bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Borassus aethiopum-Fortified Bread Reduces Metabolic Risk Factors among Cardiovascular Disease Outpatients at 37 Military Hospital, Accra: A Pilot Study
Authors: Apprey Charles , Peprah Marian , Annan Reginald Adjetey , Tandoh Marina A. , Asamoah-Boakye Odeafo
Published: July 2020

Background. Dyslipidemia and hypertension are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Objective. The study sought to evaluate the effects of Borassus aethiopum-fortified bread on metabolic risk factors among CVD outpatients. Method. From August 2016 to April 2017, a pilot study using a single-blinded randomized placebo-controlled trial was conducted by administering Borassus-fortified bread (150 g) and indistinguishable placebo (150 g white flour bread) daily to 122 CVD outpatients at 37 Military Hospital, Accra, Ghana, for 90 days. Body composition, blood pressure, and biochemical parameters were evaluated before and after the intervention. Results. Following the intervention, the mean waist circumference (before: 98.3±14.6 cm, after: 95.9±15.8 cm, P=0.030), BMI (before: 31.4±6.9 kg/m2, after: 28.0±5.8 kg/m2, P=0.027), and visceral fat (before: 10.4±3.2, after: 9.9±3.0, P=0.013), as well as systolic (from 161.2±25.5 to 137.6±22.9and diastolic (from 99.2±13.6 to 85.1±10.8) blood pressure, were significantly reduced among the experimental group. Likewise, serum total cholesterol (TC), LDL, and HDL were significantly reduced within the experimental group before (TC: 5.9±1.1, LDL: 3.4±1.1, and HDL: 2.2±0.5) and after the intervention (TC: 4.9±1.1, LDL: 2.8±0.9, and HDL: 1.5±0.4) (TC: P=0.001, LDL: P=0.016, and HDL: P < 0.001, in mmol/L). These reductions were not observed in the controls. Conclusion. The Borassus-fortified bread significantly reduced blood pressure and improved lipid profile and other metabolic risk factors among the CVD outpatients studied. Therefore, its potential in the management of CVDs and other metabolic-related diseases should be looked at.
Constructing Keyed Hash Algorithm Using Enhanced Chaotic Map with Varying Parameter
Authors: Liu Hongjun , Kadir Abdurahman , Ma Chao , Xu Chengbo
Published: July 2020

A keyed hash algorithm is proposed based on 1-D enhanced quadratic map (EQM) with varying parameter. Three measures, including assigning unique one-time keys, key expansion, and hash length extension, are taken to enhance its security. First, the message is transformed into a parameter sequence for the EQM to be absorbed, and then the extended keys are generated as the initial values of the EQM. Finally, the EQM is iterated with redundant loops to transform the variable values into a hash value. The algorithm is so flexible that it can generate hash value with different lengths of 256, 512, 1024, or more bits through a parameter switcher, and redundant loops can eliminate the transient effect of chaos and mitigate the increasing threat of the side-channel attack. Security evaluations and comparison demonstrated its practicability and reliability.
Preserving Privacy in Multimedia Social Networks Using Machine Learning Anomaly Detection
Authors: Aljably Randa , Tian Yuan , Al-Rodhaan Mznah
Published: July 2020

Nowadays, user’s privacy is a critical matter in multimedia social networks. However, traditional machine learning anomaly detection techniques that rely on user’s log files and behavioral patterns are not sufficient to preserve it. Hence, the social network security should have multiple security measures to take into account additional information to protect user’s data. More precisely, access control models could complement machine learning algorithms in the process of privacy preservation. The models could use further information derived from the user’s profiles to detect anomalous users. In this paper, we implement a privacy preservation algorithm that incorporates supervised and unsupervised machine learning anomaly detection techniques with access control models. Due to the rich and fine-grained policies, our control model continuously updates the list of attributes used to classify users. It has been successfully tested on real datasets, with over 95% accuracy using Bayesian classifier, and 95.53% on receiver operating characteristic curve using deep neural networks and long short-term memory recurrent neural network classifiers. Experimental results show that this approach outperforms other detection techniques such as support vector machine, isolation forest, principal component analysis, and Kolmogorov–Smirnov test.
Analysis of Radial Force and Vibration Energy in a Centrifugal Pump
Authors: Cui Baoling , Li Jiacheng , Zhang Chenliang , Zhang Yingbin
Published: July 2020

Vibration is one of the main issues taken into consideration in the design and manufacture of the pump. The radial force and vibration of the impeller induced by fluid in a centrifugal pump were investigated at different flow rates by numerical simulation. The vibrations on the volute were measured by the experiment. The variation trend of the radial displacements of the impeller is consistent with that of the radial forces, and the variation in the radial displacement lags that of the radial force. The vibration energies on the impeller and the volute were analyzed based on root-mean-square (RMS) values in the frequency domain. The distributions of energy loss in the pumps were calculated to determine the total entropy generation (TEG) and entropy generation rate (EGR). The TEG values as calculated are in close accordance with hydraulic loss. The vibration is a result of the poor flow patterns and consequently results in increased energy losses in the pump.
Brilliant Green Dye Biosorption Using Activated Carbon Derived from Guava Tree Wood
Authors: Mansour R. A. , El Shahawy Abeer , Attia A. , Beheary Mokhtar S.
Published: July 2020

The removal of brilliant green (BG) dye from an aqueous solution using activated carbon (AC) derived from guava tree wood is conducted in batch conditions. The influence of different factors such as contact time, pH, adsorbent dosage, initial dye concentration, and temperature on the adsorption of BG onto AC was investigated. FTIR, BET, and SEM analyses were performed to determine the characteristics of the material. The isotherm results were analyzed using the Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherms. Linear regression was used to fit the experimental data. It was found that the equilibrium data are best represented by the Freundlich isotherm, and the adsorption capacity (qe) was 90 mg dye/g AC. The values of the free energy (∆G), enthalpy (∆H), and entropy (∆S) were −86.188 kJ/mol, 43.025 kJ/mol, and 128 J/mol.K, respectively, at pH 7 for the BG dye. The kinetics of BG dye adsorption were analyzed using pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models, and it was found that the pseudo-second-order model was suitable for the behavior of the BG dye at R2 = 0.999.
Pasteurella Endocarditis: A Case Report and Statistical Analysis of the Literature
Authors: Porter Randall S. , Hay Christine M.
Published: July 2020

Pasteurella is a genus of commensal bacteria of the oral cavity of several domesticated animals and a common cause of cellulitis after animal bites. Pasteurella has also been reported as a rare cause of endocarditis, with only 35 prior cases of definite Pasteurella endocarditis in the literature. Here, we present a case of Pasteurella multocida endocarditis treated successfully with surgery and antibiosis, as well as a review of the literature with statistical analysis of correlations between risk factors and clinical outcomes, as well as between treatment choices and clinical outcomes. Despite the small sample size, our analysis indicates a statistically significant correlation between comorbid liver disease and mortality, as well as a significant negative correlation between surgical treatment and mortality. This analysis implies a need for surgical management of endocarditis due to Pasteurella species and for more aggressive management of Pasteurella endocarditis in the setting of comorbid liver disease.
Biological Mechanisms and Clinical Significance of BAP1 Mutations in Human Cancer
Authors: Carbone Michele , Harbour J. William , Brugarolas James , Bononi Angela , Pagano Ian , Dey Anwesha , Krausz Thomas , Pass Harvey I. , Yang Haining , Gaudino Giovanni
Published: July 2020

Among more than 200 BAP1-mutant families affected by the “BAP1 cancer syndrome,” nearly all individuals inheriting a BAP1 mutant allele developed one or more malignancies during their lifetime, mostly uveal and cutaneous melanoma, mesothelioma, and clear-cell renal cell carcinoma. These cancer types are also those that, when they occur sporadically, are more likely to carry somatic biallelic BAP1 mutations. Mechanistic studies revealed that the tumor suppressor function of BAP1 is linked to its dual activity in the nucleus, where it is implicated in a variety of processes including DNA repair and transcription, and in the cytoplasm, where it regulates cell death and mitochondrial metabolism. BAP1 activity in tumor suppression is cell type– and context-dependent. BAP1 has emerged as a critical tumor suppressor across multiple cancer types, predisposing to tumor development when mutated in the germline as well as somatically. Moreover, BAP1 has emerged as a key regulator of gene–environment interaction.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1079
Immune Surveillance in Clinical Regression of Preinvasive Squamous Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Pennycuick Adam , Teixeira Vitor H. , AbdulJabbar Khalid , Raza Shan E. Ahmed , Lund Tom , Akarca Ayse U. , Rosenthal Rachel , Kalinke Lukas , Chandrasekharan Deepak P. , Pipinikas Christodoulos P. , Lee-Six Henry , Hynds Robert E. , Gowers Kate H.C. , Henry Jake Y. , Millar Fraser R. , Hagos Yeman B. , Denais Celine , Falzon Mary , Moore David A. , Antoniou Sophia , Durrenberger Pascal F. , Furness Andrew J. , Carroll Bernadette , Marceaux Claire , Asselin-Labat Marie-Liesse , Larson William , Betts Courtney , Coussens Lisa M. , Thakrar Ricky M. , George Jeremy , Swanton Charles , Thirlwell Christina , Campbell Peter J. , Marafioti Teresa , Yuan Yinyin , Quezada Sergio A. , McGranahan Nicholas , Janes Sam M.
Published: July 2020

Before squamous cell lung cancer develops, precancerous lesions can be found in the airways. From longitudinal monitoring, we know that only half of such lesions become cancer, whereas a third spontaneously regress. Although recent studies have described the presence of an active immune response in high-grade lesions, the mechanisms underpinning clinical regression of precancerous lesions remain unknown. Here, we show that host immune surveillance is strongly implicated in lesion regression. Using bronchoscopic biopsies from human subjects, we find that regressive carcinoma in situ lesions harbor more infiltrating immune cells than those that progress to cancer. Moreover, molecular profiling of these lesions identifies potential immune escape mechanisms specifically in those that progress to cancer: antigen presentation is impaired by genomic and epigenetic changes, CCL27–CCR10 signaling is upregulated, and the immunomodulator TNFSF9 is downregulated. Changes appear intrinsic to the carcinoma in situ lesions, as the adjacent stroma of progressive and regressive lesions are transcriptomically similar.

Significance:

Immune evasion is a hallmark of cancer. For the first time, this study identifies mechanisms by which precancerous lesions evade immune detection during the earliest stages of carcinogenesis and forms a basis for new therapeutic strategies that treat or prevent early-stage lung cancer.

See related commentary by Krysan et al., p. 1442.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1426
Identification of BBOX1 as a Therapeutic Target in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Liao Chengheng , Zhang Yang , Fan Cheng , Herring Laura E. , Liu Juan , Locasale Jason W. , Takada Mamoru , Zhou Jin , Zurlo Giada , Hu Lianxin , Simon Jeremy M. , Ptacek Travis S. , Andrianov Victor G. , Loza Einars , Peng Yan , Yang Huanghe , Perou Charles M. , Zhang Qing
Published: July 2020

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive and highly lethal disease. Because of its heterogeneity and lack of hormone receptors or HER2 expression, targeted therapy is limited. Here, by performing a functional siRNA screening for 2-OG–dependent enzymes, we identified gamma-butyrobetaine hydroxylase 1 (BBOX1) as an essential gene for TNBC tumorigenesis. BBOX1 depletion inhibits TNBC cell growth while not affecting normal breast cells. Mechanistically, BBOX1 binds with the calcium channel inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type 3 (IP3R3) in an enzymatic-dependent manner and prevents its ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. BBOX1 depletion suppresses IP3R3-mediated endoplasmic reticulum calcium release, therefore impairing calcium-dependent energy-generating processes including mitochondrial respiration and mTORC1-mediated glycolysis, which leads to apoptosis and impaired cell-cycle progression in TNBC cells. Therapeutically, genetic depletion or pharmacologic inhibition of BBOX1 inhibits TNBC tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. Our study highlights the importance of targeting the previously uncharacterized BBOX1–IP3R3–calcium oncogenic signaling axis in TNBC.

Significance:

We provide evidence from unbiased screens that BBOX1 is a potential therapeutic target in TNBC and that genetic knockdown or pharmacologic inhibition of BBOX1 leads to decreased TNBC cell fitness. This study lays the foundation for developing effective BBOX1 inhibitors for treatment of this lethal disease.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1611
Protective Effect of Colchicine on LPS-Induced Lung Injury in Rats via Inhibition of P-38, ERK1/2, and JNK Activation
Authors: Yue Qianyu , Liu Tian , Cheng Zhongfeng
Published: July 2020

Introduction: Acute lung injury (ALI), a commonly detected syndrome, is characterized by the accumulation of neutrophils and leucocytes, and inflammation of pulmonary tissues. Objective: The present study was designed to investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of colchicine on LPS-induced lung injury. Methods: The rats were divided randomly into 6 groups of 10 each: normal control, untreated, and 4 colchicine (5, 10, 15, and 20 mg/kg) treatment groups. ALI was induced in rats by the administration of 20 μg LPS intratracheally. Rats in the normal control and untreated groups were injected normal saline, while those in the treatment groups received 5, 10, 15, and 20 mg/kg doses of colchicine daily for 1 month. ELISA was used for determination of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and leucocytes in the rat bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). The expression of P-38, JNK, and Erk-1/2 was analysed by Western blotting. Results: In LPS-administered TC-1 cells, the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were markedly higher. Treatment with colchicine reduced the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in LPS-administered TC-1 cells. Colchicine treatment caused a marked reduction in LPS-induced accumulation of inflammatory cells in the rat lungs. The LPS-induced aggregation of leucocytes and neutrophils in the rat BALF was also suppressed markedly on treatment with colchicine. Treatment of the lung injury in rats with colchicine caused a marked decrease in the level of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in BALF. The LPS-mediated suppression of SOD in the rat BALF was prevented by treatment with colchicine. Treatment of the rats with colchicine attenuated the LPS-induced activation of P-38, Erk1/2, and JNK in pulmonary tissues. Conclusion: In summary, colchicine treatment prevents LPS-induced lung damage in rats through targeting activation of P-38, ERK1/2, and JNK. Therefore, colchicine may be used for the development of treatment for ALI.
An Iconic Case of Pigmentary Glaucoma: Brief Review of the Literature
Authors: Di Pippo Mariachiara , Ciancimino Chiara , Scuderi Luca , Perdicchi Andrea
Published: July 2020

Pigment dispersion syndrome and pigmentary glaucoma are two conditions characterized by pigment dispersion originating from the posterior part of the iris and its accumulation on the trabecular meshwork, corneal endothelium, and anterior surface of the lens. The pigment on the trabecular meshwork can cause chronic inflammation with a secondary reduction of its function and an increase in intraocular pressure. The case presented represents a typical example of pigmentary glaucoma in a myopic patient in which all the signs, symptoms, and complications typical of these pathologies were present. We report and describe an 8-year-long follow-up period with clinical and instrumental examinations.
Revised D-A-CH Reference Values for the Intake of Vitamin B6
Authors: Jungert Alexandra , Linseisen Jakob , Wagner Karl-Heinz , Richter Margrit ,   On Behalf of the German Nutrition Society (DGE)
Published: July 2020

Background: The Nutrition Societies of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland as the joint editors of the “D-A-CH reference values for nutrient intake” have revised the reference values for vitamin B6 in summer 2019. Summary: For women, the average requirement (AR) for vitamin B6 intake was derived on the basis of balance studies using a pyridoxal-5′-phosphate (PLP) plasma concentration of ≥30 nmol/L as a biomarker of an adequate vitamin B6 status. The recommended intake (RI) was derived considering a coefficient of variation of 10%. The RIs of vitamin B6 for men, children, and adolescents were extrapolated from the vitamin B6 requirement for women considering differences in body weight, an allometric exponent, growth factors as appropriate, and a coefficient of variation. For infants aged 0 to under 4 months, an estimated value was set based on the vitamin B6 intake via breast feeding. The reference value for infants aged 4 to under 12 months was extrapolated from the estimated value for infants under 4 months of age and the average vitamin B6 requirement for adults. The reference values for pregnant and lactating women consider the requirements for the foetus and the loss via breast milk. Key Messages: According to the combined analysis of 5 balance studies, the AR for vitamin B6 to ensure a plasma PLP concentration of ≥30 nmol/L is 1.2 mg/day for adult females and the extrapolated AR for adult males is 1.3 mg/day. The corresponding RIs of vitamin B6 are 1.4 mg/day for adult females and 1.6 mg/day for adult males, independent of age. For infants, the estimated value is 0.1 mg/day and 0.3 mg/day, depending on age. The AR of vitamin B6 for children and adolescents ranges between 0.5 and 1.5 mg/day, and the RI is between 0.6 mg/day and 1.6 mg/day. During pregnancy, the AR is 1.3 mg/day in the first trimester and 1.5 mg/day in the second and third trimesters; the RI is 1.5 mg/day in the first trimester and 1.8 mg/day in the second and third trimesters. For lactating women, the AR is 1.3 mg/day and the RI is 1.6 mg/day.
Prognostic Factors in Mexican Patients with Patchy and Other Types of Alopecia Areata
Authors: Jiménez-Herrera Erick Alejandro , Rios-Garza Zamira , Peralta-Pedrero María Luisa , Jurado-Santa Cruz Fermin , Morales-Sánchez Martha Alejandra
Published: July 2020

Introduction: Some clinical features have been associated with the progression and remission of alopecia areata (AA). We aim to determine possible prognostic factors in Mexican patients with AA. Methods: This prospective study of a 1-year follow-up included Mexican patients with a clinical diagnosis of AA. We evaluated disease activity with the SALT score at the first visit and 1-year follow-up; progression, no progression, and remission were defined according to score changes. We used multiple linear regression model to detect factors associated with progression and remission. Results: One hundred and four patients concluded the study. Ninety-seven patients (93.3%) had patchy AA. Fifteen patients showed disease progression and 89 no progression, of which 35 patients had remission. Body hair involvement was related to disease progression and adherence to treatment with disease remission and progression. Conclusions: Body hair involvement is related to poor prognosis. Adherence to treatment is a modifiable prognostic factor associated with the course of AA in Mexican patients.
Heart Regeneration by Endogenous Stem Cells and Cardiomyocyte Proliferation
Authors: He Lingjuan , Nguyen Ngoc B. , Ardehali Reza , Zhou Bin
Published: July 2020

Ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Myocardial infarction results in an irreversible loss of cardiomyocytes with subsequent adverse remodeling and heart failure. Identifying new sources for cardiomyocytes and promoting their formation represents a goal of cardiac biology and regenerative medicine. Within the past decade, many types of putative cardiac stem cells (CSCs) have been reported to regenerate the injured myocardium by differentiating into new cardiomyocytes. Some of these CSCs have been translated from bench to bed with reported therapeutic effectiveness. However, recent basic research studies on stem cell tracing have begun to question their fundamental biology and mechanisms of action, raising serious concerns over the myogenic potential of CSCs. We review the history of different types of CSCs within the past decade and provide an update of recent cell tracing studies that have challenged the origin and existence of CSCs. In addition to the potential role of CSCs in heart regeneration, proliferation of preexisting cardiomyocytes has recently gained more attention. This review will also evaluate the methodologic and technical aspects of past and current studies on CSCs and cardiomyocyte proliferation, with emphasis on technical strengths, advantages, and potential limitations of research approaches. While our understanding of cardiomyocyte generation and regeneration continues to evolve, it is important to address the shortcomings and inaccuracies in this field. This is best achieved by embracing technological advancements and improved methods to label single cardiomyocytes/progenitors and accurately investigate their developmental potential and fate/lineage commitment.
Independent and Opposing Associations of Habitual Exercise and Chronic PM
2.5
Exposures on Hypertension Incidence
Authors: Guo Cui , Zeng Yiqian , Chang Ly-yun , Yu Zengli , Bo Yacong , Lin Changqing , Lau Alexis KH , Tam Tony , Lao Xiang Qian
Published: July 2020

Background:

We investigated the joint associations of habitual physical activity (PA) and long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM
2.5
) with the development of hypertension in a longitudinal cohort in Taiwan.

Methods:

We selected 140 072 adults (≥18 years of age) without hypertension who joined a standard medical screening program with 360 905 medical examinations between 2001 and 2016. PM
2.5
exposure was estimated at each participant’s address using a satellite data-based spatiotemporal model with 1 km
2
resolution. Information on habitual PA and a wide range of covariates was collected using a standard self-administered questionnaire. We used the Cox regression model with time-dependent covariates to examine the joint associations.

Results:

The mean age of all observations was 41.7 years, and 48.8% were male. The mean value for systolic and diastolic blood pressure was 112.5 and 68.7mm Hg, respectively. Approximately 34.2% of all observations were inactive (0 metabolic equivalence values-hours), 29.8% had moderate-PA (median [interquartile range]; 3.75 [3.38 to 4.38] metabolic equivalence values-hours), and 36.0% had high-PA (15.7 [10.3 to 24.8] metabolic equivalence values-hours). The mean±SD of PM
2.5
was 26.1±7.3 μg/m
3
. The prevalence of cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and cancer was 2.1%, 2.9%, and 1.5%, respectively. After adjusting for a wide range of covariates (including a mutual adjustment for PA or PM
2.5
), a higher PA level was associated with a lower risk of hypertension (hazard ratio [HR] for the moderate- and high-PA was 0.93 [95% CI, 0.89–0.97] and 0.92 [95% CI, 0.88–0.96], respectively, as compared with the inactive-PA), whereas a higher level of PM
2.5
was associated with a higher risk of hypertension (HR for the moderate- and high-PM
2.5
was 1.37 [95% CI, 1.32–1.43] and 1.92 [95% CI, 1.81–2.04], respectively, as compared with the low-PM
2.5
group]. No significant interaction was observed between PA and PM
2.5
(HR 1.01 [95% CI, 1.00–1.02]).

Conclusions:

A high-PA and low PM
2.5
exposure were associated with a lower risk of hypertension. The negative association between PA and hypertension remained stable in people exposed to various levels of PM
2.5
, and the positive association between PM
2.5
and hypertension was not modified by PA. Our results indicated that PA is a suitable hypertension prevention strategy for people residing in relatively polluted regions.
Value of Vascular and Non-Vascular Pattern on Computed Tomography Perfusion in Patients With Acute Isolated Aphasia
Authors: Rudilosso Salvatore , Rodríguez Alejandro , Amaro Sergio , Obach Víctor , Renú Arturo , Llull Laura , Laredo Carlos , Marín Ángel Alberto , Vargas Alberto , Urra Xabier , Chamorro Ángel
Published: July 2020

Background and Purpose:

Acute onset aphasia may be due to stroke but also to other causes, which are commonly referred to as stroke mimics. We hypothesized that, in patients with acute isolated aphasia, distinct brain perfusion patterns are related to the cause and the clinical outcome. Herein, we analyzed the prognostic yield and the diagnostic usefulness of computed tomography perfusion (CTP) in patients with acute isolated aphasia.

Methods:

From a single-center registry, we selected a cohort of 154 patients presenting with acute isolated aphasia who had a whole-brain CTP study available. We collected the main clinical and radiological data. We categorized brain perfusion studies on CTP into vascular and nonvascular perfusion patterns and the cause of aphasia as ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack, stroke mimic, and undetermined cause. The primary clinical outcome was the persistence of aphasia at discharge. We analyzed the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of perfusion patterns to predict complete clinical recovery and ischemic stroke on follow-up imaging.

Results:

The cause of aphasia was an ischemic stroke in 58 patients (38%), transient ischemic attack in 3 (2%), stroke mimic in 68 (44%), and undetermined in 25 (16%). CTP showed vascular and nonvascular perfusion pattern in 62 (40%) and 92 (60%) patients, respectively. Overall, complete recovery occurred in 116 patients (75%). A nonvascular perfusion pattern predicted complete recovery (sensitivity 75.9%, specificity 89.5%, positive predictive value 95.7%, and negative predictive value 54.8%), and a vascular perfusion pattern was highly predictive of ischemic stroke (sensitivity 94.8%, specificity 92.7%, positive predictive value 88.7%, and negative predictive value 96.7%). The 3 patients with ischemic stroke without a vascular perfusion pattern fully recovered at discharge.

Conclusions:

CTP has prognostic value in the workup of patients with acute isolated aphasia. A nonvascular pattern is associated with higher odds of full recovery and may prompt the search for alternative causes of the symptoms.
Acute Cerebrovascular Events in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Rothstein Aaron , Oldridge Olivia , Schwennesen Hannah , Do David , Cucchiara Brett L.
Published: July 2020

Background and Purpose:

Initial reports suggest a significant risk of thrombotic events, including stroke, in patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, there is little systematic data on stroke incidence and mechanisms, particularly in racially diverse populations in the United States.

Methods:

We performed a retrospective, observational study of stroke incidence and mechanisms in all patients with COVID-19 hospitalized from March 15 to May 3, 2020, at 3 Philadelphia hospitals.

Results:

We identified 844 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 (mean age 59 years, 52% female, 68% Black); 20 (2.4%) had confirmed ischemic stroke; and 8 (0.9%) had intracranial hemorrhage. Of the ischemic stroke patients, mean age was 64 years, with only one patient (5%) under age 50, and 80% were Black. Conventional vascular risk factors were common, with 95% of patients having a history of hypertension and 60% a history of diabetes mellitus. Median time from onset of COVID symptoms to stroke diagnosis was 21 days. Stroke mechanism was cardioembolism in 40%, small vessel disease in 5%, other determined mechanism in 20%, and cryptogenic in 35%. Of the 11 patients with complete vascular imaging, 3 (27%) had large vessel occlusion. Newly positive antiphospholipid antibodies were present in >75% of tested patients. Of the patients with intracranial hemorrhage, 5/8 (63%) were lobar intraparenchymal hemorrhages, and 3/8 (38%) were subarachnoid hemorrhage; 4/8 (50%) were on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Conclusions:

We found a low risk of acute cerebrovascular events in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Most patients with ischemic stroke had conventional vascular risk factors, and traditional stroke mechanisms were common.
Normalization by Other Means—Technological Infrastructure and Political Commitment in the North Korean Nuclear Crisis
Authors: Lawrence Christopher
Published: July 2020

The 1994 Agreed Framework called for North Korea to dismantle its plutonium-production complex in exchange for civilian light water reactors (LWRs) and the promise of political normalization with the United States. The accord succeeded at rolling back North Korea's nuclear program, but the regime secretly began enriching uranium when the LWR project fell behind schedule. Today, scholars look back at the Agreed Framework as a U.S. offer of “carrots” to bribe the regime, but this framing overlooks the credibility challenges of normalization and the distinctive technical challenges of building LWRs in North Korea. A combiniation of political and technical analysis reveals how the LWR project helped build credibility for the political changes promised in the Agreed Framework. Under this interpretation, the LWR project created a platform for important breakthroughs in U.S.-North Korean engagement by signaling a U.S. commitment to normalization, but its signaling function was undercut when the United States displaced the costs of LWR construction to its allies. The real challenge of proliferation crisis diplomacy is not to bribe or coerce target states into giving up nuclear weapons, but to credibly signal a U.S. commitment to the long-term political changes needed to make denuclearization possible.
Polynomial-Time Algorithms for Multiple-Arm Identification with Full-Bandit Feedback
Authors: Kuroki Yuko , Xu Liyuan , Miyauchi Atsushi , Honda Junya , Sugiyama Masashi
Published: July 2020

We study the problem of stochastic multiple-arm identification, where an agent sequentially explores a size-[Formula: see text] subset of arms (also known as a super arm) from given [Formula: see text] arms and tries to identify the best super arm. Most work so far has considered the semi-bandit setting, where the agent can observe the reward of each pulled arm or assumed each arm can be queried at each round. However, in real-world applications, it is costly or sometimes impossible to observe a reward of individual arms. In this study, we tackle the full-bandit setting, where only a noisy observation of the total sum of a super arm is given at each pull. Although our problem can be regarded as an instance of the best arm identification in linear bandits, a naive approach based on linear bandits is computationally infeasible since the number of super arms [Formula: see text] is exponential. To cope with this problem, we first design a polynomial-time approximation algorithm for a 0-1 quadratic programming problem arising in confidence ellipsoid maximization. Based on our approximation algorithm, we propose a bandit algorithm whose computation time is [Formula: see text](log [Formula: see text]), thereby achieving an exponential speedup over linear bandit algorithms. We provide a sample complexity upper bound that is still worst-case optimal. Finally, we conduct experiments on large-scale data sets with more than 10[Formula: see text] super arms, demonstrating the superiority of our algorithms in terms of both the computation time and the sample complexity.
BLiMP: The Benchmark of Linguistic Minimal Pairs for English
Authors: Warstadt Alex , Parrish Alicia , Liu Haokun , Mohananey Anhad , Peng Wei , Wang Sheng-Fu , Bowman Samuel R.
Published: July 2020

We introduce The Benchmark of Linguistic Minimal Pairs (BLiMP),1a challenge set for evaluating the linguistic knowledge of language models (LMs) on major grammatical phenomena in English. BLiMP consists of 67 individual datasets, each containing 1,000 minimal pairs—that is, pairs of minimally different sentences that contrast in grammatical acceptability and isolate specific phenomenon in syntax, morphology, or semantics. We generate the data according to linguist-crafted grammar templates, and human aggregate agreement with the labels is 96.4%. We evaluate n-gram, LSTM, and Transformer (GPT-2 and Transformer-XL) LMs by observing whether they assign a higher probability to the acceptable sentence in each minimal pair. We find that state-of-the-art models identify morphological contrasts related to agreement reliably, but they struggle with some subtle semantic and syntactic phenomena, such as negative polarity items and extraction islands.
Cunila socorroae (Lamiaceae) a new species from Sierra Madre Occidental, Durango, Mexico

Authors: GARCÍA-PEÑA MARÍA DEL ROSARIO , GONZÁLEZ-GALLEGOS JESÚS GUADALUPE
Published: July 2020

Recent botanical explorations in Durango, Mexico, led to the discovery of a new species endemic to this state: Cunila socorroae (Lamiaceae), which is consequently here described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically most similar to C. jaliscana and C. lythrifolia. It can be distinguished from both in having less flowers per cyme, lanceolate floral bracts, longer calyx tube, and lanceolate calyx teeth and longer. It also deviates from C. jaliscana by the fewer floral internodes, longer floral bract, and generally longer corolla tube. Also, the exfoliating bark, white corollas and internally pubescent, make a clear distinction against C. lythrifolia. The distinctive geographic distribution of these species is an additional support to their separation; the new species is exclusive of the middle portion of Sierra Madre Occidental, whereas C. jaliscana is restricted to the northernmost portion of Sierra Madre del Sur, and C. lythrifolia, though mostly occurs in eastern Tans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, has also some localities in southern Chihuahuan Desert, Sierra Madre Oriental and Sierra Madre del Sur.
Utilization of Integrated and Colocated Behavioral Health Models in Pediatric Primary Care
Authors: Hoff Alexandra , Hughes-Reid Cheyenne , Sood Erica , Lines Meghan
Published: July 2020

Integrating behavioral health services within pediatric primary care may help address barriers to these services for youth, especially the underserved. Models of primary care behavioral health include coordinated, colocated, integrated, and collaborative care. This study began exploring the comparative utility of these models by investigating differences in the demographics and diagnoses of patients seen for a behavioral health warm handoff (integrated model) and a scheduled behavioral health visit (colocated model) across 3 pediatric primary care sites. The 3 sites differed in their rates of warm handoff usage, and there were differences in certain diagnoses given at warm handoffs versus scheduled visits. Depression diagnoses were more likely to be given in warm handoffs, and disruptive behavior, trauma/adjustment, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder–related diagnoses were more likely to be given in scheduled visits. These results have implications for the influence of office structure and standardized procedures on behavioral health models used in pediatric primary care.
Public–Private Partnerships in the Preservation of Presidential Records
Authors: Boden Daniel , Exmeyer Patrick C.
Published: July 2020

The National Archives and Records Administration, in partnership with private support foundations, administers 13 individual presidential libraries comprising the Presidential Library System. These privately constructed, publicly supported archives not only preserve official presidential records but through their museum displays offer visitors a glimpse into the life and times of specific presidents. Utilizing legislation, archival documents, and elite interviews to characterize governance and administration structures of these relationships, this study outlines the nature of current public–private partnerships within the Presidential Library System, as well as the potential departure from existing frameworks for future partnerships absent formalized guidance procedures.
Combined effect of autocorrelation and measurement errors on the adaptive X¯ monitoring schemes
Authors: Shongwe Sandile Charles , Malela-Majika Jean-Claude
Published: July 2020

For independent and identically distributed observations, and those with measurement errors only, the adaptive designs (i.e. variable sampling sizes (VSS), variable sampling intervals (VSI) and the latter two combined to form VSSI) have been thoroughly discussed. However, no research exists for processes under the combined effect of autocorrelation and measurement errors; thus, such adaptive Shewhart [Formula: see text] schemes are proposed. The Markov chain approach for adaptive designs are used to evaluate the run-length distribution properties with two special sampling strategies (i.e. s-skip and multiple measurements) incorporated to reduce the combined negative effect of autocorrelation and measurement inaccuracy. Using numerous run-length metrics, it is shown that the combination of the two sampling strategies with the VSSI design reduces this negative effect considerably and improves the detection ability of the [Formula: see text] scheme by a significant margin as compared with using the fixed sample size and sampling interval (FSSI), VSS and VSI designs. Autocorrelation level has a higher negative effect as compared with the measurement inaccuracy level. For high levels of autocorrelation ([Formula: see text]0.8), the s-skip strategy has little influence in reducing the negative effect; but the VSSI design maintains better performance than the other designs. Finally, a real-life example is used to illustrate its implementation.
Comparisons of the accuracy of different wake models in wind farm layout optimization
Authors: Gao Xiaoxia , Li Yue , Zhao Fei , Sun Haiying
Published: July 2020

Accurate wake model in wind farm layout optimization can help extracting maximum power generation, minimizing cost of energy and prolonging wind turbines’ lifetime as well. With the development of different wake models, the wind farm layout optimization results based on the models should be updated. This paper investigates the performances of four wake models in wind farm layout optimization using multi-population genetic algorithm (MPGA) with the wind farm power generation, COST/AEP and wind farm efficiency been reported. Comparison of results between typical wake models’ performance shows that Jensen’s wake model reported a higher wind farm power generation and efficiency because it underestimates the velocity deficit in the wake, and to the contrary, in the Frandsen wake model, the velocity in the wake is underestimated, resulting in a deceased power generation. The expression of 2D_k model shall be out of work in complicated wind condition. The 2D Jensen–Gaussian wake model performed better in the wind farm layout optimization using the MPGA program which can be promoted in real-world wind farm micrositing.
Pilot Study: Pneumatic Compression Garment Therapy for Postradiotherapy Laryngopharyngeal Edema
Authors: Tritter Andrew G. , Spiller Patrick T. , Brown Melanie L. , Weinberger Paul M. , Nathan Cherie-Ann O.
Published: July 2020

Objectives:

Pneumatic compression garment therapy (PCGT) has been established as treatment for postradiotherapy lymphedema, and its use in head and neck patients is becoming more common. Although effects on interstitial edema of the cervical soft tissues have been studied, effects on internal laryngopharyngeal edema, as well as associated symptoms of dysphagia and dysphonia, have yet to be published.

Methods:

We surveyed 7 patients treated with radiation for head and neck cancer (HNC) who had also been prescribed PCGT for cervical lymphedema. Patients were asked about subjective experience with the device, and also administered the Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10) and Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) surveys regarding their symptoms after using PCGT. Laryngoscopy videos from these same periods were also reviewed and scored using a validated tool for assessing laryngopharyngeal edema.

Results:

85% of patients reported at least some improvement in dysphagia and dysphonia following PCGT. Average EAT-10 score after PCGT was 11.4 and average VHI-10 score after PCGT was 8.7. These compare more favorably to historical scores for the same questionnaires in similar patient populations. Laryngeal edema scores on endoscopic examination were not significantly different after at least 3 months of therapy (pre: 20.15, post: 20.21, P = .975); however, the utility of this result is limited by a low inter-rater reliability (Krippendorff α = .513).

Conclusions:

While we are unable to show any difference in objective assessment of laryngopharyngeal edema on endoscopic examination in this small pilot study, patients report substantial subjective improvement in postradiotherapy dysphagia and dysphonia following cervical PCGT that warrants more formal investigation.
Gender Patterns of Publication in Top Sociological Journals
Authors: Akbaritabar Aliakbar , Squazzoni Flaminio
Published: July 2020

This article examines publication patterns over the last seventy years from the American Sociological Review and American Journal of Sociology, the two most prominent journals in sociology. We reconstructed the gender of all published authors and each author’s academic pedigree. Results would suggest that these journals published disproportionally more articles by male authors and their coauthors. These gender inequalities persisted even when considering citations and after controlling for the influence of academic affiliation. It would seem that the potentially positive advantage of working in a prestigious, elite sociology department, in terms of better learning environment and reputational signal, for higher publication opportunities only significantly benefits male authors. While our findings do not mean that these journals have biased internal policies or implicit practices, this publication pattern needs to be considered especially regarding the possibility of their “social closure” and isomorphism.
Does the Mode of Conception Influence Early Postpartum Depression? A Prospective Comparative Study from South India
Authors: Muruganandam Partheeban , Shanmugam Deepa , Ramachandran Niranjjan
Published: July 2020

Background:

Besides infertility, the treatment associated with it is potentially related to psychological stress to mothers. This study was conducted to know whether the mode of conception has any association with early postpartum depression.

Method:

A prospective cohort study was conducted on postnatal mothers at a tertiary care hospital from January to June 2019. The study participants were divided into two groups: postnatal mothers who delivered following spontaneous conception and assisted conception. Basic sociodemographic and obstetric details were collected. Postnatal depression assessment was done at the end of first and sixth week after delivery on all the mothers by using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)

Results:

In total, 110 subjects (55 in each group) were included in the study. The primary outcome measured was the presence of postpartum depression (EPDS score ≥10). The mean (±SD) age of the participants was 29 ± 6.4 years. The sociodemographic profiles of the two groups were comparable except for mean age, mode of delivery, socioeconomic status, prepregnancy body mass index —the group differences in these variables were statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05). There was no significant difference in the EPDS scores at one week or six weeks of postpartum among the two groups. Comparison of EPDS score among the two groups by Fisher’s exact test showed that those mothers with a past history of depression were more likely to have postpartum depression immediately after delivery.

Conclusion:

Mode of conception was not associated with an increase in postpartum depression among women who underwent infertility treatment.
Mental-Illness-Related Stigma in Health Care in South India: Mixed-Methods Study
Authors: Munisami Thenral , Namasivayam Rajesh Kannan , Annamalai Arunkumar
Published: July 2020

Background:

Stigma related to mental illness is a reality among health care providers. This study is an attempt to understand the attitudes of doctors from different specialties toward mental illness and the stigma related to it.

Methods:

We used a concurrent nested mixed-methods approach to understand and identify the various factors of mental-illness-related stigma in medical practitioners. Between November 2018 and March 2019, 100 medical practitioners from South India were administered a self-reporting OMS-HC (Opening Minds Scale for Health Care Providers), followed by in-depth interviews among 25 of the 100 participants selected using purposive sampling. Quantitative surveys were analyzed using SPSSv23. In-depth interviews were transcribed as extended notes, translated, and initially explored using focused coding and the constant comparative method.

Results:

Though findings from quantitative analysis show low to moderate stigma (Mean = 53.52, SD = 7.61), the qualitative study revealed unintended and covert negative attitude toward mental illness.

Conclusion:

As stigma occurs at various levels—structural, institutional, interpersonal, and personal—anti-stigma measures also need to be systematically designed. Qualitative studies give more insight regarding the nature of stigma in medical practitioners toward mental illness
Understanding the Difference Between Standard Deviation and Standard Error of the Mean, and Knowing When to Use Which
Authors: Andrade Chittaranjan
Published: July 2020

Many authors are unsure of whether to present the mean along with the standard deviation (SD) or along with the standard error of the mean (SEM). The SD is a descriptive statistic that estimates the scatter of values around the sample mean; hence, the SD describes the sample. In contrast, the SEM is an estimate of how close the sample mean is to the population mean; it is an intermediate term in the calculation of the 95% confidence interval around the mean, and (where applicable) statistical significance; the SEM does not describe the sample. Therefore, the mean should always be accompanied by the SD when describing the sample. There are many reasons why the SEM continues to be reported, and it is argued that none of these is justifiable. In fact, presentation of SEMs may mislead readers into believing that the sample data are more precise than they actually are. Given that the standard error is not presented for other parameters, such as difference between means or proportions, and difference between proportions, it is suggested that presentation of SEM values can be done away with, altogether.