bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ALDH1A1 Activity in Tumor-Initiating Cells Remodels Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells to Promote Breast Cancer Progression
Authors: Liu Cuicui , Qiang Jiankun , Deng Qiaodan , Xia Jie , Deng Lu , Zhou Lei , Wang Dong , He Xueyan , Liu Ying , Zhao Botao , Lv Jinhui , Yu Zuoren , Lei Qun-Ying , Shao Zhi-Ming , Zhang Xiao-Yong , Zhang Lixing , Liu Suling
Published: September 2021

Tumor-initiating cells (TIC) are associated with tumor initiation, growth, metastasis, and recurrence. Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A1 (ALDH1A1) is a TIC marker in many cancers, including breast cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying ALDH1A1 functions in solid tumors remain largely unknown. Here we demonstrate that ALDH1A1 enzymatic activity facilitates breast tumor growth. Mechanistically, ALDH1A1 decreased the intracellular pH in breast cancer cells to promote phosphorylation of TAK1, activate NFκB signaling, and increase the secretion of GM-CSF, which led to myeloid-derived suppressor cell expansion and immunosuppression. Furthermore, the ALDH1A1 inhibitor disulfiram and chemotherapeutic agent gemcitabine cooperatively inhibited breast tumor growth and tumorigenesis by purging ALDH+ TICs and activating T-cell immunity. These findings elucidate how active ALDH1A1 modulates the immune system to promote tumor development, highlighting new therapeutic strategies for malignant breast cancer.

Significance:

ALDH1A1 enzyme activity induces MDSC expansion and triggers a procancer immune microenvironment to facilitate breast cancer progression, providing a novel therapeutic vulnerability in this disease.
Histone H1 Mutations in Lymphoma: A Link(er) between Chromatin Organization, Developmental Reprogramming, and Cancer
Authors: Soshnev Alexey A. , Allis C. David , Cesarman Ethel , Melnick Ari M.
Published: September 2021

Aberrant cell fate decisions due to transcriptional misregulation are central to malignant transformation. Histones are the major constituents of chromatin, and mutations in histone-encoding genes are increasingly recognized as drivers of oncogenic transformation. Mutations in linker histone H1 genes were recently identified as drivers of peripheral lymphoid malignancy. Loss of H1 in germinal center B cells results in widespread chromatin decompaction, redistribution of core histone modifications, and reactivation of stem cell–specific transcriptional programs. This review explores how linker histones and mutations therein regulate chromatin structure, highlighting reciprocal relationships between epigenetic circuits, and discusses the emerging role of aberrant three-dimensional chromatin architecture in malignancy.
Fluocinolone Implant for Idiopathic Retinal Vasculitis, Aneurysms, and Neuroretinitis Syndrome: A Case Report
Authors: Moreno-Castro Lucía , García-García Gerardo Pedro , Artaraz Joseba , Fonollosa Alex
Published: September 2021

Idiopathic retinal vasculitis, aneurysms, and neuroretinitis (IRVAN) syndrome is a rare and progressive disorder that predominantly affects both the eyes of young female individuals and can threaten visual function. Peripheral ischemia and macular exudation are common findings in patients. The treatment options include panretinal photocoagulation (PRP), systemic immunosuppression, and intravitreal antiangiogenic and corticosteroid therapy. Fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant is approved for the treatment of nonanterior noninfectious uveitis and diabetic macular edema (ME), with an estimated therapeutic duration of 3 years. We describe a case of IRVAN syndrome in a child with ME who had been previously treated with PRP, antiangiogenic therapy, and several dexamethasone intravitreal implants and received a fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant in her right eye. The patient showed stabilization of the visual acuity and a marked reduction of the macular thickness 1 month after the treatment. At 12-month follow-up, the patient required perifoveal focal photocoagulation due to a rebound of the ME. After 2 years of follow-up, visual acuity remains stable and macular retinal thickening under control. Local long-standing steroid therapy has proved to be quite efficient in controlling the progression of the disease in our patient.
Type 2 Diabetes as a Predictor of Muscle Strength Decline over 11 years among Men and Women Aged 55 Years and Older
Authors: Tiainen Kristina , Raitanen Jani , Strandberg Timo , Koskinen Seppo , Stenholm Sari
Published: September 2021

Background: Long-term associations between type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and muscle strength are obscure in older adults. The aim of this study was to examine type 2 diabetes as a predictor of handgrip strength decline during an 11-year follow-up among men and women aged 55 years. Methods: We used Finnish population-based Health 2000 Survey and its follow-up measurements in 2011. The study population consisted of 1,200 individuals, aged 55–86 years at baseline. Baseline fasting glucose level or use of diabetes medication was used to categorize the participants into diabetes (≥7.0 mmol/L), prediabetes (≥6.1 mmol/L but <7.0 mmol/L), and nondiabetes (<6.1 mmol/L) groups. Handgrip strength was measured at baseline and during 11-year follow-up. Results: Mean handgrip strength at baseline did not differ between diabetes groups in men or women. Among men during the 11-year follow-up, decline in muscle strength was significantly greater among diabetes group (−131.5 Newtons [N], 95% confidence interval (CI) −182.7 to −80.4) than nondiabetes group (−98.9 N, 95% CI −139.5 to −58.3) after adjusting for age, education, lifestyle factors, chronic conditions, and diabetes status at follow-up. Among women, muscle strength decline did not differ between diabetes, prediabetes, or nondiabetes groups after adjusting for all potential covariates, the results being −45.0 N (95% CI −73.2 to −16.7), −29.4 N (95% CI −59.7 to 0.9), and −42.3 N (95% CI −70.5 to −14.1), respectively. Conclusions: The presence of type 2 diabetes was associated with greater muscle strength decline among older men but not among older women.
The Impact of Fitness Status on Vascular and Baroreceptor Function in Healthy Women and Men
Authors: Lester Garth R. , Abiusi Francesca S. , Bodner Michael E. , Mittermaier Peter M. , Cote Anita T.
Published: September 2021

Background: Chronic endurance exercise training elicits desirable physiological adaptations in the cardiovascular system. The volume of exercise training required to generate healthy adaptations is unclear. This study assessed the effects of differing exercise training levels on arterial stiffness, compliance, and autonomic function. Methods: Eighty healthy adults (38.5 ± 9.7 years; 44% female) defined as endurance-trained (ET, n = 29), normally active (NA, n = 27), or inactive (IN, n = 24) participated. Cardiovascular markers, including hemodynamics, large arterial compliance and small arterial compliance (LAC and SAC), carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), and spontaneous baroreceptor sensitivity (BRS) were assessed. Results: ET showed significantly greater LAC values (21.4 ± 6.5) than NA (16.9 ± 2.5; p = 0.002) and IN (14.7 ± 3.2 mL × mm Hg × 10; p = 0.028). Values for SAC and BRS were significantly higher in ET than IN (p < 0.001 and p = 0.028, respectively), but not NA. Compared to IN, PWV values for ET and NA were significantly lower (p < 0.003). After adjusting for covariates (age, sex, and SBP), significant associations with cardiovascular fitness status were noted for all markers but BRS. Conclusion: Endurance exercise increases LAC likely due to high-volume training; however, lower volumes of physical activity may be sufficient to positively benefit vascular health overall.
LncRNA HOTAIR Promotes Chemoresistance by Facilitating Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition through miR-29b/PTEN/PI3K Signaling in Cervical Cancer
Authors: Zhang Wenying , Wu Qiongwei , Liu Yu , Wang Xujie , Ma Chengbin , Zhu Weipei
Published: September 2021

Long non-coding RNA HOTAIR has been revealed to participate in the tumorigenesis of various cancers. However, the mechanism of HOTAIR involvement in cervical cancer has not been identified. Hence, this study aimed to explore the oncogenic and chemoresistant roles of HOTAIR in cervical cancer, and its underlying mechanism. RT-PCR, Western blot, and Luciferase assay were employed to determine the relationship of HOTAIR with miR-29b and PTEN and to study the role of HOTAIR in cervical cancer. CCK8 assay, cell migration, and invasion assay were used to reveal the role of HOTAIR in cervical cancer cell proliferation and metastasis. The inhibitory dose of chemotherapeutics was determined by CCK8 assay using probit analysis. HOTAIR was found to bind with miR-29b, and a negative correlation existed between HOTAIR and miR-29b expression in cervical cancer cells. In addition, HOTAIR promoted the migration and proliferation of cervical cancer cell lines HeLa and Siha, showing effects opposite to miR-29b. Further, HOTAIR facilitated the resistance of both HeLa and Siha cells against cisplatin, paclitaxel and docetaxel, whereas miR-29 suppressed the resistance of both cervical cancer cells against the 3chemotherapeutics. In addition, HOTAIR enhanced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), while miR-29b exerted an inhibitory effect on EMT. In cervical cancer cells, miR-29b did not affect promoter methylation of PTEN but regulated PTEN expression by targeting SP1. Transfection of miR-29b mimics led to a significant downregulation of PI3K. HOTAIR promotes chemoresistance by facilitating EMT through the miR-29b/PTEN/PI3K axis in cervical cancer.
Azithromycin Protects Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells against Lipopolysaccharide-Activated Microglia-Induced Damage
Authors: Ramarao Sumana , Pang Yi , Carter Kathleen , Bhatt Abhay
Published: September 2021

Oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPC) are the primary cellular targets of brain white matter injury (WMI) in very low-birth weight (VLBW) infants. Microglia plays a significant role in inflammation-induced WMI. Our previous study showed that lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced OPC damage is mediated by activated microglia in vitro. We hypothesized that azithromycin (AZ) could protect OPCs against LPS-induced cytotoxicity by blocking microglial activation. Highly enriched primary rat microglia and OPCs were treated with LPS. There were 4 groups: control, LPS + Veh, AZ, and LPS + AZ. Microglia conditioned medium (MCM) was used to determine inflammatory cytokines by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or subsequent treatment of OPCs. We found that AZ significantly suppressed TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in LPS+Veh-treated–microglial MCM and blocked microglial nuclear factor-κB p65 nuclear translocation. AZ prevented LPS-MCM-induced OPC death and improved OPC survival as measured by activated caspase-3 immunostaining and XTT assay, respectively. AZ ameliorated LPS-MCM-induced differentiation arrest and myelin basic protein deficit in oligodendrocytes. Our data suggest that AZ is a potent inhibitor for microglia activation and may hold the therapeutic potential for WMI in VLBW infants.
Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Sedentary Time Among Adults With and Without Stroke: A National Cohort Study
Authors: Duran Andrea T. , Pascual Christian B. , Goldsmith Jeff , Howard Virginia J. , Hutto Brent , Colabianchi Natalie , Vena John E. , McDonnell Michelle N. , Blair Steven N. , Hooker Steven P. , Diaz Keith M.
Published: September 2021

Background and Purpose:

We examined differences in the volume and pattern of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior between adults with and without stroke.

Methods:

We studied cohort members with an adjudicated or self-reported stroke (n=401) and age-, sex-, race-, region of residence-, and body mass index-matched participants without a history of stroke (n=1203) from the REGARDS study (Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke). Sedentary behavior (total volume and bouts), light-intensity PA, and moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA were objectively measured for 7 days via hip-worn accelerometer.

Results:

Sedentary time (790.5±80.4 versus 752.4±81.9 min/d) and mean sedentary bout duration (15.7±12.6 versus 11.9±8.1 min/d) were higher and PA (light-intensity PA: 160.5±74.6 versus 192.9±73.5 min/d and moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA: 9.0±11.9 versus 14.7±17.0 min/d) lower for stroke survivors compared with controls (
P
<0.001). Stroke survivors also accrued fewer activity breaks (65.5±21.9 versus 73.31±18.9 breaks/d) that were shorter (2.4±0.7 versus 2.7±0.8 minutes) and lower in intensity (188.4±60.8 versus 217.9±72.2 counts per minute) than controls (
P
<0.001).

Conclusions:

Stroke survivors accrued a lower volume of PA, higher volume of sedentary time, and exhibited accrual patterns of more prolonged sedentary bouts and shorter, lower intensity activity breaks compared with persons without stroke.
The Symbolism of Oak Leaves in Dostoevsky’s Notebooks (Drafts) to Crime and Punishment (with illustrations)
Authors: Barsht Konstantin
Published: September 2021

The article offers a new interpretation of the various expressions of the motif or sign of oak leaves, contained in the manuscript drafts of the novel Crime and Punishment. The expressions of the motif are decoded in the style of 3D letters, pointing to the key words of the third draft of the novel: “Dostoevsky”, “Journal”, “Routine”. These signs, which are part of Dostoevsky’s ideographic language, belong to the period of work on the novel from October to December 1865. It is the period in which the hero’s ideology was radically transformed, and the philanthropic motivation of the murders (to help the mother and the sister) was substituted by the “Napoleonic idea” (“am I a trembling worm or do I have the right”). The examination of these signs in conjunction with the writer’s notes contiguous with them, leads to the inference that these signs are genetically connected with the heraldry of the Dostoevsky clan, as well as with the symbolism of the 19th century “mundir” (uniform) attributions: the oak leaves were embroidery adorning a general’s “mundir”, and were a sign of recognition “for outstanding service”. Napoleon’s uniform, at the time of the Battle of Marengo, also had oak leaves embroidery; the battle is mentioned twice by Dostoevsky in the course of work on Crime and Punishment.
The Significance of N. N. Strakhov’s Ideas in the Context of Dostoevsky’s Novel The Idiot
Authors: Toichkina Aleksandra V.
Published: September 2021

The article deals with the question of the significance of N.N.Strakhov’s works for Dostoevsky’s novel The Idiot. In particular, excerpts from the History of New Philosophy by Kuno Fischer are analyzed. Passages from this work were published by Strakhov in the journals “Vremia” and “Svetoch” for 1861. Parts of Fischer’s History are important for understanding the philosophical ideas of Strakhov, and their significance for Dostoevsky’s novel The Idiot. Research shows that in terms of ideological content, Dostoevsky’s novel is polemically directed against Strakhov’s “idea of God”.
The Ghost of the Nephew: Napoleon iii in “The Demons” by F. M. Dostoevsky
Authors: Kravchuk I. A.
Published: September 2021

The article contains an analysis of one of the references to Emperor Napoleon iii in the preparatory materials of F. M. Dostoevsky for The Demons. In addition, the hypothesis of Louis Bonaparte as one of the prototypes of Peter Verkhovensky is considered. This assumption is based on the material of Dostoevsky’s notebooks and has already been expressed by V. A. Tunimanov and A. Pekurovskaya, although it has not yet received complete development. The article shows what are the details of Napoleon iii’s biography, what are the elements of his political tactics and individual myth that could be known to Dostoevsky and used by him in creating such a character as younger Verkhovensky. In line with the “black legend” about Louis Bonaparte, Verkhovensky relies on people who are deprived of a stable social position. He goes for a hoax willingly and hopes that demoralization and panic in society will allow him to come to power. Just as Napoleon iii stands hostage for the myth of his great uncle, Verkhovensky is slavishly dependent on his “idol,” his “Ivan Tsarevitch”—Stavrogin. Both pairs can be considered from the point of view of the phenomenon of mimetic desire as it was described by R. Girard. The article also shows how historical and literary prototypes of the same character interact with each other, revealing certain functional features of the new hero. In this case, the relationship between the figures of Napoleon iii and Gogol’s Khlestakov in the general design of the image of Verkhovensky is briefly addressed.
A Dostoevskian Dialogue Structure for the Presentation of the Unconscious
Authors: Greenberg Yael
Published: September 2021

In this article, I demonstrate that in Crime and Punishment (1866) and Demons (1872), Dostoevsky uses a specific type of dialogue—which I term “the about-face dialogue”—to present the displacement of a young man’s unconscious rage against his mother on to society while hiding it from the awareness of both protagonist and reader. In this type of dialogue, the protagonist interprets his interlocutor’s unwittingly ambiguous word or phrase as a scathing rebuke of his rage against his mother, and his reaction constitutes a displacement of this rage on to the outside world. Our awareness of the interplay between the unconscious and the outside world in this type of dialogue enables us to understand the protagonist’s sudden about-face from compassion to apathy, or even animosity, which is incomprehensible on the purely rational level.
Ernst Jünger and his Reception of Fyodor Dostoevsky
Authors: Ulbrecht Siegfried
Published: September 2021

This contribution aims to present those aspects of the literary and intellectual legacy of F. M. Dostoevsky (1821–1881) that motivated Ernst Jünger (1895–1998) in formulating his own literary and essayistic work. Dostoevsky’s impact on Jünger has so far been researched only fragmentarily and sporadically. This builds on previous research and complements it with new findings. Ernst Jünger inquired into Dostoevsky’s works throughout his life. He perceived Dostoevsky as a foreteller of crises and disasters. Many of Jünger’s motifs, literary images, characters, and symbols were either influenced by or borrowed from Dostoevsky and developed further. Of great importance to Jünger are such phenomena as power, evil or misery, and pain. Dostoevsky also shaped Jünger’s approach to nihilism.
On the availability of the recently proposed nomen Leptodactylus avivoca (Anura, Leptodactylidae)
Authors: CARVALHO THIAGO R. , SEGER KARIN R. , MAGALHÃES FELIPE M. , LOURENÇO LUCIANA B. , HADDAD CÉLIO F. B.
Published: September 2021

In a recent contribution to the systematics of Leptodactylus Fitzinger, 1826 frogs endemic to the Brazilian campo rupestre (Carvalho et al. 2021), we revealed a genetically divergent lineage as an unnamed species distributed in the northern portion of the Espinhaço Mountain Range (EMR). The species was named and described as Leptodactylus avivoca in the taxonomic account section of the same paper, where a definition and diagnosis were provided to satisfy the provisions regarding the availability and validity of new nomina (see Chapters 4 and 6 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, hereinafter the Code; Anonymous 1999). On that occasion, because of space limits imposed by the journal, we had to transfer most of the new species description into an Appendix, keeping in the main publication only the minimum requirements that would satisfy the rules and recommendations governed by the Code, thereby ensuring the availability and validity of the proposed new name. As a result of the transference from the main text to the Appendix, we ended up not taking notice that the species’ holotype had not been fixed in the main publication and appeared only as part of Appendix S1. Additionally, this Appendix was made available only as Online Supporting Material (Carvalho et al. 2021: Appendix S1) and not published alongside the main publication in the printed version. That rendered the proposition of Leptodactylus avivoca as originally published an atelonym (sensu Dubois 2011), i.e. an unavailable nomen (sensu Dubois 2000) as a consequence of the lack of explicit fixation of a holotype and statement of the collection where it was deposited in the main publication (Article 16.4 of the Code). In this paper, we intend to correct this nomenclatural oversight by proposing a new (homographic) nomen for the new Leptodactylus species, which corresponds to a genetic lineage endemic to the northern portion of the EMR, and also provide a definition and differential diagnosis in its own clade (L. plaumanni clade; sensu Carvalho et al. 2021).
Updated checklist of the Cantharidae, Lampyridae, and Lycidae of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (Coleoptera: Elateroidea)
Authors: FANTI FABRIZIO , VITALI FRANCESCO
Published: September 2021

Here we present a checklist of the families Cantharidae, Lampyridae, and Lycidae of Luxembourg. The earlier references are summarized and new information on the some species is reported. Furthermore, Cantharis (s. str.) paludosa Fallén, 1807, Cantharis (s. str.) terminata Faldermann, 1835, Erotides cosnardi (Chevrolat, 1831), and Lopheros rubens (Gyllenhal, 1817) are cited for the first time for Luxembourg based on specimens preserved in the National Museum of Natural History or on a photo reported on the iNaturalist platform.
Gastrostomy Tube Outcomes Among Surgical and Non-Surgical Services: A Retrospective Review
Authors: Herb Joshua , Rodriguez-Ormaza Nidia , Cunningham Clark , Bartl Neal , Jadi Jihane , Charles Anthony , Reid Trista
Published: September 2021

Background

Our objective was to evaluate differences in baseline characteristics, complications, and mortality among patients receiving a gastrostomy tube (GT) by surgical or non-surgical services.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of adult patients who underwent GT placement from 2014 to 2017 at a single institution. Using bivariate and multivariable analyses, we compared baseline characteristics, complications, and overall 30-day mortality of patients undergoing GT placement with surgical or non-surgical services.

Results

Of the 1339 adults who underwent GT placement, surgical and non-surgical services performed 45% (n = 609) and 55% (n = 730) procedures, respectively. Gastrostomy tube-related complications were similar (29.6% surgical vs 28.8% non-surgical, P = .76). Thirty-day mortality was higher among non-surgical services (23.7% vs 16.5%, P = .004). On multivariable analysis, this was not significant (OR 1.21, 95% CI 0.83; 1.77).

Conclusion

Surgical and non-surgical service placement of GTs had equivalent GT-related mortality and complication rates.
A Conceptual Model of Protective Factors Within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture That Build Strength
Authors: Hunter Sue-Anne , Skouteris Helen , Morris Heather
Published: September 2021

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australian population have endured immense hardship since the colonization of Australia characterized by the loss of lands, language, leadership, and family that contributes to the health and social inequities experienced today. Culture plays a significant role in shaping the health and wellbeing of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, however the processes and mechanisms of cultural connection, how it builds strength and offers protection in times of hardship is less clear. This scoping review used the voice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians from qualitative research papers to hear what cultural factors are protective and the ways they offer this. Quantitative research papers were then explored to understand if connection to culture lead to better health or social outcomes. Four aspects of culture were integrated into a conceptual model—cultural activities, country, connection, and identity. The eight quantitative papers assessed connection to culture poorly making it difficult to definitively determine if a strong cultural connection leads to better outcomes. Practice implications and future directions led by this conceptual model are provided.
Improving how schools engage families during the crucial 9th-grade year
Authors: Iver Martha Abele Mac , Epstein Joyce , Sheldon Steven B.
Published: September 2021

Researchers Martha Abele Mac Iver, Joyce Epstein, and Steven Sheldon summarize the outcomes of their four-year partnership with an urban district aimed at improving the ways schools engage families during the critical transition to high school. They describe how schools put into practice the strategies learned in ongoing professional development, how family engagement practices changed, and what effects those changes had on students. Particular strategies include the use of an online parent portal and interactive homework assignments about the transition to high school.
Reimagining American Education: Possible Futures: What might we accomplish in 25 years?
Authors: Nasir Na’ilah Suad , Bang Megan , Yoshikawa Hirokazu
Published: September 2021

The combination of the COVID-19 pandemic and the racial reckoning in the United States make 2021 a potent moment to reimagine American education. This article introduces an ongoing Kappan series in which scholars look ahead to imagine what K-12 education will look like in 25 years. Na’ilah Nasir, Megan Bang, and Hirokazu Yoshikawa discuss some of the factors that have created an environment ripe for transformation and some of their ideas for what the future should look like.
Backtalk: Making policy research matter
Authors: Rotberg Iris C.
Published: September 2021

Education policy research has produced a wealth of information, but it has been less successful at actually informing education policy. Iris Rotberg notes that the issues addressed by policy research evoke strongly-held value judgments that are more powerful than research findings. But she also suggests steps we can take to strengthen the utility of our research by focusing on issues that are relevant to policy makers and educators, by ensuring that the research is methodologically sound, and by communicating the conclusions and policy implications of research based on the preponderance of evidence.
The synergy of causation and effectuation in the process of entrepreneurial networking: Implications for opportunity development
Authors: Galkina Tamara , Jack Sarah
Published: September 2021

The resource-based view of entrepreneurial networking demonstrates how relationships are formed instrumentally through the goal-driven decision-making of causation. At the same time, evidence shows that under conditions of uncertainty, entrepreneur networking follows the non-predictive decision-making of effectuation. However, little is known about how entrepreneurs combine these two logics, that is, causation and effectuation, for opportunity development. This study identifies four hybrid combinations of causal and effectual networking behaviour. The outcome of this hybrid networking is a synergistic effect on opportunity development. This article contributes to the entrepreneurial effectuation research, analyses of entrepreneurial networking and the literature on entrepreneurial opportunity.
Joint stiffness identification of industrial serial robots using 3D digital image correlation techniques
Authors: Lin Jianping , Li Yongji , Xie Yong , Hu Jiahao , Min Junying
Published: September 2021

Industrial robots have been widely used in manufacturing for advantages of flexibility and high efficiency, while there exists a critical problem of low stiffness. Measuring the stiffnesses of joints accurately have a positive effect on optimizing the stiffness through compensation or posture adjustment. This study proposed a new method for stiffness identification of serial industrial robots using 3D digital image correlation (3D-DIC) techniques, which exhibits high accuracies. External forces are applied to the robot end and its 6-dimensional displacements are recorded with a 3D-DIC system. The values of joint stiffness are evaluated from the data of robot configurations, displacements and forces. The proposed method is implemented on the KUKA KR600-2830 robot experimentally and the average absolute value of relative error is 5.8%, which demonstrates that the proposed method provides much improved accuracy compared to the traditional method.
Stagnation point flow of Jeffrey nanofluid with activation energy and convective heat and mass conditions
Authors: Muhammad K. , Hayat T. , Alsaedi A.
Published: September 2021

This research reports stagnation flow of Jeffrey nanofluid toward a permeable stretching cylinder. Brownian motion, thermophoresis, thermal radiation and viscous dissipation are explored. Convective heat-mass conditions are implemented. Moreover, activation energy is taken into account. Transformations (variables) are utilized in order to convert PDEs (Partial DIfferential Equations). (continuity, momentum, energy and concentration equation) into ODEs (Ordinary Differential Equations). Resulting systems are solved by the optimal homotopy analysis method. Behaviors of involved flow, heat and mass transport parameters for velocity, concentration and temperature are examined. Surface friction and Sherwood number and Nusselt numbers are also examined. Velocity of the fluid can be minimized by higher estimations of parameter due to ratio of relaxation and retardation time, suction and injection parameters. Decay in fluid temperature is observed for higher Prandtl number and Deborah number for relaxation time parameter. Skin friction coefficient is controlled via higher values of parameter due to ratio of relaxation and retardation time. Intensification in heat transfer rate (Nusselt number) is seen via higher values of parameter due to ratio of relaxation and retardation time, radiation parameter, Prandtl number and Deborah number for relaxation time and curvature parameter.
Generating Options and Choosing Between Them Depend on Distinct Forms of Value Representation
Authors: Morris Adam , Phillips Jonathan , Huang Karen , Cushman Fiery
Published: September 2021

Humans have a remarkable capacity for flexible decision-making, deliberating among actions by modeling their likely outcomes. This capacity allows us to adapt to the specific features of diverse circumstances. In real-world decision-making, however, people face an important challenge: There are often an enormous number of possibilities to choose among, far too many for exhaustive consideration. There is a crucial, understudied prechoice step in which, among myriad possibilities, a few good candidates come quickly to mind. How do people accomplish this? We show across nine experiments ( N = 3,972 U.S. residents) that people use computationally frugal cached value estimates to propose a few candidate actions on the basis of their success in past contexts (even when irrelevant for the current context). Deliberative planning is then deployed just within this set, allowing people to compute more accurate values on the basis of context-specific criteria. This hybrid architecture illuminates how typically valuable thoughts come quickly to mind during decision-making.
A permutation test for assessing the presence of individual differences in treatment effects
Authors: Chang Chi , Jaki Thomas , Sadiq Muhammad Saad , Kuhlemeier Alena , Feaster Daniel , Cole Natalie , Lamont Andrea , Oberski Daniel , Desai Yasin , Lee Van Horn M. ,   The Pooled Resource Open-Access ALS Clinical Trials Consortium
Published: September 2021

An important goal of personalized medicine is to identify heterogeneity in treatment effects and then use that heterogeneity to target the intervention to those most likely to benefit. Heterogeneity is assessed using the predicted individual treatment effects framework, and a permutation test is proposed to establish if significant heterogeneity is present given the covariates and predictive model or algorithm used for predicted individual treatment effects. We first show evidence for heterogeneity in the effects of treatment across an illustrative example data set. We then use simulations with two different predictive methods (linear regression model and Random Forests) to show that the permutation test has adequate type-I error control. Next, we use an example dataset as the basis for simulations to demonstrate the ability of the permutation test to find heterogeneity in treatment effects for a predicted individual treatment effects estimate as a function of both effect size and sample size. We find that the proposed test has good power for detecting heterogeneity in treatment effects when the heterogeneity was due primarily to a single predictor, or when it was spread across the predictors. Power was found to be greater for predictions from a linear model than from random forests. This non-parametric permutation test can be used to test for significant differences across individuals in predicted individual treatment effects obtained with a given set of covariates using any predictive method with no additional assumptions.
Commentary on the use of the reproduction number R during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Vegvari Carolin , Abbott Sam , Ball Frank , Brooks-Pollock Ellen , Challen Robert , Collyer Benjamin S , Dangerfield Ciara , Gog Julia R , Gostic Katelyn M , Heffernan Jane M , Hollingsworth T Déirdre , Isham Valerie , Kenah Eben , Mollison Denis , Panovska-Griffiths Jasmina , Pellis Lorenzo , Roberts Michael G , Scalia Tomba Gianpaolo , Thompson Robin N , Trapman Pieter
Published: September 2021

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the reproduction number [Formula: see text] has become a popular epidemiological metric used to communicate the state of the epidemic. At its most basic, [Formula: see text] is defined as the average number of secondary infections caused by one primary infected individual. [Formula: see text] seems convenient, because the epidemic is expanding if [Formula: see text] and contracting if [Formula: see text]. The magnitude of [Formula: see text] indicates by how much transmission needs to be reduced to control the epidemic. Using [Formula: see text] in a naïve way can cause new problems. The reasons for this are threefold: (1) There is not just one definition of [Formula: see text] but many, and the precise definition of [Formula: see text] affects both its estimated value and how it should be interpreted. (2) Even with a particular clearly defined [Formula: see text], there may be different statistical methods used to estimate its value, and the choice of method will affect the estimate. (3) The availability and type of data used to estimate [Formula: see text] vary, and it is not always clear what data should be included in the estimation. In this review, we discuss when [Formula: see text] is useful, when it may be of use but needs to be interpreted with care, and when it may be an inappropriate indicator of the progress of the epidemic. We also argue that careful definition of [Formula: see text], and the data and methods used to estimate it, can make [Formula: see text] a more useful metric for future management of the epidemic.
Chick Lit in India: A Step Towards Power Feminism
Authors: Singh Sugandha S. , Kaushik Abha Shukla
Published: September 2021

Chick lit which is generally described as the modern-day fairy tale focuses upon the lives of young urban educated working women in search of a life partner. These books labelled as popular literature were summarily dismissed by the critics as frivolous and insignificant. A deeper study focusing upon transformed symbols and motifs with respect to the lives of women, offers an important insight into how 21st-century feminism is moving beyond a ‘victim feminism’ mindset to that of ‘power feminism’. This study is a semiotic study of Indian chick lit with a special focus upon four novels: Piece of Cake (2004) by Swati Kaushal, Girl Alone (2005) by Rupa Gulab, Almost Single (2009) by Advaita Kala and Losing My Virginity and Other Dumb Ideas (2011) by Madhuri Banerjee.
Utilization of 3D MRI for the Evaluation of Sphincter Pharyngoplasty Insertion Site in Patients With Velopharyngeal Dysfunction
Authors: Mason Kazlin N. , Riski John E. , Williams Joseph K. , Jones Richard A. , Perry Jamie L.
Published: September 2021

Sphincter pharyngoplasty is a surgical method to treat velopharyngeal dysfunction. However, surgical failure is often noted and postoperative assessment frequently reveals low-set pharyngoplasties. Past studies have not quantified pharyngoplasty tissue changes that occur postoperatively and gaps remain related to the patient-specific variables that influence postoperative change. The purpose of this study was to utilize advanced three-dimensional imaging and volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data to visualize and quantify pharyngoplasty insertion site and postsurgical tissue changes over time.

A prospective, repeated measures design was used for the assessment of craniometric and velopharyngeal variables postsurgically. Imaging was completed across two postoperative time points. Tissue migration, pharyngoplasty dimensions, and predictors of change were analyzed across imaging time points.

Significant differences were present between the initial location of pharyngoplasty tissue and the pharyngoplasty location 2 to 4 months postoperatively. The average postoperative inferior movement of pharyngoplasty tissue was 6.82 mm, although notable variability was present across participants. The pharyngoplasty volume decreased by 30%, on average.

Inferior migration of the pharyngoplasty tissue was present in all patients. Gravity, scar contracture, and patient-specific variables likely interact, impacting final postoperative pharyngoplasty location. The use of advanced imaging modalities, such as 3D MRI, allows for the quantification and visualization of tissue change. There is a need for continued identification of patient-specific factors that may impact the amount of inferior tissue migration and scar contracture postoperatively.
Does the Public Hold Governors Accountable for Policy Outcomes?
Authors: Wolak Jennifer , Parinandi Srinivas
Published: September 2021

What are the origins of gubernatorial popularity? Past studies debate whether governors are substantively evaluated based on their performance in office, with some arguing that the origins of approval may be idiosyncratic to particular governors. These studies typically consider gubernatorial approval in a handful of states or patterns of approval in the aggregate. We improve on this research by drawing on a richer data source: the Cooperative Congressional Election Study. We consider both individual-level and state-level explanations of gubernatorial popularity with a sample of over 300,000 respondents across the 50 states from 2006 to 2018. We explore how party, policy outcomes, and government performance shape levels of gubernatorial approval. We show that people evaluate governors based on the ideological direction of policy outcomes in the states. When state policy outcomes align with their ideological preferences, people report higher levels of approval for the job performance of their governor. We also confirm the importance of party and state economic performance for gubernatorial approval.
Cancer Biology, Epidemiology, and Treatment in the 21st Century: Current Status and Future Challenges From a Biomedical Perspective
Authors: Piña-Sánchez Patricia , Chávez-González Antonieta , Ruiz-Tachiquín Martha , Vadillo Eduardo , Monroy-García Alberto , Montesinos Juan José , Grajales Rocío , Gutiérrez de la Barrera Marcos , Mayani Hector
Published: September 2021

Since the second half of the 20th century, our knowledge about the biology of cancer has made extraordinary progress. Today, we understand cancer at the genomic and epigenomic levels, and we have identified the cell that starts neoplastic transformation and characterized the mechanisms for the invasion of other tissues. This knowledge has allowed novel drugs to be designed that act on specific molecular targets, the immune system to be trained and manipulated to increase its efficiency, and ever more effective therapeutic strategies to be developed. Nevertheless, we are still far from winning the war against cancer, and thus biomedical research in oncology must continue to be a global priority. Likewise, there is a need to reduce unequal access to medical services and improve prevention programs, especially in countries with a low human development index.
Cataract extraction and intraocular pressure-lowering agents delivery: A nationwide French study between 2005 and 2017
Authors: Chamard Chloé , Huguet Héléna , Bron Alain M , Creuzot-Garcher Catherine , Nogue Erika , Villain Max , Nagot Nicolas , Carrière Isabelle , Mura Thibault , Daien Vincent
Published: September 2021

Purpose:

Cataract and glaucoma are among the leading causes of blindness worldwide in older people, and they are often concomitant. To assess topical intraocular (IOP)-lowering agents delivery changes after cataract extraction.

Material and methods:

Longitudinal matched exposed–unexposed study from the French national healthcare database from January 1, 2005 to January 1, 2017. We compared individuals using topical IOP-lowering agents who underwent bilateral cataract extraction with individuals matched on IOP-lowering agents load, age, and sex who did not undergo cataract extraction. IOP-lowering agents number of drops was assessed 12 months before the first cataract extraction and compared with number of drops 12 months after the second cataract extraction.

Results:

About 1194 individuals treated with IOP-lowering agents were included, 597 exposed to bilateral cataract extraction and 597 unexposed to any surgery (total mean age 74.8 ± 8.3 years; 69.0% women). Mean IOP-lowering agents delivery at baseline was 1.4 daily drops in both groups. The mean number of drops decreased greater in the exposed than unexposed group (−25.5% vs −3.5%; p < 0.0001). Overall, 159 (26.6%) and 48 (8.0%) individuals in the exposed and unexposed groups interrupted medication ( p < 0.0001).

Conclusions:

A decrease of around one quarter of IOP-lowering agents delivery was observed after cataract extraction in the present real-life study with a longstanding interruption observed in one quarter of patients. Phacoemulsification as a standalone procedure reduces IOP-lowering agents delivery in ocular hypertension and glaucoma.
Survival of the dysplastic hip after periacetabular osteotomy: a meta-analysis
Authors: Ahmad Sufian S , Giebel Gregor M , Perka Carsten , Meller Sebastian , Pumberger Matthias , Hardt Sebastian , Stöckle Ulrich , Konrads Christian
Published: September 2021

Background:

Periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) has become a popular procedure for re-orientation of the acetabulum in patients with a developmental pathomorphology. Since its first description by Reinhold Ganz in 1988, many institutions worldwide have adopted the procedure for the treatment of developmental hip dysplasia (DDH) and have subsequently reported their results. The aim of this study was to provide a meta-analysis of the likelihood of long-term survival of a dysplastic hip after PAO.

Methods:

A systematic literature review was conducted using Medline, Cochrane and “Web of Science” databases to identify articles reporting survival estimates for PAO in patients with DDH. To be included in the analysis, studies had to include patient cohorts aged <40 years, with Osteoarthritis grade < Tönnis III and no form of neuromuscular dysplasia. Adjustment for cohort overlap was performed. Quality assessment included level of evidence (LOE) according to the oxford center for LOE criteria and the “Methodological index for non-randomized studies (MINORS)”. After data extraction, a random-effects meta-analytical model was applied to provide weighted mean estimates of survival at 5 years, 10 years, 15 years and 20 years.

Results:

Nine relevant articles included 2268 dysplastic hips that underwent PAO in 9 institutions. Of the included studies, 5 presented level III evidence and 4 presented level IV evidence. The MINORS score was 11 for 3 studies, 12 for 4 studies and 13 for 2 studies. The 5-year survival after PAO was 96.1% (95% CI, 94.9–97.3), the 10-year survival was 91.3% (95% CI, 87.7–94.8), 15-year survival 85.0% (95% CI, 78.9–91.1), 20-year survival 67.6% (95% CI, 53.9–81.3).

Conclusions:

The results provide a representative survival estimate of a dysplastic hip after PAO based on global evidence. This should provide clinicians and patients with an adequate reflection of prognostic expectations after this kind of surgery.
Evaluating the outcomes of a single-cylinder CRDI engine operated by lemon peel oil under the influence of DTBP, rice husk nano additive and water injection
Authors: Panithasan Mebin Samuel , Venkadesan Gnanamoorthi
Published: September 2021

In the search for an alternative energy source with lesser pollution for transportation needs, bio-oil, a denser and viscous fuel that needs a transesterification process, have been widely considered for diesel engines. However, these problems are solved by using low viscous biofuel, but this improvement also significantly leads to increased NOx emission. Hence this present study investigates the usage of a low viscous biofuel in the CRDI engine with measures to reduce NOx emission through water injection technique. The low viscous bio-oil was used in this study along with an ignition enhancer (di-tert-butyl-peroxide), non-metallic nano additive (rice husk). They were tested in a constant speed, single-cylinder, diesel engine for various loads. Considering the brake thermal efficiency (BTE), 2% and 150 ppm were selected as the optimum value after testing five ratios (1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5% and 3%) of di tert butyl peroxide (DTBP) and four ratios (50, 100, 150 and 200 ppm) of rice husk (RH). The lemon peel oil (LPO) with the optimum additive ratio produced 30.69% BTE, which was 4.7% lesser than diesel fuel. A considerable decrease in fuel consumption and emissions except for nitrogen oxides (NOx) is recorded. NOx emission increased by 17.3% for the biofuel blend containing RH and DTBP. To control NOx emission, 2% of water was injected into the intake manifold with the fresh intake air. Two percent by vol. was finalised after experimenting four ratios (1%, 2%, 3% and 4%) of water addition. This 2% water reduces 11% of NOx emission and affects the other outputs, denoted with the 8.9% reduced BTE value compared with diesel fuel. Thus, the LPOC combination proved to operate well in the CRDI engine and produces lower NOx emissions than other LPO blends.
More than voters: Parliamentary debates about emigrants in a new democracy
Authors: Gherghina Sergiu , Tap Paul , Soare Sorina
Published: September 2021

There is much research about how migrants engage with politics in their home countries and about how state institutions facilitate this involvement. Yet, we know little about how members of Parliament refer to, and debate, issues related to communities of emigrants. The ways in which legislators give voice to and represent the de-territorialized demos has broad implications for the functioning of contemporary democracies. This article analyzes the ways in which the Romanian parliamentarians refer to emigrants. We focus on the parliamentary speeches from the plenary sessions in the Chamber of Deputies in the two most recent terms in office (2012–2016 and 2016–2020). The study includes 239 parliamentary speeches and uses thematic analysis. Our results identify an ambivalent attitude toward emigrants that transcends political divides. The Romanian legislators express concerns related to the representation of emigrants and their needs and see them as a valuable pool of economic and electoral support.