bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Next Generation of High-Speed Optical Communications Networks Using OFDM Technology
Authors: Jaber Atta Takhum , Ahmed Soudad S. , Kadhim Shehab Ahmed
Published: August 2020

The usage of data transmission through Optical Fiber is highly preferred in every area where transferring of data is needed from one end to another. Moreover, nowadays the infrastructure of telecommunications is in good shape and size to handle data transmission through its optical fibers which have low attenuation and higher bandwidth. The seeking of data rate higher than 100Gbit/second and above has been increased to build it in urban and rural areas, and for long and short hauls. Consequently, the current goal is to propel this transmission system into the next appropriated level to avoid any decline of the optical infrastructure than its current capacity. To fulfill increased demand for bandwidth in Broadband services one of the most trusted technology is the Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM). The Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing has been placed on-demand in optical communication, it is used in Long haul transmission Format in Direct and Coherent detection. OFDM has many features and abilities can boost the optical fiber performance by eliminating several limits of conventional Optical Fiber communication. OFDMA has polarization mode dispersion (PMD) and chromatic dispersion (CD) which are considered a big addition to the current systems. In addition to that, the easy correlation of the coherent optical OFDM with Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) systems can further advantages in the transmission system such as super bandwidth, high spectral efficiency, and extra data rates. Furthermore, the WDM systems can improve data rate and capacity by using multiple wavelengths over a single fiber. This work aims to bring implementation and to perform a deep-dive study of higher data rates using Direct and Coherent Optical OFDM for long path transmissions. This research starts with a unique user and then extends to the add the OFDM - WDM system to get a data rate of 100 Gbps. Regarding the software portion, the Optisystem simulation tool was used for the design and implementation of the system. Moreover, the modulation type used is QAM for the OFDM signal, and I/Q modulation is deployed, while Coherent and Direct detection is used at the receiving portion. Q Factor, the bit error rate and eye diagram were discussed to study the System’s Performance and Quality. This work found CD-OOFDM is the best system for next generation of optical. The work compared WDM CD-OOFDM with SMF-DCF to DD and CD-OOFDM. In addition to that, it compared WDM CD-OOFDM with SMF-DCF to CD-OODFM with SMF. Therefore, the results showed that WDM CD-OOFDM with SMF-DCF achieved 25 Gbps for four channels of the WDM system at 120km channel, where the carrier frequencies were from 193.05THz to 193.2THz.
intuitionistic fuzzy pseudo ideals in Q-algebra
Authors: Abdullah Habeeb Kareem , Shadhan Mortda Taeh
Published: August 2020

Present several types in this paper of intuitionistic fuzzy ideal in Q-algebra, called (intuitionistic fuzzy pseudo ideal, intuitionistic fuzzy k-pseudo ideal, intuitionistic fuzzy c-psudo ideal, intuitionistic fuzzy complete- k-pseudo ideal). We have introduced and illustrated several ideas that evaluate their relationship in a Q-algebra.
Independent (Non-Adjacent Vertices) Topological Spaces Associated with Undirected Graphs, With Some Applications in Biomathematices
Authors: Hassan Asmhan Flieh , Abed Zainab Irhayyim
Published: August 2020

In this work, we associate a new topology to undirected graph G = (V, E) which may contain one isolated vertex or more and we named it Independent (non-adjacent vertices) Topology. A new sub-basis family to generate the Independent Topology is introduced on the set of n vertices V and for every vertex v of V the number of adjacent vertices is not greater than n − 2 (In simple graph we can say : for every vertex v of V, Δ(G) = n − 2, where Δ(G) is the maximum degree of vertices in a graph G). Then we give a fundamental step toward investigation of some properties of undirected graphs by their corresponding Independent Topology which we introduce in this work. Furthermore, an application to our new model (Independent Topology) are presented, that to carry out a framework in practical life like biomathematics (applied examples in biomathematics).
Computations in the Pre-Bloch group
Authors: Al Baydli D. , Rahm A.
Published: August 2020

For compute the five term relations in the pre-Bloch group for specify an infinite-order- element in

K

3

(
ℚ

(

−
m

)

)

, m ∈ ℕ square- free. For the quadratic imaginary number fields 𝔽 of discriminant (−1,−2,−3,−7,−17,−19). We use the GAP Programming software to implement our method.
Truncated Rayleigh Pareto Distribution
Authors: Khalaf Reyah Zeadan , Al-Kadim Kareema Abad
Published: August 2020

In this paper, we introduced a new distribution which is the truncated Rayleigh Pareto distribution of a variable, and some useful functions, and some mathematical and statistical properties such as density function, the cumulative distribution function, limit function, reliability function, hazard function, stress - strength reliability, engineering arithmetic mean, mode and median, harmonic arithmetic mean, the rth moment about the mean and the origin, coefficients of variation, of kurtosis and Skewedness, order statistic, and some estimation methods.
The Space of Strongly Prime Gamma Subacts
Authors: Abbas Mehdi S
Published: August 2020

In this work we consider and study the structure space of gamma acts by considering strongly prime gamma subacts. Also we study compactness and connectedness properties of this space as well as the separation axioms.
Quantifying lifestyle based social equity implications for national sustainable development policy
Authors: Shigetomi Yosuke , Chapman Andrew , Nansai Keisuke , Matsumoto Ken’ichi , Tohno Susumu
Published: August 2020

The aim of this research is to address the challenge of achieving more equitable social outcomes through a reduction and fairer allocation of environmental burdens, and in doing so, contributing to national sustainable development policy. This novel study demonstrates the nature of societal outcomes through the lens of inequity with respect to lifestyle related environmental footprints and stakeholder preferences. Footprints are derived using input-output analysis, while environmental issue preferences and potential remedial actions are identified using a national survey. To highlight the value of the broadly applicable framework, here we demonstrate a case study of Japan, which is interesting due to shifting demographics engendering an aging, shrinking population. Key findings include that the mitigation of environmental footprints in line with household preferences can positively influence both societal equity outcomes and contribute to closing the gap between rich and poor. Importantly, broad participation, i.e. participation irrespective of income level, is shown to be more effective than participation from a single sector. These findings can assist policymakers to develop policies which are responsive to societal preferences and demographic trends while also furthering the debate toward clarifying norms for acceptable levels of social equity.
Angiogenic factors secreted from human ASC spheroids entrapped in an alginate-based hierarchical structure via combined 3D printing/electrospinning system
Authors: Lee Ji-Seon , Chae SooJung , Yoon Dajeong , Yoon Dogeon , Chun Wook , Kim Geun Hyung
Published: August 2020

Human adipose-derived stem cell spheroids have been widely used in the treatment or regeneration of damaged skin tissues, and their success is believed to be due in part to angiogenic factors released from the spheroids. To achieve the sustained release of bioactive components from implanted spheroids within a defective area, the use of a biocompatible scaffolding biomaterial is required. In this study, we developed an alginate-based scaffolding structure, which was processed using three-dimensional printing and electrospinning for use as a spheroid-entrapping structure. A micro-sized alginate strut and electrospun alginate nanofibers functioned not only to firmly entrap the spheroids, but also to enable the stable release of various angiogenic and wound healing-related factors. We also demonstrated the function of these factors using a tube-forming assay and found that conditioned media from the spheroid-scaffold group improved capillary-like structure formation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells compared to the single cell-scaffold group. Our results suggest that this spheroid-entrapping alginate hybrid structure could represent a new platform for stem cell therapy using spheroid transplantation.
Influence of particles size and concentration of carbonyl iron powder on magnetorheological properties of silicone rubber-based magnetorheological elastomer
Authors: Wu Cong , Cheng Cheng , El-Aty Ali Abd , Li Tao , Qin Yao , Yang Qiucheng , Hu Shenghan , Xu Yong , Guo Xunzhong
Published: August 2020

In this study, the anisotropic magnetorheological elastomer(MRE) was prepared by mixing two-component room temperature vulcanized(RTV) silicone rubber, carbonyl iron powder particles and dimethyl silicone oil uniformly, then heated and solidified under 500 mT magnetic field intensity. Five types of magnetic particles with different concentrations of 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60% and five different sizes of 1.7, 2.8, 3.9, 4.6, 7.2 μm, were used to investigate the effects of the concentrations and sizes of the magnetic particles on the microstructure, mechanical properties and the magnetorheological effect (MR-effect) of anisotropic MREs. The results obtained from this study showed that the MR-effect has a significant dependence on the concentrations and particle sizes of the magnetic particles. It increased with the increase of the particle concentrations, and the high particle concentration makes the MRE have a high magnetostrictive modulus and MR-effect. Nevertheless, with the increase of the particle sizes, the MR-effect showed a trend of strengthening firstly and then weakening, there is an optimal particle size of 4.6 μm, at this size, the MR-effect is the most significant.
Photothermal catalysis for CO2 convert into C1–C3 hydrocarbons by proton conductor BZCY532
Authors: Tian Jindan , Ren Yanan , Liu Lulu , Guo Qiangsheng , Sha Na , Zhao Zhe
Published: August 2020

Conversion of CO2 into long-chain hydrocarbons is a potential applications in clean energy research. Here, we exhibit an efficient, stable and readily synthesized photocatalyst for the photocatalytic reduction of CO2. This is the first time that the proton conductor BZCY 532 as photocatalysts can harvest UV light for multielectron, multiproton reduction of CO2 to C1 (methane) , C2 (ethane), and C3 (propane) hydrocarbons. Under the photothermal coupling (350 °C + UV) condition, the total yield of CH4, C2H6 and C3H8 were 39.13 umol g−1, 8.64 umol g−1 and 3.22 umol g−1 over the course of more than 5 h runs, respectively . The light and temperature attribute influence the selectivity of C1 and C2, C3. In this approach, Ni, Co-doped BZCY532 were also studied and the results show that Ni, Co-doped BZCY532 have higher activity. Ni 0.05 and Co 0.05 obtained the yield of total CH4, C2H6, C3H8, which show about 5.6, 9.6, 3.9 and 6.8, 14.2, 6.7 times than BZCY532, respectively. The results proved that doping play a crucial role in improving photocatalytic activity of BZCY532. The formation of multi-carbon compounds maybe the faster proton transfer, which can harvest more electrons from the proton conductor catalysts and promote C–C coupling to form C2 and C3. These findings elucidate BZCY-based proton conductor catalyst can be good candidate for the nature of photocatalysis, which involves the stage for the chemical bond formation by light excitation.
The Value of Artificial Intelligence in Laboratory Medicine
Authors: Paranjape Ketan , Schinkel Michiel , Hammer Richard D , Schouten Bo , Nannan Panday R S , Elbers Paul W G , Kramer Mark H H , Nanayakkara Prabath
Published: August 2020

Objectives

As laboratory medicine continues to undergo digitalization and automation, clinical laboratorians will likely be confronted with the challenges associated with artificial intelligence (AI). Understanding what AI is good for, how to evaluate it, what are its limitations, and how it can be implemented are not well understood. With a survey, we aimed to evaluate the thoughts of stakeholders in laboratory medicine on the value of AI in the diagnostics space and identify anticipated challenges and solutions to introducing AI.

Methods

We conducted a web-based survey on the use of AI with participants from Roche’s Strategic Advisory Network that included key stakeholders in laboratory medicine.

Results

In total, 128 of 302 stakeholders responded to the survey. Most of the participants were medical practitioners (26%) or laboratory managers (22%). AI is currently used in the organizations of 15.6%, while 66.4% felt they might use it in the future. Most had an unsure attitude on what they would need to adopt AI in the diagnostics space. High investment costs, lack of proven clinical benefits, number of decision makers, and privacy concerns were identified as barriers to adoption. Education in the value of AI, streamlined implementation and integration into existing workflows, and research to prove clinical utility were identified as solutions needed to mainstream AI in laboratory medicine.

Conclusions

This survey demonstrates that specific knowledge of AI in the medical community is poor and that AI education is much needed. One strategy could be to implement new AI tools alongside existing tools.
Effect of Correcting the Postnatal Age of Preterm-Born Children on Measures of Associations Between Infant Length-for-Age z Scores and Mid-Childhood Outcomes
Authors: Perumal Nandita , Roth Daniel E , Cole Donald C , Zlotkin Stanley H , Perdrizet Johnna , Barros Aluisio J D , Santos Ina S , Matijasevich Alicia , Bassani Diego G
Published: August 2020

Child growth standards are commonly used to derive age- and sex-standardized anthropometric indices but are often inappropriately applied to preterm-born children (<37 weeks of gestational age (GA)) in epidemiology studies. Using the 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohort, we examined the impact of correcting for GA in the application of child growth standards on the magnitude and direction of associations in 2 a priori–selected exposure-outcome scenarios: infant length-for-age z score (LAZ) and mid-childhood body mass index (scenario A), and infant LAZ and mid-childhood intelligence quotient (scenario B). GA was a confounder that had a strong (scenario A) or weak (scenario B) association with the outcome. Compared with uncorrected postnatal age, using GA-corrected postnatal age attenuated the magnitude of associations, particularly in early infancy, and changed inferences for associations at birth. Although differences in the magnitude of associations were small when GA was weakly associated with the outcome, model fit was meaningfully improved using corrected postnatal age. When estimating population-averaged associations with early childhood growth in studies where preterm- and term-born children are included, incorporating heterogeneity in GA at birth in the age scale used to standardize anthropometric indices postnatally provides a useful strategy to reduce standardization errors.
Occupational Skin Disease in Physicians: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Henning Mattias A S , Jemec Gregor B , Ibler Kristina S
Published: August 2020

Objectives

Occupational skin disease (OSD) arises from work-related activity. However, there is a paucity of literature on OSD in physicians. The aim of the this review was therefore to examine and summarize what types of symptomatic OSD physicians experience.

Methods

We conducted a systematic literature search on Cochrane Library, Embase, and Pubmed.

Results

Contact dermatitis from formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde were found in 11.5 and 13.5% of cases, respectively. In total 2.4–14.9% had latex allergy. The reported standardized incidence ratio of squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma was up to 2.15 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.57–1.95] and 3.2 (95% CI 1.38–6.31). Transmission of human papilloma virus (HPV) particles during carbon dioxide laser wart ablation were found in 70% of samples collected from protective gloves and in 52% of samples from vapors.

Conclusions

The most frequently reported OSD in physicians is contact dermatitis from allergens in disinfectants and rubber gloves. There is also a risk of cutaneous reactions to latex. The incidence of skin cancer was higher in physicians than in the general population, and the reason for this remains unexplained and potentially biased. There are no reports of transmission of patient HPV to surgeons during wart ablation, possibly because of proper use of protective equipment.
Irreconcilable perspectives like in an Escher’s drawing? Extension of an arbitration agreement to a non-signatory state and attribution of state entities’ conduct: privity of contract in Swiss and investment arbitral tribunals’ case law
Authors: Magnarelli Martina , Ziegler Andreas R
Published: August 2020

A matter of perspective? When a dispute arises and on the government’s side a non-signatory to the arbitration agreement or investment treaty adopted the contested action, privity of contract and rules of attribution of conduct may apply. Both have been interpreted in different manners. When one put all these interpretations together, the result is a picture of impossible spaces and irreconcilable scenarios like in a drawing of Escher. If Escher expressed his artistic inspiration by challenging gravity and visual logic, practitioners may nowadays find challenging solving the dilemma of when and how an arbitration agreement can be extended to a non-signatory state or the conduct of a state entity be attributed to the state.

In its recent decision 4 A_636/2018, the Swiss Supreme Court confirmed its case law that exceptions to the doctrine of privity of contract exist under Swiss law, but these are limited in number and scope. The same applies regardless of whether private or public entities are concerned. This article will examine decision 4 A_636/2018 in light of Swiss case law and draw a comparison with investment arbitral tribunals’ jurisprudence applying rules of attribution of conduct of customary international law when privity of contract lacks on the government’s side.
Benchmarking orthology methods using phylogenetic patterns defined at the base of Eukaryotes
Authors: Deutekom Eva S , Snel Berend , van Dam Teunis J P
Published: August 2020

Insights into the evolution of ancestral complexes and pathways are generally achieved through careful and time-intensive manual analysis often using phylogenetic profiles of the constituent proteins. This manual analysis limits the possibility of including more protein-complex components, repeating the analyses for updated genome sets or expanding the analyses to larger scales. Automated orthology inference should allow such large-scale analyses, but substantial differences between orthologous groups generated by different approaches are observed.

We evaluate orthology methods for their ability to recapitulate a number of observations that have been made with regard to genome evolution in eukaryotes. Specifically, we investigate phylogenetic profile similarity (co-occurrence of complexes), the last eukaryotic common ancestor’s gene content, pervasiveness of gene loss and the overlap with manually determined orthologous groups. Moreover, we compare the inferred orthologies to each other.

We find that most orthology methods reconstruct a large last eukaryotic common ancestor, with substantial gene loss, and can predict interacting proteins reasonably well when applying phylogenetic co-occurrence. At the same time, derived orthologous groups show imperfect overlap with manually curated orthologous groups. There is no strong indication of which orthology method performs better than another on individual or all of these aspects. Counterintuitively, despite the orthology methods behaving similarly regarding large-scale evaluation, the obtained orthologous groups differ vastly from one another.

Availability and implementation The data and code underlying this article are available in github and/or upon reasonable request to the corresponding author: https://github.com/ESDeutekom/ComparingOrthologies.
Unveiling COVID-19-associated organ-specific cell types and cell-specific pathway cascade
Authors: Dey Ashmita , Sen Sagnik , Maulik Ujjwal
Published: August 2020

The novel coronavirus or COVID-19 has first been found in Wuhan, China, and became pandemic. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) plays a key role in the host cells as a receptor of Spike-I Glycoprotein of COVID-19 which causes final infection. ACE2 is highly expressed in the bladder, ileum, kidney and liver, comparing with ACE2 expression in the lung-specific pulmonary alveolar type II cells. In this study, the single-cell RNAseq data of the five tissues from different humans are curated and cell types with high expressions of ACE2 are identified. Subsequently, the protein–protein interaction networks have been established. From the network, potential biomarkers which can form functional hubs, are selected based on k-means network clustering. It is observed that angiotensin PPAR family proteins show important roles in the functional hubs. To understand the functions of the potential markers, corresponding pathways have been researched thoroughly through the pathway semantic networks. Subsequently, the pathways have been ranked according to their influence and dependency in the network using PageRank algorithm. The outcomes show some important facts in terms of infection. Firstly, renin-angiotensin system and PPAR signaling pathway can play a vital role for enhancing the infection after its intrusion through ACE2. Next, pathway networks consist of few basic metabolic and influential pathways, e.g. insulin resistance. This information corroborate the fact that diabetic patients are more vulnerable to COVID-19 infection. Interestingly, the key regulators of the aforementioned pathways are angiontensin and PPAR family proteins. Hence, angiotensin and PPAR family proteins can be considered as possible therapeutic targets. Contact: sagnik.sen2008@gmail.com, umaulik@cse.jdvu.ac.in Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available online.
Modular arrangements of sequence motifs determine the functional diversity of KDM proteins
Authors: Wang Zerong , Liu Dongyang , Xu Baofang , Tian Ruixia , Zuo Yongchun
Published: August 2020

Histone lysine demethylases (KDMs) play a vital role in regulating chromatin dynamics and transcription. KDM proteins are given modular activities by its sequence motifs with obvious roles division, which endow the complex and diverse functions. In our review, according to functional features, we classify sequence motifs into four classes: catalytic motifs, targeting motifs, regulatory motifs and potential motifs. JmjC, as the main catalytic motif, combines to Fe2+ and α-ketoglutarate by residues H-D/E-H and S-N-N/Y-K-N/Y-T/S. Targeting motifs make catalytic motifs recognize specific methylated lysines, such as PHD that helps KDM5 to demethylate H3K4me3. Regulatory motifs consist of a functional network. For example, NLS, Ser-rich, TPR and JmjN motifs regulate the nuclear localization. And interactions through the CW-type-C4H2C2-SWIRM are necessary to the demethylase activity of KDM1B. Additionally, many conservative domains that have potential functions but no deep exploration are reviewed for the first time. These conservative domains are usually amino acid-rich regions, which have great research value. The arrangements of four types of sequence motifs generate that KDM proteins diversify toward modular activities and biological functions. Finally, we draw a blueprint of functional mechanisms to discuss the modular activity of KDMs.
CARE: context-aware sequencing read error correction
Authors: Kallenborn Felix , Hildebrandt Andreas , Schmidt Bertil
Published: August 2020

Motivation

Error correction is a fundamental pre-processing step in many Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) pipelines, in particular for de novo genome assembly. However, existing error correction methods either suffer from high false-positive rates since they break reads into independent k-mers or do not scale efficiently to large amounts of sequencing reads and complex genomes.

Results

We present CARE—an alignment-based scalable error correction algorithm for Illumina data using the concept of minhashing. Minhashing allows for efficient similarity search within large sequencing read collections which enables fast computation of high-quality multiple alignments. Sequencing errors are corrected by detailed inspection of the corresponding alignments. Our performance evaluation shows that CARE generates significantly fewer false-positive corrections than state-of-the-art tools (Musket, SGA, BFC, Lighter, Bcool, Karect) while maintaining a competitive number of true positives. When used prior to assembly it can achieve superior de novo assembly results for a number of real datasets. CARE is also the first multiple sequence alignment-based error corrector that is able to process a human genome Illumina NGS dataset in only 4 h on a single workstation using GPU acceleration.

Availabilityand implementation

CARE is open-source software written in C++ (CPU version) and in CUDA/C++ (GPU version). It is licensed under GPLv3 and can be downloaded at https://github.com/fkallen/CARE.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
The Relationship between Burnout and Job Satisfaction in a Sample of Spanish Social Workers
Authors: Gómez-García Rogelio , Bayón-Calvo Siro , Lucas-García Jezabel
Published: August 2020

Burnout and its relationship with job satisfaction have been addressed extensively. Research has focused mainly on diverse groups such as health care workers, teachers and (more recently) social workers. This study aims to examine the relationships between the dimensions of burnout and job satisfaction amongst social workers. A sample of 947 Spanish social workers was collected. We used a structural equation model using the partial least squares structural equation modelling approach. A series of hypotheses were formulated to analyse the relationship between burnout dimensions and job satisfaction. Emotional exhaustion is associated with high levels of depersonalisation and low levels of personal accomplishment. Different personal and work-related characteristics are significantly associated with various dimensions of burnout and job satisfaction. This study confirms a statistically significant relationship between burnout dimensions and job satisfaction.
Simultaneous Determination of Three Coumarins in Rat Plasma by HPLC-MS/MS for Pharmacokinetic Studies Following Oral Administration of Chimonanthi Radix Extract
Authors: Zhang Jing , Wen Quan , Zhou Meng-ying , Zhong Chen-cong , Feng Yulin , Tan Ting
Published: August 2020

Chimonanthi Radix (CR) is widely used in the treatment of influenza in China. Extensive studies revealed that the major bioactive constituents of CR were coumarins. However, pharmacokinetic study of coumarins in CR has not been fully studied. The purpose of this study was to establish a convenient and effective high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method that was used to simultaneously determine scopoletin, scopolin and isofraxidin in rat plasma after oral administration of CR extract using xanthotoxin as the internal standard. The chromatographic separation was carried out on a COSMOCORE C18 column (100 × 2 mm, 2.6 μm), using gradient elution with the mobile phase consisting of 0.1% formic acid (A) and acetonitrile (B). Three coumarins and IS were quantified by positive ion electrospray ionization in multiple reaction monitoring mode. The method was fully validated in terms of specificity, accuracy, precision (intra- and inter-day), matrix effect, recovery as well as the stability of the analytes under various conditions. The results could provide further research foundation for anti-influenza mechanism of three coumarins in CR.
The Communicative Ethics of Racial Identity in Dialogue
Authors: Cooks Leda
Published: August 2020

This article explores the role of narratives about racial identity in constituting ethical performances in dialogue. Specifically, a dialogic communication ethics is described and placed in the context of intergroup dialogue (IGD) and communication approaches to dialogue. Then the focus turns to how these ethical frames and models for conducting dialogue functioned in a large-scale campus dialogue on race and whiteness. The article addresses the ways identities were constructed and deployed in the dialogues by examining how dialogue topics are framed and discussed by facilitators and participants. This discussion of intention and outcome raises theoretical and practical questions in order to facilitate further conversations about identity and ethics in a controversially “Post-racial” era. Finally, the article looks at how communication ethics and dialogue might work to address the discursive power of social group identities in pedagogical discussions of civility, inclusion, merit or a “good” life.
Theorizing From the Global South: Dismantling, Resisting, and Transforming Communication Theory
Authors: Dutta Mohan J , Pal Mahuya
Published: August 2020

This special issue explores what theory looks like from the Global South. Whether it is in the work of the women farmers organized into Sanghams under the umbrella of the Deccan Development Society (DDS) or in the organizing of farmers under the collective formations of La Via Campesina, the emergent work of theory is intrinsically tied to plural practices embedded in community life. We argue that we need to theorize from the narratives embedded in experiences of actors who are disenfranchised from metropolitan/mainstream/Euro-US/neoliberal economics and society. We mark the local politics of the Global South at the intersections of the local and global forces as sites of knowledge in this special issue.
What on Earth do Journalists Know? A New Model of Knowledge Brokers’ Expertise
Authors: Reich Zvi , Lahav Hagar
Published: August 2020

The article offers a new theoretical model that conceptualizes the “exotic” expertise of journalists and other knowledge-brokers who specialize in particular domains (e.g., teachers, librarians, analysts). The model adapts theories from sociology, pedagogy and philosophy and juxtaposes them against the insights of 14 editors-in-chief from leading Israeli media, in order to validate, refine and illustrate the theoretical generalizations. According to the suggested model, specialized knowledge brokers develop a unique type of expertise that can be modeled across four distinct dimensions: The manifestation of expertise (doing/talking), the mechanism of expertise (interplay between journalistic and domain knowledge), the socio-epistemic position (outsiders/insiders) and the density of expertise (homogenous versus heterogeneous knowledge). Understanding journalists’ expertise is crucial due to the overwhelming assault on experts in “post truth” societies; their role as mega brokers of expert knowledge from all disciplines (outside one’s own expertise) and the ongoing scholarly dispute on the nature of expertise.
Fluoride varnish for white spot lesion prevention during orthodontic treatment: results of a randomized controlled trial 1 year after debonding
Authors: Sonesson Mikael , Brechter Anna , Lindman Rolf , Abdulraheem Salem , Twetman Svante
Published: August 2020

Background

Topical fluorides are commonly recommended to prevent the development of white spot lesion (WSL) during treatment with fixed orthodontic appliances (FOAs), but the certainty of evidence is low, and long-term effects of fluoride preventive methods to reduce lesions seem to be rare.

Objective

To evaluate the long-term effectiveness of professional applications of a fluoride varnish containing 1.5% ammonium fluoride in preventing WSL development in adolescents undergoing multi-bracket orthodontic treatment.

Subjects and methods

We performed a randomized controlled trial in which 166 healthy adolescents (12–18 years) from three different clinics were enrolled and randomly allocated to a test or a placebo group. The randomization was performed by a computer program, generating sequence numbers in blocks of 15. The fluoride varnish or the non-fluoride placebo varnish was applied in a thin layer around the bracket base every sixth week during the course of the orthodontic treatment (mean duration 1.7 years). We scored the prevalence of WSL on the labial surfaces of the maxillary incisors, canines and premolars immediately after debonding (baseline) and approximately 1 year after debonding, from digital photos with aid of a four-step score. The examiners were not involved in the treatment of the patients and blinded for the group assignment.

Results

One hundred and forty-eight patients were available at debonding and 142 of them could be re-examined after 1 year (71 in the test and 71 in the placebo group). The 1-year attrition rate was 4.0%. On patient level, the prevalence of post-orthodontic WSLs (score ≥ 2) dropped by over 50% during the follow-up with no significant difference between the groups. On surface level, there were significantly fewer remaining WSLs in the test group compared with the placebo group (4.5% versus 10.4%; relative risk 0.44, 95% confidence interval 0.28–0.68).

Limitations

The compliance with fluoride toothpaste was not checked, and the patients’ general dentists may have instigated additional risk-based preventive measures. No cost–benefit analysis was carried out.

Conclusions

This follow-up study displayed a small beneficial long-term effect of fluoride varnish in reducing WSL development during treatment with FOA.

Registration

NCT03725020.

Protocol

The protocol was not published before trial commencement.
Influences of 1-methylcyclopropene-containing papers on the metabolisms of membrane lipids in Anxi persimmons during storage
Authors: Wang Hui , Chen Guo , Shi Lili , Lin Hetong , Chen Yihui , Lin Yifen , Fan Zhongqi
Published: August 2020

Objectives

The aim of this work was to analyse the effects of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment on the metabolisms of membrane lipids in postharvest Anxi persimmons during storage.

Materials and methods

Anxi persimmon (Diospyros kaki L. f. cv. Anxi) fruits were treated by paper containing 1-MCP with a concentration of 1.35 μl/l. The cellular membrane permeability was analysed by the electric conductivity meter. The activities of lipoxygenase (LOX), phospholipase (PLD) and lipase were determined by spectrophotometry. The component and relative amounts of membrane fatty acids were determined using gas chromatograph (GC).

Results

The 1-MCP-treated Anxi persimmons manifested a lower electrolyte leakage rate, lower LOX, PLD and lipase activities, higher levels of unsaturated fatty acids (USFAs), higher ratio of USFAs to saturated fatty acids (SFAs) (U/S), higher index of USFAs (IUFA), but lower levels of SFAs.

Conclusions

The degradation and the metabolisms of membrane lipids could be suppressed by 1-MCP treatment, which might be accountable for the delaying softening of postharvest Anxi persimmons during storage.
Prevalence, Predictors, and Disease Activity of Sacroiliitis Among Patients with Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Levine Irving , Malik Fardina , Castillo Gabriel , Jaros Brian , Alaia Erin , Ream Justin , Scher Jose U , Hudesman David , Axelrad Jordan
Published: August 2020

Background

Sacroiliitis is an inflammatory arthritis of the sacroiliac joints and is associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Yet, sacroiliitis often goes undiagnosed in IBD, and the clinical association between IBD disease activity and sacroiliitis is not well established. Patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) often receive magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) to assess disease activity, affording clinicians the opportunity to evaluate for the presence of sacroiliitis. We aimed to identify the prevalence and disease characteristics associated with sacroiliitis in CD patients undergoing MRE.

Methods

All CD patients undergoing MRE for any indication between 2014 and 2018 at an IBD referral center were identified. The MREs were reviewed for the presence of sacroiliitis based on bone marrow edema (BME) and structural lesions. We analyzed demographics, IBD characteristics, clinical and endoscopic disease activity, and management between CD patients with and without sacroiliitis.

Results

Two hundred fifty-eight patients with CD underwent MRE during the study period. Overall, 17% of patients had MR evidence of sacroiliitis, of whom 73% demonstrated bone marrow edema. Female gender, back pain, and later age of CD diagnosis were associated with sacroiliitis (P = 0.05, P < 0.001, P = 0.04, respectively). Disease location and CD therapy were not associated with sacroiliitis on MRE. Clinical, endoscopic, and radiographic disease activity were not associated with sacroiliitis on MRE.

Conclusion

Sacroiliitis is a common comorbid condition in CD. With limited clinical clues and disease characteristics to suggest sacroiliitis, physicians may utilize MRE to identify sacroiliitis, especially in CD patients with back pain.
Clinical Features, Replication Competence, and Innate Immune Responses of Human Adenovirus Type 7 Infection
Authors: Chen Qigao , Liu Jun , Liang Weiwen , Chen Yi , Dou Min , Liu Zhongmin , Chen Yuan , Zheng Zhongli , Zhu Bing , Lin Yongping
Published: August 2020

Background

Epidemiologic reports suggest that the most severe or fatal adenoviral disease in children might be associated with human adenovirus (HAdV) type 7. However, the pathogenesis of HAdV-7–induced severe disease remains poorly understood.

Methods

HAdV-3 and HAdV-7 replication kinetics and the host response to infection were compared using ex vivo human lung tissue cultures. Furthermore, cytokine and chemokine levels and the presence of adenovirus DNA in the serum of hospitalized children infected with HAdV-7 (n = 65) or HAdV-3 (n = 48) were measured (using a multiplex immunoassay and Taqman real-time polymerase chain reaction, respectively).

Results

Among 471 HAdV-positive specimens, HAdV-3 or HAdV-7 was the most prevalent genotype during 2014–2016 or 2018, respectively. The incidence of severe pneumonia was higher in HAdV-7–infected than in HAdV-3–infected individuals (30.1% vs 4.5%, respectively). HAdV-7 replicated more efficiently than HAdV-3 ex vivo. Interferon-induced protein 10, interleukin 6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 levels were significantly higher in HAdV-7–infected than in HAdV-3–infected children. Adenovirus DNA was detected in serum samples from 40% and 4.2% of HAdV-7– and HAdV-3–infected children, respectively. Furthermore, viremia was strongly associated with severe clinical presentations.

Conclusions

The pathogenesis of HAdV-7–induced severe disease was probably associated with high replication competence and hyperinflammatory responses. The detection of adenovirus DNA in blood may be useful in assessing risk for severe disease.
Phylogenomics of the Leaf-Footed Bug Subfamily Coreinae (Hemiptera: Coreidae)
Authors: Forthman Michael , Miller Christine W , Kimball Rebecca T
Published: August 2020

Baits targeting invertebrate ultraconserved elements (UCEs) are becoming more common for phylogenetic studies. Recent studies have shown that invertebrate UCEs typically encode proteins—and thus, are functionally different from more conserved vertebrate UCEs—and can resolve deep divergences (e.g., superorder to family ranks). However, whether invertebrate UCE baits have the power to robustly resolve relationships at shallower phylogenetic scales has been generally limited to investigations within the Coleoptera and Hymenoptera; thus, there are many invertebrate UCE baits that remain to be tested at shallower levels (i.e., tribes and congeners). Here, we assessed the ability of a recently designed Hemiptera UCE bait set to reconstruct more recent phylogenetic relationships in the largest leaf-footed bug subfamily, the Coreinae (Hemiptera: Coreidae), using a taxon-rich sample representing 21 of the 32 coreine tribes. Many well-supported, novel relationships were congruent in maximum likelihood and summary coalescent analyses. We also found evidence for the para- and polyphyly of several tribes and genera of Coreinae, as well as the subfamilies Coreinae and Meropachyinae. Our study, along with other recent UCE studies, provides evidence that UCEs can produce robust and novel phylogenetic hypotheses at various scales in invertebrates.
Bias at warp speed: how AI may contribute to the disparities gap in the time of COVID-19
Authors: Röösli Eliane , Rice Brian , Hernandez-Boussard Tina
Published: August 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic is presenting a disproportionate impact on minorities in terms of infection rate, hospitalizations, and mortality. Many believe artificial intelligence (AI) is a solution to guide clinical decision-making for this novel disease, resulting in the rapid dissemination of underdeveloped and potentially biased models, which may exacerbate the disparities gap. We believe there is an urgent need to enforce the systematic use of reporting standards and develop regulatory frameworks for a shared COVID-19 data source to address the challenges of bias in AI during this pandemic. There is hope that AI can help guide treatment decisions within this crisis; yet given the pervasiveness of biases, a failure to proactively develop comprehensive mitigation strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic risks exacerbating existing health disparities.
Comprehensive Analyses of the Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Figulus binodulus (Coleoptera: Lucanidae)
Authors: Lee Jungmo , Park Jonghyun , Xi Hong , Park Jongsun
Published: August 2020

Figulus binodulus Waterhouse is a small stag beetle distributed in East Asia. We determined the first mitochondrial genome of F. binodulus of which is 16,261-bp long including 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNAs, and a single large noncoding region of 1,717 bp. Gene order of F. binodulus is identical to the ancestral insect mitochondrial gene order as in most other stag beetle species. All of 22 tRNAs could be shaped into typical clover-leaf structure except trnSer1. Comparative analyses of 21 Lucanidae mitochondrial genomes was conducted in aspect of their length and AT-GC ratio. Nucleotide diversities analyses provide that cox1 and cox2 in Lucanidae are less diverse than those of Scarabaeoidea. Fifty simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were identified on F. binodulus mitochondrial genome. Comparative analysis of SSRs among five mitochondrial genomes displayed similar trend along with SSR types. Figulus binodulus was sister to all other available family Lucanidae species in the phylogenetic tree.
Genetic and morphological variation of Oxymycterus (Rodentia: Sigmodontinae) in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest
Authors: Peçanha Willian Thomaz , Quintela Fernando Marques , Althoff Sergio Luiz , Oliveira João Alves , Gonçalves Pablo Rodrigues , Jung Diego Marques Henriques , Christoff Alexandre Uarth , Gonçalves Gislene Lopes , Freitas Thales Renato Ochotorena
Published: August 2020

We present a new assessment of the genetic and morphological variation within Oxymycterus quaestor Thomas, 1903, which currently includes the junior synonyms O. judex Thomas, 1909 and O. misionalis Sanborn, 1931. We integrate distinct lines of evidence, including variation of mitochondrial (Cytochrome b [Cytb]) and nuclear (intron 7 of beta fibrinogen gene [Fgb]) sequences, and the assessment of skull quantitative traits based on geometric morphometrics, throughout the Atlantic Forest of Southeastern-Southern Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. Phylogenetic relationships based on Cytb indicate that O. quaestor is structured in four well-supported clades (lineages A–D), one of them (lineage C) including topotypes of a previously associated nominal form (O. judex). However, these Cytb lineages exhibit lower levels of differentiation based on the Fgb locus, and are not recovered in the genealogies of this nuclear marker, representing a case of mitonuclear discordance. The Cytb lineages also broadly overlapped in the morphospace both in skull shape and size, which sustain the current wider concept of O. quaestor as one single young species (0.947 Myr) that is recently expanding, and ultimately branching out, in the Atlantic Forest.
Change in Pain Status and Subsequent Opioid and Marijuana Use Among Long-Term Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer
Authors: Huang I-Chan , Alberts Nicole M , Buckley Merrion G , Li Zhenghong , Ehrhardt Matthew J , Brinkman Tara M , Allen Jennifer , Krull Kevin R , Klosky James L , Greene William L , Srivastava D Kumar , Robison Leslie L , Hudson Melissa M , Anghelescu Doralina L
Published: August 2020

We evaluated pain status change and associations with subsequent opioid/marijuana use among 1208 adult survivors of childhood cancer. Pain status and opioid/marijuana were self-reported at baseline and follow-up evaluation (mean interval = 4.2 years). Over time, 18.7% of survivors endorsed persistent/increasing significant pain; 4.8% and 9.0% reported having used opioids and marijuana at follow-up. Persistent/increased (vs none/decreased) pain, persistent/increased (vs none/decreased) anxiety, and lack of health insurance increased odds of subsequent opioid use by 7.69-fold (95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.71 to 15.95), 2.55-fold (95% CI = 1.04 to 6.24), and 2.50-fold (95% CI = 1.07 to 5.82), respectively. Persistent/increased (vs none/decreased) depression increased odds of subsequent marijuana use by 2.64-fold (95% CI = 1.10 to 6.33).
Expression Profiling of Primary and Recurrent Glioblastomas Reveals a Reduced Level of Pentraxin 3 in Recurrent Glioblastomas
Authors: Petterson Stine Asferg , Sørensen Mia Dahl , Kristensen Bjarne Winther
Published: August 2020

Glioblastomas (GBM) are highly infiltrative tumors and despite intensive treatment tumor recurrence is inevitable. The immune microenvironment in recurrent GBM is poorly characterized, but it is potentially influenced by therapeutic interventions with surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to obtain a deeper insight in the immune microenvironment in primary and recurrent GBM. Primary and recurrent glioblastoma samples from 18 patients were identified and expression profiling of 770 myeloid innate immune-related markers was performed. Leukemia inhibitory factor and pentraxin 3 were expressed at lower levels in recurrent tumors. Using in silico data and immunohistochemical staining, this was validated for pentraxin 3. Both high leukemia inhibitory factor and pentraxin 3 expression appeared to be associated with shorter survival in primary and recurrent GBM using in silico data. In primary GBM, gene set analysis also showed higher expression of genes involved in metabolism, extracellular matrix remodeling and complement activation, whereas genes involved in T cell activation and checkpoint signaling were expressed at higher levels in recurrent GBM. The reduced level of pentraxin 3 in recurrent glioblastomas and the gene set analysis results suggest an altered microenvironment in recurrent GBM that might be more active.