bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Kommentar
Authors: Schröder Hans-Martin
Published: February 2020

Seit 5 Jahren bin ich nun als Leiharbeiter in den Dialysezentren Deutschlands unterwegs, und ich finde es immer noch interessant und abwechslungsreich. Es ist erstaunlich, festzustellen, wie unterschiedlich Dialysezentren organisiert sind und wie unterschiedlich die Arbeitsabläufe doch sein können, obwohl das Gleiche gemacht wird. Sicher ist es anstrengend, sich ständig auf neue Begebenheiten und neue Patienten einzustellen, aber es ist eine Herausforderung, die ich gerne bewältige.
The Relationship between Vitamin D Levels, Injury and Muscle Function
in Adolescent Dancers
Authors: de Rezende Araújo Iris Iasmine , Sampaio Lucas Henrique Ferreira , Bittar Adriano Jabur , da Silva Hamu Tânia Cristina Dias , Wyon Matthew Alexander , Formiga Cibelle Kayenne Martins Roberto
Published: February 2020

Vitamin D has been shown to benefit a diverse range of health functions including
muscle function. The aim of the present study was to identify serum 25(OH)D3
levels in a sample of adolescent dancers and compare them to muscle function and
injury incidence. We incorporated a cross-sectional design to study 49
pre-professional male and female dancers (17±4.44 yrs,
52.1±6.72 kg, 1.63±0.07 m) in full-time training
in Bazil. Serum 25[OH]D3 was analyzed by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay;
quadriceps and hamstring peak torque and muscle fatigue were measured by
isokinetic dynamometer at 60 and 300° s−1.
Injury type and location in the previous 6-months were determined by self-report
questionnaire. Participants were categorized into 2 groups: normal or
insufficient/deficient (>or<30 ng/ml
25[OH]D3). Results indicated the normal serum 25[OH]D3 group had significantly
lower fatigue rates than the insufficient/deficient group
(p<0.05) but not for the other muscle function parameters. Fifty-seven
percent of participants reported at least 1 injury. The most common were sprains
(33%) and tendinopathies (19%). Injured dancers had
significantly lower peak torque at 60°/s. The link between serum
25[OH]D3 and reduced muscle fatigue resistance has not been shown before, though
the underlying mechanisms aren’t apparent and the link between muscular
strength and injury has been previously evidenced.
External and internal Load and their Effects on Professional
Volleyball Training
Authors: Lima Ricardo Franco , Silva Ana , Afonso José , Castro Henrique , Clemente Filipe Manuel
Published: February 2020

The purpose of this study was twofold: (i) characterize the external and internal
training load of professional volleyball players with a focus on intra-week
changes and (ii) test the relationships between internal and external load
measures. Eight male professional players (age: 23.0±5.22 yo; body mass:
84.5 ± 7.58 kg; height: 193.0±9.71 cm;
BMI: 22.0±0.02 kg/m2) were monitored daily over 15
weeks. The monitoring process included both internal (rate of perceived exertion
[RPE] and session-RPE [s-RPE]) and external load variables, which were measured
by an inertial measurement unit. Results revealed that, within-week variations
revealed that RPE was significantly higher during MD-2 (d=0.59) and MD-3
(d=0.56) than MD-1. A significantly higher number of jumps was observed
on MD-2 than MD-1 (d=0.69). Considering the relationships between
internal and external load measures, small positive correlations were found
between RPE and the number of jumps (r=0.17) and between s-RPE and the
number of jumps (r=0.49). In conclusion, a tapering strategy was
observed on the day before a match, as internal and external loads decreased.
Both internal and external load measures are necessary to provide an accurate
perception of the impact of training stimuli on players.
Effects of the Menstrual Cycle on Serum Carnitine and Endurance
Performance of Women
Authors: Matsuda Tomoka , Furuhata Tamaki , Ogata Hazuki , Kamemoto Kayoko , Yamada Mizuki , Sakamaki-Sunaga Mikako
Published: February 2020

This study aimed to investigate the effect of the menstrual cycle on serum
carnitine and the endurance performance of healthy women. Fifteen eumenorrheic
women underwent cycle ergometer exercise at 60% maximal oxygen uptake
(V̇ O2max) for 45 min, followed by exercise at an
intensity that was increased to 80% V̇ O 2max until
exhaustion, during two menstrual cycle phases, including the early follicular
phase (FP) and the midluteal phase (LP). The blood levels of estradiol,
progesterone, total carnitine, free carnitine, and acylcarnitine were assessed.
Compared with the FP, the LP had significantly lower serum total carnitine
(p<0.05) and free carnitine (p<0.01). Moreover, the group with
decreased endurance performance in the LP than in the FP showed a significantly
higher change in serum free carnitine compared with the group that showed
improved endurance performance in the LP than in the FP (p<0.05). The
results of this study suggested that the changes in serum free carnitine during
the menstrual cycle might influence endurance performance.
The Effect of Transition Period on Performance Parameters in Elite
Female Soccer Players
Authors: Parpa Koulla , Michaelides Marcos A.
Published: February 2020

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a 4-week off-season period
(transition period) on the anthropometric and performance parameters in elite
female soccer players who participated in the UEFA women’s Champions
league. Eighteen female players (age 23.6±4.3 years) underwent testing
at the end of the competitive period and right after the transition period. An
incremental cardiopulmonary testing, body composition assessment and isokinetic
testing at 60 °/sec were performed on both occasions. The
cardiopulmonary exercise testing revealed that VO2max
(p=0.001) and time on the treadmill (p=0.000) were significantly
reduced after the transition period that included a 2 times/week
exercise regimen. Furthermore, the quadriceps torque production at 60
°/s was significantly reduced for both the right
(p=0.013) and left quadriceps (p=0.004) following the transition
period. Finally, body weight (p=0.001) and body fat (p=0.000)
significantly increased after 4 weeks of significantly reduced training volume.
It is concluded that the transition period negatively affected the
anthropometric and performance parameters of the female players. These data
maybe informative for coaches and trainers as they demonstrate that despite the
efforts to keep the players physically active the performance parameters
decreased significantly.
Relationships between a Load-velocity Profile and Sprint Performance
in Butterfly Swimming
Authors: Gonjo Tomohiro , Eriksrud Ola , Papoutsis Filip , Olstad Bjørn Harald
Published: February 2020

The purpose of this study was to establish the relationships between 50 m
sprint swimming performance and variables acquired from a swimming load-velocity
profile established by semi-tethered butterfly swimming. Twelve male elite
swimmers participated in the present study and performed 50 m sprint and
semi-tethered butterfly swimming with different loads. The mean velocity among
all upper-limb cycles was obtained from the 50 m swimming (race
velocity), and maximum load and velocity were predicted from the load-velocity
profile established by the semi-tethered swimming test. There was a very large
correlation (r=0.885, p<0.01) and a high intra-class correlation
(0.844, p<0.001) between the race velocity and the predicted maximum
velocity. Significant correlations were also observed between the predicted
maximum load and the 50 m time as well as the race velocity
(r=− 0.624 and 0.556, respectively, both
p<0.05), which imply that an ability to achieve a large tethered
swimming force is associated with 50 m butterfly performance. These
results indicate that the load-velocity profile is a useful tool for predicting
and assessing sprint butterfly swimming performance.
Validity and Reliability of the Isometric Prone Bench Pull
Test
Authors: Lum Danny , Aziz Luqman
Published: February 2020

Isometric strength tests are gaining popularity in recent years. However, no
study has validated any isometric strength tests to assess upper body pulling
ability. The aim of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability
of isometric prone bench pull. Twenty-three resistance trained athletes (age:
26±4 years, height: 1.75±0.07 m, body mass:
78.6±11.5 kg) were required to perform prone bench pull 1
repetition maximum and isometric prone bench pull tests during the
familiarization and actual testing sessions. Isometric prone bench pull was
performed at 90° and 120° elbow angles.
Peak force and rate of force development measures were highly reliable with
intra-correlation coefficient between 0.881–0.987. Peak force obtained
from isometric prone bench pull at both elbow angles showed large correlations
to prone bench pull 1 repetition maximum (r=0.833–0.858,
p<0.01). Linear regression equations to predict 1RM performance from
isometric prone bench pull peak force produced an estimated 1RM with a standard
error of only 3–6% of the average prone bench pull 1 repetition
maximum. The current findings show that isometric prone bench pull is a reliable
test and can be used to predict prone bench pull performance.
Fat Grafting for Hand Rejuvenation
Authors: Conlon Christopher J. , Abu-Ghname Amjed , Davis Matthew J. , Ali Kausar , Winocour Sebastian J. , Eisemann Michael L. , Winocour Julian
Published: February 2020

The hands are one of the most visible parts of the body, and prominent dorsal veins and extensor tendons are the most readily recognized signs of the aging process. Fat grafting has been demonstrated to be a safe and effective method of hand rejuvenation by restoration of subcutaneous fat. Despite some variability in the technical approach, fat grafting techniques are consistent in their use of low-pressure injection with standard cannula sizes, small aliquots of graft, and a total volume of graft greater than or equal to 15 mL per hand. While distribution of the fat is an area of debate and a topic of active research, published studies have shown high patient satisfaction rates, suggesting that perhaps the restoration of volume alone is paramount. In this article, we will review the applications of fat grafting to the hand, focusing primarily on its role in hand rejuvenation.
Safety and Regulation of Fat Grafting
Authors: Raj Sarth , Abu-Ghname Amjed , Davis Matthew J. , Izaddoost Shayan A. , Winocour Sebastian J.
Published: February 2020

Today, fat grafting has wide applicability across plastic surgery disciplines, including both aesthetic and reconstructive procedures. However, much controversy has surrounded adipose tissue transfer throughout the 20th century, necessitating extensive research to improve the fat grafting process and to better understand its associated complications and benefits. Initial concerns included the technical difficulties of properly handling and processing adipose to ensure adequate outcomes. As these issues were addressed, more modern concerns were raised by the U.S Food and Drug Administration and the general scientific community regarding the oncological potential of adipose tissue and its potential interference with breast cancer screenings. Today, many formalized clinical studies have evidenced the safety of fat grafting, allowing the procedure to gain widespread popularity and opening avenues for future applications.
The Science of Fat Grafting
Authors: Shih Linden , Davis Matthew J. , Winocour Sebastian J.
Published: February 2020

Autologous fat grafting has become a popular and well-established technique used by plastic surgeons in a variety of aesthetic and reconstructive procedures. An understanding of the basic science principles underlying fat grafting is crucial to explaining its extensive utility for soft tissue rejuvenation, volume augmentation, and body contouring—and the unpredictable fat resorption rates after grafting that pose a significant challenge for plastic surgeons. While the scientific principles of fat grafting can theoretically be exploited to optimize fat grafting techniques and increase fat tissue survival, a consensus has yet been established as to the best practices for this procedure. This review discusses the biology of adipose tissue and the scientific principles behind its behavior and survival in autologous fat grafting.
Applications of Fat Grafting in Pediatric Patients
Authors: Shih Linden , Abu-Ghname Amjed , Davis Matthew J. , Xue Amy S. , Dempsey Robert F. , Buchanan Edward P.
Published: February 2020

Autologous fat grafting has become a widely utilized technique for a variety of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Its potential for volume restoration and tissue regeneration has made it a popular method for treating soft tissue defects in both adult and pediatric populations. While autologous fat grafting in the pediatric setting is not as well characterized as it is in the adult setting, various reports have demonstrated the safety and utility of its applications in nonadult patient populations. In this article, we present the first comprehensive review of the current applications of autologous fat grafting in pediatric patients. Specific challenges to fat grafting in the pediatric setting and future applications will also be discussed.
Dynamic motility selection drives population segregation in a bacterial swarm
Authors: Zuo Wenlong , Wu Yilin
Published: February 2020

Significance

Ecological models usually take growth rate fitness as the essential driver of population dynamics. However, as a widespread natural phenomenon, population expansion in space (or range expansion) is often governed by both motility and growth. Microbial communities offer unique systems to study how an individual’s motility contributes to space competition among heterogeneous microbial populations during range expansion. Here we show that motility heterogeneity can promote the spatial segregation of subpopulations in structured microbial communities via a dynamic motility selection mechanism. Our findings are relevant to microbial stress response and microbial ecology. The results may also provide new insight to range expansion in other biological systems, such as tumor invasion and collective stress tolerance of cancer cells in densely packed environments.
Local structure of Sr
2
CuO
3.3
, a 95 K cuprate superconductor without CuO
2
planes
Authors: Conradson Steven D. , Geballe Theodore H. , Jin Changqing , Cao Lipeng , Baldinozzi Gianguido , Jiang Jack M. , Latimer Matthew J. , Mueller Oliver
Published: February 2020

Significance

CuO
2
planes are a universal component of cuprate superconductors. Sr
2
CuO
3+δ
that has a
T

c

of 95 K despite its overdoping has been reported to have vacancies in these planes. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure measurements not only provide definitive proof but furthermore show that in magnetically oriented samples not only are there also apical O vacancies but that the -Cu-O- chains normal to the orienting field are complete while the O sites of the chains parallel with this field are only half filled. These unique characteristics of a material with such a high transition temperature demonstrate that there are still substantial gaps in our knowledge of exotic superconductivity, including such fundamental aspects as the types of structures that support it.
A nanobody targeting the LIN28:let-7 interaction fragment of TUT4 blocks uridylation of let-7
Authors: Yu Chunxiao , Wang Longfei , Rowe R. Grant , Han Areum , Ji Wanying , McMahon Conor , Baier Alexander S. , Huang Yu-Chung , Marion William , Pearson Daniel S. , Kruse Andrew C. , Daley George Q. , Wu Hao , Sliz Piotr
Published: February 2020

The LIN28:pre-let-7:TUTase ternary complex regulates pluripotency and oncogenesis by controlling processing of the let-7 family of microRNAs. The complex oligouridylates the 3′ ends of pre-let-7 molecules, leading to their degradation via the DIS3L2 exonuclease. Previous studies suggest that components of this complex are potential therapeutic targets in malignancies that aberrantly express LIN28. In this study we developed a functional epitope selection approach to identify nanobody inhibitors of the LIN28:pre-let-7:TUT4 complex. We demonstrate that one of the identified nanobodies, Nb-S2A4, targets the 106-residue LIN28:let-7 interaction (LLI) fragment of TUT4. Nb-S2A4 can effectively inhibit oligouridylation and monouridylation of pre-let-7g in vitro. Expressing Nb-S2A4 allows maturation of the let-7 species in cells expressing LIN28, highlighting the therapeutic potential of targeting the LLI fragment.
Norm destruction, norm resilience
Authors: Balabanova Ekaterina , Balch Alex
Published: February 2020

Principles of refugee protection in Europe are said to have come under great pressure with the populist and
nationalist backlash to the ‘migrant crisis’, often traced to illiberal regimes in post-communist countries. This paper tests
these claims by comparatively analysing media coverage in the UK and Hungary, establishing the extent to which specific norms were
challenged or upheld in April and September 2015. It develops a new methodology connecting ethical justifications for migration
controls with the ‘normative terrain’ of refugee protection. The findings complicate existing assumptions about differences
between conservative and progressive-leaning publications, and also the divide and direction of travel between Old/New and
East/West in the European context. The article challenges the narrative of the ‘illiberal wind’ and advances understanding of the
relationship between political culture and media systems in Europe, and the toxic nature of media coverage in relation to the
survival of the normative regime around refugees.
Extranodal Marginal Zone Lymphoma of the Central Nervous System Includes Parenchymal-Based Cases With Characteristic Features
Authors: Nomani Laila , Cotta Claudiu V , Hsi Eric D , Ferry Judith A , Cook James R
Published: February 2020

Objectives

To define the clinicopathologic features of extranodal marginal zone lymphoma (EMZL) of the central nervous system (CNS), including cases arising in CNS parenchyma, which have been reported only rarely.

Methods

Twelve cases of CNS EMZL were identified, including 5 based in CNS parenchyma and 7 nonparenchymal cases arising in dura or choroid plexus.

Results

Histologically, parenchymal cases were perivascular infiltrates without a dominant lymphoid mass, whereas nonparenchymal cases were masses of small lymphocytes. Plasma cells were a larger component of the infiltrate in parenchymal cases (median, 30%; range, 20%-50%) than nonparenchymal cases (median, 0%; range, 0%-5%; P < .001), and plasma cells were clonal by immunohistochemistry in 4 of 5 parenchymal vs 1 of 7 nonparenchymal cases (P = .07). Fluorescence in situ hybridization for MALT1 rearrangement was positive in 1 of 3 parenchymal and none of 3 nonparenchymal cases. Chromosomal microarray was abnormal in 5 of 7 cases (71%), with chromosome 6/6q alterations identified in 3 cases. No patients with parenchymal disease but all 6 (100%) with nonparenchymal disease achieved complete remission.

Conclusions

This case series, the first to include multiple parenchymal cases, clarifies the spectrum of clinical, pathologic, and genetic findings in CNS EMZL and suggests that parenchymal-based lesions may show less favorable prognosis than dural-based disease.
Benefits of cooperation in captive Damaraland mole-rats
Authors: Houslay Thomas M , Vullioud Philippe , Zöttl Markus , Clutton-Brock Tim H
Published: February 2020

Although the social mole-rats are commonly classified as eusocial breeders on the grounds that groups include a single breeding female (the “queen”) and a number of nonbreeding individuals (“helpers”) of both sexes, alloparental care is not highly developed in these species and there is no direct evidence that the presence or number of nonbreeders is associated with reductions in the workload of the “queen.” An alternative interpretation of mole-rat groups is that the social mole-rats are cooperative foragers rather than cooperative or eusocial breeders. Here, in captive colonies of Damaraland mole-rats (Fukomys damarensis), we provide the first evidence that increases in the number of nonbreeding subordinates in mole-rat groups are associated with reductions in the workload of “queens” and with increases in their fecundity.
Proteoform characterization based on top-down mass spectrometry
Authors: Zhong Jiancheng , Sun Yusui , Xie Minzhu , Peng Wei , Zhang Chushu , Wu Fang-Xiang , Wang Jianxin
Published: February 2020

Proteins are dominant executors of living processes. Compared to genetic variations, changes in the molecular structure and state of a protein (i.e. proteoforms) are more directly related to pathological changes in diseases. Characterizing proteoforms involves identifying and locating primary structure alterations (PSAs) in proteoforms, which is of practical importance for the advancement of the medical profession. With the development of mass spectrometry (MS) technology, the characterization of proteoforms based on top-down MS technology has become possible. This type of method is relatively new and faces many challenges. Since the proteoform identification is the most important process in characterizing proteoforms, we comprehensively review the existing proteoform identification methods in this study. Before identifying proteoforms, the spectra need to be preprocessed, and protein sequence databases can be filtered to speed up the identification. Therefore, we also summarize some popular deconvolution algorithms, various filtering algorithms for improving the proteoform identification performance and various scoring methods for localizing proteoforms. Moreover, commonly used methods were evaluated and compared in this review. We believe our review could help researchers better understand the current state of the development in this field and design new efficient algorithms for the proteoform characterization.
DL4papers: a deep learning approach for the automatic interpretation of scientific articles
Authors: Bugnon L A , Yones C , Raad J , Gerard M , Rubiolo M , Merino G , Pividori M , Di Persia L , Milone D H , Stegmayer G
Published: February 2020

Motivation

In precision medicine, next-generation sequencing and novel preclinical reports have led to an increasingly large amount of results, published in the scientific literature. However, identifying novel treatments or predicting a drug response in, for example, cancer patients, from the huge amount of papers available remains a laborious and challenging work. This task can be considered a text mining problem that requires reading a lot of academic documents for identifying a small set of papers describing specific relations between key terms. Due to the infeasibility of the manual curation of these relations, computational methods that can automatically identify them from the available literature are urgently needed.

Results

We present DL4papers, a new method based on deep learning that is capable of analyzing and interpreting papers in order to automatically extract relevant relations between specific keywords. DL4papers receives as input a query with the desired keywords, and it returns a ranked list of papers that contain meaningful associations between the keywords. The comparison against related methods showed that our proposal outperformed them in a cancer corpus. The reliability of the DL4papers output list was also measured, revealing that 100% of the first two documents retrieved for a particular search have relevant relations, in average. This shows that our model can guarantee that in the top-2 papers of the ranked list, the relation can be effectively found. Furthermore, the model is capable of highlighting, within each document, the specific fragments that have the associations of the input keywords. This can be very useful in order to pay attention only to the highlighted text, instead of reading the full paper. We believe that our proposal could be used as an accurate tool for rapidly identifying relationships between genes and their mutations, drug responses and treatments in the context of a certain disease. This new approach can certainly be a very useful and valuable resource for the advancement of the precision medicine field.

Availability and implementation

A web-demo is available at: http://sinc.unl.edu.ar/web-demo/dl4papers/. Full source code and data are available at: https://sourceforge.net/projects/sourcesinc/files/dl4papers/.

Contact

lbugnon@sinc.unl.edu.ar

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Care in Uncaring Places: Exploring Somali Piracy Hostage Incidents
Authors: Wakeham Joshua , Gilmer Brittany V
Published: February 2020

Care is not something that we typically associate with crime. In this paper, we challenge this idea by examining the case of ransom kidnappings by Somali pirates. To make this argument, first, we draw on existing social scientific research on care and care work to develop a theoretical account of caring actions that is consistent with an earlier scholarship while broadening its scope. We, then, draw on data from four memoirs written by former hostages to explore the various ways that Somali pirates provide care, as well as the reactions such caring behaviours induce in both the pirates and the hostages. We conclude by suggesting ways in which care may be examined in the context of other crimes.
Towards metabolic disconnection – symptom mapping
Authors: Forkel Stephanie J , Thiebaut de Schotten Michel
Published: February 2020

This scientific commentary refers to ‘Metabolic lesion-deficit mapping of human cognition’ by Jha etal. (doi:10.1093/brain/awaa032).
Clostridioides difficileWhole-genome Sequencing Differentiates Relapse With the Same Strain From Reinfection With a New Strain
Authors: Cho Janice , Cunningham Scott , Pu Meng , Lennon Ryan J , Dens Higano Jennifer , Jeraldo Patricio , Sampathkumar Priya , Shannon Samantha , Kashyap Purna C , Patel Robin
Published: February 2020

Background

Current approaches in tracking Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) and individualizing patient management are incompletely defined.

Methods

We recruited 468 subjects with CDI at Mayo Clinic Rochester between May and December 2016 and performed whole-genome sequencing (WGS) on C. difficile isolates from 397. WGS was also performed on isolates from a subset of the subjects at the time of a recurrence of infection. The sequence data were analyzed by determining core genome multilocus sequence type (cgMLST), with isolates grouped by allelic differences and the predicted ribotype.

Results

There were no correlations between C. difficile isolates based either on cgMLST or ribotype groupings and CDI outcome. An epidemiologic assessment of hospitalized subjects harboring C. difficile isolates with ≤2 allelic differences, based on standard infection prevention and control assessment, revealed no evidence of person-to-person transmission. Interestingly, community-acquired CDI subjects in 40% of groups with ≤2 allelic differences resided within the same zip code. Among 18 subjects clinically classified as having recurrent CDI, WGS revealed 14 with initial and subsequent isolates differing by ≤2 allelic differences, suggesting a relapse of infection with the same initial strain, and 4 with isolates differing by >50 allelic differences, suggesting reinfection. Among the 5 subjects classified as having a reinfection based on the timing of recurrence, 3 had isolates with ≤2 allelic differences between them, suggesting a relapse, and 2 had isolates differing by >50 allelic differences, suggesting reinfection.

Conclusions

Our findings point to potential transmission of C. difficile in the community. WGS better differentiates relapse from reinfection than do definitions based on the timing of recurrence.
Identifying Vaccine-associated Rash Illness Amidst a Large Measles Outbreak: Minnesota, 2017
Authors: Martin Karen G , Banerjee Emily , McMahon Melissa , Kenyon Cynthia , Strain Anna , Halstead Muscoplat Miriam , Gastañaduy Paul A , Rota Paul A , Mody Rajal K , Ehresmann Kristen
Published: February 2020

Characteristics of vaccine-associated rash illness (VARI) and confirmed measles cases were compared during a measles outbreak. Although some clinical differences were noted, measles exposure and identification of the vaccine strain were helpful for public health decision-making. Rapid, vaccine strain–specific diagnostic assays will more efficiently distinguish VARI from measles.
Comparing Authoritarian Publics: The Benefits and Risks of Three Types of Publics for Autocrats
Authors: Toepfl Florian
Published: February 2020

Researchers comparing political communication across non-democratic contexts presently lack a widely acknowledged theoretical framework to guide their efforts. In order to fill in this gap, this essay develops a theoretical account that proposes comparing not authoritarian media systems, but “authoritarian publics.” Drawing on theories of the multiple public sphere, two typologies are delineated: (a) a three-fold typology of partial publics, operating within authoritarian regimes and (b) a three-fold typology of “publics-at-large,” to be distinguished across authoritarian regimes. As it is argued, the publics-at-large of authoritarian regimes can be composed of three types of partial publics: (a) uncritical, (b) policy-critical, and (c) leadership-critical publics. With reference to political science literature about the emergence of formally democratic institutions in non-democratic regimes, critical publics are interpreted as institutions that help autocrats carry out important tasks. The benefits and risks associated with critical publics for autocrats are comparable to those of other pseudo-democratic institutions.
Ambient temperature correlates with geographic variation in body size of least horseshoe bats
Authors: Wang Man , Chen Kelly , Guo Dongge , Luo Bo , Wang Weiwei , Gao Huimin , Liu Ying , Feng Jiang
Published: February 2020

Geographic variation in body size is common within many animal species. The causes of this pattern, however, remain largely unexplored in most vertebrate groups. Bats are widely distributed globally owing to their ability of powered flight. Most bat species encounter a variety of climatic conditions across their distribution range, making them an ideal taxon for the study of ecogeographic patterns in body size. Here, we used adult least horseshoe bats, Rhinolophus pusillus, to test whether geographic variation in body size was determined by heat conservation, heat dissipation, climatic seasonality, or primary productivity. We measured body mass and head-body length for 246 adult bats from 12 allopatric colonies in China. We quantified the ecological conditions inhabited by each colony, including mean maximum temperature of the warmest month, mean minimum temperature of the coldest month, temperature seasonality, precipitation seasonality, and annual net primary productivity (ANPP). Body mass and head-body length, 2 of the most reliable indicators of body size, exhibited marked differences between colonies. After controlling for spatial autocorrelation, the mean minimum temperature of the coldest month explained most of the variation in body size among colonies, regardless of sex. The mean maximum temperature, climatic seasonality, and ANPP had limited power in predicting body size of males or females in comparison with mean minimum temperature. These results support the heat conservation hypothesis and suggest adaptive responses of body size to cold climates in cave-dwelling bats.
Toxoplasma gondii causes lipofuscinosis, collagenopathy and spleen and white pulp atrophy during the acute phase of infection
Authors: Pereira Andréia Vieira , Gois Marcelo Biondaro , Silva Mariana Sacchi , Miranda Junior Nelson Raimundo de , Campos Carla Betânia Huf Ferraz , Schneider Larissa Carla Lauer , Barbosa Carmem Patrícia , Nogueira-Melo Gessilda de Alcântara , Sant'Ana Débora de Mello Gonçales
Published: February 2020

In this study, we evaluated homeostatic and functional disorders of the spleen in mice inoculated with Toxoplasma gondii. The kinetics of megakaryocyte and leukocyte production, body and spleen mass and certain histopathological aspects were analyzed. There was increased (P < 0.05) the accumulation of lipofuscin in the red pulp of the spleen, in the periods of 30 and 60 dpi of the infection, that is, in the chronification stage of the disease and decrease of the white pulp area. In addition, we observed (from 7dpi) a quantitative and qualitative increase (P < 0.05) in the deposition of collagen fibers in the spleen of all infected mice. Since resolution of the inflammatory process resulted in pathophysiological changes, we can suggest that the T. gondii invaded and multiplied in the cells of the white and red pulps of the spleen. Although we did not find the parasite in the spleen, this hypothesis is supported by the presence of diffuse inflammatory infiltrate, which extended through the spleen parenchyma of all inoculated mice. Taken together, our results suggest that T. gondii causes severe homeostatic disorders that have altered spleen physiology, including diffuse parenchymal inflammation, lipofuscinosis in histiocytes, early aging, collagenopathy, systemic sclerosis and spleen and white pulp atrophy.
Laboratory study on the effects of fault waviness on granodiorite stick-slip instabilities
Authors: Zhuo Yan-Qun , Guo Yanshuang , Chen Shunyun , Ji Yuntao
Published: February 2020

The effects of fault waviness on the fault slip modes are unclear. Laboratory study on the effects of the centimetre-scale fault contact distribution, which is mainly controlled by the fault waviness, on granodiorite stick-slip instabilities may help to unveil some aspects of the problem. The fast and slow stick-slip motions were separately generated in two granodiorite samples of the same roughness but different fault contact distributions in the centimetre scale in the laboratory. The experimental results show the following: (1) the fault with the small contact area and heterogeneous contact distribution generates fast stick-slip instabilities, while the fault with the large contact area and homogeneous contact distribution produces slow stick-slip events; (2) the nucleation processes of the fast stick-slip events are characterized by abrupt changes once the nucleation zones expand to the critical nucleation length that is observed to be shorter than the fault length, while the slow stick-slip events appear as a gradual evolution of the nucleation zones leading to total fault sliding. These indicate that, unlike the micron-scale fault contact distribution controlled by roughness, which depends mainly on the grain size of the abrasives used for lapping the fault surface, the centimetre-scale fault contact distribution, which depends mainly on the waviness of the fault surface profile, also plays an important role in the fault slip modes. In addition, the effects of the fault waviness on the fault friction properties are preliminarily analysed based on the rate- and state-dependent friction law.
Overcoming Resistance Through Narratives: Findings from a Meta-Analytic Review
Authors: Ratcliff Chelsea L , Sun Ye
Published: February 2020

To understand the mechanisms underlying narrative persuasion, a growing body of theoretical and empirical work suggests that narratives reduce audience resistance, possibly via narrative engagement. To synthesize this research, we performed a two-part meta-analysis using three-level random-effects models. Part I focused on experimental studies that directly compared narratives and non-narratives on resistance. Based on 15 effect sizes from nine experimental studies, the overall effect size was d = −.213 (equivalent r = −.107; p < .001), suggesting that narratives generated less resistance than non-narratives. Part II was a synthesis of studies of the relationship between narrative engagement and resistance, consisting of 63 effect sizes from 25 studies. Narrative engagement and resistance were negatively correlated (r = −.131; p < .001), and this relationship was moderated by narrative message characteristics, including genre, length, medium, and character unit. Implications of our findings and directions for future research are discussed.
Air pollution in China: health information seeking and protective behaviors
Authors: Yang Qinghua , Wu Shiwen
Published: February 2020

Haze has become one of the most life-threatening problems in China. Chinese people become more dependent on receiving health information from social media, especially WeChat, which shapes their health perceptions and behaviors. Despite the prevalence of health information-seeking behavior (HISB) on WeChat, the predicting factors and consequences of Chinese people’s haze HISB using WeChat remain unclear. To fill this gap, a hypothesized model was proposed under the risk perception attitude framework and tested with a longitudinal web-based survey of Chinese people residing in Mainland China, to understand the antecedents and behavioral outcomes of HISB on WeChat. The results from the structural equation modeling showed that perceived risk significantly predicted haze HISB on WeChat, which predicted the intention of wearing PM2.5 mask but not reducing outdoor exercises. The efficacy beliefs of both protective behaviors were not significant predictor of haze HISB. Theoretical and practical implications were discussed.
The Prince William Sound Plankton Camera: a profiling in situ observatory of plankton and particulates
Authors: Campbell R W , Roberts P L , Jaffe J
Published: February 2020

A novel plankton imager was developed and deployed aboard a profiling mooring in Prince William Sound in 2016–2018. The imager consisted of a 12-MP camera and a 0.137× telecentric lens, along with darkfield illumination produced by an in-line ring/condenser lens system. Just under 2.5 × 106 images were collected during 3 years of deployments. A subset of almost 2 × 104 images was manually identified into 43 unique classes, and a hybrid convolutional neural network classifier was developed and trained to identify the images. Classification accuracy varied among the different classes, and applying thresholds to the output of the neural network (interpretable as probabilities or classifier confidence), improved classification accuracy in non-ambiguous groups to between 80% and 100%.
Describing the evolution of myeloid-derived leucocytes in treated B-lineage paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia with a data-driven granulocyte-monocyte-blast model
Authors: Bolton Larisse , Acho Thomas M , Stones David K , Hui Cang
Published: February 2020

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is associated with a compromised myeloid system. Understanding the state of granulopoiesis in a patient during treatment, places the clinician in an advantageous position. Mathematical models are aids able to present the clinician with insight into the behaviour of myeloid-derived leucocytes. The main objective of this investigation was to determine whether a proposed model of ALL during induction therapy would be a usable descriptor of the system. The model assumes the co-occurrence of the independent leukaemic and normal marrow populations. It is comprised of four delay-differential equations, capturing the fundamental characteristics of the blood and bone marrow myeloid leucocytes and B-lineage lymphoblasts. The effect of treatment was presumed to amplify cell loss within both populations. Clinical data was used to inform the construction, calibration and examination of the model. The model is promising—presenting a good foundation for the development of a clinical supportive tool. The predicted parameters and forecasts aligned with clinical expectations. The starting assumptions were also found to be sound. A comparative investigation highlighted the differing responses of similarly diagnosed patients during treatment and further testing on patient data emphasized patient specificity. Model examination recommended the explicit consideration of the suppressive effects of treatment on the normal population production. Additionally, patient-related factors that could have resulted in such different responses between patients need to be considered. The parameter estimates require refinement to incorporate the action of treatment. Furthermore, the myeloid populations require separate consideration. Despite the model providing explanation, incorporating these recommendations would enhance both model usability and predictive capacity.
An innovative quality improvement approach for rapid improvement of infection prevention and control at health facilities in Sierra Leone
Authors: Rondinelli Ilka , Dougherty Gillian , Madevu-Matson Caitlin A , Toure Mame , Akinjeji Adewale , Ogongo Irene , Kolwaite Amy , Weiss Jamine , Gleason Brigette , Lyman Meghan Marie , Benya Hassan , Rabkin Miriam
Published: February 2020

Quality challenge

The Sierra Leone (SL) Ministry of Health and Sanitation’s National Infection Prevention and Control Unit (NIPCU) launched National Infection and Prevention Control (IPC) Policy and Guidelines in 2015, but a 2017 assessment found suboptimal compliance with standards on environmental cleanliness (EC), waste disposal (WD) and personal protective equipment (PPE) use.

Methods

ICAP at Columbia University (ICAP), NIPCU and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) designed and implemented a Rapid Improvement Model (RIM) quality improvement (QI) initiative with a compressed timeframe of 6 months to improve EC, WD and PPE at eight purposively selected health facilities (HFs). Targets were collaboratively developed, and a 37-item checklist was designed to monitor performance. HF teams received QI training and weekly coaching and convened monthly to review progress and exchange best practices. At the final learning session, a “harvest package” of the most effective ideas and tools was developed for use at additional HFs.

Results

The RIM resulted in marked improvement in WD and EC performance and modest improvement in PPE. Aggregate compliance for the 37 indicators increased from 67 to 96% over the course of 4 months, with all HFs showing improvement. Average PPE compliance improved from 85 to 89%, WD from 63 to 99% and EC from 51 to 99%.

Lessons learned

The RIM QIC approach is feasible and effective in SL’s austere health system and led to marked improvement in IPC performance. The best practices are being scaled up and the RIM QIC methodology is being applied to other domains.
Integration of the blaNDM-1 carbapenemase gene into a novel SXT/R391 integrative and conjugative element in Proteus vulgaris
Authors: Kong Ling-Han , Xiang Rong , Wang Yu-Long , Wu Shun-Kang , Lei Chang-Wei , Kang Zhuang-Zhuang , Chen Yan-Peng , Ye Xiao-Lan , Lai Yan , Wang Hong-Ning
Published: February 2020

Objectives

To characterize the genetic environment of the carbapenem resistance determinant in Proteus vulgaris of swine origin.

Methods

The carbapenem-resistant P. vulgaris strain BC22 was isolated from a faecal swab from a diseased pig with diarrhoea in Sichuan Province of China in 2018. The presence of carbapenemase genes was screened by PCR. WGS and bioinformatics analysis were performed to analyse the genetic environment of the carbapenem resistance determinant.

Results

P. vulgaris strain BC22 was found to harbour the carbapenemase gene blaNDM-1. WGS data revealed that blaNDM-1 was located in a truncated ISAba125 composite transposon. The carbapenem resistance gene blaNDM-1 and 20 other resistance genes, including the multiresistance gene cfr and the bifunctional aminoglycoside/quinolone resistance gene aac(6′)-lb-cr, were located in a novel SXT/R391 integrative and conjugative element (ICE). This new SXT/R391 ICE of 148.7 kb was chromosomally located, and could be transferred to Escherichia coli.

Conclusions

Here, we report a carbapenemase gene, blaNDM-1, integrated into an SXT/R391 ICE. Our study highlights that this SXT/R391 ICE may facilitate the dissemination of clinically important resistance genes such as blaNDM-1, cfr and aac(6′)-lb-cr.
How does medical scribes’ work inform development of speech-based clinical documentation technologies? A systematic review
Authors: Tran Brian D , Chen Yunan , Liu Songzi , Zheng Kai
Published: February 2020

Objective

Use of medical scribes reduces clinician burnout by sharing the burden of clinical documentation. However, medical scribes are cost-prohibitive for most settings, prompting a growing interest in developing ambient, speech-based technologies capable of automatically generating clinical documentation based on patient–provider conversation. Through a systematic review, we aimed to develop a thorough understanding of the work performed by medical scribes in order to inform the design of such technologies.

Materials and Methods

Relevant articles retrieved by searching in multiple literature databases. We conducted the screening process following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) in guidelines, and then analyzed the data using qualitative methods to identify recurring themes.

Results

The literature search returned 854 results, 65 of which met the inclusion criteria. We found that there is significant variation in scribe expectations and responsibilities across healthcare organizations; scribes also frequently adapt their work based on the provider’s style and preferences. Further, scribes’ job extends far beyond capturing conversation in the exam room; they also actively interact with patients and the care team and integrate data from other sources such as prior charts and lab test results.

Discussion

The results of this study provide several implications for designing technologies that can generate clinical documentation based on naturalistic conversations taking place in the exam room. First, a one-size-fits-all solution will be unlikely to work because of the significant variation in scribe work. Second, technology designers need to be aware of the limited role that their solution can fulfill. Third, to produce comprehensive clinical documentation, such technologies will likely have to incorporate information beyond the exam room conversation. Finally, issues of patient consent and privacy have yet to be adequately addressed, which could become paramount barriers to implementing such technologies in realistic clinical settings.

Conclusions

Medical scribes perform complex and delicate work. Further research is needed to better understand their roles in a clinical setting in order to inform the development of speech-based clinical documentation technologies.
Devising a new dialogue for nutrition science: how life course perspective, U-shaped thinking, whole organism thinking, and language precision contribute to our understanding of biological heterogeneity and forge a fresh advance toward precision medicine
Authors: Waters David J
Published: February 2020

The process of designing and implementing individualized health-promoting interventions, nutritional or otherwise, is fraught with great difficulty owing to the heterogeneity inherent in factors that influence healthy longevity. This article proposes that careful attention to three principles—life course perspective, U-shaped thinking, and whole organism thinking—creates an attitudinal framework that can be used to reframe biological heterogeneity into the clinically relevant question: Who will benefit? The search for tools to cope with the complexity of this heterogeneity has been dominated by technological advances, including state-of-the-art “-omics” approaches and machine-based handling of “big data.” Here, it is proposed that language precision and nuanced category usage could provide critical tools for coping with heterogeneity, thereby enabling interventionalists to design and implement strategies to promote healthy longevity with greater precision. The lack of a clear understanding of “Who will benefit?” stands as a major obstacle to the design and implementation of nutritional strategies to optimize healthy longevity. This article opens a new dialogue situating the principles of life course perspective, U-shaped thinking, and whole organism thinking, along with cultivating an attitude of language precision at the very core of accelerating creative discovery and refining practical advance in the field of nutrition science.