bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Beyond Fermi’s golden rule in free-electron quantum electrodynamics: acceleration/radiation correspondence
Authors: Pan Yiming , Gover Avraham
Published: December 2020

In this article, we present a unified reciprocal quantum electrodynamics (QED) formulation of free-electron and quantum–light interaction. For electron–light interactions, we bridge the underlying theories of photon-induced near-field electron microscopy, laser-induced particle accelerators, and radiation sources, such as quantum free electron laser, transition radiation and Smith-Purcell effect. We demonstrate an electron–photon spectral reciprocity relation between the electron energy loss/gain and the radiation spectra. This ‘acceleration/radiation correspondence’ (ARC) conserves the electron energy, and photon number exchanged, that is, ΔE/ℏω + Δν

q
= 0, and in the representation of a quantum electron wavepacket, displays explicit dependence on the history-dependent phase and shape of the wavepacket configuration. It originates from an interaction-induced quantum interference term that is usually ignored in Fermi’s golden rule analyses, but is kept in our combined quantum free electron–photon state formulation. We apply this formulation to both stimulated interaction and spontaneous emission of classical and quantum light by the quantum-featured electrons. The ‘spontaneous’ emissions of coherent states (‘classical’ light) are remarked and squeezed states of quantum light is shown to be enhanced with squeezing. This reciprocal QED formulation has promise for extensions to other fundamental research issues in quantum light and quantum matter interactions.
Response analysis of six-parameter fractional constitutive model
Authors: Yang Su-Mei , Duan Jun-Sheng
Published: December 2020

In this paper, a six-parameter fractional constitutive model was investigated by using the Laplace transform and its complex inverse formula. Our model includes all of the four types of viscoelasticity by the different values of two coefficients. We expressed the creep compliance and relaxation modulus as infinite real integrals which can be numerically calculated readily by the built-in numerical quadrature command of MATHEMATICA 11. Also, the infinite integration in the form of

∫

0

+
∞

P
(
r
)

e

−
rt

dr

is convenient for numerical computation and theory analysis. Finally, the stress responses to harmonic strain were considered and the stress-strain hysteresis loops were displayed.
Magneto-hydrodynamic flow of Reiner-Philippoff fluid: Stability analysis
Authors: Ishaq Airal , Algehyne Ebrahem A , Ahmad Adeel , Mallawi Fouad
Published: December 2020

Analysis of magneto-hydrodynamic flow of classical non-Newtonian fluid, Reiner-Philippoff fluid, over magnetized plate is conducted numerically in this article. The mathematical model incorporates the non-linear stress deformation behavior of Reiner-Philippoff fluid and set of Maxwell’s equations to discuss the behavior of non-Newtonian fluid in a magnetic field. Boundary layer equations are obtained assuming the Reynolds and magnetic Reynolds numbers to be large enough for magnetic and momentum boundary layers to have developed. The correlation expressions for skin friction and magnetic flux on the surface for different flow and magnetic field parameters are developed by performing linear regression on numerical data. Stability analysis is conducted as well to analyze the effects of magnetic field and fluid nature on the stability of the flow.
The interaction among kink, breather and lump in the (2+1)-dimensional completely generalized Hirota-Satsuma-Ito equation
Authors: Zijia Wang , Zhaqilao
Published: December 2020

A (2+1)-dimensional completely generalized Hirota-Satsuma-Ito equation is studied. Based on the Hirota bilinear method, multi-kink solutions are obtained. The higher-order lump solutions are obtained by the long-wave limit approach. By selecting the complex conjugate parameters conditions for multi-kink solutions, the multi-breather solutions are constructed. Moreover, ten kinds of interaction solutions consisted of three waves for kink, breather and lump are obtained. Some dynamical behaviors of the solutions obtained in the paper are shown by figures.
The solutions of Dirac equation on the hyperboloid under perpendicular magnetic fields
Authors: Kızılırmak Duygu Demir , Kuru Şengül
Published: December 2020

In this study, firstly it is reviewed how the solutions of the Dirac-Weyl equation for a massless charge on the hyperboloid under perpendicular magnetic fields are obtained by using supersymmetric (SUSY) quantum mechanics methods. Then, the solutions of the Dirac equation for a massive charge under magnetic fields have been computed in terms of the solutions which were found before for the Dirac-Weyl equation. As an example, the case of a constant magnetic field on the hyperbolic surface for massless and massive charges has been worked out.
MHD stagnation point flow of hybrid nanofluid over a permeable cylinder with homogeneous and heterogenous reaction
Authors: Nasir Saleem , Shah Zahir , khan Waris , Alrabaiah Hussam , Islam Saeed , Khan Saima Naz
Published: December 2020

This investigation is addressed to examine the comparative consequence of thermal radiation and heat generation/absorption in steady three-dimensional MHD (Magneto-hydrodynamics) stagnation point flow of (MWCNTs + Cu/engine oil) hybrid nanofluid over a porous circular cylinder. Flow via thermal slip effect is inspected. Also, the impact of both homogeneous/heterogeneous (h–h) chemical reactions are considered for explanation of mass transportation characteristics. Here, a kind of hybrid nanofluid including MWCNTs (multi wall carbon nanotubes) and Cu(Coper) nanoparticles with engine oil as base fluid is used. Appropriate transformation procedure is implemented for renovating model expression of continuity, momentum, energy, mass transportation and boundary conditions into a set of ODEs. HAM (Homotopy Analysis Method) methodology is then employed to solve these nonlinear coupled ODEs. Furthermore, the influence of inserting model factors on velocities, temperature fields, C

f
(skin friction coefficient) and Nu (Nusselt number) has been investigated numerically and graphically. The core outcome specifies that hybrid nanofluid (MWCNTs + Cu + engine oil) improve thermal conductivity when equated with nanofluid (MWCNTs + engine oil).
Establishing waveguide lines as primary standards for scattering parameter measurements at submillimetre wavelengths
Authors: Ridler N M , Johny S , Salter M J , Shang X , Sun W , Wilson A
Published: December 2020

This paper presents a detailed assessment of two rectangular metallic waveguide lines in order that they can be used as primary standards to provide metrological traceability for electrical scattering parameter measurements at submillimetre wavelengths. The assessment comprises a series of dimensional measurements to determine the overall quality of the lines in terms of the waveguide aperture size and alignment. This is followed by electrical measurements to confirm the electrical behaviour of the lines. Finally, the lines are employed as standards to calibrate a vector network analyser which is used to measure devices to verify the performance of the lines as calibration standards, in operando. The waveguide size is WM-380, which operates from 500 GHz to 750 GHz.
Legacy effects of loss of beavers in the continental United States
Authors: Wohl Ellen
Published: December 2020

Through their modifications of channels and floodplains, beavers are a premier example of ecosystem engineers. Historical and stratigraphic records suggest that hundreds of millions of beavers once modified small to medium rivers throughout the northern hemisphere. Where beavers actively modify the channel and floodplain with dams, ponds, and canals, their activities increase habitat abundance and diversity, biodiversity, nutrient uptake, attenuation of downstream fluxes of water and sediment, and resilience of the river corridor to disturbances. Loss of beavers through commercial trapping and habitat modification occurred simultaneously with other human modifications of uplands and river corridors. The cumulative effects of these human modifications have been to greatly reduce the ecosystem services provided by rivers. Contemporary efforts to re-introduce beavers in North America and Eurasia and to mimic the effects of beaver engineering with beaver dam analogues and Stage 0 restoration represent a good start, but fundamental questions remain about the extent of such restoration efforts needed to create and maintain significant increases in riverine functions.
Self-organization scheme for balanced routing in large-scale multi-hop networks
Authors: Badiu Mihai-Alin , Saad David , Coon Justin P
Published: December 2020

We propose a self-organization scheme for cost-effective and load-balanced routing in multi-hop networks. To avoid overloading nodes that provide favourable routing conditions, we assign each node with a cost function that penalizes high loads. Thus, finding routes to sink nodes is formulated as an optimization problem in which the global objective function strikes a balance between route costs and node loads. We apply belief propagation (its min-sum version) to solve the network optimization problem and obtain a distributed algorithm whereby the nodes collectively discover globally optimal routes by performing low-complexity computations and exchanging messages with their neighbours. We prove that the proposed method converges to the global optimum after a finite number of local exchanges of messages. Finally, we demonstrate numerically our framework’s efficacy in balancing the node loads and study the trade-off between load reduction and total cost minimization.
Synthesis, structural and thermal characterization of silica glasses containing BaO, SrO and ZnO oxides
Authors: Atamnia Kamel , Satha Soufyane , Satha Hamid , Gonon Maurice François
Published: December 2020

Alternatives to lead crystal glass were initially selected from CD-ROM ‘interglad’ data, and then elaborated. These samples have properties closer to those of conventional lead crystal, are completely lead free. In this study, vitrifiable mixtures based on silicon, barium, strontium and zinc oxides were melted at 1450 °C, annealed at 580 °C, and characterized by x-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and Calorimetric Thermal Analysis (DSC). X-ray diffraction confirms the amorphous character of all investigated glasses. The vibration bands are identified by infrared and Raman spectroscopy. These results highlight the influence of glass composition on structural properties. The glass transition temperatures (Tg) were determined by differential scanning calorimetric analysis (DSC). The obtained results vary from 546.8 °C to 632.6 °C, confirming the effect of the composition on the thermal properties.
Noise cancellation of white pulsed light with pulse-to-pulse observation of probe and reference pulses in spectral pump/probe measurement
Authors: Seto Keisuke , Kobayashi Takayoshi , Tokunaga Eiji
Published: December 2020

In pump/probe spectroscopy employing supercontinuum (SC) probe light (Pr), multi-wavelength information is provided at the same time. The SC probe generated by a photonic crystal fiber is advantageous owing to the broad spectrum and synchronized timings of the SC Pr pulse and pump pulse. However, SC light accompanies formidable wavelength dependent noise due to the various contributions of generation mechanisms. We previously developed two noise cancellation methodologies suitable for multiwavelength measurements with SC light, that is, phase detection noise cancellation (PDNC) and time division noise cancellation (TDNC), where the pulse timings for Pr and reference (Rf) are time-shifted and detected by a single photodiode (PD) after passing through the common optical system, providing an identical spectral dispersion to conserve the wavelength-dependent noise correlation. In PDNC, Pr and Rf are discriminated based on the pulse repetition phase, and the Pr is then divided by Rf, whereas in TDNC they are distinguished by the detection time, and Rf is subtracted from Pr. However, a shot noise limited performance with high-power input has yet to be realized. In this study, the deterioration mechanisms for PDNC and TDNC are investigated. The nonlinear effect of the photodetector was found to have a non-negligible impact on the phase noise and intensity noise correlation between Pr and Rf. Adequate decay of the photocurrent of Pr at the detection of the Rf optical pulse is effective for avoiding nonlinearity and maintaining the noise correlation of Pr and Rf for the best noise cancellation. Based on this fact, a near-shot-noise-limited performance is demonstrated by the TDNC, where the Rf optical pulse is incident on the PD after sufficient relaxation of the Pr photocurrent. In addition, the coincidence of the timing of Pr and Rf for the noise subtraction was found to be essential for wideband noise cancellation.
Solving Klein’s paradox
Authors: Wang Huai-Yu
Published: December 2020

We figure out the famous Klein’s paradox arising from the reflection problem when a Dirac particle encounters a step potential with infinite width. The key is to piecewise solve Dirac equation in such a way that in the region where the particle’s energy E is greater (less) than the potential V, the solution of the positive (negative) energy branch is adopted. In the case of Klein–Gordon equation with a piecewise constant potential, the equation is decoupled to positive and negative energy equations, and reflection problem is solved in the same way. Both infinitely and finitely wide potentials are considered. The reflection coefficient never exceeds 1. The results are applied to discuss the transmissions of particles with no mass or with very small mass.
Sigmoidal inflation
Authors: Díaz E , Meza-Aldama O
Published: December 2020

In this paper we present a new cosmological inflationary model which is constructed using the Ivanov-Salopek-Bond method with a logistic generating function. We derive the inflationary observables as well as the duration and temperature of the subsequent reheating epoch of our model exactly, with no need to recur to the slow roll approximation. The obtained scalar spectral index and tensor-to-scalar ratio of perturbations fall comfortably within the range of the measurements presented by the Planck collaboration. On the other hand, for the reheating era, our model predicts a relatively small number of e-folds and thus high temperatures, still within range of Planck’s bounds. We then consider a generalization of our model that we refer to as Bernoulli-like functions and examine different scenarios that are encompassed within this generalization.
Relationships between coworking spaces and CO2 emissions in work-related commuting: first empirical insights for the case of Switzerland with regard to urban-rural differences
Authors: Ohnmacht Timo , Z’Rotz Jana , Dang Lisa
Published: December 2020

Today in transport policy it is assumed that new forms of work are producing falls in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from work-related commuting. So far, research on the effects of teleworking generally report positive environmental outcomes. However, no study has so far compared and contrasted the greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation potential of the new phenomenon of coworking spaces with regard to urban-rural differences. Our results based on a representative sample of Swiss coworkers indicate that CO2 emissions from commuting for work are significantly lower for urban coworking spaces (350 kilograms/year) than for rural coworking spaces (940 kilograms/year). If coworkers only would have worked in their coworking spaces, there would be a 10% reduction in CO2 emissions of their commutes. Overall, our results indicate that coworking spaces, especially in urban areas, have the potential to support Switzerland’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the transport sector in line with the Paris Climate Agreement.
Meta-analysis: Higher Plant Richness Supports Higher Pollinator Richness Across Many Land Use Types
Authors: Kral-O’Brien Katherine C , O’Brien Peter L , Hovick Torre J , Harmon Jason P
Published: December 2020

Global biodiversity declines are attributed to many factors, including landscape fragmentation and vegetation homogenization. These patterns may be exacerbated by the intensification of management in agroecosystems, as management to meet the increasing demand for food, fuel, and fiber often comes at the cost of biodiversity and subsequent ecosystem functions and services. Conserving biodiversity will be necessary to create sustainable agroecosystems capable of optimizing both production and services such as pollination. We conducted a meta-analysis with 109 studies to examine the relationship between plant species richness and pollinator species richness to determine whether higher plant species richness supports higher pollinator species richness, especially in areas prone to biodiversity losses. We found most groups of insect pollinators, including bees, butterflies, flies, moths, and wasps, responded positively to increasing plant species richness, irrespective of location or land use, suggesting the capacity to increase pollinator richness through management strategies that increase plant species richness. However, we found pollinators in manipulated studies did not consistently respond to increasing plant species richness despite the overall positive relationships in observational and experimental studies, highlighting the importance of plant selection when making management decisions aiming to improve pollinator richness. Additional studies in regions such as Africa and South America will help fill in latitudinal gradients and provide greater coverage necessary to refine patterns. Increasing plant species richness through management changes or restorations will likely increase pollinator richness and be beneficial in agroecosystems to support biodiversity.
The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of assistive technology and telecare for independent living in dementia: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Howard Robert , Gathercole Rebecca , Bradley Rosie , Harper Emma , Davis Lucy , Pank Lynn , Lam Natalie , Talbot Emma , Hooper Emma , Winson Rachel , Scutt Bethany , Ordonez Montano Victoria , Nunn Samantha , Lavelle Grace , Bateman Andrew , Bentham Peter , Burns Alistair , Dunk Barbara , Forsyth Kirsty , Fox Chris , Poland Fiona , Leroi Iracema , Newman Stanton , O’Brien John , Henderson Catherine , Knapp Martin , Woolham John , Gray Richard
Published: December 2020

Objectives

The use of assistive technology and telecare (ATT) has been promoted to manage risks associated with independent living in people with dementia but with little evidence for effectiveness.

Methods

Participants were randomly assigned to receive an ATT assessment followed by installation of all appropriate ATT devices or limited control of appropriate ATT. The primary outcomes were time to institutionalisation and cost-effectiveness. Key secondary outcomes were number of incidents involving risks to safety, burden and stress in family caregivers and quality of life.

Results

Participants were assigned to receive full ATT (248 participants) or the limited control (247 participants). After adjusting for baseline imbalance of activities of daily living score, HR for median pre-institutionalisation survival was 0.84; 95% CI, 0.63 to 1.12; P = 0.20. There were no significant differences between arms in health and social care (mean -£909; 95% CI, -£5,336 to £3,345, P = 0.678) and societal costs (mean -£3,545; 95% CI, -£13,914 to £6,581, P = 0.499). ATT group members had reduced participant-rated quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) at 104 weeks (mean − 0.105; 95% CI, −0.204 to −0.007, P = 0.037) but did not differ in QALYs derived from proxy-reported EQ-5D.

Discussion

Fidelity of the intervention was low in terms of matching ATT assessment, recommendations and installation. This, however, reflects current practice within adult social care in England.

Conclusions

Time living independently outside a care home was not significantly longer in participants who received full ATT and ATT was not cost-effective. Participants with full ATT attained fewer QALYs based on participant-reported EQ-5D than controls at 104 weeks.
Hypertension in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): Diagnosis, Classification, and Therapeutic Targets
Authors: Georgianos Panagiotis I , Agarwal Rajiv
Published: December 2020

Blood pressure (BP) in the office is often recorded without standardization of the technique of measurement. When office BP measurement is performed with a research-grade methodology, it can inform better therapeutic decisions. The reference-standard method of ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) together with the assessment of BP in the office enables the identification of white-coat and masked hypertension, facilitating the stratification of cardiorenal risk. Compared with general population, the prevalence of resistant hypertension is 2- to 3-fold higher among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The use of ABPM is mandatory in order to exclude the white-coat effect, a common cause of pseudoresistance, and confirm the diagnosis of true-resistant hypertension. After the premature termination of Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial due to an impressive cardioprotective benefit of intensive BP-lowering, the 2017 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology guideline reappraised the definition of hypertension and recommended a tighter BP target of <130/80 mm Hg for the majority of adults with a high cardiovascular risk profile, inclusive of patients with CKD. However, the benefit/risk ratio of intensive BP-lowering in particular subsets of patients with CKD (i.e., those with diabetes or more advanced CKD) continues to be debated. We explore the controversial issue of BP targets in CKD, providing a critical evaluation of the available clinical-trial evidence and guideline recommendations. We argue that the systolic BP target in CKD, if BP is measured correctly, should be <120 mm Hg.
C-Reactive Protein and Incident Hypertension in Black and White Americans in the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) Cohort Study
Authors: Plante Timothy B , Long D Leann , Guo Boyi , Howard George , Carson April P , Howard Virginia J , Judd Suzanne E , Jenny Nancy Swords , Zakai Neil A , Cushman Mary
Published: December 2020

Background

More inflammation is associated with greater risk incident hypertension, and Black United States (US) adults have excess burden of hypertension. We investigated whether increased inflammation as quantified by higher C-reactive protein (CRP) explains the excess incidence in hypertension experienced by Black US adults.

Methods

We included 6,548 Black and White REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) participants without hypertension at baseline (2003–2007) who attended a second visit (2013–2016). Sex-stratified risk ratios (RRs) for incident hypertension at the second exam in Black compared to White individuals were estimated using Poisson regression adjusted for groups of factors known to partially explain the Black–White differences in incident hypertension. We calculated the percent mediation by CRP of the racial difference in hypertension.

Results

Baseline CRP was higher in Black participants. The Black–White RR for incident hypertension in the minimally adjusted model was 1.33 (95% confidence interval 1.22, 1.44) for males and 1.15 (1.04, 1.27) for females. CRP mediated 6.6% (95% confidence interval 2.7, 11.3%) of this association in females and 19.7% (9.8, 33.2%) in males. In females, CRP no longer mediated the Black–White RR in a model including waist circumference and body mass index, while in males the Black–White difference was fully attenuated in models including income, education and dietary patterns.

Conclusions

Elevated CRP attenuated a portion of the unadjusted excess risk of hypertension in Black adults, but this excess risk was attenuated when controlling for measures of obesity in females and diet and socioeconomic factors in males. Inflammation related to these risk factors might explain part of the Black–White disparity in hypertension.
The fine-grainedness of poetry: A new argument against the received view
Authors: Glavaničová Daniela , Kosterec Miloš
Published: December 2020

This paper formulates a new argument against the received view in the philosophy of poetry. The received view consists of three tenets: the unity of poetic form and poetic content; the impossibility of paraphrasing and translating poetry; and the hyperintensionality of poetry. We will explore the same detour via direct quotation that has been used by proponents of the received view. We will argue that the hyperintensionality and unity of quotation do not guarantee its untranslatability, and thus that the inference of untranslatability from hyperintensionality and unity is not universally valid. As a consequence, the claim that poetry cannot be translated is left without much support, since it relies on the same kind of inference. However, this does not mean that poetry is translatable; it means only that if it is not translatable, this is due to something other than the combination of hyperintensionality and unity.
Physiological costs and age constraints of a sexual ornament: an experimental study in a wild bird
Authors: McQueen Alexandra , Delhey Kaspar , Szecsenyi Beatrice , Crino Ondi L , Roast Michael J , Peters Anne
Published: December 2020

Sexual ornaments are often considered honest signals of quality because potential costs or constraints prevent their display by low-quality individuals. Testing for potential physiological costs of ornaments is difficult, as this requires experimentally forcing individuals to produce and display elaborate ornaments. We use this approach to test whether a sexually selected trait is physiologically costly to male superb fairy-wrens (Malurus cyaneus). Male fairy-wrens molt from brown to blue breeding plumage at different times of the year, and females strongly prefer the few males that are blue early, during winter. We used short-acting testosterone implants to stimulate males to produce “early-blue” plumage and assessed costs during and after molt using a panel of physiological indices. Testosterone-implanted, T-males molted in winter and produced blue plumage 6 weeks before control-implanted, C-males. T-males molted while in lower body condition, tended to have lower fat reserves, and were more likely to be parasitized by lice. However, we detected no negative effects on immune function, blood parasites, exposure to stressors, or survival. Juvenile males never naturally display early-blue plumage, but we found no evidence for increased costs paid by juvenile T-males. Instead, juvenile T-males molted later than adult T-males, suggesting that age presents an absolute constraint on ornament exaggeration that cannot be fully overcome by testosterone treatment. Together, these small costs and large, age-related constraints may enforce signal honesty, and explain female preference for early-blue males.
Aerial attack strategies of hawks hunting bats, and the adaptive benefits of swarming
Authors: Brighton Caroline H , Zusi Lillias , McGowan Kathryn A , Kinniry Morgan , Kloepper Laura N , Taylor Graham K
Published: December 2020

Aggregation can reduce an individual’s predation risk, by decreasing predator hunting efficiency or displacing predation onto others. Here, we explore how the behaviors of predator and prey influence catch success and predation risk in Swainson’s hawks Buteo swainsoni attacking swarming Brazilian free-tailed bats Tadarida brasiliensis on emergence. Lone bats including stragglers have a high relative risk of predation, representing ~5% of the catch but ~0.2% of the population. Attacks on the column were no less successful than attacks on lone bats, so hunting efficiency is not decreased by group vigilance or confusion. Instead, lone bats were attacked disproportionately often, representing ~10% of all attacks. Swarming therefore displaces the burden of predation onto bats outside the column—whether as isolated wanderers not benefitting from dilution through attack abatement, or as peripheral stragglers suffering marginal predation and possible selfish herd effects. In contrast, the hawks’ catch success depended only on the attack maneuvers that they employed, with the odds of success being more than trebled in attacks involving a high-speed stoop or rolling grab. Most attacks involved one of these two maneuvers, which therefore represent alternative rather than complementary tactics. Hence, whereas a bat’s survival depends on maintaining column formation, a hawk’s success does not depend on attacking lone bats—even though their tendency to do so is sufficient to explain the adaptive benefits of their prey’s aggregation behavior. A hawk’s success instead depends on the flight maneuvers it deploys, including the high-speed stoop that is characteristic of many raptors.

Swarming bats emerging from a massive desert roost reduce their predation risk by maintaining tight column formation, because the hawks that predate them attack peripheral stragglers and isolated wanderers disproportionately. Whereas a bat’s predation risk depends on maintaining its position within the column, the catch success of a hawk depends on how it maneuvers itself to attack, and is maximized by executing a high-speed dive or rolling grab maneuver.
VINYL: Variant prIoritizatioN bY survivaL analysis
Authors: Chiara Matteo , Mandreoli Pietro , Tangaro Marco Antonio , D’Erchia Anna Maria , Sorrentino Sandro , Forleo Cinzia , Horner David S , Zambelli Federico , Pesole Graziano
Published: December 2020

Motivation

Clinical applications of genome re-sequencing technologies typically generate large amounts of data that need to be carefully annotated and interpreted to identify genetic variants potentially associated with pathological conditions. In this context, accurate and reproducible methods for the functional annotation and prioritization of genetic variants are of fundamental importance.

Results

In this article, we present VINYL, a flexible and fully automated system for the functional annotation and prioritization of genetic variants. Extensive analyses of both real and simulated datasets suggest that VINYL can identify clinically relevant genetic variants in a more accurate manner compared to equivalent state of the art methods, allowing a more rapid and effective prioritization of genetic variants in different experimental settings. As such we believe that VINYL can establish itself as a valuable tool to assist healthcare operators and researchers in clinical genomics investigations.

Availability and implementation

VINYL is available at http://beaconlab.it/VINYL and https://github.com/matteo14c/VINYL.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Jagged Ends of Urinary Cell-Free DNA: Characterization and Feasibility Assessment in Bladder Cancer Detection
Authors: Zhou Ze , Cheng Suk Hang , Ding Spencer C , Heung Macy M S , Xie Tingting , Cheng Timothy H T , Lam W K Jacky , Peng Wenlei , Teoh Jeremy Y C , Chiu Peter K F , Ng Chi-Fai , Jiang Peiyong , Chan K C Allen , Chiu Rossa W K , Lo Y M Dennis
Published: December 2020

Background

Double-stranded DNA in plasma is known to carry single-stranded ends, called jagged ends. Plasma DNA jagged ends are biomarkers for pathophysiologic states such as pregnancy and cancer. It remains unknown whether urinary cell-free DNA (cfDNA) molecules have jagged ends.

Methods

Jagged ends of cfDNA were detected by incorporating unmethylated cytosines during a DNA end-repair process, followed by bisulfite sequencing. Incorporation of unmethylated cytosines during the repair of the jagged ends lowered the apparent methylation levels measured by bisulfite sequencing and were used to calculate a jagged end index. This approach is called jagged end analysis by sequencing.

Results

The jagged end index of urinary cfDNA was higher than that of plasma DNA. The jagged end index profile of plasma DNA displayed several strongly oscillating major peaks at intervals of approximately 165 bp (i.e., nucleosome size) and weakly oscillating minor peaks with periodicities of approximately 10 bp. In contrast, the urinary DNA jagged end index profile showed weakly oscillating major peaks but strongly oscillating minor peaks. The jagged end index was generally higher in nucleosomal linker DNA regions. Patients with bladder cancer (n = 46) had lower jagged end indexed of urinary DNA than participants without bladder cancer (n = 39). The area under the curve for differentiating between patients with and without bladder cancer was 0.83.

Conclusions

Jagged ends represent a property of urinary cfDNA. The generation of jagged ends might be related to nucleosomal structures, with enrichment in linker DNA regions. Jagged ends of urinary DNA could potentially serve as a new biomarker for bladder cancer detection.
An exceptionally giant left atrial myxoma: a case report and literature review
Authors: Al-Zamkan Bassil Khalil , Hashem Anas Mohamad , Alaaeldin Samir Ahmed , Abdel Aziz Mohamed
Published: December 2020

Background

Cardiac myxomas are considered the most common benign heart tumours. The clinical manifestations mainly depend on the size of the tumour. They usually vary from asymptomatic, mild non-specific symptoms, to severe obstructive cardiac and systemic findings. We describe herein a significantly large left atrial myxoma in a patient misdiagnosed with respiratory asthma.

Case summary

A 54-year-old lady, was diagnosed previously with asthma, presented with a history of dyspnoea on exertion, palpitations, and mild peripheral oedema. Chest X-ray suggested pulmonary congestion. Due to high suspicion of cardiac issues, transthoracic echocardiography was done revealing giant left atrial mass. Consequently, the mass was approached and excised surgically through the inverted T biatrial incision. Grossly, the mass measured 10 × 8 × 6 cm, and it had a smooth surface and was filled with gelatinous material. The histopathology confirmed benign myxoma without malignant features.

Discussion

Our article mainly focuses on the diagnostic challenges of a patient with atrial myxoma. The major discrepancy between the tumour size and the severity of the patient’s symptoms should draw physicians’ attention to consider atrial myxoma over a long list of differentials, in order to take immediate action to reduce the mortality and improve the overall prognosis.
A case series of ventricular cystic masses
Authors: Tong Jieli , Low Randal Jun Bang , Joseph Francis Prabath , Ong Paul Jau Lueng , Lee Evelyn Min
Published: December 2020

Background

Ventricular cystic masses are uncommon. Elucidating the cause is essential for early directed therapy and prevention of complications. We present two cases of ventricular cystic masses, one in each ventricle, after myocardial infarction (MI) and ventricular septal rupture (VSR), respectively.

Case summary

Patient 1 is a 58-year-old male with left brachio-facial stroke and evolved anterior MI. A left ventricular (LV) cystic thrombus was seen on transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. He was started on anticoagulation with reduction in thrombus size 11 days later. Patient 2 is a 67-year-old male with evolved anterior MI, severe LV systolic dysfunction, and normal right ventricular (RV) function. He was readmitted two weeks later with fever, heart failure, Streptococcus agalactiae bacteraemia, and septic pulmonary emboli. Transthoracic echocardiogram showed biventricular systolic dysfunction and a RV cystic mass associated with a partial VSR. He was treated with anticoagulation and antibiotics. Repeat TTE 5 weeks later revealed near resolution of the cystic mass and complete VSR. Cardiac magnetic resonance confirmed these findings and also showed a localized mid-septal transmural infarction at the VSR site. He underwent percutaneous coronary intervention to the left anterior descending and circumflex arteries, and percutaneous VSR closure with a muscular ventricular septal defect device later.

Discussion

Our two cases demonstrate that ventricular thrombi can present as cystic masses after MI and VSRs. Infectious, vascular, or oncogenic causes should be considered in the appropriate clinical context. Early diagnosis and treatment is essential to prevent embolic complications, and secondary infection.
Aging in Male Wistar Rats Associates With Changes in Intestinal Microbiota, Gut Structure, and Cholecystokinin-Mediated Gut–Brain Axis Function
Authors: Rubio Carmen , Lizárraga Esther , Álvarez-Cilleros David , Pérez-Pardo Paula , Sanmartín-Salinas Patricia , Toledo-Lobo M Val , Alvarez Carmen , Escrivá Fernando , Fernández-Lobato María , Guijarro Luis G , Valverde Angela M , Carrascosa José M
Published: December 2020

Aging in mammals is characterized by failure of the homeostatic mechanisms that regulate energy balance. Several mechanisms have been proposed such as the presence of a low-grade chronic inflammation in different tissues, as well as leptin and insulin resistance, but the primary alteration is not fully elucidated. The gut microbiota has recently emerged as a key player in a variety of metabolic and neurological disorders. A main concept in this context is the gut–brain axis that refers to alterations in the gut that mediate effects in the central nervous system, including those related with the control of energy balance. Using 16S rRNA analysis, we demonstrate that aged male Wistar rats have increased presence of mucin-degrading and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-producing bacteria. In addition, old animals exhibit a lower number of neutral mucin secreting goblet cells, and a decrease of tight junctions and adherens junctions marker proteins, zonula occludens protein-1 (ZO-1) and β-catenin, respectively. These data are compatible with a thinner mucus layer and a weaker gut barrier in older animals that likely facilitate LPS leakage. Our data also show that cholecystokinin (CCK) satiating effect is impaired in aged rats, one of the expected effects of increased LPS leakage. In contrast, no overt signs of gut or systemic inflammation are observed. Changes in microbiota in old male Wistar rats present features of situations of increased adiposity, but different from those of obese animals. These could partly explain the increased adiposity and fat deposition in liver and heart as observed here.
Person-Centered Care in Persons Living With Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Lee Kyung Hee , Lee Ji Yeon , Kim Bora
Published: December 2020

Background and Objectives

The concept of person-centered care has been utilized/adapted to various interventions to enhance health-related outcomes and ensure the quality of care delivered to persons living with dementia. A few systematic reviews have been conducted on the use of person-centered interventions in the context of dementia care, but to date, none have analyzed intervention effect by intervention type and target outcome. This study aimed to review person-centered interventions used in the context of dementia care and examine their effectiveness.

Research Design and Methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted. We searched through 5 databases for randomized controlled trials that utilized person-centered interventions in persons living with dementia from 1998 to 2019. Study quality was assessed using the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence checklist. The outcomes of interest for the meta-analysis were behavioral and psychological symptoms in dementia (BPSD) and cognitive function assessed immediately after the baseline measurement.

Results

In total, 36 studies were systematically reviewed. Intervention types were reminiscence, music, and cognitive therapies, and multisensory stimulation. Thirty studies were included in the meta-analysis. Results showed a moderate effect size for overall intervention, a small one for music therapy, and a moderate one for reminiscence therapy on BPSD and cognitive function.

Discussion and Implications

Generally speaking, person-centered interventions showed immediate intervention effects on reducing BPSD and improving cognitive function, although the effect size and significance of each outcome differed by intervention type. Thus, health care providers should consider person-centered interventions as a vital element in dementia care.
Experimental design to reduce inductive coupling in spectral electrical impedance tomography (sEIT) measurements
Authors: Wang Haoran , Huisman Johan Alexander , Zimmermann Egon , Vereecken Harry
Published: December 2020

Spectral electrical impedance tomography (sEIT) is a promising method to image the subsurface complex resistivity distribution in a broad frequency range (i.e. mHz to kHz). However, inductive coupling between cables is known to affect measurement accuracy for frequencies above 50 Hz. Previous studies have proposed correction methods, but these have not been widely adopted yet. In this study, we evaluated the influence of inductive coupling on the measured complex impedance for different electrode and cable configurations. We propose a novel index to evaluate the inductive coupling strength and use it to develop a filter that selects data with limited inductive coupling. In a first step, the inductive coupling strength of a fan-shaped and parallel cable layout were evaluated. It was found that the fan-shaped layout provided more measurements with low inductive coupling strength. Using a synthetic modeling study with a fan-shaped cable layout, we then showed that it is possible to achieve good inversion results without data correction if measurements with high inductive coupling strength are filtered out before inversion. In a final step, we use the novel filtering approach based on inductive coupling strength with actual surface sEIT measurements. The EIT inversion results based on the filtered data corresponded well with inversion results using data corrected for inductive coupling and also showed good spectral consistency. It was concluded that it is possible to achieve reliable inversion results without data correction for inductive coupling when a fan-shaped layout and configurations with sufficiently low inductive coupling strength are used.
Teacher and Parental Perceptions of Performance Pay in Education: Evidence from Tanzania
Authors: Mbiti Isaac , Schipper Youdi
Published: December 2020

This paper presents evidence on teacher opinions regarding performance pay from a large experimental evaluation that included three interventions: a school grant program, a teacher performance pay program and a combination of both programs. The experimental evaluation was conducted in a nationally representative sample of 350 public primary schools across 10 districts in Tanzania. We report four sets of results. First, approximately 96% of teachers support the idea of teacher performance pay, while 61% favour at least some performance-linked element in a future salary increase. Further, 80% of head teachers support performance pay. Second, we find that exposure to a performance pay program has a limited positive impact on teacher support for performance pay. Third, contrary to arguments from performance pay critics that such programs adversely affect the work environment in schools, we find that teachers in all the experimental arms report higher satisfaction with the work environment and job support. Fourth, we find that a majority of parents (55%) prefer performance pay over school grants, but exposure to the experimental programs does not change this preference.
Financial Hardship in Survivorship Care Delivery
Authors: Smith Grace L , Mendoza Tito R , Lowenstein Lisa M , Shih Ya-Chen Tina
Published: December 2020

Cancer-related financial hardship is highly prevalent and affects individuals in the setting of cancer care delivery across the survivorship trajectory. Mitigating financial hardship requires multi-level solutions at the policy, payer, health-care system, provider, and individual patient levels. At the highest level, strategies for intervention include enacting policies to improve price transparency and expand insurance coverage. Also needed are implementing systematic screening and financial navigation in cancer care delivery; improving cost communication by provider care teams; developing patient-reported measures that incorporate the multiple, complex dimensions of financial hardship, as reflected in the Economic Strain and Resilience in Cancer tool; and advancing electronic medical record infrastructure to manage data on patient financial hardship. For individual patients, activating their social networks, community resources, and employers provides patient-level support resources to enhance coping. The proposed multi-level approach is needed to overcome financial hardship in the setting of high-quality, high-value cancer care delivery.
Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children in February 2020 and Implications of Genomic Sequencing for SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Parsons Emily , Timlin Matthew , Starr Clarise , Fries Anthony , Wells Ronald , Studer Matthew , Sainato Rebecca
Published: December 2020

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a newly recognized disease process that can complicate severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. We present what we believe to be the earliest case of MIS-C, occurring in February 2020. Our patient’s SARS-CoV-2 infection was caused by an emerging lineage with the D614G variant in the spike protein. This lineage would subsequently become the predominant cause of SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks in Europe and the United States where MIS-C was first described.
Similar History and Different Strategies of ‘Arrival’: Female Yazidi Survivors of the Islamic State in Germany
Authors: Masadeh Mais , Pries Ludger
Published: December 2020

Border crossing migration always includes (re-)negotiation of world views, home and the meaning of arrival. This negotiation of arrival takes place within the broader societal contexts of the countries of origin and of arrival but is also a mediation with oneself and with social networks. This holds true especially for refugees and émigrés who have to leave their habitual places of living involuntarily. This paper examines the lives of Yazidi women, who survived captivity and sexual enslavement by the self-declared Islamic State and subsequently decided to resettle from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to Germany. First, the study addresses the complex processes of managing and re-establishing social belongings with a sociological concept of arrival and outlines some lessons from historical forced migration research. It then presents the findings and analysis of five face-to-face narrative interviews with Yazidi survivors. What similarities and differences exist between these individuals and historical cases of forced migrants and their arrival? Are there different patterns of coping with their individual and collective experiences and of developing new life projects? Our findings show how Yazidi émigrés continue to experience and negotiate the complexities of migration between weak and strong belonging to social spaces of origin and of arrival.
The Value of Refugees: UNHCR and the Growth of the Global Refugee Industry
Authors: Morris Julia
Published: December 2020

Human movement from conflict and the desire for different livelihoods have been abiding features of most social orders. Yet, the categorization of people as refugees and specific international refugee laws and welfare programmes is a recent endeavour. This article looks at the key factors driving the international refugee regime’s expansion. It argues that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has played a central role in this regard, advancing categorizations of displaced persons in refugee terms to ensure its survival and growth over the years. By tracing the historical development of the refugee regime, we can better understand how the control of human movement has become constituted in ways that foster organizational growth and geopolitical legitimacy, under the authority of humanitarianism.