bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The antroduodenal transition time is prolonged in adults with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Brock Christina , Liao Donghua , Wegeberg Anne‐Marie , Mohr Drewes Asbjørn
Published: April 2021

Background

The gastroparetic syndrome encompasses antral hypomotility, gastric dysrhythmia, impaired antroduodenal coordination, pyloric dysfunction, and abnormal duodenal motility; the last three collectively referred to as pylorospasms. We hypothesized that antroduodenal motility is diminished and transition time is prolonged in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and polyneuropathy.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study included 124 participants, of which 21 were healthy, 53 had T1D and 50 had T1D with distal symmetrical polyneuropathy (T1D + DSPN). We used the wireless motility capsule to assess antroduodenal transition time, gastric emptying time, gastric and small bowel motility indices (MI), and numbers of alkalic/acidic exposures.

Results

In comparison with controls, patients with T1D had prolonged antroduodenal transition time (1.85±1.5 vs. 6.6±4.8 minutes; p=0.02), which was even more pronounced in patients with T1D+DSPN (1.85±1.5 vs. 17.8±28.5 minutes; p<0.008. T1D+DSPN tended to have diminished gastric MI (11.9±2.4 vs. 12.7±1.0, p=0.07) and small bowel MI (13.1±1.4 vs. 13.6±0.6, p=0.05) and experienced more antral/pyloric alkalic episodes (1.2±1.3 vs. 2.0±2.1, p=0.02) compared with controls.

Conclusion

The current method may assess a proxy for severity of pylorospasms in patients with diabetes and other diseases associated with upper gastrointestinal motility disorders, which ultimately may optimize future management.
Compatibilism from the inside out1
Authors: Bailey Andrew M.
Published: April 2021

In this article, I focus on internal dimensions of moral responsibility. I argue that if there are such dimensions, then moral responsibility is compatible with determinism.
The OsIME4 gene identified as a key to meiosis initiation by RNA in situ hybridization
Authors: Zhou W. , Li Z. , Zhang J. , Mou B. , Zhou W.
Published: April 2021

The formation of asexual seeds in plants holds great promise as a breeding system for one‐line hybrid rice. Entry into meiosis is a key developmental decision in gametogenesis, especially in formation of asexual seeds in plants. Apomeiosis in MeMCs can be achieved by identifying and manipulating meiosis‐specific genes.

Using methods based on in situ hybridization and expression analysis, we identified OsIME4 (inducer of meiosis 4) sense and antisense transcripts involved in rice meiosis initiation, similar to initiation of meiosis in budding yeast.

Our data suggest that the OsIME4 sense transcript, which encodes a putative mRNA N6‐adenosine methyltransferase, keeps rice cells at mitosis stage through some form of epigenesis (DNA/RNA methylation), and the non‐coding antisense transcript of OsIME4 converts the cell status from mitosis to meiosis by inhibiting expression (transcription and translation) of the sense transcript. We identified that the non‐coding antisense transcript of OsIME4 converts archesporial cell status from mitosis to meiosis by inhibiting expression of the OsIME4 sense transcript in rice.

Our results provide novel insights into meiosis initiation in rice and for engineering of apomixis in sexual crops by manipulating the OsIME4 sense and antisense transcripts, which has great promise for producing apomictic rice in the future.
Ethnicity or Policy? The Conditioning of Intergroup Trust in the Context of Ethnic Conflict
Authors: Carlin Ryan E. , González Roberto , Love Gregory J. , Miranda Daniel Andres , Navia Patricio D.
Published: April 2021

How do stances on public policies aimed at ethnic conflict resolution affect intergroup trust? Building on theories of prosociality, social identity, and intergroup bias, we expect redistributive policy preferences meant to resolve ethnic conflict to replace ethnicity as the main barrier to intergroup trust because their zero‐sum nature raises intergroup threat. We test our expectations in Chile's ongoing indigenous/nonindigenous conflict using behavioral trust games embedded in an online nationally representative quota survey (n = 1105). Results align with our expectation. Namely, a lack of shared ethnic identity between nonindigenous Chileans and indigenous Mapuche does not lower intergroup trust. However, shared stances on a policy that would raise taxes to spur development in indigenous communities do increase intergroup trust discrimination. We probe the psychological mechanism—meaningful policy‐based group identities—by testing whether trustor indigenous identification and trustor political ideology moderate the effect of trustee policy stances on intergroup trust. Results are consistent with our assumption that shared policy stances can, indeed, form the basis of a meaningful social identity. Hence the very policies meant to end intergroup conflict could potentially perpetuate or redirect it to institutional channels of representation.
Histone acetylation of 45S rDNA correlates with disrupted nucleolar organization during heat stress response in Zea mays L.
Authors: Yue Mengxia , Gautam Mayank , Chen Zhenfei , Hou Jiaqi , Zheng Xueke , Hou Haoli , Li Lijia
Published: April 2021

The role of the nucleolus in plant response to heat stress remains largely obscure. Our current efforts focused on exploring the underlying mechanism by which nucleolar disorganization is regulated in heat stressed‐maize lines. Here, two maize lines, a heat‐sensitive line, ZD958, and a heat‐tolerant line, ZDH, were submitted to heat stress for investigating their association with the nucleolar disruption. Immunofluorescence staining showed that nucleolar disruption increased with prolonged treatment time. After heat treatment, a significant change in nucleolus organization was observed in the ZD958 line, but the ZDH line showed mild alteration. Moreover, actinomycin D (ActD)‐induced nucleolus fission led to inhibition of maize growth under the normal condition. The ZD958 line exhibited a significant increase in the level of H3K9ac and H4K5ac of the 45S rDNA accompanied by a higher transcription of the 5′‐external transcribed spacer (ETS) region, while the line ZDH showed a slight increase in histone acetylation levels and the transcriptional initiation at this site after heat treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first report providing a comparative insight between heat stress, rDNA histone modifications, and nucleolus disintegration in a heat‐tolerant ZDH compared with a heat‐sensitive line ZD958. Our investigation might assist maize breeders in obtaining heat‐tolerant lines by targeting nucleoli using epigenetics.
Behavioural disorders in Alzheimer's disease: the descriptive and predictive role of brain 18F‐fluorodesoxyglucose‐positron emission tomography
Authors: Cappelletto Pietro , Polito Cristina , Berti Valentina , Lombardi Gemma , Lucidi Giulia , Bessi Valentina , Sorbi Sandro , Ferrari Camilla
Published: April 2021

Background

Alzheimer's disease (AD) has a high incidence in the elderly. Besides cognitive disorders, patients may also develop behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), which can be particularly disabling for patients and families. BPSD encompass a wide range of symptoms, among which psychotic symptoms and disruptive behaviours often prompt the first related hospitalization and request for family support. The aetiological mechanism of BPSD has not yet been clarified, and no predictive or risk factors have been identified. The main objectives of our study are to describe the frequency of aggression/agitation and psychotic symptoms, defined ‘positive BPSD’, in a cohort of 60 AD patients, identify areas of the brain involved in behavioural symptomatology through brain 18F‐fluorodesoxyglucose‐positron emission tomography (FDG‐PET), and investigate a potential predictive role of brain FDG‐PET in BPSD development.

Methods

A cohort of 60 AD patients was retrospectively enrolled and regularly followed for at least 3 years. Each subject underwent brain FDG‐PET at the time of diagnosis. Patients were divided into three groups based on the presence of behavioural disturbances: present, absent, and developed later.

Results

Of the 60 AD patients in the cohort, 52% had positive BPSD: 17 at baseline and 14 during the 3‐year follow‐up. FDG‐PET identified an association between hypometabolism in the bilateral temporal lobes and the presence of BPSD, and showed initial hypometabolism in the postero‐temporal lobes 3 years before symptom onset.

Conclusions

Positive BPSD are frequently manifested in AD. Our study identified the temporal lobes as the neurobiological substrate of positive BPSD and FDG‐PET as a potential instument to predict their developement. Temporal lobes are involved in processing facial expression and recognizing emotions; an impairment of these functions could cause delusions and agitated/aggressive behaviour. To confirm the potential predictive role of FDG‐PET in the onset of BPSD in AD, further studies are needed.
Hydraulics of circular bottom intake orifices
Authors: Gogus Mustafa , Bulut Muhammed , Ucar Muhammed
Published: April 2021

In this study, the hydraulic characteristics of circular bottom intake orifices were investigated in a hydraulic model. The structure diverts the river‐flow to a hydroelectric power plant through circular orifices located at the bottom of the channel. In the model, a series of circular holes of various diameters and locations at the bottom of a channel in the form of single and multiple holes were tested for different flowrates and screen angles (θ) to determine the flow diverting capacity of them. Discharges passing through orifices at known locations (x) and diameters (d) and screen slopes (θ) were measured and recorded along with the related main channel flow rates and depths (h). Using the dimensional analysis approach, an expression for the flow rate diverted from the main channel was derived as a function of related parameters, and their variations with each other were presented graphically and empirical equations were determined. Referring to the graphs and empirical equations, one can determine the discharge capacity of single and multiple intake orifices, which is important to calculate the amount of flow to be diverted from the main channel within the ranges of the related parameters used in this study.
Design and Performance Testing of a Novel In Vivo Laparoscope Lens Cleaning Device
Authors: Idelson Christopher , Uecker John , Garcia James A. , Kohli Sunjna , Handing Greta , Sriramprasad Vishrudh , Yong Kirstie , Rylander Christopher
Published: April 2021

A common tool for diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal, gynecologic, and other anatomical pathologies is a form of minimally invasive surgery known as laparoscopy. Roughly 4 × 106 laparoscopic surgeries are performed in the U.S. every year, with an estimated 15 × 106 globally. During surgeries, lens clarity often becomes impaired via (1) condensation or (2) smearing of bodily fluids and tissues. The current gold standard solution requires scope removal from the body for cleaning, offering opportunity for decreased surgical safety and efficiency, while simultaneously generating mounting frustration for the operating room team. A novel lens cleaning device was designed and developed to clean a laparoscope lens in vivo during surgery. Benchtop experiments in a warm body simulated environment allowed quantification of lens cleaning efficacy for several lens contaminants. Image analysis techniques detected the differences between original (clean), postdebris, and postcleaning images. Mechanical testing was also executed to determine safety levels regarding potential misuse scenarios. Compared to gold standard device technologies, the novel lens cleaning device prototype showed strong performance and ability to clear a laparoscope lens of debris while mitigating the need for scope removal from the simulated surgical cavity. Mechanical testing results also suggest the design also holds inherently strong safety performance. Both objective metrics and subjective observation suggests the novel design holds promise to improve safety and efficiency during laparoscopic surgery.
Numerical Analysis of the Kinematic Working Capability of Mechanisms
Authors: Yang Feng-Cheng , Haug Edward J.
Published: April 2021

An approach to numerical analysis of the kinematic dexterity of mechanisms is presented. Dextrous workspace problems are defined and illustrated. Composite workspaces are introduced to characterize both positioning and orienting capabilities of mechanisms. Using the composite workspace, numerical techniques for dextrous workspace analysis are presented. A numerical formulation and computer implementation that incorporates computer graphics and a numerical algorithm for solving systems of nonlinear equations are presented. Examples are given to illustrate the techniques developed.
Comparison Between Structural and Computational Decomposition in Parallel Processing of Design Optimization
Authors: El-Sayed Mohamed E. M. , Hsiung Ching-Kuo
Published: April 2021

This paper presents a comparison between two different approaches for parallel computation of structural optimization problems. The first approach decomposes the original structure into several substructures and assigns each substructure to one processor. Each processor handles the finite element calculation of its assigned substructure independently with limited communication between processors. The second approach decomposes the computation of constraint’s gradient evaluation. When a constraint’s gradient evaluation is needed the main processor decomposes it into several computation tasks, then assigns the computation tasks to the other available processors. To compare the speedup of the two approaches some numerical examples on the CRAY X-MP multi-processor system are presented.
The Metabolic Relevance of Type of Locomotion in Anaerobic Testing: Bosco Continuous Jumping Test Versus Wingate Anaerobic Test of the Same Duration
Authors: Kaufmann Sebastian , Hoos Olaf , Beck Aaron , Fueller Fabian , Latzel Richard , Beneke Ralph
Published: April 2021

Purpose: To evaluate the metabolic relevance of type of locomotion in anaerobic testing by analyzing and comparing the metabolic profile of the Bosco Continuous Jumping Test (CJ30) with the corresponding profile of the Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT). Methods: A total of 11 well-trained, male team-sport athletes (age = 23.7 [2.2] y, height = 184.1 [2.8] cm, weight = 82.4 [6.4] kg) completed a CJ30 and WAnT each. During the WAnT, power data and revolutions per minute were recorded, and during the CJ30, jump height and jumping frequency were recorded. In addition, oxygen uptake and blood lactate concentration were assessed, and metabolic profiles were determined via the PCr-LA-O2 method. Results: In the CJ30, metabolic energy was lower (109.3 [18.0] vs 143.0 [13.1] kJ, P < .001, d = −2.302), while peak power (24.8 [4.4] vs 11.8 [0.5] W·kg−1, P < .001, d = 3.59) and mean power (20.8 [3.6] vs 9.1 [0.5] W·kg−1, P < .001, d = 4.14) were higher than in the WAnT. The metabolic profiles of the CJ30 (aerobic energy = 20.00% [4.7%], anaerobic alactic energy [WPCr] = 45.6% [4.5%], anaerobic lactic energy = 34.4% [5.2%]) and the WAnT (aerobic energy = 16.0% [3.0%], anaerobic alactic WPCr = 34.5% [5.0%], anaerobic lactic energy = 49.5% [3.3%]) are highly anaerobic. Absolute energy contribution for the CJ30 and WAnT was equal in WPCr (49.9 [11.1] vs 50.2 [11.2] kJ), but anaerobic lactic energy (37.7 [7.7] vs 69.9 [5.3] kJ) and aerobic energy (20.6 [5.7] vs 23.0 [4.0] kJ) were higher in the WAnT. Mechanical efficiency was substantially higher in the CJ30 (37.9% [4.5%] vs 15.6% [1.0%], P < .001, d = 6.86), while the fatigue index was lower (18.5% [3.8%] vs 23.2% [3.1%], P < .001, d = −1.38) than in the WAnT. Conclusions: Although the anaerobic share in both tests is similar and predominant, the CJ30 primarily taxes the WPCr system, while the WAnT more strongly relies on the glycolytic pathway. Thus, the 2 tests should not be used interchangeably, and the type of locomotion seems crucial when choosing an anaerobic test for a specific sport.
L’UFOLEP et sa commission scolaire sous la Quatrième République française : de la réhabilitation à l’embellie d’une voie sportive laïque dans l’école élémentaire
Authors: Claverie Éric , Krier Julien , Loudcher Jean-François
Published: April 2021

Cette recherche se propose d'éclairer la renaissance d’une fédération affinitaire sous la Quatrième République française, l’UFOLEP. Elle met l’accent sur les difficultés de reconstruction, puis sur la réussite à trouver un espace de développement. Celui-ci prend la voie de l'école élémentaire, par le biais de son ancienne commission scolaire : l’USEP. Dans ce cadre parascolaire, qui rayonne peu à peu à l’enseignement de l’EPS lui-même, l’USEP développe des innovations conformes à son éthique en faveur d’une éducation physique et d’un sport éducatif protégé des voies fédérales classiques. Cette orientation sportive (et non voie) s’accorde bien avec le registre doctrinal de la Ligue de l’Enseignement qui héberge ce mouvement sportif, autour d’une idée laïque repensée dans cette France d’après-guerre. En revanche l’UFOLEP peine à développer sa voie postscolaire qui, après s'être redressée, stagne.
Sale of building to Qatar deepens Carnegie rifts
Authors: Wadman Meredith
Published: April 2021

Some scientists see deal and reorganization as "corporatization" of historic institution.
Unleashing big muddy
Authors: Cornwall Warren
Published: April 2021

By sending Mississippi waters on a new course, engineers hope to build new land—and test ways to save a retreating coast.
Addressing racial inequities in medicine
Authors: Fair Malika A. , Johnson Sherese B.
Published: April 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the need to dismantle structural racism that perpetuates health inequities
A spotlight on the elusive striatal cholinergic interneuron
Authors: Ingebretson Anna E. , Lemos Julia C.
Published: April 2021

A new role for the ubiquitous integrated stress response pathway in striatal-dependent learning and memory
Healing without scarring
Authors: Konieczny Piotr , Naik Shruti
Published: April 2021

A gene regulatory circuit directs tissue regeneration and limits fibrosis
Fetal lung underdevelopment is rescued by administration of amniotic fluid stem cell extracellular vesicles in rodents
Authors: Antounians Lina , Catania Vincenzo D. , Montalva Louise , Liu Benjamin D. , Hou Huayun , Chan Cadia , Matei Andreea C. , Tzanetakis Areti , Li Bo , Figueira Rebeca L. , da Costa Karina M. , Wong Amy P. , Mitchell Robert , David Anna L. , Patel Ketan , De Coppi Paolo , Sbragia Lourenço , Wilson Michael D. , Rossant Janet , Zani Augusto
Published: April 2021

Administration of extracellular vesicles derived from amniotic fluid stem cells regenerates underdeveloped fetal lungs in rodents.
Patient-derived glial enriched progenitors repair functional deficits due to white matter stroke and vascular dementia in rodents
Authors: Llorente Irene L. , Xie Yuan , Mazzitelli Jose A. , Hatanaka Emily A. , Cinkornpumin Jessica , Miller David R. , Lin Ying , Lowry William E. , Carmichael S. Thomas
Published: April 2021

A specific prorepair glial stem cell therapy promotes brain repair in vascular dementia in rodent models.
Dual mTORC1/mTORC2 Inhibition as a Host-Directed Therapeutic Target in Pathologically Distinct Mouse Models of Tuberculosis
Authors: Tasneen Rokeya , Mortensen Deborah S. , Converse Paul J. , Urbanowski Michael E. , Upton Anna , Fotouhi Nader , Nuermberger Eric , Hawryluk Natalie
Published: April 2021

Efforts to develop more effective and shorter-course therapies for tuberculosis have included a focus on host-directed therapy (HDT). The goal of HDT is to modulate the host response to infection, thereby improving immune defenses to reduce the duration of antibacterial therapy and/or the amount of lung damage.
Supplemental Material: First U-Pb dating of fossilized soft tissue using a new approach to paleontological chronometry
Authors: Rochín-Bañaga Heriberto , al. et
Published: April 2021

Details of the analytical method.
Asymptotic Justification of the Models of Thin Inclusions in an Elastic Body in the Antiplane Shear Problem
Authors: Rudoy E. M. , Itou H. , Lazarev N. P.
Published: April 2021

The equilibrium problem for an elastic body having an inhomogeneous inclusion with
curvilinear boundaries is considered within the framework of antiplane shear. We assume that
there is a power-law dependence of the shear modulus of the inclusion on a small parameter
characterizing its width. We justify passage to the limit as the parameter vanishes and construct
an asymptotic model of an elastic body containing a thin inclusion. We also show that, depending
on the exponent of the parameter, there are the five types of thin inclusions: crack, rigid inclusion,
ideal contact, elastic inclusion, and a crack with adhesive interaction of the faces. The strong
convergence is established of the family of solutions of the original problem to the solution of the
limiting one.
Case of rare association of peripheral neuropathy with mixed connective tissue disorder
Authors: Sethi Prativa Priyadarshani , Sudan Aditya , Kumari Suman , Pathania Monika
Published: April 2021

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is probably the best-recognised progressive immune-mediated peripheral neuropathy. It presents with symmetrical, motor predominant peripheral neuropathy that produces both distal and proximal weakness. Here we report a case of a 38-year-old man who presented with chronic additive large and small joint inflammatory polyarthritis, associated with morning stiffness, anasarca associated with frothy urine and progressive episodic, relapsing and remitting, sensorimotor lower motor neuron type quadriparesis without any bladder and bowel involvement. He was diagnosed as a case of CIDP, and the aetiology was found out to be mixed connective tissue disorder, which is a rare association with CIDP. The patient responded dramatically to glucocorticoid.
Bouveret syndrome: a rare cause of gastric outlet obstruction
Authors: Smith Christopher , Singh Shailendra , Vulliamy Paul , Mukherjee Samrat
Published: April 2021

Bouveret syndrome is a rare cause of gastric outlet obstruction. It is characterised by the presence of an obstructing gallstone in the pylorus or proximal duodenum, which has travelled to its obstructing position via an acquired fistula. Our case involves a 73-year-old man presenting to the acute surgical take with a 2-day history of right-sided abdominal pain and vomiting. His medical history included perforated cholecystitis treated with antibiotics and percutaneous gall bladder drainage, 1 year earlier. Examination and blood tests were suggestive of gastric outlet obstruction. CT abdomen and pelvis demonstrated a large gallstone obstructing the duodenum, confirming a diagnosis of Bouveret syndrome. The patient improved following gastrolithotomy, and was discharged 2 weeks postoperatively. Fistula formation is a complication of chronic cholecystitis and therefore Bouveret syndrome should be considered in patients with a background of gallstone disease presenting with gastric outlet obstruction.
Ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma of the left maxilla
Authors: Oliveira Santos Pedro , Cabrera Rafael , Vilares Miguel , Borges Alexandra
Published: April 2021

We report the case of a 25-year-old man with a maxillary ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma (GCOC). The patient presented to the maxillofacial and head and neck surgery clinic with a growing lump in the left maxilla. Initial workup with CT revealed a cystic lesion in the left upper jaw with associated bone erosion and an enhancing soft-tissue component. Enucleation showed a GCOC associated with a calcifying odontogenic cyst. After the diagnosis was obtained, the patient underwent widening of the first surgical resection. GCOCs are rare odontogenic neoplasms with unspecific clinical and imaging presentation, whose definitive characterisation is based on pathology. Current treatment approaches mainly involve surgical excision, but the prognosis is highly unpredictable due to intertumoral heterogeneity. As tumour recurrences occur in 73% of cases, radical surgery with negative margins is highly recommended. Therefore, it is essential to recognise this entity to offer patients adequate management.
Guillain-Barre syndrome following the first dose of the chimpanzee adenovirus-vectored COVID-19 vaccine, ChAdOx1
Authors: Patel Shreena Umit , Khurram Ruhaid , Lakhani Anjali , Quirk Bernadine
Published: April 2021

Prevention strategies for COVID-19 transmission are at the forefront of healthcare paradigms worldwide, the main emphasis of which is vaccination. We present an interesting case of a 37-year-old man who, 3 weeks following his first dose of the chimpanzee adenovirus-vectored COVID-19 vaccine, ChAdOx1, presented to hospital with a rapidly progressive ascending muscle weakness and back pain in the absence of any other triggers. He also had a negative COVID-19 swab during admission. A diagnosis of Guillain-Barre syndrome was confirmed by correlating the clinical features with cerebrospinal fluid analysis, nerve conduction studies and MRI of the brain and whole spine. The patient received treatment with 5 days of intravenous immunoglobulin and did not require any respiratory support. He was also regularly reviewed by a multidisciplinary team consisting of neurologists, speech and language therapists, and physiotherapists and is on the course to a recovery.
Ten-year impacts of China’s rural health scheme: lessons for universal health coverage
Authors: Zhang Yaoguang , Dong Di , Xu Ling , Miao Zhiwen , Mao Wenhui , Sloan Frank , Tang Shenglan
Published: April 2021

China has made profound progress in advancing universal health coverage (UHC) over the past two decades. New Cooperative Medical Scheme (NCMS) was initiated in 2003 to provide health insurance coverage to rural population. Its benefit packages and cost-sharing mechanism have changed significantly over time. This study aims to assess the impact of changing NCMS policies on NCMS enrollees’ service utilisation, medical financial burden and equity between 2003 and 2013. Data are from China National Health Services Survey (NHSS) which is conducted every 5 years. We used the subsample of NHSS that were enrolled in NCMS in 2003, 2008 and 2013. From 2003 to 2013, we found increased service utilisation and an elimination of inequity in service utilisation with respect to income. Contradicting prior findings of increasing financial burden after the NCMS implementation, we identified significant protective effect of NCMS against financial risks, and a reduction in percentage of households with high medical expenditure in the middle-income and high-income quintiles. The rural residents from the low-income groups have high financial risk, therefore, should be the priority target for future reforms. In pursuit of UHC globally, many countries struggle to provide good coverage to the disadvantaged rural population and balance between the competing priorities of various UHC dimensions. Our trend analysis revealed China’s two-stage approach with NCMS reform that first focused on expanding population coverage, then on service coverage and financial risk protection. This path could potentially be replicated in other middle-income and low-income countries to pave the way for UHC.
Experiences along the diagnostic pathway for patients with advanced lung cancer in the USA: a qualitative study
Authors: Al Achkar Morhaf , Zigman Suchsland Monica , Walter Fiona M , Neal Richard D , Goulart Bernardo H L , Thompson Matthew J
Published: April 2021

Background

Most patients with lung cancer are diagnosed at advanced stages. However, the advent of oral targeted therapies has improved the prognosis of many patients with lung cancer.

Purpose

We aimed to understand the diagnostic experiences of patients with advanced lung cancer with oncogenic mutations.

Methods

Qualitative interviews were conducted with patients with advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer with oncogenic alterations. Patients were recruited from online support groups within the USA. Interviews were conducted remotely or in person. Analysis used an iterative inductive and deductive process. Themes were mapped to the Model for Pathways to Treatment.

Results

40 patients (12 male and 28 female) with a median age of 48 were included. We identified nine distinct themes. During the ‘patient interval’, individuals became concerned about symptoms, but often attributed them to other causes. Prolonged or more severe symptoms prompted care-seeking. During the ‘primary care interval’, doctors initially treated for illnesses other than cancer. Discovery of an imaging abnormality was a turning point in diagnostic pathways. Occasionally, severity of symptoms prompted patients to seek emergency care. During the ‘secondary care interval’, obtaining tissue samples was pivotal in confirming diagnosis. Delays in accessing oncology care sometimes led to patient distress. Obtaining genetic testing was crucial in directing patients to receive targeted treatments.

Conclusions

Patients experienced multiple different routes to their diagnosis. Some patients perceived delays, inefficiencies and lack of coordination, which could be distressing. Shifting the stage of diagnosis of lung cancer to optimise the impact of targeted therapies will require concerted efforts in early detection.
Chronic headaches and middle meningeal artery embolization
Authors: Catapano Joshua S , Karahalios Katherine , Srinivasan Visish M , Baranoski Jacob F , Rutledge Caleb , Cole Tyler S , Ducruet Andrew F , Albuquerque Felipe C , Jadhav Ashutosh P
Published: April 2021

Background

The middle meningeal artery (MMA) has been implicated in chronic headaches, but no studies have examined the relationship between MMA embolization and headaches.

Methods

Patients treated with MMA embolization for a chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2020, were retrospectively assessed. Patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 15 at discharge received a follow-up telephone call to assess their history of chronic headache, defined as a headache ≥2 years before the cSDH and symptoms ≥2 days/month. A Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) was performed during the follow-up telephone call. The primary outcome was resolution or improvement of headaches after embolization.

Results

Of 76 patients undergoing MMA embolization for a cSDH during the study period, 56 (74%) had a discharge GCS score of 15. Of these 56 patients, 46 (82%) responded to a follow-up telephone call and were analyzed (mean [SD] age 68 [11] years; 36 [78%] men and 10 [22%] women). Nine (20%) reported chronic headaches before embolization. With a mean (SD) follow-up of 489 (173) days, eight of the nine patients reported improvement of chronic headaches, with seven having complete resolution. For these nine patients, the mean (SD) HIT-6 score was significantly higher before embolization than after embolization (64 [7.1] vs 40 [9.1], p<0.001).

Conclusion

In patients with chronic headaches who underwent MMA embolization for a cSDH, the majority reported improvement of headaches after the procedure. Future prospective studies are warranted to assess the usefulness of MMA embolization to treat chronic headaches.
Detection of carbapenem-resistance genes in bacteria isolated from wastewater in Ontario
Authors: Cooper Ashley L. , Carter Cassandra , McLeod Hana , Wright Marie , Sritharan Prithika , Tamber Sandeep , Wong Alex , Carrillo Catherine D. , Blais Burton W.
Published: April 2021

Bacterial carbapenem resistance is a major public health concern since these antimicrobials are often the last resort to treat serious human infections. To evaluate methodologies for detection of carbapenem resistance, carbapenem-tolerant bacteria were isolated from wastewater treatment plants in Toronto, Ottawa, and Arnprior, Ontario. A total of 135 carbapenem-tolerant bacteria were recovered. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) indicated the presence of carbapenem hydrolysing enzymes KPC ( n = 10), GES ( n = 5), VIM ( n = 7), and IMP ( n = 1), and β-lactamases TEM ( n = 7), PER ( n = 1), and OXA-variants ( n = 16). A subset of 46 isolates were sequenced and analysed using ResFinder and CARD-RGI. Both programs detected carbapenem resistance genes in 35 sequenced isolates and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) conferring resistance to multiple class of other antibiotics. Where β-lactamase resistance genes were not initially identified, lowering the thresholds for ARG detection enabled identification of closely related β-lactamases. However, no known carbapenem resistance genes were found in seven sequenced Pseudomonas spp. isolates. Also of note was a multi-drug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolate from Ottawa, which harboured resistance to seven antimicrobial classes including β-lactams. These results highlight the diversity of genes encoding carbapenem resistance in Ontario and the utility of whole genome sequencing over PCR for ARG detection where resistance may result from an assortment of genes.
Note on partitions into polynomials with number of parts in an arithmetic progression
Authors: Zhou Nian Hong
Published: April 2021

Let [Formula: see text] be a polynomial with the property that corresponding to every prime [Formula: see text] there exists an integer [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we establish some equidistributed results between the number of partitions of an integer [Formula: see text] whose parts are taken from the sequence [Formula: see text] and the number of parts of those partitions which are in a certain arithmetic progression.
On the solvability of the simultaneous Pell equations x2 − ay2 = 1 and y2 − bz2 = v12
Authors: Fu Ruiqin , Yang Hai
Published: April 2021

Let [Formula: see text] be fixed positive integers such that [Formula: see text] is not a perfect square and [Formula: see text] is squarefree, and let [Formula: see text] denote the number of distinct prime divisors of [Formula: see text]. Let [Formula: see text] denote the least solution of Pell equation [Formula: see text]. Further, for any positive integer [Formula: see text], let [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. In this paper, using the basic properties of Pell equations and some known results on binary quartic Diophantine equations, a necessary and sufficient condition for the system of equations [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] to have positive integer solutions [Formula: see text] is obtained. By this result, we prove that if [Formula: see text] has a positive integer solution [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text] according to [Formula: see text] or not, then [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is a positive integer, [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text] according to [Formula: see text] or not, [Formula: see text] is the integer part of [Formula: see text], except for [Formula: see text]
On the l.c.m. of shifted Fibonacci numbers
Authors: Sanna Carlo
Published: April 2021

Let [Formula: see text] be the sequence of Fibonacci numbers. Guy and Matiyasevich proved that [Formula: see text] where lcm is the least common multiple and [Formula: see text] is the golden ratio.

We prove that for every periodic sequence [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text] there exists an effectively computable rational number [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] Moreover, we show that if [Formula: see text] is a sequence of independent uniformly distributed random variables in [Formula: see text] then [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] is the dilogarithm function.
Cubic function fields with prescribed ramification
Authors: Karemaker Valentijn , Marques Sophie , Sijsling Jeroen
Published: April 2021

This paper describes cubic function fields [Formula: see text] with prescribed ramification, where [Formula: see text] is a rational function field. We give general equations for such extensions, an explicit procedure to obtain a defining equation when the purely cubic closure [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] is of genus zero, and a description of the twists of [Formula: see text] up to isomorphism over [Formula: see text]. For cubic function fields of genus at most one, we also describe the twists and isomorphism classes obtained when one allows Möbius transformations on [Formula: see text]. The paper concludes by studying the more general case of covers of elliptic and hyperelliptic curves that are ramified above exactly one point.
Explicit Weil-pairing for Drinfeld modules
Authors: Katen Jeffrey
Published: April 2021

The goal of this paper is to define an analogue of the Weil-pairing for Drinfeld modules using explicit formulas and to deduce its main properties from these formulas. Our result generalizes the formula given for rank 2 Drinfeld modules by van der Heiden and works as a more explicit, elementary proof of the Weil-pairing’s existence given by van der Heiden.
On the number of l-regular overpartitions
Authors: Hao Robert X. J. , Shen Erin Y. Y.
Published: April 2021

An [Formula: see text]-regular overpartition of [Formula: see text] is an overpartition of [Formula: see text] into parts not divisible by [Formula: see text]. Let [Formula: see text] be the number of [Formula: see text]-regular overpartitions of [Formula: see text]. Andrews defined singular overpartitions counted by the partition function [Formula: see text]. It denotes the number of overpartitions of [Formula: see text] in which no part is divisible by [Formula: see text] and only parts[Formula: see text] may be overlined. He proved that [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are divisible by [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we aim to introduce a crank of [Formula: see text]-regular overpartitions for [Formula: see text] to investigate the partition function [Formula: see text]. We give combinatorial interpretations for some congruences of [Formula: see text] including infinite families of congruences for [Formula: see text] modulo [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] as well as the congruences of Andrews for [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text].
Explicit Burgess bound for composite moduli
Authors: Jain-Sharma Niraek , Khale Tanmay , Liu Mengzhen
Published: April 2021

We prove an explicit version of Burgess’ bound on character sums for composite moduli.
On automorphisms of monotone transformation posemigroups
Authors: Mir Dilawar Juneed , Shah Aftab Hussain , Ahanger Shabir Ahmad
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we provide a simple generalization of results of Sullivan for [Formula: see text] the full transformation monotone pomonoid and for [Formula: see text] the partial transformation monotone pomonoid by showing that every automorphism of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is inner induced by the elements of [Formula: see text] the pogroup of all ordered bijections on [Formula: see text]. We also show that [Formula: see text] is isomorphic to [Formula: see text]. Finally, we apply these results to get some more results in this direction.
Exploring Weather Data to Predict Activity Attendance in Event-based Social Network
Authors: Zhang Jifeng , Jiang Wenjun , Zhang Jinrui , Wu Jie , Wang Guojun
Published: April 2021

Event-based social networks (EBSNs) connect online and offline lives. They allow online users with similar interests to get together in real life. Attendance prediction for activities in EBSNs has attracted a lot of attention and several factors have been studied. However, the prediction accuracy is not very good for some special activities, such as outdoor activities. Moreover, a very important factor, the weather, has not been well exploited. In this work, we strive to understand how the weather factor impacts activity attendance, and we explore it to improve attendance prediction from the organizer’s view. First, we classify activities into two categories: the outdoor and the indoor activities. We study the different ways that weather factors may impact these two kinds of activities. We also introduce a new factor of event duration. By integrating the above factors with user interest and user-event distance, we build a model of attendance prediction with the weather named
GBT-W
, based on the Gradient Boosting Tree. Furthermore, we develop a platform to help event organizers estimate the possible number of activity attendance with different settings (e.g., different weather, location) to effectively plan their events. We conduct extensive experiments, and the results show that our method has a better prediction performance on both the outdoor and the indoor activities, which validates the reasonability of considering weather and duration.
Code of Conduct Conversations in Open Source Software Projects on Github
Authors: Li Renee , Pandurangan Pavitthra , Frluckaj Hana , Dabbish Laura
Published: April 2021

The rapid growth of open source software necessitates a deeper understanding of moderation and governance methods currently used within these projects. The code of conduct, a set of rules articulating standard behavior and responsibilities for participation within a community, is becoming an increasingly common policy document in open source software projects for setting project norms of behavior and discouraging negative or harassing comments and conversation. This study describes the conversations around adopting and crafting a code of conduct as well as those utilizing code of conduct for community governance. We conduct a qualitative analysis of a random sample of GitHub issues that involve the code of conduct. We find that codes of conduct are used both proactively and reactively to govern community behavior in project issues. Oftentimes, the initial addition of a code of conduct does not involve much community participation and input. However, a controversial moderation act is capable of inciting mass community feedback and backlash. Project maintainers balance the tension between disciplining potentially offensive forms of speech and encouraging broad and inclusive participation. These results have implications for the design of inclusive and effective governance practices for open source software communities.
The Making of Women
Authors: Capel Tara , Ploderer Bernd , Brereton Margot , O'Connor Solly Meg
Published: April 2021

This paper investigates how making activities and participation in makerspaces supports the wellbeing and empowerment of women, particularly in making domains that are typically male-dominated. We spent six months undertaking participant observations in a women-only makerspace that runs workshops aimed at teaching women skills in using power tools and woodwork. We conducted contextual interviews with 12 workshop attendees as well as with the makerspace founder and lead instructor. Through the lens of feminist HCI and legitimate peripheral participation, we present trajectories of participation within a women-only makerspace - from beginning as a peripheral participant to becoming a competent and confident maker. We found that through structured workshops in a women-only space that actively teach making skills, the women-only makerspace works to transform the current makerspace landscape so more women can engage with these spaces and participate within them. We contribute three core qualities to foster participation: women-only but without a 'feminist' label, configuring a formal and collaborative learning environment, and reification through artefacts. Collectively these work towards new configurations of makerspaces for women that enable their participation within them, and we detail how such configurations work to create trajectories for women's participation.
StarryThoughts
Authors: Kim Hyunwoo , Kim Haesoo , Jo Kyung Je , Kim Juho
Published: April 2021

Enabling the free and equal exchange of arguments on social issues in a respectful manner is an integral part of establishing the democratic ideal. However, the current manifestation of online spaces tends to facilitate the gathering of like-minded people, leading to the polarization of opinions. Such polarization inhibits the sharing of diverse opinions and deteriorates respect for disagreeing opinions. To tackle this issue, we present StarryThoughts, an online system that supports users to express and explore diverse perspectives on social issues. The system supports three types of exploration of the collected arguments online: navigating opinions based on the demographic identities of the posters, checking the the stereotypes users hold towards demographics in relation to given social issues, and engaging with opinions with semantically different point-of-views. By deploying the system to the public in co-operation with a nationwide broadcasting company, we collected 1,950 opinions with 144 free-form responses from 1,209 visitors as initial data and iterated on the design. Results from a user study with 56 participants showed that the system enables participants to explore a wide range of opinions on social issues, be more informed on the various arguments, and be more confident about their opinions. From our findings, we provide several design considerations for building online systems for supporting users to explore diverse opinions on social issues.
Do Group Memberships Online Protect Addicts in Recovery Against Relapse?
Authors: Naserianhanzaei Elahe , Koschate-Reis Miriam
Published: April 2021

The Social Identity Model of Recovery (SIMOR) suggests that addiction recovery is a journey through time where membership in various groups facilitates success. With the help of computational approaches, we now have access to new resources to study whether a wide variety of different online communities can be part of the addiction recovery journey. In this work, we study the effects of two main social factors on recovery success: first, multiple group membership defined in terms of richness of online community engagement; second, active participation operationalized as the evenness in engagement with these groups. We then model recovery from addiction by applying the extended Cox regression model which accounts for the effect of these two factors on time to relapse. We applied our analysis to a dataset of 457 recovering opioid addicts that self-announced the date of their recovery, indicating that at least 219 (48%) addicts relapsed during the recovery period. We find that multiple group membership - in terms of the number of other forums that a subject had posted in - as well as active participation - in terms of how evenly their posts were spread amongst the different forums - reduced the risk of relapse. We discuss our findings with regards to the opportunity, but also risk, that online group membership poses for recovering opioid addicts, as well as the possible contribution that computational social science methods can make to the study of addiction and recovery.
Interdependence in Action
Authors: Vincenzi Beatrice , Taylor Alex S. , Stumpf Simone
Published: April 2021

Prior work on AI-enabled assistive technology (AT) for people with visual impairments (VI) has treated navigation largely as an independent activity. Consequently, much effort has focused on providing individual users with wayfinding details about the environment, including information on distances, proximity, obstacles, and landmarks. However, independence is also achieved by people with VI through interacting with others, such as in collaboration with sighted guides. Drawing on the concept of interdependence, this research presents a systematic analysis of sighted guiding partnerships. Using interaction analysis as our primary mode of data analysis, we conducted an empirical, qualitative study with 4 couples, each made up of person with a vision impairment and their sighted guide. Our results show how pairs used interactional resources such as turn-taking and body movements to both co-constitute a common space for navigation, and repair moments of rupture to this space. This work is used to present an exemplary case of interdependence and draws out implications for designing AI-enabled AT that shifts the emphasis away from independent navigation, and towards the carefully coordinated actions between people navigating together.