bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Real-World Data for Lenvatinib in Radioiodine-Refractory Differentiated Thyroid Cancer (RELEVANT): A Retrospective Multicentric Analysis of Clinical Practice in Austria
Authors: Rendl G. , Sipos B. , Becherer A. , Sorko S. , Trummer C. , Raderer M. , Hitzl W. , Ardelt M. , Gallowitsch H. J. , Pirich C.
Published: November 2020

Background. Lenvatinib has proven efficacy in progressive, radioiodine- (RAI-) refractory thyroid cancer (TC). Dose reductions are commonly performed due to decreased tolerability and adverse effects. This retrospective multicenter study analyzed overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) and tolerability in the Austrian patient population treated with lenvatinib. Methods. Clinical data of 43 patients (25 males and 18 females) with a median age of 70 years (range: 39–91 years) and RAI-refractory TC with metastases to the lymph nodes (74%), lungs (86%), bone (35%), liver (16%), and brain (12%) were analyzed. The mean duration of treatment with lenvatinib was 26.6 ± 15.4 months with dosage reductions required in 39 patients (91%). Results. PFS after 24 months was 71% (95% CI: 56–87), and overall survival (OS) was 74% (95% CI: 60–88), respectively. OS was significantly shorter (

p
=
0.048

) in patients with a daily maintenance dosage ≤ 10 mg (63%) (95% CI: 39–86) as compared to patients on ≥ 14 mg lenvatinib (82%) (95% CI: 66–98) daily. Dose reduction was noted in 39 patients (91%). Grade ≥3 toxicities (hypertension, diarrhea, weight loss, and palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome) were most common leading to discontinuation of lenvatinib in 7 patients (16%). Conclusion. Lenvatinib showed sustained clinical efficacy in patients with metastatic RAI-refractory TC even with reduced maintenance dosages over years. The effects were comparable to the registration trial, although patients had a higher median age and, more commonly, dose reductions.
Combined High Resistin and EGFR Expression Predicts a Poor Prognosis in Breast Cancer
Authors: Zeng Yue , Tang Chih-Hsin , Wang Yan , Lu Hua-Jun , Huang Bi-Fei , Wang Qian , Shao Jun-Kang , Jin Lu-Lu , Wang Chao-Qun , Teng Li-Song
Published: November 2020

Elevated levels of resistin and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) facilitate the development of breast cancer, although there are no reports of any correlation between these proteins. This study analyzed 392 human breast cancer tissue specimens and 42 samples of adjacent normal tissue. Rates of positive and strongly positive resistin expression were significantly higher in breast cancer tissue than in the adjacent nontumor tissue (83.2% vs. 23.8% and 20.9% vs. 0.0%, respectively; P < 0.001 for both comparisons). Positive resistin expression was significantly associated with tumor size, grade, stage, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status, and molecular classification; strongly positive resistin expression was associated with tumor grade, ER, PR, HER2 status, and molecular classification. Significantly positive correlations were observed between positive and strongly positive resistin expression and corresponding levels of EGFR expression. Relapse‐free and overall survival was worse for patients with high levels of both proteins than for those with high levels of only one protein or normal levels of both proteins. Our evidence suggests that combined high levels of resistin and EGFR expression correlate with survival in patients with breast cancer.
Microbial Predominance and Antimicrobial Resistance in a Tertiary Hospital in Northwest China: A Six-Year Retrospective Study of Outpatients and Patients Visiting the Emergency Department
Authors: Wang Caifeng , Li Wen , Gao Juanjuan , Zhang Dancheng , Li Yali , Li Fang , Lei Jine
Published: November 2020

Background. With the wide use of antibiotics, antimicrobial resistance becomes a serious issue. Timely understanding of microbial pathogen profiles and the change of antimicrobial resistance provide an important guidance for effective and optimized use of antibiotics in local healthcare systems. The aim was to investigate the characteristics of microbial species and their antimicrobial resistances in a tertiary hospital with an Emergency Department and outpatient clinics for a period of six years. Methodology. A retrospective study was conducted using the HIS database of a tertiary hospital between 2013 and 2018. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested by automated systems and/or the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method. The data were analyzed using the WHONET 5.6 software. The Cochran-Armitage test was used to study the trends over the period of research. Results. In a total of 19,028 specimens submitted for microbial tests during the period from 49 units of the hospital, only the samples from the Emergency Department and Kidney Transplantation Clinic showed an annually significant increase (

P
<
0.001

). More than 200 species with 46.4% gram-positive cocci and 45.3% gram-negative bacilli were identified in the 3,849 nonrepetitive isolates. The methicillin-resistant S. aureus and S. epidermidis rates were 25.1% and 74.6%, respectively. 60.9% E. coli and 33.5% K. pneumonia samples carried extended-spectrum-β-lactamase. All Staphylococci and Enterococci samples were not resistant to linezolid, vancomycin, and tigecycline. In addition, only 0.01% E. coli, 1.1% K. pneumonia, and 18.7% P. aeruginosa isolates showed resistance to carbapenems. Conclusions. Vancomycin, linezolid and tigecycline were the most effective antibiotics for outpatients with gram-positive infection. Carbapenems were the most effective antibiotics for gram-negative infection. There was no significant annual increase of common multidrug resistances.
Application of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Analysis Technology to Total Nucleosides Quality Control in the Fermented Cordyceps Powder Production Process
Authors: Shi Tiannv , Guan Yongmei , Chen Lihua , Huang Shiyu , Zhu Weifeng , Jin Chen
Published: November 2020

Product quality control is a prerequisite for ensuring safety, effectiveness, and stability. However, because of the different strain species and fermentation processes, there was a significant difference in quality. As a result, they should be clearly distinguished in clinical use. Among them, the fermentation process is critical to achieving consistent product quality. This study aims to introduce near-infrared spectroscopy analysis technology into the production process of fermented Cordyceps powder, including strain culture, strain passage, strain fermentation, strain filtration, strain drying, strain pulverizing, and strain mixing. First, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to measure the total nucleosides content in the production process of 30 batches of fermented Cordyceps powder, including uracil, uridine, adenine, guanosine, adenosine, and the process stability and interbatch consistency were analyzed with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) fingerprinting, followed by the near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) combined with partial least squares regression (PLSR) to establish a quantitative analysis model of total nucleosides for online process monitoring of fermented Cordyceps powder preparation products. The model parameters indicate that the established model with good robustness and high measurement precision. It further clarifies that the model can be used for online process monitoring of fermented Cordyceps powder preparation products.
Tuning Structural, Electronic, and Magnetic Properties of C Sites Vacancy Defects in Graphene/MoS2 van der Waals Heterostructure Materials: A First-Principles Study
Authors: Neupane Hari Krishna , Adhikari Narayan Prasad
Published: November 2020

In this work, we systematically studied the structure, and electronic and magnetic properties of van der Waals (vdWs) interface Graphene/MoS2 heterostructure (HS-G/MoS2) and C sites vacancy defects in HS-G/MoS2 materials using first-principles calculations. By the structural analysis, we found that nondefects geometry is more compact than defects geometries. To investigate the electronic and magnetic properties of HS-G/MoS2 and C sites vacancy defects in HS-G/MoS2 materials, we have studied band structure, density of states (DOS), and partial density of states (PDOS). By analyzing the results, we found that HS-G/MoS2 is metallic in nature but C sites vacancy defects in HS-G/MoS2 materials have a certain energy bandgap. Also, from the band structure calculations, we found that Fermi energy level shifted towards the conduction band in vacancy defects geometries which reveals that the defected heterostructure is n-type Schottky contacts. From DOS and PDOS analysis, we obtained that the nonmagnetic HS-G/MoS2 material changes to magnetic materials due to the presence of C sites vacancy defects. Right 1C atom vacancy defects (R-1C), left 1C atom vacancy defects (L-1C), centre 1C atom vacancy defects (C-1C), and 2C (1C right and 1C centre) atom vacancy defects in HS-G/MoS2 materials have magnetic moments of −0.75 µB/cell, −0.75 µB/cell, −0.12 µB/cell, and +0.39 µB/cell, respectively. Electrons from 2s and 2p orbitals of C atoms have main contributions for the magnetism in all these materials.
Investigation on the Optimal Design and Flow Mechanism of High Pressure Ratio Impeller with Machine Learning Method
Authors: Yi Weilin , Cheng Hongliang
Published: November 2020

The optimization of high-pressure ratio impeller with splitter blades is difficult because of large-scale design parameters, high time cost, and complex flow field. So few relative works are published. In this paper, an engineering-applied centrifugal impeller with ultrahigh pressure ratio 9 was selected as datum geometry. One kind of advanced optimization strategy including the parameterization of impeller with 41 parameters, high-quality CFD simulation, deep machine learning model based on SVR (Support Vector Machine), random forest, and multipoint genetic algorithm (MPGA) were set up based on the combination of commercial software and in-house python code. The optimization objective is to maximize the peak efficiency with the constraints of pressure-ratio at near stall point and choked mass flow. Results show that the peak efficiency increases by 1.24% and the overall performance is improved simultaneously. By comparing the details of the flow field, it is found that the weakening of the strength of shock wave, reduction of tip leakage flow rate near the leading edge, separation region near the root of leading edge, and more homogenous outlet flow distributions are the main reasons for performance improvement. It verified the reliability of the SVR-MPGA model for multiparameter optimization of high aerodynamic loading impeller and revealed the probable performance improvement pattern.
Relationship between Fractal Dimension of Fragmentation Degree and Energy Dissipation of Rock-Like Materials under Initial Stress
Authors: Xu Ying , Ge Jinjin , Li Hailong , Yang Rongzhou , Wang Kun , Hu Shi
Published: November 2020

In order to obtain the relationship between fractal dimension and energy dissipation of rock-like materials under initial stress state, a variable cross-section split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) test system with active confining pressure loading device was used to carry out impact compression and splitting tests on cemented sand specimens. The impact test results show that (1) the prediction value on the fragmentation degree of cemented sand specimens by using the fractal model is basically consistent with the screening results of actual test, which verifies the applicability of the fractal calculation model given in this study; (2) the more the fracture energy dissipated in the crushing process of cemented sand specimens, the more serious the fragmentation degree is, and accordingly the larger the fractal dimension is, that is, the fracture energy is positively correlated with the fractal dimension; (3) there is an exponential relationship between the fractal dimension and energy dissipation of cemented sand specimens under initial stress, which is so different from that under no initial stress. The experimental results in this study can be used to modify the fractal damage model for rock blasting considering the initial stress.
Evolutionary Game of Government Subsidy Strategy for Prefabricated Buildings Based on Prospect Theory
Authors: Liu Yu , Cai Dong , Guo Chunxiang , Huang Haizhen
Published: November 2020

Based on the prospect theory, this paper establishes an evolutionary game model of government and construction units for the problem of poor subsidy construction of government-subsidized construction units and uses the replication dynamic equation to analyse the strategic choice of evolutionary games. The research shows that the evolutionary game system of the construction unit and the government cannot meet the government incentives, and the construction unit also adopts the stable state of the prefabricated building. In the long run, the government subsidy cannot determine whether or not the construction unit will adopt the prefabricated building, and it is the construction cost of the prefabricated building that determines. Therefore, the government's work should shift from subsidies to targeted incentives forconstruction units to reduce the cost of construction of prefabricated buildings. The unit levies an environmental tax and appropriately restricts the income from the traditional cast-in-place construction units, and, on the other hand, it increases the popularization of low-carbon and environmental protection of the fabricated buildings, so that more consumers can recognize the environmental benefits brought by the assembled buildings. It provides a reference for the government to promote the development of prefabricated buildings.
Microwave Heating Characteristics of Emulsified Asphalt Repair Materials Incorporated with Steel Slag
Authors: Wei Yongfeng , Huo Jinyang , Wang Zhenjun , Gao Jiangtao
Published: November 2020

Emulsified asphalt needs to be cured for a certain age after demulsification to produce strength, which seriously affects the traffic opening time. In this work, microwave heating technology was applied for emulsified asphalt repair materials. Steel slag with high microwave activity was adopted to improve the performance of emulsified asphalt repair materials by microwave heating. Effects of steel slag sizes and contents on the heating rate, temperature distribution, and thermal performance of emulsified asphalt repair materials were analyzed by close microwave heating, open microwave heating, and repair simulation tests. Results show that the temperature of emulsified asphalt repair materials presents three different heating stages under microwave irradiation. The “critical point of phase transition” in the three stages is gradually advanced with the increase in steel slag content. The core temperature and maximum temperature of emulsified asphalt repair materials with different steel slag sizes are basically the same; however, the heat distribution of emulsified asphalt repair materials is significantly different. In contrast to conventional asphalt mixture, there exists a smaller temperature difference. The temperature of repairing materials can reach above 80°C. The interface area can form an embedded interface structure. Incorporation of steel slag and adoption of microwave heating are effective to improve the performance of emulsified asphalt repair materials.
Hypertensive Crisis in Pregnancy with COVID19: Confirmed with rt-PCR for Nasopharyngeal Swab
Authors: Bandara Sajith , Ruwanpathirana Anura , Nagodawithana Dhammika , Alwis Samantha
Published: November 2020

The novel coronavirus has already spread across the geographical borders to 213 countries and self-governing territories. However, the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on pregnant mothers is still poorly understood and sparsely documented. Here, we present a case of a primi mother, who presented with diarrheal episode and proceeded to a hypertensive crisis and placental abruption with rt-PCR (nasopharyngeal swab) confirmed for COVID19. SARS-CoV-2 enters and downregulates host cell-bounded enzyme ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme). This activates the renin angiotensin aldosterone mechanism (RAAM). The activation of RAAM plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of hypertensive emergencies. Hence, there is a theoretical possibility of hypertensive crisis associated with ACE2/RAAM dysfunction in pregnant mothers who have COVID19. Therefore, close monitoring of blood pressure and early intervention are of paramount importance in anticipating and preventing serious complications related to hypertension in pregnancy in mothers who have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, especially in this pandemic situation. Emergency hospital admission and urgent care must be afforded to mothers presenting with high blood pressure with the features suggestive of COVID19 as they are at a risk of rapid deterioration.
Safety Investment Decision Problem without Probability Distribution: A Robust Optimization Approach
Authors: Xin Chunlin , Zhang Jianwen , Wu Chia-Huei , Tsai Sang-Bing
Published: November 2020

Accidents occur frequently, causing huge losses to enterprises and individuals. Safety investment is an important means to prevent accidents, but how much to invest is a dilemma. Previous studies have assumed that the demand of safety investment follows some probability distribution. In practice, the distribution information of safety investment is usually limited or difficult to obtain, i.e., it is unknown. To deal with this kind of problem without a probability distribution, we construct the measures of marginal accident loss (MAL) and marginal opportunity loss (MOL) from the perspective of demand uncertainty. Robust optimization technology is utilized to establish three robust optimization models, which are the absolute robust models (ARM), deviation robust models (DRM), and relative robust models (RRM). The results of numerical analysis show that MAL is positively correlated with safety investment and MOL is negatively correlated with the uncertainty of safety investment. The above robust optimization models in this study can be applied to different enterprise’s risk scenarios. ARM, DRM, and RRM are suitable for high- and nonhigh-risk industries and other industries, respectively.
Study on Impact Tendency of Coal and Rock Mass Based on Different Stress Paths
Authors: Zhang Chengliang , Ye Danyong , Yang Ping , Wu Shunchuan , Wang Chao
Published: November 2020

With the increased mining depth, the dynamic disaster of rock burst in coal mines has become increasingly prominent, and the impact tendency of coal and rock mass in deep coal seam mining is a necessary condition for the occurrence of rock burst and an important index to measure the failure of coal and rock mass. Laboratory tests and numerical tests were used to study the impact tendency of coal and roof strata, including the deformation characteristics, failure characteristics, and bending energy index of the coal and rock mass of different sizes, the failure law and energy evolution characteristics of tlhe coal and rock mass under the same size, and the unloading characteristics of the coal and rock mass under the same size and different confining pressures. The results are shown as follows: (1) The rock roof was determined to have a weak impact tendency through the mechanical test. (2) With the increased size, the microcracks in the rock samples increased correspondingly, and the increased meso‐defect leading to the increased heterogeneity was an essential reason for the size effect. The strength of the rock mass decreased with the increased specimen size. The larger the specimen size was, the lower the bending energy index was. (3) Triaxial loading and unloading were tested for the same size under different surrounding rocks. Under the same loading conditions, with the increased confining pressure, the strength and bending energy index of rock mass increased correspondingly, and the failure of rock mass transformed from tensile to shear failure. The failure form and strength characteristic of rock under the unloading condition are different from those under the loading condition. The failure degree was intense, with a high bending energy index. Compared with the loading situation, the impact tendency caused by unloading was higher, and the dynamic impact disaster was more likely to occur.
Alternative to Oil and Gas: Review of Economic Benefits and Potential of Wind Power in Pakistan
Authors: Hu Xinting , Imran Muhammad , Wu Mengyun , Moon Hee Cheol , Liu Xiaochen
Published: November 2020

Pakistan is one of those countries that are heavily dependent on hydrocarbon fuel for energy production. This results in severe CO2 emissions that lead to climate change. Although renewable energy resources such as wind are available in abundance, they have not been fully utilized and so energy crises in Pakistan increase every year. This study focuses on using wind energy as an alternative to thermal power sources as the main source of power generation in Pakistan. This research also helps in designing a project management tool to prioritize sources of power generation, including both renewables and nonrenewables, while also considering projects’ technical, environmental, social and economic criteria. An Analytical Hierarchy Process has been used to analyze the four main criteria and 12 subcriteria. The analysis revealed that wind energy is the best source among all options for power generation source, followed by solar. Oil, gas, and coal, the other three alternatives, were well below in a comparative analysis. Gas achieves overall better performance if only economic criteria are considered, but due to shortfalls in availability and diminishing reserves, this source is also not feasible. Relying on wind power as the only energy source will not be technically possible, but it can become a leading energy source inside Pakistan. This will reduce the burden on thermal energy sources and make the country more energy-secure, rather than relying heavily on imported oil and gas, as it currently does. Wind power generation capacity in Pakistan is increasing, so that the cumulative capacity is around 2118 MW installed and commissioned by the end of 2018.
Analysis of a Four-Dimensional Hyperchaotic System Described by the Caputo–Liouville Fractional Derivative
Authors: Sene Ndolane
Published: November 2020

A new four-dimensional hyperchaotic financial model is introduced. The novelties come from the fractional-order derivative and the use of the quadric function

x

4

in modeling accurately the financial market. The existence and uniqueness of its solutions have been investigated to justify the physical adequacy of the model and the numerical scheme proposed in the resolution. We offer a numerical scheme of the new four-dimensional fractional hyperchaotic financial model. We have used the Caputo–Liouville fractional derivative. The problems addressed in this paper have much importance to approach the interest rate, the investment demand, the price exponent, and the average profit margin. The validation of the chaotic, hyperchaotic, and periodic behaviors of the proposed model, the bifurcation diagrams, the Lyapunov exponents, and the stability analysis has been analyzed in detail. The proposed numerical scheme for the hyperchaotic financial model is destined to help the agents decide in the financial market. The solutions of the 4D fractional hyperchaotic financial model have been analyzed, interpreted theoretically, and represented graphically in different contexts. The present paper is mathematical modeling and is a new tool in economics and finance. We also confirm, as announced in the literature, there exist hyperchaotic systems in the fractional context, which admit one positive Lyapunov exponent.
Residential retrofit in the UK: The optimum retrofit measures necessary for effective heat pump use
Authors: Lingard Joseph
Published: November 2020

The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy and the Committee on Climate Change place high dependency on the electrification of heat and use of heat pump systems to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Energy efficient buildings are essential for effective heat pump operation. However, the UK’s housing stock is amongst the least energy efficient in Europe. Household electricity demand will increase with heat pump use, meaning reinforcement to infrastructure and generation capacity. This study uses dynamic simulation modelling to determine the optimum energy efficient retrofit required to minimise energy use and electrical demand for an average semi-detached dwelling using a heat pump. Solid wall insulation is found to be critical in energy abatement, although the heat pump operates at a high demand compared with low voltage network design. A whole house retrofit in-line with current Building Regulations reduces the heating demand and emissions by 65%, and lowers the input electrical demand for the heat pump to under 1 kW. Solid wall insulation and low U-value glazing are the cost-optimal solution, achieving similar abatement. Measures that exceed building regulations are shown to lower heat demand and carbon emissions by almost 80%, highlighting scope for improvement in retrofit standards.

Practical application: At present, UK policy makers have a preferred alternative to high carbon fossil fuels that is a system heavily reliant on heat pumps powered by low carbon electricity. Heat pump systems require energy efficient buildings to operate effectively. A key factor when improving building efficiency is fabric standards, which can dramatically impact the heat transfer coefficient. Retrofit of energy efficiency measures is key to future net zero success and will have large implications to consumers and supply chains alike.
Towards a principle of most-deeply affected
Authors: Afsahi Afsoun
Published: November 2020

This article argues that all-affected principle needs to be reconceptualized to account for the differences in the historical and current social position of those who are or who should be making legitimacy claims. Drawing on Butler’s theory of vulnerability, this article advances a new and more robust all-affected principle that affords a stronger claim to legitimacy to those most-deeply affected by both the current decision in question and the historical process and practices shaping the choices available. In particular, this article identifies three sets of exclusions of groups and claims that drive this reformulation: first, cases of historical injustice such as indigenous peoples; second, cases of current processes of minoritization which silence or render some groups and opinions as marginal such as women, ethnic minorities or even people in lower economic classes; and third, cases of state establishment of boundaries and ‘worthy’ citizenship such as refugees making claims for relocation and asylum.
A militant defence of democracy in hard times
Authors: Benhabib Seyla
Published: November 2020

Cristina Lafont gives an impressive defence of deliberative democracy against its critics. This article considers in detail her engagement with the ‘deep pluralist’ position that characterizes Nadia Urbinati’s, Jeremy Waldron’s and Richard Bellamy’s positions. After considering Lafont’s threefold argument against the deep pluralists, I contend that she vacillates between a substantialist and recursive-iterative defence of the democratic ideal. Her defence of judicial review does not consider some of the strategic ways in which civil society groups may approach the process. I conclude by arguing that constitutionalization is not always a salutary move for resolving controversial issues in a democracy.
Democracy without Shortcuts: Engaging with Lafont
Authors: Cohen Jean L.
Published: November 2020

This article engages with Cristina Lafont’s excellent book, Democracy without Shortcuts. I argue that she provides us with the tools to comprehend what democracy entails and how to challenge the populist pseudo-democratic project.
Zucker Lean Rats With Hepatic Steatosis Recapitulate Asymptomatic Metabolic Syndrome and Exhibit Greater Sensitivity to Drug-Induced Liver Injury Compared With Standard Nonclinical Sprague-Dawley Rat Model
Authors: LaBranche Timothy P. , Kopec Anna K. , Mantena Srinivasa R. , Hollingshead Brett D. , Harrington Andrew W. , Stewart Zachary S. , Zhan Yutian , Hayes Kyle D. , Whiteley Laurence O. , Burdick Andrew D. , Davis John W.
Published: November 2020

Fatty liver disease is a potential risk factor for drug-induced liver injury (DILI). Despite advances in nonclinical in vitro and in vivo models to assess liver injury during drug development, the pharmaceutical industry is still plagued by idiosyncratic DILI. Here, we tested the hypothesis that certain features of asymptomatic metabolic syndrome (namely hepatic steatosis) increase the risk for DILI in certain phenotypes of the human population. Comparison of the Zucker Lean (ZL) and Zucker Fatty rats fed a high fat diet (HFD) revealed that HFD-fed ZL rats developed mild hepatic steatosis with compensatory hyperinsulinemia without increases in liver enzymes. We then challenged steatotic HFD-fed ZL rats and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats fed normal chow, a nonclinical model widely used in the pharmaceutical industry, with acetaminophen overdose to induce liver injury. Observations in HFD-fed ZL rats included increased liver injury enzymes and greater incidence and severity of hepatic necrosis compared with similarly treated SD rats. The HFD-fed ZL rats also had disproportionately higher hepatic drug accumulation, which was linked with abnormal hepatocellular efflux transporter distribution. Here, we identify ZL rats with HFD-induced hepatic steatosis as a more sensitive nonclinical in vivo test system for modeling DILI compared with SD rats fed normal chow.
Impact of Preanalytical Factors During Histology Processing on Section Suitability for Digital Image Analysis
Authors: Chlipala Elizabeth A. , Butters Mark , Brous Miles , Fortin Jessica S. , Archuletta Roni , Copeland Karen , Bolon Brad
Published: November 2020

Digital image analysis (DIA) is impacted by the quality of tissue staining. This study examined the influence of preanalytical variables—staining protocol design, reagent quality, section attributes, and instrumentation—on the performance of automated DIA software. Our hypotheses were that (1) staining intensity is impacted by subtle differences in protocol design, reagent quality, and section composition and that (2) identically programmed and loaded stainers will produce equivalent immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. We tested these propositions by using 1 hematoxylin and eosin stainer to process 13 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) mouse tissues and by using 3 identically programmed and loaded immunostainers to process 5 FFPE mouse tissues for 4 cell biomarkers. Digital images of stained sections acquired with a commercial whole slide scanner were analyzed by customizable algorithms incorporated into commercially available DIA software. Staining intensity as viewed qualitatively by an observer and/or quantitatively by DIA was affected by staining conditions and tissue attributes. Intrarun and inter-run IHC staining intensities were equivalent for each tissue when processed on a given stainer but varied measurably across stainers. Our data indicate that staining quality must be monitored for each method and stainer to ensure that preanalytical factors do not impact digital pathology data quality.
Teen Pregnancy Prevention Evaluation Technical Assistance: A Case Study
Authors: Knab Jean , Cole Russell
Published: November 2020

Purpose:

This case study discusses Mathematica’s experience providing large-scale evaluation technical assistance (ETA) to 65 grantees across two cohorts of Teen Pregnancy Prevention (TPP) Program grants. The grantees were required to conduct rigorous evaluations with specific evaluation benchmarks. This case study provides an overview of the TPP grant program, the evaluation requirements, the ETA provider, and other key stakeholders and the ETA provided to the grantees. Finally, it discusses the successes, challenges, and lessons learned from the effort.

Conclusion:

One important lesson learned is that there are two related evaluation features, strong counterfactuals and insufficient target sample sizes, that funders should attend to prior to selecting awardees because they are not easy to change through ETA. In addition, if focused on particular outcomes (for TPP, the goal was to improve sexual behavior outcomes), the funder should prioritize studies with an opportunity to observe differences in these outcomes across conditions; several TPP grantees served young populations, and sexual behavior outcomes were not observed or were rare, limiting the opportunity to observe impacts. Unless funders are attentive to weaning out evaluations with critical limitations during the funding process, requiring grantees to conduct impact evaluations supported by ETA might unintentionally foster internally valid, yet underpowered studies that show nonsignificant program impacts. The TPP funder was able to overcome some of the limitations of the grantee evaluations by funding additional evidence-building activities, including federally led evaluations and a large meta-analysis of the effort, as part of a broader learning agenda.
Valve-sparing aortic root replacement after type A aortic dissection repairs
Authors: Abe Noriyuki , Okada Kenji , Tanaka Hiroshi , Okita Yutaka
Published: November 2020

Objective

Aortic root reoperation after aortic dissection repair sometimes requires aortic root replacement. A valve-preserving technique should be applied when the aortic cusp is normal. Valve-sparing aortic root reconstruction using the reimplantation technique resolves aortic valve regurgitation, root dilatation, and pseudoaneurysm in the proximal anastomosis. Our experience in aortic root reoperation is presented.

Methods

From January 2000 to March 2019, 26 patients underwent reoperative valve-sparing aortic root reconstruction using the reimplantation technique. The time from the initial operation to reoperation was 69.3 ± 51.6 months. Aortic root reoperation was required for a fragile wall at the previous proximal anastomosis or aortic root dilatation. We aimed to stabilize the aortic root without valve regurgitation. The native aortic cusp was aggressively preserved when nearly normal. Indications included root dilatation ( n = 13), pseudoaneurysm of the previous proximal anastomosis ( n = 11), and aortic valve regurgitation ( n = 4).

Results

There was no early postoperative mortality. Follow-up was 49 ± 47 months (range 4–161 months). The 3, 5, and 10-year survival was 88.9% ± 7.4%, 88.9% ± 7.4%, and 77.8% ± 12.2%, respectively. Freedom from recurrence of a greater than moderate degree of aortic valve regurgitation at 3, 5, and 10 years was 86.5% ± 8.9%, 86.5% ± 8.9%, and 86.5% ± 8.9%, respectively. One patient underwent aortic valve replacement for recurrent aortic valve regurgitation 15 months after the valve-sparing reoperation.

Conclusions

Midterm outcomes of reoperative valve-sparing aortic root reconstruction using the reimplantation technique and postoperative aortic valve performance were satisfactory.
What Is an Environmental Problem?
Authors: Barry Andrew
Published: November 2020

This paper advances two arguments about environmental problems. First, it interrogates the strength and limitations of empiricist accounts of problems and issues offered by actor-network theory. Drawing on the work of C.S. Peirce, it considers how emerging environmental problems often lead to abductive inferences about the existence of hidden causes that may or may not have caused the problem to emerge. The analysis of environmental problems should be empiricist in so far as it is sceptical of the claims of those who know in advance what the problem is, but it should also be alert to processes and things that are not readily traceable or perceived. Secondly, the paper’s contention is that environmental problems almost invariably involve an encounter between unlike or disparate materials or processes. In such circumstances, the challenge is to develop a form of inquiry that is alert to both the specificity of such encounters and to the specificity of the political situations in which they come to matter.
Youth’s rights and mental health: The role of supportive relations in care
Authors: Magalhães Eunice , Calheiros Maria Manuela , Costa Patrício , Ferreira Sofia
Published: November 2020

A rights-based approach calls for studies to explore further the extent to which rights’ fulfillment in residential care affects young people’s mental health. A focus on protective factors, such as supportive relations, can inform policies and practices in residential care which is critical for youths’ empowerment and adaptive outcomes. However, existing studies on social support are mainly descriptive and qualitative in nature or focus on the effect of support in mental health. This study builds upon and enhances existing knowledge by exploring the moderating role of social support from educators in residential care and the association between perceived rights and psychological difficulties. A sample of 366 adolescents (53% boys) in residential care ( M age = 14.82; SD = 1.81) were included in this study and completed self-reported measures on perceived rights, support in residential care and psychological difficulties. Social support moderated the relationship between the perception of rights regarding respectful system practices, autonomy and contact with family, as well as psychological difficulties. When greater social support was perceived by the adolescents, higher perceptions of respectful system practices and lower perceptions of autonomy and contact with family were associated with lower levels of psychological difficulties. Results provide evidence for the positive role of rights’ fulfillment in psychological functioning in residential care, as well as the protective role of supportive educators.
Suspicious minds: The psychological, physical and behavioral consequences of suspecting a partner’s infidelity
Authors: Weigel Daniel J. , Shrout M. Rosie
Published: November 2020

Guided by transactional stress theory, this study examined the psychological, physical, and behavioral consequences of the suspicion of a partner’s infidelity. Survey data collected from 246 individuals revealed that suspecting a partner’s infidelity was associated with greater reported suspicion-related distress, depression, physical health symptoms, and risky health behavior. Mediation and moderated mediation analyses revealed that the relationship between suspected infidelity and well-being was indirectly affected by suspicion-related distress. The effects of suspected infidelity were particularly hard on those with higher beliefs in the importance of fidelity, a history of infidelity in the relationship, and higher relationship satisfaction. The findings show that the mere suspicion of a partner’s infidelity can have powerful psychological, physical, and behavioral consequences in romantic relationships.
Our Obsolete Marketing Mentality: George Fisk, Meet Karl Polanyi
Authors: Benton Raymond
Published: November 2020

Marketing in general can have greater influence if a new, yet old, perspective on marketing is adopted—something akin to the original orientation of marketing. Adopting George Fisk’s definition of marketing and marrying it with notions derived from the institutional economist Karl Polanyi is proposed. The histories of marketing thought and of institutional economics are reviewed to demonstrate their affinity and similar origins. Fisk’s conceptualization of marketing as societies’ provisioning systems is shown to correspond with Polanyi’s conceptualization of economies as instituted processes, admitting more than the market and the state as ways economies have historically and cross-culturally integrated with society. The obsolete marketing mentality is that marketers, including macromarketers, are overly fixated on the market and ignore or overlook alternatives. The Fisk/Polanyi orientation will attract macromarketers interested in marketing and development, critical marketing, sustainability, alternative economies, and those interested in the long-term prospects of macromarketing. Adopting this old, but new, framework will connect the past with the future, permit macromarketers make a mark on a larger intellectual landscape and serve to invite scholars in this larger landscape to engage with macromarketing.
Anarcha, Betsey, Lucy, and the women whose names were not recorded: The legacy of J Marion Sims
Authors: Cronin Monica
Published: November 2020

In April 2018, a statue commemorating J Marion Sims was removed from Central Park, New York, and relocated to Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, where he is buried. In 1849, Sims developed a repeatable surgical solution for obstetric fistula, a debilitating condition caused by prolonged, obstructed labour, which damages the vaginal wall, resulting in permanent leakage via the vagina from either the bowel or bladder and sometimes both. Initially, Sims appears worthy of widespread adulation. There are several commemorative statues of him, he has been afforded the title of the ‘father of modern gynaecology’, and for 37 years, the American Urogynecological Society held an annual eponymous lecture, among other honours. Obstetric fistula rendered women social pariahs, unable to engage fully in either domestic or public life. Sims was able to create a reliably repeatable surgical solution but did so through ongoing experimentation on enslaved women. One of these women, Anarcha, was operated on at least 30 times without the use of anaesthesia over a four-year period, despite the availability of anaesthesia for the majority of the experimentation period. Over 170 years later, Sims’ story retains its relevance because it represents a clear point at which race, gender and class intersect with medicine. This paper will use Sims’ own account to drive the narrative, then examine matters of agency, ethics and consent that come from it, to show that his work, and subsequent renown, were only possible because of the inherent violence of chattel slavery and other systemic forms of oppression.
Quantitative and Qualitative Strategies to Strengthen Internal Validity in Randomized Trials
Authors: Sidani Souraya , O’Rourke Hannah
Published: November 2020

Although the randomized controlled trial (RCT) is the most reliable design to infer causality, evidence suggests that it is vulnerable to biases that weaken internal validity. In this paper, we review factors that introduce biases in RCTs and we propose quantitative and qualitative strategies for colleting relevant data to strengthen internal validity. The factors are related to participants’ reactions to randomization, attrition, treatment perceptions, and implementation of the intervention. The way in which these factors operate is explained and pertinent empirical evidence is synthesized. Quantitative and qualitative strategies are described. Researchers can plan to assess these factors and examine their influence, providing evidence of what actually contributed to the interventions’ causal impact.
EDM performance characteristics and electrochemical corrosion analysis of Co-Cr alloy and duplex stainless steel: A comparative study
Authors: Mahajan Amit , Singh Gurpreet , Devgan Sandeep , Sidhu Sarabjeet Singh
Published: November 2020

Cobalt-chromium alloy (F-90) and duplex stainless steel (DSS-2205) belong to the family of metallic biomaterials, which are frequently used for the manufacture of dental prosthetics, artificial implants including knee and hip joints. This article addresses the investigation highlights of electrical discharge machining (EDM) of Co-Cr alloy and duplex stainless steel using different electrode materials for the evaluation of optimum machining parameters. The samples with superior machining performance and surface integrity were analyzed by electrochemical corrosion testing and found that the EDM treated samples portrayed a notable improvement in the corrosion resistance compared to bare metal. Our results demonstrated that both the substrates i.e. Co-Cr alloy and DSS-2205 were dominantly affected by the intensity of the applied current, and participated in the material removal rate with a contribution of 93.81% (23.37 mm3/min., Co-Cr alloy) and 87.32% (39.76 mm3/min., DSS-2205) respectively. However, the surface roughness of the machined Co-Cr alloy (1.080 µm) was majorly influenced by the current (contribution: 67.24%) and electrode (contribution: 28.27%). Whereas, pulse-on (contribution: 58.37%) and electrode (contribution: 30.52%) were significant for the surface roughness (1.150 µm) of the machined DSS-2205. Moreover, the machined surface also demonstrates the porosity (∼3 to ∼5 µm) and formation of intermetallic oxides, carbon phases on the samples machined at a higher value of current i.e. 16 Ampere. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffractometer were used to scrutinize the surface topography and compositional analysis of the machined substrates. The alternation of the substrate surface observed helpful in enhancing the corrosion resistance of Co-Cr alloy and duplex stainless steel by 80.88% (corrosion rate: 0.00029 mm/year) and 96% (corrosion rate: 0.00763 mm/year), comparative to their respective untreated samples.
Cannabinoid CB1 receptor mediates METH-induced electrophysiological and morphological alterations in cerebellum Purkinje cells
Authors: Ramshini Effat , Sheykhzade Majid , Dabiri Shahriar , Shabani Mohammad
Published: November 2020

Our previous studies on cannabinoid type1 receptor (CB1R) activation on Methamphetamine (METH)-induced neurodegeneration and locomotion impairments in male rats suggest an interaction between CB1Rs and METH. However, the role of these receptors in METH-neurotoxicity has not been fully identified. Therefore, the purpose of the present study is to investigate the involvement of CB1Rs in these effects. We conducted an electrophysiological study to evaluate functional interactions between METH and CB1Rs using whole-cell patch current clamp recording. Furthermore, we designed the Nissl staining protocol to assess the effect of METH on the basic cerebellar Purkinje cell structure. Our findings revealed that METH significantly increased the action potential half-width, spontaneous interspike intervals, first spike latency, and decreased the rebound action potential and spontaneous firing frequency. Using CB1R agonist and antagonist, our results showed a significant interaction with some of the electrophysiological alterations induced by METH. Further, Nissl staining revealed that the exposure to the combination of METH and SR141716A resulted in the necrotic cell death. Results of the current study raises the possibility that METH consumption profoundly affect the intrinsic membrane properties of cerebellar Purkinje neurons and cannabinoid system manipulations may counteract some of these effects. In summary, our findings provide further insights into the modulatory role of the endocannabinoid system in METH-induced neurologic changes, which can be used in the development of potential therapeutic interventions for METH dependence.
Book review: Sabita Singh, The Politics of Marriage in Medieval India: Gender and Alliance in Rajasthan
Authors: Kothiyal Tanuja
Published: November 2020

Sabita Singh, The Politics of Marriage in Medieval India: Gender and Alliance in Rajasthan. New Delhi: OUP, 2019, pp. 291, ISBN: 019-949145-3.
Book review: Vijaya Ramaswamy, ed., In Search of Vishwakarma: Mapping Indian Craft Histories
Authors: Menon Jaya
Published: November 2020

Vijaya Ramaswamy, ed., In Search of Vishwakarma: Mapping Indian Craft Histories. New Delhi: Primus Books, 2019, pp. x + 282. ISBN: 978-93-5290-839-4.