bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of Headache Attributed to Airplane Travel Among Medical Students in Brazil
Authors: Lima Guilherme Antonio Morais , Vasconcelos Júnior Francisco Clezion Franca , Morais Isadora Maria de Almeida , Cruz Víctor Trindade , Krymchantowski Ana Gabriela , Jevoux Carla , Krymchantowski Abouch , Silva‐Néto Raimundo Pereira
Published: September 2020

Background

Headache attributed to airplane travel is a rare form of headache that develops exclusively during airplane travel. It is characterized by occurring during takeoff, landing, or both, and improves spontaneously within 30 minutes after the ascent or descent of the airplane is completed.

Objectives

Our objectives were to determine the prevalence of headache attributed to airplane travel among medical students who traveled by plane, the time of flight when it occurred, and the emotional state of passengers on new trips.

Methods

The study was prospective, cross‐sectional, using a non‐random sample of medical students who traveled by plane. In total, 155 passengers who traveled by plane on at least 3 flights, regardless of duration were interviewed.

Results

Headache during flight occurred 3 or more times in 7.5% (80/1070) of the trips and 14.2% (22/155) of the passengers, especially during takeoff or landing (17/22; 77.3%), having a stabbing character and lasting less than 30 minutes. The headache improved spontaneously at the end of the landing phase (17/22; 77.3%). When traveling again, 68.2% (15/22) of passengers traveled normally, despite previous painful experience.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that headache attributed to airplane travel is not as rare as previously thought, being predominant during takeoff or landing. In addition, despite the bothersome feeling, most passengers who experienced this headache traveled normally, despite previous painful experience.
Voluntary simplicity: A literature review and research agenda
Authors: Rebouças Raquel , Soares Ana Maria
Published: September 2020

Voluntary simplicity (VS) is a lifestyle focused on seeking a simple life by reducing consumption and other practices. This systematic literature review aims to analyse and critically discuss the state of the art of VS. This review provides a categorization scheme of VS and analyses: the number of studies and year of publication; journals, number of citations and research areas; study location; VS definitions; types of studies; and research methods. By providing a map of existing research, the paper contributes to the clarification of the VS construct and to the assessment, synthesis and identification of research gaps, and opportunities for further research. VS implications for theory, practice and policy are discussed within the context of consumption/anti‐consumption.
Ease of use, feasibility and inter‐rater reliability of the refined Cue Utilization and Engagement in Dementia (CUED) mealtime video‐coding scheme
Authors: Liu Wen , Batchelor Melissa , Williams Kristine
Published: September 2020

Aims

To refine the Cue Utilization and Engagement in Dementia mealtime video‐coding scheme and examine its ease of use, feasibility, and inter‐rater reliability in assessing the food intake process and dyadic verbal and nonverbal interactions.

Design

This study was a secondary analysis of 110 videotaped observations of mealtime interactions collected under usual care conditions from a dementia communication trial during 2011–2014.

Methods

The videos involved 29 staff and 25 residents with dementia (42 unique staff‐resident dyads) in nine nursing homes. Data coding and analysis were performed in 2018–2019. Logs of coding challenges with matched solutions and coding time were collected. Inter‐rater reliability was examined through rating of randomly selected 22 videos across four trained coders.

Results

It took a mean of 10.81 hr to code a one‐hour video using the refined coding scheme. Coding challenges, including identification of key intake process characteristics and differentiation of similar verbal or nonverbal behaviours, were identified with appropriate solutions. The refined coding scheme had good inter‐rater reliability (Cohen's Kappa range = 0.93 – 0.99, 95% CI = 0.92 – 0.99).

Conclusion

Findings supported preliminary evidence on feasibility, usability and inter‐rater reliability of the refined coding scheme. Future psychometric testing is needed in diverse populations with dementia across different care settings.

Impact

Existing tools assessing the food intake process and dyadic interactions are few and have limited feasibility and/or reliability and fail to capture the complexity and dynamics of mealtime care. The refined coding scheme showed preliminary feasibility, usability, and inter‐rater reliability. In consideration of the balance between time intensity and the richness of data obtained, the tool may be appropriate and useful in addressing certain research inquires (e.g., characterizing and clustering dyadic behaviours, temporal relationship between behaviours and intake) pertaining older adults with or without dementia and their formal or informal caregivers.
Detection of factors influencing circadian rhythms on Intensive Care inpatients and hospitalization: Protocol for an observational study
Authors: Padilla‐Martínez Julia M. , Abad‐Corpa Eva , Gea‐Sánchez Montserrat , Casado‐Ramírez Elvira , Rol‐de Lama María A. , Madrid‐Pérez Juan A. , Moreno‐Casbas María T.
Published: September 2020

Aims

Identify the prevalence of circadian health disorders in ICU and hospitalized patients. Stablish the relationship of the circadian system with light, temperature, noise and nursing activities.

Background

Commonly, self‐assessment through subjective questionnaires is used for research about sleep quality. However, more reliable and valid measures should be applied objectively to find out the real prevalence of the problem. There is a negative relationship between circadian rhythms and hospitalization. In this study, we will analyse sleep patterns and hospital environments to implement measures to improve the quality of care related to sleep.

Design

Descriptive observational study. It is estimated that 975 patients from 13 hospitals need to be recruited from ICU and hospitalization units. The sample should meet the following criteria: Patients over 18 admitted to ICU and medical units, length of stay between 96–148 hr, with no visual, hearing or moderate‐severe cognitive impairment. Variables: Sleep variables are collected with an electronic device (named Kronowise® and Kronobed®), circadian and infrared light exposure, environmental noise, temperature, unit structural characteristics, nursing care (from 0 to 6 a.m.) and, characteristics of hospitalization period. The study, registered on Clinical Trials, initiated in December 2019 and it will continue up to December 2022.

Discussion

Using objective and subjective measures of sleep and circadian rhythms, this study will shed light on the factors that negatively affect the hospitalized patients’ sleep quality and circadian health. The ultimate goal is to design hospital guidelines to minimize the adverse effects on the dependent variables studied. Arguably, these guidelines will contribute to reducing the risk of these alterations and it will also serve to improve the nursing activities.

Conclusion

We expect to obtain adequate results for the creation of a protocol to improve the circadian health, quality of care and health outcomes related to sleep in patients.
Identifying unwarranted variation in clinical practice between healthcare providers in England: Analysis of administrative data over time for the Getting It Right First Time programme
Authors: Gray William K. , Day Jamie , Briggs Tim W. R. , Harrison Simon
Published: September 2020

Rationale, aims, and objectives

The Getting It Right First Time programme aims to reduce variation in clinical practice that unduly impacts on outcomes for patients in the National Health Service (NHS) in England; often termed “unwarranted variation.” However, there is no “gold standard” method for detecting unwarranted variation. The aim of this study was to describe a method to allow such variation in recorded practice or patient outcomes between NHS trusts to be detected using data over multiple time periods. By looking at variation over time, it was hoped that patterns that could be missed by looking at data at a single time point, or averaged over a longer time period, could be identified.

Methods

This was a retrospective time‐series analysis of observational administrative data. Data were extracted from the Hospital Episodes Statistics database for two exemplar aspects of clinical practice within the field of urology: (a) use of ureteric stents on first emergency admission to treat urinary tract stones and (b) waiting times for definitive surgery for urinary retention. Data were categorized into 3‐month time periods and three rules were used to detect unwarranted variation in the outcome metric relative to the national average: (a) two of any three consecutive values greater than two standard deviations above the mean, (b) four of any five consecutive values greater than one standard deviation above the mean, and (c) eight consecutive values above the mean.

Results

For the urinary tract stones dataset, 24 trusts were identified as having unwarranted variation in the outcomes using funnel plots and 23 trusts using the time‐series method. For the urinary retention data, 18 trusted were identified as having unwarranted variation in the outcomes using funnel plots and 22 trusts using the time‐series method.

Conclusions

The time‐series method may complement other methods to help identify unwarranted variation.
Teachings from COVID‐19 and aging—An oxidative process
Authors: Zarbafian Misha , Dayan Steven , Fabi Sabrina G.
Published: September 2020

As of June 2020, the COVID‐19 pandemic has totaled over 9 000 000 cases and 470 000 deaths globally (ref. 1). Emerging data from COVID‐19 patients have suggested a clear role for oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of SARS‐CoV‐2, the pathogenic agent of COVID‐19. Several comorbidities, including hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and aging, have been associated with an increase in baseline oxidative stress, likely explaining why such individuals at risk for poor outcomes with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Similarly, the concept of oxidative stress remains one of the best supported theories to explain the mechanism behind aging. Oxidative stress through both endogenous and exogenous sources has known deleterious effects in both aging and SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Herein, we will review the role of oxidative stress as a key player in both aging and COVID‐19 and highlight why some individuals may have better or poorer outcomes because of this. Additionally, we will discuss potential therapeutic pathways for effectively anti‐aging as we take away from our learnings on COVID‐19.
Building Character: The Formation of a Hybrid Organizational Identity in a Social Enterprise
Authors: Cornelissen Joep P. , Akemu Ona , Jonkman Jeroen G. F. , Werner Mirjam D.
Published: September 2020

The formation of a hybrid organizational identity is a significant challenge for many social enterprises. Drawing on in‐depth longitudinal data from the first three years of a successful social enterprise – Fairphone, founded in Amsterdam – we induce an empirically grounded theoretical model of how a hybrid organizational identity is formed. We identify a general process of organizational identity formation, with founders, leaders and members experimenting with different organizational characters describing ‘who they are’ as well as with alternative social impact strategies defining ‘what they do’. As part of this experimental process, we elaborate the role of a key leadership process – ‘rekeying’, which involves leaders re‐figuring prior understandings into more dual readings – which we found facilitates ongoing adaptation and helps members of the organization to become progressively better able at combining multiple objectives and values as part of a shared hybrid identity. Our theoretical model of hybrid organizational identity formation has a number of direct implications for ongoing research on organizational identity formation and hybrid organizations.
Mutual promotions between periodontitis and vascular calcification by rat animal model
Authors: Li Huixu , Pan Keqing , Meng Yun , Deng Jing , Zhang Pengmei , Song Wenbin , Li Shu
Published: September 2020

Objective and Background

To study the relationship between periodontitis and vascular calcification by establishing rat model of chronic periodontitis and vascular calcification.

Methods

Forty male Wistar rats were divided into four groups randomly: control group, periodontitis group, vascular calcification group, and compound periodontitis and calcification group. Each group rats accepted the corresponding manages to establish the animal model. Clinical examinations and hematoxylin and eosin staining of periodontal tissue were taken to test the periodontal model; calcium assay, alkaline phosphatase activity, expression of mineral‐related factors including osteopontin, alkaline phosphatase, core‐binding factor‐α1 and bone sialoprotein, hematoxylin and eosin staining and von Kossa staining of vascular tissue were taken to test the vascular calcification model; inflammatory factors including C‐reactive protein, interleukin‐1β, tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐6, prostaglandin E2, and serum lipid in serum were also detected at the same time.

Results

The rat model was established. Inflammation of periodontal tissue and alveolar bone resorption in compound group and periodontitis group were more obvious than those in control group and vascular calcification group (P < .05). However, the calcium assay, alkaline phosphatase activity, and mineralized deposition in vascular calcification group and compound group were higher than those in control group and periodontitis group (P < .05), and compound group were the highest (P < .05); as for serum lipid, the level of total cholesterol and low‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol in compound group and vascular calcification group were higher than that in control group and periodontitis group (P < .05), and compound group was the highest (P <.05); but the level of high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol was higher in control group and periodontitis group. Inflammatory factors expression in serum were higher in compound group and periodontitis group, while mineral‐related factors expression were higher in compoundgroup and vascular calcification group.

Conclusion

There are some mutual promotions between periodontitis and vascular calcification, which might be related to the increasing inflammatory factors, lipids level, and mineral‐related factors.
Thistle be a mess: Untangling the taxonomy of Cirsium (Cardueae: Compositae) in North America
Authors: Ackerfield Jennifer R. , Keil David J. , Hodgson Wendy C. , Simmons Mark. P. , Fehlberg Shannon D. , Funk Vicki A.
Published: September 2020

Cirsium (i.e., “thistles”) are one of the most taxonomically challenging groups of Compositae in North America. This study represents the first attempt to infer a broadly sampled phylogeny of Cirsium in North America. The two main objectives are to: (i) test whether currently hypothesized species variety complexes (C. arizonicum, C. clavatum, C. eatonii, and C. scariosum) constitute monophyletic lineages, and (ii) recircumscribe any taxa that are identified as problematic. Phylogeny reconstructions based on DNA sequence data from two nuclear ribosomal regions and four plastid markers were used to infer evolutionary lineages and test species’ delimitations. Eight species varietal complexes were resolved as polyphyletic. We recircumscribed these complexes and in doing so found evidence to support the recognition of six new taxa. We hypothesize that the extensive taxonomic difficulty within Cirsium is the result of several factors: (i) previously undescribed taxa, (ii) inadequate representation of taxa from herbarium specimens, (iii) phenotypic convergence, (iv) hybridization, and (v) incipient speciation. While we can provide evidence to support the recircumscription of some taxa, others remain unresolved. Therefore, we are working on a phylogenomic study of North American Cirsium to answer remaining taxonomic questions as well as provide a robust framework for biogeographic studies.
Genetic monitoring to assess the success of restoring rare plant populations with mixed gene pools
Authors: Albrecht Matthew A. , Edwards Christine E.
Published: September 2020

Increasing genetic diversity and maintaining evolutionary processes are primary goals of conservation translocations, which involve the intentional movement of an at‐risk species to establish new populations or augment existing populations, with the ultimate goal of reversing declines. Much debate has focused on how to select source material for plant translocations, with early approaches focusing primarily on maintaining the genetic uniqueness of populations. However, recent strategies often advocate mixing population sources during translocation to increase genetic diversity and re‐establish connectivity. Yet, despite hundreds of translocations programmes with at‐risk plant species presently underway (e.g. Silcock et al., 2019), few studies have conducted thorough assessments of the effects of mixing population sources on both the genetic diversity and fitness of translocated populations. The study by Van Rossum et al. (2020) in this issue of Molecular Ecology uses detailed assessments of genetic parameters and fitness to understand the outcomes of mixing two genetically differentiated source populations in translocations of the rare, self‐incompatible perennial herb, Arnica montana, whose populations are declining at low elevations in Western Europe. They examine genetic changes throughout the translocation process (source populations to F1 offspring) and demonstrate the maintenance of high genetic diversity in successive generations for all three translocations. Translocated populations exhibited high contemporary pollen flow, substantial admixture between source populations and low inbreeding in F1 offspring. Importantly, they found no evidence of outbreeding depression in F1 offspring. This work shows that genetically mixing source populations can result in optimal genetic outcomes in translocations of declining plant species and exemplifies how multigenerational genetic monitoring and fitness assessments can be used to evaluate the success of experimental translocations.
Loss of C‐genome‐specific markers during transgene introgression from Brassica napus to wild Brassica juncea
Authors: Guan Zheng‐Jun , Shen Bao‐Cheng , Wei Wei , Tang Zhi‐Xi , Stewart, Jr C. Neal
Published: September 2020

Transgene flow from engineered Brassica napus to wild weed relatives could potentially have an environmental effect. To evaluate the introgression of transgenic B. napus into wild Brassica juncea, the hybrid F1 and backcross progenies derived from B. juncea (genome constitution AABB) and transgenic B. napus (AACC) crosses were investigated. C‐genome‐specific simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers corresponding to linkage groups N11–N19 in B. napus were screened and used to estimate the marker frequency in hybrid F1 and backcross progenies. C‐genome‐specific markers could be stably detected in hybrid F1 and backcross BC1 plants, but were only rarely found in the BC2–BC5 generations. For example, a specific SSR marker for linkage group N12 segregated in BC2 generation but were completely lost in BC3–BC5, while a specific SSR marker of linkage group N15 segregated in BC1, BC2 and BC3 generations and was absent in more advanced backcrossed generations (BC4 and BC5). The results indicate that a certain gene regions in Brassica napus plants are transmitted at a relatively lower frequency to wild relatives, and more rapidly disappeared in subsequent backcross generations. We propose that a foreign gene or transgene that is integrated in the C‐chromosome of Brassica napus could reduce the risk of introgression in nature.
ZmMPK6 and ethylene signalling negatively regulate the accumulation of anti‐insect metabolites DIMBOA and DIMBOA‐Glc in maize inbred line A188
Authors: Zhang Cuiping , Li Jing , Li Sen , Ma Canrong , Liu Hui , Wang Lei , Qi Jinfeng , Wu Jianqiang
Published: September 2020

2,4‐Dihydroxy‐7‐methoxy‐1,4‐benzoxazin‐3‐one (DIMBOA) and DIMBOA‐glucoside (DIMBOA‐Glc) are anti‐insect benzoxazinoids in maize, yet very little information is known about how they are regulated.

Reverse genetics, kinase activity analysis, phytohormone and DIMBOA/DIMBOA‐Glc quantification, bioassays and transcriptome analysis were employed to study the function of ZmMPK6, a mitogen‐activated protein kinase, in maize response to herbivory.

ZmMPK6 was rapidly activated by wounding and simulated herbivory. Silencing ZmMPK6 in maize A188 compromised simulated herbivory‐induced ethylene levels but not those of jasmonic acid or salicylic acid, and the ZmMPK6‐silenced plants exhibited elevated DIMBOA/DIMBOA‐Glc and insect resistance. An ethylene complementation experiment revealed that ZmMPK6 repressed the accumulation of DIMBOA/DIMBOA‐Glc in an ethylene‐dependent manner. Transcriptome analysis revealed that ZmMPK6 might meditate the transcription of BX1 by controlling a MYB transcription factor that is likely to be located in the ethylene signalling pathway and, furthermore, ZmMPK6 and ethylene signalling also specifically and commonly regulate the transcription of other benzoxazinoid biosynthetic genes. We also show that different maize lines have very different responses to simulated herbivory in terms of ZmMPK6 activation, ethylene emission and benzoxazinoid levels.

These results uncover that ZmMPK6 and ethylene pathway are novel repressors of DIMBOA/DIMBOA‐Glc and provide new insight into the regulatory mechanisms underlying these two pathways.
Genetic disease and intellectual disability as contraindications to transplant listing in the United States: A survey of heart, kidney, liver, and lung transplant programs
Authors: Wall Anji , Lee Gun Ho , Maldonado Jose , Magnus David
Published: September 2020

Discrimination based on disability is prohibited in organ transplantation, yet studies suggest it continues in listing practices for intellectual disability and genetic diseases. It is not known if this differs between adult and pediatric programs, or by organ type. We performed an online, forced‐choice survey of psychosocial listing criteria for adult and pediatric heart, kidney, liver, and lung transplant programs in the United States. Of 650 programs contacted, 343 (52.8%) submitted complete. A minority of programs had formal listing guidelines for any condition considered (Down Syndrome, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Becker Muscular Dystrophy, DiGeorge Syndrome, and Wolf Hirschhorn Syndrome; and mild [IQ < 70] and severe [IQ < 35] intellectual disability), although a majority had encountered most. Pediatric programs were significantly (P < .02) more lenient in the level of contraindication to listing for all genetic conditions considered except Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and for mild and severe intellectual disability. Level of contraindication differed significantly by organ type (heart, lung, liver, and kidney) for Duchenne Muscular dystrophy (P = <.001), Becker Muscular Dystrophy (P < .001), DiGeorge Syndrome (P < .001), Wolf‐Hirschhorn syndrome (P = .0012), and severe intellectual disability (P < .001). There is significant variation among transplant programs in availability of guidelines for as well as listing practices regarding genetic diseases and intellectual disability, differing by both adult vs pediatric program, and organ type. Programs with absolute contraindications to listing for specific genetic diseases or intellectual disability should reframe their approach, ensuring individualized assessments and avoiding elimination of patients based on membership in a particular group.
Pediatric hematopoietic cell transplantation: Longitudinal trends in body mass index and outcomes
Authors: Dang Brian Norman , Wilhalme Holly , Ch'ng James , De Oliveira Satiro , Bowles LaVette , Moore Theodore Bruce
Published: September 2020

Pediatric recipients of HCT may have a high susceptibility for overweight and obesity, and obesity may negatively impact post‐transplant mortality and survival. This is a single‐center retrospective analysis of 297 pediatric patients who received HCT between 2005 and 2018. Patients were classified as UW, NW, OW, or OB based on age‐adjusted BMI. A mixed‐effects linear regression model controlling for patient, disease, and transplant‐related characteristics was used to trend weight longitudinally. Comparisons were made between weight category and post‐transplant outcomes. In the pretransplant period, 5.4%, 54.5%, 22.2%, and 17.8% of patients were UW, NW, OW, and OB, respectively. Five years post‐transplantation, those numbers were 10.6%, 48.2%, 16.5%, and 24.7%. Overall, BMI increased 0.00094 ± 0.0001 kg/m2 each day post‐transplant (P < .001), with older individuals demonstrating greater rates of increase. Further, there was a larger BMI increase in patients without TBI compared with those who received TBI (1.29 ± 0.49, P = .008). Rates of acute GVHD, chronic GVHD, and viral infections, in addition to time to platelet and neutrophil engraftment and 5‐year survival estimates, were not significantly different based on pretransplant BMI. Overweight and obese individuals had poorer 5‐year survival based on 100‐day post‐transplant BMI (P = .02). Overall, pediatric HCT recipients are at risk of developing obesity, which is associated with decreased survival. Adolescents and young adults demonstrate the highest risk of weight gain, representing a vulnerable population that requires close monitoring, additional interventions, and further research.
South African competition policy on excessive pricing and its relation to price gouging during the COVID‐19 disaster period
Authors: Boshoff Willem H.
Published: September 2020

The declaration of a state of national disaster in South Africa, due to the COVID‐19 pandemic, was followed by excessive‐pricing regulations pertaining to certain consumer and medical products and services. The regulations and their application suggest an intertemporal benchmark to judge excessive pricing, deviating from previous practice. Intertemporal comparisons assume a structural shift during COVID‐19 that changes competitive conditions, related to changes in consumer behaviour. Such comparisons must also account for demand and cost changes. While the COVID‐19 regulations allow for cost‐based price increases, demand‐based increases are not explicitly accounted for, suggesting that the regulations are framed more generally as price‐gouging regulations. The differences between price‐gouging and excessive‐pricing benchmarks depends on the type of disaster‐period demand shock. They are similar following a transitory demand spike, provided sufficient time is allowed for dynamic price behaviour, but differ markedly when demand is elevated for the duration of the disaster period. Applying simple cost‐based comparisons in recently concluded cases against smaller retailers are consistent with excessive pricing, given the presence of a demand spike. To the extent that these involve persistently higher demand, cases against wholesalers and larger retailers will be more complicated, as such demand must be reflected in competitive prices.
Growth‐equity trade‐offs in structural reforms
Authors: Ostry Jonathan D. , Berg Andrew , Kothari Siddharth
Published: September 2020

Do structural reforms that aim to boost potential output also change the distribution of income? We shed light on this question by looking at the broad patterns in the cross‐country data covering advanced, emerging‐market, and low‐income countries. Our main finding is that there is indeed evidence of a growth‐equity trade‐off for some important reforms. Financial and capital account liberalization seem to increase both growth and inequality, as do some measures of liberalization of current account transactions. Reforms aimed at strengthening the impartiality of and adherence to the legal system seem to entail no growth‐equity trade‐off—such reforms are good for growth and do not worsen inequality. The results for our index of network reforms as well as our measure of the decentralization of collective labor bargaining are the weakest and least robust, potentially due to data limitations. We also ask: If some structural reforms worsen inequality, to what degree does this offset the growth gains from the reforms themselves? While higher inequality does dampen the growth benefits, the net effect on growth remains positive for most reform indicators.
COVID‐19 in a lung transplant recipient: Exploring the diagnostic role of circulating exosomes and the clinical impact of advanced immunosuppression
Authors: Goodlet Kellie J. , Bansal Sandhya , Arjuna Ashwini , Nailor Michael D. , Buddhdev Bhuvin , Abdelrazek Hesham , Mohamed Hesham , Omar Ashraf , Walia Rajat , Mohanakumar Thalachallour , Tokman Sofya
Published: September 2020

Exosomes isolated from plasma of lung transplant recipients with allograft injury contain donor‐derived lung self‐antigens (collagen V and Kα1 tubulin) and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules. We present a case of a 76‐year‐old, female lung transplant recipient treated for acute cellular rejection with methylprednisolone and anti‐thymocyte globulin, who subsequently contracted SARS‐CoV‐2 and developed a sharp increase in the mean fluorescent intensity of anti‐HLA antibodies. Analysis of circulating exosomes during rejection, but before SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, revealed the presence of lung self‐antigens and HLA class II molecules. After the patient contracted SARS‐CoV‐2, exosomes with the SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein were also found. After resolution of infectious symptoms, exosomes with SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein were no longer detected; however, exosomes with lung self‐antigens and HLA class II molecules persisted, which coincided with a progressive decline in spirometric flows, suggesting chronic lung allograft dysfunction. We propose that the analysis of circulating exosomes may be used to detect allograft injury mediated by both rejection and infection. Furthermore, the detection of exosomes containing viral proteins may be helpful in identifying allograft injury driven by viral pathogens.
On The Evolution of LTE to LTE-Advanced
Authors: Oudah A. A. , Rahman T. A. , Seman N.
Published: September 2020

This paper addresses the main features of the transition from the Long Term Evolution standard (LTE) to its successor Long Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE-Advanced). As the process of only creating LTE-advanced specifications alone has taken several years and included thousands of temporary documents, the output thus would be several volumes of specifications. A single paper of this length must therefore choose its contents wisely if it has to do more than just scratching the surface of such a complex standard.
On the Effect of Metallic Earring on Antenna Performance and SAR at 2.4 & 5.8 GHz
Authors: Anuar M. Z. , Samsuri N. A. , Rahim M. K. A. , Elias N. A. , Othman N.
Published: September 2020

This paper presents an investigation on the effect of metallic items on the antenna performance and SAR at 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz frequencies. The simulations are performed by means of CST Microwave Studio. The patch dipole antenna is used as the radiating source while the metallic items are modeled as /4 and /2 straight pin-type earrings respectively. The results show that the presence of the head shifted the antenna resonant frequencies and modify the antenna radiation pattern at both investigated frequencies. This study has also indicated that the additional metallic item in close proximity to the head has an additional effect on antenna resonance, albeit quite a small one. However, the straight-pin type earring has significantly increases the amount of energy absorbed in the human head at both frequencies tested.
Modeling of Dielectric Relaxation for Lossy Materials at Microwave Frequencies using Polynomial Approaches
Authors: You K. Y. , Abbas Z. , Malek M. F. A. , Cheng E. M. , Mun H. K.
Published: September 2020

This paper reviews the dielectric modeling techniques and features of various dielectric models. In fact, many of the dielectric models have a polynomial characteristic, thus polynomial fitting is proposed in order to estimate the parameters in the dielectric model based on measured data. The coefficients of the polynomial equation were optimized with the measured data using HP 85070 B dielectric probe. Finally, the parameters in the dielectric models can be easily determined, based on the estimated polynomial coefficients. The parameters of the dielectric model were successfully estimated and compared with parameter values in the literature.
Proposed Hybrid MAC Layer Design for Priority Application Usage in Wireless Sensor Network (WSN)
Authors: N. Ismail Nor-Syahidatul , Yunus F. , Syed Ariffin S. H. , Shahidan A. A. , Fisal N. , Abdul Latiff N. M. , Ahmed A. A. , Saleem K.
Published: September 2020

The design of Medium Access Control (MAC) layer in Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) is very important because it gives significant impact in network performance especially in term of energy consuming. Contention Access method which is Carrier Sense Multiple Access (CSMA) will encounter collision problem when more than one node want to access the network simultaneously. Meanwhile, the issue in slotted access which is Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) is channel utilization when the usage of the slot is neglected and wasted in transmission network. In this paper, we propose a hybrid MAC that combines both strengths of CSMA and TDMA in one protocol while avoiding their weaknesses to improve the network performance. The simple and efficient transmission in CSMA method will be used in neighbor discovery (ND) and slot allocation (SA) process. For data transmission, non collision transmission method which is TDMA will be used and it will be changed to CSMA depending on the contention level of the channel. This proposed protocol is suitable for priority application usage where the important information will arrived at the destination in acceptable delay time.
Proposed Technique for Transport Protocol in Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) for Multimedia Application
Authors: Yunus Farizah , Ismail N-S. N. , Syed Ariffin S. H. , Shahidan A. A. , Syed Yusof S. K. , Fisal N. , Saleem K. , Ahmed A. A.
Published: September 2020

Recently, reliable data transport in wireless sensor network becomes very crucial for real-time application with different application requirements. Real time multimedia application requires large bandwidth and big memory in the network in order to send video data and needs to arrive at destination in time. Data that arrives at the receiver not in time will be discarded and cannot be played because loss recovery through retransmission of data loss may introduce long delays. Therefore, an implementation of transport protocol in wireless sensor network for multimedia application is a challenging task. Traditional protocol likes TCP and UDP cannot directly applied for real-time communication over wireless sensor network because the lack of functions of real-time services and the unique characteristics of sensor node itself. However there is another transport protocol which is the Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP) that provides multi-stream service for single connection. This feature can be applied for video transmission according to the type of frame to be transmitted. Thus, to achieve the high reliability video data delivery, the advantages of multi-streaming features in SCTP with the combination of low data rate wireless sensor networks will be applied for the new proposed transport protocol. Besides that, transport protocol algorithm also allows maximum network lifetime due to the limited operating lifetime of sensor node and multimedia also is a highly power consuming task. Thus, to prolong the lifetime of wireless sensor network, an efficient transport protocol need to support reliable message delivery and provide congestion control in the most energy efficient. This paper focuses on the existing transport protocols for real-time application and the future protocol that provides the entire requirement of transport protocol.
Kemahiran Insaniah Pelajar Prasiswazah: Analisis Perbezaan Jantina
Authors: Mohd Amin Hazilah , Jaafar Johari , Hood Zaihosnita , Saad Saidah , Mohd Amin Hamizah
Published: September 2020

Soft skills are important in virtually every profession in the workplace. Therefore, when evaluating employees, organizations will look for graduates with soft skills in addition to technical skills. However, in-depth studies on the extent these skills have been acquired by students in local higher education institutions have not been fully explored. Thus, this paper discusses this issue based on a study on 165 students’ soft skills assessment forms completed by industry supervisors during 2011 industrial training. Data was analyzed descriptively and inferentially using t-test. Findings of this study found that generally, teamwork skills, professionalism, social responsibility, and ICT skills were generally at high level. However, communication and problem solving skills were found to be at a moderate level. The study also found that skills in using ICT hardware, accept criticism, respect for others' views, and time management skills were effective differentiators in explaining genders differences. The research has brought meaningful implications for undergraduate students, employers and policy makers.
Pandangan Pengguna Penyata Kewangan terhadap Kepentingan Item di dalam Indeks Pelaporan Kewangan Menerusi Internet di Malaysia
Authors: Ali Khan Mohd Noor Azli , Ismail Noor Azizi
Published: September 2020

This study investigates the perceptions of users of financial statement regarding the importance of items in indices of internet financial reporting (IFR). This study adopts the questionnaire survey method in order to seek the view of users of financial statement, particularly on the importance of items that to be included in the checklist of IFR indices. From a comprehensive review of the IFR literature, the level of IFR in this study can be categorized into two dimensions namely the ‘content’ and ‘presentation’. The findings show that the five most important items which are income statement of current year, cash flow statement of current year, balance sheet of current year, annual report of current year (full text), and auditor report of current year  can explain the dimension of content. Meanwhile, the five most important items for the dimension of presentation which are annual report in PDF format, loading time of the website, link to homepage, hyperlinks inside the annual report, and link to table of contents. Results of the study also provide empirical evidence that 144 disclosure items can be used for the checklist of IFR indices to measure the level of IFR. The finding provides an insight into the IFR practice in Malaysia. Implications of these findings and future research directions are also discussed in this study.
The Impact of Concurrent Engineering Strategy on New Compex Product Development Process in Organization: An Empirical Study of Manufacturing and Service Industry in Malaysia
Authors: Rasli Amran , Khan Saif ur Rehman , Kowang Tan Owee
Published: September 2020

Taking into account the customers, supplier and organization involvement in the new product development (NPD), this article focuses on the synthesis, evaluation, and selection of various sub-factors of concurrent engineering involved in new product development process. The aim of this study was to provide the reliability and validity of six sub-factors of concurrent engineering model of the 49-item questionnaire and to analyze its association with concurrent engineering and new product development process in a sample of 35 manufacturing and services organization located in Johor, Malaysia. Methods: A self reported survey was conducted in 35 manufacturing and services organization located in Johor, Malaysia. Results: Appropriate internal consistencies of the six sub-scales: customers relationship, team development, continuity, tools and techniques, suppliers involvement and corporate focus and their association with concurrent engineering, were obtained. Zero-order correlation and regressions analysis replicated the theoretically assumed structure of the effective concurrent engineering (ECE). Evidence of criterion validity was obtained from cross-correlations of the scales and from their linear and multiple regression analysis. Finally, all seven scales were associated with a highly significant ratio of concurrent engineering as predicted by fundamental theory. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study the seven version of the model, questionnaire is considered a reliable and valid instrument for measuring association in developing the new complex product development process.
Circadian actions of orexins on the retinorecipient lateral geniculate complex in rat
Authors: Chrobok Lukasz , Jeczmien‐Lazur Jagoda Stanislawa , Pradel Kamil , Klich Jasmin Daniela , Bubka Monika , Wojcik Michal , Kepczynski Mariusz , Lewandowski Marian Henryk
Published: September 2020

Key points

Rhythmic processes in living organisms are controlled by biological clocks. The orexinergic system of the lateral hypothalamus carries circadian information to provide arousal for the brain during the active phase.

Here, we show that orexins exert an excitatory action in three parts of the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), in particular upon directly retinorecipient neurons in the non‐image forming visual structures.

We provide evidence for the high nocturnal levels of orexins with stable circadian expression of predominant orexin receptor 2 in the LGN.

Our data additionally establish the convergence of orexinergic and pituitary adenylate cyclase (PAC)‐activating peptide/PAC1 receptor systems (used by melanopsin‐expressing retinal ganglion cells), which directly regulates responses to the retinal input.

These results help us better understand circadian orexinergic control over the non‐image forming subcortical visual system, forming the animal's preparedness for the behaviourally active night.

The orexinergic system of the lateral hypothalamus is tightly interlinked with the master circadian clock and displays daily variation in activity to provide arousal‐related excitation for the plethora of brain structures in a circadian manner. Here, using a combination of electrophysiological, optogenetic, histological, molecular and neuronal tracing methods, we explore a particular link between orexinergic and visual systems in rat. The results of the present study demonstrate that orexinergic fibre density at the area of subcortical visual system exerts a clear day to night variability, reaching a maximum at behaviourally active night. We also show pronounced electrophysiological activations of neurons in the lateral geniculate nucleus by orexin A through 24 h, via identified distinct orexin receptors, with the ventrolateral geniculate displaying a daily cycle of responsiveness. In addition, for the first time, we provide a direct evidence for orexins to act on retinorecipient neurons with a high convergence of orexinergic and putatively retinal pituitary adenylate cyclase (PAC)‐activating peptide/PAC1 receptor systems. Altogether, the present study ties orexins to non‐image forming visual structures with implications for circadian orexinergic modulation of neurons, which process information on ambient light levels.
Multi-Objective Modeling of Leading-Edge Serrations Applied to Low-Pressure Axial Fans
Authors: Biedermann Till M. , Reich M. , Paschereit C. O.
Published: September 2020

A novel modeling strategy is proposed which allows high-accuracy predictions of aerodynamic and aeroacoustic target values for a low-pressure axial fan, equipped with serrated leading edges. Inspired by machine learning processes, the sampling of the experimental space is realized by use of a Latin hypercube design plus a factorial design, providing highly diverse information on the analyzed system. The effects of four influencing parameters (IP) are tested, characterizing the inflow conditions as well as the serration geometry. A total of 65 target values in the time and frequency domains are defined and can be approximated with high accuracy by individual artificial neural networks. Furthermore, the validation of the model against fully independent test points within the experimental space yields a remarkable fit, even for the spectral distribution in 1/3-octave bands, proving the ability of the model to generalize. A metaheuristic multi-objective optimization approach provides two-dimensional Pareto optimal solutions for selected pairs of target values. This is particularly important for reconciling opposing trends, such as the noise reduction capability and aerodynamic performance. The chosen optimization strategy also allows for a customized design of serrated leading edges, tailored to the specific operating conditions of the axial fan.
Vibrational control: A hidden stabilization mechanism in insect flight
Authors: Taha Haithem E. , Kiani Mohammadali , Hedrick Tyson L. , Greeter Jeremy S. M.
Published: September 2020

Large insects exploit a passive flight stabilization mechanism due to their high-frequency flapping.
Genome Analysis of “
Candidatus
Regiella insecticola” Strain TUt, Facultative Bacterial Symbiont of the Pea Aphid
Acyrthosiphon pisum
Authors: Nikoh Naruo , Tsuchida Tsutomu , Koga Ryuichi , Oshima Kenshiro , Hattori Masahira , Fukatsu Takema
Published: September 2020

The genome of “
Candidatus
Regiella insecticola” strain TUt, a facultative bacterial symbiont of the pea aphid
Acyrthosiphon pisum
, was analyzed. We determined a 2.5-Mb draft genome consisting of 14 contigs; this will contribute to the understanding of the symbiont, which underpins various ecologically adaptive traits of the host insect.
Complete Genome Sequence of Streptococcus salivarius DB-B5, a Novel Probiotic Candidate Isolated from the Supragingival Plaque of a Healthy Female Subject
Authors: Fields Francisco R. , Li Xuyao , Navarre William W. , Naito Mizue
Published: September 2020

Streptococcus salivarius
DB-B5 was isolated from the supragingival plaque of a healthy female subject. The complete 2.3-Mb genome consists of one circular chromosome, two circular plasmids (including a megaplasmid), and one linear phage-like episome. The genome possesses two separate loci encoding bacteriocins.