bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Climate Extremes across the North American Arctic in Modern Reanalyses
Authors: Avila-Diaz Alvaro , Bromwich David H. , Wilson Aaron B. , Justino Flavio , Wang Sheng-Hung
Published: December 2020

Atmospheric reanalyses are a valuable climate-related resource where in situ data are sparse. However, few studies have investigated the skill of reanalyses to represent extreme climate indices over the North American Arctic, where changes have been rapid and indigenous responses to change are critical. This study investigates temperature and precipitation extremes as defined by the Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices (ETCCDI) over a 17-yr period (2000–16) for regional and global reanalyses, namely the Arctic System Reanalysis, version 2 (ASRv2); North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR); European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) ERA5 reanalysis; Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications, version 2 (MERRA-2); and Global Meteorological Forcing Dataset for Land Surface Modeling (GMFD). Results indicate that the best performances are demonstrated by ASRv2 and ERA5. Relative to observations, reanalyses show the weakest performance over far northern basins (e.g., the Arctic and Hudson basins) where observing networks are less dense. Observations and reanalyses show consistent warming with decreased frequency and intensity of cold extremes. Cold days, cold nights, frost days, and ice days have decreased dramatically over the last two decades. Warming can be linked to a simultaneous increase in daily precipitation intensity over several basins in the domain. Moreover, the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and Arctic Oscillation (AO) distinctly influence extreme climate indices. Thus, these findings detail the complexity of how the climate of the Arctic is changing, not just in an average sense, but in extreme events that have significant impacts on people and places.
Inferring directional relationships in microbial communities using signed Bayesian networks
Authors: Sazal Musfiqur , Mathee Kalai , Ruiz-Perez Daniel , Cickovski Trevor , Narasimhan Giri
Published: December 2020

Background

Microbe-microbe and host-microbe interactions in a microbiome play a vital role in both health and disease. However, the structure of the microbial community and the colonization patterns are highly complex to infer even under controlled wet laboratory conditions. In this study, we investigate what information, if any, can be provided by aBayesian Network(BN) about a microbial community. Unlike the previously proposedCo-occurrence Networks(CoNs), BNs are based on conditional dependencies and can help in revealing complex associations.

Results

In this paper, we propose a way of combining a BN and a CoN to construct asigned Bayesian Network(sBN). We report a surprising association between directed edges in signed BNs and knowncolonization orders.

Conclusions

BNs are powerful tools for community analysis and extracting influences and colonization patterns, even though the analysis only uses an abundance matrix with no temporal information. We conclude that directed edges in sBNs when combined with negative correlations are consistent with and strongly suggestive of colonization order.
NT-pro-BNP as marker for cardiac strain that may be caused by high-output arteriovenous shunting in a haemodialysis patient. A case report
Authors: Wärja Michaela , Laveborn Emelie , Ott Michael , Jonsson Andreas P. , Stegmayr Bernd
Published: December 2020

Background

An arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the first choice when considering access for haemodialysis (HD). When a forearm AVF fails an upper arm AVF is a frequent subsequent dialysis access option. The latter may cause cardiac strain. NT-pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-NT-proBNP) is a marker used to estimate volume overload and cardiac strain.

This case report shows the benefit of using longitudinal individual follow-up of pre-dialysis NT-proBNP in clinical practice to detect changes in cardiac condition that may be due to high-output AVF.

Case presentation

An 18 years old patient performed HD via an upper arm AVF before he was admitted to our unit. NT-proBNP was above the upper detection level of 70,000 ng/L. Echocardiography revealed a left-ventricular cardiac insufficiency. Interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) was above 5%. He was instructed to lower fluid intake and IDWG towards 2%. Four months later NT-proBNP surpassed 70,000 ng/L again. Flow in the brachial artery was at 3034 ml/min. Reconstructive surgery of the AVF did not reduce flow and NT-proBNP in the long run. Clinically, he worsened to NYHA class III-IV. It was decided to close the upper arm AVF and to replace it with a lower arm AVF leading to a reduced artery flow of 1344 mL/min. The clinical condition successively recovered and NT-proBNP decreased to 7000 ng/L.

Conclusions

Pre-dialysis NT-proBNP should be considered as a suitable routine marker for cardiac strain such as caused by high-output AVF besides variables such as IDWG. Brachial artery flow besides AVF flow measurement is helpful.
Radiology in the era of value-based healthcare: a multi-society expert statement from the ACR, CAR, ESR, IS3R, RANZCR, and RSNA
Authors: Brady Adrian P. , Bello Jaqueline A. , Derchi Lorenzo E. , Fuchsjäger Michael , Goergen Stacy , Krestin Gabriel P. , Lee Emil J. Y. , Levin David C. , Pressacco Josephine , Rao Vijay M. , Slavotinek John , Visser Jacob J. , Walker Richard E. A. , Brink James A.
Published: December 2020

Background

The Value-Based Healthcare (VBH) concept is designed to improve individual healthcare outcomes without increasing expenditure, and is increasingly being used to determine resourcing of and reimbursement for medical services. Radiology is a major contributor to patient and societal healthcare at many levels. Despite this, some VBH models do not acknowledge radiology’s central role; this may have future negative consequences for resource allocation.

Methods, findings and interpretation

This multi-society paper, representing the views of Radiology Societies in Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, describes the place of radiology in VBH models and the healthcare value contributions of radiology. Potential steps to objectify and quantify the value contributed by radiology to healthcare are outlined.
Correction to: Comparing health insurance data and health interview survey data for ascertaining chronic disease prevalence in Belgium
Authors: Berete Finaba , Demarest Stefaan , Charafeddine Rana , Bruyère Olivier , Van der Heyden Johan
Published: December 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
The long road to recovery: at six months since the first COVID-19 wave, elective orthopedic care has still not fully recovered in Belgium
Authors: Tan Y. N. , Vandekerckhove PJ. , Verdonk P
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The primary aim of our study was to investigate elective orthopaedic care during the first wave government-imposed COVID-19 lockdown and at four weeks and 21 weeks after resuming elective care. The secondary aim of our study was to evaluate the implementation of the European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy (ESSKA) COVID-19 Guidelines and Recommendations for Resuming Elective Surgery in the clinical practice of Belgian knee surgeons.

Methods

We sent three anonymous online surveys to 102 Belgian Knee Society members (BKS) at times mentioned above. Addressed topics were: (1) participant demographics, (2) elective surgeries, (3) outpatient visits, (4) ESSKA Guidelines, (5) patient and surgeon safety.

Results

During the COVID-19 lockdown, there was a decrease of 97% in elective knee surgeries and 91% in outpatient visits. At four and 21 weeks after resuming elective care, volumes were respectively 67% and 89% for elective surgeries and 81% and 91% for outpatient visits. Regarding ESSKA guidelines, 91% of surgeons had no COVID-19 testing prior to resuming elective care. Ninety-two per cent reported preoperative (< 72 h) patient PCR testing, and 45% gave preference to young patients without comorbidities. Seventy-two per cent did not use additional personal protective equipment (PPE) if a patient PCR test was negative. Forty-nine per cent continued to give preference to general anaesthesia.

Conclusion

Our study shows that elective surgeries and outpatient visits were almost completely interrupted during the COVID-19 lockdown and were still below normal at four and 21 weeks after resuming elective care. Regarding ESSKA COVID-19 guidelines, our study observes good compliance in preoperative patient COVID-19 testing, but lower compliance for preoperative health care personnel testing, patient selection, use of PPE, and locoregional anaesthesia.

Level of Evidence

V
Open-source geospatial tools and technologies for urban and environmental studies
Authors: Mobasheri Amin , Pirotti Francesco , Agugiaro Giorgio
Published: December 2020

Open geospatial data and tools are an increasingly important paradigm offering the opportunity to promote the democratization of geographical information, the transparency of governments and institutions, as well as social, economic and environmental opportunities. During the past decade, developments in the area of open geospatial data and open-source geospatial software have greatly improved. Many parts of the research community believe that combining free and open software, open data, as well as open standards, leads to the creation of a sustainable ecosystem to accelerate new discoveries to help solve global cross-disciplinary societal challenges, from climate change mitigation to sustainable cities. The consistent prevalence of open source GIS studies motivated this thematic collection. The contributions are divided into two main categories. In the first category, seven concrete studies on open-source tools and technologies for urban and environmental studies are briefly presented. Each one has been implemented for and applied to a certain use case, and at the same time it may be applied to other use cases due to the reproducibility nature of open source software. The second category presents and discusses the usability of open source geospatial solutions for laser scanning technology and its applications.
Correction to: Genome evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and its virological characteristics
Authors: Nakagawa So , Miyazawa Takayuki
Published: December 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Correction to: Spatial weight matrix in dimensionality reduction reconstruction for micro-electromechanical system-based photoacoustic microscopy
Authors: Ma Yuanzheng , Lu Chang , Xiong Kedi , Zhang Wuyu , Yang Sihua
Published: December 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
ОБРАЗ ТУМАНА В АНГЛОЯЗЫЧНЫХ ХУДОЖЕСТВЕННЫХ ТЕКСТАХ
Authors: Kistkina Yuliya Mihajlovna , Shesterkina Natalya Victorovna
Published: December 2020

Цель. В статье в качестве объекта исследования выступает лексема fog (туман) c позиций ее символических функций в художественном тексте, что является новым и актуальным в лингвистике. Материал анализа – англоязычные романы Дж. Голсуорси «The Man of Property» и роман-фэнтези Дж. Роулинг «Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban», где часто встречается лексема fog (туман) как номинация первобытного хаоса, предшествующего возникновению мироздания.Методы. Основной метод, использованный в данной работе, – компонентный анализ. Исследование символических и мифологических значений лексемы туман в романах разных стилей и эпох до настоящего времени не осуществлялось, поэтому также предпринято сравнение соответствующих древних выражений с переносными значениями лексемы fog (туман).Результаты. Исследование с помощью компонентного анализа показывает, какие символические значения лексемы fog (туман) авторы анализируют в художественных произведениях, какими коннотациями обладает лексема fog (туман) и какие средства выразительности были использованы. В обоих романах выделено по 13 групп мотивов лексемы fog (туман). В результате был сделан вывод, что основным значением лексемы остается очевидное и простое символическое значение ‘тайна’ c отрицательной коннотацией. В обоих романах значения лексемы fog (туман) неоднозначны, в их значениях присутствуют и сохранившиеся древние значения, такие как ‘смерть’ и ‘инициация’.Область применения. Предлагаем использовать подобный подход к изучению мифологических проявлений в современных романах.
ЛИНГВОСТИЛИСТИЧЕСКИЕ ОСОБЕННОСТИ АВТОРСКОЙ СКАЗКИ (НА МАТЕРИАЛЕ СКАЗОК О. УАЙЛЬДА)
Authors: Borovkova Elena Rifovna
Published: December 2020

Данная статья посвящена исследованию лингвостилистических и особенностей авторской сказки. В качестве материала для исследования были выбраны литературные сказки, автором которых является ирландский писатель XIX в. Оскар Уайльд. В статье представлены результаты анализа речевой организации литературной сказки, выявлены лингвостилистические особенности сказки на английском языке.Цель. Статья посвящена авторской сказке на английском языке. Предметом исследования являются лингвостилистические особенности данных сказок. Автор ставит целью выявить лингвостилистические особенности англоязычных сказок, автором которых является О. Уайльд.Метод и методология проведения работы. Основу исследования образуют следующие методы: теоретический анализ литературных источников, классификация, сравнение, обобщение, наблюдение, систематизация.Область применения результатов. Результаты исследования могут быть применены в практике преподавания иностранных языков, курса зарубежной литературы и курса стилистики текста.
Creativity in the System of Professional Training of Future Specialists in Decorative and Applied Arts
Authors:   State Institution Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University, Xiaoxia Li
Published: December 2020

This article theoretically substantiates the need for the formation of creativity in the system of professional training of future specialists in arts and crafts, differentiates the essence of the concepts of “creativity” and “creativity”, which contributed to a deep understanding of the relationship between these concepts. As a result of the logical-semantic analysis of the conceptual-categorical apparatus, the basic categories of the research "creativity" and "creativity" were determined. Creativity is defined as the ability to generate unusual ideas, deviate from traditional thinking patterns, quickly solve problem situations, while creativity is a mental process, an activity that results in the creation of new material and spiritual values. According to the author's interpretation of the relationship between creativity and creativity, it turns out that creativity is characterized by a certain level of creativity; hence creativity is a characteristic of creativity. It has been proved that creativity is manifested in the process and is considered as a process of manifesting their own individuality of future specialists in decorative and applied arts in the system of professional training. It has been defined that the formation of creativity of future professionals is facilitated, first of all, by classes with the use of creative and advanced tasks, which activate both intellectual and creative potential, providing an individual-creative approach to each student. The manifestation of individuality is impossible without the presence of creative thinking in future specialists in arts and crafts. Prospects for further research in solving this problem, we see in the study of the formation of creative competence in future professionals in arts and crafts as a key in the process of professional training.
Critical Thinking Development among Students of the Speciality «Technologies of Medical Diagnostics and Treatment»
Authors:   State Institution Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University, Stepanenko Viacheslav
Published: December 2020

The article reveals the features of the formation of critical thinking among students of the speciality “Technologies of medical diagnostics and treatment” in accordance with the competencies determined by the standard of higher education in speciality 224 “Technologies of medical diagnostics and treatment” in the field of knowledge 22 “Health” for the first (bachelor’s) level of the highest education (2018). Critical thinking is viewed as scientific thinking, the essence of which is to make carefully considered and independent decisions. Critical thinking is a process of control over the course of general and objective thinking. Its levels, content and operational blocks are revealed. The basic properties (awareness, independence, reflexivity, purposefulness, validity, controllability, self-organization) have been determined. It is concluded that the formation of critical thinking in students of the speciality “Technologies of Medical Diagnostics and Treatment” occurs both at the level of mastering general knowledge and skills, and in the formation of special competencies that are necessary for a specialist in performing operations that directly relate to professional activities. The need for the development of this type of thinking is due to the modern development of higher medical education, the informatization of society, which require a specialist to have such competencies that will help him to carry out his professional activities efficiently, solve professional problems, complex tasks, and act effectively in specific situations. The development of critical thinking among students of the speciality “Technologies of Medical Diagnostics and Treatment” contributes to the achievement of these benchmarks and is one of the most demanded skills necessary for a successful career in the field of laboratory medicine.
The Problems оf Formation оf Language Competence in Future Foreign Language Teachers
Authors:   National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Dоmina Viktoriia , Tsybulko Ludmyla ,   SHEE "Donbas State Pedagogical University", Aleksandrova Svitlana ,   Kramatorsk Educational Complex "Secondary School No. 6"
Published: December 2020

The article is devoted to the problem of the formation of language competence, which is considered as an integrated property of a person possessing a complex of professionally meaningful for the teacher qualities. The concept of language competence of the teacher is determined. The questions of level of scientific-theoretical and practical training of employees of higher educational institutions and effective interaction with students in the process of pedagogical cooperation are revealed on the basis of introduction of European experience for achievement of high results. The proposed research substantiates the stages of professional development of the teacher, which is the basis for successful adaptation to the world educational and informational processes. Also, during the scientific work, the criteria for the teacher's professionalism were determined: profound professional knowledge and theoretical skills, a set of practical skills and abilities, skillfully applied in practice. The structural components of the teacher's language competence and the conditions aimed at increasing his language competence are highlighted.
The Use of Creolized Texts When Working with Educational Components of National-Patriotic Orientation
Authors:   State Institution Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University, Tsalapova Oksana
Published: December 2020

The article reveals the problem of using media technologies in the process of working on the educational components of national-patriotic education. An overview of the main theoretical provisions on the concept of "creolized text", its varieties and the problem of introducing innovative technologies in the world process of higher education and, accordingly, the professional orientation – the use of such technologies in the practice of preschool education. The article considers the peculiarities of the influence of both verbal and nonverbal teaching aids, focuses on the types of texts that are accompanied by a video series. On the material of the educational component "National-patriotic education in the philological cycle in preschool education" for the preparation of bachelors in the educational-professional program 012 "Preschool education" made a thematic review and described possible options for using different types of creolized texts in mastering the course. The logic of scientific research has necessitated the scientific discourse of the problem of ways to use texts of this type in practical classes. Peculiarities of creolized texts are connected with the potential of modern media technologies, which create a visual series, influence the formation of humanistic values of personality, become a special form of communication interaction in the context of global civilization, influence the formation of national values: patriot citizen, national dignity, preservation of historical memory. traditions and mentality of the Ukrainian people. Conclusions are made about the need to use innovative technologies in the educational process, as it is another means of influencing preschoolers in order to form a conscious citizen and patriot. Thus, the education of national and patriotic feelings in the younger generation is a long and systematic process, it should not be only contemplative, limited to passive reactions of admiration and liking.
The State and Outlooks of Improving the Education of the Culture of Communication of Students in a Higher Education Institution
Authors:   State Institution Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University, Shvyrka Viktoriia , Lysohor Asia ,   State Institution Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University
Published: December 2020

The article discloses the real state and prospects of the education of culture of communication of doctoral candidates for higher education in the educational process of an institution of higher education, which is considered as an integral part of the overall process of professional development of a future specialist. The results of the research of real state of students' culture of communication on the basis of cognitive, motivational and activity criteria are presented. The pedagogical conditions of education of communication culture of an institution of students of higher education are suggested. The stages of the implementation of pedagogical conditions are presented: adaptational, basic, advanced, which are designed to form knowledge of the characteristics of the communication process, skills and abilities of adequate communicative behavior in various situations of verbal and non-verbal communication.
Peculiarities of Formation of Basic Competences in the Process of Professional Training of Future Translators
Authors:   National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Dоmina Viktoriia , Denisyuk Victoria ,   National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Sedova Ksenia ,   National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine
Published: December 2020

The proposed article is devoted to the problem of formation of basic competencies, which are a complex integrative formation of the personality of the future translator. To fully characterize them, the authors identified all the components. It is determined which specific manifestations constitute their subject essence. The relationships between the components are established and considered in the context of existence, functioning and development to identify factors in the development of multilingual personality culture. In the course of scientific research, the acquisition of professional and linguistic and cultural knowledge from translators was determined. The educational process of modern pedagogical institutions of higher education and the formation of not only professional culture but also the general culture of the translator as a "systemic integrative quality of personality, including interdependent and interdependent aspects, represented by significant and functional components, competent foreign language. Also in the course of scientific development of meaningful dominants the characteristics of such categories as multilingual, multilingual and multicultural language personality, which are transmitted by many language systems, were laid down. The proposed study substantiates the process of forming a multilingual culture of personality, determines that knowledge of one's culture is one of the main conditions for successful translators activity, because it is impossible to instill love or at least understand and accept another culture without a high national culture.
Reconciling emergences: An information-theoretic approach to identify causal emergence in multivariate data
Authors: Rosas Fernando E. , Mediano Pedro A. M. , Jensen Henrik J. , Seth Anil K. , Barrett Adam B. , Carhart-Harris Robin L. , Bor Daniel
Published: December 2020

The broad concept of emergence is instrumental in various of the most challenging open scientific questions—yet, few quantitative theories of what constitutes emergent phenomena have been proposed. This article introduces a formal theory of causal emergence in multivariate systems, which studies the relationship between the dynamics of parts of a system and macroscopic features of interest. Our theory provides a quantitative definition of downward causation, and introduces a complementary modality of emergent behaviour—which we refer to as causal decoupling. Moreover, the theory allows practical criteria that can be efficiently calculated in large systems, making our framework applicable in a range of scenarios of practical interest. We illustrate our findings in a number of case studies, including Conway’s Game of Life, Reynolds’ flocking model, and neural activity as measured by electrocorticography.
Differential effects of propofol and ketamine on critical brain dynamics
Authors: Varley Thomas F. , Sporns Olaf , Puce Aina , Beggs John
Published: December 2020

Whether the brain operates at a critical “tipping” point is a long standing scientific question, with evidence from both cellular and systems-scale studies suggesting that the brain does sit in, or near, a critical regime. Neuroimaging studies of humans in altered states of consciousness have prompted the suggestion that maintenance of critical dynamics is necessary for the emergence of consciousness and complex cognition, and that reduced or disorganized consciousness may be associated with deviations from criticality. Unfortunately, many of the cellular-level studies reporting signs of criticality were performed in non-conscious systems (in vitro neuronal cultures) or unconscious animals (e.g. anaesthetized rats). Here we attempted to address this knowledge gap by exploring critical brain dynamics in invasive ECoG recordings from multiple sessions with a single macaque as the animal transitioned from consciousness to unconsciousness under different anaesthetics (ketamine and propofol). We use a previously-validated test of criticality: avalanche dynamics to assess the differences in brain dynamics between normal consciousness and both drug-states. Propofol and ketamine were selected due to their differential effects on consciousness (ketamine, but not propofol, is known to induce an unusual state known as “dissociative anaesthesia”). Our analyses indicate that propofol dramatically restricted the size and duration of avalanches, while ketamine allowed for more awake-like dynamics to persist. In addition, propofol, but not ketamine, triggered a large reduction in the complexity of brain dynamics. All states, however, showed some signs of persistent criticality when testing for exponent relations and universal shape-collapse. Further, maintenance of critical brain dynamics may be important for regulation and control of conscious awareness.
Confidence intervals by constrained optimization—An algorithm and software package for practical identifiability analysis in systems biology
Authors: Borisov Ivan , Metelkin Evgeny
Published: December 2020

Practical identifiability of Systems Biology models has received a lot of attention in recent scientific research. It addresses the crucial question for models’ predictability: how accurately can the models’ parameters be recovered from available experimental data. The methods based on profile likelihood are among the most reliable methods of practical identification. However, these methods are often computationally demanding or lead to inaccurate estimations of parameters’ confidence intervals. Development of methods, which can accurately produce parameters’ confidence intervals in reasonable computational time, is of utmost importance for Systems Biology and QSP modeling.

We propose an algorithm Confidence Intervals by Constraint Optimization (CICO) based on profile likelihood, designed to speed-up confidence intervals estimation and reduce computational cost. The numerical implementation of the algorithm includes settings to control the accuracy of confidence intervals estimates. The algorithm was tested on a number of Systems Biology models, including Taxol treatment model and STAT5 Dimerization model, discussed in the current article.

The CICO algorithm is implemented in a software package freely available in Julia (https://github.com/insysbio/LikelihoodProfiler.jl) and Python (https://github.com/insysbio/LikelihoodProfiler.py).
Taenia larvae possess distinct acetylcholinesterase profiles with implications for host cholinergic signalling
Authors: de Lange Anja , Prodjinotho Ulrich Fabien , Tomes Hayley , Hagen Jana , Jacobs Brittany-Amber , Smith Katherine , Horsnell William , Sikasunge Chummy , Hockman Dorit , Selkirk Murray E. , Prazeres da Costa Clarissa , Raimondo Joseph Valentino
Published: December 2020

Larvae of the cestodes Taenia solium and Taenia crassiceps infect the central nervous system of humans. Taenia solium larvae in the brain cause neurocysticercosis, the leading cause of adult-acquired epilepsy worldwide. Relatively little is understood about how cestode-derived products modulate host neural and immune signalling. Acetylcholinesterases, a class of enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, are produced by a host of parasitic worms to aid their survival in the host. Acetylcholine is an important signalling molecule in both the human nervous and immune systems, with powerful modulatory effects on the excitability of cortical networks. Therefore, it is important to establish whether cestode derived acetylcholinesterases may alter host neuronal cholinergic signalling. Here we make use of multiple techniques to profile acetylcholinesterase activity in different extracts of both Taenia crassiceps and Taenia solium larvae. We find that the larvae of both species contain substantial acetylcholinesterase activity. However, acetylcholinesterase activity is lower in Taenia solium as compared to Taenia crassiceps larvae. Further, whilst we observed acetylcholinesterase activity in all fractions of Taenia crassiceps larvae, including on the membrane surface and in the excreted/secreted extracts, we could not identify acetylcholinesterases on the membrane surface or in the excreted/secreted extracts of Taenia solium larvae. Bioinformatic analysis revealed conservation of the functional protein domains in the Taenia solium acetylcholinesterases, when compared to the homologous human sequence. Finally, using whole-cell patch clamp recordings in rat hippocampal brain slice cultures, we demonstrate that Taenia larval derived acetylcholinesterases can break down acetylcholine at a concentration which induces changes in neuronal signalling. Together, these findings highlight the possibility that Taenia larval acetylcholinesterases can interfere with cholinergic signalling in the host, potentially contributing to pathogenesis in neurocysticercosis.
Assessment of transcriptional importance of cell line-specific features based on GTRD and FANTOM5 data
Authors: Sharipov Ruslan N. , Kondrakhin Yury V. , Ryabova Anna S. , Yevshin Ivan S. , Kolpakov Fedor A.
Published: December 2020

Creating a complete picture of the regulation of transcription seems to be an urgent task of modern biology. Regulation of transcription is a complex process carried out by transcription factors (TFs) and auxiliary proteins. Over the past decade, ChIP-Seq has become the most common experimental technology studying genome-wide interactions between TFs and DNA. We assessed the transcriptional significance of cell line-specific features using regression analysis of ChIP-Seq datasets from the GTRD database and transcriptional start site (TSS) activities from the FANTOM5 expression atlas. For this purpose, we initially generated a large number of features that were defined as the presence or absence of TFs in different promoter regions around TSSs. Using feature selection and regression analysis, we identified sets of the most important TFs that affect expression activity of TSSs in human cell lines such as HepG2, K562 and HEK293. We demonstrated that some TFs can be classified as repressors and activators depending on their location relative to TSS.
Performance of real-time PCR and immunofluorescence assay for diagnosis of Pneumocystis pneumonia in real-world clinical practice
Authors: Chotiprasitsakul Darunee , Pewloungsawat Pataraporn , Setthaudom Chavachol , Santanirand Pitak , Pornsuriyasak Prapaporn
Published: December 2020

Background

PCR is more sensitive than immunofluorescence assay (IFA) for detection ofPneumocystis jirovecii. However, PCR cannot always distinguish infection from colonization. This study aimed to compare the performance of real-time PCR and IFA for diagnosis ofP.jiroveciipneumonia (PJP) in a real-world clinical setting.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a 1,300-bed hospital between April 2017 and December 2018. Patients whose respiratory sample (bronchoalveolar lavage or sputum) were tested by bothPneumocystisPCR and IFA were included. Diagnosis of PJP was classified based on multicomponent criteria. Sensitivity, specificity, 95% confidence intervals (CI), and Cohen's kappa coefficient were calculated.

Results

There were 222 eligible patients. The sensitivity and specificity of PCR was 91.9% (95% CI, 84.0%–96.7%) and 89.7% (95% CI, 83.3%–94.3%), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of IFA was 7.0% (95% CI, 2.6%–14.6%) and 99.2% (95% CI, 95.6%–100.0%), respectively. The percent agreement between PCR and IFA was 56.7% (Cohen's kappa -0.02). Among discordant PCR-positive and IFA-negative samples, 78% were collected after PJP treatment. Clinical management would have changed in 14% of patients using diagnostic information, mainly based on PCR results.

Conclusions

PCR is highly sensitive compared with IFA for detection of PJP. Combining clinical, and radiological features with PCR is useful for diagnosis of PJP, particularly when respiratory specimens cannot be promptly collected before initiation of PJP treatment.
Regional differences in socioeconomic trends: The spatiotemporal evolution from individual cities to a megacity region over a long time series
Authors: Sun Zhiming , Chen Xianglong , Xing Hanfa , Ma Hongtao , Meng Yuan
Published: December 2020

Regional differences in socioeconomic factors are important for assessing the regional development of an area. While much research has focused on the overall patterns of regional differences within independent cities and areas, the hierarchical spatiotemporal structures of megacity regions have seldom been discussed. To fill this gap, this paper investigates the multilevel regional differences within megacity regions. Employing GDP, population and total retail sales as socioeconomic indicators, the spatiotemporal patterns of socioeconomic trends are identified. A hierarchical clustering approach that utilizes socioeconomic similarities is proposed for the identification of the spatiotemporal patterns of individual cities. At the megacity regional level, gravity centers and pathways are constructed to evaluate spatial imbalances and temporal change intensities. Taking the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) as its study area, this research produces results that show diverse spatiotemporal patterns among the individual cities, revealing high/low starting point and high/low growth rate modes in terms of city interactions. From the perspective of the entire GBA, the spatial imbalance of GDP is the highest of the factors, followed by the spatial imbalance of the total retail sales of the region and, finally, by that of its population. Total retail sales exhibit the highest level of temporal change intensity, followed by GDP and population. In terms of the contribution of the various cities to the overall regional changes, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong dominate the spatiotemporal changes in the gravity centers, while Foshan and Dongguan show significant potential to contribute to these socioeconomic patterns. These results provide effective guidance for the sustainable development of megacity regions.
New measures of agency from an adaptive sensorimotor task
Authors: Wang Shiyun , Rajananda Sivananda , Lau Hakwan , Knotts J. D.
Published: December 2020

Self-agency, the sense that one is the author or owner of one’s behaviors, is impaired in multiple psychological and neurological disorders, including functional movement disorders, Parkinson’s Disease, alien hand syndrome, schizophrenia, and dystonia. Existing assessments of self-agency, many of which focus on agency of movement, can be prohibitively time-consuming and often yield ambiguous results. Here, we introduce a short online motion tracking task that quantifies movement agency through both first-order perceptual and second-order metacognitive judgments. The task assesses the degree to which a participant can distinguish between a motion stimulus whose trajectory is influenced by the participant’s cursor movements and a motion stimulus whose trajectory is random. We demonstrate the task’s reliability in healthy participants and discuss how its efficiency, reliability, and ease of online implementation make it a promising new tool for both diagnosing and understanding disorders of agency.
Plasma flow distal to tourniquet placement provides a physiological mechanism for tissue salvage
Authors: Busse Emily , Hickey Cheryl , Vasilakos Nicole , Stewart Kennon , O’Brien Fred , Rivera Jessica , Marrero Luis , Lacey Michelle , Schroll Rebecca , Van Meter Keith , Sammarco Mimi C.
Published: December 2020

Military literature has demonstrated the utility and safety of tourniquets in preventing mortality for some time, paving the way for increased use of tourniquets in civilian settings, including perioperatively to provide a bloodless surgical field. However, tourniquet use is not without risk and the subsequent effects of tissue ischemia can impede downstream rehabilitative efforts to regenerate and salvage nerve, muscle, tissue and bone in the limb. Limb ischemia studies in both the mouse and pig models have indicated not only that there is residual flow past the tourniquet by means of microcirculation, but also that recovery from tissue ischemia is dependent upon this microcirculation. Here we expand upon these previous studies using portable Near-Infrared Imaging to quantify residual plasma flow distal to the tourniquet in mice, pigs, and humans and leverage this flow to show that plasma can be supersaturated with oxygen to reduce intracellular hypoxia and promote tissue salvage following tourniquet placement. Our findings provide a mechanism of delivery for the application of oxygen, tissue preservation solutions, and anti-microbial agents prior to tourniquet release to improve postoperative recovery. In the current environment of increased tourniquet use, techniques which promote distal tissue preservation and limb salvage rates are crucial.
Terbutaline, forskolin and cAMP reduce secretion of aqueous humour in the isolated bovine eye
Authors: Shahidullah Mohammad , Wilson William Stuart , Rafiq Kazi , Sikder Mahmudul Hasan , Ferdous Jannatul , Delamere Nicholas Anthony
Published: December 2020

In order to elucidate involvement of cyclic AMP and intracellular Ca2+,[Ca2+]i, in the modulation of aqueous humour formation (AHF), we studied the effects of terbutaline, forskolin and 8-Br-cAMP in the isolated bovine eye. We also studied the interaction of cAMP on calcium signaling in cultured ciliary epithelial (CE) cells. Drug effects on AHF were measured by fluorescein dilution. Drug effects on [Ca2+]iwere studied by the fura-2 fluorescence ratio technique. Terbutaline (100 nmol-100 M), forskolin (30 nM-100 M) or 8-Br-cAMP (100 nM– 10 μM), administered in the arterial perfusate produced significant reductions in AHF. The AH reducing effect of terbutaline was blocked by a selective inhibitor of protein kinase A (KT-5720). ATP (100 M) caused a rapid, transient (peak) increase in [Ca2+]ifollowed by a sustained plateau phase lasting more than 5 minutes. Preincubation of the cells (6 min) with terbutaline, forskolin or 8-Br-cAMP significantly reduced the peak calcium response to ATP. The sustained plateau phase of the response, on the other hand, was augmented by each of the agents. KT-5720 partially reversed the inhibitory effect of terbutaline on the peak and totally inhibited its effect on the plateau phase. These data indicate: (a) that AHF in the bovine eye can be manipulated through cyclic AMP, operating via protein kinase A, (b) that protein kinase A can affect [Ca2+]ihomeostasis, (c) that calcium release from the intracellular store, not the entry, affects AHF, and (d) that interaction of [Ca2+]iwith cAMP plays a role in modulating AH secretion.
What young people say about impulsivity in the short-term build up to self-harm: A qualitative study using card-sort tasks
Authors: Lockwood Joanna , Townsend Ellen , Allen Heather , Daley David , Sayal Kapil
Published: December 2020

Youth who self-harm report high levels of trait impulsivity and identify impulsive behaviour as a proximal factor directly preceding a self-harm act. Yet, impulsivity is a multidimensional construct and distinct impulsivity-related facets relate differentially to self-harm outcomes. Studies have yet to examine if and how a multidimensional account of impulsivity is meaningful to individual experiences and understandings of self-harm in youth. We explored the salience and context of multidimensional impulsivity within narratives of self-harm, and specifically in relation to the short-term build-up to a self-harm episode. Fifteen community-based adolescents (aged 16–22 years) attending Further Education (FE) colleges in the UK took part in individual face-to-face sessions (involving exploratory card-sort tasks and semi-structured interviews) which explored factors relating to self-harm, impulsivity and the broader emotional, developmental and cognitive context. Session data were analysed thematically. Two overarching themes, and associated subthemes, were identified: ‘How I respond to strong negative emotions’; and ‘Impulse versus deliberation- How much I think through what I’m doing before I do it’. Self-harm was typically a quick, impulsive act in the context of overwhelming emotion, underpinned by cognitive processing deficits. The dynamic tension between emotion-based impulsivity and controlled deliberation was articulated in the immediate moments before self-harm. However, impulsive responses were perceived as modifiable. Where self-harm patterns were established, these related to habitual behaviour and quick go-to responses. Young people identified with a multidimensional conception of impulsivity and described the impulsive context of a self-harm act as dynamic, contextual, and developmentally charged. Findings have implications for youth-focused work. Card-task frameworks are recommended to scaffold and facilitate discussion with young people, particularly where topics are sensitive, complex and multifactorial.
Stagnation of life expectancy in Korea in 2018: A cause-specific decomposition analysis
Authors: Kim Taejae , Bahk Jinwook , Lim Hwa Kyung , Khang Young-Ho
Published: December 2020

According to the most recent annual report released by Korea Statistics, the life expectancy at birth (for both sexes) in 2018 was 82.7 years, an increase of 0.0 years over 2017, reflecting the first stagnation in life expectancy since 1960. In this study, a time-series analysis was conducted of trends in life expectancy from 2003 to 2018, and causes of death were analyzed using the Kannisto-Thatcher method and the Arriaga decomposition method. The time trend analysis of yearly life expectancy changes indicated that, in Korea, there was a tendency for the yearly increase in life expectancy between 2003 and 2018 to decrease by 0.0211 years per calendar year. The contribution of cardiovascular diseases, the most important contributor to the life expectancy increase in Korea, gradually decreased over this period. The contribution of cardiovascular diseases to the life expectancy increase was 0.506 years in 2003–2006, but this contribution decreased to 0.218 years in 2015–2018. The positive contributions of ill-defined causes and external causes to life expectancy increase detected in previous periods were not evident in 2015–2018. Diseases of the respiratory system made the largest negative contribution both between 2015 and 2018 and between 2017–2018. The life expectancy stagnation in 2018 could be understood as the combined effect of (a) decreasing momentum in the increase of life expectancy and (b) a chance event in 2018 involving life expectancy. Currently, it is difficult to judge whether the stagnation of life expectancy in 2018 is temporary, and further analyses of life expectancy and contributing causes of death in the future are needed.
Leonardo: A ‘mind space’ in transit
Authors: Kazakou Christiana
Published: December 2020

This ultimate Archaeology celebrates the legacy of Leonardo, an idea that became a Journal that developed into a global transdisciplinary community. The author reflects on the last half century of innovation in the practice of art and science that has galvanized generations of creative practitioners entangled in the turbulence of transdisciplinary thinking. In tracking the emergence of this mind space, this Archaeology projects to the future where Leonardo has a vital role to play in engaging and shaping new world perspectives.
Lab report: Balance-Unbalance. Ecology and citizenship
Authors: Dal Farra Ricardo
Published: December 2020

It can be difficult to acknowledge our own fragility. The equilibrium between a healthy environment, the energy our society needs to maintain or improve its usual lifestyle, and the world’s interconnected economies can pass more quickly than expected from a delicate balance to an entirely new reality where human beings would need to be more creative than ever before to survive. The frequency and severity that certain weather and climate-related events are having around us are increasing, and the ability of human beings to modify our adjacent surroundings has turned into a power capable of altering the planet. Do the media arts have a role in all this?
«Non m’è grave il morire». Sobre la muerte dichosa del amante en algunos textos del Renacimiento
Authors: Matos Kevin
Published: December 2020

No todos los amantes suplican piedad a sus amados a fin de evitar la muerte que los amenaza si no ven correspondido su amor. Algunos vislumbran una muerte dichosa si se produce una piedad póstuma. Estas páginas intentan explorar distintas manifestaciones del motivo de la muerte dichosa del amante para evaluar las posibilidades interpretativas de un poema de Bartolomeo Gottifredi.
Madre! de Darren Aronofsky (2017): un poema cinematográfico
Authors: Seoane Riveira José
Published: December 2020

El artículo analiza el filme Madre!, de Darren Aronofsky, una obra cuya recepción por parte de crítica y público fue polémica debido a su extraño argumento y sus formas aparentemente caóticas que mezclan narrativa cinematográfica clásica y procedimientos más cercanos al cine poético. A lo largo de estas páginas se establece una hipótesis que otorga, a partir del análisis del filme, un sentido a la obra y que propone una lectura crítica totalmente diferenciada de las que se han venido haciendo hasta el momento. La hibridación y las tensiones entre las narrativas clásicas cinematográficas y los procedimientos formales antinarrativos hacen de Madre! una pieza fundamental para entender las relaciones entre el cine contemporáneo y la poesía.