bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel authigenic magnetite source for sedimentary magnetization
Authors: Lin Zhiyong , Sun Xiaoming , Roberts Andrew P. , Strauss Harald , Lu Yang , Yang Xin , Gong Junli , Li Guanhua , Brunner Benjamin , Peckmann Jörn
Published: December 2020

We report a novel authigenic nanoscale magnetite source in marine methane seep sediments. The magnetite occurs in large concentrations in multiple horizons in a 230 m sediment core with gas hydrate–bearing intervals. In contrast to typical biogenic magnetite produced by magnetotactic bacteria and dissimilatory iron-reducing bacteria, most particles have sizes of 200–800 nm and many are aligned in distinctive structures that resemble microbial precipitates. The magnetite is interpreted to be a byproduct of microbial iron reduction within methanic sediments with rapidly changing redox conditions. Iron sulfides that accumulated at a shallow sulfate-methane transition zone were oxidized after methane seepage intensity decreased. The alteration process produced secondary iron (oxyhydr)oxides that then became a reactive iron source for magnetite authigenesis when methane seepage increased again. This interpretation is consistent with 13C depletion in coexisting carbonate nodules. The authigenic magnetite will record younger paleomagnetic signals than surrounding sediments, which is important for paleomagnetic interpretations in seep systems. The microbial and possibly abiotic processes that caused these magnetic minerals to form at moderate burial depths remain to be determined.
Assessing the impact of sedimentation on fault spacing at the Andaman Sea spreading center
Authors: de Sagazan Clément , Olive Jean-Arthur
Published: December 2020

The stabilizing effect of surface processes on strain localization, albeit predicted by several decades of geodynamic modeling, remains difficult to document in real tectonic settings. Here we assess whether intense sedimentation can explain the longevity of the normal faults bounding the Andaman Sea spreading center (ASSC). The structure of the ASSC is analogous to a slow-spreading mid-ocean ridge (MOR), with symmetric, evenly spaced axis-facing faults. The average spacing of faults with throws ≥100 m (8.8 km) is however large compared to unsedimented MORs of commensurate spreading rate, suggesting that sedimentation helps focus tectonic strain onto a smaller number of longer-lived faults. We test this idea by simulating a MOR with a specified fraction of magmatic plate separation (M), subjected to a sedimentation rate (s) ranging from 0 to 1 mm/yr. We find that for a given M ≥ 0.7, increasing s increases fault lifespan by ∼50%, and the effect plateaus for s > 0.5 mm/yr. Sedimentation prolongs slip on active faults by leveling seafloor relief and raising the threshold for breaking new faults. The effect is more pronounced for faults with a slower throw rate, which is favored by a greater M. These results suggest that sedimentation-enhanced fault lifespan is a viable explanation for the large spacing of ASSC faults if magmatic input is sufficiently robust. By contrast, longer-lived faults that form under low M are not strongly influenced by sedimentation.
Hypercalcaemia in primary hyperparathyroidism: a rare cause of recurrent acute pancreatitis
Authors: Kundu Prabir Kumar , Basu Satyaki , Chakraborty Uddalak , Chandra Atanu
Published: December 2020

Hyperparathyroidism leading to hypercalcaemia is a rare cause of acute pancreatitis with debatable association. The diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism is frequently overlooked or delayed as symptoms are non-specific and serum calcium is not routinely measured in acute pancreatitis. Early diagnosis and treatment of hyperparathyroidism may reduce the chances of complications. We report a 35-year-old woman, who was admitted with recurrent episodes of acute pancreatitis. She was previously diagnosed with gall-stone induced acute pancreatitis, had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy, but the recurrence of acute pancreatitis suggested an alternative aetiology and provoked extensive investigations. Serum calcium was found to be elevated. No additional risk factor for pancreatitis was found. Further workup revealed primary hyperparathyroidism, which was due to a functioning parathyroid adenoma. She has undergone parathyroidectomy followed by an uneventful recovery. She subsequently conceived and is now in her first trimester, without any recurrence of acute pancreatitis since her surgery.
Rare case of Marchiafava-Bignami disease due to thiamine deficiency and malnutrition
Authors: Kinsley Stephanie , Giovane Richard Anthony , Daly Sandra , Shulman David
Published: December 2020

Marchiafava-Bignami disease (MBD) is a rare, toxic demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system associated with chronic alcoholism and malnutrition. The clinical presentation is varied and non-specific, including symptoms of acute dementia, impaired consciousness, dysarthria, hemiparesis, pyramidal tract signs, seizure activity, ataxia and signs of interhemispheric disconnection. The differential diagnosis of MBD may include Wernicke’s encephalopathy, multiple sclerosis, encephalitis, infectious or paraneoplastic leucoencephalopathy, infarction, Alzheimer’s disease, multi-infarct dementia and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (Pick) disease. The diagnosis of MBD is dependent on MRI findings of hyperintensity of the corpus callosum on T2 and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery T2 sequences, with or without extracallosal lesions. The use of MRI in diagnosis has allowed for early initiation of treatment with parenteral thiamine, and improved the prognosis of MBD from frequently fatal to a mortality of less than 8%. Administration of thiamine within 14 days of symptom onset has demonstrated statistically better outcomes over delayed treatment. We present a case report of MBD diagnosed in a 72-year-old woman who presented with ataxia and slurred speech, in an effort to highlight the importance of obtaining MRI in patients presenting with behavioural disturbance and neurological findings, as well as discuss the relationship between thiamine supplementation and demyelinating diseases in the central nervous system.
Compromised microvascular free flaps; salvage using Fogarty vascular catheter thrombectomy
Authors: Rao Santhosh , Kashyap Nitin Kumar , Panda Chinmaya , Kumar Naveen
Published: December 2020

Compromised free flap perfusion secondary to thrombus formation is a routinely encountered complication in microvascular free tissue transfer. Various modalities were tried out prophylactically to prevent thrombus formation, and likewise, various methods are tried for salvaging the flap with effective thrombectomy. We present the use of Fogarty vascular catheter for thrombectomy and effective salvage of the flap.
Digital health for real-time monitoring of a national immunisation campaign in Indonesia: a large-scale effectiveness evaluation
Authors: Jusril Hafizah , Ariawan Iwan , Damayanti Rita , Lazuardi Lutfan , Musa Miriam , Wulandari Suci Melati , Pronyk Paul , Mechael Patricia
Published: December 2020

Objective

To assess the contribution of a digital health real-time monitoring platform towards the achievement of coverage targets during a national immunisation campaign in Indonesia.

Interventions

A digital health platform was introduced to facilitate real-time reporting and data visualisation. Health workers submitted reports of children immunised each day by geolocation using mobile phones. Automated reports were generated for programme managers at all levels to enable early responses to coverage gaps.

Methods

Risk profiles were generated for each district to assess precampaign immunisation programme performance. Digital health platform use and progress towards targets were monitored continuously throughout the campaign. Study outcomes were total coverage and time to achieve full (100%) coverage. Kaplan-Meier, Cox and linear regression analyses were used to estimate the associations and outcomes after adjusting for district risk profiles. A complementary qualitative assessment explored user experiences and acceptance through interviews with vaccinators and programme managers in provinces and districts selected through multistage random sampling.

Results

Between August and December 2018, 6462 health facilities registered to use the digital health platform across 28 provinces and 395 districts. After adjusting for precampaign district risk profile and intracampaign delays due to vaccine hesitancy, districts with greater platform utilisation demonstrated higher coverage overall (R2=0.28, p<0.0001) and a shorter interval to achieving full coverage (>75% reporting compliance; Risk Ratio 15.4, 95% CI 5.8 to 40.6). Stronger effects were observed among districts experiencing implementation delays due to vaccine hesitancy. Results from 106 key informant interviews conducted in 6 provinces and 18 districts suggest high degrees of acceptability, ease of use and satisfaction.

Conclusion

A digital health platform introduced for real-time monitoring of a national immunisation campaign in Indonesia was feasible, well liked and associated with improved problem solving and programme performance, particularly among districts affected by vaccine hesitancy.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN10850448.
Multidimensional assessment of women after severe maternal morbidity: the COMMAG cohort study
Authors: Ferreira Elton C , Costa Maria Laura , Pacagnella Rodolfo C , Silveira Carla , Andreucci Carla B , Zanardi Dulce Maria Toledo , Santos Juliana P , Angelini Carina R , Souza Renato T , Parpinelli Mary A , Sousa Maria Helena , Cecatti Jose Guilherme
Published: December 2020

Objectives

To perform a multidimensional assessment of women who experienced severe maternal morbidity (SMM) and its short-term and medium-term impact on the lives and health of women and their children.

Design

A retrospective cohort study.

Setting

A tertiary maternity hospital from the southeast region of Brazil.

Participants

The exposed population was selected from intensive care unit admissions if presenting any diagnostic criteria for SMM. Controls were randomly selected among women without SMM admitted to the same maternity and same time of childbirth.

Primary and secondary outcome variables

Validated tools were applied, addressing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and quality of life (SF-36) by phone, and then general and reproductive health, functioning (WHO Disability Assessment Schedule), sexual function (Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI)), substance abuse (Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test 2.0) and growth/development (Denver Developmental Screening Test) of children born in the index pregnancy in a face-to-face interview.

Results

All instruments were applied to 638 women (315 had SMM; 323 were controls, with the assessment of 264 and 307 children, respectively). SF-36 score was significantly lower in the SMM group, while PTSD score was similar between groups. Women who had SMM became more frequently sterile, had more abnormal clinical conditions after the index pregnancy and a higher score for altered functioning, while proportions of FSFI score or any drug use were similar between groups. Furthermore, children from the SMM group were more likely to have weight (threefold) and height (1.5 fold) for age deficits and also impaired development (1.5-fold).

Conclusion

SMM impairs some aspects of the lives of women and their children. The focus should be directed towards monitoring these women and their children after birth, ensuring accessibility to health services and reducing short-term and medium-term repercussions on physical, reproductive and psychosocial health.
Influence of prior comorbidities and chronic medications use on the risk of COVID-19 in adults: a population-based cohort study in Tarragona, Spain
Authors: Vila-Córcoles Angel , Ochoa-Gondar Olga , Satué-Gracia Eva M. , Torrente-Fraga Cristina , Gomez-Bertomeu Frederic , Vila-Rovira Angel , Hospital-Guardiola Immaculada , de Diego-Cabanes Cinta , Bejarano-Romero Ferran , Basora-Gallisà Josep
Published: December 2020

Objective

To investigate possible relationships between pre-existing medical conditions (including common comorbidities and chronic medications) and risk for suffering COVID-19 disease in middle-aged and older adults.

Design

Population-based retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Twelve primary care centres (PCCs) in Tarragona (Spain).

Participants

79 083 people (77 676 community-dwelling and 1407 nursing-home residents), who were all individuals aged >50 years affiliated to the 12 participating PCCs.

Outcomes

Baseline cohort characteristics (age, sex, vaccinations, comorbidities and chronic medications) were established at study start (1st. March 2020) and primary outcome was time to COVID-19 confirmed by PCR among cohort members throughout the epidemic period (from 1st. March 2020 to 23rd. May 2020). Risk for suffering COVID-19 was evaluated by Cox regression, estimating multivariable HRs adjusted for age, sex, comorbidities and medications use.

Results

During the study period, 2324 cohort members were PCR-tested, with 1944 negative and 380 positive results, which means an incidence of 480.5 PCR-confirmed COVID-19 cases per 100 000 persons-period. Assessing the total study cohort, only age (HR 1.02; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.03; p=0.002), nursing-home residence (HR 21.83; 95% CI 16.66 to 28.61; p<0.001) and receiving diuretics (HR 1.35; 95% CI 1.04 to 1.76; p=0.026) appeared independently associated with increased risk. Smoking (HR 0.62; 95% CI 0.41 to 0.93; p=0.022), ACE inhibitors (HR 0.68; 95% CI 0.47 to 0.99; p=0.046) and antihistamine (HR 0.47; 95% CI 0.22 to 1.01; p=0.052) were associated with a lower risk. Among community-dwelling individuals, cancer (HR 1.52; 95% CI 1.03 to 2.24; p=0.035), chronic respiratory disease (HR 1.82; 95% CI 1.08 to 3.07; p=0.025) and cardiac disease (HR 1.53; 95% CI 1.06 to 2.19; p=0.021) emerged to be also associated with an increased risk. Receiving ACE inhibitors (HR 0.66; 95% CI 0.44 to 0.99; p=0.046) and influenza vaccination (HR 0.63; 95% CI 0.44 to 0.91; p=0.012) was associated with decreased risk.

Conclusion

Age, nursing-home residence and multiple comorbidities appear predisposing for COVID-19. Conversely, receiving ACE inhibitors, antihistamine and influenza vaccination could be protective, which should be closely investigated in further studies specifically focused on these concerns.
Oncological safety of hysteroscopy in the diagnosis of stage I endometrial cancer: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Xu Yu , Zhang Qian Wen , Du Yi , Qin Zhao Juan , He Yue Dong , Zheng Ai
Published: December 2020

Background

The oncological safety of diagnostic hysteroscopy in patients with stage Ⅰ endometrial cancer remains uncertain and conflicting. The aim of the proposed systematic review and meta-analysis is to summarise the available evidence examining the association between diagnostic hysteroscopy and the prognosis of stage Ⅰ endometrial cancer and to statistically synthesise the results of relevant studies.

Methods and analysis

Systematic searches of PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science will be undertaken using prespecified search strategies. Two authors will independently conduct eligible studies selection process, perform data extraction and appraise the quality of included studies. Original case–control studies, cohort studies and randomised controlled trails published in English will be considered for inclusion. The outcomes of interest will be 5-year recurrence-free survival, disease-specific survival and overall survival. Meta-analyses will be performed to calculate pooled estimates.

Ethics and dissemination

Our study will be based on published data, and thus there is no requirement for ethics approval. The results will be shared through publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presentations at academic conferences.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020193696.
Reticulon 3-mediated Chk2/p53 activation suppresses hepatocellular carcinogenesis and is blocked by hepatitis B virus
Authors: Song Shushu , Shi Yinghong , Wu Weicheng , Wu Hao , Chang Lei , Peng Peike , Zhang Lei , Fan Jia , Gu Jianxin , Ruan Yuanyuan
Published: December 2020

Objective

Dysfunction of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) proteins is closely related to homeostasis disturbance and malignant transformation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Reticulons (RTN) are a family of ER-resident proteins critical for maintaining ER function. Nevertheless, the precise roles of RTN in HCC remain largely unclear. The aim of the study is to examine the effect of reticulon family member RTN3 on HCC development and explore the underlying mechanisms.

Design

Clinical HCC samples were collected to assess the relationship between RTN3 expression and patients’ outcome. HCC cell lines were employed to examine the effects of RTN3 on cellular proliferation, apoptosis and signal transduction in vitro. Nude mice model was used to detect the role of RTN3 in modulating tumour growth in vivo.

Results

We found that RTN3 was highly expressed in normal hepatocytes but frequently downregulated in HCC. Low RTN3 expression predicted poor outcome in patients with HCC in TP53 gene mutation and HBV infection status-dependent manner. RTN3 restrained HCC growth and induced apoptosis by activating p53. Mechanism studies indicated that RTN3 facilitated p53 Ser392 phosphorylation via Chk2 and enhanced subsequent p53 nuclear localisation. RTN3 interacted with Chk2, recruited it to ER and promoted its activation in an ER calcium-dependent manner. Nevertheless, the tumour suppressive effects of RTN3 were abrogated in HBV-positive cells. HBV surface antigen competed with Chk2 for RTN3 binding and blocked RTN3-mediated Chk2/p53 activation.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that RTN3 functions as a novel suppressor of HCC by activating Chk2/p53 pathway and provide more clues to better understand the oncogenic effects of HBV.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and risk of incident chronic kidney disease: an updated meta-analysis
Authors: Mantovani Alessandro , Petracca Graziana , Beatrice Giorgia , Csermely Alessandro , Lonardo Amedeo , Schattenberg Jörn M , Tilg Herbert , Byrne Christopher D , Targher Giovanni
Published: December 2020

Objective

Studies reported a significant association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and increased risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, whether this risk changes with increasing severity of NAFLD remains uncertain. We performed a meta-analysis of observational studies to quantify the magnitude of the association between NAFLD and risk of incident CKD.

Design

We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus from January 2000 to August 2020 using predefined keywords to identify observational studies with a follow-up duration of ≥1 year, in which NAFLD was diagnosed by blood biomarkers/scores, International Classification of Diseases codes, imaging techniques or biopsy. Data from selected studies were extracted, and meta-analysis was performed using random-effects modelling.

Results

13 studies with 1 222 032 individuals (28.1% with NAFLD) and 33 840 cases of incident CKD stage ≥3 (defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2, with or without accompanying overt proteinuria) over a median follow-up of 9.7 years were included. NAFLD was associated with a moderately increased risk of incident CKD (n=10 studies; random-effects HR 1.43, 95% CI 1.33 to 1.54; I2=60.7%). All risks were independent of age, sex, obesity, hypertension, diabetes and other conventional CKD risk factors. Sensitivity analyses did not alter these findings. Funnel plot did not reveal any significant publication bias.

Conclusion

This large and updated meta-analysis indicates that NAFLD is significantly associated with a~1.45-fold increased long-term risk of incident CKD stage ≥3. Further studies are needed to examine the association between the severity of NAFLD and risk of incident CKD.
Establishment of an outreach, grouping healthcare system to achieve microelimination of HCV for uremic patients in haemodialysis centres (ERASE-C)
Authors: Yu Ming-Lung , Huang Chung-Feng , Wei Yu-Ju , Lin Wen-Yi , Lin Yi-Hung , Hsu Po-Yao , Hsu Cheng-Ting , Liu Ta Wei , Lee Jia-Jung , Niu Sheng-Wen , Huang Jiun-Chi , Hung Tzu-Sui , Yeh Ming-Lun , Huang Ching-I , Liang Po-Cheng , Hsieh Ming-Yen , Chen Szu-Chia , Huang Jee-Fu , Chang Jer-Ming , Chiu Yi-Wen , Dai Chia-Yen , Hwang Shang-Jyh , Chuang Wan-Long
Published: December 2020

Objective

HCV prevails in uremic haemodialysis patients. The current study aimed to achieve HCV microelimination in haemodialysis centres through a comprehensive outreach programme.

Design

The ERASE-C Campaign is an outreach programme for the screening, diagnosis and group treatment of HCV encompassing 2323 uremic patients and 353 medical staff members from 18 haemodialysis centres. HCV-viremic subjects were linked to care for directly acting antiviral therapy or received on-site sofosbuvir/velpatasvir therapy. The objectives were HCV microelimination (>80% reduction of the HCV-viremic rate 24 weeks after the end of the campaign in centres with ≥90% of the HCV-viremic patients treated) and ‘No-C HD’ (no HCV-viremic subjects at the end of follow-up).

Results

At the preinterventional screening, 178 (7.7%) uremic patients and 2 (0.6%) staff members were HCV-viremic. Among them, 146 (83.9%) uremic patients received anti-HCV therapy (41 link-to-care; 105 on-site sofosbuvir/velpatasvir). The rates of sustained virological response (SVR12, undetectable HCV RNA 12 weeks after the end of treatment) in the full analysis set and per-protocol population were 89.5% (94/105) and 100% (86/86), respectively, in the on-site treatment group, which were comparable with the rates of 92.7% (38/41) and 100% (38/38), respectively, in the link-to-care group. Eventually, the HCV-viremic rate decreased to 0.9% (18/1,953), yielding an 88.3% reduction from baseline. HCV microelimination and ‘No-C HD’ were achieved in 92.3% (12/13) and 38.9% (7/18) of the haemodialysis centres, respectively.

Conclusion

Outreach strategies with mass screenings and on-site group treatment greatly facilitated HCV microelimination in the haemodialysis population.

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier

NCT03803410 and NCT03891550
Worth the risk? Gun carrying and perceived criminal justice responses in Baltimore
Authors: Crifasi Cassandra Kercher , Booty Marisa D , Buggs Shani A , Webster Daniel W , Sherman Susan G
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Policing strategies to deter illegal gun carrying by high-risk people are associated with reductions in gun violence. Many factors influence decisions to use or carry a gun in public, but it is unclear whether perceptions of the criminal justice system’s response influence those decisions.

Methods

We used a 2016 cross-sectional survey of criminal justice system-involved men in Baltimore City (n=195) to assess their recent frequency of gun carrying and perceptions of criminal justice system responses.

Results

Forty-two per cent of respondents reported carrying a gun at least once; 15% carried a gun at least monthly. Those who carried at least monthly were significantly less likely than others to report that it was likely they would be caught carrying a gun on the street (31% vs 53%).

Conclusions

Challenges with holding accountable those who illegally possess or carry guns in public may influence behaviours and perceptions of the effectiveness of the criminal justice system.
Effect of race on suspect injuries during encounters with police
Authors: Maguire Edward
Published: December 2020

Objectives

To estimate the effects of race and ethnicity on suspect injuries during use of force encounters with police in Tucson, Arizona.

Methods

Data on all use of force cases recorded by the Tucson Police Department from January 2018 to March 2020 were analysed. Logistic regression was used to estimate the effects of race and ethnicity on the likelihood of suspect injuries controlling for a variety of other factors.

Results

Overall, 28.5% of people who had force used against them by Tucson police were injured. Multivariate analyses reveal that among those who had force used against them, African-American suspects were significantly less likely than white suspects to be injured. The risk of injury for other racial and ethnic groups is about the same as the risk for white suspects. Resisting arrest and seeking to escape from police custody do not increase the risk of injury among suspects, but assaulting officers or other individuals does increase the risk of injury. Certain types of force, such as canines, firearms and TASERs, are associated with significantly elevated risks of injury among suspects.

Conclusions

Numerous interest groups have raised concerns about the police use of force against minorities. Using publicly available data, this analysis examined the effects of race and ethnicity on risk of injury during the use of force encounters with police in Tucson. The findings reveal that minorities are not injured at elevated rates relative to whites. To the contrary, African-American suspects are less likely to be injured than white suspects are.
Risk factors associated with driving under the influence of drugs in the USA
Authors: Rudisill Toni Marie , Smith Gordon S
Published: December 2020

Background

Driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) is a burgeoning public health concern in the USA. Because little is known about individuals who engage in DUID, the purpose of this study was to analyse potential sociodemographic characteristics and behavioural risk factors associated with the behaviour.

Methods

Self-reported data from drivers ≥18 years of age who ever used drugs and participated in the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health were used. Characteristics of those who reported to engage and not engage in DUID were compared via frequencies, percentages and logistic regression analyses, which accounted for the multistage survey design.

Results

Among eligible respondents, 10.4% (weighted n=117 275 154) reported DUID. DUID was higher among those aged 18–25 year (34%), males (65%), unmarried individuals (61%), lesbian/gay/bisexuals (13%), those whom abused or were drug dependent (45%), engaged in numerous risky lifestyle behaviours (12%) and those taking medication for a mental health issue (22%). Nearly 20% and 6% of respondents engaged in DUID abused or were dependent on marijuana or methamphetamine, respectively. The adjusted odds of DUID were greatest among those 18–25 years of age (OR 3.7; 95% CI 2.8 to 5.0), those never/not married (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.5 to 2.2), those who abused or were drug dependent (OR 4.0; 95% CI 3.5 to 4.7), exhibited riskier lifestyle behaviours (OR 8.0; 95% CI 5.9 to 11.0), were employed (OR 1.3; 95% CI 1.1 to 1.6) or lesbian/gay/bisexuals (OR 1.4; 95% CI 1.1 to 1.7).

Conclusions

DUID was common among some population sub-groups who may benefit from intervention.
Operating room time as a limited resource: ethical considerations for allocation
Authors: Kelly Patrick David , Fanning Joseph B , Drolet Brian
Published: December 2020

Scheduling surgical procedures among operating rooms (ORs) is mistakenly regarded as merely a tedious administrative task. However, the growing demand for surgical care and finite hours in a day qualify OR time as a limited resource. Accordingly, the objective of this manuscript is to reframe the process of OR scheduling as an ethical dilemma of allocating scarce medical resources. Recommendations for ethical allocation of OR time—based on both familiar and novel ethical values—are provided for healthcare institutions and individual surgeons.
Prolife hypocrisy: why inconsistency arguments do not matter
Authors: Colgrove Nicholas , Blackshaw Bruce Philip , Rodger Daniel
Published: December 2020

Opponents of abortion are often described as ‘inconsistent’ (hypocrites) in terms of their beliefs, actions and/or priorities. They are alleged to do too little to combat spontaneous abortion, they should be adopting cryopreserved embryos with greater frequency and so on. These types of arguments—which we call ‘inconsistency arguments’—conform to a common pattern. Each specifies what consistent opponents of abortion would do (or believe), asserts that they fail to act (or believe) accordingly and concludes that they are inconsistent. Here, we show that inconsistency arguments fail en masse. In short, inconsistency arguments typically face four problems. First, they usually fail to account for diversity among opponents of abortion. Second, they rely on inferences about consistency based on isolated beliefs shared by some opponents of abortion (and these inferences often do not survive once we consider other beliefs opponents of abortion tend to hold). Third, inconsistency arguments usually ignore the diverse ways in which opponents of abortion might act on their beliefs. Fourth, inconsistency arguments criticise groups of people without threatening their beliefs (eg, that abortion is immoral). Setting these problems aside, even supposing inconsistency arguments are successful, they hardly matter. In fact, in the two best-case scenarios—where inconsistency arguments succeed—they either encourage millions of people to make the world a (much) worse place (from the critic’s perspective) or promote epistemically and morally irresponsible practices. We conclude that a more valuable discussion would be had by focusing on the arguments made by opponents of abortion rather than opponents themselves.
To test or not to test: genetic cancer predisposition testing in paediatric patients with cancer
Authors: Mehta Sapna , Kuo Dennis John
Published: December 2020

Genetic cancer predisposition testing in the paediatric population poses unique ethical dilemmas. Using the hypothetical example of a teenager with cancer with a high probability of having an underlying cancer predisposition syndrome, we discuss the ethical considerations that affect the decision-making process. Because legally these decisions are made by parents, genetic testing in paediatrics can remove a child’s autonomy to preserve his or her own ‘open future’. However, knowledge of results confirming a predisposition syndrome can potentially be beneficial in modifying treatment and surveillance plans and enabling at-risk family members to obtain cascade testing for themselves. Considering virtue ethics to envision the best characters of the patient, parents and healthcare providers can guide them to the better choice to test or not to test, with the ultimate goal of achieving the best outcome for survival andeudaimonia, human flourishing reliably sought out.
In defence of a broad approach to public interest in health data research
Authors: Ballantyne Angela , Schaefer G Owen
Published: December 2020

In their response to ‘Public interest in health data research: laying out the conceptual groundwork’, Grewal and Newson critique us for inattention to the law and putting forward an impracticably broad conceptual understanding of public interest. While we agree more work is needed to generate a workable framework for Institutional Review Boards/Research Ethics Committees (IRBs/RECs), we would contend that this should be grounded on a broad conception of public interest. This broadness facilitates regulatory agility, and is already reflected by some current frameworks such as that found in the guidelines approved under Australia’s Privacy Act. It remains unclear which elements of our broad account Grewal and Newson would reject, or indeed where the substantive disagreement with our position lies.
Gene coexpression networks reveal novel molecular endotypes in alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
Authors: Chu Jen-hwa , Zang Wenlan , Vukmirovic Milica , Yan Xiting , Adams Taylor , DeIuliis Giuseppe , Hu Buqu , Mihaljinec Antun , Schupp Jonas C , Becich Michael J , Hochheiser Harry , Gibson Kevin F , Chen Edward S , Morris Alison , Leader Joseph K , Wisniewski Stephen R , Zhang Yingze , Sciurba Frank C , Collman Ronald G , Sandhaus Robert , Herzog Erica L , Patterson Karen C , Sauler Maor , Strange Charlie , Kaminski Naftali
Published: December 2020

Background

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is a genetic condition that causes early onset pulmonary emphysema and airways obstruction. The complete mechanisms via which AATD causes lung disease are not fully understood. To improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of AATD, we investigated gene expression profiles of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in AATD individuals.

Methods

We performed RNA-Seq on RNA extracted from matched BAL and PBMC samples isolated from 89 subjects enrolled in the Genomic Research in Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency and Sarcoidosis (GRADS) study. Subjects were stratified by genotype and augmentation therapy. Supervised and unsupervised differential gene expression analyses were performed using Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) to identify gene profiles associated with subjects’ clinical variables. The genes in the most significant WGCNA module were used to cluster AATD individuals. Gene validation was performed by NanoString nCounter Gene Expression Assay.

Result

We observed modest effects of AATD genotype and augmentation therapy on gene expression. When WGCNA was applied to BAL transcriptome, one gene module, ME31 (2312 genes), correlated with the highest number of clinical variables and was functionally enriched with numerous immune T-lymphocyte related pathways. This gene module identified two distinct clusters of AATD individuals with different disease severity and distinct PBMC gene expression patterns.

Conclusions

We successfully identified novel clusters of AATD individuals where severity correlated with increased immune response independent of individuals’ genotype and augmentation therapy. These findings may suggest the presence of previously unrecognised disease endotypes in AATD that associate with T-lymphocyte immunity and disease severity.
Asymmetric matter from $$B-L$$ symmetry breaking
Authors: Van Dong Phung , Van Loi Duong
Published: December 2020

The present matter content of our universe may be governed by a $$U(1)_{B-L}$$

U

(
1
)

B
-
L

symmetry – the simplest gauge completion of the seesaw mechanism which produces small neutrino masses. The matter parity results as a residual gauge symmetry, implying dark matter stability. The Higgs field that breaks the $$B-L$$

B
-
L

charge inflates the early universe successfully and then decays to right-handed neutrinos, which reheats the universe and generates both normal matter and dark matter manifestly.
Can accretion properties distinguish between a naked singularity, wormhole and black hole?
Authors: Karimov R. Kh. , Izmailov R. N. , Potapov A. A. , Nandi K. K.
Published: December 2020

We first advance a mathematical novelty that the three geometrically and topologically distinct objects mentioned in the title can be exactly obtained from the Jordan frame vacuum Brans I solution by a combination of coordinate transformations, trigonometric identities and complex Wick rotation. Next, we study their respective accretion properties using the Page–Thorne model which studies accretion properties exclusively for $$r\ge r_{\text {ms}}$$

r
≥

r
ms

(the minimally stable radius of particle orbits), while the radii of singularity/throat/horizon $$r<r_{\text {ms}}$$

r
<

r
ms

. Also, its Page–Thorne efficiency $$\epsilon $$
ϵ
is found to increase with decreasing $$r_{\text {ms}}$$

r
ms

and also yields $$\epsilon =0.0572$$

ϵ
=
0.0572

for Schwarzschild black hole (SBH). But in the singular limit $$r\rightarrow r_{s}$$

r
→

r
s

(radius of singularity), we have $$\epsilon \rightarrow 1$$

ϵ
→
1

giving rise to $$100 \%$$

100
%

efficiency in agreement with the efficiency of the naked singularity constructed in [10]. We show that the differential accretion luminosity $$\frac{d{\mathcal {L}}_{\infty }}{d\ln {r}}$$

d

L
∞

d
ln
r

of Buchdahl naked singularity (BNS) is always substantially larger than that of SBH, while Eddington luminosity at infinity $$L_{\text {Edd}}^{\infty }$$

L

Edd

∞

for BNS could be arbitrarily large at $$r\rightarrow r_{s}$$

r
→

r
s

due to the scalar field $$\phi $$
ϕ
that is defined in $$(r_{s}, \infty )$$

(

r
s

,
∞
)

. It is concluded that BNS accretion profiles can still be higher than those of regular objects in the universe.
DETERMINANTS OF FIRM-LEVEL INNOVATION PERFORMANCE: NEW EVIDENCES FROM ASEAN MANUFACTURING FIRMS
Authors: CHU LAN KHANH , HOANG DUNG PHUONG
Published: December 2020

Based on the stakeholder theory, we posit that firms’ innovation, as a strategic choice, is determined by not only firms’ resources but also their pressures from different stakeholders and relationship with the government. Using a dataset of 3,444 firms in seven ASEAN countries, we find that firms’ innovative outputs are positively influenced by export orientation and fierce competition but restrained by the presence of foreign investment. In addition, while strengthening the relationship with government facilitates, the chance to create some types of innovation, could magnify or dampen the effects of those pressures on firms’ innovation. Our findings have useful implications for the firms’ managers to accumulate and spend resources to build up a strong capacity for innovation. For the governments in ASEAN region, they should focus on improving the institutional quality and providing incentives for foreign investments that only bring advanced technologies and spillover effects.
THE US–CHINA TRADE DISPUTE: A MACROPERSPECTIVE
Authors: TYERS ROD , ZHOU YIXIAO
Published: December 2020

Declining global multilateralism has brought numerous trade disputes, most notably between the US and China. Here, a new global model featuring monetary policy and revenue reassignment are used to examine the effects of this conflict and this macroeconomic perspective proves to be important. The emergent results provide additional insight and complement other “trade-focused” general equilibrium studies. We find that, with capacity adjustment, US unilateral protection emerges as “beggar thy neighbor” policy. China’s proportional losses are large, little mitigated by its retaliation, which nonetheless constrains US net gains. Third regions trading with China and the US suffer losses only partly offset by trade diversion and greatly enhanced if, to avoid leakage, protection is extended to all sources.
Feature Selection with Binary Symbiotic Organisms Search Algorithm for Email Spam Detection
Authors: Mohammadzadeh Hekmat , Gharehchopogh Farhad Soleimanian
Published: December 2020

One method to increase classifier accuracy is using Feature Selection (FS). The main idea in the FS is reducing complexity, eliminating irrelevant information, and deleting a subset of input features that either have little information or have no information for prediction. In this paper, three efficient binary methods based on the Symbiotic Organisms Search (SOS) algorithm were presented for solving the FS problem. In the first and second methods, several S_shaped and V_shaped transfer functions were used for the binarization of the SOS, respectively. These methods were called BSOSS and BSOSV. In the third method, two new operators called Binary Mutualism Phase (BMP) and Binary Commensalism Phase (BCP) were presented for binarization of the SOS, named Efficient Binary SOS (EBSOS). The proposed methods were run on 18 standard UCI datasets and compared to the base and important meta-heuristic algorithms. The test results showed that the EBSOS method has the best performance among the three proposed methods for the binarization of the SOS. Finally, the EBSOS method was compared to the Genetic Algorithm (GA), Binary Bat Algorithm (BBA), Binary Particle Swarm Optimization (BPSO) Algorithm, Binary Flower Pollination Algorithm (BFPA), Binary Grey Wolf Optimizer (BGWO) Algorithm, Binary Dragonfly Algorithm (BDA), and Binary Chaotic Crow Search Algorithm (BCCSA). In addition, the EBSOS method was executed on the spam email dataset with the KNN, NB, SVM, and MLP classifiers. The results showed that the EBSOS method has better performance compared to other methods in terms of feature count and accuracy criteria. Furthermore, it was practically evaluated on spam email detection in particular.
Opinions and Actions Dynamics Under Bounded Confidence
Authors: Zhan Min , Liang Haiming , Zhu Can , Dong Yucheng
Published: December 2020

Psychologically, agents always like to consider similar opinions. Moreover, in real opinion dynamics, people’s opinions usually influence their actions. Therefore, inspired by the HK bounded confidence model, and continuous opinions and discrete action model, in this paper, we propose opinions and actions dynamics model under bounded confidence to investigate the evolution of opinions and actions in a group of agents. In this model, it is assumed that agents have continuous opinions and discrete actions for a certain issue. Each agent often can notice the discrete actions of other agents, but cannot acquire their continuous opinions. So, agents always try to estimate other agents’ opinions based on their actions. Then based on the estimation opinions and bounded confidence, agents update their opinions and actions. Simulation experiments analysis shows that more agents keep silence or undecided as the hesitation range increases. Larger bounded confidence value leads to the stronger attracting power of agents. When the opinion distribution widths of agents with an action are smaller than the bounded confidence value, the agents will be completely attracted by the adjacent agents with large opinion distribution widths and show adjacent actions in the final time.
Generalized wavelet method for solving fractional bioheat transfer model during hyperthermia treatment
Authors: Shah Firdous A. , Irfan Mohd
Published: December 2020

In this study, we develop a generalized wavelet-based collocation method to solve the fractional Pennes bioheat transfer model during hyperthermia treatment. Unlike the existing operational matrix methods based on orthogonal functions, we formulate the Haar wavelet operational matrices of general order integration without using the block pulse functions. Consequently, the governing problem is transformed into an equivalent system of algebraic equations, which can be tackled with any classical method. Some prime features of the proposed method include no requirement of the inverse of the Haar matrices, no need to convert the boundary value problem into the initial-value problem, which in turn eliminates the possibility of unstable solutions. The proposed technique is testified for different values of fractional parameter [Formula: see text] and is observed that as the fractional parameter [Formula: see text] increases, the tissue temperature at the target region also increases appreciably. Moreover, the obtained results also indicate that the overall time taken to attain the hyperthermia temperature for the fractional model is comparatively less than the classical bioheat model.
Spacetime foliations, quaternions and knotted light
Authors: Goulart E. , Ottoni J. E.
Published: December 2020

Several complementary approaches to investigate knotted solutions of Maxwell’s equations in vacuum are now available in literature. However, only partial results towards a unified description of them have been achieved. In order to shed some light on the debate, we inspect new ways to view relations between existing formalisms. In particular, combining the machinery of quaternions and spacetime foliations, we show how the Bateman pairs and Rañada complex maps are tied together in the case of the electromagnetic Hopfion. It is still an open question whether a similar approach applies to more complex solutions.
Buckling behavior of rectangular angle-ply laminated composite plates subjected to thermal and mechanical loads using the meshfree method
Authors: Shukla Vivekanand , Singh Jeeoot
Published: December 2020

This study aims to explore the buckling behavior of rectangular plate with angle-ply overlay under thermal and mechanical loadings using meshless method. The governing differential equations (GDEs) of the plate are based on a new higher-order shear deformation theory (HSDT) and are discretized using polynomial radial basis function (RBF) to cast a set of equations simultaneously. A code is developed for the solution in MATLAB (2019). Uniform temperature differences and mechanical loads are the cause of in-plane loads. Convergence study has been conducted to check the current formulation’s soundness. The accuracy of the contemporary theory and formulation is validated with the published results. A parametric investigation is conducted for buckling behavior under the span-to-thickness ratio, lamination scheme, effect of the number of layers and effect of length-to-width ratio.
Multiproxy approaches to investigating palaeoecology and palaeohydrology in the Upper Cretaceous Kaiparowits Formation, USA
Authors: Yamamura Daigo , Suarez Celina A. , Titus Alan L. , Manlove Hunter M. , Jackson Thea
Published: December 2020

The Late Campanian-aged Kaiparowits Formation (72.5–76.6 Ma) is a thick, fossiliferous fluvio-overbank–lacustrine complex deposited in south-central Utah. Host to one of the richest, most diverse Campanian terrestrial fossil records in North America, the physical environment of the Kaiparowits ecosystem, particularly the dynamics of the hydrological system, remains obscure. In 2014, an extensive bonebed was found in a conglomeratic sandstone unit of fluvial origin, known as the Rainbows and Unicorns Quarry. Isotopic compositions of serially sampled tooth enamel phosphate (δ
18
O
p
) from tyrannosaur teeth were analysed to see if they held data that could clarify the palaeohydrology of the Kaiparowits Formation. To assess a greater palaeoecological context for the tyrannosaurs, the isotopic composition of their teeth was compared to other faunal elements, including the giant alligatoroid
Deinosuchus
, and turtles (Baenid,
Gilmoremys
,
Neurankylus
and Trionychid) from the same quarry. The δ
18
O
w
calculated from tyrannosaur was low, suggesting that isotopically-light, high-altitude runoff strongly influenced the local hydrology of the Kaiparowtis Formation. The seasonal change in δ
18
O of tyrannosaur drinking water ranged from −21.0 to −14.4‰ V-SMOW, while δ
18
O
w
calculated from turtles and crocodiles ranged between an average of −9.3 and −10.9‰, respectively. The seasonal precipitation pattern and temperature of the Kaiparowits Formation was then compared to analogue settings, such as the monsoonal climate of Hanoi, Vietnam and Cuiaba, Brazil. While similarities exist between these sites, the unique configuration of the Sevier Mountains adjacent to the nearby Western Interior Seaway provides the unique setting for a complex palaeohydrological system that results in a wide range of δ
18
O
w
as a result of cold seasonal precipitation at high elevation that runs off and mixes with local precipitation (−6.0 to −4.68‰) sourced from the Western Interior Seaway. This study demonstrates the importance of serial- and micro-sampling of multi-taxa comparisons for isotopic investigations of palaeohydrological systems.