bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Remarkable Phytochemical Characteristics of Chi-Nan Agarwood Induced from New-Found Chi-Nan Germplasm of Aquilaria sinensis Compared with Ordinary Agarwood
Authors: Yu Meng , Liu Yangyang , Feng Jian , Chen Deli , Yang Yun , Liu Peiwei , Yu Zhangxin , Wei Jianhe
Published: April 2021

Wild Chi-Nan agarwood is regarded as the highest quality agarwood from Aquilaria spp. However, the comprehensive research on chemical composition of wild Chi-Nan agarwood is limited. An integrated strategy using SHS-GC-MS and UPLC-Q/Tof-MS was applied to explore the phytochemical characteristics of a kind of agarwood induced from a newly identified germplasm of Chi-Nan A. sinensis. Progenesis QI and MS-Dial were used to preprocess the UPLC-Q/Tof-MS and GC-MS raw data, respectively. Principle component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares to latent structure-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) models were built to discriminate Chi-Nan agarwood from ordinary agarwood and to screen potential distinguishing components between them. In this study, we clarified the distinguishing differences between Chi-Nan agarwood and ordinary agarwood. The difference is mainly manifested in the average contents of 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone and 2-[2-(4′-methoxybenzene)ethyl]chromone, which are 170 and 420 times higher in Chi-Nan agarwood than in ordinary agarwood, respectively, while the contents of 5,6,7,8-diepoxy-2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones(DEPECs), 5,6-epoxy-2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones(EPECs), and 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones(THPECs) such as agarotetrol are extremely low. The content of the main sesquiterpenes in Chi-Nan agarwood was higher than that in ordinary agarwood, especially in regard to guaiane and eudesmane derivatives. In addition, there were significant differences in the contents of low-molecular-weight aromatic compounds such as 2-methyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one, 4-methoxybenzaldehyde, and 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde between Chi-Nan agarwood and ordinary agarwood. All the mentioned main chemical characteristics of this new Chi-Nan agarwood were coincident with those of the rare wild Chi-Nan agarwood from A. malaccensis, A. sinensis, and A. crassna. We reported differences in 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones, sesquiterpenes, and low-molecular-weight aromatic compounds between Chi-Nan agarwood and ordinary agarwood from A. sinensis for the first time; it is necessary to evaluate the agarwood from the new-found Chi-Nan germplasm.
Dynamic Spillover Effects between the US Stock Volatility and China’s Stock Market Crash Risk: A TVP-VAR Approach
Authors: Zhang Ping , Gao Jieying , Zhang Yanbin , Wang Te-Wei
Published: April 2021

Due to the increasing linkage of China and the US stock markets today, we constructed a TVP-VAR model to study the dynamic spillover effects between the US stock volatility and China’s stock market crash risk. We found dynamic spillover effects are constantly strengthening between US stock volatility and China’s stock market crash risk: when the US stock volatility increases, China’s stock market crash risk increases. In addition, the gradual improvement of financial market openness in China, the short-term capital outflow from China, and the depreciation of the RMB exchange rate will increase China’s stock market crash risk. And, the impacts of short-term capital outflow from China are more significant. Further, the increase in China’s stock market crash risk will lead to the decline of the US stock volatility, which may be due to the flight to quality.
Exact Solutions of the Two-Dimensional Cattaneo Model Using Lie Symmetry Transformations
Authors: Bibi Khudija , Ahmad Khalil
Published: April 2021

In this article, symmetry technique is utilized to obtain new exact solutions of the Cattaneo equation. The infinitesimal symmetries, linear combinations of these symmetries, and corresponding similarity variables are determined, which lead to many exact solutions of the considered equation. By applying similarity transformations, the mentioned partial differential equation is reduced to some ordinary differential equations of second order. Solutions of these ordinary differential equations have yielded many exact solutions of the Cattaneo equation.
Evaluation of Low-Carbon Competitiveness Based on a System Evaluation Method: A Case Study of Three Chinese Steel Companies
Authors: Yuguo Jiang , Asante Dennis , Dan Chen , Jie Zhang
Published: April 2021

Low-carbon competitiveness is an effective way for enterprises to remain relevant in the global green economy agenda. The low-carbon footprints of firms are not only reflected in their carbon-tangible assets but also in carbon-intangible assets. Thus, carbon-intangible assets also play a crucial role in firms’ emission mitigation and environmental conservation capacity. Several forms of carbon-intangible assets may constitute an integrated system that shapes the low-carbon performance of enterprises. Therefore, firms’ low-carbon competitiveness can be evaluated by studying the distribution of individual carbon-intangible resources and the composite shape of such assets. Based on this idea, this paper explored the dimensions through which carbon-intangible assets contribute to low-carbon competitiveness. By determining the location and distribution of each carbon-intangible asset in its value space, we proposed a multidimensional evaluation technique with three dimensions including realistic, sustainable, and inimitable value. Herein, the idea of value space of carbon-intangible assets has been contributed to the extant literature. Finally, to apply our evaluation index system, we selected three Chinese steel companies to serve as the research sample and evaluated their low-carbon performances. The main contribution of this study is the development and application of a novel multidimensional low-carbon evaluation method. This technique will not only help governments as well as the academics to effectively determine the low-carbon level of enterprises but also helps managers to fully grasp the trends of low-carbon competitiveness and thereby take some targeted measures to improve their firms’ performance.
Knowledge and Practice on Breast Self-Examination and Associated Factors among Summer Class Social Science Undergraduate Female Students in the University of Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Mihret Muhabaw Shumye , Gudayu Temesgen Worku , Abebe Abera Shiferaw , Tarekegn Emebet Gebru , Abebe Solomon Ketemaw , Abduselam Mosina Aminu , Shiferaw Tejitu Dereje , Kebede Genet Worku
Published: April 2021

Background. Breast cancer is a global health concern and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among women. Early detection of breast cancer contributes to timely linkage to care and reduction of complications associated with breast cancer. In this context, breast self-examination is helpful to detect breast abnormalities particularly in settings with poor access to healthcare for clinical breast examination and mammography. Thus, all women in such settings are highly encouraged to perform breast self-examination regularly, and shreds of evidences are compulsory in this perspective. In the study setting, there was a scarcity of evidence on breast self-examination. Therefore, this study is aimed at assessing knowledge and practice on breast self-examination and its associated factors among summer class female students of social science at Maraki Campus, University of Gondar, Ethiopia. Methods. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 01 to September 15/2018. A total of 398 female summer students were included in the study. A simple random sampling technique was utilized to select the study participants, and interviewer-administered structured questionnaires were employed to collect the data. The data were then entered into Epi info version 7.0, and analysis was done by SPSS version 20.0. A bivariable and multivariable logistic regression model was fitted, and the level of significance was declared based on adjusted odds ratio with its 95% CI and apvalue ≤ 0.05. Result. The proportion of students having a good knowledge and practice of breast self-examination was found to be 27.6% (95% CI: 22.9, 32) and 17.4% (95% CI: 13.8, 21.6), respectively. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, urban residency (AOR=2.50; 95% CI: 1.27, 4.94) and discussion with someone on breast self-examination (AOR=4.57; 95% CI: 2.42, 8.65) were predictors of good knowledge, whereas family history of breast cancer (AOR=7.14; 95% CI: 1.75, 25), discussion with someone on breast self-examination (AOR=3.85; 95% CI: 1.82, 8.33), and good knowledge on breast self -examination (AOR=12.02; 95% CI: 5.97, 24.20) had been significantly associated with breast self-examination practice. Conclusion. In this study, the proportion of students with good knowledge and practice towards breast self-examination was lower than most of the studies done so far. The predictors of breast self-examination are related to lack of information. Thus, awareness creation on breast self-examination would be helpful in this context.
Transcriptome analysis of nematode-responsive genes in two susceptible Indica rice cultivars
Authors: Chen Jiansong , Lin Borong , Li Zhiwen , Huang Qiuling , Liao Jinling , Zhuo Kan
Published: April 2021

Meloidogyne graminicola is a major plant pathogen damaging rice. Altering a plant susceptibility gene that critically facilitates compatibility is considered one of the most effective strategies to control plant pathogens. However, no resource is currently available regarding M. graminicola susceptibility genes in Indica rice cultivars. In this study, transcriptome analysis was used to elucidate nematode-responsive genes to the two susceptible Indica rice cultivars ‘Guinongzhan’ and ‘Wushansimiao (R534)’ with distinct levels of susceptibility to M. graminicola at 3 days post-inoculation (dpi). A total of 33157 transcripts corresponded to the predicted genes in the Indica rice genome. Among these, 2062 and 1386 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in ‘Guinongzhan’ and ‘Wushansimiao (R534)’, respectively, as a result of nematode infection. Cluster analysis showed that 2184 DEGs were commonly regulated and 503 DEGs were differentially regulated in ‘Guinongzhan’ and ‘Wushansimiao (R534)’. These DEGs were involved in defence responses, the Ca2+ signal pathway, cell wall, hormone pathways, the ubiquitin proteasome system and transcription factors. In addition, candidate genes that may be involved in rice defence responses and susceptibility to M. graminicola were identified, and some of them were further validated by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. The transcription data reveal insights into the susceptible rice gene expression pattern changes upon nematode infection, and provide a novel set of candidate defence-related and susceptibility genes in Indica rice cultivars for M. graminicola.
In the Glance of the Logos
Authors: Berchman Robert M.
Published: April 2021

Stoic concepts of ekpyrosis and diacosmesis are examined in light of later Platonic, Aristotelian and Epicurean critiques of Stoic determinism. Questions emerge out of this debate centered on the problem of evil. A series of theodicies are proposed ending in a later Stoic interpretation of the cosmic cycle that equates each phase of the cosmic cycle with an ethical one allegorized as periods of Satiety (Koros) and Dearth (Chresmosyne).
Lidocaine coinfusion alleviates vascular pain induced by hypertonic saline infusion: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Song Zhiping , Chen Shibiao , Zhang Yang , Shi Xiaoyun , Zhao Na , Liao Zhengyu
Published: April 2021

Background

Hypertonic saline solution has been frequently utilized in clinical practice. However, due to the nonphysiological osmolality, hypertonic saline infusion usually induces local vascular pain. We conducted this study to evaluate the effect of lidocaine coinfusion for alleviating vascular pain induced by hypertonic saline.

Methods

One hundred and six patients undergoing hypertonic saline volume preloading prior to spinal anesthesia were randomly allocated to two groups of 53 each. Group L received a 1 mg/kg lidocaine bolus followed by infusion of 2 mg/kg/h through the same IV line during hypertonic saline infusion; Group C received a bolus and infusion of normal saline of equivalent volume. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of vascular pain were recorded every 4 min.

Results

The vascular pain severity in Group L was significantly lower than that in Group C for each time slot (P < 0.05). The overall incidence of vascular pain during hypertonic saline infusion in Group L was 48.0%, which was significantly lower than the incidence (79.6%) in Group C (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Lidocaine coinfusion could effectively alleviate vascular pain induced by hypertonic saline infusion.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, number: ChiCTR1900023753. Registered on 10 June 2019.
Methylprednisolone or dexamethasone, which one is superior corticosteroid in the treatment of hospitalized COVID-19 patients: a triple-blinded randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ranjbar Keivan , Moghadami Mohsen , Mirahmadizadeh Alireza , Fallahi Mohammad Javad , Khaloo Vahid , Shahriarirad Reza , Erfani Amirhossein , Khodamoradi Zohre , Gholampoor Saadi Mohammad Hasan
Published: April 2021

Background

Although almost a year has passed since the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak and promising reports of vaccines have been presented, we still have a long way until these measures are available for all. Furthermore, the most appropriate corticosteroid and dose in the treatment of COVID-19 have remained uncertain. We conducted a study to assess the effectiveness of methylprednisolone treatment versus dexamethasone for hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Methods

In this prospective triple-blinded randomized controlled trial, we enrolled 86 hospitalized COVID-19 patients from August to November 2020, in Shiraz, Iran. The patients were randomly allocated into two groups to receive either methylprednisolone (2 mg/kg/day; intervention group) or dexamethasone (6 mg/day; control group). Data were assessed based on a 9-point WHO ordinal scale extending from uninfected (point 0) to death (point 8).

Results

There were no significant differences between the groups on admission. However, the intervention group demonstrated significantly better clinical status compared to the control group at day 5 (4.02 vs. 5.21, p = 0.002) and day 10 (2.90 vs. 4.71, p = 0.001) of admission. There was also a significant difference in the overall mean score between the intervention group and the control group, (3.909 vs. 4.873 respectively, p = 0.004). The mean length of hospital stay was 7.43 ± 3.64 and 10.52 ± 5.47 days in the intervention and control groups, respectively (p = 0.015). The need for a ventilator was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (18.2% vs 38.1% p = 0.040).

Conclusion

In hospitalized hypoxic COVID-19 patients, methylprednisolone demonstrated better results compared to dexamethasone.

Trial registration

The trial was registered with IRCT.IR (08/04/2020-No. IRCT20200204046369N1).
Stillbirth and infant death: mental health among low-income mothers in Mumbai
Authors: Roberts Lisa , Renati Solomon J. , Solomon Shreeletha , Montgomery Susanne
Published: April 2021

Background

India has the highest number of stillbirths and the highest neonatal death rate in the world. In the context of its pronatalist society, women who experience perinatal loss often encounter significant social repercussions on top of grief. Furthermore, even when pregnancy outcomes were favorable, adverse life circumstances put some women at risk for postnatal depression. Therefore, perinatal loss and postnatal depression take a heavy toll on women’s mental health. The purpose of this study is to assess mental health among a sample of Mumbai slum-dwelling women with a history of recent childbirth, stillbirth, or infant death, who are at risk for perinatal grief, postnatal depression, or mental health sequelae.

Methods

We conducted a mixed method, cross-sectional study. A focus group discussion informed the development of a comprehensive survey using mainly internationally validated scales. After rigorous forward and back-translation, surveys were administered as face-to-face structured interviews due to low literacy and research naiveté among our respondents. Interviews were conducted by culturally, linguistically, gender-matched, trained research assistants.

Results

Of our reproductive age (N = 260) participants, 105 had experienced stillbirth, 69 had a history of infant death, and 25 had experienced both types of loss. Nearly half of the sample met criteria for postnatal depression, and 20% of these women also met criteria for perinatal grief. Anxiety and depression varied by subgroup, and was highest among women desiring an intervention.

Conclusions

Understanding factors contributing to women’s suffering related to reproductive challenges in this pronatalist context is critically important for women’s wellbeing.
Mathematical pattern of Kessler psychological distress distribution in the general population of the U.S. and Japan
Authors: Tomitaka Shinichiro , Furukawa Toshiaki A.
Published: April 2021

Background

Although the 6-item Kessler psychological scale (K6) is a useful depression screening scale in clinical settings and epidemiological surveys, little is known about the distribution model of the K6 score in the general population. Using four major national survey datasets from the United States and Japan, we explored the mathematical pattern of the K6 distributions in the general population.

Methods

We analyzed four datasets from the National Health Interview Survey, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System in the United States, and the Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions in Japan. We compared the goodness of fit between three models: exponential, power law, and quadratic function models. Graphical and regression analyses were employed to investigate the mathematical patterns of the K6 distributions.

Results

The exponential function had the best fit among the three models. The K6 distributions exhibited an exponential pattern, except for the lower end of the distribution across the four surveys. The rate parameter of the K6 distributions was similar across all surveys.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that, regardless of different sample populations and methodologies, the K6 scores exhibit a common mathematical distribution in the general population. Our findings will contribute to the development of the distribution model for such a depression screening scale.
A mixed methods approach to determine the climate of interprofessional education among medical and health sciences students
Authors: Sulaiman Nabil , Rishmawy Youssef , Hussein Amal , Saber-Ayad Maha , Alzubaidi Hamzah , Al Kawas Sausan , Hasan Hayder , Guraya Salman Y.
Published: April 2021

Background

High-quality patient care is a complex phenomenon that requires collaboration among healthcare professionals. Research has shown that Interprofessional Education (IPE) carries promise to improve collaborative work and patient care. So far, collaboration among various health professionals remains a challenge. Very few focus group discussions to determine the medical students’ readiness and positive attitudes towards IPE have been reported from the Arabian context.

Methods

A two-staged sequential mixed methods study was conducted among medical, dental, pharmacy, and health sciences students of the University of Sharjah United Arab Emirates. The perspectives of students toward IPE and collaborative practice were first gathered by administering a validated instrument, Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS). This was followed by focused group discussions. A quantitative as well as a qualitative data analysis was performed.

Results

This study cohort included 282 students. All respondents showed readiness to adopt IPE as all statements of the RIPLS inventory scored high median scores. All participants showed positive attitudes and readiness towards IPE. Three main domains of themes were generated from focus group discussions; prior knowledge, need for IPE framework and its implementation. Information workload, lack of clarity and less focused teaching pedagogies of IPE were considered as perceived barriers.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated a substantial agreement of medical and health sciences students towards readiness and perceived effectiveness of IPE. Educators are urged to embed new IPE programs into existing curricular frameworks, which can potentially enhance collaborative learning and improve quality of patient care.
Development and evaluation of a spiral model of assessing EBM competency using OSCEs in undergraduate medical education
Authors: Kumaravel B. , Stewart C. , Ilic D.
Published: April 2021

Background

Medical students often struggle to understand the relevance of Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) to their clinical practice, yet it is a competence that all students must develop prior to graduation. Objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) are a valued assessment tool to assess critical components of EBM competency, particularly different levels of mastery as they progress through the course. This study developed and evaluated EBM based OSCE stations with an aim to establish a spiral approach for EBM OSCE stations for undergraduate medical students.

Methods

OSCE stations were developed with increasingly complex EBM tasks. OSCE stations were classified according to the classification rubric for EBP assessment tools (CREATE) framework and mapped against the recently published core competencies for evidence-based practice (EBP). Performance data evaluation was undertaken using Classical Test Theory analysing mean scores, pass rates, and station item total correlation (ITC) using SPSS.

Results

Six EBM based OSCE stations assessing various stages of EBM were created for use in high stakes summative OSCEs for different year groups across the undergraduate medical degree. All OSCE stations, except for one, had excellent correlation coefficients and hence a high reliability, ranging from 0.21–0.49. The domain mean score ranged from 13.33 to 16.83 out of 20. High reliability was demonstrated for the each of the summative OSCE circuits (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.67–0.85).

In the CREATE framework these stations assessed knowledge, skills, and behaviour of medical students in asking, searching, appraising, and integrating evidence in practice. The OSCE stations were useful in assessing six core evidence-based practice competencies, which are meant to be practiced with exercises. A spiral model of OSCEs of increasing complexity was proposed to assess EBM competency as students progressed through the MBChB course.

Conclusions

The use of the OSCEs is a feasible method of authentically assessing leaner EBM performance and behaviour in a high stakes assessment setting. Use of valid and reliable EBM-based OSCE stations provide evidence for continued development of a hierarchy of assessing scaffolded learning and mastery of EBM competency. Further work is needed to assess their predictive validity.
Moesin as a prognostic indicator of lung adenocarcinoma improves prognosis by enhancing immune lymphocyte infiltration
Authors: Li Yan-Qi , Zheng Zhi , Liu Quan-Xing , Lu Xiao , Zhou Dong , Zhang Jiao , Zheng Hong , Dai Ji-Gang
Published: April 2021

Background

Ezrin-radixin-moesin (ERM) have been explored in many cancer processes. Moesin, as its component, has also been found to play an important role in the prognosis of cancer patients, tumor metastasis, drug resistance, and others. Especially in regulating the immunity, but most results came from direct studies on immune cells, there is no clear conclusion on whether moesin has similar effects in tumor cells. And moesin has certain research results in many cancers in other aspects, but there are few about moesin in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD).

Methods

We detect the expression of moesin in 82 LUAD and matched normal tissue samples by immunohistochemistry. Besides, for the pathological feature, we did a detailed statistical analysis. And with the help of various databases, we have done in-depth exploration of moesin’s ability to enhance the extent of immune lymphocyte infiltration.

Results

Moesin is a poor expression in lung cancer tissues than the corresponding normal samples. And this phenomenon had a strongly associated with the prognosis and TNM stage of these LUAD patients. Moesin can enhance the infiltration of multiple immune lymphocytes in lung cancer. And this may be related to the interaction between moesin and various inflammatory molecules.

Conclusions

Moesin is a newly index for the prognosis of LUAD and improves the prognosis of LUAD patients by regulating a variety of inflammation-related molecules to enhance immune lymphocytes infiltration.
Hypertrophy of unaffected cardiomyocytes correlates with severity of cardiomyopathy in female patients with Fabry disease
Authors: Chimenti Cristina , Verardo Romina , Frustaci Andrea
Published: April 2021

Aim

To investigate the contribution of unaffected cardiomyocytes in Fabry disease cardiomyopathy.

Findings

Left ventricular (LV) endomyocardial biopsies from twenty-four females (mean age 53 ± 11 ys) with Fabry disease cardiomyopathy were studied. Diagnosis of FD was based on the presence of pathogenic GLA mutation, Patients were divided in four groups according with LV maximal wall thickness (MWT): group 1 MWT ≤ 10.5 mm, group 2 MWT 10.5–15 mm, group 3 MWT 16–20 mm, group 4 MWT > 20 mm. At histology mosaic of affected and unaffected cardiomyocytes was documented. Unaffected myocytes’ size ranged from normal to severe hypertrophy. Hypertrophy of unaffected cardiomyocytes correlated with severity of MWT (p < 0.0001, Sperman r 0,95). Hypertrophy of unaffected myocytes appear to concur to progression and severity of FDCM. It is likely a paracrine role from neighboring affected myocytes.
Weak-anisotropy approximation of P-wave geometric spreading in horizontally layered anisotropic media of arbitrary symmetry: Tilted transversely isotropic specification
Authors: Farra Véronique , Pšenčík Ivan
Published: April 2021

Understanding the role of geometric spreading and estimating its effects on seismic wave propagation play an important role in several techniques used in seismic exploration. The spreading can be estimated through dynamic ray tracing or determined from reflection traveltime derivatives. In the latter case, derivatives of nonhyperbolic moveout approximations are often used. We offer an alternative approach based on the weak-anisotropy approximation. The resulting formula is applicable to P-waves reflected from the bottom of a stack of horizontal layers, in which each layer can be of arbitrary anisotropy. At an arbitrary surface point, the formula depends, in each layer, on the thickness of the layer, on the P-wave reference velocity used for the construction of reference rays, and on nine P-wave weak-anisotropy (WA) parameters specifying the layer anisotropy. Along an arbitrary surface profile, the number of WA parameters reduces to five parameters related to the profile. WA parameters represent an alternative to the elastic moduli and, as such, can be used for the description of any anisotropy. The relative error of the approximate formula for a multilayered structure consisting of layers of anisotropy between 8% and 20% is, at most, 10%. For models including layers of anisotropy stronger than 20%, the relative errors may reach, locally, even 30%. For any offset, relative errors remain under a finite limit, which varies with the anisotropy strength.
Serum Inflammation-based Scores in Endocrine Tumors
Authors: Marques Pedro , de Vries Friso , Dekkers Olaf M , Korbonits Márta , Biermasz Nienke R , Pereira Alberto M
Published: April 2021

Context

Serum inflammation-based scores reflect systemic inflammatory response and/or patients’ nutritional status, and may predict clinical outcomes in cancer. While these are well-described and increasingly used in different cancers, their clinical usefulness in the management of patients with endocrine tumors is less known.

Evidence acquisition

A comprehensive PubMed search was performed using the terms “endocrine tumor,” “inflammation,” “serum inflammation-based score,” “inflammatory-based score,” “inflammatory response-related scoring,” “systemic inflammatory response markers,” “neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio,” “neutrophil-to-platelet ratio,” “lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio,” “Glasgow prognostic score,” “neutrophil-platelet score,” “Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index,” and “Prognostic Nutrition Index” in clinical studies.

Evidence synthesis

The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio are the ones most extensively investigated in patients with endocrine tumors. Other scores have also been considered in some studies. Several studies focused in finding whether serum inflammatory biomarkers may stratify the endocrine tumor patients’ risk and detect those at risk for developing more aggressive and/or refractory disease, particularly after endocrine surgery.

Conclusions

In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the different serum inflammation-based scores and their usefulness in predicting the phenotype, clinical aggressiveness, and disease outcomes and prognosis in patients with endocrine tumors. The value of such serum inflammation-based scores in the management of patients with endocrine tumors has been emerging over the last decade. However, further research is necessary to establish useful markers and their cut-offs for routine clinical practice for individual diseases.
Social Inclusion of German Students who Complete an Academic Stay Abroad
Authors: Resch Katharina , Nusser Lena , Schwab Susanne
Published: April 2021

More and more student trajectories involve an academic stay abroad. To achieve the intercultural, personal or linguistic objectives associated with such placements, social inclusion with peers and faculty in the place of study is needed. This paper applies Bourdieu’s theory of capital as a conceptual framework to examine the experiences of students who have competed a placement abroad, in particular students from educationally disadvantaged families, students with disabilities, and migrant students. Longitudinal data were taken from the German National Education Panel Study (NEPS) with N=8.469 students. The findings show the interrelatedness of social inclusion and a placement abroad: students who experience high social inclusion with peers and faculty at the beginning of their studies are more likely to study abroad. Social capital with faculty increases after such a placement, in particular for at-risk student groups, while no difference in the increase in social inclusion is observed between student groups. The findings imply a need for early interventions as some of the effects already take place in the first semester.
Temporal-spatial dynamics of electronic plasma in femtosecond laser induced damage
Authors: Huang Fengqin , Si Jinhai , Chen Tao , Shen Tianlun , Shi Mengjie , Hou Xun
Published: April 2021

In this study, transient temporal-spatial evolutions of femtosecond (fs) laser pulse-induced filaments and electronic plasma when laser induced damage occurred in fused silica were investigated using fs time-resolved pump-probe shadowgraphy. The transient peak electron density increased and then decreased as delay time of probe beam increased. Its corresponding spatial positions moved from the sample surface to the inside of the sample, but remained at the nonlinear focus for a relatively long time. The maximum electron density increased as pump energies increased and then became saturated at 8 μJ, above which laser-induced material damage occurred. The material damage threshold electron density was approximately 1.27×1020 cm-3. The laser-induced material damage position corresponded to the position of the maximum electron density. Furthermore, the material damage was extended from the nonlinear focus to the deeper parts of the sample at pump energies above 8 μJ. This tendency agreed well with the spatial distribution of the maximum transient electron density at each propagation depth, implying that the fs time-resolved pump-probe shawdowgraphy is a meaningful tool for predicting the distribution of laser-induced microstructures in ultrafast laser micromachining.
Flipping a classroom with a three-stage collaborative instructional model (3-CI) for graduate students
Authors: Chiang Feng-Kuang , Wu Zhenhua
Published: April 2021

The flipped classroom is an innovative and increasingly popular pedagogical approach in higher education. It emphasises student learning responsibility, deeper learning, differentiated instruction and more efficient use of class time. However, despite its increasing popularity across disciplines, few studies have elaborated on strategies for implementing a flipped classroom beyond its essential elements. The present study thus proposed a three-stage collaborative instructional model (3-CI), an extension of the classic flipped classroom model. A case study approach was adopted to investigate 3-CI’s effectiveness through students’ perceptions in Research Methods in Educational Technology, with 29 graduate students. Results show that 3-CI increases participants’ satisfaction, engagement and collaboration. Furthermore, 3-CI design strategies, which emphasise collaboration and student-centredness, can help college educators to incorporate the flipped approach into their teaching practice.
Bauen für das wirkliche Leben
Authors: Rösch Felix , Buss Andreas
Published: April 2021

In Summer 1930 the tenement houses with galley access, the so-called Laubenganghäuser, were completed in Dessau-Törten. The project reflects the radical rationalism of Bauhaus director Hannes Meyer as well as his sensitivity to the needs of everyday life. The buildings can be considered like organisms with their own specific metabolism. Appreciated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, they have recently been examined in highest detail by an interdisciplinary team ranging from architects to archaeologists. By excavations and the review of rediscovered archival sources, it became possible to reconstruct the state at which the Laubenganghäuser were created. Furthermore, conclusions about the lives of the first residents could be drawn. Aspects of everyday life in a Bauhaus building as well as historical events appear as if under a magnifying glass.
Inequality, Growth, and Congestion Externalities
Authors: Aiyemo Babatunde , Morshed AKM Mahbub
Published: April 2021

We describe and numerically simulate the aggregate and distributional properties of an endogenous growth model with an infrastructure externality which is subject to relative congestion. We show that the congested externality induces higher growth, greater inequality, labor/leisure trade-off ambiguities and an ineffective capital income tax for the government to achieve long-term redistribution goals. We demonstrate the economic implications of congestions in production and consumption externalities on the public to private capital ratio, growth and income distribution. Finally, we discuss alternative tax options for promoting inclusive growth.
TEAD4 is a novel independent predictor of prognosis in LGG patients with IDH mutation
Authors: Yuan Hai-Yan , Lv Ya-Juan , Chen Yi , Li Dan , Li Xi , Qu Jian , Yan Han
Published: April 2021

TEA domain family members (TEADs) play important roles in tumor progression. Till now, the genomic status of TEADs in patients with glioma has not been well investigated. To confirm whether the genomic status of TEADs could affect the prognosis of patients with glioma, the copy number variation (CNV), mutation and expression data of glioma cohorts in The Cancer Genome Atlas, Gene Expression Omnibus and Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas were comprehensively analyzed. Results showed that TEAD CNV frequency in lower grade gliomas (LGGs) was higher than in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Multivariate cox regression analysis showed that TEAD4 CNV increase was significantly associated with overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in LGGs (OS p = 0.022, HR = 1.444, 95% CI: 1.054–1.978; DFS p = 0.005, HR = 1.485, 95% CI: 1.124–1.962), while not in GBM. Patients with TEAD4 CNV increase showed higher expression level of TEAD4 gene. In LGG patients with IDH mutation, those with higher TEAD4 expression levels had shorter OS and DFS. Integrating TEAD4 CNV increase, IDH mutations, TP53 mutation, ATRX mutation and 1p19q co-deletion would separate patients with LGG into four groups with significant differences in prognosis. These study results suggested that TEAD4 variations were independent predictive biomarkers for the prognosis in patients with LGG with IDH mutation.
Nonlinear dynamics and parametric study of snap through electromagnetic vibration energy harvester using multi-term harmonic balance method
Authors: Kaliyannan Devarajan
Published: April 2021

Vibration energy harvester (VEH) has proven to be a favorable potential technique to supply continuous energy from ambient vibrations and its performance is greatly influenced by the design of potential structures. A snap-through mechanism is used in an electromagnetic energy harvester to improve its effectiveness. It mainly comprises of three springs that are configured so that the potential energy of the system has two stable equilibrium points. In this work, a harmonically base excited snap-through electromagnetic vibration energy harvester is investigated by analytical and semi-analytical method. The approximate analytical outcomes are qualitatively and quantitatively supported by semi-analytical method using multi-term harmonic balance method (MHBM).The bifurcation diagram of response current shows that snap-through electromagnetic vibration energy harvesters exhibits periodic intrawell, interwell and chaotic motion when the system parameters are varied. The influence of system parameters on the response of snap-through electromagnetic vibration energy harvester are examined. Nonlinearity produced by the snap-through oscillator improves energy harvesting so that the snap-through electromagnetic energy harvester can outperform the linear energy harvester in the similar size under harmonic excitation. A fitness function was formulated and optimization of the selected parameters was done using genetic algorithm. The parametric optimization leads to a considerable improvement in the harvested current from the system.
CFD-based structure optimization of plate bundle in plate-fin heat exchanger considering flow and heat transfer performance
Authors: Li Yao , Si Haiqing , Qiu Jingxuan , Shen Yingying , Zhang Peihong , Jia Hongyin
Published: April 2021

The plate-fin heat exchanger has been widely applied in the field of air separation and aerospace due to its high specific surface area of heat transfer. However, the low heat transfer efficiency of its plate bundles has also attracted more attention. It is of great significance to optimize the structure of plate-fin heat exchanger to improve its heat transfer efficiency. The plate bundle was studied by combining numerical simulation with experiment. Firstly, according to the heat and mass transfer theory, the plate bundle calculation model of plate-fin heat exchanger was established, and the accuracy of the UDF (User-Defined Functions) for describing the mass and heat transfer was verified. Then, the influences of fin structure parameters on the heat and mass transfer characteristics of channel were discussed, including the height, spacing, thickness and length of fins. Finally the influence of various factors on the flow field performance under different flow states was integrated to complete the optimal design of the plate bundle.
Stochastic models with multiplicative noise for economic inequality and mobility
Authors: Bertotti Maria Letizia , Chattopadhyay Amit K , Modanese Giovanni
Published: April 2021

In this article, we discuss a dynamical stochastic model that represents the time evolution of income distribution of a population, where the dynamics develops from an interplay of multiple economic exchanges in the presence of multiplicative noise. The model remit stretches beyond the conventional framework of a Langevin-type kinetic equation in that our model dynamics is self-consistently constrained by dynamical conservation laws emerging from population and wealth conservation. This model is numerically solved and analysed to evaluate the inequality of income in correlation to other relevant dynamical parameters like the mobility
M and the total income
μ. Inequality is quantified by the Gini index G. In particular, correlations between any two of the mobility index M and/or the total income μ with the Gini index G are investigated and compared with the analogous quantities resulting from an additive noise model.
Positivity preserving high order schemes for angiogenesis models
Authors: Carpio A. , Cebrian E.
Published: April 2021

Hypoxy induced angiogenesis processes can be described by coupling an integrodifferential kinetic equation of Fokker–Planck type with a diffusion equation for the angiogenic factor. We propose high order positivity preserving schemes to approximate the marginal tip density by combining an asymptotic reduction with weighted essentially non oscillatory and strong stability preserving time discretization. We capture soliton-like solutions representing blood vessel formation and spread towards hypoxic regions.
Personal Information Management Behaviors of University Faculty – Aspects of Print versus Electronic
Authors: Nwagwu Williams Ezinwa , Donkor Antonia Bernadette
Published: April 2021

This study examined personal information creation and storage practices in digital and print media by faculty in selected universities in Ghana. A sample survey research design guided the research and quantitative data were collected from 235 faculty members of six universities in Ghana. Qualitative data was also collected from 18 willing faculty members, and was guided by an interview schedule. Faculty reported that they created their information in an organized manner and that they created information mainly in digital formats compared with manual. The task at hand determined the information facility created and search words that are semantically related to the item are used in finding/re-finding electronic information. Faculty reported that they acquired their information literacy personally, and information literacy explained re-finding of digital information but not non-digital information. The demographic variables in the study did not explain finding/re-finding of stored information: gender (β = −0.113, p = 0.280) and age (β = 0.038, p = 0.545). This study establishes clearly the pattern of information literacy activities for faculty in the universities in Ghana.
Towards lab-on-chip ultrasensitive ethanol detection using photonic crystal waveguide operating in the mid-infrared
Authors: Rostamian Ali , Madadi-Kandjani Ehsan , Dalir Hamed , Sorger Volker J. , Chen Ray T.
Published: April 2021

Thanks to the unique molecular fingerprints in the mid-infrared spectral region, absorption spectroscopy in this regime has attracted widespread attention in recent years. Contrary to commercially available infrared spectrometers, which are limited by being bulky and cost-intensive, laboratory-on-chip infrared spectrometers can offer sensor advancements including raw sensing performance in addition to utilization such as enhanced portability. Several platforms have been proposed in the past for on-chip ethanol detection. However, selective sensing with high sensitivity at room temperature has remained a challenge. Here, we experimentally demonstrate an on-chip ethyl alcohol sensor based on a holey photonic crystal waveguide on silicon on insulator-based photonics sensing platform offering an enhanced photoabsorption thus improving sensitivity. This is achieved by designing and engineering an optical slow-light mode with a high group-index of n

g
 = 73 and a strong localization of the modal power in analyte, enabled by the photonic crystal waveguide structure. This approach includes a codesign paradigm that uniquely features an increased effective path length traversed by the guided wave through the to-be-sensed gas analyte. This PIC-based lab-on-chip sensor is exemplary, spectrally designed to operate at the center wavelength of 3.4 μm to match the peak absorbance for ethanol. However, the slow-light enhancement concept is universal offering to cover a wide design-window and spectral ranges towards sensing a plurality of gas species. Using the holey photonic crystal waveguide, we demonstrate the capability of achieving parts per billion levels of gas detection precision. High sensitivity combined with tailorable spectral range along with a compact form-factor enables a new class of portable photonic sensor platforms when integrated with quantum cascade laser and detectors.
Detection of volatile organic compounds: From chemical gas sensors to terahertz spectroscopy
Authors: Galstyan Vardan , D’Arco Annalisa , Di Fabrizio Marta , Poli Nicola , Lupi Stefano , Comini Elisabetta
Published: April 2021

Volatile organic compounds are released by different sources causing air pollution. Moreover, some of these carbon-based organic chemicals are considered as biomarkers in the exhaled breath of individuals and can be used to identify various kinds of diseases. Hence, the increasing demand to control air quality and human health has promoted the development of monitoring systems based on high-performance gas sensing structures. This review highlights the achievements in sensing technologies for the detection of volatile organic compounds. Particularly, chemiresistive gas sensors and detection systems based on the terahertz spectroscopy method are outlined. The progress in research studies is discussed and the potential of both techniques is evaluated considering the current challenges. Afterward, a brief summary is also provided along with the advances and issues for future investigations and the manufacturing of highly sensitive and selective monitoring systems.
Compositional mechanisms and selectional constraints in syntax and word formation
Authors: Batiukova Olga
Published: April 2021

This study compares compositional processes involved in syntax on the one hand and word formation on the other hand within the Generative Lexicon framework. It first shows how semantic types incorporated in a structured lexical entry are acted on by different compositional mechanisms in predicates headed by verbs and in modification constructions, and then analyzes non-evaluative suffixation in Spanish in order to determine how the head suffix interacts with the meaning of the base word. It is concluded that different parts of the lexical entry of the selected component (syntactic argument or morphological base) can be accessed in both phrase construction and word formation, but the mechanisms underlying complex syntactic and morphological structures differ in significant ways.