bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Romance N Prep N constructions in visual word recognition
Authors: Hennecke Inga , Baayen Harald
Published: October 2021

N Prep N constructions such as Sp. bicicleta de montaña ‘mountain bike’ are very productive and
frequent in Romance languages. They commonly have been classified as syntagmatic compounds that show no
orthographic union and exhibit an internal structure that resembles free syntactic structures, such as Sp. libro para
niños ‘book for children’. There is no consensus on how to best distinguish lexical from syntactic N Prep N
constructions. The present paper presents an explorative eye-tracking study on N Prep N constructions, varying both lexical type
(lexical vs. syntactic) and preposition across three languages, French, Spanish and Portuguese. The task of the eye-tracking study
was a reading aloud paradigm of the constructions in sentence context. Constructions were fixated on less when more frequent,
independent of lexical status. There was also modest evidence that a higher construction frequency afforded shorter total fixation
durations, but only for lower deciles of the response distribution. The (construction-initial) head noun also received fewer
fixations as construction frequency increased, and also when the head noun was more frequent. The second fixation durations on the
head noun also revealed an effect of lexical status, with syntactic constructions receiving shorter fixations at the 5th and 7th
deciles. The probability of a fixation on the preposition decreased with preposition frequency, but first fixations on the
preposition increased with preposition frequency. The prepositions of Portuguese, the language with the richest inventory of
prepositions, received more fixations than the prepositions of French and Spanish. The observed pattern of results is consistent
with models of lexical processing in which reading is guided by knowledge of both higher-level constructions and knowledge of key
constituents such as the head noun and the preposition.
Metaphor and metonymy in Chinese and American political cartoons (2018–2019) about the Sino-US trade conflict
Authors: Zhang Cun , Forceville Charles
Published: October 2021

Political cartoons make meaning by drawing on scenarios that must be immediately recognizable by their intended audience. Crucial meaning-making mechanisms in these scenarios are verbo-visual ensembles of metaphors and metonymies. In this paper we investigate 69 Chinese and 60 American political cartoons published in 2018 and 2019 that pertain to the two nations’ trade conflict. By examining the cross-cultural similarities and differences between metaphors and metonymies, we chart how Chinese and American cartoonists portray this trade conflict. We end by showing how a complete interpretation of the cartoons requires enrichment with insights provided by yet other analytical instruments.
ASMADA—A tool for automatic analysis of shape memory alloy thermal cycling data under constant stress
Authors: Kuner Matthew C , Karakalas Anargyros A , Lagoudas Dimitris C
Published: October 2021

The authors present the automatic shape memory alloy data analyzer (ASMADA). ASMADA is capable of rapid, robust, and consistent processing of shape memory alloy thermal cycling data acquired under constant stress. This seeks to address two primary issues: the lack of unified analysis procedures in relevant standards and the near-universal manual analysis of such data. ASMADA is compliant with the definitions provided in ASTM standards and calculates up to twenty-three (23) material properties/parameters at speeds ranging from 5 to 35 cycles s−1. These parameters include the four transformation start/finish temperature thresholds, which are calculated using the tangent line method; the transformation region tangent lines are determined using a modified sigmoid function, whereas the single-phase region tangent lines are determined based on the geometry of the cycle data. Additionally, a graphical user interface is provided to make the tool readily accessible and easy to navigate. The capabilities of ASMADA have been tested on experimental data from four different research groups; results from five of these tests are presented to demonstrate the tool’s robustness. This tool was developed in Python and is publicly available at https://github.com/matthewkuner/ASMADA
Magnetorheological damper temperature characteristics and control-oriented temperature-revised model
Authors: Liang Guanqun , Zhao Tong , Li Ningfei , Wei Yintao , Savaresi Sergio Matteo
Published: October 2021

Accurate control of the magnetorheological damper (MRD) damping force and current is necessary to realize the effective semi-active suspension control. However, the temperature sensitivity of the magnetorheological fluid makes the MRD force strongly dependent on temperature changes, leading to the problem of the model mismatch and degradation of control effect. In this paper, the experimental study of MRD at different currents and velocities from −40 °C to 80 °C was implemented. It reveals the characteristic of MRD damping loss at low temperatures and viscous damping reduction at high temperatures. On this basis, a new parametrized hyperbolic hysteresis model with temperature as an independent variable is proposed, providing an accurate description of the viscosity, stiffness, and hysteresis characteristics of the MRD. A simplified temperature-revised inverse model is proposed to calculate the driving current with demanding force. It could improve the accuracy of driving current by 12.79% and demanding force by 18.67%. A process in the loop simulation is implemented to validate the inverse model with a modified non-chattering algorithm. Together with the inverse model, the proposed algorithm could realize continuous current change, reducing the RMS of acceleration by 14% on road of class B. Furthermore, the temperature compensation could improve the control effect by 19.78%.
Lamb wave damage severity estimation using ensemble-based machine learning method with separate model network
Authors: Rizvi Syed Haider M , Abbas Muntazir
Published: October 2021

Lamb wave-based damage estimation have great potential for structural health monitoring. However, designing a generalizable model that predicts accurate and reliable damage quantification result is still a practice challenge due to complex behavior of waves with different damage severities. In the recent years, machine learning (ML) algorithms have been proven to be an efficient tool to analyze damage-modulated Lamb wave signals. In this study, ensemble-based ML algorithms are employed to develop a generalizable crack quantification model for thin metallic plates. For this, the scattering of Lamb wave signals due to different configuration of crack dimension and orientation is extensively studied. Various finite element simulations signals, representing distinct crack severities in term of crack length, penetration and orientation are acquired. Realizing that both temporal and spectral information of signal is extremely important to damage quantification, three time-frequency (TF) based damage sensitive indices namely energy concentration, TF flux and coefficient of energy variance are proposed. These damage features are extracted by employing smoothed-pseudo Wigner–Ville distribution. After that data augmentation technique based on the spline-based interpolation is applied to enhance the size of the dataset. Eventually, these fully developed damage dataset is deployed to train ensemble-based models. Here we propose separate model network, in which different models are trained and then link together to predict new and unseen datasets. The performance of the proposed model is demonstrated by two cases: first simulated data incorporated with high artificial noises are employed to test the model and in the second scenario, experimental data in raw form are used. Results indicate that the proposed model has the potential to develop a general model that yields reliable answer for crack quantification.
Stranded land constrains public land management and contributes to larger fires
Authors: Leonard Bryan , Plantinga Andrew J , Wibbenmeyer Matthew
Published: October 2021

Wildfire activity in the western United States has been increasing since the 1970s, with many fires occurring on land managed by government agencies. Over six million acres of public lands are surrounded by private land and lack road access, making them legally inaccessible to federal and state agencies and potentially constraining management and suppression of wildfires. In this paper, we assemble data on all fires that started on public lands in the western US over the period 1992–2015 and estimate the effect of legal accessibility on fire size. We find that ignitions are 14%–23% more likely to become large (greater than one acre) if they occur on inaccessible land. We provide evidence that this effect may be driven in part by agencies’ inability to conduct fuels management and in part by slower suppression responses on legally inaccessible land. Our results suggest that wildfire prevention and suppression could be bolstered by improved access to public lands and underscore the need for ongoing research on the relationship between land ownership and wildfire.
Guaranteeing completely positive quantum evolution
Authors: Dilley Daniel , Gonzales Alvin , Byrd Mark
Published: October 2021

In open quantum systems, it is known that if the system and environment are in a product state, the evolution of the system is given by a linear completely positive (CP) Hermitian map. CP maps are a subset of general linear Hermitian maps, which also include non completely positive (NCP) maps. NCP maps can arise in evolutions such as non-Markovian evolution, where the CP divisibility of the map (writing the overall evolution as a composition of CP maps) usually fails. Positive but NCP maps are also useful as entanglement witnesses. In this paper, we focus on transforming an initial NCP map to a CP map through composition with the asymmetric depolarizing map. We use separate asymmetric depolarizing maps acting on the individual subsystems. Previous work have looked at structural physical approximation (SPA), which is a CP approximation of an NCP map using a mixture of the NCP map with a completely depolarizing map. We prove that the composition can always be made CP without completely depolarizing in any direction. It is possible to depolarize less in some directions. We give the general proof by using the Choi matrix and an isomorphism from a maximally entangled two qudit state to a set of qubits. We also give measures that describe the amount of disturbance the depolarization introduces to the original map. Given our measures, we show that asymmetric depolarization has many advantages over SPA in preserving the structure of the original NCP map. Finally, we give some examples. For some measures and examples, completely depolarizing (while not necessary) in some directions can give a better approximation than keeping the depolarizing parameters bounded by the required depolarization if symmetric depolarization is used.
First-order nonlinear eigenvalue problems involving functions of a general oscillatory behavior
Authors: Komijani Javad
Published: October 2021

Eigenvalue problems arise in many areas of physics, from solving a classical electromagnetic problem to calculating the quantum bound states of the hydrogen atom. In textbooks, eigenvalue problems are defined for linear problems, particularly linear differential equations such as time-independent Schrödinger equations. Eigenfunctions of such problems exhibit several standard features independent of the form of the underlying equations. As discussed in Bender et al (2014 J. Phys. A: Math. Theor. 47 235204), separatrices of nonlinear differential equations share some of these features. In this sense, they can be considered eigenfunctions of nonlinear differential equations, and the quantized initial conditions that give rise to the separatrices can be interpreted as eigenvalues. We introduce a first-order nonlinear eigenvalue problem involving a general class of functions and obtain the large-eigenvalue limit by reducing it to a random walk problem on a half-line. The introduced general class of functions covers many special functions such as the Bessel and Airy functions, which are themselves solutions of second-order differential equations. For instance, in a special case involving the Bessel functions of the first kind, i.e. for y′(x) = J

ν
(xy), we show that the eigenvalues asymptotically grow as 241/42
n
1/4. We also introduce and discuss nonlinear eigenvalue problems involving the reciprocal gamma and the Riemann zeta functions, which are not solutions to simple differential equations. With the reciprocal gamma function, i.e. for y′(x) = 1/Γ(−xy), we show that the nth eigenvalue grows factorially fast as

(

1
−
2
n

)

/
Γ

(

r

2
n
−
1

)

, where r

k
is the kth root of the digamma function.
Analysis of the influence of sheath positions, flight parameters and incident wave parameters on the wave propagation in plasma sheath
Authors: ZHANG Qifan , HAN Yiping , DONG Qinlu , DONG Chang
Published: October 2021

The plasma sheath covering hypersonic vehicles has a significant effect on the propagation of electromagnetic waves. Based on the calculation of the flow field of a conical cylindrical, this work studies the propagation of electromagnetic waves in plasma sheath at L-band and Ku-band, and discusses the propagation characteristics in the head, side and tail of the sheath. The dielectric properties of plasma sheath are related to flight speed and altitude. A flight condition corresponds to a unique distribution of dielectric properties. For the conical cylindrical, the results show that flight speed is generally negatively correlated with the transmissivity of the plasma sheath. The reflection characteristics of electromagnetic waves at the L-band and Ku-band when obliquely incident to the plasma sheath show a downward trend. When the frequency is increased to Ku-band, the propagation characteristics of electromagnetic waves in the plasma sheath are related to the position of the sheath.
Defect passivation of perovskites in high efficiency solar cells
Authors: Tan Shaun , Huang Tianyi , Yang Yang
Published: October 2021

Metal halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have enormous potential as the next-generation photovoltaic technology. Being solution-processed at relatively low temperatures, it is inevitable that crystallographic defects are formed in abundance during fabrication. Such defects may cause undesirable energy losses by non-radiative recombination to limit the performance of PSCs. More importantly, it has become apparent that defect activity is fundamentally responsible for the operational instability issues hindering the commercialization readiness of PSCs. It is therefore necessary to develop strategies to minimize defect formation and to passivate formed defects. Here, we discuss recent advances on such defect mitigation and passivation strategies. We especially emphasize on methodologies that are incorporated into state-of-the-art PSCs that have demonstrated world record efficiencies and long-term stability.
Machinability analysis in high speed turning of Ti–6Al–4V alloy and investigation of wear mechanism in AlTiN PVD coated tungsten carbide tool
Authors: Muthuswamy Padmakumar , Murugesan Vijaya Ganesa Velan
Published: October 2021

Titanium alloys are one of the most critical and prominently used materials in automotive, aerospace, and biomedical application due to their superior strength to weight ratio. The very property that makes it a suitable material for such applications also makes it challenging to machine. In this study, an attempt has been made to understand the machinability of Ti–6Al–4V titanium alloy at high cutting speeds in turning. A full factorial method and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) technique were used to conduct 18 different experimental runs and determine the significance of variables that are responsible for the variation in average surface roughness (Ra) and forces. The results show that feed rate is the single most significant factor for Ra, whereas the contribution of feed and depth of cut are more for the forces, followed by cutting speed. Tool life tests were conducted with AlTiN PVD coated tools at three different cutting speeds, and SEM analysis to evaluate the wear mechanism revealed that abrasive wear, notching, and diffusion were predominant which accelerated the wear rate. Although machining studies on Ti6Al4V at low cutting speeds are well established, the novelty of the study is to perform a comprehensive analysis to evaluate the machinability and study wear mechanism using AlTiN coated tungsten carbide tool at high cutting speeds.
Rewards versus Imprisonment
Authors: Mungan Murat C
Published: October 2021

This article considers the possibility of simultaneously reducing crime, prison sentences, and the tax burden of financing the criminal justice system by introducing rewards, which operate by increasing quality of life outside of prison. Specifically, it proposes a procedure wherein a part of the imprisonment budget is redirected towards financing rewards. The feasibility of this procedure depends on how effectively the marginal imprisonment sentence reduces crime, the crime rate, the effectiveness of rewards, and how accurately the government can direct rewards towards individuals who are most responsive to such policies. A related welfare analysis reveals an advantage of rewards: they operate by transferring or creating wealth, whereas imprisonment destroys wealth. Thus, the conditions under which rewards are optimal are broader than those under which they can be used to jointly reduce crime, sentences, and taxes. With an exogenous [resp. endogenous] budget for law enforcement, it is optimal to use rewards when the imprisonment elasticity of crime is small [resp. the marginal cost of public funds is not high]. These conditions hold, implying that using rewards is optimal, in numerical examples generated by using estimates for key values from the empirical literature.
The moss traits that rule cyanobacterial colonization
Authors: Liu Xin , Rousk Kathrin
Published: October 2021

Background and Aims

Cyanobacteria associated with mosses represent a main nitrogen (N) source in pristine, high-latitude and -altitude ecosystems due to their ability to fix N2. However, despite progress made regarding moss–cyanobacteria associations, the factors driving the large interspecific variation in N2 fixation activity between moss species remain elusive. The aim of the study was to identify the traits of mosses that determine cyanobacterial colonization and thus N2 fixation activity.

Methods

Four moss species varying in N2 fixation activity were used to assess cyanobacterial abundance and activity to correlate it with moss traits (morphological, chemical, water-balance traits) for each species.

Key Results

Moss hydration rate was one of the pivotal traits, explaining 56 and 38 % of the variation in N2 fixation and cyanobacterial colonization, respectively, and was linked to morphological traits of the moss species. Higher abundance of cyanobacteria was found on shoots with smaller leaves, and with a high frequency of leaves. High phenol concentration inhibited N2 fixation but not colonization. These traits driving interspecific variation in cyanobacterial colonization, however, are also affected by the environment, and lead to intraspecific variation. Approximately 24 % of paraphyllia, filamentous appendages on Hylocomium splendens stems, were colonized by cyanobacteria.

Conclusions

Our findings show that interspecific variations in moss traits drive differences in cyanobacterial colonization and thus, N2 fixation activity among moss species. The key traits identified here that control moss-associated N2 fixation and cyanobacterial colonization could lead to improved predictions of N2 fixation in different moss species as a function of their morphology.
Decolonization, Language, and Race in Applied Linguistics and Social Justice
Authors: Rosa Jonathan , Flores Nelson
Published: October 2021

While applied linguistics research can serve as an important site for understanding and contributing to efforts toward challenging historical and contemporary power structures, it is also crucial to interrogate how numerous normative concepts and logics within the field of applied linguistics both reflect and reenact dominant power structures. Centering colonialism and racism in our analysis, this commentary considers how applied linguistics often focuses on modest reforms supporting affirmation and inclusion of marginalized populations and practices, rather than on fundamental institutional changes required to eradicate the forces that produce marginalization. As applied linguists grapple with questions surrounding the extent to which their work contributes in substantive ways to social justice struggles, we are inspired by collaborations that challenge us to reconsider normative assumptions about both language and justice. These collaborations demand a comprehensive reckoning that frames social justice not as a normative reality that can be achieved through modest reforms to liberal governance, but rather as an existential horizon that necessitates a fundamental reimagination of communication’s role in narrating and creating decolonial worlds that sustain collective well-being.
GraphCDR: a graph neural network method with contrastive learning for cancer drug response prediction
Authors: Liu Xuan , Song Congzhi , Huang Feng , Fu Haitao , Xiao Wenjie , Zhang Wen
Published: October 2021

Predicting the response of a cancer cell line to a therapeutic drug is an important topic in modern oncology that can help personalized treatment for cancers. Although numerous machine learning methods have been developed for cancer drug response (CDR) prediction, integrating diverse information about cancer cell lines, drugs and their known responses still remains a great challenge. In this paper, we propose a graph neural network method with contrastive learning for CDR prediction. GraphCDR constructs a graph neural network based on multi-omics profiles of cancer cell lines, the chemical structure of drugs and known cancer cell line-drug responses for CDR prediction, while a contrastive learning task is presented as a regularizer within a multi-task learning paradigm to enhance the generalization ability. In the computational experiments, GraphCDR outperforms state-of-the-art methods under different experimental configurations, and the ablation study reveals the key components of GraphCDR: biological features, known cancer cell line-drug responses and contrastive learning are important for the high-accuracy CDR prediction. The experimental analyses imply the predictive power of GraphCDR and its potential value in guiding anti-cancer drug selection.
Machine learning meets omics: applications and perspectives
Authors: Li Rufeng , Li Lixin , Xu Yungang , Yang Juan
Published: October 2021

The innovation of biotechnologies has allowed the accumulation of omics data at an alarming rate, thus introducing the era of ‘big data’. Extracting inherent valuable knowledge from various omics data remains a daunting problem in bioinformatics. Better solutions often need some kind of more innovative methods for efficient handlings and effective results. Recent advancements in integrated analysis and computational modeling of multi-omics data helped address such needs in an increasingly harmonious manner. The development and application of machine learning have largely advanced our insights into biology and biomedicine and greatly promoted the development of therapeutic strategies, especially for precision medicine. Here, we propose a comprehensive survey and discussion on what happened, is happening and will happen when machine learning meets omics. Specifically, we describe how artificial intelligence can be applied to omics studies and review recent advancements at the interface between machine learning and the ever-widest range of omics including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, radiomics, as well as those at the single-cell resolution. We also discuss and provide a synthesis of ideas, new insights, current challenges and perspectives of machine learning in omics.
vcf2gwas: Python API for comprehensive GWAS analysis using GEMMA
Authors: Vogt Frank , Shirsekar Gautam , Weigel Detlef
Published: October 2021

Motivation

Genome-wide association study (GWAS) requires a researcher to perform a multitude of different actions during analysis. From editing and formatting genotype and phenotype information to running the analysis software to summarizing and visualizing the results. A typical GWAS workflow poses a significant challenge of utilizing the command-line, manual text-editing and requiring knowledge of one or more programming/scripting languages, especially for newcomers.

Results

vcf2gwas is a package that provides a convenient pipeline to perform all of the steps of a traditional GWAS workflow by reducing it to a single command-line input of a Variant Call Format file and a phenotype data file. In addition, all the required software is installed with the package. vcf2gwas also implements several useful features enhancing the reproducibility of GWAS analysis.

Availability and implementation

The source code of vcf2gwas is available under the GNU General Public License. The package can be easily installed using conda. Installation instructions and a manual including tutorials can be accessed on the package website at https://github.com/frankvogt/vcf2gwas.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
The associations between poverty and social–emotional outcomes among children in Japan
Authors: Lee Kyunghee
Published: October 2021

The current study examined the impacts of poverty on children’s socio-emotional outcomes among Japanese children. Children of 325 Japanese families were identified based on the Japan Household Panel Study and Japan Child Panel Survey. Poverty was examined in four non-linear income to needs ratio categories and the poverty status, poverty and non-poverty. Compared to children who were in the lowest income to needs ratios, children in the upper categories had less fewer behavioural problems. Children in poverty had significantly lower physical health, emotional well-being, self-esteem, family, friends and school relationship than those children not in poverty. Children’s time spent on academics and family support significantly affected children’s social outcomes. Child poverty and its adverse impacts on children’s mental health should be considered in the ecological framework that incorporates children, family, community and policy.

This study examined the associations between poverty and socio-emotional developments among children in Japan. Children and parents of 325 Japanese families participated and provided data on the household poverty status and children’s socio-emotional outcomes. Children’s socio-emotional outcomes included in the study were behavioural difficulties (strength/weakness) reported by parents and social adaptability (six indicators on the quality of life) measured by children’s self-report. Findings indicated that poverty has significant adverse impacts on Japanese children’s mental health. The adverse impact of poverty became more prevalent as families’ income decreased. Among children living in poverty, self-reported mental health problems were significantly higher than those reported by parents. Other factors such as grade level (upper grade), less time spent on academics and a larger household size negatively affected mental health. Findings suggest for policy interventions with increased expenditures on income assistance programmes for families with children in Japan. In addition, social workers or other service providers in Japan should facilitate matching low-income families with children to available social service programmes. Poverty and its adverse impacts on children’s mental health should be considered in an ecological framework that incorporates children, family, community and policy.
ECCO Guidelines on Therapeutics in Ulcerative Colitis: Surgical Treatment
Authors: Spinelli Antonino , Bonovas Stefanos , Burisch Johan , Kucharzik Torsten , Adamina Michel , Annese Vito , Bachmann Oliver , Bettenworth Dominik , Chaparro Maria , Czuber-Dochan Wladyslawa , Eder Piotr , Ellul Pierre , Fidalgo Catarina , Fiorino Gionata , Gionchetti Paolo , Gisbert Javier P , Gordon Hannah , Hedin Charlotte , Holubar Stefan , Iacucci Marietta , Karmiris Konstantinos , Katsanos Konstantinos , Kopylov Uri , Lakatos Peter L , Lytras Theodore , Lyutakov Ivan , Noor Nurulamin , Pellino Gianluca , Piovani Daniele , Savarino Edoardo , Selvaggi Francesco , Verstockt Bram , Doherty Glen , Raine Tim , Panis Yves
Published: October 2021

This is the second of a series of two articles reporting the European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation [ECCO] evidence-based consensus on the management of adult patients with ulcerative colitis [UC]. The first article is focused on medical management, and the present article addresses medical treatment of acute severe ulcerative colitis [ASUC] and surgical management of medically refractory UC patients, including preoperative optimisation, surgical strategies, and technical issues. The article provides advice for a variety of common clinical and surgical conditions. Together, the articles represent an update of the evidence-based recommendations of the ECCO for UC.
MiR-1-3p and MiR-124-3p Synergistically Damage the Intestinal Barrier in the Ageing Colon
Authors: Sun Ting-yi , Li Ya-qi , Zhao Fu-qian , Sun Hai-mei , Gao Yang , Wu Bo , Yang Shu , Ji Feng-qing , Zhou De-shan
Published: October 2021

Background and Aims

Disruption of the intestinal barrier of the digestive tract is a common pathophysiological change in the elderly, which may partly contribute to gut dysfunction and inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]. This study aimed to discover new interactive epigenetic regulation patterns involved in intestinal barrier dysfunction and colitis in elderly populations.

Methods

Intestinal barrier function and structure were evaluated in naturally ageing mice and elderly people. High-throughput analysis was performed on colonic tissues from humans and mice. The synergistic roles of miR-1-3p and miR-124-3p were identified using microRNA mimic/agomirs. Related genes were examined in biopsies of old IBD patients.

Results

A defective mucus barrier was observed before mucosal microstructural damage during ageing. Elevated miR-1-3p expression in the colons of older individuals impaired the mucus barrier by directly targeting T-synthase, similarly to the mechanism of miR-124-3p, which we reported previously. Importantly, the synergistic effect of a half dose of each microRNA supplement on T-synthase and CDK4/6 was stronger than that of a full dose of miR-1-3p or miR-124-3p alone, and mice co-treated with two microRNAs showed greater susceptibility to chemical-induced colitis than mice treated with either microRNA alone. These two microRNAs were up-expressed in old IBD patients.

Conclusions

The slight increases in miR-1-3p and miR-124-3p expression with ageing may be important contributors to the breakdown of intestinal homeostasis by targeting divergent genes in different cells. These data reveal the potential ability of multiple microRNAs to exert synergistic effects to damage the intestinal barrier and promote inflammatory bowel disease development in elderly populations.
Optimal Heart Team Protocol to Improve Revascularization Decisions in Patients with Complex Coronary Artery Disease: A Sequential Mixed Method Study
Authors: Ma Hanping , Lin Shen , Li Xi , Dou Kefei , Yang Weixian , Feng Wei , Liu Sheng , Wu Yuan , Peng Boshizhang , Zheng Zhe
Published: October 2021

Aims

Current guidelines recommend a heart team in the decision-making for patients with complex coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the decision-making stability of these teams has not been evaluated and the optimum protocol is unknown. We assessed inter-team agreement for revascularization decision-making and influencing factors to inform the development of a heart team protocol.

Methods and results

This sequential, explanatory mixed methods study included (i) a cross-sectional quantitative study to assess inter-team agreement on treatment strategy for retrospectively enrolled complex CAD patients and (ii) a qualitative study that used semi-structured interviews with heart team members to identify factors influencing decision-making discrepancy. We randomly selected 101 complex CAD patients. Sixteen specialists were randomly assigned to four heart teams to make decisions for these patients. The primary outcome kappa of inter-team decision-making agreement was moderate (kappa 0.58). Factors influencing decision-making were generated through inductive thematic analysis and were summarized by 3 themes (specialist quality, team composition, and meeting process) and 10 subthemes. Recommendations of heart team implementation were generated based on qualitative and quantitative data at five levels: specialist selection, specialist training, team composition, team training, and meeting process. A detailed protocol on the integration of guidelines, previous experience, and recommendations was generated to establish and deploy a qualified heart team.

Conclusion

Agreement between heart teams for revascularization decision-making in complex CAD patients was moderate. Potential factors associated with decision discrepancies were summarized and recommendations were generated. A detailed heart team protocol was designed and should be validated in future.
Effect of coronary artery bypass grafting on quality of life: a meta-analysis of randomized trials
Authors: Creber Ruth Masterson , Dimagli Arnaldo , Spadaccio Cristiano , Myers Annie , Moscarelli Marco , Demetres Michelle , Little Matthew , Fremes Stephen , Gaudino Mario
Published: October 2021

Aims

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate temporal trends in quality of life (QoL) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery in randomized clinical trials, and a quantitative comparison from before surgery to up to 5 years after surgery.

Methods and results

We searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and PsycINFO from 2010 to 2020 to identify studies that included the measurement of QoL in patients undergoing CABG. The primary outcome was the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ), and secondary outcomes were the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and EuroQol Questionnaire (EQ-5D). We pooled the means and the weighted mean differences over the follow-up period. In the meta-analysis, 2586 studies were screened and 18 full-text studies were included. There was a significant trend towards higher QoL scores from before surgery to 1 year post-operatively for the SAQ angina frequency (AF), SAQ QoL, SF-36 physical component (PC), and EQ-5D, whereas the SF-36 mental component (MC) did not improve significantly. The weighted mean differences from before surgery to 1 year after was 24 [95% confidence interval (CI): 21.6–26.4] for the SAQ AF, 31 (95% CI: 27.5–34.6) for the SAQ QoL, 9.8 (95% CI: 7.1–12.8) for the SF-36 PC, 7.1 (95% CI: 4.2–10.0) for the SF-36 MC, and 0.1 (95% CI: 0.06–0.14) for the EQ-5D. There was no evidence of publication bias or small-study effect.

Conclusion

CABG had both short- and long-term improvements in disease-specific QoL and generic QoL, with the largest improvement in angina frequency.
Sadler Saddled: Reconciliation and Recrimination in a Restoration Parish
Authors: Legon Ed
Published: October 2021

The Surrey town of Mitcham attracted national attention in 1665 when a brief pamphlet war erupted between its vicar, Anthony Sadler, and his parishioners. In this testy public altercation, Sadler accused his patron, the local landowner Robert Cranmer, not only of neglecting his duty to maintain the ruinous vicarage and of misusing tithes, but also of disloyalty and nonconformity. Cranmer was vindicated in print by a neighbour who dismissed and ridiculed Sadler, pointing to the patron’s presentation of future Anglicans to the vicarage during the Interregnum. This article uses a remarkable body of evidence from ecclesiastical court records and elsewhere to unpick these claims and counter-claims to conformity and loyalty. In doing so, it demonstrates that the protracted dispute between Sadler and his parishioners, of which the pamphlets of 1665 were only one manifestation, was borne along by the development of equally strong but opposing positions with respect to the thorny issue of how to bridge the divisions of civil war and revolution. Moreover, the article demonstrates that this positioning had the effect of prolonging the dispute until Sadler resigned from the parish in 1669, and bringing it into several other venues of conflict resolution. This episode sheds light on several features of English society in the decades immediately before and after the Restoration, especially change and continuity in a parish within a shifting national political and religious context; the participation of men and women in law and religion; and the enduring and volatile legacy of civil conflict.
Comprehensive Study of Heart Rate Recovery and Altered Ventilatory Response to Exercise in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Banawan Laila Abd Elhaleem , Daabis Rasha Galal , Eshmawey Heba Ahmed , Elhaleim Hend Ramadan Attia Abd
Published: October 2021

Background

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a chronic disorder that results in many cardiovascular disorders including hypertension, arrhythmias and congestive heart failure (CHF). Polysomnography is the gold standard for diagnosis of OSA, even though up to 93% of women and 82% of men with moderate to severe OSA still remain undiagnosed. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPXT) has been conventionally used for evaluation of coronary artery diseases and rehabilitation of cardiac patients. Modern systems allow for the analysis of gas exchange at rest, during exercise, and during recovery and also yield measures of oxygen uptake (V O2), carbon dioxide output (V CO2), and minute ventilation (V E) together with heart rate, blood pressure, electrocardiography findings, and symptoms. This may have clinical utility if added to the available screening tools used to identify OSA.

Aim of study

To assess altered ventilatory response and heart rate recovery in response to exercise in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and their relation to its severity.

Methods and Results

Case control study was enrolled including 30 patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) divided according to severity (5 mild, 8 moderate and 17 severe) and 15 control healthy overweight with sedentary lifestyle individuals. The two groups underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing and different pulmonary and cardiac parameters were calculated. Greater VE, VE/VCO2, VE/VO2 ratios and VE/VCO2 slope were statistically significant regarding the patients group (P < 0.001, F = 69.053, 104.381, 140.806 and 68.010 respectively according to ANOVA test). OSA patients had a reduced maximal exercise capacity expressed as lower VO2 peak, decreased breathing reserve (BR) and VO2 at anaerobic threshold compared to control group (P < 0.001, F = 22.597, 68.773 and 82.90 respectively). Delayed heart rate recovery (HRR) and weaker chronotropic response (CR) in patients with OSA than in controls with negative relationship to severity of OSA were proved (p < 0.001, F = 119.493 and 91.271 respectively). The study revealed elevated maximal systolic BP (max SBP), diastolic BP (max DBP) and recovery SBP in the following 2 minutes after exercise in patients with OSA relative to their healthy controls with positive relationship to the severity of OSA (P < 0.001, F = 37.129, 169.275 and 244.609 respectively).

Conclusion

Patients with OSA demonstrated exaggerated ventilatory response to exercise and autonomic dysfunction reflected by measurement of heart rate variability and reduced maximal exercise capacity than healthy controls.

Abbreviations

OSA, CHF, CPXT, VO2, VCO2, VE, VE/VCO2, VE/VO2, VE/VCO2, BR, CR, HRR, max SBP and max DBP.
What is the lived experience of patients with left ventricular assist devices during the COVID-19 pandemic? A qualitative analysis
Authors: Trenta Alessia Martina , Belloni Silvia , Ausili Davide , Caruso Rosario , Arrigoni Cristina , Russo Sara , Moro Massimo , Vellone Ercole , Dellafiore Federica
Published: October 2021

Background

During the COVID-19 outbreak, patients with left ventricular assist device (LVAD) faced several changes in their daily life. However, the effects of these changes on the patients’ lived experiences are not still investigated.

Aims

The current study explored the lived experience of people with left ventricular assist device (LVAD) during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the COVID-19 outbreak, people with LVADs faced several changes in their daily life. However, the effects of these changes on the patients’ lived experiences are not still investigated.

Methods and results

Qualitative data analysis was conducted employing the interpretative phenomenological analysis approach. We followed the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research guidelines. Eight male participants with LVAD aged from 65 to 82 were interviewed. Overall, two main themes (‘Worsening of psychological distress’ and ‘Moving forward’) and eight sub-themes emerged from the qualitative analysis.

Conclusions

People with LVADs experienced feelings of worry and solitude related to the risk of being infected or not receiving adequate treatment due to changes in the healthcare system during the pandemic; however, they managed to move forward with their lives using different strategies for dealing with the difficult situation.
Industrial unrest in France 1917–1918, the Loire and the Isère
Authors: Sorrie Charles
Published: October 2021

In May 1918, a strike movement began in Paris and swiftly spread throughout much of the country. The strikes came at a time of heightened military danger and were promptly suppressed by the Clemenceau Government. Whereas a more widespread French labour unrest in 1917 had concentrated on wage demands, in 1918 the strikes were initiated by the radical far left of the Confédération générale du travail (CGT, France’s largest labour union) and were marked by internationalist and pacifist demands. In the months leading up to the spring of 1918, radical labour leaders in the Loire and the Isère were encouraged by federal colleagues in the CGT and its radical affiliate, the Comité de défense syndicaliste (CDS), to prepare for a series of general strikes. The launching of the Ludendorff Offensives, however, persuaded the CDS to postpone a coordinated national general strike until after the military emergency subsided. Labour leaders in the Loire and the Isère disregarded these directives and launched strikes in May and June that alienated local labour movements from their already tenuous political support from Paris. Using materials from both departmental and national archives, this study examines the political dynamics which precipitated and then accelerated the appointment of far-left radicals to leadership positions within the labour movements of the Loire and much of the Isère. It argues that the industrial significance of both areas, the anarcho-syndicalist rhetoric of local union leaders, poorly timed strike actions and the Clemenceau Government’s uncompromising jusqu’au boutisme worked together as factors to condemn this understudied movement to failure.
Rapid Analysis of Trace Phthalates by Spray-Inlet Microwave Plasma Torch Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry in Commercial Perfumes
Authors: Miao Meng , Zhao Gaosheng , Cheng Ping , Li Jia , Zhang Jingyi , Pan Hongzhi
Published: October 2021

Background

The less volatile fraction of perfumes is susceptible to contamination by phthalate esters (PAEs), which are endocrine-disrupting chemicals encountered during the production, bottling, and transportation processes. There is a need to establish an innovative and rapid method for the determination of trace PAEs in commercial perfumes.

Objective

Therefore, self-built spray-inlet microwave plasma torch (MPT) ionization coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight (QTOF) tandem MS (MS/MS) was developed for the direct analysis of PAEs in perfumes without sample pretreatment.

Methods

Perfumes were sprayed directly onto the flame of the MPT by means of a sampling pump at a rate of 10 µL/min and the ions produced by the MPT were introduced into the QTOF-MS equipment with the MPT operating at 2450 MHz and 40 W at a flow rate of 800 ml/min of argon.

Results

For the established method, excellent linearity was obtained with a correlation coefficient of 0.9799 for di-n-pentyl phthalate and of greater than 0.99 for the other substances tested. The LOD and LOQ obtained were in the ranges of 1.452–18.96 and 4.839–63.19 ng/g, respectively. The spiked recoveries of PAEs ranged from 100.1 to 105.2% with satisfactory intraday RSDs and interday RSDs ranging from 1.51 to 4.34% and 3.45 to 5.65%, respectively. PAEs in commercial perfumes were successfully detected by spray-inlet MPT-MS/MS with low concentrations ranging from 0.036 to 1.352 µg/g.

Conclusions

The method is a promising tool for the on-site analysis of PAEs in cosmetic solutions requiring rapid qualitative and quantitative analysis.

Highlights

The method was successfully applied to the analysis of the commercial perfume samples within 30 s, and displayed the merits of simplicity, sensitivity, environmental friendliness and ease of operation.
10 The Impact of Global Disasters on Our Pets: Lessons from COVID-19
Authors: Protopopova Alexandra
Published: October 2021

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic provided a unique insight into the impacts of global disasters on pet ownership and companion animal services. This talk will review research on the impacts of various stages of the pandemic on the human-animal relationship, surprising increases in the adoption of pets from animal shelters around the world, and the potential reasons for those increases. I will also present new research on the impact of the pandemic on pet support services within the city of Vancouver, Canada, that will highlight the complex relationships between vulnerable human populations, the city’s response to the pandemic, and pet care. Finally, the COVID-19 pandemic, and its associated economic impact, have completely re-shaped the field of animal sheltering and companion animal support services. In addition to being recognized as an essential service, animal shelter and veterinary staff were confronted with the need to identify only necessary operations to ensure care of animals and their communities without the risk of contracting and transmitting the virus. As a result, emergent animal sheltering trends now emphasize community-based approaches, abolishing harmful discriminative practices, and aiming to keep pets and their original owners together – all from the framework of One Health/ One Welfare. As global disasters are projected to increase in frequency due to climate change, a better understanding of impacts on the human-animal bond and support services will ensure that we can be better prepared for the future.