bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic Predisposition to Colon and Rectal Adenocarcinoma Is Mediated by a Super-enhancer Polymorphism CoactivatingCD9andPLEKHG6
Authors: Ke Juntao , Tian Jianbo , Mei Shufang , Ying Pingting , Yang Nan , Wang Xiaoyang , Zou Danyi , Peng Xiating , Yang Yang , Zhu Ying , Gong Yajie , Wang Zhihua , Gong Jing , Zhong Rong , Chang Jiang , Miao Xiaoping
Published: January 2020

Background:

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified dozens of loci associated with colon and rectal adenocarcinoma risk. As tissue-specific super-enhancers (SE) play important roles in tumorigenesis, we systematically investigate SEs and inner variants in established GWAS loci to decipher the underlying biological mechanisms.

Methods:

Through a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis on multi-omics data, we screen potential single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in cancer-specific SEs, and then subject them to a two-stage case–control study containing 4,929 cases and 7,083 controls from the Chinese population. A series of functional assays, including reporter gene assays, electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA), CRISPR–Cas9 genome editing, chromosome conformation capture (3C) assays, and cell proliferation experiments, are performed to characterize the variant's molecular consequence and target genes.

Results:

The SNP rs11064124 in 12p13.31 is found significantly associated with the risk of colon and rectal adenocarcinoma with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.87 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.82–0.92, P = 8.67E-06]. The protective rs11064124-G weakens the binding affinity with vitamin D receptor (VDR) and increases the enhancer's activity and interactions with two target genes' promoters, thus coactivating the transcription of CD9 and PLEKHG6, which are both putative tumor suppressor genes for colon and rectal adenocarcinoma.

Conclusions:

Our integrative study highlights an SE polymorphism rs11064124 and two susceptibility genes CD9 and PLEKHG6 in 12p13.31 for colon and rectal adenocarcinoma.

Impact:

These findings suggest a novel insight for genetic pathogenesis of colon and rectal adenocarcinoma, involving transcriptional coactivation of diverse susceptibility genes via the SE element as a gene regulation hub.
Footprints of foods and culinary preparations consumed in Brazil
Authors:   Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Garzillo Josefa Maria Fellegger , Machado Priscila Pereira ,   Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Louzada Maria Laura da Costa ,   Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Levy Renata Bertazzi ,   Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Medicina, Monteiro Carlos Augusto ,   Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Saúde Pública
Published: January 2020

This book presents a table with carbon, water and ecological footprints of foods and culinary preparations consumed in Brazil, a tool developed to enable the studies of a thesis named The food and its environmental impacts: approaches of national food guides and study of Brazilians diet , which was presented at the Global Health and Sustainability PhD Program of the Faculty of Public Health of the University of São Paulo. The book differs from the thesis by including an additional indicator (the ecological footprint), a different format to display the tables, and the description of basic concepts and methodological processes, which may encourage the researchers that will study the field of environmental impact assessment of foods, based on IBGE’s Household Budget Survey. Publishing the table of environmental footprints means facilitating the execution of integrated health, food and environmental studies. We sought to explain in a simple and objective way the nutritional aspects for those who are active in the environmental area and the environmental aspects for those who are nutrition researchers, facilitating the communication and arrangements for interdisciplinary work.
Reevaluating the Genetic Contribution of Monogenic Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Mazzarotto Francesco , Tayal Upasana , Buchan Rachel J. , Midwinter William , Wilk Alicja , Whiffin Nicola , Govind Risha , Mazaika Erica , de Marvao Antonio , Dawes Timothy J.W. , Felkin Leanne E. , Ahmad Mian , Theotokis Pantazis I. , Edwards Elizabeth , Ing Alexander Y. , Thomson Kate L. , Chan Laura L.H. , Sim David , Baksi A. John , Pantazis Antonis , Roberts Angharad M. , Watkins Hugh , Funke Birgit , O’Regan Declan P. , Olivotto Iacopo , Barton Paul J.R. , Prasad Sanjay K. , Cook Stuart A. , Ware James S. , Walsh Roddy
Published: January 2020

Background:

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is genetically heterogeneous, with >100 purported disease genes tested in clinical laboratories. However, many genes were originally identified based on candidate-gene studies that did not adequately account for background population variation. Here we define the frequency of rare variation in 2538 patients with DCM across protein-coding regions of 56 commonly tested genes and compare this to both 912 confirmed healthy controls and a reference population of 60 706 individuals to identify clinically interpretable genes robustly associated with dominant monogenic DCM.

Methods:

We used the TruSight Cardio sequencing panel to evaluate the burden of rare variants in 56 putative DCM genes in 1040 patients with DCM and 912 healthy volunteers processed with identical sequencing and bioinformatics pipelines. We further aggregated data from 1498 patients with DCM sequenced in diagnostic laboratories and the Exome Aggregation Consortium database for replication and meta-analysis.

Results:

Truncating variants in
TTN
and
DSP
were associated with DCM in all comparisons. Variants in
MYH7, LMNA, BAG3, TNNT2, TNNC1, PLN, ACTC1, NEXN, TPM1
, and
VCL
were significantly enriched in specific patient subsets, with the last 2 genes potentially contributing primarily to early-onset forms of DCM. Overall, rare variants in these 12 genes potentially explained 17% of cases in the outpatient clinic cohort representing a broad range of adult patients with DCM and 26% of cases in the diagnostic referral cohort enriched in familial and early-onset DCM. Although the absence of a significant excess in other genes cannot preclude a limited role in disease, such genes have limited diagnostic value because novel variants will be uninterpretable and their diagnostic yield is minimal.

Conclusions:

In the largest sequenced DCM cohort yet described, we observe robust disease association with 12 genes, highlighting their importance in DCM and translating into high interpretability in diagnostic testing. The other genes analyzed here will need to be rigorously evaluated in ongoing curation efforts to determine their validity as Mendelian DCM genes but have limited value in diagnostic testing in DCM at present. This data will contribute to community gene curation efforts and will reduce erroneous and inconclusive findings in diagnostic testing.
Regulatory RNAs in Heart Failure
Authors: Gomes Clarissa Pedrosa da Costa , Schroen Blanche , Kuster Gabriela M. , Robinson Emma L. , Ford Kerrie , Squire Iain B. , Heymans Stephane , Martelli Fabio , Emanueli Costanza , Devaux Yvan ,   On behalf of the EU-CardioRNA COST Action (CA17129)
Published: January 2020

Cardiovascular disease is an enormous socioeconomic burden worldwide and remains a leading cause of mortality and disability despite significant efforts to improve treatments and personalize healthcare. Heart failure is the main manifestation of cardiovascular disease and has reached epidemic proportions. Heart failure follows a loss of cardiac homeostasis, which relies on a tight regulation of gene expression. This regulation is under the control of multiple types of RNA molecules, some encoding proteins (the so-called messenger RNAs) and others lacking protein-coding potential, named noncoding RNAs. In this review article, we aim to revisit the notion of regulatory RNA, which has been thus far mainly confined to noncoding RNA. Regulatory RNA, which we propose to abbreviate as regRNA, can include both protein-coding RNAs and noncoding RNAs, as long as they contribute, directly or indirectly, to the regulation of gene expression. We will address the regulation and functional role of messenger RNAs, microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, and circular RNAs (ie, regRNAs) in heart failure. We will debate the utility of regRNAs to diagnose, prognosticate, and treat heart failure, and we will provide directions for future work.
An International, Multicentered, Evidence-Based Reappraisal of Genes Reported to Cause Congenital Long QT Syndrome
Authors: Adler Arnon , Novelli Valeria , Amin Ahmad S. , Abiusi Emanuela , Care Melanie , Nannenberg Eline A. , Feilotter Harriet , Amenta Simona , Mazza Daniela , Bikker Hennie , Sturm Amy C. , Garcia John , Ackerman Michael J. , Hershberger Raymond E. , Perez Marco V. , Zareba Wojciech , Ware James S. , Wilde Arthur A.M. , Gollob Michael H.
Published: January 2020

Background:

Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is the first described and most common inherited arrhythmia. Over the last 25 years, multiple genes have been reported to cause this condition and are routinely tested in patients. Because of dramatic changes in our understanding of human genetic variation, reappraisal of reported genetic causes for LQTS is required.

Methods:

Utilizing an evidence-based framework, 3 gene curation teams blinded to each other’s work scored the level of evidence for 17 genes reported to cause LQTS. A Clinical Domain Channelopathy Working Group provided a final classification of these genes for causation of LQTS after assessment of the evidence scored by the independent curation teams.

Results:

Of 17 genes reported as being causative for LQTS, 9 (
AKAP9, ANK2, CAV3, KCNE1, KCNE2, KCNJ2, KCNJ5, SCN4B, SNTA1
) were classified as having limited or disputed evidence as LQTS-causative genes. Only 3 genes (
KCNQ1, KCNH2, SCN5A
) were curated as definitive genes for typical LQTS. Another 4 genes (
CALM1, CALM2, CALM3, TRDN
) were found to have strong or definitive evidence for causality in LQTS with atypical features, including neonatal atrioventricular block. The remaining gene (
CACNA1C
) had moderate level evidence for causing LQTS.

Conclusions:

More than half of the genes reported as causing LQTS have limited or disputed evidence to support their disease causation. Genetic variants in these genes should not be used for clinical decision-making, unless accompanied by new and sufficient genetic evidence. The findings of insufficient evidence to support gene-disease associations may extend to other disciplines of medicine and warrants a contemporary evidence-based evaluation for previously reported disease-causing genes to ensure their appropriate use in precision medicine.
Influence of Age on Upper Arm Cuff Blood Pressure Measurement
Authors: Picone Dean S. , Schultz Martin G. , Otahal Petr , Black J. Andrew , Bos Willem J. , Chen Chen-Huan , Cheng Hao-Min , Cremer Antoine , Dwyer Nathan , Fonseca Ricardo , Hughes Alun D. , Kim Hack-Lyoung , Lacy Peter S. , Laugesen Esben , Ohte Nobuyuki , Omboni Stefano , Ott Christian , Pereira Telmo , Pucci Giacomo , Roberts-Thomson Philip , Rossen Niklas B. , Schmieder Roland E. , Sueta Daisuke , Takazawa Kenji , Wang Jiguang , Weber Thomas , Westerhof Berend E. , Williams Bryan , Yamada Hirotsugu , Yamamoto Eiichiro , Sharman James E. ,   for the Invasive Blood Pressure Consortium
Published: January 2020

Blood pressure (BP) is a leading global risk factor. Increasing age is related to changes in cardiovascular physiology that could influence cuff BP measurement, but this has never been examined systematically and was the aim of this study. Cuff BP was compared with invasive aortic BP across decades of age (from 40 to 89 years) using individual-level data from 31 studies (1674 patients undergoing coronary angiography) and 22 different cuff BP devices (19 oscillometric, 1 automated auscultation, 2 mercury sphygmomanometry) from the Invasive Blood Pressure Consortium. Subjects were aged 64±11 years, and 32% female. Cuff systolic BP overestimated invasive aortic systolic BP in those aged 40 to 49 years, but with each older decade of age, there was a progressive shift toward increasing underestimation of aortic systolic BP (
P
<0.0001). Conversely, cuff diastolic BP overestimated invasive aortic diastolic BP, and this progressively increased with increasing age (
P
<0.0001). Thus, there was a progressive increase in cuff pulse pressure underestimation of invasive aortic PP with increasing decades of age (
P
<0.0001). These age-related trends were observed across all categories of BP control. We conclude that cuff BP as an estimate of aortic BP was substantially influenced by increasing age, thus potentially exposing older people to greater chance for misdiagnosis of the true risk related to BP.
C-C Motif Chemokine Receptor 7 Exacerbates Hypertension Through Effects on T Lymphocyte Trafficking
Authors: Wen Yi , Rudemiller Nathan P. , Zhang Jiandong , Lu Xiaohan , Ren Jiafa , Privratsky Jamie R. , Griffiths Robert , Zhang Junyi J. , Hammer Gianna E. , Crowley Steven D.
Published: January 2020

Activated T lymphocytes that infiltrate blood pressure control organs make a critical contribution to the pathogenesis of hypertension. Dendritic cells act as potent antigen-presenting cells to stimulate prohypertensive T cells. However, the mechanisms that facilitate the recruitment of prohypertensive T cells and dendritic cells into the kidney’s draining lymph node during hypertension require elucidation. As CCR7 (C-C motif chemokine receptor type 7) directs the homing of lymphocytes and dendritic cells into lymph nodes, we posited that dendritic cell–mediated T lymphocyte stimulation in the renal lymph node is CCR7 dependent and required for a full hypertensive response. We found that CCR7-deficient (CCR7 KO) mice had a blunted hypertensive response in our model of chronic Ang II (angiotensin II) infusion. Ang II–infused CCR7 KO animals had exaggerated accumulation of CD8
+
T cells in the kidney but reduced numbers of CD4
+
and CD8
+
T cells in the kidney’s draining lymph node. To understand whether CCR7-dependent homing of T lymphocytes or dendritic cells into the lymph node regulates the hypertensive response, we injected CCR7 KO or wild-type T cells or dendritic cells into CCR7 KO recipients, neither of which restored the full hypertensive response to Ang II infusion. However, adoptive transfer of wild-type but not CCR7 KO T lymphocytes into RAG1 (recombination-activating gene 1)-deficient mice that lack a lymphocyte niche restored full blood pressure elevation during Ang II infusion. Thus, CCR7-dependent interactions between T lymphocytes and dendritic cells are essential for T lymphocyte stimulation and hypertension accruing from inappropriate activation of the renin-angiotensin system.
Increased Incidence but Lack of Association Between Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Adults Born Preterm
Authors: Flahault Adrien , Paquette Katryn , Fernandes Rafael Oliveira , Delfrate Jacques , Cloutier Anik , Henderson Mélanie , Lavoie Jean-Claude , Mâsse Benoît , Nuyt Anne Monique , Luu Thuy Mai , Alos Nathalie , Bertagnolli Mariane , Bigras Jean-Luc , Curnier Daniel , Dartora Daniela Ravizzoni , Ducruet Thierry , El-Jalbout Ramy , Girard-Bock Camille , Gyger Geneviève , Hamel Patrick , Lapeyraque Anne-Laure , Mian Muhammad Oneeb Rehman , Orlando Valérie , Xie Li Feng
Published: January 2020

Preterm birth incurs an increased risk of early cardiovascular events and death. In the general population, cardiovascular risk factors cluster in the context of inflammation and oxidative stress. Whether this also occurs in young adults born preterm is unknown. We analyzed 101 healthy young adults (ages 18–29) born preterm (≤29 weeks of gestation) and 105 full-term controls, predominantly (90%) white. They underwent a comprehensive clinical and biological evaluation, including measurement of blood pressure, lung function (spirometry), glucose metabolism (fasting glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and oral glucose tolerance test), as well as biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress. Individuals born preterm were at higher risk than those born full-term of stage ≥1 hypertension (adjusted odds ratio, 2.91 [95% CI, 1.51–5.75]), glucose intolerance (adjusted odds ratio, 2.22 [95% CI, 1.13–4.48]), and airflow limitation (adjusted odds ratio, 3.47 [95% CI, 1.76–7.12]). Hypertension was strongly associated with adiposity and with glucose intolerance in participants born full-term but not in those born preterm. We did not find any group difference in levels of biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress. In individuals born preterm, inflammation, and oxidative stress were not related to hypertension or glucose intolerance but were associated with adiposity. In those born preterm, cardiovascular risk factors were not related to each other suggesting different pathophysiological pathways leading to the development of cardiovascular risk following preterm birth. Clinicians should consider screening for these abnormalities irrespectively of other risk factors in this at-risk population.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT03261609.
Prognostic Relevance of Short-Term Blood Pressure Variability
Authors: de la Sierra Alejandro , Banegas José R. , Bursztyn Michael , Parati Gianfranco , Stergiou George , Mateu Aina , Vinyoles Ernest , Segura Julián , Gorostidi Manuel , Ruilope Luis M.
Published: January 2020

The prognostic relevance of short-term blood pressure (BP) variability in hypertension is not clearly established. We aimed to evaluate the association of short-term BP variability, assessed through ambulatory BP monitoring, with total and cardiovascular mortality in a large cohort of patients with hypertension. We selected 63 910 subjects from the Spanish ABPM Registry from 2004 to 2014, with a median follow-up of 4.7 years. Systolic and diastolic BP SD from 24 hours, daytime, and nighttime, weighted SD (mean of daytime and nighttime SD weighted for period duration), average real variability (mean of differences between consecutive readings), variation independent of the mean, and BP variability ratio (ratio between systolic and diastolic 24-hour SD) were calculated through 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring performed at baseline. Association with total and cardiovascular mortality (obtained through death certificates) were assessed by Cox regression models adjusted for clinical confounders and BP. Patients who died during follow-up had higher values of BP variability compared with those remaining alive. In fully adjusted models, daytime, nighttime, and weighted SD, systolic and diastolic, as well as diastolic average real variability, were all significantly associated with total and cardiovascular mortality. Hazard ratios for 1 SD increase ranged from 1.05 to 1.09 for total mortality and from 1.07 to 1.12 for cardiovascular mortality. A nighttime systolic SD ≥12 mm Hg was independently associated with total (hazard ratio: 1.13 [95% CI, 1.06–1.21]) and cardiovascular mortality (hazard ratio: 1.21 [95% CI, 1.09–1.36]). We conclude that short-term BP variability is independently associated with total and cardiovascular mortality in patients with hypertension.
Cytotaxonomical remarks on Loncomelos visianicum (Hyacinthaceae), a poorly known species endemic to Croatia

Authors: BOGDANOVIĆ SANDRO , BRULLO SALVATORE , LJUBIČIĆ IVICA , RAT MILICA , SALMERI CRISTINA
Published: January 2020

Loncomelos visianicum, a rare and poorly known geophyte of the Croatian flora, was described from the remote and uninhabited Adriatic island of Palagruža as Ornithogalum visianicum, and it has not been collected again for over a century. Basing on living materials, recently rediscovered in the locus classicus, it was possible to carry out a careful investigation regarding the morphology, karyology, leaf anatomy, and ecology of this very peculiar species. It is triploid, showing 2n = 42 + 0–5B chromosomes, taxonomically quite isolated, showing some morphological relationships with L. narbonense and L. creticum. Currently, L. visianicum is represented by a low number of individuals growing in rocky places within the xerophilous maquis. In addition to a detailed description, a new iconography, conservation status and identification key for Croatian taxa of the genus Loncomelos are also provided.
The Building Blocks of Northern Hemisphere Wintertime Stationary Waves
Authors: Garfinkel Chaim I. , White Ian , Gerber Edwin P. , Jucker Martin , Erez Moran
Published: January 2020

An intermediate-complexity moist general circulation model is used to investigate the forcing of stationary waves in the Northern Hemisphere boreal winter by land–sea contrast, horizontal heat fluxes in the ocean, and topography. The additivity of the response to these building blocks is investigated. In the Pacific sector, the stationary wave pattern is not simply the linear additive sum of the response to each forcing. In fact, over the northeast Pacific and western North America, the sum of the responses to each forcing is actually opposite to that when all three are imposed simultaneously due to nonlinear interactions among the forcings. The source of the nonlinearity is diagnosed using the zonally anomalous steady-state thermodynamic balance, and it is shown that the background-state temperature field set up by each forcing dictates the stationary wave response to the other forcings. As all three forcings considered here strongly impact the temperature field and its zonal gradients, the nonlinearity and nonadditivity in our experiments can be explained, but only in a diagnostic sense. This nonadditivity extends up to the stratosphere, and also to surface temperature, where the sum of the responses to each forcing differs from the response if all forcings are included simultaneously. Only over western Eurasia is additivity a reasonable (though not perfect) assumption; in this sector land–sea contrast is most important over Europe, while topography is most important over western Asia. In other regions, where nonadditivity is pronounced, the question of which forcing is most important is ill-posed.
Dissipation of Turbulent Kinetic Energy in the Oscillating Bottom Boundary Layer of a Large Shallow Lake
Authors: Jabbari Aidin , Boegman Leon , Valipour Reza , Wain Danielle , Bouffard Damien
Published: January 2020

Mixing rates and biogeochemical fluxes are commonly estimated from the rate of dissipation of turbulent kinetic energy ε as measured with a single instrument and processing method. However, differences in measurements of ε between instruments/methods often vary by one order of magnitude. In an effort to identify error in computing ε, we have applied four common methods to data from the bottom boundary layer of Lake Erie. We applied the second-order structure function method (SFM) to velocity measurements from an acoustic Doppler current profiler, using both canonical and anisotropy-adjusted Kolmogorov constants, and compared the results with those computed from the law of the wall, Batchelor fitting to temperature gradient microstructure, and inertial subrange fitting to acoustic Doppler velocimeter data. The ε from anisotropy-adjusted constants in SFM increased by a factor of 6 or more at 0.2 m above the bed and showed a better agreement with microstructure and inertial method estimations. The maximum difference between SFM ε, computed using adjusted and canonical constants, and microstructure values was 25% and 50%, respectively. This difference was 30% and 55%, respectively, for those from inertial subrange fitting at times of high-intensity turbulence (Reynolds number at 1 m above the bed of more than 2 × 104). Comparison of the SFM ε to those from law of the wall was often poor, with errors as large as one order of magnitude. From the considerable improvement in ε estimates near the bed, anisotropy-adjusted Kolmogorov constants should be applied to compute dissipation in geophysical boundary layers.
Observations of Hail–Wind Ratios from Convective Storm Reports across the Continental United States
Authors: Bunkers Matthew J. , Fleegel Steven R. , Grafenauer Thomas , Schultz Chauncy J. , Schumacher Philip N.
Published: January 2020

The objective of this study is to provide guidance on when hail and/or wind is climatologically most likely (temporally and spatially) based on the ratio of severe hail reports to severe wind reports, which can be used by National Weather Forecast (NWS) forecasters when issuing severe convective warnings. Accordingly, a climatology of reported hail-to-wind ratios (i.e., number of hail reports divided by the number of wind reports) for observed severe convective storms was derived using U.S. storm reports from 1955 to 2017. Owing to several temporal changes in reporting and warning procedures, the 1996–2017 period was chosen for spatiotemporal analyses, yielding 265 691 hail and 294 449 wind reports. The most notable changes in hail–wind ratios occurred around 1996 as the NWS modernized and deployed new radars (leading to more hail reports relative to wind) and in 2010 when the severe hail criterion increased nationwide (leading to more wind reports relative to hail). One key finding is that hail–wind ratios are maximized (i.e., relatively more hail than wind) during the late morning through midafternoon and in the spring (March–May), with geographical maxima over the central United States and complex/elevated terrain. Otherwise, minimum ratios occur overnight, during the late summer (July–August) as well as November–December, and over the eastern United States. While the results reflect reporting biases (e.g., fewer wind than hail reports in low-population areas but more wind reports where mesonets are available), meteorological factors such as convective mode and cool spring versus warm summer environments also appear associated with the hail–wind ratio climatology.
Impostor Feelings and Psychological Distress Among Asian Americans: Interpersonal Shame and Self-Compassion
Authors: Wei Meifen , Liu Shuyi , Ko Stacy Y. , Wang Cixin , Du Yi
Published: January 2020

We examined how the association between impostor feelings and psychological distress was mediated by interpersonal shame and moderated by self-compassion in a sample of 433 Asian American students at an East Coast public university. First, we found that the positive association between impostor feelings and psychological distress was partially mediated by interpersonal shame (i.e., shame related to others viewing them negatively or dishonoring their family due to their deficits). Second, self-compassion significantly moderated the positive association between impostor feelings and interpersonal shame. Specifically, this positive association was stronger for those with lower self-compassion than for those with higher self-compassion. Third, the index of moderated mediation further supported that self-compassion moderated the mediation through an indirect effect of impostor feelings on psychological distress through interpersonal shame. We found additional results which supported the moderation and moderated mediation hypotheses for the three specific components of self-compassion (i.e., common humanity, self-judgment, and over-identification).
A society which is not: Political emergence and migrant agency
Authors: Jonsson Stefan
Published: January 2020

This essay represents an effort to rethink the relationship between political emergence and migrant agency. This undertaking has a theoretical motivation. Mainstream human and social sciences seem to be at an impasse because of their structural inability to interpret and explain systemic crises and contradictions. While this is a topic far too complex to be dealt with in a brief essay, the following pages will explore three expressions of this impasse. First, the social sciences often analyse migration without acknowledging its profound political implications. Second, European history and sociology rarely recognize histories of imperial dominance and anticolonial resistance as intrinsic to European history and society. Third, mainstream social and political theories often ignore the structural significance of collective protests and resistance movements for the realization of democracy. The article frames the analysis of these problems via two different theoretical contexts in which we can observe ongoing conceptual or methodological shifts or ‘turns’ that respond to the said impasse. In studies of democracy and citizenship there has thus been a clear turn toward ‘borders’. In migration studies, there is a corresponding turn toward ‘agency’. By analysing the interconnections between these theoretical contexts the article suggests ways of resolving the three problems at hand. It starts by examining the first one, or the inability to acknowledge the profound political implications of migration. This discussion will then offer an approach to the other two, concerning the legacies of colonialism and the significance of political agency and protest.
Survival pending revolution: Self-determination in the age of proto-neo-liberal globalization
Authors: Narayan John
Published: January 2020

In 1971, the Black Panther Party (BPP) seemingly went through an ideological transformation. Between 1968 and 1970 the Party had forged strong national and international solidarity and support through a politics of revolutionary armed self-defence and a commitment to anti-imperialism. Yet, in late 1970 as the sands of both national and geo-politics shifted, and as allies, both at home and abroad, became less supportive, the Panthers found themselves on less solid ground. Black Panther leader Huey P Newton, realizing this shift in the political landscape, and the futility of attempting an armed insurgency against the state without widespread support, now steered the BPP towards the idea of ‘Survival Pending Revolution’. This saw the Panthers abandon the idea of immediate armed insurrection against the state and reorient towards a focus on their community engagement ‘survival programs’. This article argues that Newton’s orientation of the BPP away from armed insurrection and towards survival pending revolution was not simply a pragmatic choice of strategy, but rather based on a theorization of what he dubbed reactionary intercommunalism. Moreover, the article suggests that the history of neo-liberal globalization can be complicated and expanded by viewing Newton as one of the first theorists of neo-liberal globalization, and BPP survival programs as one of the first responses to the on-coming era of neo-liberalism in the US.
Between nativism and displacement: Citizens, strangers, and surplus status in the contemporary age
Authors: Cocks Joan
Published: January 2020

After noting similarities between 1930s Europe and the Western political climate today, this article probes the looming surplus status of migrants fleeing crises in their countries of departure who confront popular animus and border closures in their countries of arrival. The article examines the investments that citizens have in four key border functions of contemporary states, to see which investments lead citizens to deny border-crossing strangers the right to thrive or even survive in some concrete place on Earth. Given that economic displacement at home can spur citizens to repudiate strangers displaced from elsewhere, the article recommends forging an alliance of all those deemed surplus to society to help overcome the citizen/stranger divide.
Clinical Impact of an Antibiotic Time Out Initiative at an Academic Medical Center
Authors: Taylor Amy Parks , Coe Kelci , Stevenson Kurt , Wardlow Lynn , Boghdadly Zeinab El , Reed Erica
Published: January 2020

Background: Various strategies aimed at limiting inappropriate antimicrobial use including antibiotic time out (ATO) have been proposed to combat the development of antimicrobial resistance, yet there are limited studies that have assessed the impact of ATO on clinical outcomes. Methods: This single-center retrospective study reviewed the effect of a passive ATO strategy by comparing 100 adult patients with an ATO matched by infection type to 100 antibiotic-treated adult patients lacking an ATO note. Results: No difference in clinical outcomes was observed, however, ATO did result in improved optimization of antibiotic selection and duration, and reduction of piperacillin/tazobactam and vancomycin use. Conclusion: Further studies are warranted to evaluate the impact of ATO on clinical outcomes of a larger homogenous population with specified infectious diagnoses and clinical characteristics.
Nonlinear robust compensator design for postural control of a biomechanical model with delayed feedback
Authors: Sultan Nadia , Najam ul Islam Muhammad , Mahmood Mughal Asif
Published: January 2020

Postural stability and balance regulation is an intricate neurophysiological task which entails coordination of movements for successful execution. This task is proficiently regulated by central nervous system. The sensory feedback through muscles via proprioceptors has neural transmission delays which make the movement coordination and computations by central nervous system a complex problem to deal with. This paper addresses a nonlinear robust technique based on feedback linearization for postural stabilization of a single-link biomechanical model in the presence of physiological latencies. We included neural transmission delays in sensory feedback from proprioceptors. We developed [Formula: see text] optimal controller and integrated it with feedback linearization to calculate the joint torque for the biomechanical task. This modeling scheme is simulated in MATLAB/SimMechanics, and the simulation results for the nonlinear biomechanical model are developed. The joint torque compensates for the delays and settles the motion profiles within anatomical constraints. The position profile shows a bit higher overshoot (0.02, 0.03 rad) in case of delays; however, the settling time is same for the profiles with and without delay. The extensor torque is same for all profiles; however, the flexion torque increases for the delayed case. The simulation results show the applicability of this scheme for further analysis of the biomechanical task.
Using Mentimeter to Elicit Student Responses in the EAP/ESP Classroom
Authors: Moorhouse Benjamin Luke , Kohnke Lucas
Published: January 2020

The affordances and pedagogical benefits of technology in the English for Specific Purposes (ESP) and English for Academic Purposes (EAP) classrooms are widely acknowledged. One potential use of technology is in eliciting and managing students’ responses, which is an area where EAP/ESP teachers often report difficulties. Traditionally, teachers either nominate students to respond or rely on students volunteering to answer questions. In practice, this condition tends to mean that the more confident students respond, or students are ‘put on the spot’ by being nominated to speak by a teacher. One way to address this issue is through response cards. Students can respond in unison with a card or whiteboard displaying the answer. Response cards are effective at all levels of education. They increase active responses, improve test scores, and motivate learners. There are now digital alternatives to response cards called ‘student response systems’ (SRS). These systems provide a flexible and diverse way for students to respond using their mobile devices. SRS include Mentimeter, Kahoot, Plickers, GoSoapBox, and Poll Everywhere. Due to its versatility and unlimited number of participants, we believe Mentimeter has greater potential in the EAP/ESP classroom. This tech review will provide an overview of Mentimeter’s features and potential uses.
A mixed thermal elastohydrodynamic lubrication model of rotary lip seal
Authors: Huang Xiaokai , Liu Shouwen , Zhang Chao
Published: January 2020

Rotary lip seal is used in various applications where the rotation shaft needs to be sealed, such as hydraulic pumps, fuel pumps, camshafts, crankshafts, and so on. Many thermal elastohydrodynamic lubrication models of rotary lip seal have been introduced, and most of these models neglect the asperity contact. This article proposes a mixed thermal elastohydrodynamic lubrication model of rotary lip seal, in which the microstructure of sealing lip surface, influence of temperature on fluid viscosity, and deformation of lip surface, as well as the asperity contact, are taken into consideration. Simulation study is carried out, and the results show that the asperity contact should not be neglected for analyzing the sealing performance of the rotary lip seal. The influence of speed on the sealing performance is also analyzed based on the proposed model.
Heat transfer behavior caused by temperature difference in reciprocating sliding contact
Authors: Liu Yuwei , Ye Fuhao , Zhang Weizheng , Zhou Shujun
Published: January 2020

In order to study the heat transfer characteristics between two rough surfaces of two contacting blocks with different bulk temperatures and sliding reciprocating motion, a two-dimensional heat transfer model was used to analyze the dimensionless average heat flux, considering thermal contact conductance. The results of a series simulations were presented, covering a wide range of operating parameters including dimensionless amplitude [Formula: see text], dimensionless frequency [Formula: see text], and measurements of interface conductance [Formula: see text]. The results show that the dimensionless average heat flux increases with the increase of dimensionless frequency and amplitude, and the dimensionless average heat flux rises sharply in the low range of [Formula: see text] and approaches to a steady state approximation when [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text].
A regional growth ecology, a great wall of capital and a metropolitan housing market
Authors: Ley David
Published: January 2020

In a narrative framed by Harvey Molotch’s growth machine thesis, this article examines the globalisation of property in gateway cities, and its contribution to house price inflation in Vancouver, the least affordable market in North America. In response to a floundering British Columbia (BC) economy, a favourable investment and immigration climate welcomed capital and invited capitalists to re-locate their economic skills. Substantial funds flowed to Vancouver from the buoyant Asia Pacific, from distant investors and wealthy immigrants. Capital flows were facilitated by a powerful growth coalition, as the provincial government benefited significantly from these funds, and held a common interest with a vigorous trans-Pacific property industry. Supporting this growth coalition, the deregulation of private institutions and the under-resourcing of public agencies working in the capital/real estate nexus provided an ecology favourable to the ‘animal spirits’ of the market, including real estate opportunism and money laundering. Such a growth ecology, exacerbating severe unaffordability, may exist in other globally networked cities, though relations are rarely so well developed and so powerful in their effects.
Voting Behavior of Active Duty Military Spouses: Trends in Interest and Participation
Authors: Button Eric D. , Diallo Anne B.
Published: January 2020

Despite the expansion of absentee voting protections as recently as 2016, Service member spouses have not enjoyed the same level of voting protections as Service members. Active duty military spouses, uniquely positioned between military service and civilian life, are arguably as important to the election process as their Service member counterparts. Thus, we examine the voting behaviors of this underserved and seldom studied subpopulation. Matsusaka’s information theory–based economic model of voter turnout provides our framework for identifying determinants that shape the voting interest and participation of active duty military spouses. We analyze the Federal Voting Assistance Program’s 2010 Post-Election Voting Survey of Active Duty Military Spouses utilizing logistic regression models. We found that voting interest and participation were increased among respondents who planned to vote, received more election information, voted within the previous 6 years, and who were older; however, voting interest and participation were not diminished by absentee status.
Classroom Mindfulness Education Effects on Meditation Frequency, Stress, and Self-Regulation
Authors: Strait Julia Englund , Strait Gerald Gill , McClain Maryellen Brunson , Casillas Laurel , Streich Kristin , Harper Kristina , Gomez Jocelyn
Published: January 2020

This preliminary randomized controlled experiment evaluated the effects of a single classroom mindfulness educational session, versus an active contact control activity (study skills review), on college students’ mindfulness meditation frequency and self-reported stress, anxiety, and self-regulation. Those in the intervention group reported marginal increases in meditation frequency, decreased stress (but not anxiety), and improved self-regulation on one of two measures. Decreased stress explained the relationship between group assignment and self-regulation improvements. We provide recommendations for future research based on study limitations, as well as implications for classroom psychology instructors.
Fault-tolerant path-tracking control of autonomous electric ground vehicles with lateral prescribed performance
Authors: Wang Yulei , Yin Lu , Xu Nan , Bian Ning , Chen Hong
Published: January 2020

To improve the performance and robustness of autonomous electric ground vehicles, we present a novel triple-step control architecture employing a lateral prescribed performance scheme to design an adaptive fault-tolerant controller to realize the nonlinear path-tracking manoeuvers against uncertainties, disturbances and even a total failure of steering capability. It is proved that the closed-loop system based on the developed control framework guarantees a regulation of the lateral offset with prescribed performance. The major advantage over conventional path-tracking control frameworks is that our approach can guarantee both the transient and the steady-state performance of the system under a broad range of driving conditions with robustness to model uncertainties, disturbances and even faults. Finally, simulation results are presented to demonstrate the superiority of the proposed scheme.
Bilateral teleoperation with continuously variable scaling and PD force control
Authors: Oztoprak Burak , Baran Eray A , Sabanovic Asif
Published: January 2020

This paper investigates the bilateral teleoperation with the possibility of continuously variable scaling during real-time operation. The algorithm proposed for this purpose provides the operator with the ability to change the scaling gains of force and velocity loops during operation. The controllers are derived to enforce exponentially decaying error dynamics on systems which have inner loop disturbance compensation. The proposed architecture assumes the scale factors as continuous functions of time which have continuous derivatives that are also included in the mathematical derivation. Unlike the existing studies, the presented framework allows real-time adaptation of scaling gains, which provides the user with the ability to conduct coarse and fine motion in the same operation. The Lyapunov stability proof of the proposed method is made and the margins of the controller gains are identified for practical operation. Furthermore, the operational accuracy is enhanced by the application of a PD force control loop which is also new for scaled bilateral teleoperation. The realization of PD loop is made using an [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text] filter to differentiate the force signal. The algorithm is validated on a setup consisted of two single DOF motion control systems. In order to provide a complete analysis, a wide range of experiments are made, velocity and force scales having sinusoidal patterns with different amplitudes and frequencies. Moreover, comparison with a classical bilateral control architecture is made to highlight the flexibility of the proposed control method. The efficacy of the proposed approach is solidified by the successful tracking responses obtained from these experiments.
Longitudinal interplay between peer likeability and youth’s adaptation and psychological well-being: A study of immigrant and nonimmigrant adolescents in the school context
Authors: Motti-Stefanidi Frosso , Pavlopoulos Vassilis , Mastrotheodoros Stefanos , Asendorpf Jens B.
Published: January 2020

The present study examined the direction of effects between peer likeability and youth’s school adjustment and psychological well-being, and the moderation of these effects by students’ immigrant status. One thousand one hundred and eighteen students (63% immigrants) nested in 57 Greek middle-school classrooms took part in the study (Wave 1; age M = 12.6 years). Data were collected from multiple sources and informants. The results reveal complex, in some cases bidirectional effects over time between peer likeability and different indices of school adjustment and psychological well-being. Being liked by Greek, but not by immigrant, classmates influenced students’ well-being over time. In contrast, being liked by either immigrant or Greek classmates predicted changes in students’ school adjustment. The results highlight the importance of supporting positive peer relations among youth in order to promote other adaptation outcomes. In the case of immigrant youth, they suggest that interventions need to promote positive intergroup contact between them and their nonimmigrant classmates in order to support their well-being.
Identifying key elements for paediatric advance care planning with parents, healthcare providers and stakeholders: A qualitative study
Authors: Hein Kerstin , Knochel Kathrin , Zaimovic Vedrana , Reimann Daniel , Monz Anna , Heitkamp Nari , Borasio Gian Domenico , Führer Monika
Published: January 2020

Background:

Although international guidelines recommend discussions about goals of care and treatment options for children with severe and life-limiting conditions, there are still few structured models of paediatric advance care planning.

Aim:

The study aimed at identifying key components of paediatric advance care planning through direct discussions with all involved parties.

Design:

The study had a qualitative design with a participatory approach. Participants constituted an advisory board and took part in two transdisciplinary workshops. Data were collected in discussion and dialogue groups and analysed using content analysis.

Setting/participants:

We included bereaved parents, health care providers and stakeholders of care networks.

Results:

Key elements were discussions, documentation, implementation, timing and participation of children and adolescents. Parents engage in discussions with facilitators and persons of trust to reach a decision. Documentation constitutes the focus of professionals, who endorse brief recommendations for procedures in case of emergencies, supplemented by larger advance directives. Implementation hindrances include emotional barriers of stakeholders, disagreements between parents and professionals and difficulties with emergency services. Discussion timing should take into account parental readiness. The intervention should be repeated at regular intervals, considering emerging needs and increasing awareness of families over time. Involving children and adolescents in advance care planning remains a challenge.

Conclusion:

A paediatric advance care planning intervention should take into account potential pitfalls and barriers including issues related to timing, potential conflicts between parents and professionals, ambiguity towards written advance directives, the role of non-medical carers for paediatric advance care planning implementation, the need to involve the child and the necessity of an iterative process.