bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stakeholder perceptions of current practices and challenges in priority setting for non-communicable disease control in Kenya: a qualitative study
Authors: Wanjau Mary Njeri , Kivuti-Bitok Lucy W. , Aminde Leopold Ndemnge , Veerman Lennert
Published: April 2021

Objective

To explore the stakeholders’ perceptions of current practices and challenges in priority setting for non-communicable disease (NCD) control in Kenya.

Design

A qualitative study approach conducted within a 1-day stakeholder workshop that followed a deliberative dialogue process.

Setting

Study was conducted within a 1-day stakeholder workshop that was held in October 2019 in Nairobi, Kenya.

Participants

Stakeholders who currently participate in the national level policymaking process for health in Kenya.

Outcome measure

Priority setting process for NCD control in Kenya.

Results

Donor funding was identified as a key factor that informed the priority setting process for NCD control. Misalignment between donors’ priorities and the country’s priorities for NCD control was seen as a hindrance to the process. It was identified that there was minimal utilisation of context-specific evidence from locally conducted research. Additional factors seen to inform the priority setting process included political leadership, government policies and budget allocation for NCDs, stakeholder engagement, media, people’s cultural and religious beliefs.

Conclusion

There is an urgent need for development aid partners to align their priorities to the specific NCD control priority areas that exist in the countries that they extend aid to. Additionally, context-specific scientific evidence on effective local interventions for NCD control is required to inform areas of priority in Kenya and other low-income and middle-income countries. Further research is needed to develop best practice guidelines and tools for the creation of national-level priority setting frameworks that are responsive to the identified factors that inform the priority setting process for NCD control.
Spatial clustering of drug-resistant tuberculosis in Hunan province, China: an ecological study
Authors: Alene Kefyalew Addis , Xu Zuhui , Bai Liqiong , Yi Hengzhong , Tan Yunhong , Gray Darren , Viney Kerri , Clements Archie CA
Published: April 2021

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the spatial distribution of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) in Hunan province, China.

Methods

An ecological study was conducted using DR-TB data collected from the Tuberculosis Control Institute of Hunan Province between 2012 and 2018. Spatial clustering of DR-TB was explored using the Getis-Ord statistic. A Poisson regression model was fitted with a conditional autoregressive prior structure, and with posterior parameters estimated using a Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation, to quantify associations with possible risk factors and identify clusters of high DR-TB risk.

Results

A total of 2649 DR-TB patients were reported to Hunan TB Control Institute between 2012 and 2018. The majority of the patients were male (74.8%, n=1983) and had a history of TB treatment (88.53%, n=2345). The proportion of extensively DR-TB among all DR-TB was 3.3% (95% CI 2.7% to 4.1%), which increased from 2.8% in 2012 to 4.4% in 2018. Of 1287 DR-TB patients with registered treatment outcomes, 434 (33.8%) were cured, 198 (15.3%) completed treatment, 92 (7.1%) died, 108 (8.3%) had treatment failure and 455 (35.3%) were lost to follow-up. Half (50.9%, n=655) had poor treatment outcomes. The annual cumulative incidence rate of notified DR-TB increased over time from 0.25 per 100 000 people in 2012 to 0.83 per 100 000 people in 2018. Substantial spatial heterogeneity was observed, and hotspots were detected in counties located in the North and East parts of Hunan province. The cumulative incidence of notified DR-TB was significantly associated with urban communities.

Conclusion

The annual incidence of notified DR-TB increased over time in Hunan province. Spatial clustering of DR-TB was detected and significantly associated with urbanisation. This finding suggests that targeting interventions to the highest risk areas and population groups would be effective in reducing the burden and ongoing transmission of DR-TB.
Cohort profile: Understanding Pregnancy Signals and Infant Development (UPSIDE): a pregnancy cohort study on prenatal exposure mechanisms for child health
Authors: O'Connor Thomas , Best Meghan , Brunner Jessica , Ciesla Allison Avrich , Cunning Allison , Kapula Ntemena , Kautz Amber , Khoury Leena , Macomber Allison , Meng Ying , Miller Richard K , Murphy Hannah , Salafia Carolyn M , Vallejo Sefair Ana , Serrano Jishyra , Barrett Emily
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Extensive research suggests that maternal prenatal distress is reliably related to perinatal and child health outcomes—which may persist into adulthood. However, basic questions remain regarding mechanisms involved. To better understand these mechanisms, we developed the Understanding Pregnancy Signals and Infant Development (UPSIDE) cohort study, which has several distinguishing features, including repeated assessments across trimesters, analysis of multiple biological pathways of interest, and incorporation of placental structure and function as mediators of child health outcomes.

Participants

Women with normal risk pregnancies were recruited at <14 weeks gestation. Study visits occurred in each trimester and included extensive psychological, sociodemographic, health behaviour and biospecimen collection. Placenta and cord blood were collected at birth. Child visits (ongoing) occur at birth and 1, 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 months of age and use standard anthropometric, clinical, behavioural, biological and neuroimaging methods to assess child physical and neurodevelopment.

Findings to date

We recruited 326 pregnancies; 294 (90%) were retained through birth. Success rates for prenatal biospecimen collection were high across all trimesters (96%–99% for blood, 94%–97% for urine, 96%–99% for saliva, 96% of placentas, 88% for cord blood and 93% for buccal swab). Ninety-four per cent of eligible babies (n=277) participated in a birth examination; postnatal visits are ongoing.

Future plans

The current phase of the study follows children through age 4 to examine child neurodevelopment and physical development. In addition, the cohort participates in the National Institutes of Health’s Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes programme, a national study of 50 000 families examining early environmental influences on perinatal outcomes, neurodevelopment, obesity and airway disease. Future research will leverage the rich repository of biological samples and clinical data to expand research on the mechanisms of child health outcomes in relation to environmental chemical exposures, genetics and the microbiome.
Investigation of Oral, Gastric, and Duodenal Microbiota in Patients with Upper Gastrointestinal Symptoms
Authors: Cervantes Jorge , Michael Majd , Hong Bo-Young , Springer Aden , Guo Hua , Mendoza Burgandy , Zeng Mingtao , Sundin Olof , McCallum Richard
Published: April 2021

Disease-associated alterations of the intestinal microbiota composition, known as dysbiosis, have been well described in several functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. Several studies have described alterations in the gastric microbiota in functional dyspepsia, but very few have looked at the duodenum.

Here, we explored the upper GI tract microbiota of inpatients with upper GI dyspeptic symptoms, and compared them to achalasia controls, as there is no indication for an esophagogastroduodenoscopy in healthy individuals.

We found differences in the microbiota composition at the three sites evaluated (ie, saliva, stomach and duodenum). Changes observed in patients with dyspepsia included an increase in Veillonella in saliva, an oral shift in the composition of the gastric microbiota, and to some degree in the duodenum as well, where an important abundance of anaerobes was observed. Metabolic function prediction identified greater anaerobic metabolism in the stomach microbial community of patients with dyspepsia. Proton pump inhibitor use was not associated with any particular genus. Co-abundance analysis revealed Rothia as the main hub in the duodenum, a genus that significantly correlated with the relative abundance of Clostridium, Haemophilus, and Actinobacillus.

We conclude that patients with upper GI symptoms consistent with dyspepsia have alterations in the microbiota of saliva, the stomach, and duodenum, which could contribute to symptoms of functional GI disorders.
Current strategies to circumvent the antiviral immunity to optimize cancer virotherapy
Authors: Shin Dong Ho , Nguyen Teresa , Ozpolat Bulent , Lang Frederick , Alonso Marta , Gomez-Manzano Candelaria , Fueyo Juan
Published: April 2021

Cancer virotherapy is a paradigm-shifting treatment modality based on virus-mediated oncolysis and subsequent antitumor immune responses. Clinical trials of currently available virotherapies showed that robust antitumor immunity characterizes the remarkable and long-term responses observed in a subset of patients. These data suggest that future therapies should incorporate strategies to maximize the immunotherapeutic potential of oncolytic viruses. In this review, we highlight the recent evidence that the antiviral immunity of the patients may limit the immunotherapeutic potential of oncolytic viruses and summarize the most relevant approaches to strategically redirect the immune response away from the viruses and toward tumors to heighten the clinical impact of viro-immunotherapy platforms.
Fully human antibody VHdomains to generate mono and bispecific CAR to target solid tumors
Authors: Wang Guanmeng , Zhou Xin , Fucà Giovanni , Dukhovlinova Elena , Shou Peishun , Li Hongxia , Johnston Colette , Mcguinness Brian , Dotti Gianpietro , Du Hongwei
Published: April 2021

Background

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are effective in B-cell malignancies. However, heterogeneous antigen expression and antigen loss remain important limitations of targeted immunotherapy in solid tumors. Therefore, targeting multiple tumor-associated antigens simultaneously is expected to improve the outcome of CAR-T cell therapies. Due to the instability of single-chain variable fragments, it remains challenging to develop the simultaneous targeting of multiple antigens using traditional single-chain fragment variable (scFv)-based CARs.

Methods

We used Humabody VHdomains derived from a transgenic mouse to obtain fully human prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) VHand mesothelin (MSLN) VHsequences and redirect T cell with VHbased-CAR. The antitumor activity and mode of action of PSMA VHand MSLN VHwere evaluated in vitro and in vivo compared with the traditional scFv-based CARs.

Results

Human VHdomain-based CAR targeting PSMA and MSLN are stable and functional both in vitro and in vivo. VHmodules in the bispecific format are capable of binding their specific target with similar affinity as their monovalent counterparts. Bispecific CARs generated by joining two human antibody VHdomains can prevent tumor escape in tumor with heterogeneous antigen expression.

Conclusions

Fully human antibody VHdomains can be used to generate functional CAR molecules, and redirected T cells elicit antitumoral responses in solid tumors at least as well as conventional scFv-based CARs. In addition, VHdomains can be used to generate bispecific CAR-T cells to simultaneously target two different antigens expressed by tumor cells, and therefore, achieve better tumor control in solid tumors.
Multiparametric flow cytometry highlights B7-H3 as a novel diagnostic/therapeutic target in GD2neg/low neuroblastoma variants
Authors: Dondero Alessandra , Morini Martina , Cangelosi Davide , Mazzocco Katia , Serra Martina , Spaggiari Grazia Maria , Rotta Gianluca , Tondo Annalisa , Locatelli Franco , Castellano Aurora , Scuderi Francesca , Sementa Angela Rita , Eva Alessandra , Conte Massimo , Garaventa Alberto , Bottino Cristina , Castriconi Roberta
Published: April 2021

Background

High-risk neuroblastomas (HR-NBs) are rare, aggressive pediatric cancers characterized by resistance to therapy and relapse in more than 30% of cases, despite using an aggressive therapeutic protocol including targeting of GD2. The mechanisms responsible for therapy resistance are unclear and might include the presence of GD2neg/low NB variants and/or the expression of immune checkpoint ligands such as B7-H3.

Method

Here, we describe a multiparametric flow cytometry (MFC) combining the acquisition of 106nucleated singlets, Syto16pos CD45neg CD56pos cells, and the analysis of GD2 and B7-H3 surface expression. 41 bone marrow (BM) aspirates from 25 patients with NB, at the onset or relapse, are analyzed, comparing results with cytomorphological analysis (CA) and/or immunohistochemistry (IHC). Spike in experiments assesses the sensitivity of MFC. Kaplan-Meier analysis on 498 primary NBs selects novel prognostic markers possibly integrating the MFC panel.

Results

No false positive are detected, and MFC shows high sensitivity (0.0005%). Optimized MFC identifies CD45negCD56pos NB cells in 11 out of 12 (91.6%) of BM indicated as infiltrated by CA, 7 of which coexpress high levels of GD2 and B7-H3. MFC detects CD45negCD56posGD2neg/low NB variants expressing high surface levels of B7-H3 in two patients with HR-NB (stage M) diagnosed at 53 and 139 months of age. One of them has a non-MYCN amplified tumor with unusual THpos PHOX2Bneg phenotype, which relapsed 141 months post-diagnosis with BM infiltration and a humerus lesion. All GD2neg/low NB variants are detected in patients at relapse. Kaplan-Meier analysis highlights an interesting dichotomous prognostic value of MML5, ULBPs, PVR, B7-H6, and CD47, ligands involved in NB recognition by the immune system.

Conclusions

Our study validates a sensitive MFC analysis providing information on GD2 and B7-H3 surface expression and allowing fast, specific and sensitive evaluation of BM tumor burden. With other routinely used diagnostic and prognostic tools, MFC can improve diagnosis, prognosis, orienting novel personalized treatments in patients with GD2low/neg NB, who might benefit from innovative therapies combining B7-H3 targeting.
Metatarsals of a large caenagnathid cf. Anzu wyliei (Theropoda: Oviraptorosauria) from the Hell Creek Formation in South Dakota, USA1
Authors: Tsujimura Kousuke , Manabe Makoto , Chiba Yumiko , Tsuihiji Takanobu
Published: April 2021

Isolated metatarsals III and IV of a caenagnathid theropod likely referable to Anzu wyliei are described from a locality of the Hell Creek Formation in northwestern South Dakota, USA. These bones are missing from the holotype and only partial shafts have been described for a specimen referable to this species. Accordingly, the present description adds further anatomical information on this already well-known species of Caenagnathidae. The present finding also demonstrates the significance of isolated or fragmentary specimens found in multitaxic bone beds.
Stock-of-origin catch estimation of Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) based on observed spatial distributions
Authors: Aalto Emilius A. , Ferretti Francesco , Lauretta Matthew V. , Walter John F. , Stokesbury Michael J.W. , Schallert Robert J. , Block Barbara A.
Published: April 2021

Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) are a large, highly migratory fish distributed throughout the North Atlantic Ocean and adjacent seas currently managed as two discrete stocks: western and eastern. Both stocks forage in the North Atlantic, and a high degree of intermixing occurs, which combined with limited single-stock survey data makes it difficult to assess the abundance and status of individual populations. In this study, we used movement patterns from a multidecadal tagging dataset to create monthly distribution maps for these two major stocks. We then used these maps to separate the overall catch records into stock-specific catch (catch per unit effort, CPUE) time series. We identified an increase in the past two decades in the proportion of catch estimated to come from the eastern stock, attributable to a decrease in CPUE in regions dominated by the western stock, relative to other regions. The stock-specific catch series can be used to improve the accuracy of stock assessments and inform spatial management.
Cosmological inflation driven by a scalar torsion function
Authors: Guimarães T. M. , Lima R. de C. , Pereira S. H.
Published: April 2021

A viable model for inflation driven by a torsion function in a Friedmann background is presented. The scalar spectral index in the interval $$0.92\lesssim n_{s}\lesssim 0.97$$

0.92
≲

n
s

≲
0.97

is obtained in order to satisfy the initial conditions for inflation. The post inflationary phase is also studied, and the analytical solutions obtained for scale factor and energy density generalizes that ones for a matter dominated universe, indicating just a small deviation from the standard model evolution. The same kind of torsion function used also describes satisfactorily the recent acceleration of the universe, which could indicate a possible unification of different phases, apart form specific constants
On the F-term problem and quintessence supersymmetry breaking
Authors: Farakos Fotis
Published: April 2021

Inspired by the stringy quintessence F-term problem we highlight a generic contribution to the effective moduli masses that arises due to kinetic mixings between the moduli and the quintessence sector. We then proceed to discuss few supergravity toy models that accommodate such effect, and point out possible shortcomings. Interestingly, in the standard 2-derivative supergravity action there is no term to mediate the supersymmetry breaking from the kinetic quintessence sector to the gaugini and generate Majorana masses. Therefore we also propose a 2-derivative supersymmetric invariant that plays exactly this role.
The Contributions of Stephen A. Ross to Financial Economics
Authors: Brown Stephen J. , Dybvig Philip H. , Goetzmann William N. , Ingersoll Jonathan E.
Published: April 2021

Stephen A. Ross was one of the most influential scholars in the field of financial economics in the late twentieth century. Ross's work was central to several novel domains of economic inquiry. His contributions included the arbitrage pricing theory (APT), the risk-neutral pricing of contingent claims, the binomial option pricing model, a theory of the term structure of interest rates, a seminal contribution to the economic theory of agency, and insights about conditioning biases in ex post performance measurement. In this article, we discuss his seminal papers and the broad scope of his curiosity within the arc of a remarkably productive and influential career that spanned five decades and yet ended sooner than most who knew him expected.
A Hybrid Genetic Algorithm for Nurse Scheduling Problem considering the Fatigue Factor
Authors: Amindoust Atefeh , Asadpour Milad , Shirmohammadi Samineh
Published: April 2021

Nowadays and due to the pandemic of COVID-19, nurses are working under the highest pressure benevolently all over the world. This urgent situation can cause more fatigue for nurses who are responsible for taking care of COVID-19 patients 24 hours a day. Therefore, nurse scheduling should be modified with respect to this new situation. The purpose of the present research is to propose a new mathematical model for Nurse Scheduling Problem (NSP) considering the fatigue factor. To solve the proposed model, a hybrid Genetic Algorithm (GA) has been developed to provide a nurse schedule for all three shifts of a day. To validate the proposed approach, a randomly generated problem has been solved. In addition, to show the applicability of the proposed approach in real situations, the model has been solved for a real case study, a department in one of the hospitals in Esfahan, Iran, where COVID-19 patients are hospitalized. Consequently, a nurse schedule for May has been provided applying the proposed model, and the results approve its superiority in comparison with the manual schedule that is currently used in the department. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first study in which the proposed model takes the fatigue of nurses into account and provides a schedule based on it.
A Nonfunctioning Pituitary Macroadenoma Presenting as Cyclical Vomiting and Severe Hyponatremia in a Young Female
Authors: Warapitiya Dinuka S. , Muthukuda Dimuthu , Sanjeewa W. A. H. P. , Jayawickreme Kushalee Poornima , Subasinghe Shyama
Published: April 2021

Introduction. Recurrent vomiting is a commonly overlooked debilitating symptom which causes significant impact on the quality of life. There are several causes for vomiting, ranging from commonly known causes to rare causes. Nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenomas generally present with visual disturbances, headache, and symptoms due to anterior pituitary hormone deficiencies. This case report is about an atypical presentation of a nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenoma in which the patient presented with cyclical vomiting with severe hyponatremia. Case Report. A 23-year-old girl presented with four to five episodes of vomiting per day for two days duration. She had a history of similar episodes of vomiting since 2016, with each episode generally lasting for 4-5 days and occurring in every four to six months. All episodes exhibited similar symptomatology and she was free of symptoms in-between. Generalized body weakness, postural dizziness, reduced appetite, and secondary amenorrhea were other symptoms she has had since 2016. Examination findings showed a low body mass index (BMI) (16 kg/m2) with normal system examination. Investigations showed severe hyponatremia (110 mmol/L) with hypokalemia (3.2 mmol/L) and hypochloremia (74 mmol/L). Her urinary excretion of potassium, sodium, and serum osmolality was low. Urine osmolality was mildly elevated compared to serum osmolality. Blood urea was normal. Severe hyponatremia with minimal hyponatremic symptoms was suggestive of chronic hyponatremia, which was accentuated by ongoing vomiting and possible reduced intake of salt. Further investigations showed evidence of secondary hypoadrenalism, central hypothyroidism, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, and mild hyperprolactinemia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a pituitary macroadenoma with mass effect on the optic chiasma. Hydrocortisone and levothyroxine were started, and she underwent transsphenoidal resection of the pituitary tumor. She recovered from cyclical vomiting. Conclusion. There can be multiple overlapping aetiologies for every observed symptom, sign, and abnormal investigation finding. Therefore, aetiological diagnosis is challenging, especially in the presence of an atypical clinical presentation. Cyclical vomiting and severe hyponatremia are atypical presentations of nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenomas.
Aged Garlic Extract Reduces IL-6: A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial in Females with a Low Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Wlosinska Martiné , Nilsson Ann-Christin , Hlebowicz Joanna , Fakhro Mohammed , Malmsjö Malin , Lindstedt Sandra
Published: April 2021

Background. Chronic inflammation is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether a daily supplementation of aged garlic extract (AGE) could reduce inflammation in females with low risk for cardiovascular disease. The study was conducted at a single center, as a parallel randomized placebo-controlled trial. Method. 63 females with a Framingham risk score over 10 underwent cardiac computed tomography (CT) scan. Of those, patients with a coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores less than 5 (n = 31) met the inclusion criteria and were randomized, in a double-blind manner to an intake of placebo or AGE (2400 mg daily) for 1 year. Results. Main outcome measure was changes in inflammatory biomarkers, blood pressure, fastening blood glucose, and blood lipids. A total of 29 patients (14 in the AGE group and 15 in the placebo group) completed the study and were analyzed. Females treated with AGE showed lower levels of inflammatory marker IL-6 after 12 months of treatment compared to females receiving placebo (

p
<
0.05

). The blood lipids had a trend towards a lowering effect in females treated with AGE; however, this trend was not significant. Conclusion. The present study concludes that AGE lowers IL-6 in females with a risk profile of cardiovascular disease. We could also conclude that risk prediction with cardiac CT  scan turned out to be superior in estimating the risk of cardiac disease compared to Framingham risk score. This trial is registered with NCT03860350.
Diagnostic Concordance between Random Upper Arm Circumference and Mid Upper Arm Circumference Measurements among Children Aged 6–59 Months in South Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Admama Bamud Juhar , Mulugeta Bezabih Afework , Wassie Feleke Fentaw , Fentaw Mulaw Getahun
Published: April 2021

Random upper arm circumference (RUAC) is frequently used for malnutrition screening among children aged 6–59 months. However, inadequate evidence exists regarding its agreement with mid upper arm circumference (MUAC). This study examined diagnostic concordance between RUAC and standard MUAC measurements and tested RUAC’s ability for screening malnutrition among children aged 6–59 months. A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 30 to May 30/2015 in Ethiopia. Data were taken from a sample of 819 children aged 6–59 months with a simple random sampling technique. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 22 software. The kappa agreement level, sensitivity, and specificity were calculated. The receiver operating curve was prepared to determine the optimal cutoff RUAC for the sensitivity and specificity. With National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) cutoff (12 cm), the performance of RUAC measurements in terms of sensitivity was low (44%). The kappa agreement level between the two measurements was 0.551 (

p

value < 0.001). With the new WHO cutoff (12.5 cm), however, RUAC was improved in validity (sensitivity 81%), specificity 96.9%, and kappa agreement level (K = 0.807;

p
<
0.001

).
In Vivo Evaluation of the Combined Anticancer Effects of Cisplatin and SAHA in Nonsmall Cell Lung Carcinoma Using [18F]FAHA and [18F]FDG PET/CT Imaging
Authors: Yeh Skye Hsin-Hsien , Lin Ming Hsien , Leo Garcia Flores I. I. , Mukhopadhyay Uday , Young Danial , Ogawa Kazuma , Jeong Jeong-Hwan , Tong William , Gelovani Juri G. , Fukumitsu Nobuyoshi
Published: April 2021

Combining standard drugs with low doses of histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) is a promising strategy to increase the efficacy of chemotherapy. The ability of well-tolerated doses of HDACIs that act as chemosensitizers for platinum-based chemotherapeutics has recently been proven in many types and stages of cancer in vitro and in vivo. Detection of changes in HDAC activity/expression may provide important prognostic and predictive information and influence treatment decision-making. Use of [18F] FAHA, a HDAC IIa-specific radionuclide, for molecular imaging may enable longitudinal, noninvasive assessment of HDAC activity/expression in metastatic cancer. We evaluated the synergistic anticancer effects of cisplatin and the histone deacetylase inhibitor suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) in xenograft models of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using [18F] FAHA and [18F] FDG PET/CT imaging. Cisplatin alone significantly increased [18F] FAHA accumulation and reduced [18F] FDG accumulation in H441 and PC14 xenografts; coadministration of cisplatin and SAHA resulted in the opposite effects. Immunochemical staining for acetyl-histone H3 confirmed the PET/CT imaging findings. Moreover, SAHA had a more significant effect on the acetylome in PC14 ( EGFR exon 19 deletion mutation) xenografts than H441 (wild-type EGFR and KRAS codon 12 mutant) xenografts. In conclusion, [18F] FAHA enables quantitative visualization of HDAC activity/expression in vivo, thus, may represent a clinically useful, noninvasive tool for the management of patients who may benefit from synergistic anticancer therapy.
Collaborative Mining Sequence Optimization for Multiple Stopes under Intensive Mining
Authors: Zhang Long , Hu Jianhua , Wang Xinzhong , Chai Xiuwei , Zhao Lei
Published: April 2021

The optimization of a mining sequence not only reduces stress concentration in surrounding rock but also prevents underground debris flows, significantly improving safety. Firstly, the 870–898 m level of the eastern mining area in the Tiaoshuihe phosphate mine was divided into 25 ore blocks, and six different mining sequences were designed for this area. Then, it was calculated that five ore blocks must be processed simultaneously to reach the annual production output. The distances between the five simultaneously mined ore blocks will inevitably affect the efficiency of the equipment for any scheme. So, a collaborative model considering both the area stability and production capacity was established by combining the distance between the centers of the five ore blocks as an index. Differences in stability, deformation, and plastic zone size between the schemes are compared. The calculation results show that a mining scheme with a convex stepped shape produces the best results. These results provide a general method for entropy‐based mining sequence optimization and an optimal solution for the Tiaoshuihe phosphate mine.
Interdigital Capacitive Sensor for Cable Insulation Defect Detection: Three‐Dimensional Modeling, Design, and Experimental Test
Authors: Luo Bing , Wang Tingting , Zhang Fuzeng , Lin Yibin , Zheng Chaozhi , Chen She
Published: April 2021

Due to excellent electrical and mechanical properties, cross‐linked polyethylene (XLPE) cables are widely used in power systems. Poor manufacturing techniques in the production and installation of cable joints will cause insulation defects. The interdigital capacitive (IDC) sensor has advantages of simple structure and non‐contact with the center conductor and shows great potential for online monitoring on XLPE cables. This paper focuses on the 3D modeling of a fully covered IDC sensor for cable insulation detection. Firstly, a 3D finite element model of the sensor is built, and the electric field distributions are compared with those of the partially covered sensor. For the sensor with more electrode pairs, the sensitivity increases with the sensor length and tends to saturate at the length of 5 cm, while the sensitivity remains constant for the sensor with fewer electrode pairs. Then, the differences between 3D and 2D results are discussed and the sensor parameters are optimized to reduce the influence of the fringe capacitance. The simulation results indicate that air gaps between the sensor and XLPE cable are the main reason of the difference between simulation and experiment. When the electrode width is equal to the gap width, the effects of both the fringing electric field and air gaps are relatively small. Finally, several types of sensors are made and used to detect the cable joint with and without the stress cone dislocation under different excitation voltage frequency. The results show that the measured capacitance decreases with frequency and the capacitance of the cable joint with the defects is smaller than that of the normal cable joint.
An Efficient Data Analysis Framework for Online Security Processing
Authors: Li Jun , Liu Yanzhao
Published: April 2021

Industrial cloud security and internet of things security represent the most important research directions of cyberspace security. Most existing studies on traditional cloud data security analysis were focused on inspecting techniques for block storage data in the cloud. None of them consider the problem that multidimension online temp data analysis in the cloud may appear as continuous and rapid streams, and the scalable analysis rules are continuous online rules generated by deep learning models. To address this problem, in this paper we propose a new LCN-Index data security analysis framework for large scalable rules in the industrial cloud. LCN-Index uses the MapReduce computing paradigm to deploy large scale online data analysis rules: in the mapping stage, it divides each attribute into a batch of analysis predicate sets which are then deployed onto a mapping node using interval predicate index. In the reducing stage, it merges results from the mapping nodes using multiattribute hash index. By doing so, a stream tuple can be efficiently evaluated by going over the LCN-Index framework. Experiments demonstrate the utility of the proposed method.
Effects of Yoga on Phase Angle and Quality of Life in Patients with Breast Cancer: A Randomized, Single-Blind, Controlled Trial
Authors: Eyigör Sibel , Apaydin Sebnem , Yesil Hilal , Tanıgor Goksel , Hopanci Bicakli Derya
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Phase angle (PA), a parameter that is obtained from body composition analysis, is an indicator of cellular health status. A lower PA in cancer patients can lead to a decrease in functional status and quality of life (QoL) and increased mortality. Studies have shown that physical activity increases PA. In this study, we aimed to examine the effects of Hatha yoga on PA, body composition, and QoL in patients with breast cancer. Methods: Thirty-one patients were randomized into the yoga (group 1, n = 15) and the control group (group 2, n = 16). Hatha yoga was practiced twice a week for 10 weeks in the intervention group. The PA of the patients was assessed using a body analysis instrument, and QoL was evaluated with an EORTC QLQ questionnaire both before treatment and at week 10. Results: Group 1 had significant improvements in the posttreatment EORTC QLQ functional and global scores (p < 0.05). In group 2, a significant improvement was observed in the EORTC QLQ symptom subscale (p = 0.035). PA values did not show any improvements in both groups (p > 0.05). Comparison of the 2 groups revealed no differences. Conclusion: Yoga may have beneficial effects on QoL in patients with breast cancer but does not have a significant effect on PA. There is a need for further studies to make a definitive statement.
Islam and the Possibility of World Redemption
Authors: Khalil Mohammad Hassan
Published: April 2021

Rosenzweig’s account of Islamic universalism might lead us to question the extent of that universalism itself. In the context of Islam, it is widely understood that the possibility of redemption is available to “righteous” believers. But what about the world as a whole, the world beyond the realm of righteous believers? These questions have not elicited straightforward responses, as Muslim theologians have long debated the question of who exactly can be saved and admitted into paradise and God’s mercy. In the present essay, I consider certain influential Muslim theological approaches to the topic of world redemption, or universal salvation, with a focus on Sunni thought.
Is the Human Being Redeemable? Consolation as an Integral Meaning of Rosenzweig’s Understanding of Redemption: A Blumenbergian Reflection
Authors: Dober Hans Martin
Published: April 2021

In this article, I test out Hans Blumenberg’s understanding of consolation as a pattern to interpret Rosenzweig’s “new thinking.” Drawing on Blumenberg’s philosophical anthropology, I explore the connection between the concept of redemption as consolation and the image of the human being that it presupposes. I further examine the function of consolation in concepts and non-conceptual images through a comparison of redemptive consolation in the respective thought of Luther and Rosenzweig.
Redeeming God, Redeeming Redemption
Authors: Franks Paul
Published: April 2021

On the Rosenzweigian view that I advocate here, redemption is neither a humanly attainable ideal, nor a regulative ideal, nor a solely critical ideal. Redemption is rather a human actualization whose full realization depends on God. In the course of explicating this claim I explore the rabbinic and kabbalistic background to Rosenzweig’s position.
Living without the WTO Appellate Body – Procedural Developments in International Trade Dispute Settlement
Authors: Hamann Andrea
Published: April 2021

The current column covers selected procedural and institutional developments in international trade dispute settlement in 2020. During the reporting period, World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement has been facing unprecedented challenges due to the collapse of the Appellate Body. While this calls for a systemic reflection in the WTO forum regarding the future not only of appellate review but of the entire dispute settlement system, the current unavailability of the Appellate Body has triggered WTO Members into improvising temporary solutions. At the same time, some of them have equally seemed to turn to free trade agreements (FTAs) or otherwise to pursue solutions outside of the multilateral forum.
Mouvement, regard et son dans la Newest Sappho
Authors: Briand Michel
Published: April 2021

In Greek Archaic poetry song, dance, music and text interact through multisensorial emotions (empathy, pleasure) and synaesthesias (sound/sight/movement), represented and perceived in textual devices and real or imaginary performances. In a group of poems in the Newest Sappho (frs 15, 16, 16a, Kypris Song) eros prevails, connecting the audience/readers and ego, as feeling, thinking, and acting subjects. Frs 9, 17, 18, and the Brothers Song are more about public rituals, journeys, and family relations. Fr. 5 is composite: impulses of love share characteristics with addresses to deities or parents. These texts all have a unique sound-and-dance style, as confirmed by Sappho’s frs 1, 31, 44-44a, 58-59, 94, and this sensorial approach may support a transdisciplinary and sensitive conception of philology, by enhancing our appreciation of poetry as embodied experience: simultaneously emotional, aesthetic, cognitive, and intersubjective.
Recreating the Music of Euripides’ Orestes
Authors: D’Angour Armand
Published: April 2021

The fragment of the chorus of Euripides Orestes preserved on Pap. Vienna G 2315 leaves a host of unanswered questions. For whom was the papyrus inscribed? How much of Orestes was preserved on the roll? Whose music is it, and what melodic and harmonic sounds does it preserve? Can the gaps in the melody be filled so as to (re)create performable music based on the papyrus for the Euripidean text, and if so how? This article sets out in detail the steps that led to the creation of a score that has become part of a widely viewed Youtube video presentation of a performance in Oxford in July 2017.
Discovering a Hospitaller Order in Frankish Greece: The Order of St James in the Principality of Achaia
Authors: Saint-Guillain Guillaume , Schabel Chris
Published: April 2021

The Hospital of St James in Andravida, a mixed house of male and female religious in the capital of the Principality of Achaia, has long been known to historians of Frankish Greece, but recent publications allow us to identify the institution as the head of an entire hospitaller order, founded by Prince Geoffrey I of Villehardouin. This helps explain Geoffrey II’s desire to incorporate St James into the military-hospitaller Teutonic Order, initiating a long struggle within and over St James that involved the papacy and that, understandably, has not been examined closely until now. The saga ended under Prince William II with the incorporation of St James into the Templar Order instead, although with the dissolution of the latter St James came into the hands of the Hospitallers. This paper tells the history of this newly discovered Order of St James from 1209/1210 until its absorption into the Templars in 1246.
Epidemiology and risk factors of needlestick injuries among healthcare workers in Iran: a systematic reviews and meta-analysis
Authors: Hassanipour Soheil , Sepandi Mojtaba , Tavakkol Reza , Jabbari Mousa , Rabiei Hadiseh , Malakoutikhah Mahdi , Fathalipour Mohammad , Pourtaghi Gholamhossein
Published: April 2021

Background

Occupational contact with blood and body fluids poses a significant risk to healthcare workers. The aim of this systematic review is to investigate the epidemiology and risk factors affecting needlestick injuries (NSI) in healthcare personnel in Iran.

Methods

In March 2020, researchers studied six international databases such as Medline/PubMed, ProQuest, ISI/WOS, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar for English papers and two Iranian databases (MagIran and SID) for Persian papers. Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist was used to assess quality of studies. The method of reporting was based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement.

Results

A total of 43 articles were included in the analysis. Results showed that females (OR = 1.30, 95 % CI 1.06–1.58, P value = 0.009), younger age (OR = 2.75, 95 % CI 2.27–3.33, P value < 0.001, rotated shift workers (OR = 2.16, 95 % CI 1.47–3.15, P value < 0.001), not attending training courses (OR = 1.30, 95 % CI 1.07–1.56, P value = 0.006), working in the surgery ward (OR = 1.83, 95 % CI 1.33–2.50, P value < 0.001), less work experience (OR = 1.43, 95 % CI 1.04–1.95, P value = 0.025) apposed a greater risk factors for NSI among healthcare workers.

Conclusion

Based on the results of this review, factors such as young age, less work experience, work shift, and female gender are considered as strong risk factors for NSI injury in Iran. Preventive measures including education programs can reduce the burden of NSI among healthcare personnel.
Assessing critical gaps in COVID-19 testing capacity: the case of delayed results in Ecuador
Authors: Torres Irene , Sippy Rachel , Sacoto Fernando
Published: April 2021

Background

Testing is crucial for COVID-19 response and management, however, WHO’s preparedness index omits estimations of actual testing capabilities, which influence the ability to contain, mitigate and clinically manage infectious diseases. With one of the highest excess death rates globally, Ecuador had a comparatively low number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, which may have been influenced by limited availability of data for decision-making due to low laboratory capacity.

Methods

We examine de-identified data on 55,063 individuals with suspected COVID-19 between February 27 and April 30, 2020 included in the RT-PCR testing database collected by the Ministry of Health. Processing times and rates per province, and the number of pending tests, were tallied cumulatively. We assessed the relationship between sample shipping, laboratory capacity and case completion using a negative binomial generalized linear model.

Results

The national average time for case completion was 3 days; 12.1% of samples took ≥10 days to complete; the national average daily backlog was 29.1 tests per 100,000 people. Only 8 out of 24 provinces had authorized COVID-19 processing laboratories but not all processed samples. There was an association between samples coming from outside the processing laboratory province, the number of other samples present at the laboratory during processing, and the amount of time needed to process a sample. Samples from another province took 1.29 times as long to process, on average. The percentage of pending results on April 30 was 67.1%.

Conclusion

A centralized RT-PCR testing system contributes to critical delays in processing, which may mask a case burden higher than reported, impeding timely awareness, and adequate clinical care and vaccination strategies and subsequent monitoring. Although Ecuador adapted or authorized existing facilities to address limitations in laboratory capacity for COVID-19, this study highlights the need to estimate and augment laboratory capabilities for improved decision making and policies on diagnostic guidelines and availability. Support is needed to procure the necessary human and physical resources at all phases of diagnostic testing, including transportation of samples and supplies, and information management. Strengthening emergency preparedness enables a clear understanding of COVID-19 disparities within and across the country.
“… the way we welcome them is how we will lead them to love family planning.”: family planning providers in Rwanda foster compassionate relationships with clients despite workplace challenges
Authors: Schwandt Hilary M. , Boulware Angel , Corey Julia , Herrera Ana , Hudler Ethan , Imbabazi Claudette , King Ilia , Linus Jessica , Manzi Innocent , Merritt Madelyn , Mezier Lyn , Miller Abigail , Morris Haley , Musemakweli Dieudonne , Musekura Uwase , Mutuyimana Divine , Ntakarutimana Chimene , Patel Nirali , Scanteianu Adriana , Shemeza Biganette-Evidente , Sterling-Donaldson Giànna , Umutoni Chantal , Uwera Lyse , Zeiler Madeleine , Feinberg Seth
Published: April 2021

Background

Rwanda has markedly increased the nation’s contraceptive use in a short period of time, tripling contraceptive prevalence in just 5 years between 2005 and 2010. An integral aspect of family planning programs is the interactions between family planning providers and clients. This study aims to understand the client-provider relationship in the Rwandan family planning program and to also examine barriers to those relationships.

Methods

This qualitative study in Rwanda utilized convenience sampling to include eight focus group discussions with family planning providers, both family planning nurses and community health workers, as well as in-depth interviews with 32 experienced modern contraceptive users. Study participants were drawn from the two districts in Rwanda with the highest and lowest modern contraceptive rates, Musanze and Nyamasheke, respectively Data analysis was guided by the thematic content approach, Atlas.ti 8 was utilized for coding the transcripts and collating the coding results, and Microsoft Excel for analyzing the data within code.

Results

Data analysis revealed that, despite workplace related challenges – including inadequate staffing, training, and resources, relationships between providers and clients are strong. Family planning providers work hard to understand, learn from, and support clients in their initiation and sustained use of contraceptives.

Conclusion

Given the existing context of purposeful efforts on the part of family planning providers to build relationships with their clients, if the current level of government support for family planning service provision is enhanced, Rwanda will likely sustain many current users of contraception and engage even more Rwandans in contraceptive services in the future.
De novo ATP1A2 variants in two Chinese children with alternating hemiplegia of childhood upgraded the gene–disease relationship and variant classification: a case report
Authors: Huang Danping , Liu Min , Wang Hongying , Zhang Bingbing , Zhao Dongjing , Ling Weihao , Wang Manli , Feng Jun , Shen Yiping , Chen Xuqin
Published: April 2021

Background

ATP1A2 gene mutation has been indicated to cause alternating hemiplegia of childhood (AHC); however, limited evidence supports this relationship so far.

Case presentation

We reported two Chinese patients with de novo ATP1A2 variants (c.970G>A and c.889G>A). Both patients presented with episodes of alternating hemiplegia, seizures and mild developmental delay. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed abnormal signals in both patients.

Conclusions

The new genetic evidence we reported here strengthened the gene–disease relationship, and the gene curation level between ATP1A2 and AHC became “Moderate” following the ClinGen Standard Operation Procedure. Consequently, the two variants can be reclassified as likely pathogenic.