-breeding seasons. Rana iberica individuals concentrated in the upper part of the stream during the breeding season (November-March), moving to lower parts of the stream during late spring and summer. The estimated monthly frog abundance was inversely correlated to the recorded mean daily minimum temperatures.
Design and tuning of ionic liquid–based HNO donor through intramolecular hydrogen bond for efficient inhibition of tumor growth
Authors: Lv Xiaoyu , Chen Kaihong , Shi Guiling , Lin Wenjun , Bai Hongzhen , Li Haoran , Tang Guping , Wang Congmin
Published: November 2020

Ionic liquid–based HNO donors with highly tunable release half-lives exhibit pharmacological potential in tumor inhibition.
Bose-Einstein condensation superconductivity induced by disappearance of the nematic state
Authors: Hashimoto Takahiro , Ota Yuichi , Tsuzuki Akihiro , Nagashima Tsubaki , Fukushima Akiko , Kasahara Shigeru , Matsuda Yuji , Matsuura Kohei , Mizukami Yuta , Shibauchi Takasada , Shin Shik , Okazaki Kozo
Published: November 2020

The crossover from BCS superconductivity to BEC superconductivity is controlled by electronic nematicity in FeSe

1 −
x

S

x

.
Dynamic light scattering imaging
Authors: Postnov Dmitry D. , Tang Jianbo , Erdener Sefik Evren , Kılıç Kıvılcım , Boas David A.
Published: November 2020

Nature of red blood cell dynamics and light scattering interactions unraveled to accurately probe cerebral blood flow.
Endogenous DEL-1 restrains melanoma lung metastasis by limiting myeloid cell–associated lung inflammation
Authors: Hyun Young-Min , Seo Sang-Uk , Choi Woo Seon , Kwon Hyung-Joon , Kim Dong-Young , Jeong Soi , Kang Gyeong-Yi , Yi Eunbi , Kim Minjung , Ryu Hyun Jin , Looney Mark R. , Choi Eun Young , Kim Hun Sik
Published: November 2020

Lung-resident anti-inflammatory factor DEL-1 inhibits melanoma lung metastasis by limiting prometastatic neutrophil recruitment.
T cell factor 1: A master regulator of the T cell response in disease
Authors: Escobar Giulia , Mangani Davide , Anderson Ana C.
Published: November 2020

This review discusses TCF1, which plays context-dependent roles in T cell function during autoimmunity, cancer, and chronic infection.
Tissue-resident CD8
+
T cells drive age-associated chronic lung sequelae after viral pneumonia
Authors: Goplen Nick P. , Wu Yue , Son Young Min , Li Chaofan , Wang Zheng , Cheon In Su , Jiang Li , Zhu Bibo , Ayasoufi Katayoun , Chini Eduardo N. , Johnson Aaron J. , Vassallo Robert , Limper Andrew H. , Zhang Nu , Sun Jie
Published: November 2020

Age-associated T
RM
cell malfunction supports chronic lung inflammation and tissue fibrosis after respiratory viral infection.
Hydroxychloroquine and the risk of respiratory infections among RA patients
Authors: Kremer Joel M , Reed George , Pappas Dimitrios A , Harold LR , Kane Kevin , Greenberg Jeffrey , Winthrop Kevin
Published: November 2020

Objectives

To determine the effect of hydroxychloroquine on the incidence of new respiratory infections in a large registry of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients compared with a matched cohort receiving other conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs).

Methods

We reviewed physician-reported infections including upper respiratory infections (URI), bronchitis and pneumonia in the Corrona RA registry from June 2008 to February 2020 with the goal of comparing infections in biologic/targeted synthetic (b/ts) DMARDs naive HCQ starts compared with starts of other csDMARDs and no HCQ. Patients on different interventions were compared using time-varying adjusted Cox models adjusting for age, sex, duration of RA, BMI, disease activity, smoking status, concurrent medications, season of the year, year of onset and history of serious infections, diabetes or cardiovascular disease (CVD). A secondary analysis in a set of propensity-matched starts were also compared adjusting for time-varying covariates. The analysis was repeated including URI and bronchitis only and also for serious respiratory infections only.

Results

No evidence of differences was found in the incidence of any respiratory infection (URI, bronchitis, pneumonia) in patients receiving HCQ compared with other csDMARDs: HR=0.87 (0.70 to1.07) in adjusted analyses and HR=0.90 (0.70 to 1.17) in adjusted matched analysis. Similar results were found in the analysis of URI and bronchitis only and for serious respiratory infections only.

Conclusions

In patients with RA, the risk for respiratory infections was similar among patients using HCQ as compared to other non-biologic DMARDs.
Efficacy and safety of tocilizumab in giant cell arteritis: a single centre NHS experience using imaging (ultrasound and PET-CT) as a diagnostic and monitoring tool
Authors: Sebastian Alwin , Kayani Abdul , Prieto-Pena Diana , Tomelleri Alessandro , Whitlock Madeline , Mo Jonathan , van der Geest Niels , Dasgupta Bhaskar
Published: November 2020

Tocilizumab (TCZ), an IL-6 receptor blocker, is approved for relapsing, refractory giant cell arteritis (GCA). We report real-life clinical experience with TCZ in GCA including assessment of responses on imaging (ultrasound (US) and 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography-computed Tomography (18FDG-PET-CT)) during the first year of treatment. We included 22 consecutive patients with GCA treated with TCZ where EULAR core data set on disease activity, quality of life (QoL) and treatment-related complications were collected. Pre-TCZ US and18FDG-PET/CT findings were available for 21 and 4 patients, respectively, where we determined the effect on US halo thickness, temporal and axillary artery Southend Halo Score and Total Vascular Score on18FDG-PET-CT. The 22 patients with GCA (10 cranial, 10 large vessel, 2 both) had a median disease duration of 58.5 (range, 1–370) weeks prior to initiation of TCZ. Half had used prior conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (csDMARDs). TCZ was initiated for refractory (50%), ischaemic (36%) or relapsing (14%) disease. Median follow-up was 43 (12–52) weeks. TCZ was discontinued due to serious adverse events (SAEs) in two patients. On treatment with TCZ, 4 discontinued prednisolone, 11 required doses ≤2.5 mg, 2 required daily dose of 2.5–5 mg and 5 needed prednisolones ≥5 mg daily. QoL improved by 50%. Total US halo thickness decreased in 38 arterial segments, median temporal artery Halo Score decreased from 11 to 0, axillary artery Halo Score remained stable. Median Total Vascular Score on FDG-PET/CT reduced from 11.5 to 6.5. In our experience, TCZ showed an excellent response with acceptable safety in GCA, with improvement on US and FDG-PET/CT imaging.
The Fracture of Highly Deformable Soft Materials: A Tale of Two Length Scales
Authors: Long Rong , Hui Chung-Yuen , Gong Jian Ping , Bouchbinder Eran
Published: November 2020

The fracture of highly deformable soft materials is of great practical importance in a wide range of technological applications, emerging in fields such as soft robotics, stretchable electronics, and tissue engineering. From a basic physics perspective, the failure of these materials poses fundamental challenges due to the strongly nonlinear and dissipative deformation involved. In this review, we discuss the physics of cracks in soft materials and highlight two length scales that characterize the strongly nonlinear elastic and dissipation zones near crack tips in such materials. We discuss physical processes, theoretical concepts, and mathematical results that elucidate the nature of the two length scales and show that the two length scales can classify a wide range of materials. The emerging multiscale physical picture outlines the theoretical ingredients required for the development of predictive theories of the fracture of soft materials. We conclude by listing open challenges and directions for future investigations.
Atmospheric Loss to Space and the History of Water on Mars
Authors: Jakosky Bruce M.
Published: November 2020

Mars is the nearest planet that potentially harbors life and that can be explored by humans, so its history of water is of considerable importance. Water was abundant on early Mars but disappeared as Mars became the cold, dry planet we see today. Loss of water to space played a major role in the history of this water. Variability of components of the atmosphere that can drive escape has taken place on all timescales, from interannual to the 105-, 106-, and >107-year timescales of obliquity variations to the 4 billion-year timescale of large-scale climate evolution. These variations have had a major impact on the behavior of the atmosphere, climate, and water. They also make it difficult to evaluate quantitatively where the water has gone. Despite this uncertainty, the observed enrichment in the ratio of deuterium/hydrogen requires that loss to space has been substantial. ▪  Mars is the nearest planet that potentially harbors life and that can be explored by humans, so its history of water is important. ▪  The Mars atmosphere has varied on all timescales, from year to year to its 4 billion-year history, driving the evolution of water. ▪  Loss of water from the Martian atmosphere to space has been a major process in Mars’ atmospheric evolution.
Logophoricity, Perspective, and Reflexives
Authors: Charnavel Isabelle
Published: November 2020

The notion of logophoricity is used to characterize linguistic elements sensitive to perspective. The goal of this review is to examine this notion by focusing on the behavior of so-called exempt reflexives. It has long been observed that reflexives can be exempt from Condition A of Binding Theory under perspectival conditions. The distribution of exempt reflexives can thus be examined to identify what perspectival properties are grammatically relevant and thereby specify the definition of logophoricity. In this article, I first review various proposals about this issue; in particular, the grammatical relevance of perspective for exempt reflexives has been explored in comparison with so-called logophoric pronouns as well as in the context of literary and philosophical studies. Second, after providing tools for exploring the perspectival properties of exempt reflexives crosslinguistically, I present my own hypothesis explaining why reflexives can superficially be exempt from Condition A under logophoric conditions.
Engineering IL-2 to Give New Life to T Cell Immunotherapy
Authors: Overwijk Willem W. , Tagliaferri Mary A. , Zalevsky Jonathan
Published: November 2020

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is integral to immune system regulation. Its opposing immunostimulatory and immunosuppressive actions make it an attractive therapeutic target for cancer and autoimmune diseases. A challenge in developing IL-2-directed anticancer therapies has been how to stimulate effector T cells (Teffs) without inducing regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the tumor microenvironment; conversely, IL-2 therapy for autoimmune diseases requires Treg induction without further stimulation of Teffs. High-dose IL-2 is approved for melanoma and renal cell carcinoma, but its therapeutic value is limited by a need for frequent dosing at specialist centers, its short half-life, severe toxicity, and a lack of efficacy in most patients. Re-engineered IL-2 therapeutics are designed to have longer in vivo half-lives, target specific IL-2 receptor conformations to stimulate specific T cell subsets, or localize to target tissues to optimize efficacy and reduce toxicity. We discuss recent studies that elucidate the potential of newly engineered IL-2-based therapeutics for cancer and autoimmune diseases.
The Lazy or Dishonest Respondent: Detection and Prevention
Authors: Arthur Winfred , Hagen Ellen , George Felix
Published: November 2020

Self-report measures are characterized as being susceptible to threats associated with deliberate dissimulation or response distortion (i.e., social desirability responding) and careless responding. Careless responding typically arises in low-stakes settings (e.g., participating in a study for course credit) where some respondents are not motivated to respond in a conscientious manner to the items. In contrast, in high-stakes assessments (e.g., prehire assessments), because of the outcomes associated with their responses, respondents are motivated to present themselves in as favorable a light as possible and, thus, may respond dishonestly in an effort to accomplish this objective. In this article, we draw a distinction between the lazy respondent, which we associate with careless responding, and the dishonest respondent, which we associate with response distortion. We then seek to answer the following questions for both careless responding and response distortion: ( a) What is it? ( b) Why is it a problem or concern? ( c) Why do people engage in it? ( d) How pervasive is it? ( e) Can and how is it prevented or mitigated? ( f) How is it detected? ( g) What does one do when one detects it? We conclude with a discussion of suggested future research directions and some practical guidelines for practitioners and researchers.
Sparse Structures for Multivariate Extremes
Authors: Engelke Sebastian , Ivanovs Jevgenijs
Published: November 2020

Extreme value statistics provides accurate estimates for the small occurrence probabilities of rare events. While theory and statistical tools for univariate extremes are well developed, methods for high-dimensional and complex data sets are still scarce. Appropriate notions of sparsity and connections to other fields such as machine learning, graphical models, and high-dimensional statistics have only recently been established. This article reviews the new domain of research concerned with the detection and modeling of sparse patterns in rare events. We first describe the different forms of extremal dependence that can arise between the largest observations of a multivariate random vector. We then discuss the current research topics, including clustering, principal component analysis, and graphical modeling for extremes. Identification of groups of variables that can be concomitantly extreme is also addressed. The methods are illustrated with an application to flood risk assessment.
Statistical Evaluation of Medical Tests
Authors: Inácio Vanda , Rodríguez-Álvarez María Xosé , Gayoso-Diz Pilar
Published: November 2020

In this review, we present an overview of the main aspects related to the statistical evaluation of medical tests for diagnosis and prognosis. Measures of diagnostic performance for binary tests, such as sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values, are introduced, and extensions to the case of continuous-outcome tests are detailed. Special focus is placed on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and its estimation, with emphasis on the topic of covariate adjustment. The extension to the case of time-dependent ROC curves for evaluating prognostic accuracy is also touched upon. We apply several of the approaches described to a data set derived from a study aimed to evaluate the ability of homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) levels to identify individuals at high cardio-metabolic risk and how such discriminatory ability might be influenced by age and gender. We also outline software available for the implementation of the methods.
Feasibility of Left Atrial Appendage Closure in Atrial Fibrillation Patients with a History of Intracranial Bleeding: A Systematic Review of Observational Studies
Authors: Ajmal Muhammad , Sipra Qurat Ul Ain Riaz , Pecci Cristina , Iqbal Nusrum , Rathore Sulaiman
Published: November 2020

Background. Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is performed in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation to reduce the risk of ischemic stroke. The patients with a history of intracranial hemorrhage were excluded from the pioneer randomized controlled trials. The purpose of this systemic review was to evaluate the data from observational studies reporting the efficacy and safety of LAAO in patients with a history of intracranial hemorrhage. Methods. Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus, Global Index Medicus, and ClinicalTrials.gov data sources were utilized for data collection. Results. A total of 12 studies met the inclusion criteria that included seven retrospective observational and five prospective observational studies. A total of seven hundred and twenty-seven patients with a history of intracranial hemorrhage underwent percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion. There were 11 events of recurrent intracranial hemorrhage, 12 ischemic strokes, 4 transient ischemic attacks, and 26 all-cause deaths. The duration of follow-up varied from 3 months to 3.6 years in the included studies. Conclusion. Left atrial appendage occlusion can potentially be an effective and relatively safe treatment option to reduce the risk of ischemic stroke in selected patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients and history of intracranial hemorrhage. Future prospective randomized trials are needed to validate this approach.
Effect of Denosumab on Glucose Homeostasis in Postmenopausal Women with Breast Cancer Treated with Aromatase Inhibitors: A Pilot Study
Authors: Rossini Alessandro , Frigerio Sofia , Dozio Elena , Trevisan Roberto , Perseghin Gianluca , Corbetta Sabrina
Published: November 2020

Background. Aromatase inhibitors in women with breast cancer have been associated with cancer treatment-induced bone loss (CTIBL), increased fracture risk, and impairment of glucose metabolism. Denosumab (Dmab), a monoclonal antibody against RANKL, which is a key regulator of the osteoclast activity, is effective as an antiresorptive agent in the treatment of CTIBL. Since RANKL/RANK pathway may contribute to the pathogenesis of glucometabolic disorders, it has been suggested that Dmab may improve glucose homeostasis. Our pilot study evaluated the effect of a single administration of 60 mg Dmab on glucose metabolism in a cohort of women with breast cancer treated with aromatase inhibitors. Methods. Fifteen postmenopausal nondiabetic women were prospectively enrolled. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and metabolic parameters, including FGF21, were assessed at baseline and one month after Dmab injection. Midterm glucose control was evaluated by measuring glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels 5 months after Dmab. Results. Parameters of glucose metabolism were not different one month after Dmab but circulating FGF21 levels significantly decreased (128.5 ± 46.8 versus 100.2 ± 48.8 pg/mL;

p
=
0.016

). Considering patients with insulin resistance at baseline (HOMA-IR > 2.5 and Matsuda Index < 2.5; n = 5), reduced mean fasting insulin levels (16.3 ± 4.9 versus 13.5 ± 3.5 mcU/mL;

p
=
0.029

) and increased insulin sensitivity index QUICKI (0.317 ± 0.013 versus 0.327 ± 0.009;

p
=
0.025

) were found. Nonetheless, HbA1c increased 5 months after Dmab (36.0 ± 2.3 versus 39.6 ± 3.1 mmol/mol;

p
=
0.01

). Conclusions. Although RANKL blockade induced a short-term positive effect on insulin sensitivity, particularly in insulin-resistant patients, a benefit on long-term glucose metabolism was not evident. In conclusion, Dmab is safe for glucose metabolism in aromatase inhibitor-treated women with breast cancer.
Fractional Spectral Graph Wavelets and Their Applications
Authors: Wu Jiasong , Wu Fuzhi , Yang Qihan , Zhang Yan , Liu Xilin , Kong Youyong , Senhadji Lotfi , Shu Huazhong
Published: November 2020

One of the key challenges in the area of signal processing on graphs is to design transforms and dictionary methods to identify and exploit structure in signals on weighted graphs. In this paper, we first generalize graph Fourier transform (GFT) to spectral graph fractional Fourier transform (SGFRFT), which is then used to define a novel transform named spectral graph fractional wavelet transform (SGFRWT), which is a generalized and extended version of spectral graph wavelet transform (SGWT). A fast algorithm for SGFRWT is also derived and implemented based on Fourier series approximation. Some potential applications of SGFRWT are also presented.
Negligible Effect of Estrogen Deficiency on Development of Skeletal Changes Induced by Type 1 Diabetes in Experimental Rat Models
Authors: Janas Aleksandra , Kruczek Ewa , Londzin Piotr , Borymski Sławomir , Czuba Zenon P. , Folwarczna Joanna
Published: November 2020

Although postmenopausal osteoporosis often occurs concurrently with diabetes, little is known about interactions between estrogen deficiency and hyperglycemia in the skeletal system. In the present study, the effects of estrogen deficiency on the development of biochemical, microstructural, and mechanical changes induced by streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus (DM) in the rat skeletal system were investigated. The experiments were carried out on nonovariectomized (NOVX) and ovariectomized (OVX) control and diabetic mature female Wistar rats. Serum levels of bone turnover markers (CTX-I and osteocalcin) and 23 cytokines, bone mass and mineralization, histomorphometric parameters, and mechanical properties of cancellous and compact bone were determined. The results were subjected to two-way ANOVA and principal component analysis (PCA). Estrogen deficiency induced osteoporotic changes, with increased bone resorption and formation, and worsening of microstructure (femoral metaphyseal BV/TV decreased by 13.0%) and mechanical properties of cancellous bone (the maximum load in the proximal tibial metaphysis decreased by 34.2%). DM in both the NOVX and OVX rats decreased bone mass, increased bone resorption and decreased bone formation, and worsened cancellous bone microarchitecture (for example, the femoral metaphyseal BV/TV decreased by 17.3% and 18.1%, respectively, in relation to the NOVX controls) and strength (the maximum load in the proximal tibial metaphysis decreased by 35.4% and 48.1%, respectively, in relation to the NOVX controls). Only in the diabetic rats, profound increases in some cytokine levels were noted. In conclusion, the changes induced by DM in female rats were only slightly intensified by estrogen deficiency. Despite similar effects on bone microstructure and strength, the influence of DM on the skeletal system was based on more profound systemic homeostasis changes than those induced by estrogen deficiency.
Estimating Emission Load from Road Transportation within the Bhaktapur Municipality, Nepal
Authors: Neupane Prasidha R. , Bajracharya Iswor , Manandhar Bhai R. , Prajapati Meera , Sujakhu Hishila , Awal Pramod
Published: November 2020

Vehicular emissions have been playing a pivotal role in deteriorating air quality in many urban parts of Nepal causing adverse impacts upon the health of commuters and pedestrians attributed to severe respiratory diseases. Primary data such as the number of vehicles (N) were obtained using two-hour peak (8 am to 10 am) and two-hour nonpeak (1 pm to 3 pm) count, after which average annual vehicle kilometer (VKT) and fuel economy (F) required for emission load estimation were obtained from vehicle survey using the simple random sampling method, sampling size taken statistically under 5% margin of error. Secondary data in this study include emission factors and derived equations from a published article. The vehicular emission load of Bhaktapur Municipality were found to be 3,310 tons/year including CO2, CO, NOx, HC, and PM10 of which CO2 accounts for 94.36% of total emissions followed by CO (4.39%), HC (0.72%), NOx (0.35%), and PM10 (0.18%), respectively. Significant positive correlation was found (r = 0.92,

p
=
0.002

) between CO2 and PM10 (r = 0.87,

p
=
0.009

), between CO2 and NOx (r = 0.90,

p
=
0.004

), between CO and HC (r = 0.74,

p
=
0.05

), and between NOx and PM10, respectively. The scenario analysis shows that the introduction of electric vehicles at different rates within the municipality can reduce the emissions to a significant amount. Exponential growth in vehicular gaseous pollutants potent to jeopardize the environment and welfare can become inevitable in the future if clean energy technology is not promoted early.