bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Guild-based analysis for understanding gut microbiome in human health and diseases
Authors: Wu Guojun , Zhao Naisi , Zhang Chenhong , Lam Yan Y. , Zhao Liping
Published: February 2021

To demonstrate the causative role of gut microbiome in human health and diseases, we first need to identify, via next-generation sequencing, potentially important functional members associated with specific health outcomes and disease phenotypes. However, due to the strain-level genetic complexity of the gut microbiota, microbiome datasets are highly dimensional and highly sparse in nature, making it challenging to identify putative causative agents of a particular disease phenotype. Members of an ecosystem seldomly live independently from each other. Instead, they develop local interactions and form inter-member organizations to influence the ecosystem’s higher-level patterns and functions. In the ecological study of macro-organisms, members are defined as belonging to the same “guild” if they exploit the same class of resources in a similar way or work together as a coherent functional group. Translating the concept of “guild” to the study of gut microbiota, we redefine guild as a group of bacteria that show consistent co-abundant behavior and likely to work together to contribute to the same ecological function. In this opinion article, we discuss how to use guilds as the aggregation unit to reduce dimensionality and sparsity in microbiome-wide association studies for identifying candidate gut bacteria that may causatively contribute to human health and diseases.
Neonatal mortality rates in Brazilian municipalities: from 1996 to 2017
Authors: Baroni Lais , Salles Rebecca , Salles Samella , Pedroso Marcel , Lima Jefferson , Morais Igor , Carraro Lucas , Saldanha Raphael de Freitas , Sousa Carlos , Cardoso Carlos , Paixño Balthazar , Cruz Sérgio , Ogasawara Eduardo , Boccolini Patrícia de Morais Mello , Boccolini Cristiano Siqueira
Published: February 2021

Objectives

Neonatal mortality is a global public health problem, and the efforts to reduce child mortality is one of the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, launched in 2015 by the United Nations. The availability of historical neonatal mortality rates (NMR) data in Brazilian municipalities is crucial to evaluate trends at local, regional and national level, identifying gaps and vulnerable territories. Therefore, the objective of this article is to offer an integrated dataset containing monthly data in a historical series from 1996 to 2017 with information on all births, neonatal deaths, and NMR (total, early and late components) enriched with information related to the municipality.

Data description

It is a dataset of historical data with information on the number of births, the number of neonatal deaths, the neonatal mortality rate (including early and late), and geographic information for each month (between January 1996 and December 2017) and Brazilian municipality.
A nomenclature for fossil and living turtles using phylogenetically defined clade names
Authors: Joyce Walter G. , Anquetin Jérémy , Cadena Edwin-Alberto , Claude Julien , Danilov Igor G. , Evers Serjoscha W. , Ferreira Gabriel S. , Gentry Andrew D. , Georgalis Georgios L. , Lyson Tyler R. , Pérez-García Adán , Rabi Márton , Sterli Juliana , Vitek Natasha S. , Parham James F.
Published: February 2021

Over the last 25 years, researchers, mostly paleontologists, have developed a system of rank-free, phylogenetically defined names for the primary clades of turtles. As these names are not considered established by the PhyloCode, the newly created nomenclatural system that governs the naming of clades, we take the opportunity to convert the vast majority of previously defined clade names for extinct and extant turtles into this new nomenclatural framework. Some previously defined names are converted with minor adjustments. We also define a number of new clade names to close apparent nomenclatural gaps. In total, we establish 113 clade names, of which 79 had already received phylogenetic definitions and 34 are new.

ZooBank LSID: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:43B418C2-BE9A-4BD5-91B7-8A9E0C8CB79D.
Potential synergy between PSMA uptake and tumour blood flow for prediction of human prostate cancer aggressiveness
Authors: Jochumsen Mads Ryø , Sörensen Jens , Tolbod Lars Poulsen , Pedersen Bodil Ginnerup , Frøkiær Jørgen , Borre Michael , Bouchelouche Kirsten
Published: February 2021

Background

Both prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) uptake and tumour blood flow (TBF) correlate with International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) Grade Group (GG) and hence prostate cancer (PCa) aggressiveness. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential synergistic benefit of combining the two physiologic parameters for separating significant PCa from insignificant findings.

Methods

From previous studies of [82Rb]Rb positron emission tomography (PET) TBF in PCa, the 43 patients that underwent clinical [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET were selected for this retrospective study. Tumours were delineated on [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET or magnetic resonance imaging. ISUP GG was recorded from 52 lesions.

Results

[68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and [82Rb]Rb SUVmax correlated moderately with ISUP GG (rho = 0.59 and rho = 0.56, both p < 0.001) and with each other (r = 0.65, p < 0.001). A combined model of [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 and [82Rb]Rb SUVmax separated ISUP GG > 2 from ISUP GG 1–2 and benign with an area-under-the-curve of 0.85, 96% sensitivity, 74% specificity, and 95% negative predictive value. The combined model performed significantly better than either tracer alone did (p < 0.001), primarily by reducing false negatives from five or six to one (p ≤ 0.025).

Conclusion

PSMA uptake and TBF provide complementary information about tumour aggressiveness. We suggest that a combined analysis of PSMA uptake and TBF could significantly improve the negative predictive value and allow non-invasive separation of significant from insignificant PCa.
Correction to: First insights into the archaeometric analysis of the Los Amores Mosaic in Cástulo (Linares, Spain): the Judgement of Paris
Authors: Sánchez Alberto , Tuñón José , Montejo Manuel , Amate Pilar , Ceprián Bautista , Rousaki Anastasia , Costa Mafalda , Saelens Delphine , Lycke Sylvia , Vandenabeele Peter
Published: February 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
A sample decreasing threshold greedy-based algorithm for big data summarisation
Authors: Li Teng , Shin Hyo-Sang , Tsourdos Antonios
Published: February 2021

As the scale of datasets used for big data applications expands rapidly, there have been increased efforts to develop faster algorithms. This paper addresses big data summarisation problems using the submodular maximisation approach and proposes an efficient algorithm for maximising general non-negative submodular objective functions subject tok-extendible system constraints. Leveraging a random sampling process and a decreasing threshold strategy, this work proposes an algorithm, named Sample Decreasing Threshold Greedy (SDTG). The proposed algorithm obtains an expected approximation guarantee of$$\frac{1}{1+k}-\epsilon $$11+k-ϵfor maximising monotone submodular functions and of$$\frac{k}{(1+k)^2}-\epsilon $$k(1+k)2-ϵin non-monotone cases with expected computational complexity of$$O\left(\frac{n}{(1+k)\epsilon }\ln \frac{r}{\epsilon }\right)$$On(1+k)ϵlnrϵ. Here,ris the largest size of feasible solutions, and$$\epsilon \in \left(0, \frac{1}{1+k}\right)$$ϵ∈0,11+kis an adjustable designing parameter for the trade-off between the approximation ratio and the computational complexity. The performance of the proposed algorithm is validated and compared with that of benchmark algorithms through experiments with a movie recommendation system based on a real database.
Impact of hypothermia on the biomechanical effect of epithelium-off corneal cross-linking
Authors: Abdshahzadeh Hormoz , Abrishamchi Reyhaneh , Torres-Netto Emilio A. , Kling Sabine , Hafezi Nikki L. , Hillen Mark , Hafezi Farhad
Published: February 2021

Background

The corneal cross-linking (CXL) photochemical reaction is essentially dependent on oxygen and hypothermia, which usually leads to higher dissolved oxygen levels in tissues, with potentially greater oxygen availability for treatment. Here, we evaluate whether a reduction of corneal temperature during CXL may increase oxygen availability and therefore enhance the CXL biomechanical stiffening effect in ex vivo porcine corneas.

Methods

One hundred and twelve porcine corneas had their epithelium manually debrided before being soaked with 0.1% hypo-osmolaric riboflavin. These corneas were equally assigned to one of four groups. Groups 2 and 4 underwent accelerated epithelium-off CXL using 9 mW/cm2 irradiance for 10 min, performed either in a cold room temperature (group 2, 4 °C) or at standard room temperature (group 4, 24 °C). Groups 1 and 3 served as non-cross-linked, temperature-matched controls. Using a stress-strain extensometer, the elastic moduli of 5-mm wide corneal strips were analyzed as an indicator of corneal stiffness.

Results

Accelerated epithelium-off CXL led to significant increases in the elastic modulus between 1 and 5% of strain when compared to non-cross-linked controls (P < 0.05), both at 4 °C (1.40 ± 0.22 vs 1.23 ± 0.18 N/mm) and 24 °C (1.42 ± 0.15 vs 1.19 ± 0.11 N/mm). However, no significant difference was found between control groups (P = 0.846) or between groups in which CXL was performed at low or standard room temperature (P = 0.969).

Conclusions

Although initial oxygen availability should be increased under hypothermic conditions, it does not appear to play a significant role in the biomechanical strengthening effect of epithelium-off CXL accelerated protocols in ex vivo porcine corneas.
Decomposition and stabilization of organic matter in an old-growth tropical riparian forest: effects of soil properties and vegetation structure
Authors: de Godoy Fernandes Pedro Henrique , de Souza Andréa Lúcia Teixeira , Tanaka Marcel Okamoto , Sebastiani Renata
Published: February 2021

Background

Nutrient cycling in tropical forests has a large importance for primary productivity, and decomposition of litterfall is a major process influencing nutrient balance in forest soils. Although large-scale factors strongly influence decomposition patterns, small-scale factors can have major influences, especially in old-growth forests that have high structural complexity and strong plant-soil correlations. Here we evaluated the effects of forest structure and soil properties on decomposition rates and stabilization of soil organic matter using the Tea Bag Index (TBI) in an old-growth riparian forest in southeastern Brazil. These data sets were described separately using Principal Components Analysis (PCA). The main axes for each analysis, together with soil physical properties (clay content and soil moisture), were used to construct structural equations models that evaluated the different parameters of the TBI, decomposition rates and stabilization factor. The best model was selected using Akaike’s criterion.

Results

Forest structure and soil physical and chemical properties presented large variation among plots within the studied forest. Clay content was strongly correlated with soil moisture and the first PCA axis of soil chemical properties, and model selection indicated that clay content was a better predictor than this axis. Decomposition rates presented a large variation among tea bags (0.009 and 0.098 g·g− 1·d− 1) and were positively related with forest structure, as characterized by higher basal area, tree density and larger trees. The stabilization factor varied between 0.211–0.426 and was related to forest stratification and soil clay content.

Conclusions

The old-growth forest studied presented high heterogeneity in both forest structure and soil properties at small spatial scales, that influenced decomposition processes and probably contributed to small-scale variation in nutrient cycling. Decomposition rates were only influenced by forest structure, whereas the stabilization factor was influenced by both forest structure and soil properties. Heterogeneity in ecological processes can contribute to the resilience of old-growth forests, highlighting the importance of restoration strategies that consider the spatial variation of ecosystem processes.
Improving health benefits with considering traditional and modern health benefits of Peganum harmala
Authors: Shahrajabian Mohamad Hesam , Sun Wenli , Cheng Qi
Published: February 2021

Background

Medicinal plants are potential source of natural products that play an important role in preventing different human diseases. P. harmala is used traditionally as emmenagogue and an abortifacient agent in the Middle East, North of Africa and West of China. It belongs to the family of Zygophyllaceae and it is a wild growing flowering plant. Its seeds are main medicinal part of the plant.

Methods

The current searching was done by the keywords in main indexing systems including PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Institute for Scientific Information Web of Science as well as the search engine of Google Scholar. The keywords were wild rue, traditional medicine, Harman, health benefits, and pharmaceutical science.

Results

The most important uses of P. harmala in traditional pharmaceutical sciences are in cardiovascular, gasterointestinal, nervous, endocrine, neoplasm and tumors, pain relieving, organisms, diabetes, respiratory, disinfectant, anti-pyretic, skin and hair, rheumatism, arthritis and inflammation, and ulcers. Pharmacological effects of P. harmala are in cardiovascular system, nervous system, antimicrobial effects, antineoplasm, nervous system, endocrine, gastrointestinal effects, osteocytes, endocrine and respiratory system. Phenolic compounds are the main reason of antioxidant capacity.

Conclusions

Due to its pharmacological activities, P. harmala is a high potential medicinal herb and the suggestion is to increases by doing research in efficacy and safety.
Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers rhizomes inhibitory potential against diabetes and free radicals
Authors: Shah Muhammad Abdur Rehman , Khan Rahmat Ali , Ahmed Mushtaq
Published: February 2021

Background

Owing to the side effects of synthetic medicine and less effectiveness against different syndromes, the researchers have focused on phytotherapy to overcome these problems. The purpose of this project was to study the in vitro phytochemical, cytotoxic, total phenolic, antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of the methanol extract of the rhizome ofSorghum halepense(L.) Pers and itsn-hexane, chloroform and aqueous fractions. Thereafter, to conduct in vivo evaluation of the effective extract for its antidiabetic and antioxidant characteristics.

Methods

Cytotoxic, total phenolic content and antidiabetic properties were ascertained by brine shrimps lethality, Folin- Ciocalteu reagent and alpha-amylase inhibition assays respectively while antioxidant activities were investigated through DPPH, ABTS and H2O2assays. The methanolic extract was assessed in vivo for its antidiabetic and antioxidant activities by using Wistar albino rats.

Results

The phytochemical investigation of the methanolic extract and its unlike fractions revealed the availability of alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, terpenes, steroids, carbohydrate and proteins while lack of saponins and gums in methanolic extract. Steroids and carbohydrates were only present in aqueous and chloroform fraction respectively while both fractions contained proteins and alkaloids. Cardiac glycosides and flavonoids were absent in aqueous and chloroform fractions respectively. The highest brine shrimps lethality (70.5 ± 1.2), total phenolic content (28.30 ± 1.3 mg GAE/g), free radicals scavenging potential i.e. DPPH (40.02%), ABTS (40.48%) and H2O2(50.85%) and alpha amylase inhibition (61.87%) was shown by the methanolic extract. The in vivo results did not disclose any sign of acute toxicity. The diabetic control showed a noteworthy (P < 0.05) decline in weight, HDL and glutathione and a raised level of bilirubin, blood glucose, urea, creatinine, triglyceride, LDL, VLDL, ALT, ALP, AST, SOD, catalase. The mentioned alterations were restored considerably (P < 0.05) by treatment of diabetic rats with methanolic extract ofSorghum halepense(L.) Pers (150 and 300 mg/kg b.w.).

Conclusion

It is concluded that the extract of rhizomes ofSorghum halepense(L.) Pers is an effective fount of antioxidant and anti-diabetic compounds. Further analysis is needed to sharpen its pharmacological activities.
Applications of 3D printing in breast cancer management
Authors: Galstyan Arpine , Bunker Michael J. , Lobo Fluvio , Sims Robert , Inziello James , Stubbs Jack , Mukhtar Rita , Kelil Tatiana
Published: February 2021

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a method by which two-dimensional (2D) virtual data is converted to 3D objects by depositing various raw materials into successive layers. Even though the technology was invented almost 40 years ago, a rapid expansion in medical applications of 3D printing has only been observed in the last few years. 3D printing has been applied in almost every subspecialty of medicine for pre-surgical planning, production of patient-specific surgical devices, simulation, and training. While there are multiple review articles describing utilization of 3D printing in various disciplines, there is paucity of literature addressing applications of 3D printing in breast cancer management. Herein, we review the current applications of 3D printing in breast cancer management and discuss the potential impact on future practices.
Organizational structure and CEO dominance
Authors: Schumacher Christian
Published: February 2021

We explore the effects of chief executive officers’ (CEOs’) personal dominance—an idiosyncratic character trait strongly associated with a desire for influence and control—on two fundamental organizational design decisions: the CEO’s span of control (1) and her delegation of responsibilities as reflected in the appointment of a chief operating officer (COO) (2). Linking three original measures of CEO dominance based on quarterly earnings calls with manually collected data on span of control and COO positions for a sample of CEOs presiding over large US corporations, we demonstrate that CEOs who are high in dominance have a significantly larger personal span of control and delegate fewer decision rights than less-dominant CEOs. We discuss implications of our findings and future questions from an organizational design perspective.
Isolation, characterization, and bio-insecticidal efficiency of Ethiopian isolates of Bacillus thuringiensis against Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and tomato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)
Authors: Gebremariam Amha , Chekol Yonas , Assefa Fassil
Published: February 2021

Background

Bacillus thuringiensisis a Gram-positive, rod-shaped, and spore-forming microbial entomopathogen. The silverleaf whitefly,Bemisia tabaci(Genn.) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is a worldwide important cryptic species causing serious economic damage to several vegetable crops including tomato. The aim of this study was to characterize and evaluate the bio-insecticidal effects of locally isolated Bacillus thuringiensis(Bt) againstGalleria mellonellaandBemisia tabaci.

Results

Thirty-one isolates ofBtwere obtained from 70 soil samples based on cultural characterization coupled with insecticidal crystal protein detection. All of the 31 bacterial isolates were pre-screened for their bio-insecticidal property against the greater wax moth,Galleria mellonellaL. larvae. Only 20 (64.5%) isolates were virulent toG. mellonellawith a percentage mortality that ranged from 2.50 to 95%. The groEL gene sequences of all 20 entomopathogenic indigenous isolates displayed 99–100% similarity withBtisolates. Bioassay evaluation of 12 selected isolates against 3rd to 4th nymphal instars ofB. tabaciwith spore-crystal suspensions of 1 × 109spores/ml caused 0 to 31.25%, 0 to 57%, and 0 to 82.5% percentage mortality within 48, 96, and 144 h accordingly. Among isolates ofBt, isolate AAUDS-16 had the highest virulence, followed by the isolate AAUES-69D with LC50values of 9.67 × 106spores/ml and 1.16 × 107 spores/ml, respectively. The virulent isolates were tested for their growth response to a different temperature range between 15 and 40 °C. All isolates showed a maximum growth rate around 30 °C.

Conclusions

Btisolates of AAUES-69D and AAUDS-16 displayed high insecticidal potential againstB. tabacinymphs andG. mellonellalarvae, and showed a maximum growth rate in a wide range of temperature. High virulence and temperature-tolerant isolates should be important candidates for diverse insecticidal toxin studies.
Time Trends in Receipt of Germline Genetic Testing and Results for Women Diagnosed With Breast Cancer or Ovarian Cancer, 2012-2019
Authors: Kurian Allison W. , Ward Kevin C. , Abrahamse Paul , Bondarenko Irina , Hamilton Ann S. , Deapen Dennis , Morrow Monica , Berek Jonathan S. , Hofer Timothy P. , Katz Steven J.
Published: February 2021

PURPOSE

Genetic testing is important for breast and ovarian cancer risk reduction and treatment, yet little is known about its evolving use.

METHODS

SEER records of women of age ≥ 20 years diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer from 2013 to 2017 in California or Georgia were linked to the results of clinical germline testing through 2019. We measured testing trends, rates of variants of uncertain significance (VUS), and pathogenic variants (PVs).

RESULTS

One quarter (25.2%) of 187,535 patients with breast cancer and one third (34.3%) of 14,689 patients with ovarian cancer were tested; annually, testing increased by 2%, whereas the number of genes tested increased by 28%. The prevalence of test results by gene category for breast cancer cases in 2017 were BRCA1/2 , PVs 5.2%, and VUS 0.8%; breast cancer–associated genes or ovarian cancer–associated genes ( ATM, BARD1, BRIP1, CDH1, CHEK2, EPCAM, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, NBN, NF1, PALB2, PMS2, PTEN, RAD51C, RAD51D, STK11, and TP53), PVs 3.7%, and VUS 12.0%; other actionable genes ( APC, BMPR1A, MEN1, MUTYH, NF2, RB1, RET, SDHAF2, SDHB, SDHC, SDHD, SMAD4, TSC1, TSC2, and VHL) PVs 0.6%, and VUS 0.5%; and other genes, PVs 0.3%, and VUS 2.6%. For ovarian cancer cases in 2017, the prevalence of test results were BRCA1/2, PVs 11.0%, and VUS 0.9%; breast or ovarian genes, PVs 4.0%, and VUS 12.6%; other actionable genes, PVs 0.7%, and VUS 0.4%; and other genes, PVs 0.3%, and VUS 0.6%. VUS rates doubled over time (2013 diagnoses: 11.2%; 2017 diagnoses: 26.8%), particularly for racial or ethnic minorities (47.8% Asian and 46.0% Black, v 24.6% non-Hispanic White patients; P < .001).

CONCLUSION

A testing gap persists for patients with ovarian cancer (34.3% tested v nearly all recommended), whereas adding more genes widened a racial or ethnic gap in VUS results. Most PVs were in 20 breast cancer–associated genes or ovarian cancer–associated genes; testing other genes yielded mostly VUS. Quality improvement should focus on testing indicated patients rather than adding more genes.
The Huang Kan Commentary on the Analects: A Critical Examination
Authors: Fordham Carl Gene
Published: February 2021

This article discusses changes in the legacy of the Huang Kan 皇侃 (488–545) commentary on the Analects, or the Lunyu yishu 論語義疏, and outlines its textual history in China, specifically its bibliography and the various extant and nonextant editions. The author also examines the transmission and reception of the text in Japan, the ancient handwritten copies currently available, and the origin, back-transmission, and reprinting of the Nemoto edition. Lastly, a summary of Qing-era research into the Huang Kan commentary is presented from a philological history perspective, as well as studies by Japanese scholars that attempt to restore collations of the text and studies that compare ancient handwritten copies from Japan with those from Dunhuang. The reliability of recent Japanese studies that have attempted to examine the features of the Huang Kan commentary by making use of compilations of lost texts are also scrutinized.
Segregation of brain and organizer precursors is differentially regulated by Nodal signaling at blastula stage
Authors: Castro Colabianchi Aitana M. , Tavella María B. , Boyadjián López Laura E. , Rubinstein Marcelo , Franchini Lucía F. , López Silvia L.
Published: February 2021

The blastula Chordin- and Noggin-expressing (BCNE) center comprises animal-dorsal and marginal-dorsal cells of the amphibian blastula and contains the precursors of the brain and the gastrula organizer. Previous findings suggested that the BCNE behaves as a homogeneous cell population that only depends on nuclear β-catenin activity but does not require Nodal and later segregates into its descendants during gastrulation. In contrast to previous findings, in this work, we show that the BCNE does not behave as a homogeneous cell population in response to Nodal antagonists. In fact, we found that chordin.1 expression in a marginal subpopulation of notochordal precursors indeed requires Nodal input. We also establish that an animal BCNE subpopulation of cells that express both, chordin.1 and sox2 (a marker of pluripotent neuroectodermal cells), and gives rise to most of the brain, persisted at blastula stage after blocking Nodal. Therefore, Nodal signaling is required to define a population of chordin.1+ cells and to restrict the recruitment of brain precursors within the BCNE as early as at blastula stage. We discuss our findings in Xenopus in comparison to other vertebrate models, uncovering similitudes in early brain induction and delimitation through Nodal signaling.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Multiscale molecular profiling of pathological bone resolves sexually dimorphic control of extracellular matrix composition
Authors: Sharma Aikta , Goring Alice , Johnson Peter B. , Emery Roger J. H. , Hesse Eric , Boyde Alan , Olsen Bjorn R. , Pitsillides Andrew A. , Oreffo Richard O. C. , Mahajan Sumeet , Clarkin Claire E.
Published: February 2021

Collagen assembly during development is essential for successful matrix mineralisation, which determines bone quality and mechanocompetence. However, the biochemical and structural perturbations that drive pathological skeletal collagen configuration remain unclear. Deletion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF; also known as VEGFA) in bone-forming osteoblasts (OBs) induces sex-specific alterations in extracellular matrix (ECM) conformation and mineralisation coupled to vascular changes, which are augmented in males. Whether this phenotypic dimorphism arises as a result of the divergent control of ECM composition and its subsequent arrangement is unknown and is the focus of this study. Herein, we used murine osteocalcin-specific Vegf knockout (OcnVEGFKO) and performed ex vivo multiscale analysis at the tibiofibular junction of both sexes. Label-free and non-destructive polarisation-resolved second-harmonic generation (p-SHG) microscopy revealed a reduction in collagen fibre number in males following the loss of VEGF, complemented by observable defects in matrix organisation by backscattered electron scanning electron microscopy. This was accompanied by localised divergence in collagen orientation, determined by p-SHG anisotropy measurements, as a result of OcnVEGFKO. Raman spectroscopy confirmed that the effect on collagen was linked to molecular dimorphic VEGF effects on collagen-specific proline and hydroxyproline, and collagen intra-strand stability, in addition to matrix carbonation and mineralisation. Vegf deletion in male and female murine OB cultures in vitro further highlighted divergence in genes regulating local ECM structure, including Adamts2, Spp1, Mmp9 and Lama1. Our results demonstrate the utility of macromolecular imaging and spectroscopic modalities for the detection of collagen arrangement and ECM composition in pathological bone. Linking the sex-specific genetic regulators to matrix signatures could be important for treatment of dimorphic bone disorders that clinically manifest in pathological nano- and macro-level disorganisation.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Spatial mapping of single cells in the Drosophila embryo from transcriptomic data based on topological consistency
Authors: Zand Maryam , Ruan Jianhua
Published: February 2021

The advancement in single-cell RNA sequencing technologies allow us to obtain transcriptome at single cell resolution. However, the original spatial context of cells, a crucial knowledge for understanding cellular and tissue-level functions, is often lost during sequencing. To address this issue, the DREAM Single Cell Transcriptomics Challenge launched a community-wide effort to seek computational solutions for spatial mapping of single cells in tissues using single-cell RNAseq (scRNA-seq) data and a reference atlas obtained from in situ hybridization data. As a top-performing team in this competition, we approach this problem in three steps. The first step involves identifying a set of most informative genes based on the consistency between gene expression similarity and cell proximity. For this step, we propose two different approaches, i.e., an unsupervised approach that does not utilize the gold standard location of the cells provided by the challenge organizers, and a supervised approach that relies on the gold standard locations. In the second step, a Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm is used to optimize the weights of different genes in order to maximize matches between the predicted locations and the gold standard locations. Finally, the information embedded in the cell topology is used to improve the predicted cell-location scores by weighted averaging of scores from neighboring locations. Evaluation results based on DREAM scores show that our method accurately predicts the location of single cells, and the predictions lead to successful recovery of the spatial expression patterns for most of landmark genes. In addition, investigating the selected genes demonstrates that most predictive genes are cluster specific, and stable across our supervised and unsupervised gene selection frameworks. Overall, the promising results obtained by our methods in DREAM challenge demonstrated that topological consistency is a useful concept in identifying marker genes and constructing predictive models for spatial mapping of single cells.
Using linked administrative health data for palliative and end of life care research in Ireland: potential and challenges
Authors: Kelly Maria , O'Brien Katie M , Hannigan Ailish
Published: February 2021

Background: This study aims to examine the potential of currently available administrative health data for palliative and end-of-life care (PEoLC) research in Ireland. Objectives include to i) identify administrative health data sources for PEoLC research ii) describe the challenges and opportunities of using these and iii) estimate  the impact of recent health system reforms and changes to data protection laws.

 Methods: The 2017 Health Information and Quality Authority catalogue of health and social care datasets was cross-referenced with a recognised list of diseases with associated palliative care needs. Criteria to assess the datasets included population coverage, data collected, data dictionary and data model availability and mechanisms for data access.

Results: Eight datasets with potential for PEoLC research were identified, including four disease registries, (cancer, cystic fibrosis, motor neurone and interstitial lung disease), death certificate data, hospital episode data, community prescription data and one national survey. The ad hoc development of the health system in Ireland has resulted in i) a fragmented information infrastructure resulting in gaps in data collections particularly in the primary and community care sector where much palliative care is delivered, ii) ill-defined data governance arrangements across service providers, many of whom are not part of the publically funded health service and iii) systemic and temporal issues that affect data quality. Initiatives to improve data collections include introduction of i) patient unique identifiers, ii) health entity identifiers and iii) integration of the eircode postcodes. Recently enacted general data protection and health research regulations will clarify legal and ethical requirements for data  use.

Conclusions: With appropriate permissions, detailed knowledge of the datasets and good study design currently available administrative health data can be used for PEoLC research. Ongoing reform initiatives and recent changes to data privacy laws will facilitate future use of administrative health data for PEoLC research.
A Novel Approach for Cluster Head Selection using Trust Function in WSN
Authors: Narayan Vipul , Daniel A. K.
Published: February 2021

The enhancement of new technology in the sensor network shows a significant result in every aspect of life such as military surveillance, hospitals, mining and hospitals etc. The nodes are scattered randomly in RoI (Region of Interest) and data is transmitted to Base Station (BS) using the multi-hop technique. The Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) become an important research field for challenging problems as energy consumption, efficient cluster head selection process, routing algorithm, network strength, packet loss, energy loss and so forth. The agenda in the paper is to enhance Residual Energy (RE) of nodes and network lifetime. The problem is solved by using an efficient clustering and Cluster Head (CH) selection process.The cluster head selection is based on the maximum node residual energy and the minimum distance from the base station. The Proposed protocol worked in two stages. The new Threshold value T(H) is calculated for the cluster head selection process in the first stage. The data fusion method based on the trust function is used to get accurate data in the second stage. The energy model is utilized to reduce the excessive energy transmission inside the network. The Proposed protocol is compared with Stable Election Protocol and achieves 44% lifetime improvement, 59\% stability improvement and 15% in survival rate respectively.
Distance Modular Advanced Training Course: from Design to Implementation
Authors: Trunceva T.
Published: February 2021

This article makes an attempt to consider the scientific foundations of the design of modular distance courses for the implementation of additional professional training programs for teaching staff. The authors focus on the difference between the modular distance course and other forms of advanced training, content and functional features, as well as the prospects for its implementation in the system of additional professional education.
TEACHING CHESS IN EXTENDED EDUCTION INSTITUTION
Authors: Kukanova Tatyana
Published: February 2021

Among the areas of extended education of children aimed at their comprehensive development, a special place is given to teaching chess. Chess develops eye-mindedness and logical thinking, attention and memory, contributes to the development of imagination and creativity as well as cultivates perseverance, purposefulness, independence in decision-making. All the skills acquired in the course of chess lessons will help the child in the future, no matter whoever he becomes.

In the practical part of the article, the scenario for holding a chess and draughts tournament for families «Dad, Mom and me – a chess family» was proposed. The tasks of the event conducted by the author are following: testing the knowledge gained, acquiring skills for participating in chess competitions, getting used to the cultural spending of free time, uniting the children's and parents' collective, uniting the families of pupils.
Surgical Treatment of Comminuted Olecranon Fracture Using Locking Compression Plate Fixation
Authors: Lee Eunchang , Cho Seong-Hee , Yoo Jun-Il , Im Jin-Hyung , Kang Dong-Geun , Park Jin Sung
Published: February 2021

Purpose: Several types of surgical methods from tension band wiring to plate fixation are used in olecranon fractures. In comminuted olecranon fractures, plate fixation is recommended as it is difficult to obtain stable fixation of the bone fragments and joint congruency. The authors performed operations using compression locking plate for olecranon fractures corresponding to Mayo classification IIB and IIIB, and report the radiologic and functional results.Methods: Twenty-one patients who underwent plate fixation surgery for comminuted olecranon fractures at our hospital from September 2011 to April 2019 were enrolled in this study. Patients were retrospectively analyzed for at least 1 year. The classification of olecranon fracture was performed using the Mayo classification. For the analysis of the postoperative results, radiological union time, postoperative range of motion, complications, and functional results based on Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) were evaluated.Results: The union was achieved in all cases and three posttraumatic arthritis were observed at the final follow-up. The average range of motion was 134.3° in flexion, –9.8° in extension. The mean MEPS was 93.1. There was no statistically significant difference in MEPS between the group that used technique of interfragmentary fixation and the group that did not (p=0.534).Conclusion: Surgical treatment using a locking compression plate fixation in comminuted olecranon fracture resulted in excellent functional results. Restoration of articular surface using Kirschner wire or interfragmentary screw between small bone fragments is considered a useful method for obtaining good functional results.
Análisis de conocimientos sobre aulas de comunicación y lenguaje de futuros/as maestros/as.
Authors: Lacruz-Pérez Irene , Sanz-Cervera Pilar , Pastor-Cerezuela Gemma , Tárraga-Mínguez Raúl
Published: February 2021

One of the main resources to promote the inclusion of students with special educational needs in Valencian Community regular schools are the communication and language classrooms. The success of this resource depends, among other aspects, on the knowledge that both regular and special educational teachers have about its functioning. For this reason, the aim of this work is to analyze the knowledge, misconceptions, and gaps about the functioning of these classrooms that early childhood education and primary education pre-service teachers have in their final year at university. Likewise, the results obtained by special educational pre-service teachers are compared to the results obtained by regular pre-service teachers. To do this analysis, a quantitative assessment instrument has been used. Results indicate a lower knowledge of regular pre-service teachers compared to special educational pre-service teachers, which leads to unfavorable implications for educational inclusion. The results suggest the need to offer a broader and more equal training related to special education for all pre-service teachers in order to guarantee inclusive quality practices in schools.
The Politics of Language Policies: Hungarian Linguistic Minorities in Central Europe
Authors: Marácz László
Published: February 2021

The paper will adopt the position that language is an intrinsic and largely non‑negotiable part of individual culture and identity. The recognition of one’s own language receives more and more support in international political and institutional frameworks. The promotion of linguistic diversity is the official policy of the European Union. Due to such policies, it is to be expected that languages will remain in contact in the context of all sorts of levels of governance. In order to manage linguistic diversity in multilingual and multicultural areas, the introduction of a global regime of language policies is unavoidable. These policies will need to satisfy transnational requirements and conditions, like universal human rights and the norms and standards of Europeanization set by the EU, OSCE, Council of Europe, and so on. However, because there are manifold connections between language and power, as we know from the work of political scientists such as Pierre Bourdieu, and sociolinguists such as Peter Nelde, that a language element is always a part of intergroup conflict. Hence, it is to be expected that language policies will be subject to power conflicts and hegemonic strives. In order to support my claim, I will analyze the language policies of states with Hungarian language minorities in Central Europe, particularly Romania, Slovakia, Serbia (Vojvodina), and Ukraine (Trans‑Carpathia). The policies can be studied in terms of concrete variables, like individual/collective rights, territorial rearrangements, thresholds, the Language Charter, multilingual education, the linguistic landscape, and so on. The range in which these variables are instantiated is determined by local politics; hence, it is a case of the politics of language policy.
Multiculturalism in a Transnational Regional Community: EU Subsides and Cultural Heritage in Southeast Polad
Authors: Galbraith Marysia H.
Published: February 2021

The Bieszczady region of southeast Poland contains many traces of former multiethnic communities, and the transnational forces that destroyed them. With increasing frequency, the European Union logo marks EU involvement in cultural heritage projects throughout the region. In this article, I explore the interconnections among ethnicity, culture, and politics revealed in the ways Bieszczady residents make use of EU subsidies designated for the promotion of regional cultures. I argue that local agents cater to a vision of multiculturalism that bolsters EU values of cross‑border cooperation and tolerance for diversity, but they do so in pursuit of regional goals. Ethnographic examples show they want to increase regional pride and promote development of the regional tourist sector so that residents will feel less compelled to emigrate in search of employment. Although “transnational regional community” sounds like an oxymoron, it is an apt characterization of the Bieszczady region (and by extension other borderlands of the EU) because the transnational institution of the European Union provides the context in which particular kinds of regional identities become salient, albeit in multiple and fragmented ways.
Renewable Power and Electricity Prices: The Impact of Forward Markets
Authors: Peura Heikki , Bunn Derek W.
Published: February 2021

Increasing variable renewable power generation (e.g., wind) is expected to reduce wholesale electricity prices by virtue of its low marginal production cost. This merit-order effect of renewables displacing incumbent conventional (e.g., gas) generation forms the theoretical underpinning for investment decisions and policy in the power industry. This paper uses a game-theoretic market model to investigate how intermittently available wind generation affects electricity prices in the presence of forward markets, which are widely used by power companies to hedge against revenue variability ahead of near-real-time spot trading. We find that in addition to the established merit-order effect, renewable generation affects power prices through forward-market hedging. This forward effect reinforces the merit-order effect in reducing prices for moderate amounts of wind generation capacity but mitigates or even reverses it for higher capacities. For moderate wind capacity, uncertainty over its output increases hedging, and these higher forward sales lead to lower prices. For higher capacities, however, wind variability conversely causes power producers to behave less aggressively in forward trading for fear of unfavorable spot-market positions. The lower sales counteract the merit-order effect, and prices may then paradoxically increase with wind capacity despite its lower production cost. We confirm the potential for such reversals in a numerical study, suggesting new empirical questions while providing potential explanations for previously contradictory observed effects of market fundamentals. We conclude that considering the conventional merit-order effect alone is insufficient for evaluating the price impacts of variable renewable generation in the presence of forward markets.

This paper was accepted by Vishal Gaur, operations management.
Analisis framing pemberitaan tentang kebijakan pemerintah dalam menangani kasus Covid-19
Authors: Sofian Arik , Lestari Niken
Published: February 2021

Bulan Desember 2019 media di Indonesia diramaikan dengan pemberitaan wabah virus Covid - 19. Edukasi dan pencegahan wabah ini menjadi fokus yang diberitakan oleh media. Pada Bulan Maret 2020 pemberitaan tentang virus Covid - 19 lebih masif lagi karena sudah masuk di Indonesia. Pro kontra pun terjadi, seperti kontroversi transparansi identitas korban Covid - 19 dan kebijakan pemerintah dalam menangani kasus Covid - 19. Banyak pihak menilai pemerintah tidak siap dalam upaya penanganan kasus Covid - 19. Kesan tersebut tidak lepas dari peran media dalam membingkai berita tersebut. Salah satu media yang memberitakan Covid - 19 adalah koran.tempo.co. Media online ini melihat polemik yang terjadi di pemerintah dalam mengambil kebijakan. Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk mengetahui analisis framing media online koran.tempo.co dalam pemberitaan tentang kebijakan pemerintah dalam menangani kasus Covid - 19 di Indonesia. Dalam penelitian ini metode yang digunakan adalah analisis framingmodel Robert N Entman dengan elemen - elemen analisis yaitu define problem, diagnose causes, make moral judgement, dan treatment recommendation. Dengan empat elemen ini akan diketahui pembingkaian berita yang dilakukan oleh media. Media online koran.tempo.co membingkai sikap keraguan pemerintah dalam menangani kasus Covid - 19. Karena tidak ada kesiapan setiap kebijakan yang dibuat pemerintah terkesan tidak menemukan keberhasilan.
The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health associated trauma, admissions and fractures at a London major trauma centre
Authors: Hay D , Jamal MS , Al-Tawil K , Petohazi A , Gulli V , Bednarczuk NF , Baldwin-Smith R , Gibbons J , Sinha J
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Non-injury-related factors have been extensively studied in major trauma and have been shown to have a significant impact on patient outcomes. Mental illness and associated medication use has been proven to have a negative effect on bone health and fracture healing.

Materials and methods

We collated data retrospectively from the records of orthopaedic inpatients in a non-COVID and COVID period. We analysed demographic data, referral and admission numbers, orthopaedic injuries, surgery performed and patient comorbidities, including psychiatric history.

Results

There were 824 orthopaedic referrals and 358 admissions (six/day) in the non-COVID period, with 38/358 (10.6%) admissions having a psychiatric diagnosis and 30/358 (8.4%) also having a fracture. This was compared with 473 referrals and 195 admissions (three/day) in the COVID period, with 73/195 (37.4%) admissions having a documented psychiatric diagnosis and 47/195 (24.1%) having a fracture.

Discussion

There was a reduction in the number of admissions and referrals during the pandemic, but a simultaneous three-fold rise in admissions with a psychiatric diagnosis. The proportion of patients with both a fracture and a psychiatric diagnosis more than doubled and the number of patients presenting due to a traumatic suicide attempt almost tripled.

Conclusion

While total numbers using the orthopaedic service decreased, the impact of the pandemic and lockdown disproportionately affects those with mental health problems, a group already at higher risk of poorer functional outcomes and non-union. It is imperative that adequate support is in place for patients with vulnerable mental health during these periods, particularly as we look towards a potential ‘second wave’ of COVID-19.
FBG with wide-range cladding mode comb inscribed by femtosecond laser and phase mask
Authors: Bao Weijia , Liu Shen , Wang Yiping
Published: February 2021

FBG with continuous and wide-range cladding mode comb is inscribed by femtosecond laser and phase mask. Such grating induces significant birefringence. The cutoff cladding mode of air can be observed in the spectrum.