bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A case study of Oliver Sacks
Oliver Sacks: His Own Life
Ric Burns, director
Vulcan Productions, 2020. 114 minutes.
Authors: Snyder Laura J.
Published: September 2020

Interviews and archival footage paint a tender portrait of neurology's greatest storyteller
90
S
pre-ribosome transformation into the primordial 40
S
subunit
Authors: Cheng Jingdong , Lau Benjamin , La Venuta Giuseppe , Ameismeier Michael , Berninghausen Otto , Hurt Ed , Beckmann Roland
Published: September 2020

How ribosomes are made

The formation of eukaryotic ribosomes is a complex process that starts with transcription of a large precursor RNA that assembles into a large 90S preribosome, which matures to finally give the 40S small subunit of the ribosome. Cheng
et al.
and Du
et al.
give insight into this process, using cryo–electron microscopy to look at intermediates along the pathway. Together, these studies reveal how a cast of molecular players act to coordinate the compositional and structural changes that transform the 90S preribosome into a pre-40S subunit.

Science
, this issue p.
1470
, p.
1477
Dynamics of
bla
KPC-2
Dissemination from Non-CG258
Klebsiella pneumoniae
to Other
Enterobacterales
via IncN Plasmids in an Area of High Endemicity
Authors: Rada Ana M. , De La Cadena Elsa , Agudelo Carlos , Capataz Cesar , Orozco Nataly , Pallares Cristian , Dinh An Q. , Panesso Diana , Ríos Rafael , Diaz Lorena , Correa Adriana , Hanson Blake M. , Villegas Maria V. , Arias Cesar A. , Restrepo Eliana
Published: September 2020

Carbapenem-resistant
Enterobacterales
(CRE) pose a significant threat to global public health. The most important mechanism for carbapenem resistance is the production of carbapenemases.
Klebsiella pneumoniae
carbapenemase (KPC) represents one of the main carbapenemases worldwide. Complex mechanisms of
bla
KPC
dissemination have been reported in Colombia, a country with a high endemicity of carbapenem resistance. Here, we characterized the dynamics of dissemination of
bla
KPC
gene among CRE infecting and colonizing patients in three hospitals localized in a highly endemic area of Colombia (2013 and 2015).
CbrA Mediates Colicin M Resistance in Escherichia coli through Modification of Undecaprenyl-Phosphate-Linked Peptidoglycan Precursors
Authors: Barreteau Hélène , Patin Delphine , Bouhss Ahmed , Blanot Didier , Mengin-Lecreulx Dominique , Touzé Thierry
Published: September 2020

Overexpression of the chromosomal
cbrA
gene allows
E. coli
to resist colicin M (ColM), a bacteriocin specifically hydrolyzing the undecaprenyl-PP-MurNAc(-pentapeptide)-GlcNAc (lipid II) peptidoglycan precursor of targeted cells. This resistance results from a CbrA-dependent modification of the precursor structure, i.e., reduction of the α-isoprenyl bond of C
55
-carrier lipid moiety that is proximal to ColM cleavage site. This modification, observed here for the first time in eubacteria, annihilates the ColM activity without affecting peptidoglycan biogenesis. These data, which further increase our knowledge of the substrate specificity of this colicin, highlight the capability of
E. coli
to generate reduced forms of C
55
-carrier lipid and its derivatives. Whether the function of this modification is only relevant with respect to ColM resistance is now questioned.
End-of-life decisions in neonatal care: a conversation analytical study
Authors: Marlow Neil , Shaw Chloe , Connabeer Kat , Aladangady Narendra , Gallagher Katie , Drew Paul
Published: September 2020

Objective

To understand the dynamics of conversations between neonatologists and parents concerning limitation of life-sustaining treatments.

Design

Formal conversations were recorded, transcribed and analysed according to the conventions and methods of conversation analysis.

Setting

Two tertiary neonatal intensive care units.

Participants

Consultant neonatal specialists and families.

Main outcome measures

We used conversation analysis and developed an inductive coding scheme for conversations based on the introduction of limiting life-sustaining treatments and on the parental responses.

Results

From recordings with 51 families, we identified 27 conversations about limiting life support with 20 families and 14 doctors. Neonatologists adopted three broad strategies: (1) ‘recommendations’, in which one course of action is presented and explicitly endorsed as the best course of action, (2) a ‘single-option choice’ format (conditional: referring to a choice that should be made, but without specifying or listing options), and (3) options (where the doctor explicitly refers to or lists options). Our conversation analysis-informed coding scheme was based on the opportunities available for parents to ask questions and assert their preference with minimal interactional constraint or pressure for a certain type of response. Response scores for parents presented with conditional formats (n=15, median 5.0) and options (n=10, median 5.0) were significantly higher than for those parents presented with ‘recommendations’ (n=16, median 3.75; p=0.002) and parents were more likely to express preferences (p=0.005).

Conclusion

Encouraging different approaches to conversations about limitation of life-supporting treatment may lead to better parent engagement and less misalignment between the conversational partners.
Throwing darts in ICU: how close are we in estimating energy requirements?
Authors: Grguric Laryssa , Musillo Lisa , DiGiacomo Jody C , Munnangi Swapna
Published: September 2020

Background

Indirect calorimetry (IC) is the gold standard for determining energy requirement. Due to lack of availability in many institutions, predictive equations are used to estimate energy requirements. The purpose of this study is to determine the accuracy of predictive equations (ie, Harris-Benedict equation (HBE), Mifflin-St Jeor equation (MSJ), and Penn State University equation (PSU)) used to determine energy needs for critically ill, ventilated patients compared with measured resting energy expenditure (mREE).

Methods

The researchers examined data routinely collected as part of clinical care for patients within intensive care units (ICUs). The final sample consisted of 68 patients. All studies were recorded during a single inpatient stay within an ICU.

Results

Patients, on average, had an mREE of 33.9 kcal/kg using IC. The estimated energy requirement when using predictive equations was 24.8 kcal/kg (HBE×1.25), 24.0 kcal/kg (MSJ×1.25), and 26.8 kcal/kg (PSU).

Discussion

This study identified significant differences between mREE and commonly used predictive equations in the ICU.

Level of evidence

III.
Rényi holographic dark energy in the Brans–Dicke cosmology
Authors: Sharma Umesh Kumar , Dubey Vipin Chandra
Published: September 2020

In this paper, we construct a holographic dark energy (HDE) model considering the IR cut-off as Hubble horizon, holographic hypothesis, and using the generalized Rényi entropy, and investigate its cosmological outcomes in Brans–Dicke gravity without interaction. We observe the suitable behavior for the cosmological parameters, involving the deceleration parameter, the equation of state (EoS) parameter, and the density parameter in both flat and non-flat Universes. It is also concluded by the stability analysis that the Rényi holographic dark energy (RHDE) model is classically stable at present and future for the Rényi parameter [Formula: see text] in both flat and non-flat Universe.
Workload-Aware Views Materialization for Big Open Linked Data
Authors: Zlamaniec Tomasz J. , Chao Kuo-Ming , Godwin Nick
Published: September 2020

It is a trend for the public organizations to digitalize and publish their large dataset as open linked data to the public users for queries and other applications for further utilizations. Different users’ queries with various frequencies over time create different workload patterns to the servers which cannot guarantee the QoS during peak usages. Materialization is a well-known effective method to reduce peaks, but it is not used by semantic webs, due to frequently evolving schema. This research is able to estimate workloads based on previous queries, analyze and normalize their structures to materialize views, and map the queries to the views with populated data. By analyzing how access patterns of individual views contribute to the overall system workload, the proposed model aims at selection of candidates offering the highest reduction of the peak workload. Consequently, rather than optimizing all queries equally, a system using the new selection method can offer higher query throughput when it is the most needed, allowing for a higher number of concurrent users without compromising QoS during the peak usage. Finally, two case studies were used to evaluate the proposed method.
Scalable Digital Receiver for Multi-Element Radio Telescopes
Authors: Subrahmanya C. R. , Sarun O. S. , Abhyankar Yogindra , Chandrababu Sajish , Bahulekar Chinmay
Published: September 2020

Modern and upcoming radio telescopes at low frequencies are often characterized by hundreds or thousands of antenna elements operating at wide bandwidths up to about 0.5[Formula: see text]GHz. A spectral correlator for such an array is required to estimate the cross-power spectrum of the response of each element with that of every other element with a high spectral resolution. The resulting all-to-all connectivity between signals from the entire array poses a serious bottleneck. In this paper, we propose a simple digital receiver architecture that interfaces the digitized time series from a large number of antenna elements to a High-Performance Computing (HPC) cluster through a communication switch to overcome the data ingest bottleneck. Each HPC node can then perform wideband processing in steps of finite but significant time-slices for the entire array. We explain in detail the implementation of our architecture for the proposed expansion of the Ooty Wide Field Array (OWFA) into a 1056 element array. Since the proposed digital receiver is based on Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), it can be reconfigured for different applications. This is illustrated by considering the case of Phased Array Feeds (PAF) for the proposed expanded Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (eGMRT).
Overnight Transformation To Online Education Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons learned
Authors: Parthasarathy Sudhaman , Murugesan San
Published: September 2020

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, online education has become the mainstream offering at all levels?from primary schools to higher education institutions. The pandemic has forced more than 1.6 billion learners, close to 80 percent of the world's enrolled students, to stay physically away from their educational institutions in 161 countries, missing their traditional in-person classroom lectures and related academic activities. Since the beginning of 2020, the pandemic has been a significant challenge to educational institutions and imposed severe restrictions on their traditional mode of conducting academic and assessment activities. Educational institutions were forced to swiftly transform into online offerings for their students, making the significant transition from their traditional mode of educational services. This article discusses the challenges and the benefits of online education and presents a framework for online education transformation, developed through a case study at an Indian Educational Institution. The article also highlights lessons learned and offers a few helpful recommendations.
Traube–Hering waves are formed by interaction of respiratory sinus arrhythmia and pulse pressure modulation in healthy men
Authors: Barnett William H. , Latash Elizaveta M. , Capps Robert A. , Dick Thomas E. , Wehrwein Erica A. , Molkov Yaroslav I.
Published: September 2020

Variability in blood pressure has become an important metric to consider as more is learned about the link between excessive blood pressure variability and adverse health outcomes. In this study using slow deep breathing in human subjects, we found that heart rate and pulse pressure variations have comparable effects on the amplitude of blood pressure waves, and it is the common action of the two that defines the phase relationship between respiration and blood pressure oscillations.
Improved Rainfall Prediction through Nonlinear Autoregressive Network with Exogenous Variables: A Case Study in Andes High Mountain Region
Authors: Peña Mario , Vázquez-Patiño Angel , Zhiña Darío , Montenegro Martin , Avilés Alex
Published: September 2020

Precipitation is the most relevant element in the hydrological cycle and vital for the biosphere. However, when extreme precipitation events occur, the consequences could be devastating for humans (droughts or floods). An accurate prediction of precipitation helps decision-makers to develop adequate mitigation plans. In this study, linear and nonlinear models with lagged predictors and the implementation of a nonlinear autoregressive model with exogenous variables (NARX) network were used to predict monthly rainfall in Labrado and Chirimachay meteorological stations. To define a suitable model, ridge regression, lasso, random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), and NARX network were used. Although the results were “unsatisfactory” with the linear models, the specific direct influences of variables such as Niño 1 + 2, Sahel rainfall, hurricane activity, North Pacific Oscillation, and the same delayed rainfall signal were identified. RF and SVM also demonstrated poor performance. However, RF had a better fit than linear models, and SVM has a better fit than RF models. Instead, the NARX model was trained using several architectures to identify an optimal one for the best prediction twelve months ahead. As an overall evaluation, the NARX model showed “good” results for Labrado and “satisfactory” results for Chirimachay. The predictions yielded by NARX models, for the first six months ahead, were entirely accurate. This study highlighted the strengths of NARX networks in the prediction of chaotic and nonlinear signals such as rainfall in regions that obey complex processes. The results would serve to make short-term plans and give support to decision-makers in the management of water resources.
Circulating miRNA‐23b and miRNA‐143 Are Potential Biomarkers for In‐Stent Restenosis
Authors: Saavedra Nicolás , Rojas Gabriel , Herrera Jesús , Rebolledo Camilo , Ruedlinger Jenny , Bustos Luis , Bobadilla Braulio , Pérez Luis , Saavedra Kathleen , Zambrano Tomás , Lanas Fernando , Salazar Luis A.
Published: September 2020

In‐stent restenosis (ISR) is one of the main complications in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary angioplasty, and microRNAs participate in the contractile‐to‐synthetic phenotypic switch of vascular smooth muscle cells, a hallmark of restenosis development. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can be released into circulation from injured tissues, enticing a potential role as noninvasive biomarkers. We aimed to evaluate circulating levels of miRNA‐23b, miRNA‐143, and miRNA‐145 as diagnostic markers of ISR. 142 patients with coronary artery disease undergoing successful angioplasty and a follow‐up angiography were included. Subjects were classified according to the degree of obstruction at the angioplasty site into cases (≥50%) or controls (<50%). Total RNA was isolated from plasma to quantify circulating miRNAs levels, and the ROC curves were constructed. Among circulating miRNAs assessed, miRNA‐23b and miRNA‐143 were significantly lower in cases (miRNA‐23b: 18.4x10−5 and miRNA‐143: 13.7x10−5) than controls (miRNA‐23b: 5.2x10−5, p < 0.0001; miRNA‐143: 4.0x10−5, p < 0.0001). Plasma levels of miRNA‐145 showed no significant differences. The analysis of the ROC curves showed an area under the curve for miRNA‐23b of 0.71 (95% CI: 0.62‐0.80, p < 0.0001) and 0.69 for miRNA‐143 (95% CI: 0.60‐0.78; p < 0.0001). Our data suggest that plasma levels of miRNA‐23b and miRNA‐143 could be useful as noninvasive biomarkers of ISR.
Application of Multiattribute Decision-Making for Evaluating Regional Innovation Capacity
Authors: Su Yi , Liang Dezhi , Guo Wen
Published: September 2020

The growing imbalance in regional innovation development has become an urgent issue in China’s strategy to build an innovative country. To enrich the regional innovation capacity evaluation system, scientifically assess regional innovation capacity, and explore available pathways to improve regional innovation capacity, this paper introduces a multiattribute decision-making method for evaluating regional innovation capacity. First, a random forest model and the DEMATEL-based analytic network process (DANP) method are applied to calculate the weights of the evaluation attributes. Second, the multiobjective optimization by the ratio analysis method based on the maximum and minimum (MOORA-min-max method) is used to calculate the evaluation attribute gap ratios and regional innovation capacity of each region. Finally, the limitations of regional innovation development are identified based on the evaluation attribute gap ratios and the critical influence strength roadmap (CISR) to explore the regional innovation capacity improvement pathways. The results show that “output capacity of R&D personnel in universities and research institutes” is the most fundamental evaluation attribute in the regional innovation capacity evaluation, while “output efficiency of R&D funds in universities and research institutes” is the most influential evaluation attribute. Research in Sichuan and Inner Mongolia reveals that regions need to identify critical constraints in four aspects: knowledge creation, knowledge acquisition, enterprise innovation, and innovation environment, to improve regional innovation capacity.
A New Theoretical Interpretation of Measurement Error and Its Uncertainty
Authors: Shi Huisheng , Ye Xiaoming , Xing Cheng , Ding Shijun
Published: September 2020

The traditional measurement theory interprets the variance as the dispersion of a measured value, which is actually contrary to a general mathematical concept that the variance of a constant is 0. This paper will fully demonstrate that the variance in measurement theory is actually the evaluation of probability interval of an error instead of the dispersion of a measured value, point out the key point of mistake in the traditional interpretation, and fully interpret a series of changes in conceptual logic and processing method brought about by this new concept.
MiR-155-Mediated Deregulation of GPER1 Plays an Important Role in the Gender Differences Related to Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Shao Xiaojuan , Li Jintao , Xu Fumin , Chen Dongfeng , Liu Kaijun
Published: September 2020

Aim. The incidence and clinical manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are thought to have gender differences, which suggests that the estrogen signaling pathway and intestinal flora may play key roles in the pathogenesis of IBD. In IBD, microRNA-155 (miR-155) is upregulated and regulates G protein coupled estrogen receptor (GPER1), which affects the intestinal flora. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of the estrogen receptors and miR-155 in the pathogenesis of IBD. Methods. From July 2018 to July 2019, in the Department of Gastroenterology at Daping Hospital, Army Military Medical University, a total of 50 patients with IBD were included in this study, and 24 healthy examinees were randomly selected as the control group. Colonoscopies were performed, and clinical characteristics and blood samples were collected from all of the subjects. The serum cytokine levels in the patients with IBD and the health donors were detected by ELISA, and the estrogen receptor level measurements for all of the participants were assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). The miR-155 levels were detected by qPCR in all of the participants, and miR-155−/− mice were used to investigate the mechanism of miR-155 in the pathogenesis of IBD. Results. The clinical characteristics and medications were different for the IBD patients when gender was considered. The male patients produced more proinflammatory cytokines, and while GPER1 expression was downregulated, miR-155 was upregulated in the patients with IBD. MiR-155 showed proinflammatory activity, while GPER1 showed an anti-inflammatory response during the pathogenesis of IBD. The miR-155−/− mice showed improvements in weight loss, survival, rectal bleeding, colon length, and histopathological changes compared with the wild-type mice. Furthermore, the male miR-155−/− mice showed increased inflammation compared to the female miR-155−/− mice in the above aspects. Conclusion. This study presents evidence indicating that miR-155 plays a key role in the pathogenesis of IBD for the different genders. MiR-155 was upregulated and showed proinflammatory activity, whereas GPER1 showed an anti-inflammatory response during the pathogenesis of IBD. The results demonstrated that more proinflammatory cytokines and reduced GPER1 levels were observed in the male IBD patients. Thus, miR-155 was involved in the regulation of GPER1 and induced gender differences in IBD patients. MiR-155 may be a potential marker for IBD-targeted therapy.
Determination of Glycaemic Index (GI) through Detecting Insulin Secretion in Pancreas Using GMR Sensor
Authors: Sankari P. , Prabavathi N. , Shanker N. R.
Published: September 2020

Diabetes is a metabolic disease that affects the ability of the body to process blood glucose, otherwise known as blood sugar. Diabetes occurs when the body produces minimal or no insulin. The diabetes patients check their glycaemic index after each meal and intake medicine to control glycaemic index. Traditionally, glycaemic index estimates the glucometer by acquiring blood sample. In this paper, we propose a noninvasive method to estimate glycaemic index from the pancreas. The magnetic signal from the pancreas acquires with Giant Magneto Resistance (GMR) sensor for glycaemic index estimation. The GMR acquired pancreatic magnetic signal process with Multi Synchro Squeezing Transform (MSST) for feature extraction. The MSST analysis shows significant changes in instantaneous frequency of the pancreas biomagnetic signal before and after meal consumption. The signal statistical parameters help to predict glycaemic index via regression modelling. The proposed method estimates glycaemic index with 88% accuracy.
Wireless Energy Transmission Link Optimization considering Microwave Energy Relay
Authors: Song Yuanming , Liu Yajie , Yang Xu
Published: September 2020

With the widespread application of intelligent unmanned units and the development of wireless energy transmission technology, it has become an urgent requirement in the field of using wireless power transmission to extend the continuous working time of unmanned units. To improve the wireless transmission energy efficiency in practical application as much as possible based on the current development level of wireless transmission technology, this paper first enumerates and analyzes existing wireless energy supply methods and shows that microwave wireless energy transmission technology is most suitable in this study. Then, the necessity of power transmission relay in long-distance microwave wireless power transmission is discussed. Based on the idea of microwave energy relay transmission, the paper constructs a microwave wireless transmission link planning model which considers power relay and uses the evolutionary algorithm to solve the wireless transmission link planning model with two-layer optimization. Finally, the results show that, when the wireless transmission distance exceeds a certain threshold, adding relay nodes to the link can improve the energy transmission efficiency from the power supply node to the power receiving node.
Adenovirus Infection Is Predicted by Prolonged Duration of Diarrhea among Rotavirus-Vaccinated Children below Five Years of Age in Mwanza, Tanzania
Authors: Msanga Delfina R. , Masoza Tulla S. , Mahamba Dina , Kwiyolecha Elizabeth , Rwezaula Raphael , Charles Happiness , Kessy Regan , Silago Vitus , Mshana Stephan E. , Mirambo Mariam M.
Published: September 2020

Diarrhea is the commonest cause of morbidity and mortality in many resource-limited countries including Tanzania among children below five years of age. A significant number of diarrhea cases associated with severe dehydration are still being reported among children despite five years of rotavirus vaccine implementation in Tanzania necessitating the need to investigate other causes of diarrhea in this population. This study is aimed at determining the prevalence of human adenovirus infection and associated factors among rotavirus-vaccinated children with acute diarrhea in Mwanza, Tanzania. A cross-sectional study was conducted from June to August 2017 involving 137 children less than two years of age admitted with acute diarrhea in the health facilities located in Mwanza, Tanzania. Sociodemographic and other relevant information were collected using standardized rotavirus surveillance tool adopted from WHO. Stool specimens were collected and tested for human adenovirus antigen using immunochromatographic tests. Data were analyzed by using STATA version 13. The median age of enrolled children was 12 (IQR 8-17) months. The prevalence of human adenovirus was found to be 46 (33.6%, 95% CI: 25-41). By multivariable logistic regression analysis, only prolonged duration of diarrhea (OR: 1.619, 95% CI: 1.142-2.295, p=0.007) was found to predict human adenovirus infection among rotavirus-vaccinated children with acute diarrhea. A significant proportion of rotavirus-vaccinated children with prolonged acute diarrhea have adenovirus infection. There is a need to consider other viral pathogens as potential cause of diarrhea especially in this postrotavirus vaccination period.
Reinspecting the Climate-Crop Yields Relationship at a Finer Scale and the Climate Damage Evaluation: Evidence from China
Authors: Zhu Yongbin , Shi Yajuan , Liu Changxin , Lyu Bing , Wang Zhenbo
Published: September 2020

This paper reinvestigated the climate-crop yield relationship with the statistical model at crops’ growing stage scale. Compared to previous studies, our model introduced monthly climate variables in the production function of crops, which enables separating the yield changes induced by climate change and those caused by inputs variation and technique progress, as well as examining different climate effects during each growing stage of crops. By applying the fixed effect regression model with province-level panel data of crop yields, agricultural inputs, and the monthly climate variables of temperature and precipitation from 1985 to 2015, we found that the effects of temperature generally are negative and those of precipitation generally are positive, but they vary among different growth stages for each crop. Specifically, GDDs (i.e., growing degree days) have negative effects on spring maize’s yield except for the sowing and ripening stages; the effects of precipitation are negative in September for summer maize. Precipitation in December and the next April is significantly harmful to the yield of winter wheat; while, for the spring wheat, GDDs have positive effects during April and May, and precipitation has negative effects during the ripening period. In addition, we computed climate-induced losses based on the climate-crop yield relationship, which demonstrated a strong tendency for increasing yield losses for all crops, with large interannual fluctuations. Comparatively, the long-term climate effects on yields of spring maize, summer maize, and spring wheat are more noticeable than those of winter wheat.
Early Detection of Incipient Retinal Pigment Epithelium Atrophy Overlying Drusen with Fundus Autofluorescence vs. Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Rodríguez Anabel , Biarnés Marc , Coco-Martin Rosa M. , Sala-Puigdollers Anna , Monés Jordi
Published: September 2020

Purpose. This study aims to find out which tool, fundus autofluorescence (FAF) or spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), is more sensitive in detecting retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) demise overlying drusen and can, therefore, help predict geographic atrophy (GA) appearance in Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). Methods. A single-site, retrospective, observational, longitudinal study was conducted. Patients with intermediate AMD (iAMD) (large (>125 μm) or intermediate (63–125 μm) drusen with hyper/hypopigmentation) with a minimum follow-up of 18 months were included. Drusen with overlying incipient RPE atrophy were identified on SD-OCT defined as choroidal hypertransmission or nascent geographic atrophy (nGA). These selected drusen were, then, traced backwards in time to determine if incipient RPE atrophy overlying drusen was observed on FAF (well-demarcated region of absence of autofluorescence) before, simultaneously, or after having detected the first signs of incipient RPE atrophy on SD-OCT. The number of drusen in which signs of incipient RPE atrophy was detected earlier using FAF or SD-OCT was compared. The time elapsed from the identification with the more sensitive method to the other was recorded and analyzed. Results. One hundred and thirty-three drusen in 22 eyes of 22 patients were included. Of these, 112 (84.2%) drusen showed choroidal hypertransmission and 21(15.8%) nGA. Early signs of atrophy overlying drusen were found simultaneously on SD-OCT and FAF in 52 cases (39.1%, 95% CI 30.8–47.9%), earliest on FAF in 51 (38.3%, 95% CI 30.0–47.2%) and first on SD-OCT in 30 (22.6%, 95% CI 15.8–30.6%; p<0.05). Statistically significant differences were found between both techniques (p=0.005), with FAF detecting it earlier than SD-OCT. When RPE atrophy was found first on FAF, the median time to diagnosis with SD-OCT was 6.6 months (95% CI 5.5 to 8.6), while if detection occurred earlier on SD-OCT, the median time until identification with FAF was 12.6 months (95% CI 6.0 to 23.4; p=0.0003). Conclusions. In iAMD cases in which early atrophy overlying drusen is not detected simultaneously in FAF and SD-OCT, FAF was significantly more sensitive. Nevertheless, a multimodal approach is recommended and required to evaluate these patients.
Implementing Cancer Genomics in State Health Agencies: Mapping Activities to an Implementation Science Outcome Framework
Authors: Green Ridgely Fisk , Kumerow Marie T. , Rodriguez Juan L. , Addie Siobhan , Beachy Sarah H. , Senier Laura
Published: September 2020

Objective: To show how state health agencies can plan and evaluate activities to strengthen the evidence base for public health genomics, we mapped state cancer genomics activities to the Doyle et al. [Genet Med. 2018;20(9):995–1003] implementation science outcome framework. Methods: We identified state health agency activities addressing hereditary breast and ovarian cancer and Lynch syndrome by reviewing project narratives from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Cancer Genomics Program funding recipients, leading discussions with state health agencies, and conducting an environmental scan. Results: State health agencies’ cancer genomics activities included developing or adding to state surveillance systems, developing educational materials, bidirectional reporting, promoting health plan policy change, training providers, and promoting recommendations and standards. To address health disparities, programs have tracked group differences, developed culturally appropriate educational materials, and promoted access to services for underserved populations. Conclusion: State health agencies can use the Doyle et al. [Genet Med. 2018;20(9):995–1003] performance objectives and outcome measures to evaluate proposed and ongoing activities. By demonstrating whether activities result in improved outcomes, state health agencies can build the evidence for the implementation of cancer genomics activities.
Mobilidades, conexões, novos contornos. A circulação de artefatos em marfim nos séculos X - XIII
Authors: Tatsch Flavia Galli
Published: September 2020

A crise das narrativas tradicionais (centradas em noções de autoria, estilo, escolas, periodização; nas hierarquias centro/periferia, artes maiores/artes menores; e na tríade Ocidente/Bizâncio/Islã) abriu novas perspectivas para os estudos da arte medieval. Entre elas, a “virada global” (global turn) que permite pensar as conexões, interdependências, trocas e mobilidades. O objetivo deste artigo é o de analisar como artefatos em marfim contribuíram para a constituição de uma cultura visual comum no Mediterrâneo entre os séculos X-XIII.
Comunicação política entre angevinos e aragoneses em Palermo na Crônica da Sicília (séculos XIII e XIV): exercício de História conectada
Authors: Teixeira Igor Salomão
Published: September 2020

O objetivo deste artigo é analisar a Cronicon siculum, que narra a história da Ilha da Sicília desde tempos imemoriais ao presente do autor, com especial foco na relação conflituosa estabelecida entre palermitanos, angevinos e aragoneses no território a partir das Vésperas Sicilianas (1282). O problema de pesquisa é: A história global/conectada serve para analisar a disputa de territórios? A análise está baseada nas discussões sobre as possibilidades de abordar objetos de estudo a partir da conexão entre processos aparentemente distintos e/ou analisar como regiões distintas se relacionaram com os mesmos processos. Os conceitos utilizados foram: middle seas, mediação e comunicação política. As conclusões remetem à proficuidade do aparato conceitual e da perspectiva da história conectada e apontam para o “triplo uso” do conflito na Ilha.
Diliges proximum tuum sicut te ipsum: Nature and Love as Foundations of Human Society in the Preaching of Giordano de Pisa (14th Century)
Authors: Alves Aléssio Alonso
Published: September 2020

The purpose of this article is to analyse how nature and love were presented and employed as foundations of human society by the Dominican friar Giordano de Pisa (c. 1260- 1311) in his preaching in the early fourteenth-century Florence, Italy. It will be analysed the reportationes of three of his sermons preached on the same liturgical date (Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity Sunday), between 1303 and 1305, which adopts as thema the verse Diliges proximum tuum sicut te ipsum (Love your neighbour as yourself); a model-sermon of the same liturgical date (c. 1267-1286) by the also Dominican Iacopo de Varazze (1228-1298); and a homily of Augustine of Hippo (354-430) from the early fifth century. Thus, it is stressed that Giordano approached the subject both by the use of an Aristotelian-naturalist theory as well as by an Augustinian-voluntarist conception, and it is concluded that the greater emphasis given to the first line of thought is due to its more positive character as regards the city, which allowed a treatment more consistent with the preaching thema and with its internal composition mechanisms.
Activation of M3AChR (Type 3 Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor) and Nrf2 (Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2–Related Factor 2) Signaling by Choline Alleviates Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotypic Switching and Vascular Remodeling
Authors: He Xi , Deng Juan , Yu Xiao-Jiang , Yang Si , Yang Yang , Zang Wei-Jin
Published: September 2020

Objective:

Phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) plays a critical role in atherosclerosis, vascular restenosis, and hypertension. Choline exerts cardioprotective effects; however, little is known about its effects on VSMC phenotypic switching and vascular remodeling. Here, we investigated whether choline modulates VSMC phenotypic changes and explored the underlying mechanisms.

Approach and Results:

In cultured VSMCs, choline promoted Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2) nuclear translocation, inducing the expression of HO-1 (heme oxygenase-1) and NQO-1 (NAD[P]H quinone oxidoreductase-1). Consequently, choline ameliorated Ang II (angiotensin II)–induced increases in NOX (NAD[P]H oxidase) expression and the mitochondrial reactive oxygen species level, thereby attenuating Ang II–induced VSMC phenotypic switching, proliferation, and migration, presumably via M3AChRs (type 3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors). Downregulation of M3AChR or Nrf2 diminished choline-mediated upregulation of Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO-1 expression, as well as inhibition of VSMC phenotypic transformation, suggesting that M3AChR and Nrf2 activation are responsible for the protective effects of choline. Moreover, activation of the Nrf2 pathway by sulforaphane suppressed Ang II–induced VSMC phenotypic switching and proliferation, indicating that Nrf2 is a key regulator of VSMC phenotypic switching and vascular homeostasis. In a rat model of abdominal aortic constriction in vivo, choline attenuated VSMC phenotypic transformation and vascular remodeling in a manner related to activation of the Nrf2 pathway.

Conclusions:

These results reveal that choline impedes VSMC phenotypic switching, proliferation, migration, and vascular remodeling by activating M3AChR and Nrf2-antioxidant signaling and suggest a novel role for Nrf2 in VSMC phenotypic modulation.
An Inventory Ordering Model with Different Defuzzification Techniques Under Inflation
Authors: Gupta Rajesh Kumar , Saxena Seema , Singh Vikramjeet , Singh Pushpinder , Mishra Nitin Kumar
Published: September 2020

The various cost associated with the inventory model are not fixed in nature. These vary as per the current market conditions. A crisp inventory problem framework includes these parameters with fixed value. Fuzzy logics incorporate in it the uncertainties that are prevailing in the
market for these parameters. Thus a fuzzy inventory problem model presents a more accurate measure for the optimality of the inventory problem. In the current inventory problem discussed under an inflationary backdrop, pentagonal and hexagonal fuzzy numbers are used to define the inexactness
in the cost parameters. The defuzzification of the fuzzified total cost is done using signed distance method. A comparative study is done for the final cost of the crisp inventory problem with the defuzzified cost value of the problem under pentagonal and hexagonal number system. Numerical
solution validate the result. Logical insights developed in the problem are analyzed with the numericals done.
ENSO Teleconnection to Eastern African Summer Rainfall in Global Climate Models: Role of the Tropical Easterly Jet
Authors: Vashisht Amandeep , Zaitchik Benjamin , Gnanadesikan Anand
Published: September 2020

Global climate models (GCMs) are critical tools for understanding and projecting climate variability and change, yet the performance of these models is notoriously weak over much of tropical Africa. To improve this situation, process-based studies of African climate dynamics and their representation in GCMs are required. Here, we focus on summer rainfall of eastern Africa (SREA), which is crucial to the Ethiopian Highlands and feeds the flow of the Blue Nile River. The SREA region is highly vulnerable to droughts, with El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) being a leading cause of interannual rainfall variability. Adequate understanding and accurate representation of climate features that influence regional variability is an important but often neglected issue when evaluating models. We perform a process-based evaluation of GCMs, focusing on the upper-troposphere tropical easterly jet (TEJ), which has been hypothesized to link ENSO to SREA. We find that most models have an ENSO–TEJ coupling similar to observed, but the models diverge in their representation of TEJ–SREA coupling. Differences in the latter explain the majority (80%) of variability in ENSO teleconnection simulation across the models. This is higher than the variance explained by rainfall coupling with the Somali jet (44%) and African easterly jet (55%). However, our diagnostics of the leading hypothesized mechanism in the models—variability in divergence in the TEJ exit region—are not consistent across models and suggest that a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of TEJ–precipitation coupling should be a priority for studies of climate variability and change in the region.
The unique role of the Chinese government in the protection of overseas citizens
Authors: Liu Lianlian , Gammon Jessica
Published: September 2020

How to optimize China’s protective mechanism for overseas citizens has become the top agenda of China’s public administration. A comparison of the evacuation policies of China and the US in the 2010s reveals that the Chinese government’s operations attach more importance to the actual effects of evacuation and the feelings of citizens, while considering the responsibility of citizens and cost burden less. This generous evacuation policy can be partly rationalized by China’s domestic factors, such as the “Going Global” policy, its contemporary image as a populous rising power, and its traditional family-country narrative, which generates a familial conception of state–citizen relations and encourages the government to take extra responsibility for citizens. While the familial conception of state–citizen relations is conductive to building national identity and cohesion, it blurs the dividing line between civic responsibility and governmental responsibility, undercuts the efficiency of public administration, causes waste of public resources, and overburdens governmental agencies. As China’s industrialization and urbanization progress, how to revise the long-established familial conception of state–citizen relations and establish a responsible civil society based on contractual rule of law has become an urgent issue.

Points for practitioners

This study highlights the parental role of the Chinese government in the protection of overseas citizens and attributes it partly to the traditional family-country narrative, which generates a family conception of state–citizen relations. While this conception is conductive to building national identity and cohesion, it causes waste of public resources and overburdens governmental agencies. It is necessary to revise the long-established conception and cultivate a responsible civil society to improve the efficiency of public administration in contemporary China.
Analysis of the Tidal Model and Its Implications in Late-Life Suicidality
Authors: Sagna Atami O. , Walker Lorraine O.
Published: September 2020

Late-life suicide is a public health issue in the United States, and recent CDC data show that the number of deaths related to suicide in older adults continue to increase. Still, few researchers focus on a theoretical framework for the clinical assessment and care of older adults at risk for suicide. We performed a review and critical analysis of the Tidal Model, using Fawcett and DeSanto-Madeya’s framework, to increase our understanding of the clinical presentation of older adults with suicidal ideation and present strategies for caring for this population. The Tidal Model is a well-structured theory with relevant concepts and propositions founded on a highly patient-centered and pragmatic approach that facilitates its application in late-life suicidality. The model provides a framework for nursing and healthcare practice in psychiatry and mental health with goals and boundaries that help promote a better assessment of the clinical picture of older adults with suicidal ideation.
Assessing The “Millennial Self-Care Obsession” Among Social Workers: #NotSoMuch
Authors: Miller J Jay , Grise-Owens Erlene
Published: September 2020

Despite the importance of self-care to social work practice, misnomers about the construct persist. One misperception is that millennials are overly focused on self-care and engage in high-levels of self-care, to the detriment of performing work duties. This study examined the self-care practices of social work practitioners (N = 3079) in the United States. Researcher investigated self-care practices across five domains: Professional Support, Professional Development, Life Support, Cognitive Awareness, and Daily Balance.

Findings

Overall, data suggest that social workers in all generations engaged in moderate amounts of self-care. Analyses revealed that millennials engaged in significantly fewer self-care practices related to Professional Support and Daily Balance, when compared to Generation X and Baby-boomer participants. While not statistically significant, millennials scored lower across all other self-care domains.

Applications

This is the first known study to explicitly investigate generational differences in self-care within any professional discipline. Within the next five years, millennials will make up nearly 75% of the world’s workforce. Findings from this research suggest the need to reshape prevailing anecdotes about self-care and millennials. Further, data offer insights to organizations looking to better support social workers of all generations in engaging in self-care.
Nonmyeloablative allogeneic transplantation achieves clinical and molecular remission in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma
Authors: Weng Wen-Kai , Arai Sally , Rezvani Andrew , Johnston Laura , Lowsky Robert , Miklos David , Shizuru Judith , Muffly Lori , Meyer Everett , Negrin Robert S. , Wang Erica , Almazan Timothy , Million Lynn , Khodadoust Michael , Li Shufeng , Hoppe Richard T. , Kim Youn H.
Published: September 2020

The majority of patients with refractory, advanced-stage mycosis fungoides (MF) or Sézary syndrome (SS) have a life expectancy of <5 years. Here, we report a phase 2 study of a novel nonmyeloablative allogeneic transplantation strategy tailored for this patient population. This study has completed the enrollment, and 35 patients (13 MF, 22 SS) have undergone transplant as planned. The majority (80%) of the patients had stage IV disease and received multiple previous systemic therapies. All patients had active disease at the time of conditioning using total skin electron beam therapy, total lymphoid irradiation, and antithymocyte globulin, and received allograft infusion as outpatients. Cyclosporine or tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil were used for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis. Patients tolerated the transplant well, with 1- and 2-year nonrelapse mortality of 3% and 14%, respectively. The day +180 cumulative incidence of grade 2 to 4 acute GVHD was 16%, and the 2-year incidence of moderate/severe chronic GVHD was 32%. With a median posttransplant follow-up of 5.4 years, the 2-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 68%, 62%, and 56%. Using high-throughput sequencing of the T-cell receptor for minimal residual disease monitoring, we observed that 43% achieved molecular remission, which was associated with a lower incidence of disease progression or relapse (9% vs 87%; P = .02). Our study also showed that patients who were aged ≥65 years at the time of allotransplant had similar clinical outcomes compared with younger patients. Thus, we have developed an alternative and potentially curative nonmyeloablative allogeneic transplant regimen for patients with advanced stage MF/SS. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00896493.
Developing the novel bioinformatics algorithms to systematically investigate the connections among survival time, key genes and proteins for Glioblastoma multiforme
Authors: You Yujie , Ru Xufang , Lei Wanjing , Li Tingting , Xiao Ming , Zheng Huiru , Chen Yujie , Zhang Le
Published: September 2020

Background

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most common malignant brain tumors and its average survival time is less than 1 year after diagnosis.

Results

Firstly, this study aims to develop the novel survival analysis algorithms to explore the key genes and proteins related to GBM. Then, we explore the significant correlation between AEBP1 upregulation and increased EGFR expression in primary glioma, and employ a glioma cell line LN229 to identify relevant proteins and molecular pathways through protein network analysis. Finally, we identify that AEBP1 exerts its tumor-promoting effects by mainly activating mTOR pathway in Glioma.

Conclusions

We summarize the whole process of the experiment and discuss how to expand our experiment in the future.