bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How principal leadership facilitates teacher learning through teacher leadership: Determining the critical path
Authors: Pan Hui-Ling Wendy , Chen Wen-Yan
Published: March 2020

In the context of educational decentralisation, school leadership encompassing different sources of leadership is significant for school performance. However, few studies have investigated the pathway regarding how principals and teachers as distinct sources of learning-centred leadership exert impact on teacher learning. To this end, survey data collected from 1340 junior high school teachers in Taiwan were analysed with structural equation modelling. The results suggest that both principal leadership and teacher leadership affect teacher learning through direct pathways, and that of teachers exhibits an even greater impact. In addition, principal leadership affects teacher learning through indirect pathways mediated by teacher leadership. By further investigating the mediating effects of different practices of teacher leadership, we found that teacher-led improvement of curriculum and instruction is a critical mediator for teacher learning.
Profile and treatment of chronic coronary syndromes in European Society of Cardiology member countries: The ESC EORP CICD-LT registry
Authors: Komajda Michel , Cosentino Francesco , Ferrari Roberto , Kerneis Mathieu , Kosmachova Elena , Laroche Cécile , Maggioni Aldo P , Rittger Harald , Steg Philippe G , Szwed Hanna , Tavazzi Luigi , Valgimigli Marco , Gale Chris P ,   the CICD investigators group
Published: March 2020

Background

International guidelines recommend pharmacotherapy combinations for chronic coronary syndromes (CCSs) but medical management remains suboptimal.

Design

The CICD-LT registry is investigating short- and long-term outcomes and management in patients in European Society of Cardiology (ESC) member countries, in a longitudinal ESC EURObservational Research Programme aimed at improving CCS management.

Methods

Between 1 May 2015 and 31 July 2018, 9174 patients with previous ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-STEMI or coronary revascularisation, or other CCS, were recruited during a routine ambulatory visit or elective revascularisation procedure. Baseline clinical data were recorded and prescribed medications analysed at initial contact and discharge, and according to patient gender and age (<75 vs. ≥75 years).

Results

Poorly controlled cardiovascular risk factors, including current smoking (18.5%), obesity (33.9%), diabetes (25.8%), raised low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (73.3%) and persistent hypertension (24.7%), were common across all cohorts. At ambulatory visit or admission, the guidelines-recommended combination of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker, beta-blocker, aspirin, statin and any antiplatelet agent was prescribed to 57.8% of patients with STEMI/NSTEMI. Differences in prescribing rates, including for combination therapies, were observed based on age and gender and persisted after adjustment for demographic factors.

Conclusions

Cardiovascular risk factors were common in contemporary CCS patients and secondary prevention prescribing was suboptimal. Patients aged ≥75 years and, to some extent, female patients were less likely to receive guidelines-recommended drug combinations than younger and male patients. One- and two-year follow-up will study prescribing changes and associations between baseline characteristics/prescribing and subsequent clinical outcomes.
The Admit-AF risk score: A clinical risk score for predicting hospital admissions in patients with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Meyre Pascal , Aeschbacher Stefanie , Blum Steffen , Coslovsky Michael , Beer Jürg H , Moschovitis Giorgio , Rodondi Nicolas , Baretella Oliver , Kobza Richard , Sticherling Christian , Bonati Leo H , Schwenkglenks Matthias , Kühne Michael , Osswald Stefan , Conen David ,   the Swiss-AF and BEAT-AF Investigators
Published: March 2020

Aims

To develop and externally validate a risk score for all-cause hospital admissions in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Methods and results

We used a prospective cohort of 2387 patients with established atrial fibrillation as derivation cohort. Independent risk factors were selected from a broad range of variables using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator method fit to a Cox model. The risk score was validated in a separate prospective cohort of 1300 atrial fibrillation patients. The incidence of all-cause hospital admission was 19.1 per 100 person-years in the derivation cohort and it was 26.1 per 100 person-years in the validation cohort. The most important predictors for admission were age (75–79 years: adjusted hazard ratio (aHR), 1.34; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01–1.78; 80–84 years: aHR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.11–2.03; ≥85 years: aHR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.36–2.62), prior pulmonary vein isolation (aHR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.58–0.88), hypertension (aHR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.99–1.36), diabetes (aHR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.17–1.62), coronary heart disease (aHR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.02–1.36), prior stroke/transient ischaemic attack (aHR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.18–1.47), heart failure (aHR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.03–1.39), peripheral artery disease (aHR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.08–1.67), cancer (aHR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.12–1.57), renal failure (aHR, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.99–1.37) and previous falls (aHR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.13–1.74). A risk score with these variables was well calibrated, and achieved a C-index of 0.64 in the derivation and 0.59 in the validation cohort.

Conclusions

Multiple risk factors were associated with hospital admissions in atrial fibrillation patients. This prediction tool selects high-risk patients who may benefit from preventive interventions.
Early Childhood Educators’ Attitudes to Internet Self-Efficacy and Internet-Related Instructional Applications: The Mediating Effects of Internet Enjoyment and Professional Support
Authors: Hsu Pi-Chun , Chang I-Hsiung , Chen Ru-Si
Published: March 2020

To understand early childhood educators’ attitudes toward internet-related instructional applications, this study examined several factors that influence educators’ practical instructional behaviors and analyzed the mediating effects of internet enjoyment and professional support on their attitudes toward internet-related instructional applications. We conducted a survey in Taiwan and analyzed the original data collected from the questionnaire survey through structural equation modeling. The survey evaluated four factors: internet self-efficacy, internet-related instructional applications, internet enjoyment, and the professional support available via the internet. The results showed that early childhood educators’ attitudes toward integrating the internet into their instruction practices can be measured by these latent constructs. Early childhood educators’ enjoyment of the internet and engagement with internet-based professional support performed partially mediating effects on the relationship between their attitudes toward internet self-efficacy and internet-related instructional applications. Furthermore, early childhood educators’ attitudes toward internet-related instructional applications were influenced by their perceptions of the friendliness of interfaces and their enjoyment of the internet. The platform of community interaction provided by the internet and the atmosphere of cooperative support educators found appraisal of the internet’s broader implications for instructional and professional performance in their field.
Prognostic value of interim FDG-PET in diffuse large cell lymphoma: results from the CALGB 50303 Clinical Trial
Authors: Schöder Heiko , Polley Mei-Yin C. , Knopp Michael V. , Hall Nathan , Kostakoglu Lale , Zhang Jun , Higley Howard R. , Kelloff Gary , Liu Heshan , Zelenetz Andrew D. , Cheson Bruce D. , Wagner-Johnston Nina , Kahl Brad S. , Friedberg Jonathan W. , Hsi Eric D. , Leonard John P. , Schwartz Lawrence H. , Wilson Wyndham H. , Bartlett Nancy L.
Published: March 2020

As part of a randomized, prospective clinical trial in large cell lymphoma, we conducted serial fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) at baseline, after 2 cycles of chemotherapy (interim PET [i-PET]), and at end of treatment (EoT) to identify biomarkers of response that are predictive of remission and survival. Scans were interpreted in a core laboratory by 2 imaging experts, using the visual Deauville 5-point scale (5-PS), and by calculating percent change in FDG uptake (change in standardized uptake value [ΔSUV]). Visual scores of 1 through 3 and ΔSUV ≥66% were prospectively defined as negative. Of 524 patients enrolled in the parent trial, 169 agreed to enroll in the PET substudy and 158 were eligible for final analysis. In this selected population, all had FDG-avid disease at baseline; by 5-PS, 55 (35%) remained positive on i-PET and 28 (18%) on EoT PET. Median ΔSUV on i-PET was 86.2%. With a median follow-up of 5 years, ΔSUV, as continuous variable, was associated with progression-free survival (PFS) (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.99; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.97-1.00; P = .02) and overall survival (OS) (HR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.97-0.99; P = .03). ΔSUV ≥66% was predictive of OS (HR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.11-0.85; P = .02) but not PFS (HR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.19-1.13; P = .09). Visual 5-PS on i-PET did not predict outcome. ΔSUV, but not visual analysis, on i-PET predicted OS in DLBCL, although the low number of events limited the statistical analysis. These data may help guide future clinical trials using PET response-adapted therapy. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00118209.
An intestinal organoid–based platform that recreates susceptibility to T-cell–mediated tissue injury
Authors: Matsuzawa-Ishimoto Yu , Hine Ashley , Shono Yusuke , Rudensky Eugene , Lazrak Amina , Yeung Frank , Neil Jessica A. , Yao Xiaomin , Chen Ying-Han , Heaney Thomas , Schuster Samantha L. , Zwack Erin E. , Axelrad Jordan E. , Hudesman David , Tsai Jennifer J. , Nichols Katherine , Dewan M. Zahidunnabi , Cammer Michael , Beal Allison , Hoffman Sandra , Geddes Brad , Bertin John , Liu Chen , Torres Victor J. , Loke P’ng , van den Brink Marcel R. M. , Cadwell Ken
Published: March 2020

A goal in precision medicine is to use patient-derived material to predict disease course and intervention outcomes. Here, we use mechanistic observations in a preclinical animal model to design an ex vivo platform that recreates genetic susceptibility to T-cell–mediated damage. Intestinal graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a life-threatening complication of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. We found that intestinal GVHD in mice deficient in Atg16L1, an autophagy gene that is polymorphic in humans, is reversed by inhibiting necroptosis. We further show that cocultured allogeneic T cells kill Atg16L1-mutant intestinal organoids from mice, which was associated with an aberrant epithelial interferon signature. Using this information, we demonstrate that pharmacologically inhibiting necroptosis or interferon signaling protects human organoids derived from individuals harboring a common ATG16L1 variant from allogeneic T-cell attack. Our study provides a roadmap for applying findings in animal models to individualized therapy that targets affected tissues.
Clonal hematopoiesis and measurable residual disease assessment in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Hasserjian Robert P. , Steensma David P. , Graubert Timothy A. , Ebert Benjamin L.
Published: March 2020

Current objectives regarding treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) include achieving complete remission (CR) by clinicopathological criteria followed by interrogation for the presence of minimal/measurable residual disease (MRD) by molecular genetic and/or flow cytometric techniques. Although advances in molecular genetic technologies have enabled highly sensitive detection of AML-associated mutations and translocations, determination of MRD is complicated by the fact that many treated patients have persistent clonal hematopoiesis (CH) that may not reflect residual AML. CH detected in AML patients in CR includes true residual or early recurrent AML, myelodysplastic syndrome or CH that is ancestral to the AML, and independent or newly emerging clones of uncertain leukemogenic potential. Although the presence of AML-related mutations has been shown to be a harbinger of relapse in multiple studies, the significance of other types of CH is less well understood. In patients who undergo allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), post-HCT clones can be donor-derived and in some cases engender a new myeloid neoplasm that is clonally unrelated to the recipient’s original AML. In this article, we discuss the spectrum of CH that can be detected in treated AML patients, propose terminology to standardize nomenclature in this setting, and review clinical data and areas of uncertainty among the various types of posttreatment hematopoietic clones.
Prediction of Leakage from an Axial Piston Pump Slipper with Circular Dimples Using Deep Neural Networks
Authors: Özmen Özkan , Sinanoğlu Cem , Caliskan Abdullah , Badem Hasan
Published: March 2020

Oil leakage between the slipper and swash plate of an axial piston pump has a significant effect on the efficiency of the pump. Therefore, it is extremely important that any leakage can be predicted. This study investigates the leakage, oil film thickness, and pocket pressure values of a slipper with circular dimples under different working conditions. The results reveal that flat slippers suffer less leakage than those with textured surfaces. Also, a deep learning-based framework is proposed for modeling the slipper behavior. This framework is a long short-term memory-based deep neural network, which has been extremely successful in predicting time series. The model is compared with four conventional machine learning methods. In addition, statistical analyses and comparisons confirm the superiority of the proposed model.
Butterfly eyespot color pattern formation requires physical contact of the pupal wing epithelium with extracellular materials for morphogenic signal propagation
Authors: Otaki Joji M.
Published: March 2020

Background

Eyespot color pattern formation on butterfly wings is sensitive to physical damage and physical distortion as well as physical contact with materials on the surface of wing epithelial tissue at the pupal stage. Contact-mediated eyespot color pattern changes may imply a developmental role of the extracellular matrix in morphogenic signal propagation. Here, we examined eyespot responses to various contact materials, focusing on the hindwing posterior eyespots of the blue pansy butterfly,Junonia orithya.

Results

Contact with various materials, including both nonbiological and biological materials, induced eyespot enlargement, reduction, or no change in eyespot size, and each material was characterized by a unique response profile. For example, silicone glassine paper almost always induced a considerable reduction, while glass plates most frequently induced enlargement, and plastic plates generally produced no change. The biological materials tested here (fibronectin, polylysine, collagen type I, and gelatin) resulted in various responses, but polylysine induced more cases of enlargement, similar to glass plates. The response profile of the materials was not readily predictable from the chemical composition of the materials but was significantly correlated with the water contact angle (water repellency) of the material surface, suggesting that the surface physical chemistry of materials is a determinant of eyespot size. When the proximal side of a prospective eyespot was covered with a size-reducing material (silicone glassine paper) and the distal side and the organizer were covered with a material that rarely induced size reduction (plastic film), the proximal side of the eyespot was reduced in size in comparison with the distal side, suggesting that signal propagation but not organizer activity was inhibited by silicone glassine paper.

Conclusions

These results suggest that physical contact with an appropriate hydrophobic surface is required for morphogenic signals from organizers to propagate normally. The binding of the apical surface of the epithelium with an opposing surface may provide mechanical support for signal propagation. In addition to conventional molecular morphogens, there is a possibility that mechanical distortion of the epithelium that is propagated mechanically serves as a nonmolecular morphogen to induce subsequent molecular changes, in accordance with the distortion hypothesis for butterfly wing color pattern formation.
Molecular dissection of Secale africanum chromosome 6Rafr in wheat enabled localization of genes for resistance to powdery mildew and stripe rust
Authors: Li Guangrong , Tang Lingrong , Yin Yan , Zhang Ahui , Yu Zhihui , Yang Ennian , Tang Zongxiang , Fu Shulan , Yang Zujun
Published: March 2020

Background

Introgression of chromatin from Secale species into common wheat has for decades been a successful strategy for controlling the wheat diseases. The wild Secale species, Secale africanum Stapf., is a valuable source for resistance to foliar disease of wheat. A wheat-S. africanum chromosome 6Rafr substitution line displayed resistance to both powdery mildew and stripe rust at the adult-plant stage.

Results

Wheat-S. africanum chromosome 6Rafr deletion and translocation lines were produced and identified by sequential non-denaturing fluorescence in situ hybridization (ND-FISH) using multiple Oligo-based probes. Different ND-FISH patterns were observed between S. cereale 6R and S. africanum 6Rafr. With reference to the physical map of the draft genome sequence of rye inbred line Lo7, a comprehensive PCR marker analysis indicated that insertions and deletions had occurred by random exchange between chromosomes 6R and 6Rafr. A survey of the wheat- S. africanum 6Rafr lines for disease resistance indicated that a powdery mildew resistance gene(s) was present on the long arm of 6Rafr at FL0.85–1.00, and that a stripe rust resistance gene(s) was located in the terminal region of 6RafrS at FL0.95–1.00. The wheat-S. africanum 6Rafr introgression lines also displayed superior agronomic traits, indicating that the chromosome 6Rafr may have little linkage drag in the wheat background.

Conclusions

The combination of molecular and cytogenetic methods allowed to precisely identify the chromosome rearrangements in wheat- S. africanum 6Rafr substitution, deletion and translocation lines, and compare the structural difference between chromosomes 6R and 6Rafr. The wheat- S. africanum 6Rafr lines containing gene(s) for powdery mildew and stripe rust resistance could be used as novel germplasm for wheat breeding by chromosome engineering.
Obesity-associated poor muscle quality: prevalence and association with age, sex, and body mass index
Authors: Valenzuela Pedro L. , Maffiuletti Nicola A. , Tringali Gabriella , De Col Alessandra , Sartorio Alessandro
Published: March 2020

Background

Muscle quality (i.e., the expression of muscle function per unit of muscle mass) has been proposed as a clinically-relevant measure to detect individuals at risk of functional incapacity. Individuals with obesity might be at an increased risk of having poor muscle quality. Thus, we aimed to analyze the prevalence of poor muscle quality in obese individuals, to determine associated variables, and to provide normative values for this population.

Methods

203 individuals with obesity (103 women, age: 18–75 years, body mass index (BMI): 35–64 kg·m− 2) participated in this cross-sectional study. Their muscle strength (handgrip dynamometry), muscle power (sit-to-stand test) and muscle mass (bioelectrical impedance analysis) were measured, and muscle quality (strength/power to muscle mass ratio) was compared with reference values obtained in young healthy individuals. Muscle quality was individually categorized as normal, low or poor based on specific muscle strength and power (i.e., strength and power per unit of muscle mass, respectively). Sex and age-specific normative values of specific muscle strength and power were computed for the whole cohort.

Results

Age and being a woman were inversely associated with specific muscle strength, with age being also inversely associated with specific muscle power. A small proportion of participants (6%) presented with an impaired (i.e., low/poor) specific muscle power while most of them (96%) had impaired specific muscle strength. Eventually, 84% of the participants were deemed to have poor muscle quality. Being a woman (odds ratio [OR]: 18.09, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 4.07–80.38), age (OR: 1.06, 95%CI: 1.03–1.10) and BMI (OR: 1.22, 95%CI: 1.07–1.38) were independently associated with a higher risk of poor muscle quality in adjusted analyses.

Conclusions

These findings show a high prevalence of poor muscle quality among individuals with obesity, with age, sex and BMI being independent predictors.
System reliability analysis of the scoliosis disorder
Authors: Nouri Fatemeh , Ghasemi S. Hooman , Lee Ji Yun
Published: March 2020

Background

Scoliosis is a spine abnormal deviation, which is an idiopathic disorder among children and adolescents. As a matter of the fact, distribution of loads on the patient’s spine and load-carrying capacity of the vertebral column are both random variables. Therefore, the probabilistic approach may consider as a sophisticated method to deal with this problem.

Method

Reliability analysis is a probabilistic-based approach to consider the uncertainties of load and resistance of the vertebral column. The main contribution of this paper is to compare the reliability level of a normal and scoliosis spinal. To do so, the numerical analyses associated with the inherent random parameters of bones and applied load are performed. Then, the reliability indices for all vertebrae and discs are determined. Accordingly, as the main innovation of this paper, the system reliability indices of the spinal column for both normal and damaged backbone systems are represented.

Results

Based on the required reliability index for normal spinal curvature the target system reliability level for scoliosis disorder is proposed.

Conclusion

Since the proposed target reliability index is based on the strength limit state of the vertebral column, it can be considered as a reliability level for any proposed treatment approaches.
“The best thing is that you are doing it for yourself” – perspectives on acceptability and feasibility of HPV self-sampling among cervical cancer screening clients in Tanzania: a qualitative pilot study
Authors: Bakiewicz Aleksandra , Rasch Vibeke , Mwaiselage Julius , Linde Ditte S.
Published: March 2020

Background

Cervical cancer is the most common type of cancer in sub-Saharan Africa, and it is also the cancer disease that most women die from. The high mortality rate is partly due to low attendance rates to screening services and low sensitivity of visual inspection with acetic acid, which is the standard screening method used in screening programs in sub-Saharan Africa. In order to overcome of the burden of disease new screening strategies and methods are warranted. This study aims to explore the acceptability and feasibility of HPV self-sampling compared to provider-based sampling among cervical cancer screening clients living in Dar es Salaam.

Methods

Women attending cervical cancer screening at Ocean Road Cancer Institute in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania between February – April 2017 were invited into the study. The participants had (1) a provider-collected sample, and (2) a self-sample for HPV on top of the regular cervical cancer screening. 50% of the participants conducted the self-sample after receiving a written instruction guide of how to collect the sample (written). The other 50% received both the written and an oral introduction to self-sampling (written+). All participants could ask for nurse assistance during self-sample collection if needed. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with the participants post sample collection. Data collection stopped when saturation was reached. Data were analysed using a thematic content analysis.

Results

Twenty-one women participated in the study. Regardless of how women were introduced to the self-sample (written or written+), there was a high demand for nurse presence as they felt uncertain of their personal capabilities to collect the self-sample correctly. However, as long as nurse assistance was an option most women perceived self-sampling as easy and comfortable though few experienced bleeding and pain. The majority of women preferred self-sampling over provider-sampling primarily due to the method being more private than the provider-sampling.

Conclusions

HPV self-sampling was well-perceived and accepted, however, for the method to be feasible a nurse needed to be present. HPV Self-sampling may be an alternative method to increase uptake of cervical cancer screening. Larger quantitative studies are recommended to support the study findings.
Self-regulated learning: the effect on medical student learning outcomes in a flipped classroom environment
Authors: Zheng Binbin , Zhang Yining
Published: March 2020

Background

The flipped-classroom model is increasingly being adopted in competency-based medical education. However, it poses a major challenge to students who have not mastered self-regulated learning strategies. This study explores which self-regulated learning skills affect student learning performance in the first 2 years of medical school at a university in the midwestern United States.

Methods

Survey data were used to assess how 146 first- and second-year medical students’ use of self-regulated learning strategies affected their performance on standardized tests.

Results

Based on the results of regression analysis and content analysis, it was found that the use of peer learning and help-seeking positively affected the performance of first- and second-year students, respectively; whereas the use of rehearsal had a negative effect on student learning outcomes.

Conclusions

The study findings imply that during the transition period from traditional lecture-intensive learning to flipped-classroom learning, promoting peer learning and help-seeking could significantly improve students’ academic achievement.
Hyperoxemia and excess oxygen use in early acute respiratory distress syndrome: insights from the LUNG SAFE study
Authors:   for the LUNG SAFE Investigators and the ESICM Trials Group, Madotto Fabiana , Rezoagli Emanuele , Pham Tài , Schmidt Marcello , McNicholas Bairbre , Protti Alessandro , Panwar Rakshit , Bellani Giacomo , Fan Eddy , van Haren Frank , Brochard Laurent , Laffey John G.
Published: March 2020

Background

Concerns exist regarding the prevalence and impact of unnecessary oxygen use in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We examined this issue in patients with ARDS enrolled in the Large observational study to UNderstand the Global impact of Severe Acute respiratory FailurE (LUNG SAFE) study.

Methods

In this secondary analysis of the LUNG SAFE study, we wished to determine the prevalence and the outcomes associated with hyperoxemia on day 1, sustained hyperoxemia, and excessive oxygen use in patients with early ARDS. Patients who fulfilled criteria of ARDS on day 1 and day 2 of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure were categorized based on the presence of hyperoxemia (PaO2 > 100 mmHg) on day 1, sustained (i.e., present on day 1 and day 2) hyperoxemia, or excessive oxygen use (FIO2 ≥ 0.60 during hyperoxemia).

Results

Of 2005 patients that met the inclusion criteria, 131 (6.5%) were hypoxemic (PaO2 < 55 mmHg), 607 (30%) had hyperoxemia on day 1, and 250 (12%) had sustained hyperoxemia. Excess FIO2 use occurred in 400 (66%) out of 607 patients with hyperoxemia. Excess FIO2 use decreased from day 1 to day 2 of ARDS, with most hyperoxemic patients on day 2 receiving relatively low FIO2. Multivariate analyses found no independent relationship between day 1 hyperoxemia, sustained hyperoxemia, or excess FIO2 use and adverse clinical outcomes. Mortality was 42% in patients with excess FIO2 use, compared to 39% in a propensity-matched sample of normoxemic (PaO2 55–100 mmHg) patients (P = 0.47).

Conclusions

Hyperoxemia and excess oxygen use are both prevalent in early ARDS but are most often non-sustained. No relationship was found between hyperoxemia or excessive oxygen use and patient outcome in this cohort.

Trial registration

LUNG-SAFE is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02010073
The UCSC repeat browser allows discovery and visualization of evolutionary conflict across repeat families
Authors: Fernandes Jason D. , Zamudio-Hurtado Armando , Clawson Hiram , Kent W. James , Haussler David , Salama Sofie R. , Haeussler Maximilian
Published: March 2020

Background

Nearly half the human genome consists of repeat elements, most of which are retrotransposons, and many of which play important biological roles. However repeat elements pose several unique challenges to current bioinformatic analyses and visualization tools, as short repeat sequences can map to multiple genomic loci resulting in their misclassification and misinterpretation. In fact, sequence data mapping to repeat elements are often discarded from analysis pipelines. Therefore, there is a continued need for standardized tools and techniques to interpret genomic data of repeats.

Results

We present the UCSC Repeat Browser, which consists of a complete set of human repeat reference sequences derived from annotations made by the commonly used program RepeatMasker. The UCSC Repeat Browser also provides an alignment from the human genome to these references, uses it to map the standard human genome annotation tracks, and presents all of them as a comprehensive interface to facilitate work with repetitive elements. It also provides processed tracks of multiple publicly available datasets of particular interest to the repeat community, including ChIP-seq datasets for KRAB Zinc Finger Proteins (KZNFs) – a family of proteins known to bind and repress certain classes of repeats. We used the UCSC Repeat Browser in combination with these datasets, as well as RepeatMasker annotations in several non-human primates, to trace the independent trajectories of species-specific evolutionary battles between LINE 1 retroelements and their repressors. Furthermore, we document at https://repeatbrowser.ucsc.edu how researchers can map their own human genome annotations to these reference repeat sequences.

Conclusions

The UCSC Repeat Browser allows easy and intuitive visualization of genomic data on consensus repeat elements, circumventing the problem of multi-mapping, in which sequencing reads of repeat elements map to multiple locations on the human genome. By developing a reference consensus, multiple datasets and annotation tracks can easily be overlaid to reveal complex evolutionary histories of repeats in a single interactive window. Specifically, we use this approach to retrace the history of several primate specific LINE-1 families across apes, and discover several species-specific routes of evolution that correlate with the emergence and binding of KZNFs.
Exponential spline for the numerical solutions of linear Fredholm integro-differential equations
Authors: Tahernezhad Taherh , Jalilian Reza
Published: March 2020

In this paper, we introduce a new scheme based on the exponential spline function for solving linear second-order Fredholm integro-differential equations. Our approach consists of reducing the problem to a set of linear equations. We prove the convergence analysis of the method applied to the solution of integro-differential equations. The method is described and illustrated with numerical examples. The results reveal that the method is accurate and easy to apply. Moreover, results are compared with the method in (J. Comput. Appl. Math. 290:633–640, 2015).
Uniform persistence and almost periodic solutions of a nonautonomous patch occupancy model
Authors: Zhou Hui , Alzabut Jehad , Rezapour Shahram , Samei Mohammad Esmael
Published: March 2020

In this paper, a nonlinear nonautonomous model in a rocky intertidal community is studied. The model is composed of two species in a rocky intertidal community and describes a patch occupancy with global dispersal of propagules and occupy each other by individual organisms. Firstly, we study the uniform persistence of the model via differential inequality techniques. Furthermore, a sharp threshold of global asymptotic stability and the existence of a unique almost periodic solution are derived. To prove the main results, we construct an appropriate Lyapunov function whose conditions are easily verified. The assumptions of the model are reasonable, and the results complement previously known ones. An example with specific values of parameters is included for demonstration of theoretical outcomes.
Comparison of SuperDARN peak electron density estimates based on elevation angle measurements to ionosonde and incoherent scatter radar measurements
Authors: Koustov Alexander V. , Ullrich Sydney , Ponomarenko Pavlo V. , Gillies Robert G. , Themens David R. , Nishitani Nozomu
Published: March 2020

Measurements of the electron density at the F region peak by the Canadian Advanced Digital Ionosonde (CADI) and the Resolute Incoherent Scatter Radar (RISR) are used to assess the quality of peak electron density estimates made from elevation angle measurements by the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) high-frequency radar at Rankin Inlet (RKN). All three instruments monitor the ionosphere near Resolute Bay. The CADI-RKN joint dataset comprises measurements between 2008 and 2017 while RISR-RKN dataset covers about 60 daylong events in 2016. Reasonable agreement between the RKN estimates and measurements by CADI and RISR is shown. Two minor discrepancies are discussed: RKN radar daytime peak electron density overestimation by ~ 10% and underestimation by up to 30% in other time sectors. In winter nighttime and dawn, cases were identified in which the RKN radar significantly overestimates the peak electron density. This occurs when the phase in the RKN interferometer measurements is incorrectly shifted by $$ 2\uppi $$2π, and this is most significant when electron densities are low. Statistical fitting to the joint data sets, split into four time sectors of a day, has been done and parameters of the fit have been determined. These allow slight adjustment of measured real-time RKN values to better reflect real peak electron densities in the ionosphere within its field of view.
Ethnopharmacological review of medicinal plants used to manage diabetes in Morocco
Authors: Idm’hand Elhassan , Msanda Fouad , Cherifi Khalil
Published: March 2020

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder which affects millions of people every year. If diabetes is not controlled, it can cause serious damage and a number of health complications. The aim of this paper was to review published ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological evidences of Moroccan plants with antidiabetic potentials. Publications describing the medicinal plants used for the treatment of diabetes in Morocco were searched from the databases, including Google Scholar, Elsevier, Medline, Web of Science, SCOPUS and Pubmed. Other literature source was also used including books and theses available in library. About 750 literature references were studied, and only 240 research publications based on data from different Moroccan provinces published until June 2019 were included in this review. In total, 255 plants species belonging to 70 families were reported. Compositae and Lamiaceae were mentioned as the most represented families. The frequently used plant species in the dwellers of most regions of Morocco areTrigonella foenum-graecum,Artemesia herba-alba,Nigella sativa,Olea europaea,Allium cepaandMarrubium vulgare. This review provides useful information and current scientific knowledge on the medicinal plants used to manage diabetes in Morocco. Medicinal plants reported should be submitted to chemical, pharmacological and clinical studies to identify pharmacologically active metabolites and to confirm their antidiabetic activity.
Germline CDKN1B Loss-of-Function Variants Cause Pediatric Cushing’s Disease With or Without an MEN4 Phenotype
Authors: Chasseloup Fanny , Pankratz Nathan , Lane John , Faucz Fabio R , Keil Margaret F , Chittiboina Prashant , Kay Denise M , Hussein Tayeb Tara , Stratakis Constantine A , Mills James L , Hernández-Ramírez Laura C
Published: March 2020

Context

Germline loss-of-function CDKN1B gene variants cause the autosomal dominant syndrome of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 4 (MEN4). Even though pituitary neuroendocrine tumors are a well-known component of the syndrome, only 2 cases of Cushing’s disease (CD) have so far been described in this setting.

Aim

To screen a large cohort of CD patients for CDKN1B gene defects and to determine their functional effects.

Patients

We screened 211 CD patients (94.3% pediatric) by germline whole-exome sequencing (WES) only (n = 157), germline and tumor WES (n = 27), Sanger sequencing (n = 6), and/or germline copy number variant (CNV) analysis (n = 194). Sixty cases were previously unpublished. Variant segregation was investigated in the patients’ families, and putative pathogenic variants were functionally characterized.

Results

Five variants of interest were found in 1 patient each: 1 truncating (p.Q107Rfs*12) and 4 nontruncating variants, including 3 missense changes affecting the CDKN1B protein scatter domain (p.I119T, p.E126Q, and p.D136G) and one 5’ untranslated region (UTR) deletion (c.-29_-26delAGAG). No CNVs were found. All cases presented early (10.5 ± 1.3 years) and apparently sporadically. Aside from colon adenocarcinoma in 1 carrier, no additional neoplasms were detected in the probands or their families. In vitro assays demonstrated protein instability and disruption of the scatter domain of CDKN1B for all variants tested.

Conclusions

Five patients with CD and germline CDKN1B variants of uncertain significance (n = 2) or pathogenic/likely pathogenic (n = 3) were identified, accounting for 2.6% of the patients screened. Our finding that germline CDKN1B loss-of-function may present as apparently sporadic, isolated pediatric CD has important implications for clinical screening and genetic counselling.
Semaglutide in Cystic Fibrosis-Related Diabetes
Authors: Gnanapragasam Helen , Mustafa Naghma , Bierbrauer Mary , Andrea Providence Tara , Dandona Paresh
Published: March 2020

Context and Objective

In spite of the evidence that inadequately controlled glycemia is associated with worse clinical outcomes, cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD) is not well controlled in a majority of patients. The objective of this report is to demonstrate the effect of the addition of semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA), to basal insulin to control glycemia in one such patient.

Design, Intervention, and the Main Outcome Measures

The replacement of rapidly acting prandial insulin with semaglutide weekly with continuation of basal insulin. Glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was measured and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) was conducted.

Results

There was a significant improvement in glycemic control, reduction in HbA1c from 9.1% to 6.7% and stable euglycemic pattern on CGM (mean glucose, 142 mg/dL; SD, 51) within 3 months of starting treatment. There was no increase in plasma pancreatic enzyme concentrations.

Conclusions

Semaglutide at a low dose was able to replace prandial insulin and control glycemia in combination with basal insulin.
Protein Supplementation and Resistance Training in Childhood Cancer Survivors
Authors: KRULL MATTHEW R. , HOWELL CARRIE R. , PARTIN ROBYN E. , LANCTOT JENNIFER , PHIPPS SEAN , KLOSKY JAMES L. , CARNEY GINGER , MULROONEY DANIEL A. , ROBISON LESLIE L. , HUDSON MELISSA M. , NESS KIRSTEN K.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Muscle weakness, low lean body mass, and poor physical performance are prevalent among adult survivors of childhood cancer (survivors). We evaluated the feasibility and effects of resistance training with and without protein supplementation on lean body mass and muscle strength among survivors.

Methods

This double-blind placebo-controlled trial enrolled survivors ≥18 to <45 yr old. Participants were randomized to resistance training with protein supplement (21 g whey protein per day, 90 kcal) (RT + S) or resistance training with placebo (sucrose, 90 kcal) (RT + P). Participants received educational materials, access to a local fitness center, and a tailored resistance training program with tapered supervision. Participant retention and adherence were used to evaluate feasibility. Lean body mass and muscle strength were assessed at baseline and 24 wk, using dual x-ray absorptiometry, and dynamometer testing or one-repetition maximum testing, respectively. Mean changes were compared with two-way ANOVA.

Results

Of 70 participants randomized, 57 completed the 24-wk intervention (24 in RT + S, 33 in RT + P). The RT + S group completed 74.8% and the RT + P group completed 67.0% of exercise sessions. Mean ± SD age for those who completed was 33.1 ± 7.0 yr, 67% were White and 47% female. There were no differences in change in lean mass (RT + S, 1.05 ± 2.34 kg; RT + P, 0.13 ± 2.19 kg;P= 0.10) or strength (grip RT + S, 1.65 ± 4.17 kg; RT + P, 1.63 ± 4.47 kg;P= 0.98; mean leg press RT + S, 58.4 ± 78.8 kg; RT + P, 51.0 ± 65.1 kg;P= 0.68) between groups. Both lean mass (P= 0.03) and strength (gripP= 0.003, leg pressP< 0.001) increased over time.

Conclusions

Supervised resistance training among survivors with protein supplementation is feasible but not more effective at increasing total lean body mass than resistance training alone.
Steering the Climate System: Using Inertia to Lower the Cost of Policy: Comment
Authors: Mattauch Linus , Matthews H. Damon , Millar Richard , Rezai Armon , Solomon Susan , Venmans Frank
Published: March 2020

Lemoine and Rudik (2017) argues that it is efficient to delay reducing carbon emissions, due to supposed inertia in the climate system’s response to emissions. This conclusion rests upon misunderstanding the relevant earth system modeling: there is no substantial lag between CO2 emissions and warming. Applying a representation of the earth system that captures the range of responses seen in complex earth system models invalidates the original article’s implications for climate policy. The least-cost policy path that limits warming to 2°C implies that the carbon price starts high and increases at the interest rate. It cannot rely on climate inertia to delay reducing and allow greater cumulative emissions. (JEL H23, Q54, Q58)
Is the Grass Greener? On the Strategic Implications of Moving Along the Value Chain for IT Service Providers
Authors: Gopal Anandasivam , Karmegam Sabari Rajan , Koka Balaji R. , Rand William M.
Published: March 2020

Information technology (IT) service providers that offer both customized and routinized IT services (help-desk services, software services, business process outsourcing, consulting services) are often advised to consider moving up or down the value chain. Such advice is couched in language that emphasizes the revenue possibilities that exist higher up the value chain (moving from software outsourcing to packaged software, for instance) or volume that exists lower down in the value chain. However, the reality for firms that have attempted such moves is more ambiguous—many highly successful service providers have tried to move out of their niche and failed. Why? We address this question of why service providers may fail when they move up or down the value chain using agent-based modeling. We create a set of representative IT service firms, endow them with different types of resources and capabilities, and model the profitability implications of moves up and down the value chain in the presence of competitors. We run a series of simulations using these representative firms to see when such moves along the value chain are likely to be successful and when they are not. We find that firms moving up the value chain are successful only when such moves are accompanied by significant resource changes. In contrast, firms moving down the value chain are likely to be successful only if such moves are accompanied by learning capability arising out of higher absorptive capacity. Not surprisingly, we find that moves along with the value chain without significant investments in resources and capabilities, for the most part, end in failure.
the child and the p4c curriculum
Authors: Oliverio Stefano
Published: March 2020

In this paper I take my cue from what I suggest calling “the Adamitic modernity.” By this phrase I endeavor to capture a specific ‘removal’ of childhood that occurs in the Cartesian gesture of the enthroning of Reason. By drawing upon a reading of the major philosophical works of Descartes, I will argue that one of the main thrusts of his conceptual device is a deep-seated, and even anguished, mistrust of childhood and its errors. To put it in a nutshell: in the Cartesian modernity philosophy/science and childhood are at odds with each other. In the second step of my argumentation, I will show in what sense Dewey rehabilitates childhood and its form of experience by, thus, healing the rift between childhood and science (as his notions of inquiry and qualitative thought prove). This notwithstanding, Dewey was not ready to take the decisive step of thinking of a philosophy for children. Precisely by activating and developing the significance of qualitative thought, Matthew Lipman was able, instead, to progress beyond Dewey. In this perspective, I will show how Lipman and Ann Sharp, while walking in Dewey’s footsteps as far as their non-Cartesian interpretation of childhood is concerned, part company with him in their educational take on philosophy and on how this results in a revamping of the way of construing the Deweyan relationship between the child and the curriculum.
TECNOLOGIAS MÓVEIS E LEITURA DE MAPAS DIGITAIS NO ENSINO FUNDAMENTAL (Séries finais)
Authors: Karwoski Acir Mário , Gracioli Jéferson Muniz Alves
Published: March 2020

O objetivo do artigo é analisar a inserção de ferramentas digitais no ensino de cartografia na educação fundamental. Foram propostas estratégias para elaboração de práticas pedagógicas referentes aos conteúdos de Geografia para alunos do oitavo ano do ensino fundamental de uma escola pública do município de Uberaba - MG. Para tanto, houve uma intervenção de caráter construtivo-colaborativo, com foco na abordagem qualitativa. A linguagem cartográfica é essencial para observar as transformações do espaço (CASTROGIOVANNI, 2002; CALLAI, 2005). Os resultados apontam para o reconhecimento de impactos positivos na aprendizagem dos alunos advindos das inúmeras possibilidades evocadas pelas tecnologias digitais móveis no ensino de cartografia. Notou-se, ainda, na análise dos dados, um engajamento dos alunos em realizarem pesquisas na internet, propiciando investigações para sanar questionamentos e despertando a curiosidade acerca da leitura de mapas.