bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tumor-Associated Neutrophils Drive B-cell Recruitment and Their Differentiation to Plasma Cells
Authors: Shaul Merav E. , Zlotnik Asaf , Tidhar Einat , Schwartz Asaf , Arpinati Ludovica , Kaisar-Iluz Naomi , Mahroum Sojod , Mishalian Inbal , Fridlender Zvi G.
Published: April 2021

A major mechanism through which neutrophils have been suggested to modulate tumor progression involves the interaction and subsequent modulation of other infiltrating immune cells. B cells have been found to infiltrate various cancer types and play a role in tumor immunity, offering new immunotherapy opportunities. Nevertheless, the specific impact of tumor-associated neutrophils (TAN) on B cells has largely been overlooked. In the current study, we aimed to characterize the role of TANs in the recruitment and modulation of B cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). We showed that TANs actively participate in the recruitment of B cells to the TME and identified TNFα as the major cytokine mediating B-cell chemotaxis by TANs. The recruitment of CD45+B220+CD138− splenic B cells by TANs in vitro resulted in B-cell phenotypic modulation, with 68.6% ± 2.1% of the total migrated B cells displaying a CD45−B220+CD138+ phenotype, which is typical for plasma cells. This phenotype mirrored the large proportion (54.0% ± 6.1%) of CD45−B220+CD138+ intratumoral B cells (i.e., plasma cells) in Lewis lung carcinoma tumors. We next confirmed that the differentiation of CD45+B220+CD138− B cells to functionally active CD45−B220+CD138+ plasma cells required contact with TANs, was independent of T cells, and resulted in IgG production. We further identified membranal B-cell activating factor (BAFF) on TANs as a potential contact mechanism mediating B-cell differentiation, as blocking BAFF-receptor (BAFF-R) significantly reduced IgG production by 20%. Our study, therefore, demonstrates that TANs drive the recruitment and modulation of B cells into plasma cells in the TME, hence opening new avenues in the targeting of the immune system in cancer.
Dynamic Serosal Perfusion Assessment during Colorectal Resection Using Visible Light Spectroscopy
Authors: Gräfitsch Alexander , Kirchhoff Philipp , Soysal Savas D. , Däster Silvio , Hoffmann Henry
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Anastomotic leakage (AL) in colorectal surgery occurs with an incidence of up to 20%. Bowel perfusion is deemed to be one of the most important factors for anastomotic healing. However, not much is known about its variability during colorectal surgery and its impact on the outcome. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate serosal oxygen saturation patterns during colorectal resections with visible light spectroscopy (VLS). Materials and Methods: Bowel perfusion in patients undergoing left-sided colorectal resections was assessed at different timepoints during surgery using VLS on the colonic serosa. The primary outcome parameter was serosal oxygen saturation (StO2) at the anastomosis during different timepoints of surgery. Results: We included 50 patients who underwent colorectal resection for bowel cancer (58%) and diverticular disease (34%). StO2 at the proximal site of the anastomosis increased significantly throughout the surgery (mean difference 3.61%; 95% CI –6.22 to –1.00; p = 0.008). However, aberrancy from this identified perfusion pattern had no impact on the postoperative outcome. Conclusion: During colorectal resections, we could demonstrate an increase of the colonic StO2 throughout surgery. Appearance of AL was not associated with lower StO2, underlining the multifactorial genesis of developing AL.
Changes of Serum Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin, Homocysteine, and Hypersensitive CRP Levels during Pregnancy and Their Relationship with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Liu Wenhua , Huang Zheren , Tang Shanshan , Zhang Zhifen , Yu Qing , He Jing
Published: April 2021

Background: Inflammatory response state is related to the pathogenesis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Objective: To investigate the changes of serum sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), homocysteine (Hcy), and hypersensitive CRP (hs-CRP) levels during pregnancy and their relationship with GDM. Methods: The nested case-control study method was used. Sixty nonobese single pregnant women diagnosed with GDM were divided into the GDM group (GDM, n = 60), together with another 60 pregnant women with normal glucose tolerance who were matched in the same period and divided into the control group (control, n = 60). The serum Hcy, hs-CRP, and SHBG levels were measured. Results: The serum levels of Hcy and hs-CRP were significantly higher in the GDM group compared with the control group, and serum levels of SHBG was significantly lower in the GDM group compared with the control group at different stages of pregnancy. The serum levels of Hcy and hs-CRP in pregnant women increased with the increase of gestational age, and serum levels of SHBG decreased with the increase of gestational age. Increased Hcy and hs-CRP levels in the second trimester and decreased SHBG levels in the first trimester were related to GDM. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were as follows: OR: 4.5, 95% CI: 1.5–13.0; OR: 4.2, 95% CI: 1.5–10.1; and OR: 0.4, 95% CI: 0.3–0.7, respectively. Conclusion: Increased Hcy and hs-CRP in the second trimester and decreased SHBG in the first trimester were independent predictors of GDM, which provides a new idea for early prevention and treatment of GDM.
Trends in Peritoneal Dialysis Technique Survival, Death, and Transfer to Hemodialysis: A Decade of Data from the RDPLF
Authors: Boyer Annabel , Lanot Antoine , Lambie Mark , Verger Christian , Guillouet Sonia , Lobbedez Thierry , Béchade Clémence
Published: April 2021

Introduction: There is limited information on the trends of peritoneal dialysis (PD) technique survival over time. This study aimed to estimate the effect of calendar time on technique survival, transfer to hemodialysis (HD) (and the individual causes of transfer), and patient survival. Methods: This retrospective, multicenter study, based on data from the French Language Peritoneal Dialysis Registry, analyzed 14,673 patients who initiated PD in France between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2016. Adjusted Cox regressions with robust variance were used to examine the probability of a composite end point of either death or transfer to HD, death, and transfer to HD, accounting for the nonlinear impact of PD start time. Results: There were 10,201 (69.5%) cases of PD cessation over the study period: 5,495 (37.4%) deaths and 4,706 (32.1%) transfers to HD. The rate of PD cessation due to death or transfer to HD decreased over time (PR 0.96, 95% CI: 0.95–0.97). Compared to 2009–2010, starting PD between 2005 and 2008 or 2011 and 2016 was strongly associated with a lower rate of transfer to HD (PR 0.88, 95% CI: 0.81–0.96, and PR 0.91, 95% CI: 0.84–0.99, respectively), mostly due to a decline in the rate of infection-related transfers to HD (PR 0.96, 95% CI: 0.94–0.98). Conclusions: Rates of the composite end point of either death or transfer to HD, death, and transfer to HD have decreased in recent decades. The decline in transfers to HD rates, observed since 2011, is mainly the result of a significant decline in infection-related transfers.
Pembrolizumab as Second-Line Therapy for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Subgroup Analysis of Asian Patients in the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-240 Trial
Authors: Kudo Masatoshi , Lim Ho Yeong , Cheng Ann-Lii , Chao Yee , Yau Thomas , Ogasawara Sadahisa , Kurosaki Masayuki , Morimoto Naoki , Ohkawa Kazuyoshi , Yamashita Tatsuya , Lee Kyung-Hun , Chen Erluo , Siegel Abby B. , Ryoo Baek-Yeol
Published: April 2021

Introduction: KEYNOTE-240 investigated the efficacy and safety of pembrolizumab plus best supportive care (BSC) in sorafenib-treated patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Results for the subgroup of patients from Asia are described. Methods: Adults with advanced HCC previously treated with sorafenib were randomized 2:1 to pembrolizumab or placebo plus BSC. Here, the Asian subgroup comprised patients enrolled in Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Thailand. Primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) per blinded central imaging review and overall survival (OS). Secondary endpoints included objective response rate (ORR) per blinded central imaging review, duration of response (DOR), and safety. Results: The Asian subgroup included 157 patients. As of January 2, 2019, the median follow-up in this subgroup was 13.8 months for pembrolizumab and 8.3 months for placebo. The median PFS was 2.8 months for pembrolizumab (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.6–4.1) versus 1.4 months (95% CI 1.4–2.4) for placebo (hazard ratio [HR] 0.48; 95% CI 0.32–0.70). The median OS was 13.8 months (95% CI 10.1–16.9) for pembrolizumab versus 8.3 months (95% CI 6.3–11.8) for placebo (HR 0.55; 95% CI 0.37–0.80). ORR was 20.6% (95% CI 13.4–29.5) for pembrolizumab versus 2.0% (95% CI 0.1–10.6) for placebo (difference: 18.5%; 95% CI 8.3–27.6). The median DOR was 8.6 and 2.8 months for pembrolizumab and placebo, respectively. Any grade treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) occurred in 63 patients (58.9%) receiving pembrolizumab and 24 patients (48.0%) receiving placebo; 14 (13.1%) and 2 (4.0%) patients experienced grade 3–5 TRAEs, respectively. No treatment-related deaths occurred. Conclusion: Pembrolizumab demonstrated antitumor activity and was well tolerated in the Asian subgroup of KEYNOTE-240. A trend toward greater benefit with pembrolizumab in the Asian subgroup was observed compared with the overall cohort, supporting further evaluation of pembrolizumab treatment in this population.
Intelectuais, direitas e a censura de diversões públicas na ditadura: tensões, acomodações e ambivalências (1967-1985)
Authors: Maia Tatyana de Amaral
Published: April 2021

O objetivo deste artigo é investigar o debate sobre a censura de diversões públicas produzido pelos intelectuais atuantes no interior do Ministério da Educação e Cultura entre 1967 e 1985. Ao longo da ditadura, é possível observar três movimentos do CFC em torno do tema: a crítica às ações da censura até 1968; o projeto de censura cultural, encaminhado por Gilberto Freyre, em 1975; e, por fim, o debate sobre a censura durante a transição democrática. Nesses três momentos, houve intensa discussão sobre a legitimidade da censura e qual seria o posicionamento de um colegiado dedicado à cultura sobre o tema. A atuação de um grupo ideologicamente heterogêneo de intelectuais de direita gerou tensões constantes no interior do Conselho sobre o tema se tornando um fator de desagregação interna.
Transtorno depressivo maior em agentes penitenciários
Authors: Santos Sheila Nascimento , Santos Kionna Oliveira Bernardes , Carvalho Fernando Martins , Fernandes Rita de Cássia Pereira
Published: April 2021

OBJETIVO Identificar fatores associados a transtorno depressivo maior (TDM) em agentes penitenciários. MÉTODOS Este estudo de corte transversal incluiu todos os agentes penitenciários do maior complexo prisional do estado da Bahia (Brasil). Num questionário autoaplicado, coletaram-se informações sociodemográficas, ocupacionais e de saúde. A variável de desfecho – TDM – foi avaliada pelo Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) e classificada pelo método do ponto de corte ≥ 10 e pelo método de algoritmo. A razão de prevalência (RP) foi a medida de associação utilizada. Conforme regressão multivariada de Cox, as variáveis foram inseridas em dois blocos: características sociodemográficas e aspectos do trabalho, nessa ordem. Apenas as variáveis com RP ajustada (RPaj) ≥ 1,30 foram selecionadas para compor os modelos finais. RESULTADOS Nos 401 agentes investigados, a prevalência de TDM pelo ponto de corte ≥ 10 (simples) e pelo método de algoritmo foi de 18,8% e 9,3%, respectivamente. A prevalência de TDM pelo ponto de corte ≥ 10 foi maior em agentes do sexo feminino (RPaj = 2,77), que sofreram ameaça de facções (RPaj = 2,05), que não referiram treinamento institucional para o cargo (RPaj = 1,38), que afirmaram que o ambiente e as condições de trabalho interferiam na sua saúde física (RPaj = 3,51) e que exerciam atividades geradoras de tensão (RPaj em gradiente crescente). A prevalência de TDM pelo método de algoritmo foi mais elevada em agentes do sexo feminino (RPaj = 3,45), com escolaridade superior (RPaj = 1,71), que afirmaram que o ambiente e as condições de trabalho interferiam na sua saúde física (RPaj = 6,33), que sofreram ameaça de facções (RPaj = 2,14), que não referiram treinamento institucional (RPaj = 1,50) e que têm contato frequente com internos no trabalho (RPaj = 1,48). CONCLUSÃO A alta prevalência de TDM nesses agentes penitenciários associou-se a aspectos sociodemográficos e, principalmente, a aspectos do seu trabalho.
Factors associated with stress, anxiety, and depression during social distancing in Brazil
Authors: Souza Alex Sandro Rolland , Souza Gustavo Fonseca Albuquerque , Souza Gabriela Albuquerque , Cordeiro Ana Lorena Nascimento , Praciano Gabriella Almeida Figueredo , Alves Adricia Cristine de Souza , Santos Alan Chaves dos , Silva Junior José Roberto , Souza Manuela Barbosa Rodrigues
Published: April 2021

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of clinical signs and symptoms of severe/extreme stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as their associated factors, among Brazilians during social distancing. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in April/May 2020 with 3,200 Brazilians over 18 years old. Respondents’ sociodemographic and clinical data were collected using an online questionnaire, which also included the 21-item Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) to assess emotional symptoms. Unadjusted and adjusted prevalence ratios and their respective 95% confidence intervals were estimated using Poisson regression models with robust variance. RESULTS: Our results show the prevalence of severe/extreme stress was 21.5%, anxiety 19.4%, and depression 21.5%. In the final model, sociodemographic, clinical, and Covid-19-related factors were associated with severe/extreme stress, anxiety, and depression in Brazilians during social distancing due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We found the main factors associated with severe/extreme depression to be young women, brown, single, not religious, sedentary, presenting reduced leisure activities, history of anxiety and depression, increased medication use, and Covid-19 symptoms. CONCLUSION: This study may help develop and systematically plan measures aimed to prevent, early identify, and properly manage clinical signs and symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression during the Covid-19 pandemic. DESCRIPTORS: Mental Disorders, epidemiology. Stress, Psychological. Social Isolation. Coronavirus Infections. Health Surveys.
Escore Nova de consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados: descrição e avaliação de desempenho no Brasil
Authors: Costa Caroline dos Santos , Faria Franciane Rocha de , Gabe Kamila Tiemann , Sattamini Isabela Fleury , Khandpur Neha , Leite Fernanda Helena Marrocos , Steele Eurídice Martínez , Louzada Maria Laura da Costa , Levy Renata Bertazzi , Monteiro Carlos Augusto
Published: April 2021

OBJETIVO Descrever o escore Nova de consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados e avaliar seu potencial para refletir, no contexto brasileiro, a participação desses alimentos na dieta. MÉTODOS Estudo realizado na cidade de São Paulo com amostra de conveniência de 300 adultos, que responderam, em cerca de três minutos, em um tablet, a um questionário eletrônico de autorrelato sobre o consumo, no dia anterior, de 23 subgrupos de alimentos ultraprocessados comumente consumidos no Brasil. O escore de cada participante correspondeu ao número de subgrupos reportados. A participação de alimentos ultraprocessados no consumo alimentar do mesmo dia, expressa como percentual da ingestão total de energia, foi calculada por meio das respostas dos participantes a recordatório alimentar completo de 24 horas aplicado em cerca de 30 minutos por nutricionistas treinados. A associação entre o escore e a participação de ultraprocessados na dieta foi estudada por modelos de regressão linear. A concordância na classificação dos participantes segundo quintos do escore e quintos da participação de alimentos ultraprocessados na dieta foi avaliada pelo índice Pabak. RESULTADOS O percentual médio de participação de alimentos ultraprocessados na dieta aumentou linear e significativamente com o aumento do escore Nova de consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados. Observou-se concordância substancial na classificação dos participantes segundo quintos da distribuição do escore e quintos da distribuição do percentual de participação de alimentos ultraprocessados na dieta (índice Pabak = 0,67). Relação inversa da idade com a frequência de consumo relativamente elevado de alimentos ultraprocessados (quinto superior da distribuição) foi observada tanto para o escore quanto para a participação de alimentos ultraprocessados na dieta. CONCLUSÃO O escore Nova de consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados, obtido de forma rápida e prática, apresenta bom potencial para refletir, no contexto brasileiro, a participação desses alimentos na dieta.
Status, abundance, and seasonality of butterfly fauna at Kuvempu University Campus, Karnataka, India
Authors: Harisha M.N. , Hosetti B.B.
Published: April 2021

A survey was conducted to record the diversity, status, and occurrence of butterfly species in the Kuvempu University Campus, Jnana Sahyadri, Shivamogga District, Karnataka during February 2010 to January 2011. A total of 115 species of butterflies in 77 genera, belonging to five families were recorded.  Nymphalidae comprised the highest number of species, followed by Lycaenidae, Pieridae, Papilionidae, and Hesperiidae.  The study area hosts 14 species of butterflies protected under various schedules of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.  Nine species recorded are endemic to the Western Ghats of peninsular India and Sri Lanka.  Hence there is an urgent need to protect this habitat by adapting long-term monitoring programs to manage and conserve the butterfly diversity.
cAMP Imaging at Ryanodine Receptors Reveals β
2
-Adrenoceptor Driven Arrhythmias
Authors: Berisha Filip , Götz Konrad R. , Wegener Jörg W. , Brandenburg Sören , Subramanian Hariharan , Molina Cristina E. , Rüffer André , Petersen Johannes , Bernhardt Alexander , Girdauskas Evaldas , Jungen Christiane , Pape Ulrike , Kraft Axel E. , Warnke Svenja , Lindner Diana , Westermann Dirk , Blankenberg Stefan , Meyer Christian , Hasenfuß Gerd , Lehnart Stephan E. , Nikolaev Viacheslav O.
Published: April 2021

Rationale:

3′,5′-cAMP is a ubiquitous second messenger which, upon β-AR (β-adrenergic receptor) stimulation, acts in microdomains to regulate cardiac excitation-contraction coupling by activating phosphorylation of calcium handling proteins. One crucial microdomain is in vicinity of the cardiac RyR2 (ryanodine receptor type 2) which is associated with arrhythmogenic diastolic calcium leak from the sarcoplasmic reticulum often occurring in heart failure.

Objective:

We sought to establish a real-time live-cell imaging approach capable of directly visualizing cAMP in the vicinity of mouse and human RyR2 and to analyze its pathological changes in failing cardiomyocytes under β-AR stimulation.

Methods and Results:

We generated a novel targeted fluorescent biosensor Epac1 (exchange protein directly activated by cAMP 1)-JNC (junctin) for RyR2-associated cAMP and expressed it in transgenic mouse hearts as well in human ventricular myocytes using adenoviral gene transfer. In healthy cardiomyocytes, β
1
-AR but not β
2
-AR stimulation strongly increased local RyR2-associated cAMP levels. However, already in cardiac hypertrophy induced by aortic banding, there was a marked subcellular redistribution of PDEs (phosphodiesterases) 2, 3, and 4, which included a dramatic loss of the local pool of PDE4. This was also accompanied by measurable β
2
-AR/AMP signals in the vicinity of RyR2 in failing mouse and human myocytes, increased β
2
-AR–dependent RyR2 phosphorylation, sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium leak, and arrhythmia susceptibility.

Conclusions:

Our new imaging approach could visualize cAMP levels in the direct vicinity of cardiac RyR2. Unexpectedly, in mouse and human failing myocytes, it could uncover functionally relevant local arrhythmogenic β
2
-AR/cAMP signals which might be an interesting antiarrhythmic target for heart failure.
Long-lost Ceropegia rudatisii (Apocynaceae-Asclepiadoideae)—Rediscovered and redescribed after 100 years

Authors: HEIDUK ANNEMARIE , STYLES DAVID G.A. , MEVE ULRICH
Published: April 2021

Ceropegia rudatisii Schlechter was first collected in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa in 1903 but described in 1905 based on a second independent collection. This Ceropegia species was not seen again for a century and believed to be extinct. In 2020, however, two very small populations were discovered not far from the type locality. The subsequent examination of living flowering plants allowed an updated morphological description and, for the first time, illustration of C. rudatisii with photographs of living flowering plants and details thereof. We provide a comprehensive species description including novel aspects and details, i.e. bracts, inner corolla colouration, pollinarium and pollinia, as well as posture of corolla lobe tips of fresh flowers in situ—being not suberect-spreading, as given in earlier treatments, but flaccid-pendulous. The conservation status of C. rudatisii according to IUCN Red List criteria is furthermore discussed. Conservation measures are indispensable and urgent to avoid the extinction of C. rudatisii.
A nomenclatural note in Cenostigma (Leguminosae, Caesalpinioideae)

Authors: GAEM PAULO HENRIQUE
Published: April 2021

The last revision of Cenostigma Tulasne (1843: 140) (Leguminosae, Caesalpinioideae) accepted two species in the genus, these united mostly for having pinnate leaves and stellate indumentum (Warwick & Lewis 2009). After a clarifying phylogenetic study of Caesalpinia Linnaeus (1753: 380) and allied genera provided by Gagnon et al. (2016) and the consequent nomenclatural and systematic rearrangements, Cenostigma now comprises 14 species and seven varieties, totalling 21 taxa (WCVP 2020). As newly circumscribed the genus includes part of the species previously accepted in Poincianella Britton & Rose (1930: 327), now also comprehending plants with bipinnate leaves and without stellate indumentum, and being recognised by robust pods with thickened margins. During the preparation of the monograph of Cenostigma for the Flora do Brasil 2020 project I judged a nomenclatural adjustment necessary and I herein propose it.
Night stalkers from above: A monograph of Toxicodryas tree snakes (Squamata: Colubridae) with descriptions of two new cryptic species from Central Africa
Authors: GREENBAUM ELI , ALLEN KAITLIN E. , VAUGHAN EUGENE R. , PAUWELS OLIVIER S. G. , WALLACH VAN , KUSAMBA CHIFUNDERA , MUNINGA WANDEGE M. , ARISTOTE MWENEBATU M. , MALI FRANCK M. M. , BADJEDJEA GABRIEL , PENNER JOHANNES , RÖDEL MARK-OLIVER , RIVERA JACQUELINE , STERKHOVA VIKTORIA , JOHNSON GRANT , TAPONDJOU N WALTER P. , BROWN RAFE M.
Published: April 2021

The genus Toxicodryas, historically included with the renowned Australasian cat-eyed snakes of the colubrid genus Boiga, currently includes two widespread species (T. blandingii and T. pulverulenta) in western, central, and eastern Africa. We leverage findings from a recent phylogenomic and historical demographic analysis of this genus (based on 2848–4471 Rad-seq loci from across the genome), with robust sampling from throughout the ranges of both species, to define two additional taxonomic units, with species boundaries corresponding to river barriers. Additional morphometric data from scores of examined museum specimens and literature records bolster the recognition of these two new cryptic species. We hypothesize that T. blandingii occurs west of the confluence of the Congo and Ubangi rivers, whereas a cryptic new species that is found east of this biogeographic barrier has significantly higher numbers of ventral scale counts in both sexes, additional significant differences in several scale counts, and lower venom toxicity. Toxicodryas pulverulenta occurs west of the Niger Delta in West Africa, whereas a cryptic new species that is found east of this biogeographic barrier has significantly higher numbers of subcaudal scale counts in both sexes. A review of published information regarding morphological variation, ecology, natural history, habitat, and venom is summarized for these four Toxicodryas species.
Can the Earth–Moon Distance Influence the Accuracy of Lunar Irradiance with the Plane-Parallel Assumption in Atmospheric Radiative Transfer at Night?
Authors: Min Min , Zhang Lu , Zhang Peng , Yao Zhigang
Published: April 2021

The plane-parallel atmosphere as an underlying assumption in physics is appropriately used in the rigorous numerical simulation of the atmospheric radiative transfer model (RTM) with incident solar light. The solar irradiance is a constant with the plane-parallel assumption, which is attributed to the small difference in the distance between any point on Earth’s surface to the sun. However, at night, atmospheric RTMs use the moon as a unique incident light source in the sky. The Earth–moon distance is approximately 1/400 of the Earth–sun distance. Thus, the varying Earth–moon distance on Earth’s surface can influence the top of atmosphere (TOA) lunar irradiance for the plane-parallel atmosphere assumption. In this investigation, we observe that the maximum biases in Earth–moon distance and day/night band lunar irradiance at the TOA are ±1.7% and ±3.3%, respectively, with the plane-parallel assumption. According to our calculations, this bias effect on the Earth–moon distance and lunar irradiance shows a noticeable spatiotemporal variation on a global scale that can impact the computational accuracy of an RTM at night. In addition, we also developed a fast and portable correction algorithm for the Earth–moon distance within a maximum bias of 18 km or ±0.05%, because of the relatively low computational efficiency and the large storage space necessary for the standard ephemeris computational software. This novel correction algorithm can be easily used or integrated into the atmospheric RTM at night.
A Climatological Study of National Weather Service Watches, Warnings, and Advisories and Landfalling Atmospheric Rivers in the Western United States 2006–18
Authors: Bartlett Samuel M. , Cordeira Jason M.
Published: April 2021

Atmospheric rivers (ARs) are synoptic-scale phenomena associated with long, narrow corridors of enhanced low-level water vapor transport. Landfalling ARs may produce numerous beneficial (e.g., drought amelioration and watershed recharge) and hazardous (e.g., flash flooding and heavy snow) impacts that may require the National Weather Service (NWS) to issue watches, warnings, and advisories (WWAs). Prior research on WWAs and ARs in California found that 50%–70% of days with flood-related and 60%–80% of days with winter weather–related WWAs occurred on days with landfalling ARs in California. The present study further investigates this relationship for landfalling ARs and WWAs during the cool seasons of 2006–18 across the entire western United States and considers additional dimensions of AR intensity and duration. Across the western United States, regional maxima of 70%–90% of days with WWAs issued for any hazard type were associated with landfalling ARs. In the Pacific Northwest and central regions, flood-related and wind-related WWAs were also more frequently associated with more intense and longer-duration ARs. While a large majority of days with WWAs were associated with landfalling ARs, not all landfalling ARs were necessarily associated with WWAs (i.e., not all ARs are hazardous). For example, regional maxima of only 50%–70% of AR days were associated with WWAs issued for any hazard type. However, as landfalling AR intensity and duration increased, the association with a WWA and the “hazard footprint” of WWAs increased quasi-exponentially across the western United States.
Can C-Reactive Protein to Albumin Ratio Predict In-Hospital Death Rate Due to COVID-19 in Patients With Hypertension?
Authors: Saylik Faysal , Akbulut Tayyar , Kaya Safak
Published: April 2021

Hypertension is one of the main morbidity and mortality risk factors in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We investigated the association between the C-reactive protein (CRP) to albumin ratio (CAR) and in-hospital mortality in patients with hypertensive COVID-19. A total of 176 patients with hypertension diagnosed with COVID-19 were included in this study. The CAR was compared between survivors and nonsurvivors. Logistic regression analysis was used to detect independent predictors of mortality due to COVID-19 in patients with hypertension. A cutoff value of CAR was obtained for predicting in-hospital death in patients with hypertensive COVID-19. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed for survival analysis in the study population. The CAR values were significantly higher in nonsurvivors than in survivors with hypertension. Moreover, the CAR was an independent predictor of in-hospital death in patients with hypertensive COVID-19, as shown in multivariable logistic regression analysis. Receiver operating characteristic analysis yielded a cutoff value of 20.75 for the CAR for predicting in-hospital death in patients with hypertension. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis showed that patients with hypertensive COVID-19 with a CAR value of ≥20.75 had a higher incidence of in-hospital death. The CAR might be used as an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality in patients with hypertensive COVID-19.
The Role of Uric Acid in the Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Narrative Review
Authors: Demiray Atalay , Afsar Baris , Covic Adrian , Kuwabara Masanari , Ferro Charles J. , Lanaspa Miguel A. , Johnson Richard J. , Kanbay Mehmet
Published: April 2021

Increased serum uric acid (SUA) levels have been associated with various pathologic processes such as increased oxidative stress, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction. Thus, it is not surprising that increased SUA is associated with various adverse outcomes including cardiovascular (CV) diseases. Recent epidemiological evidence suggests that increased SUA may be related to acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Accumulating data also showed that elevated UA has pathophysiological role in the development of AMI. However, there are also studies showing that SUA is not related to the risk of AMI. In this narrative review, we summarized the recent literature data regarding SUA and AMI after providing some background information for the association between UA and coronary artery disease. Future studies will show whether decreasing SUA levels is beneficial for outcomes related to AMI and the optimum SUA levels for best outcomes in CV diseases.
Assessment of the Implementation of AUC Dosing and Monitoring Practices With Vancomycin at Hospitals Across the United States
Authors: Bradley Nicole , Lee Yuman , Sadeia Muaz
Published: April 2021

Introduction:

The latest vancomycin therapeutic drug monitoring guidelines for serious MRSA infections have made a pivotal change in dosing, switching from targeting trough levels to AUC dosing. Because of these new recommendations, antimicrobial stewardship programs across the country are tasked with implementing AUC based dosing.

Objectives:

To assess plans for institutional adoption of vancomycin AUC dosing programs and perceptions of currently used programs in hospitals across the US.

Methods:

An electronic survey was distributed to members of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy IDprn Listserv and American Society of Health-System Pharmacists between May and June 2020 to assess current institutional vancomycin dosing. Institutional program use and multiple software user parameters were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results:

Two hundred two pharmacists responded to the survey with the majority practicing in institutions with 251-500 beds. Most respondents have yet to implement AUC dosing (142/202, 70.3%) with many of them planning to do so in the next year (81/142, 57.0%). Of those that already implemented AUC dosing programs, purchased Bayesian software (23/60, 38.3%) and homemade software (21/60, 35.0%) were the 2 methods most frequently utilized. Purchased Bayesian software users were more likely to recommend their software to other institutions and ranked user friendliness higher compared to non-purchased software.

Conclusion:

Most respondents have not made the switch to vancomycin AUC dosing, but there is a growing interest with many institutions looking to adopt a program within the next year.
Growth rates for freshwater ferromanganese concretions indicate regional climate change in eastern Canada at the Northgrippian-Meghalayan boundary
Authors: Hayles Simon , Al Tom , Cornett Jack , Harrison Alex , Zhao Jiujiang
Published: April 2021

The existence of freshwater ferromanganese concretions has been known for decades, but we are not aware of a generally accepted explanation for their formation, and there has been little research into their potential use as records of Holocene climate and paleohydrology. A conceptual model is presented to describe the environmental and geochemical processes which result in the formation and growth of freshwater ferromanganese concretions. In order to evaluate their potential as historical geochemical records, a concretion from Magaguadavic Lake, New Brunswick, Canada is the focus of a detailed geochronological and geochemical investigation. The radiocarbon data provide a coherent growth curve and a maximum age for the concretion of 8448 ± 43 years, consistent with the establishment of Magaguadavic Lake as a stable post-glacial lacustrine system. The data suggest accretion rates of 1.5 and 3.4 mm per 1000 years during the Northgrippian and Meghalayan stages of the Holocene, respectively. The abrupt change in growth rate observed at the stage boundary may be an indicator of Holocene climate change. These features are consistent with inferences from previous research that warmer climate in the Northgrippian led to eutrophication in some lakes in eastern North America. The results confirm that freshwater Fe–Mn concretions may yield important information about past climatic and environmental conditions.
Four peat humification-recorded Holocene hydroclimate changes in the southern Altai Mountains of China
Authors: Zhang Dongliang , Chen Liang , Feng Zhaodong , Ran Min , Yang Yunpeng , Zhang Yan , Liu Qi
Published: April 2021

In this study, Holocene humification records were derived from four ombrotrophic peatlands to investigate the millennial-scale and decadal-centennial-scale variability of peat decomposition and to explore the paleoclimatic and paleohydrological implications. After eliminating the species-specific and site-specific noise and removing the time-dependency effect for each of four peat sequences, the averaged residuals of four peat humification sequences exhibit two-order variations. The millennial-scale variation of averaged residuals of four peat humification is characterized by a bow-shaped curve and is basically moisture-dependent. In detail, the humification in the middle Holocene (~8200–~4000 cal. yr BP) was higher than in the early Holocene (before ~8200 cal. yr BP) and also than in the late Holocene (after ~4000 cal. yr BP). The decadal/centennial-scale variations are superimposed on the bow-shaped curve and have been primarily paced by the sea surface temperature in the North Atlantic whose signals were propagated to Central Asia via the prevailing westerlies, which implies that lower temperature and lower temperature-suppressed evaporation (i.e. elevated moisture level) were most likely responsible for limiting the decomposition activity in the uppermost peat layer. These results indicate the potential for humification records from ombrotrophic peatlands in Central Asia to elucidate paleoclimate variability.
Chronicity of disruptive project rhythms: The projectification of the ‘post-Ebola' health system rebuilding in Sierra Leone
Authors: Hubmann Michaela
Published: April 2021

Global health development projects are inherently governed by bounded, temporal and linear time frames: the initiation, implementation and ending of time-limited interventions. This projectification of global health programmes has wide-reaching consequences as global health projects, often unsustainable and produces both new life possibilities and uncertain futures. This article highlights the temporal effects of the global health agenda on the primary health system rebuilding efforts in Sierra Leone. Attention is paid to how the projectification of public health programmes affected the primary healthcare management in a district in the southern region of Sierra Leone. Throughout this article, I develop the theoretical concept of chronicity of disruptive project rhythms where local public healthcare actors encounter project disruptions on a continuum of chronic lack. I base this concept on Manderson and Smith-Morris’s definition of chronicity of illness experience, which is marked by punctuated episodes of acute sickness, where chronic patients are temporally transmuted into acute patients, while at the same time continuing to suffer from their ongoing chronic ailments. Drawing on 14 months of ethnographic research, I show how a district health management team (DHMT) contested the bounded time frames of public health funding; how waiting time for funding impacted the operation of the DHMT and, by extension, the district health system as a whole and how DHMT employees and other actors within the health system employed time-tricking strategies to resist this project time.
The Sacred and the Profane: Menstrual Flow and Religious Values
Authors: Kamat Shefali , Tharakan Koshy
Published: April 2021

Most religious texts and practices warrant the exclusion of women from religious rituals and public spheres during the menstrual flow. This is seemingly at odds with the very idea of ‘Religion’ which binds the human beings with God without any gender and sexual discrimination. The present article attempts to problematize the ascription of negative values on menstruating women prevalent in both Hinduism and Christianity, two major world religions of the East and the West. After briefly stating the patriarchal values that restrict women from participating in religious rituals and shaming them during menstruation as seen from both these religions, the article highlights the alternate feminist perspectives in beliefs that positively value the menstruating bodies. Thus, the notion of profanity is revalued as sacred in these alternate religious perspectives.

Drawing from the writings of Mary Douglas, we then examine the connection between the notion of purity/impurity and menstruation and argue that what makes something pure or impure depends upon the archetype the society chooses to represent itself. In itself, nothing is either pure or impure in the sense of having a value or disvalue. This argument is exemplified through a feministic-hermeneutic approach to the religious practices in two major world religions. The article concludes by uncovering the patriarchal values held by religions as the cause of menstrual taboos in religious practices and argues that the notions of purity/impurity and sacred/profane are the results of the valuations made—from a patriarchal or feministic perspective.
Attention to the Fads and Fashions in the Indian Stock Markets During COVID-19
Authors: Sinha Paritosh Chandra
Published: April 2021

Do people show fads and fashions in their attention searches? With the Google online search data during COVID-19, particularly from January to May 2020 for the socio-economic keywords, this study examines if online searches show short-run and long-run attention dynamics leading to fads and fashions in attention to the NSE Nifty and BSE Sensex indices. This study employs the methodology of cointegrating relationship with autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model and explains investors’ attention search dynamics at the ‘NSE Nifty Index’ and ‘BSE Sensex Index’ caused by socio-economic attention searches. It also examines if the dynamics of attention coordination are parsimonious in nature and it explores the same with the generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedastic (GARCH-X) model. With the ARDL models, this study finds robust and unbiased cointegrating impacts of socio-economic attention searches on the attention search for the NSE Nifty index but these are not the best linear unbiased and efficient (BLUE) ones, while the same on the BSE Sensex Index are BLUE. For the NSE Nifty index, the attention dynamics at the GARCH-X specification are BLUE while for the BSE Sensex index, the GARCH-X specification also has some additional information in terms of the ARCH effect only.
Inclusive Leadership in Thought and Action: A Thematic Analysis
Authors: Roberson Quinetta , Perry Jamie L.
Published: April 2021

While research in the diversity and leadership literatures has given attention to the concept of inclusive leadership, work in these areas has progressed within relatively independent theoretical streams with little integration of findings. To integrate findings from these literatures and develop theory on inclusive leadership, this study explores the concept and enactment of inclusive leadership from the leader’s perspective. Through manual and assisted thematic analyses of 27 leaders’ written responses to questions regarding how they perceive and demonstrate inclusive leadership, we investigate how leaders do sensemaking about what it means to be inclusive. Consistent with the findings of prior research, conceptualization themes emerged related to understanding, valuing, and utilizing differences as well as encouraging a shared identity and collaboration. The findings also highlight the importance of relational leadership—specifically, relating to, showing a genuine interest in, and generating trust from others on the team. In the demonstration of inclusive leadership, the results emphasize behaviors to recognize diversity, respond to individual needs and work styles, and actively listen to what team members voice. Our findings also highlight the importance of building environments in which members share and build on each other’s ideas freely and leaders make time and space for leveraging member contributions for decision-making, even when such contributions diverge from team norms. Based on these insights, we consider the limitations of our work and offer directions for theory, research, and practice.
Toward a More Comprehensive Assessment of School Age Children with Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Hoyt Catherine R , Sherman Sarah K , Brown Shelby K , Newbold Dillan J , Miller Ryland L , Van Andrew N , Shimony Joshua S , Ortega Mario , Nguyen Annie L , Schlaggar Bradley L , Dosenbach Nico UF
Published: April 2021

Background:

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the leading cause of disability in children. While motor deficits define CP, many patients experience behavioral and cognitive deficits which limit participation. The purpose of this study was to contribute to our understanding of developmental delay and how to measure these deficits among children with CP.

Methods:

Children 5 to 15 years with hemiplegic CP were recruited. Cognition and motor ability were assessed. The brain injury associated with observed motor deficits was identified. Accelerometers measured real-world bilateral upper extremity movement and caregivers completed behavioral assessments.

Results:

Eleven children participated, 6 with presumed perinatal stroke. Four children scored below average intelligence quotient while other measures of cognition were within normal limits (except processing speed). Motor scores confirmed asymmetrical deficits. Approximately one third of scores indicated deficits in attention, behavior, or depression.

Conclusions:

Our findings corroborate that children with CP experience challenges that are broader than motor impairment alone. Despite the variation in brain injury, all participants completed study procedures.

Implications:

Our findings suggest that measuring behavior in children with CP may require a more comprehensive approach and that caregivers are amenable to using online collection tools which may assist in addressing the therapeutic needs of children with CP.
Glycemic outcomes related to depression in adults with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Egbuonu Ifeoma , Trief Paula M , Roe Cheryl , Weinstock Ruth S
Published: April 2021

Glycemic outcomes of adults with type 1 diabetes may be affected by depression. Our aim was to compare outcomes of “depressed” (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 ⩾ 10, N = 83) to “not-depressed” matched control (Patient Health Questionnaire-2 < 3, N = 166) adults with type 1 diabetes with objective measures. The depressed group had poorer blood glucose control and, for those with glucose meter downloads, fewer glucose tests/day. The groups did not differ on glucose variability or episodes of hypoglycemia. Depression in adults with type 1 diabetes is associated with poorer glycemic control and less blood glucose monitoring. Future research should examine whether treatment of depression results in better self-care and glycemic outcomes.
Metacognitive instruction with young learners: A case of willingness to communicate, L2 use, and metacognition of oral communication
Authors: Sato Masatoshi , Dussuel Lam Claudia
Published: April 2021

This classroom-based, quasi-experimental study explored the impact of metacognitive instruction designed to promote young learners’ (1) willingness to communicate (WTC), (2) participation in communicative activities, and (3) metacognitive knowledge of oral communication. Forty-four Grade 3 students (8–9 years old) from two intact classes participated in the study. The learners in Class A ( n = 23) engaged in a series of activities designed to increase their metacognition in relation to WTC, while Class B ( n = 21) served as the control. Three outcome measures were explored in the pre-post design: (1) WTC questionnaire; (2) second language (L2) production during group work; and (3) empty WTC pyramids that the participants drew before and after the intervention. In addition, post-intervention interviews were conducted to understand the learners’ metacognitive knowledge of oral communication. The results showed that the intervention did not have an observable impact on the learners’ WTC. However, their metacognitive knowledge of oral communication was heightened after the intervention. The behavioral data showed that the experimental participants produced the target language more and that group members started to share turns more evenly. The study concludes that metacognitive instruction can be a useful pedagogical tool to improve L2 learners’ metacognition as well as classroom participations patterns, even with young learners whose metacognition can be obscure or inaccurate.
“United in diversity”: The interplay of social network characteristics and personality in predicting outgroup attitudes
Authors: Bobowik Magdalena , Benet-Martínez Verónica , Repke Lydia
Published: April 2021

Diversity in social relations is important for reducing prejudice. Yet, the question of when this occurs remains open. Using a social network approach, we test whether the link between outgroup attitudes and number of intra- and intergroup contacts is moderated by type of relationship (strong vs. weak ties) and personality (openness to experience) while also considering network structure (connections between contacts). In a culturally diverse sample of 122 immigrants residing in Barcelona, positive outgroup attitudes were predicted by several network characteristics: low proportion of intragroup contacts and high proportion of intergroup contacts among strong ties, high ethnic diversity among strong ties, low connectedness among contacts in the country of origin, and high connectedness between coethnic local and host national contacts. Openness to experience moderated these effects. These results affirm the intergroup benefits of having compositionally and structurally diverse networks, and the gain in examining intergroup dynamics at the meso level of analysis.