bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on Double‐Shear Test of Anchor Cable and C‐Shaped Tube
Authors: Shan Renliang , Bao Yongsheng , Huang Pengcheng , Liu Weijun , Li Gengzhao
Published: May 2021

The free section of prestressed anchor cable is a weak part of support. A new supporting structure named Anchor Cable and C‐Shaped Tube, which can bear transverse shear force, solves the problem that rock bolt and anchor cable are prone to shear failure in the free section and also solves the contradiction between high preload and low shear bearing capacity of support materials. Double‐shear tests of Anchor Cable and C‐Shaped Tube with smooth joint planes were carried out. Double‐shear tests were carried out on the anchor cables with the diameter of 21.6 mm and the same type of Anchor Cable and C‐Shaped Tube under different preload conditions. The influence of the preload on the shear performance of supporting materials and the enhancement effect of Anchor Cable and C‐Shaped Tube supporting structure on the shear performance of anchor cables were analyzed. The test results confirm that Anchor Cable and C‐Shaped Tube can improve the transverse shear resistance of the supporting material and increase the axial ultimate bearing capacity of the anchor cable during the shearing process. It is found that, during the double‐shear test, the fracture form of the supporting materials is tensile fracture, and when it is sheared, Anchor Cable and C‐Shaped Tube can reduce the stress concentration of the interaction between the joint surface and the surrounding rock and reduce the damage to the surrounding rock.
Circular RNA hsa_circ_0000511 Improves Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition of Cervical Cancer by Regulating hsa-mir-296-5p/HMGA1
Authors: Xie Jia , Chen Qian , Zhou Ping , Fan Wenli
Published: May 2021

As the second largest gynecological cancer, cervical cancer has been widely reported in recent years in which circular RNA is involved in the disease process. We earlier found that the expression of hsa_circ_0000511 in cervical cancer cells increased significantly, but its role in the process of cervical cancer is not clear. The purpose of this study is to explore its possible mechanisms in cervical cancer. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), cell counting kit-8 assay, Transwell test, cell transfection, RNA pull-down assay and dual-luciferase reporter assay, and Western blot analysis were used to detect the expression and distribution of hsa_circ_0000511 in SiHa and HeLa cells, the ability of invasion and proliferation, and the modulated relationships between hsa_circ_0000511 and hsa-mir-296-5p, hsa-mir-296-5p, and HMGA1. hsa_circ_0000511 had the highest expression in SiHa and HeLa cells, and the expression in the cytoplasm was significantly higher than that in the nucleus, and its expression was not affected by RNase R. When hsa_circ_0000511 was silenced, its expression in SiHa and HeLa cells was significantly decreased; the proliferation, invasion, and migration abilities of the two kinds of cells were significantly enhanced; and the protein expression of E-cadherin was significantly upregulated, while the protein expression of N-cadherin was significantly downregulated. The expression of hsa-mir-296-5p was lower in SiHa and HeLa cells; however, its expression was increased when hsa_circ_0000511 was inhibited and decreased when hsa_circ_0000511 was overexpressed, so did the ability of proliferation, invasion, and migration and the protein expression of E-cadherin. Interestingly, the protein expression of HMGA1 also changed in these two cells when hsa-mir-296-5p was inhibited or overexpressed. Our results indicate that the upregulated hsa_circ_0000511 can inhibit the proliferation, invasion, and migration of SiHa and HeLa cells by regulating hsa-mir-296-5p/HMGA1, suggesting that the hsa_circ_0000511/hsa-mir-296-5p/HMGA1 pathway may be a potential target for the treatment of cervical cancer.
First-in-Human, Phase 1 Dose-Escalation Study of Biparatopic Anti-HER2 Antibody–Drug Conjugate MEDI4276 in Patients with HER2-positive Advanced Breast or Gastric Cancer
Authors: Pegram Mark D. , Hamilton Erika P. , Tan Antoinette R. , Storniolo Anna Maria , Balic Kemal , Rosenbaum Anton I. , Liang Meina , He Peng , Marshall Shannon , Scheuber Anita , Das Mayukh , Patel Manish R.
Published: May 2021

MEDI4276 is a biparatopic tetravalent antibody targeting two nonoverlapping epitopes in subdomains 2 and 4 of the HER2 ecto-domain, with site-specific conjugation to a tubulysin-based microtubule inhibitor payload. MEDI4276 demonstrates enhanced cellular internalization and cytolysis of HER2-positive tumor cells in vitro. This was a first-in-human, dose-escalation clinical trial in patients with HER2-positive advanced or metastatic breast cancer or gastric cancer. MEDI4276 doses escalated from 0.05 to 0.9 mg/kg (60- to 90-minute intravenous infusion every 3 weeks). Primary endpoints were safety and tolerability; secondary endpoints included antitumor activity (objective response, progression-free survival, and overall survival), pharmacokinetics, and immunogenicity. Forty-seven patients (median age 59 years; median of seven prior treatment regimens) were treated. The maximum tolerated dose was exceeded at 0.9 mg/kg with two patients experiencing dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) of grade 3 liver function test (LFT) increases, one of whom also had grade 3 diarrhea, which resolved. Two additional patients reported DLTs of grade 3 LFT increases at lower doses (0.4 and 0.6 mg/kg). The most common (all grade) drug-related adverse events (AEs) were nausea (59.6%), fatigue (44.7%), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) increased (42.6%), and vomiting (38.3%). The most common grade 3/4 drug-related AE was AST increased (21.3%). Five patients had drug-related AEs leading to treatment discontinuation. In the as-treated population, there was one complete response (0.5 mg/kg; breast cancer), and two partial responses (0.6 and 0.75 mg/kg; breast cancer)—all had prior trastuzumab, pertuzumab, and ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1). MEDI4276 has demonstrable clinical activity but displays intolerable toxicity at doses >0.3 mg/kg.
Morphea as Part of the Dermatological Manifestation of Celiac Disease: Case Presentation and Review of the Literature
Authors: Howard Gadi , Horev Amir , Samueli Benzion , Yerushalmi Baruch
Published: May 2021

Celiac disease is an immune-mediated disease, affecting multiple systems and organs including several dermatological conditions. Morphea, or localized scleroderma, is also an immune-mediated condition, in which an association with celiac disease has not thus far been recognized. We present an interesting case report of a 10-year-old child with a recent diagnosis of celiac disease presenting with morphea. Following treatment and adherence to a gluten-free diet, the morphea rapidly resolved. We suggest a possible relationship between the two entities and give a brief review of the relevant literature. We suggest that morphea might be one of the many dermatological manifestations of celiac disease, with possible implications for the need to screen patients with morphea for celiac disease.
Dietary Factors and Prevention: Risk of End-Stage Kidney Disease by Fruit and Vegetable Consumption
Authors: Banerjee Tanushree , Carrero Juan Jesus , McCulloch Charles , Burrows Nilka Rios , Siegel Karen R. , Morgenstern Hal , Saran Rajiv , Powe Neil R. ,   on behalf of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Chronic Kidney Disease Surveillance Team
Published: May 2021

Background: The association between fruit and vegetable (FV) intake and the risk of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) has not been examined in the general population and fully explored in chronic kidney disease (CKD). We prospectively evaluated this relationship in US representative sample of adults and evaluated consistency by the presence or absence, and severity, of CKD. Methods: We used data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988–1994) linked with the US Renal Data System, including 14,725 adults aged ≥20 years and with follow-up for ESKD through 2008. Daily FV intake was ascertained using a food frequency questionnaire. We examined the association between selected categories of FV intake and ESKD using a Fine Gray competing risk model adjusting for sociodemographics, lifestyle, clinical and nutritional factors, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and albuminuria. We evaluated whether risk varied in individuals with severe versus any CKD. Results: 230 participants (1.5%) developed ESKD during follow-up. In the adjusted model, compared to highest intake, those in lowest categories of FV intake had a higher risk of ESKD, for <2 times/day (1.45 [1.24–1.68], 2 to <3 times/day (1.40 [1.18–1.61]), 3 to <4 times/day (1.25 [1.04–1.46]), and 4 to <6 times/day (1.14 [0.97–1.31]). There was suggestion of heterogeneity (p for interaction = 0.03) with possible stronger inverse association in patients with CKD than those without CKD. After stratification, we obtained similar strong inverse association when we examined ESKD incidence across intake of FVs in participants with CKD stages 1–4 (n = 5,346) and specifically in those with CKD stages 3–4 (n = 1,084). Conclusions: Low intake of FVs was associated with higher risk of ESKD in US adults with and without CKD, supporting an emerging body of literature on the potential benefits of plant-rich diets for prevention of ESKD.
Endothelial Dysfunction for Acute Kidney Injury in Coronavirus Disease 2019: How Concerned Should We Be?
Authors: Chen Yung-Chang , Fang Ji-Tseng , Yang Chih-Wei
Published: May 2021

Context: The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (CO­VID-19) has rapidly evolved into a global pandemic. Kidney dysfunction is common among patients with COVID-19, and patients who develop acute kidney injury (AKI) have inferior outcomes. There is a growing body of evidence that AKI occurs in a substantial number of patients with COVID-19 and that developing AKI is associated with significantly worse outcomes for COVID-19 patients. The risk for death was amplified when AKI resulted in kidney replacement therapy (KRT). Subject of Review: The Study of the Treatment and Outcomes in Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19 (STOP-COVID) conducted a multicenter retrospective observational study enrolling 3,099 critically ill adults with COVID-19 admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) (J Am Soc Nephrol 2021;32:161–176). A total of 637 of 3,099 patients (20.6%) developed AKI treated with KRT (AKI-KRT) within 14 days of ICU admission, 350 of whom (54.9%) died within 28 days of ICU admission. Predictors of COVID-19 patients’ progress to AKI-KRT were higher BMI, higher stages of CKD, lower ratio of the partial pressure of arterial oxygen over the fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2:FiO2 ratio) on ICU admission, and greater number of vasopressors received on ICU admission. Second Opinion: Recently, some investigations revealed that the independent predictors of COVID-19 with AKI include older age, Black race, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, mechanical ventilation, higher interleukin-6 level, and use of vasopressor medications. It seems that the underlying comorbidities with preexisting vascular endothelial damage and/or the more serious critically ill CO­VID-19 patients can contribute to the development of AKI and even AKI-KRT.
The Effects of Domestication on the Brain and Behavior of the Chicken in the Light of Evolution
Authors: Mehlhorn Julia , Caspers Svenja
Published: May 2021

The avian class is characterized by particularly strong variability in their domesticated species. With more than 250 breeds and highly efficient commercial lines, domestic chickens represent the outcome of a really long period of artificial selection. One characteristic of domestication is the alterations in brain size and brain composition. The influence of domestication on brain morphology has been reviewed in the past, but mostly with a focus on mammals. Studies on avian species have seldom been taken into account. In this review, we would like to give an overview about the changes and variations in (brain) morphology and behavior in the domestic chicken, taking into consideration the constraints of evolutionary theory and the sense or nonsense of excessive artificial selection.
Classification of mammograms based on features extraction techniques using support vector machine
Authors: Hussein Saeed Enas Mohammed , Saleh Hayder Adnan , Khalel Enam Azez
Published: May 2021

Now mammography can be defined as the most reliable method for early breast cancer detection. The main goal of this study is to design a classifier model to help radiologists to provide a second view to diagnose mammograms. In the proposed system medium filter and binary image with a global threshold have been applied for removing the noise and small artifacts in the pre-processing stage. Secondly, in the segmentation phase, a Hybrid Bounding Box and Region Growing (HBBRG) algorithm are utilizing to remove pectoral muscles, and then a geometric method has been applied to cut the largest possible square that can be obtained from a mammogram which represents the ROI. In the features extraction phase three method was used to prepare texture features to be a suitable introduction to the classification process are first Order (statistical features), Local Binary Patterns (LBP), and Gray-Level Co-Occurrence Matrix (GLCM), Finally, SVM has been applied in two-level to classify mammogram images in the first level to normal or abnormal, and then the classification of abnormal once in the second level to the benign or malignant image. The system was tested on the MAIS the Mammogram image analysis Society (MIAS) database, in addition to the image from the Teaching Oncology Hospital, Medical City in Baghdad, where the results showed achieving an accuracy of 95.454% for the first level and 97.260% for the second level, also, the results of applying the proposed system to the MIAS database alone were achieving an accuracy of 93.105% for the first level and 94.59 for the second level.
A Sociologia censurada: Raça, classe e a pesquisa em Ciências Sociais na ditadura militar brasileira (1971-1977)
Authors: Trapp Rafael
Published: May 2021

O que acontece quando um Estado autoritário censura a pesquisa sociológica? Este artigo aborda aspectos das relações entre pesquisas científicas sobre o negro e a configuração repressiva assumida pelo aparato estatal quanto a seu debate acadêmico na Ditadura Militar brasileira. São objeto de análise três trabalhos em Ciências Sociais em São Paulo, a saber os mestrados de Edson Antonio Eustáquio (ELSP) e Eduardo de Oliveira e Oliveira (USP) e o doutorado de Eduardo Judas Barros (USP), estudos que tiveram como destino, respectivamente, o desaparecimento, o inacabamento e o silenciamento. Buscamos elaborar a hipótese da repressão à pesquisa em raça e classe nas Ciências Sociais, durante a década de 1970, como uma modalidade de censura ao pensamento crítico e à sua discussão pública no Brasil. A pesquisa sociológica foi rarefeita nesse período porque houve vigilância e efetiva repressão do Estado, a cargo da segurança do dogma oficial da democracia racial.
Peripheral oxygen saturation is not influenced by the use of face masks in exercise
Authors: Silva Natália Cristina de Oliveira Vargas e , Alfieri Fabio Marcon
Published: May 2021

In many cities worldwide the use of face masks in public spaces became mandatory to prevent dissemination of COVID-19. The closure of public parks, gymnasiums and other areas designed for the practice of physical exercise may contribute do inactivity. Objective: The aim of this experience report was to evaluate peripheral oxygen saturation with the use of different face masks at rest and at outdoor exercise. Methods: A single healthy female subject (41 years old, body mass index 18.5 kg/m2), experienced in outdoor jogging, was subjected to running sessions with 4 different types of face masks (surgical, double cloth, triple cloth and N95) and without mask, in 5 non-consecutive days. Sessions lasted 50 minutes, where 5,8km were covered at an average speed of 7km/h. Peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2, %) and heart rate (HR, bpm) were registered at rest, at every 5 minutes of exercise and after 5 minutes of recovery. Results: Data revealed that no desaturation occurred at any moment with any mask, even at high intensity. There were no differences in mean SpO2 or HR with either type of face mask during exercise when compared to the use of no mask. Conclusion: Setting aside the discomfort of training with face masks and the possible interference of this in performance, face masks seem not to prevent adequate gas exchange during exercise in healthy subjects.
Avaliação da sarcopenia em idosos em extrema longevidade utilizando diferentes métodos e sua relação com o desempenho cognitivo
Authors: Andrade Nathália de Oliveira , Montalvão Gustavo Henrique Martins Rodrigues , Gama Isadora Cecília Salgado , Santana Mariana de Paula , Luchesi Bruna Moretti , Kwiatkoski Marcelo
Published: May 2021

Sarcopenia is highly prevalent in older adults, and generates several individual and social challenges for public health, which makes screening it fundamental. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and calf circumference (CC), body mass index (BMI) and cognitive performance of older adults in extreme longevity. Method: A cross-sectional and quantitative research was carried out with n = 69 elderly people aged 90 years or older, treated at the Unified Health System. Sociodemographic and anthropometric data were collected. The muscle mass index (MMI) was calculated based on the SMM, which was estimated by the formula of Lee and collaborators. The definition of sarcopenia used was proposed by Janssen and collaborators. CC was measured, BMI was calculated, and cognitive performance was assessed by the Verbal Fluency (VF) test. The relationship between the variables was analyzed using Spearman's correlation test. Results: All older adults evaluated were considered to have severe sarcopenia according to the MMI. According to the CC, 39.4% of men and 52.8% of women had indicative values ​​for sarcopenia; and by BMI, 33.3% of men and 36.1% of women have low body weight. The only variables that showed a significant and direct relationship were BMI and CC, for men and women. Conclusion: No correlation was found between SMM and CC, BMI and cognitive performance. The evaluation of sarcopenia in long-lived elderly should be carried out using methods that are more reliable. The high prevalence of sarcopenia highlights the urgency of looking at the group of extreme longevity.
APOL1
Genetic Variants Are Associated With Increased Risk of Coronary Atherosclerotic Plaque Rupture in the Black Population
Authors: Cornelissen Anne , Fuller Daniela T. , Fernandez Raquel , Zhao Xiaoqing , Kutys Robert , Binns-Roemer Elizabeth , Delsante Marco , Sakamoto Atsushi , Paek Ka Hyun , Sato Yu , Kawakami Rika , Mori Masayuki , Kawai Kenji , Yoshida Teruhiko , Latt Khun Zaw , Miller Clint L. , de Vries Paul S. , Kolodgie Frank D. , Virmani Renu , Shin Myung Kyun , Hoek Maarten , Heymann Jurgen , Kopp Jeffrey B. , Rosenberg Avi Z. , Davis Harry R. , Guo Liang , Finn Aloke V.
Published: May 2021

Objective:

Reported associations between kidney risk variants (G1 and G2) in
APOL1
(apolipoprotein L1), encoding APOL1, and cardiovascular disease have been conflicting. We sought to explore associations of
APOL1
risk variants with cause of sudden death using the CVPath Sudden Death Autopsy Registry.

Approach and Results:

APOL1
haplotypes and causes of sudden death, as determined through autopsy and histopathology, were obtained for 764 Black subjects. Genotyping revealed
APOL1
risk alleles in 452 of 764 (59%) subjects with 347 (77%) subjects carrying one risk allele and 105 (23%) subjects harboring 2 risk alleles.
APOL1
risk allele carrier status was associated with a significantly increased risk of coronary thrombosis due to plaque rupture, versus noncarriers (odds ratio for rupture, 1.655 [95% CI, 1.079–2.539];
P
=0.021). Histological examinations showed coronary plaques in carriers of 2
APOL1
risk alleles had larger necrotic cores compared with noncarriers (necrotic core area/total plaque area: 46.79%±6.47% versus 20.57%±5.11%;
P
=0.0343 in ruptured plaques, and 41.48%±7.49% versus 18.93%±3.97%;
P
=0.0342 in nonruptured plaques), and immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent staining revealed APOL1-positive areas localized primarily to the necrotic core.

Conclusions:

APOL1
risk alleles were independently associated with an increased risk of thrombotic coronary death due to plaque rupture. Our results suggest that carriers of both 1 and 2
APOL1
risk alleles have greater accumulation of APOL1 protein within culprit plaques and greater necrotic core sizes than noncarriers. These findings suggest that APOL1 plays a role in determining plaque stability.
Nrg1β Released in Remote Ischemic Preconditioning Improves Myocardial Perfusion and Decreases Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury via ErbB2-Mediated Rescue of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase and Abrogation of Trx2 Autophagy
Authors: Kundumani-Sridharan Venkatesh , Subramani Jaganathan , Owens Cade , Das Kumuda C.
Published: May 2021

Objective:

Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) is an intervention process where the application of multiple cycles of short ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in a remote vascular bed provides protection against I/R injury. However, the identity of the specific RIPC factor and the mechanism by which RIPC alleviates I/R injury remains unclear. Here, we have investigated the identity and the mechanism by which the RIPC factor provides protection.

Approach and ResultS:

Using fluorescent in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence, we found that RIPC induces Nrg1β expression in the endothelial cells, which is secreted into the serum. Whereas, RIPC protected against myocardial apoptosis and infarction, treatment with neutralizing-Nrg1 antibodies abolished the protective effect of RIPC. Further, increased superoxide anion generated in RIPC is required for Nrg1 expression. Improved myocardial perfusion and nitric oxide production were achieved by RIPC as determined by contrast echocardiography and electron spin resonance. However, treatment with neutralizing-Nrg1β antibody abrogated these effects, suggesting Nrg1β is a RIPC factor. ErbB2 (Erb-B2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2) is not expressed in the adult murine cardiomyocytes, but expressed in the endothelial cells of heart which is degraded in I/R. RIPC-induced Nrg1β interacts with endothelial ErbB2 and thereby prevents its degradation. Mitochondrial Trx2 (thioredoxin) is degraded in I/R, but rescue of ErbB2 by Nrg1β prevents Trx-2 degradation that decreased myocardial apoptosis in I/R.

Conclusions:

Nrg1β is a RIPC factor that interacts with endothelial ErbB2 and prevents its degradation, which in turn prevents Trx2 degradation due to phosphorylation and inactivation of ATG5 (autophagy-related 5) by ErbB2. Nrg1β also restored loss of eNOS (endothelial nitric oxide synthase) function in I/R via its interaction with Src.
Homocysteine Is Associated With Future Venous Thromboembolism in 2 Prospective Cohorts of Women
Authors: Aday Aaron W. , Duran Edward K. , Van Denburgh Martin , Kim Eunjung , Christen William G. , Manson JoAnn E. , Ridker Paul M , Pradhan Aruna D.
Published: May 2021

Objective:

Case-control studies have identified plasma homocysteine as a risk marker for venous thromboembolism (VTE). Prospective data, particularly among women, are sparse. We examined whether plasma homocysteine associates with incident VTE in 2 large prospective cohorts of women.

Approach and Results:

In the WHS (Women’s Health Study), a prospective cohort study of 27 555 women ≥45 years old and free of cardiovascular disease and VTE, we assessed baseline homocysteine concentration along with other thrombotic biomarkers for association with future VTE (n=743), pulmonary embolism (n=363), and deep vein thrombosis (n=545). We used a second cohort of 2672 women (n=102 VTE events) in the WAFACS (Women’s Antioxidant and Folic Acid Cardiovascular Study) to corroborate our findings. In age-adjusted analyses, elevated homocysteine, hsCRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein), fibrinogen, and sICAM-1 (soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1) were associated with incident VTE (
P
for extreme quartile comparisons and
P
-trend <0.05). In multivariable models adjusting for body mass index and other traditional VTE risk factors, only the association for homocysteine persisted (HR
Q4
, 1.31 [95% CI, 1.06–1.63]). Elevated homocysteine levels were associated with unprovoked pulmonary embolism (HR
Q4
, 2.13 [95% CI, 1.30–3.51]) and deep vein thrombosis (HR
Q4
, 1.59 [95% CI, 1.05–2.40]) but not provoked events. In WAFACS, elevated homocysteine levels were also associated with VTE events (
P
-trend 0.023).

Conclusions:

Higher plasma homocysteine levels associate with VTE events in 2 cohorts of middle-aged and older women. Among VTE subtypes, homocysteine was associated with unprovoked, but not provoked, events. These data suggest a plausible biological role for homocysteine in the development of VTE.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT00000479, NCT00000541.
MFG‐E8 Regulates Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Migration Through Dose‐Dependent Mediation of Actin Polymerization
Authors: Chiang Hou‐Yu , Chu Pao‐Hsien , Chen Shao‐Chi , Lee Ting‐Hein
Published: May 2021

Background

Migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is the main contributor to neointimal formation. The Arp2/3 (actin‐related proteins 2 and 3) complex activates actin polymerization and is involved in lamellipodia formation during VSMC migration. Milk fat globule‐epidermal growth factor 8 (MFG‐E8) is a glycoprotein expressed in VSMCs. We hypothesized that MFG‐E8 regulates VSMC migration through modulation of Arp2/3‐mediated actin polymerization.

Methods and Results

To determine whether MFG‐E8 is essential for VSMC migration, a model of neointimal hyperplasia was induced in the common carotid artery of wild‐type and MFG‐E8 knockout mice, and the extent of neointimal formation was evaluated. Genetic deletion of MFG‐E8 in mice attenuated injury‐induced neointimal hyperplasia. Cultured VSMCs deficient in MFG‐E8 exhibited decreased cell migration. Immunofluorescence and immunoblotting revealed decreased Arp2 but not Arp3 expression in the common carotid arteries and VSMCs deficient in MFG‐E8. Exogenous administration of recombinant MFG‐E8 biphasically and dose‐dependently regulated the cultured VSMCs. At a low concentration, MFG‐E8 upregulated Arp2 expression. By contrast, MFG‐E8 at a high concentration reduced the Arp2 level and significantly attenuated actin assembly. Arp2 upregulation mediated by low‐dose MFG‐E8 was abolished by treating cultured VSMCs with β1 integrin function‐blocking antibody and Rac1 inhibitors. Moreover, treatment of the artery with a high dose of recombinant MFG‐E8 diminished injury‐induced neointimal hyperplasia and reduced VSMC migration.

Conclusions

MFG‐E8 plays a critical role in VSMC migration through dose‐dependent regulation of Arp2‐mediated actin polymerization. These findings suggest that high doses of MFG‐E8 may have therapeutic potential for treating vascular occlusive diseases.
Georg Bartisch’s Ophthalmodouleia and His Theory of Painting and Drawing
Authors: Berger Susanna
Published: May 2021

This paper examines how the Dresden artist and oculist Georg Bartisch (1535–ca. 1607) transformed theoretical discussions around painting and drawing, insofar as he connected the hand and mind of the artist with those of the surgeon. Bartisch articulated his theories about the links between painting and drawing, on the one hand, and surgical prowess, on the other, in a manuscript on lithotomy entitled Kunstbuch (1575), and in another tract entitled Ophthalmodouleia, das ist Augendienst (1583) which deals with ailments or wounds of the eye and their treatment. Through an analysis of the Ophthalmodouleia’s text and images alongside comparative references to the Kunstbuch and other sixteenth-century sources – from vernacular ophthalmology tracts to observationes and Kunstbücher – this paper uncovers Bartisch’s theory that expertise in painting and drawing guarantees physical and mental dexterity in surgery.
Is Backlist the New Frontlist?
Authors: Berglund Karl , Steiner Ann
Published: May 2021

Streaming services for audiobooks and ebooks have grown rapidly in recent years. The shift in consumption patterns has transformed both reading and publishing. One visible change is the attraction and importance of backlist titles. The article investigates how the relationship between frontlist and backlist in the bestseller segment has developed, and discusses the shift in the power balance between the two. By examining large-scale consumer behaviour data (6.23 million streams) from one of the key players in subscription-based digital bookselling – Storytel – we track book consumption both in detail and at a structural level. Our results show that backlist titles are increasingly important for bestselling authors who continue to publish frontlist titles, especially for fiction written in series. Streaming services foster new types of book consumption behaviour thanks to a combination of technology, media, reading habits, and social change.
Sarcophagodes duodecima sp. nov., a new small araphid fossil diatom (Bacillariophyceae) from Lower to Middle Pleistocene sediments of Japan
Authors: NAYA TOMONORI , MIZUNO KIYOHIDE
Published: May 2021

A new fossil diatom species, Sarcophagodes duodecima, is described from the Lower to Middle Pleistocene Karato Formation of Himeshima Island, western Japan, based on detailed morphological observation of valves using light and scanning electron microscopes. This new species is characterized by a smaller valve length range, a wide lanceolate central area, shorter striae on the valve face, and longer striae on the mantle than other members of the genus. The new species was also found in the Lower Pleistocene Bushi Formation, central Japan, suggesting that S. duodecima sp. nov. was widely distributed in Japan during Early Pleistocene time. The species composition in the sample chosen as type suggests that the new fossil species occupied a brackish-water habitat. Differences in morphological features from closely related taxa are discussed.
What controls the deep cycle? Proxies for equatorial turbulence.
Authors: Smyth W. D. , Warner S. J. , Moum J. N. , Pham H. , Sarkar S.
Published: May 2021

Factors thought to influence deep cycle turbulence in the equatorial Pacific are examined statistically for their predictive capacity using a 13-year moored record that includes microstructure measurements of the turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rate. Wind stress and mean current shear are found to be most predictive of the dissipation rate. Those variables, together with the solar buoyancy flux and the diurnal mixed layer thickness, are combined to make a pair of useful parameterizations. The uncertainty in these predictions is typically 50% greater than the uncertainty in present-day in situ measurements. To illustrate the use of these parameterizations, the record of deep cycle turbulence, measured directly since 2005, is extended back to 1990 based on historical mooring data. The extended record is used to refine our understanding of the seasonal variation of deep cycle turbulence.
Impact of SST and Surface Waves on Hurricane Florence (2018): A Coupled Modeling Investigation
Authors: Zambon Joseph B. , He Ruoying , Warner John C. , Hegermiller Christie A.
Published: May 2021

Hurricane Florence (2018) devastated the coastal communities of the Carolinas through heavy rainfall that resulted in massive flooding. Florence was characterized by an abrupt reduction in intensity (Saffir–Simpson category 4 to category 1) just prior to landfall and synoptic-scale interactions that stalled the storm over the Carolinas for several days. We conducted a series of numerical modeling experiments in coupled and uncoupled configurations to examine the impact of sea surface temperature (SST) and ocean waves on storm characteristics. In addition to experiments using a fully coupled atmosphere–ocean–wave model, we introduced the capability of the atmospheric model to modulate wind stress and surface fluxes by ocean waves through data from an uncoupled wave model. We examined these experiments by comparing track, intensity, strength, SST, storm structure, wave height, surface roughness, heat fluxes, and precipitation in order to determine the impacts of resolving ocean conditions with varying degrees of coupling. We found differences in the storm’s intensity and strength, with the best correlation coefficient of intensity (r = 0.89) and strength (r = 0.95) coming from the fully coupled simulations. Further analysis into surface roughness parameterizations added to the atmospheric model revealed differences in the spatial distribution and magnitude of the largest roughness lengths. Adding ocean and wave features to the model further modified the fluxes due to more realistic cooling beneath the storm, which in turn modified the precipitation field. Our experiments highlight significant differences in how air–sea processes impact hurricane modeling. The storm characteristics of track, intensity, strength, and precipitation at landfall are crucial to predictability and forecasting of future landfalling hurricanes.
A Climate Change Impact Assessment (CCIA) of Key Indicators and Critical Thresholds for Viticulture and Oenology in the Fraser Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Beech Nathan , Hewer Micah J.
Published: May 2021

Grape growth and wine production are both closely connected with weather and climate, making anthropogenic climate change a source of great uncertainty for the grape and wine industries. To assess the impacts of climate change on viticulture and oenology in the Fraser Valley, British Columbia, Canada, where no such assessment has been published to this date, a series of key indicators and critical thresholds were selected based on their relevance to the local climatology. Trends among these indicators and thresholds were calculated over a historic period (1970-2019) and projected over the 21st century for one intermediate-emissions and one high-emissions climate change scenario. Historic trends were assessed using Environment and Climate Change Canada weather station data from Abbotsford, British Columbia. Two statistical downscaling methods were evaluated based on their ability to reproduce observed conditions in the Fraser Valley and the most effective method was used to create projections of local, daily climate change scenarios. During the historic period, temperatures increased significantly, while precipitation and moisture variables displayed insignificant trends, reflecting the trends observed across other wine regions in Canada and the Northwestern United States. Throughout the 21st century, warming is expected to continue while precipitation decreases modestly. Extreme heat is projected to become far more frequent, while extreme cold and potential frost days become rare. In the short term, modifications to vineyard and winery operations may be sufficient adaptation strategies. Over the long term, new grape varieties will most likely need to be planted in existing vineyards and suitability for cool-climate varieties may shift northward in direction or upward in elevation.
The Effect of Slow Motion Video on Consumer Inference
Authors: Yin Yunlu , Jia Jayson S. , Zheng Wanyi
Published: May 2021

Video advertisements often show actors and influence agents consuming and enjoying products in slow motion. By prolonging depictions of influence agents’ consumption utility, slow motion cinematographic effects ostensibly enhance social proof and signal product qualities that are otherwise difficult to infer visually (e.g., pleasant tastes, smells, haptic sensations). In this research, seven studies, including an eye tracking study, a Facebook Ads field experiment, and lab and online experiments—all using real ads across diverse contexts—demonstrate that slow motion (vs. natural speed) can backfire and undercut product appeal by making the influence agent’s behavior seem more intentional and extrinsically motivated. The authors rule out several alternative explanations by showing that the effect attenuates for individuals with lower intentionality bias, is mitigated under cognitive load, and reverses when ads use nonhuman influence agents. The authors conclude by highlighting the potential for cross-pollination between visual information processing and social cognition research, particularly in contexts such as persuasion and trust, and they discuss managerial implications for visual marketing, especially on digital and social platforms.
Characteristics of Adults Who Use Both Marijuana and E-Cigarette, or Vaping, Products: A Cross-Sectional Study, Utah, 2018
Authors: Lewis Nathaniel M. , Friedrichs Michael , Wagstaff Shelly S. , Nakashima Allyn K. , Dunn Angela C.
Published: May 2021

Objectives

Among young people, dual use of marijuana and e-cigarette, or vaping, products (EVPs) is linked with using more inhalant substances and other substances, and poorer mental health. To understand antecedents and potential risks of dual use in adults, we analyzed a representative adult population in Utah.

Methods

We used data from the 2018 Utah Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (n = 10 380) and multivariable logistic regression to evaluate differences in sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, and risk factors among adults aged ≥18 who reported currently using both EVPs (any substance) and marijuana (any intake mode), compared with a referent group of adults who used either or neither.

Results

Compared with the referent group, adults using EVPs and marijuana had greater odds of being aged 18-29 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 12.44; 95% CI, 6.15-25.14) or 30-39 (aOR = 3.75; 95% CI, 1.73-8.12) versus ≥40, being male (aOR = 3.29; 95% CI, 1.82-5.96) versus female, reporting ≥14 days of poor mental health in previous 30 days (aOR = 2.30; 95% CI, 1.23-4.32) versus <14 days, and reporting asthma (aOR = 2.09; 95% CI, 1.02-4.31), chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (aOR = 2.94; 95% CI, 1.19-7.93), currently smoking cigarettes (aOR = 4.56; 95% CI, 2.63-7.93), or past-year use of prescribed chronic pain medications (aOR = 2.13; 95% CI, 1.06-4.30), all versus not.

Conclusions

Clinicians and health promotion specialists working with adults using both EVPs and marijuana should assess risk factors and comorbidities that could contribute to dual use or associated outcomes and tailor prevention messaging accordingly.
By the Letter of Law? The Effects of Administrative Adjudication for Resolving Disputes in NYC’s Restaurant Grading Initiative
Authors: Silver Diana , Rothbart Michah W. , Bae Jin Yung
Published: May 2021

Administrative adjudication can serve as a quasi-judicial forum for resolving disputes resulting from government regulations. New York City recently required restaurants to post letter grades reflecting their compliance with food safety regulations and incorporated an easily accessible administrative adjudication system into its policy design. This study examines the implementation of this feature of the policy by using a regression discontinuity framework to explore the effects of the grading policy on adjudication processes and regulatory outcomes. Quantitative data included 222,527 food safety inspection records (2007–2014); qualitative data included interviews, observations, and document review. Restaurants were more likely to have violations reduced and grades improved at adjudication when grades were at stake. Moreover, adjudication outcomes were highly sensitive to score differences near grade cut-points. Professional representatives helped restaurants to negotiate the interpretation of rules in the quasi-judicial proceedings, softening rigidity of regulations. Representatives’ expertise was consistent with being “repeat players,” which may distort the use of such forums to ensure justice and fairness. This study illuminates the ramifications of including alternative dispute resolution systems in the implementation of regulatory policies.
Dreaming About One’s Own Children: An Online Survey
Authors: Schredl Michael , Cadiñanos Echevarria Naiara , Saint Macary Louise , Weiss Alexandra Francesca
Published: May 2021

Social interactions with close persons are very important and one would expect – according to the continuity hypothesis of dreaming – that the dreamer's own children would show up in dreams quite frequently. So far the extent to which dreams include the dreamer’s own children has not been studied systematically. Overall, 1695 persons (960 women, 735 men; age mean: 53.84 ± 13.99 years) completed an online survey that included questions about dreams and waking-life experiences with their children. The findings indicate parents dream about their children in 17% of the remembered dreams, whereas participants without children only dream about having fictive children in the dream in less than 3% of all their recalled dreams. Results indicate that average emotional tone of the dreams with their own children was positive, but dreams might also focus on conflicts and worries as the mean emotional tone within dreams was less positive that the mean estimates of the emotional tone of the waking-life relationship. This first study on the frequency with which a dreamer’s own children appear in their dreams is a starting point to take a closer look at the way the parent-child relationship is reflected in dreams.
Worksites as Sacrifice Zones: Structural Precarity and COVID-19 in U.S. Meatpacking
Authors: Carrillo Ian R. , Ipsen Annabel
Published: May 2021

As meatpacking facilities became COVID-19 hotspots, the pandemic renewed the importance of longstanding claims from environmental justice and agrifood scholars. The former asserts the perceived dispensability of marginalized populations sustains environmental injustices, whereas the latter stresses that decades of industrial consolidation created structural instability in the food supply chain. This article asks how industry and government leverage existing socio-ecological inequalities to ensure the continuity of the meatpacking supply chain during COVID-19, and the implications these actions hold for workers. To answer these questions, the authors perform case studies of meatpacking facilities in three Midwestern states. This article uses the critical environmental justice framework to expand research on sacrifice zones to include hazardous worksites such as meatpacking. We find that toxic employment flourishes through firms’ labor practices that pass socio-ecological risks onto workers in the name of efficiency, and through a complicit state that prioritizes accumulation and consumption over workers’ health.
Pre-Existing Psychiatric Illness Is Associated With an Increased Risk of Delirium in Patients With Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Authors: Kalra Saminder Singh , Jaber Johnny , Alzghoul Bashar N. , Hyde Ryan , Parikh Sarina , Urbine Daniel , Reddy Raju
Published: May 2021

Background:

Patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are highly susceptible to developing delirium for a multitude of reasons. Previous studies have linked pre-existing depression with an increased risk of postoperative delirium in patients undergoing cardiac and non-cardiac surgery. However, the evidence regarding the association between pre-existing psychiatric illnesses and delirium in ARDS patients is unknown. In this study, we aim to determine the relationship between pre-existing psychiatric illness and the risk of development of delirium amongst ARDS patients.

Study Design and Methods:

We performed a retrospective study of a mixed group of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) between January 2016 and December 2019 with a diagnosis of ARDS per the Berlin definition. The study group was divided into 2 cohorts: subjects with delirium and subjects without delirium. Comparison between the 2 groups was conducted to examine the impact of pre-existing psychiatric illnesses including major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed adjusting for benzodiazepine use, sedatives, analgesics, sequential organ failure assessment score, and corticosteroid use to determine the association between pre-existing psychiatric disorders and delirium.

Results:

286 patients with ARDS were identified; 124 (43%) of whom were diagnosed with ICU delirium. In patients diagnosed with ICU delirium, 49.2% were found to have preexisting psychiatric illnesses, compared to 34.0% without any preexisting psychiatric illness (OR = 1.94, P = 0.01). In a subgroup analysis of individual psychiatric illnesses, GAD and MDD were associated with the development of delirium (OR = 1.88, P = 0.04 and OR = 1.76, P = 0.05 respectively).

Interpretation:

ARDS patients with preexisting psychiatric illnesses, particularly GAD and MDD are associated with an increased risk of developing ICU delirium. Clinicians should be aware of the effect of psychiatric co-morbidities on developing delirium in critically ill patients.
Design and experimental implementation of observer-based adaptive neural network steering control for automated vehicles
Authors: Luo Gang , Ma Bingxin , Wang Yongfu
Published: May 2021

In this paper, an observer-based adaptive neural network controller is developed for the Steer-by-Wire (SbW) system of automated vehicles with uncertain nonlinearity and unmeasured state. An observer is introduced to estimate the angular velocity of the front wheels, so the hardware cost and the complexity of mechanical structure and electronic circuits are reduced. Then, an observer-based adaptive neural network controller is proposed for the SbW system to achieve excellent steering precision. A radial basis function (RBF) neural network is used to model the uncertain nonlinearity, which mainly includes self-aligning torque and unknown friction torque with strong nonlinearity. The adaptive law of the RBF neural network designed by fuzzy basis functions rather than by its filtering is derived by Lyapunov stability theory and the Strictly Positive Real (SPR) condition. The tracking error and the observation error can be guaranteed to converge asymptotically to zero. Simulation and experimental results for two paths highlight the effectiveness of the proposed control algorithm.
Novel model reference adaptive control with application to wing rock example
Authors: Roshanian Jafar , Rahimzadeh Ehssan
Published: May 2021

In this study, we propose new adaptive laws for adjusting the controller parameters of the model reference adaptive control (MRAC) and MRAC with integral feedback schemes. The innovation presented in this study is considering a new form for the Lyapunov function candidate to prove the stability of the closed-loop system. In general, a Lyapunov function candidate contains two sets of quadratic expressions. The first set contains the state tracking error variable, while the second one consists of the controller parameter estimation errors. We prove that by choosing the tracking error quadratic expressions in the form of the exponential function, new adaptive laws that contain the tracking error quadratic expressions are obtained. The difference between the standard MRAC adaptive laws and the proposed new adaptive laws is the state tracking error exponential quadratic expression appears in the adaptive laws. It is shown that the adaptive laws obtained by the exponential quadratic Lyapunov function are similar to those obtained by the quadratic Lyapunov function except that the adaptive gains are variable with time. The advantage of using these new adaptive laws is improving the tracking performance of the closed-loop system, which has been proven analytically and verified by numerical simulations. Also, the robustness analysis of the proposed MRAC controller in the presence of the exogenous disturbance is studied. We consider the single degree of freedom of the wing rock example to evaluate the performance of the designed controllers.