bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of women on boards in corporate environmental strategy and financial performance: A global outlook
Authors: Xie Jun , Nozawa Wataru , Managi Shunsuke
Published: April 2020

This study examines the impact of board gender diversity on corporate environmental strategy and financial performance. Based on 12 corporate environmental policies in 3,389 firms worldwide, we identified four types of corporate environmental strategies by using the latent class regression model: an inactive strategy, a reactive strategy, a pollution prevention strategy, and a sustainable development strategy. The empirical evidence shows that women on boards (WoB) contribute to the promotion of proactive environmental strategies, including the pollution prevention strategy, which is found to bring about sustained competitive advantage in both short‐term and long‐term financial performance, and the sustainable development strategy, which is positively associated with long‐term financial performance. Following the natural resource‐based view of the firm, these findings indicate that WoB can be seen as a key resource in the organizational process, which provides a shared vision of the future and strong moral leadership to the top management team.
Graph‐based optimal asynchronous scheduling in large propagation delay underwater acoustic sensor networks
Authors: M. Mridula K. , Ameer P. M.
Published: April 2020

Optimal scheduling is essential to minimize the time wastage and maximize throughput in high propagation delay networks such as in underwater and satellite communication. Understanding the drawbacks of synchronous scheduling, this paper addresses an asynchronous optimal scheduling problem to minimize the time wastage during the transmission. The proposed scheduling problem is analyzed in both broadcast and non‐broadcast networks, which is highly applicable in high propagation delay networks. In broadcast networks, the proposed scheduling method reduces to a graph‐theoretic model that is shown to be equivalent to the classic algorithmic asymmetric traveling salesman problem (TSP) which is NP‐Hard. Although it is NP‐Hard, the TSP is well‐investigated with many available methods to find the best solution for up to tens of thousands of nodes. In non‐broadcast networks, the optimal solution to the scheduling problem considers the possibility of parallel transmission, which is optimized using graph coloring algorithm. The groups obtained through graph coloring are solved using Asymmetric Traveling Salesman algorithm to obtain the optimal schedule. The proposed method efficiently solves the scheduling problem for networks of practical size.
Effect of sire population on the genetic diversity and fitness of F1 progeny in the endangered Chinese endemicSinocalycanthus chinensis
Authors: Li Junmin , Qi Caihong , Gu Jingjing , Jin Zexin
Published: April 2020

Sinocalycanthus chinensisCheng et S. Y. Chang (Calycanthaceae), which has a unique systematic status, is listed as a national second‐class protected plant of China. In this study, the genetic diversity, performance, and fitness of F1 progeny from crosses between the Damingshan (DMS) population ofS. chinensisand pollen parents from the Daleishan (DLS) and Longxushan (LXS) populations were examined. The DLS population has a relatively small population size, low genetic diversity, and considerable geographical and genetic distances from the DMS population relative to the LXS population. Compared with naturally occurring seeds, DLS‐sired seeds had the highest thousand‐seed weight, starch content, fat content, germination rate, germination index, and emergence rate, but the lowest protein content. Naturally occurring, open‐pollinated seeds had the lowest thousand‐seed weight, starch content, and fat content, but the highest protein content. Compared with natural F1 progeny, DMS × DLS seedlings had the highest genetic diversity, photosynthetic parameters, and growth characteristics, except for leaf mass ratio and stem mass ratio. Under strong light, DMS × DLS seedlings exhibited aFv/Fmvalue of 0.75, while the other two seedling types exhibitedFv/Fmvalues of 0.65. DLS‐sired seeds had the most vigorous growth characteristics except for leaf mass ratio and stem mass ratio. These results suggest that genetic rescue by transplanting seedlings from the DLS population or hand pollination with pollen from the DLS population would be effective methods to reduce inbreeding depression and obtain strong offspring with high genetic diversity and fitness in the DMS population.
Proposal of two‐dimensional magnetic field analysis model for transverse magnetic flux type linear synchronous motor
Authors: Nakatsugawa Junnosuke , Shimura Itsuki , Aoyama Yasuaki
Published: April 2020

A three‐dimensional model is necessary for the magnetic field analysis of transverse magnetic flux type linear synchronous motors. However, it is unsuitable for design calculation because of the high calculation costs. In order to virtually represent the magnetic path of a three‐dimensional arm on a two‐dimensional model, we propose the use of virtual arms, which are provided above and below the armature core teeth. In the proposed two‐dimensional model, almost the same thrust waveform is obtained with a calculation time of less than 1/30 compared with the threedimensional analysis. The proposed model is also applicable to transverse magnetic flux and longitudinal magnetic flux hybrid type linear synchronous motors.
Physical vs. multidimensional frailty in older adults with and without heart failure
Authors: Testa Gianluca , Curcio Francesco , Liguori Ilaria , Basile Claudia , Papillo Martina , Tocchetti Carlo Gabriele , Galizia Gianlugi , Della‐Morte David , Gargiulo Gaetano , Cacciatore Francesco , Bonaduce Domenico , Abete Pasquale
Published: April 2020

Aims

The assessment of frailty in older adults with heart failure (HF) is still debated. Here, we compare the predictive role and the diagnostic accuracy of physical vs. multidimensional frailty assessment on mortality, disability, and hospitalization in older adults with and without HF.

Methods and results

A total of 1077 elderly (≥65 years) outpatients were evaluated with the physical (phy‐Fi) and multidimensional (m‐Fi) frailty scores and according to the presence or the absence of HF. Mortality, disability, and hospitalizations were assessed at baseline and after a 24 month follow‐up. Cox regression analysis demonstrated that, compared with phy‐Fi score, m‐Fi score was more predictive of mortality [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.05 vs. 0.66], disability (HR = 1.02 vs. 0.89), and hospitalization (HR = 1.03 vs. 0.96) in the absence and even more in the presence of HF (HR = 1.11 vs. 0.63, 1.06 vs. 0.98, and 1.14 vs. 1.03, respectively). The area under the curve indicated a better diagnostic accuracy with m‐Fi score than with phy‐Fi score for mortality, disability, and hospitalizations, both in absence (0.782 vs. 0.649, 0.763 vs. 0.695, and 0.732 vs. 0.666, respectively) and in presence of HF (0.824 vs. 0.625, 0.886 vs. 0.793, and 0.812 vs. 0.688, respectively).

Conclusions

The m‐Fi score is able to predict mortality, disability, and hospitalizations better than the phy‐Fi score, not only in absence but also in presence of HF. Our data also demonstrate that the m‐Fi score has better diagnostic accuracy than the phy‐Fi score. Thus, the use of the m‐FI score should be considered for the assessment of frailty in older HF adults.
Unravelling the interplay between hyperkalaemia, renin–angiotensin–aldosterone inhibitor use and clinical outcomes. Data from 9222 chronic heart failure patients of the ESC‐HFA‐EORP Heart Failure Long‐Term Registry
Authors: Rossignol Patrick , Lainscak Mitja , Crespo‐Leiro Maria G. , Laroche Cécile , Piepoli Massimo F. , Filippatos Gerasimos , Rosano Giuseppe M.C. , Savarese Gianluigi , Anker Stefan D. , Seferovic Petar M. , Ruschitzka Frank , Coats Andrew J.S. , Mebazaa Alexandre , McDonagh Theresa , Sahuquillo Ana , Penco Maria , Maggioni Aldo P. , Lund Lars H. ,   Heart Failure Long‐Term Registry Investigators Group
Published: April 2020

Aims

We assessed the interplay between hyperkalaemia (HK) and renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitor (RAASi) use, dose and discontinuation, and their association with all‐cause or cardiovascular death in patients with chronic heart failure (HF). We hypothesized that HK‐associated increased death may be related to RAASi withdrawal.

Methods and results

The ESC‐HFA‐EORP Heart Failure Long‐Term Registry was used. Among 9222 outpatients (HF with reduced ejection fraction: 60.6%, HF with mid‐range ejection fraction: 22.9%, HF with preserved ejection fraction: 16.5%) from 31 countries, 16.6% had HK (≥5.0 mmol/L) at baseline. Angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) was used in 88.3%, a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) in 58.7%, or a combination in 53.2%; of these, at ≥50% of target dose in ACEi: 61.8%; ARB: 64.7%; and MRA: 90.3%. At a median follow‐up of 12.2 months, there were 789 deaths (8.6%). Both hypokalaemia and HK were independently

associated with higher mortality, and ACEi/ARB prescription at baseline with lower mortality. MRA prescription was not retained in the model. In multivariable analyses, HK at baseline was independently associated with MRA non‐prescription at baseline and subsequent discontinuation. When considering subsequent discontinuation of RAASi (instead of baseline use), HK was no longer found associated with all‐cause deaths. Importantly, all RAASi (ACEi, ARB, or MRA) discontinuations were strongly associated with mortality.

Conclusions

In HF, hyper‐ and hypokalaemia were associated with mortality. However, when adjusting for RAASi discontinuation, HK was no longer associated with mortality, suggesting that HK may be a risk marker for RAASi discontinuation rather than a risk factor for worse outcomes.
Non‐Spectator Feature of α‐Diimine Mimicked Di/tetrahydro‐bisisoquinoline and Biimidazopyridine on {Ru(acac)2} Platform
Authors: Panda Sanjib , Goel Puneet , Lahiri Goutam Kumar
Published: April 2020

The diverse reactivity profiles of α‐diimine analogues, di/tetrahydro‐bisisoquiniline (L1–2H/L2–4H), and biimidazopyridine (L3) have been illustrated on the {Ru(acac)2} platform (acac=acetylacetonate). Increasing Lewis acidity on coordination to {Ru(acac)2} as well as fine tuning of ligand backbone led to oxidative dehydrogenation of L1–2H/L2–4H to yield metallated bisisoquinoline (BIQ) and unexplored C–C coupling/nucleophilic attack assisted ring opening reactions at L3 to rearrange into modified metallated amidate functions. Preformed L1–4H involving amine functionality underwent in situ transformation to imine in [RuII/III(acac)2(L1–2H)]n+ (1n+, n = 0,1), followed by dehydrogenation to yield [RuII/III(acac)2(BIQ)]n+ (2n+, n = 0,1). Analogous complex [RuII(acac)2(L2–4H)]n+ (3n+, n = 0,1) encompassing diimine (L2–4H) ligand also participated in similar dehydrogenation process to generate 2n+. On the other hand, reaction of L3 with {Ru(acac)2} led to the simultaneous formation of three products: [RuIII(acac)2(L3)]ClO4 ([4]ClO4) incorporating unperturbed N,N‐donating L3 and [RuIII(acac)(L4)] (5)/[RuIII(acac)2(L5)] (6) with functionalized L3. Involvement of intramolecular C–C coupling between the methine carbon of acac and L3 or the intermolecular nucleophilic attack of H2O at L3, resulted in functionalized L4 or L5 in 5 or 6, respectively. Authentication of the isolated products was made via structural, electrochemical and spectral details along with theoretical support.
Improvement of garment assembly line efficiency using line balancing technique
Authors: Bongomin Ocident , Mwasiagi Josphat I. , Nganyi Eric O. , Nibikora Ildephonse
Published: April 2020

The current competitiveness of garment manufacturing industries is highly dependent on ability to improve efficiency and effectiveness of resource utilization through proper application of industrial engineering techniques such as line balancing and time study. However, very few apparel industries have comprehended industrial engineering function due to little knowledge on practical application of industrial engineering techniques. The present study aimed at balancing a trouser assembly line using the ranked positional weight technique to increase the line efficiency as well as minimize the number of workstations without violating the constraints: precedence relations, cycle time, and resource type. The empirical study was conducted at Southern Range Nyanza Limited (NYTIL) garment manufacturing facility to demonstrate the practical application of ranked positional weight line balancing technique. Results showed that ranked positional weight method is suitable only for assembly line balancing with no constraint on the resource. However, most complex garment assembly lines consist of a number of different machine types rendering ranked positional weight method practically ineffective for improving line efficiency of a complex garment assembly line. Therefore, profound line balancing using simulation‐based optimization to improve the line efficiency of complex garment assembly line should be investigated.
Expanding Partnerships and Innovations to Implement Reform of a Large Columbia River Hatchery Program
Authors: Pearsons Todd N , Haukenes Alf H , Hoffarth Paul A , Richards Steven P
Published: April 2020

Recent reviews of salmon and steelhead hatchery programs have led to recommendations to reform hatchery practices and produce better supplementation outcomes. Of particular concern were reductions in performance of supplemented populations due to domestication selection attributed to hatchery production. One key recommendation was to achieve an index of domestication selection termed proportionate natural influence (PNI) of 0.67 or higher. The Priest Rapids Hatchery, located adjacent to the Columbia River below Priest Rapids Dam, was one of the hatcheries included in this review. Data gathered from the hatchery and from the population being supplemented before implementation of reform measures indicated that the program was falling short of this goal. In this case study, we describe the influence of various partnerships and practices implemented in the Priest Rapids Hatchery program to achieve the recommended PNI for the program. The program exceeded the PNI goal in each of the last 5 years and since 2012 has averaged 0.72. The success in reaching the recommended benchmark was the result of generating creative solutions and building diverse decisional and operational partnerships that could achieve goals of hatchery reform in a cost-effective and broadly supported manner.
Global resting‐state functional connectivity of neural oscillations in tinnitus with and without hearing loss
Authors: Demopoulos Carly , Duong Xuan , Hinkley Leighton B. , Ranasinghe Kamalini G. , Mizuiri Danielle , Garrett Coleman , Honma Susanne , Henderson‐Sabes Jennifer , Findlay Anne , Racine‐Belkoura Caroline , Cheung Steven W. , Nagarajan Srikantan S.
Published: April 2020

This study examined global resting‐state functional connectivity of neural oscillations in individuals with chronic tinnitus and normal and impaired hearing. We tested the hypothesis that distinct neural oscillatory networks are engaged in tinnitus with and without hearing loss. In both tinnitus groups, with and without hearing loss, we identified multiple frequency band‐dependent regions of increased and decreased global functional connectivity. We also found that the auditory domain of tinnitus severity, assayed by the Tinnitus Functional Index, was associated with global functional connectivity in both auditory and nonauditory regions. These findings provide candidate biomarkers to target and monitor treatments for tinnitus with and without hearing loss.
Breakdown of the affective‐cognitive network in functional dystonia
Authors: Canu Elisa , Agosta Federica , Tomic Aleksandra , Sarasso Elisabetta , Petrovic Igor , Piramide Noemi , Svetel Marina , Inuggi Alberto , D. Miskovic Natasa , Kostic Vladimir S. , Filippi Massimo
Published: April 2020

Previous studies suggested that brain regions subtending affective‐cognitive processes can be implicated in the pathophysiology of functional dystonia (FD). In this study, the role of the affective‐cognitive network was explored in two phenotypes of FD: fixed (FixFD) and mobile dystonia (MobFD). We hypothesized that each of these phenotypes would show peculiar functional connectivity (FC) alterations in line with their divergent disease clinical expressions. Resting state fMRI (RS‐fMRI) was obtained in 40 FD patients (12 FixFD; 28 MobFD) and 43 controls (14 young FixFD‐age‐matched [yHC]; 29 old MobFD‐age‐matched [oHC]). FC of brain regions of interest, known to be involved in affective‐cognitive processes, and independent component analysis of RS‐fMRI data to explore brain networks were employed. Compared to HC, all FD patients showed reduced FC between the majority of affective‐cognitive seeds of interest and the fronto‐subcortical and limbic circuits; enhanced FC between the right affective‐cognitive part of the cerebellum and the bilateral associative parietal cortex; enhanced FC of the bilateral amygdala with the subcortical and posterior cortical brain regions; and altered FC between the left medial dorsal nucleus and the sensorimotor and associative brain regions (enhanced in MobFD and reduced in FixFD). Compared with yHC and MobFD patients, FixFD patients had an extensive pattern of reduced FC within the cerebellar network, and between the majority of affective‐cognitive seeds of interest and the sensorimotor and high‐order function (“cognitive”) areas with a unique involvement of dorsal anterior cingulate cortex connectivity. Brain FC within the affective‐cognitive network is altered in FD and presented specific features associated with each FD phenotype, suggesting an interaction between brain connectivity and clinical expression of the disease.
Effective brain connectivity at rest is associated with choice‐induced preference formation
Authors: Voigt Katharina , Murawski Carsten , Speer Sebastian , Bode Stefan
Published: April 2020

Preferences can change as a consequence of making hard decisions whereby the value of chosen options increases and the value of rejected options decreases. Such choice‐induced preference changes have been associated with brain areas detecting choice conflict (anterior cingulate cortex, ACC), updating stimulus value (dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, dlPFC) and supporting memory of stimulus value (hippocampus and ventromedial prefrontal cortex, vmPFC). Here we investigated whether resting‐state neuronal activity within these regions is associated with the magnitude of individuals' preference updates. We fitted a dynamic causal model (DCM) to resting‐state neuronal activity in the spectral domain (spDCM) and estimated the causal connectivity among core regions involved in preference formation following hard choices. The extent of individuals' choice‐induced preference changes were found to be associated with a diminished resting‐state excitation between the left dlPFC and the vmPFC, whereas preference consistency was related to a higher resting‐state excitation from the ACC to the left hippocampus and vmPFC. Our results point to a model of preference formation during which the dynamic network configurations between left dlPFC, ACC, vmPFC and left hippocampus at rest are linked to preference change or stability.
Automatic diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy with the aid of adaptive average filtering with optimized deep convolutional neural network
Authors: Roshini TV , Ravi Ranjith V , Reema Mathew A , Kadan Anoop Balakrishnan , Subbian Perumal Sankar
Published: April 2020

The most effective treatment for diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the early detection through regular screening, which is critical for a better prognosis. Automatic screening of the images would assist the physicians in diagnosing the condition of patients easily and accurately. This condition searches out for special importance of image processing technology in the way of processing the retinal fundus images. Accordingly, this article plans to develop an automatic DR detection model with the aid of three main stages like (a) image preprocessing, (b) blood vessel segmentation, and (c) classification. The preprocessing phase includes two steps: conversion of RGB to Lab, and contrast enhancement. The Histogram equalization process is done using the contrast enhancement of an image. To the next of preprocessing, the segmentation phase starts with a valuable procedure. It includes (a), thresholding the contrast‐enhanced and filtered images, (b) thresholding the keypoints of contrast‐enhanced and filtered images, and (c) adding both thresholded binary images. Here, the filtering process is performed by proposed adaptive average filtering, where the filter coefficients are tuned or optimized by an improved meta‐heuristic algorithm called fitness probability‐based CSO (FP‐CSO). Finally, the classification part uses Deep CNN, where the improvement is exploited on the convolutional layer, which is optimized by the same improved FP‐CSO. Since the conventional CSO depends on a fitness probability in the improved algorithm, the proposed algorithm termed as FP‐CSO. Finally, valuable comparative and performance analysis has confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed model.
The Michigan infant mental health home visiting model
Authors: Weatherston Deborah J. , Ribaudo Julie ,   The Michigan Collaborative for Infant Mental Health Research
Published: April 2020

Selma Fraiberg's pioneering work with infants, toddlers, and families over 40 years ago led to the development of a field in which professionals from multiple disciplines learned to work with or on behalf of infants, very young children, their parents, and the relationships that bind them together. The intent was to promote social and emotional health through enhancing the security of early developing parent–child relationships in the first years of life (Fraiberg, 2018). Called infant mental health (IMH), practitioners from fields of health, education, social work, psychology, human development, nursing, pediatrics, and psychiatry specialize in supporting the optimal development of infants and the developing relationship between infants and their caregivers. When a baby is born into optimal circumstances, to parents free of undue economic and psychological stressors and who are emotionally ready to provide care and nurturing for an infant's needs, an IMH approach may be offered as promotion or prevention, with the goal of supporting new parent(s) in developing confidence in their capacity to understand and meet the needs of the tiny human they are coming to know and care for. However, when parental history is fraught with abandonment, loss, abuse or neglect, or the current environment is replete with economic insecurity, threats to survival due to interpersonal or community violence, social isolation, mental illness, or substance abuse, the work of the IMH therapist may require intervention or intensive treatment and becomes more psychotherapeutic in nature. The underlying therapeutic goal is to create a context in which the baby develops within the environment of a parent's nurturing care without the psychological impingement that parental history of trauma or loss or current stressors such as isolation, poverty, or the birth of a child with special needs, can incur.
Access and use of agricultural market information by smallholder farmers: Measuring informational capabilities
Authors: Magesa Mawazo M. , Michael Kisangiri , Ko Jesuk
Published: April 2020

While farmers sell their crops, middlemen provide a linkage between them, markets and buyers. Middlemen have good knowledge of working conditions of markets and have access to agricultural market information. Due to poor access to markets and agricultural market information by smallholders, there is a feeling that middlemen benefit more while farmers sell their crops. Good access to markets and market information may help farmers bypass middlemen while selling crops and thus benefit more. Thus, it is best to improve the informational capabilities (ICs) of farmers in agricultural marketing. Thus, this research measured ICs of farmers accessing market information, through a program NINAYO, while selling their crops. The research utilized the informational, psychological, social, and economic dimensions of the empowerment framework in identifying capability indicators to formulate survey questions. Data were collected from smallholders in six regions in Tanzania. The analysis utilized measures of life satisfaction and results showed that about half of the variation in the dependent variable, satisfaction with capabilities, was explained by the model. Backward elimination analysis confirmed that life satisfaction is multidimensional. Robustness test confirmed a positive relationship between satisfaction and capabilities. Overall, results confirmed ICs are multidimensions, their improvement empowers farmers in agricultural marketing.
Correlation betweenTICAM1gene polymorphisms and community‐acquired pneumonia in children
Authors: Yang Yong , Yang Suiyu , Chen Zongbo , Liu Li
Published: April 2020

This study aims to explore the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of theTICAM1gene and community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) in Chinese children. The polymorphisms of eight tag SNP (TagSNP) locus ofTICAM1were detected using the improved multiplex ligation detection reaction (iMLDR) assay in 375 children with CAP (average age, 37.8 ± 21.6 months) and 306 healthy children (average age, 38.5 ± 23.8 months). The correlation between polymorphisms of these TagSNPs and the risk, severity, sepsis, and CRP level of childhood CAP were evaluated using logistic regression analysis. The CC genotype of rs11466711T/C locus of TICAM1 is correlated with childhood CAP susceptibility, which significantly reduced the risk of childhood CAP (P < .05), The AA genotype of the rs6510826G/A locus and haplotype CCCA were associated with CRP level in childhood CAP, which significantly increased the risk of CRP increase (P < .05 andP < .01, respectively), The AA genotype of rs35747610G/A site is associated with sepsis in childhood CAP, significantly reduced risk of sepsis (P < .05). While the haplotype CCCG of this locus led to a significant reduction in the risks of childhood CAP, severe pneumonia and pneumonia sepsis (allP < .05).TICAM1has multiple functional variants closely related to the development and progression of childhood CAP, and these variations may have a synergistic effect on the development of childhood CAP.
Validation and extension of personality disorder spectra scales from MMPI‐2‐RF items
Authors: Hale Andrew C. , Nelson Sharon M. , Reckow Jaclyn , Spencer Robert J.
Published: April 2020

Objectives

Recent efforts have been made to develop 10 personality disorder spectra scales using items from the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory‐2 Restructured Form (MMPI‐2‐RF). These scales, developed by Sellbom et al. (2018, J. Pers. Assess., 1–15), demonstrated good validity and warranted cross‐validation.

Method

In all, 97 veterans undergoing neuropsychological evaluation in a VA outpatient clinic completed the MMPI‐2‐RF and the MCMI‐III. We examined the psychometric properties of the scales and proposed additional scales based on personality constructs found in other established tests and prior versions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM; APA, 2013).

Results

The 10 original and three additional scales demonstrated acceptable psychometric properties. Most of the 13 scales correlated strongly with the corresponding MCMI‐III scale, however, DSM criteria coverage was variable between scales.

Conclusion

These data provide additional support for 10 personality disorder spectra scales based on MMPI‐2‐RF items and establish preliminary evidence for three additional scales. Further validation is needed in larger and diverse samples.
The presence of SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA in the feces of COVID‐19 patients
Authors: Chen Yifei , Chen Liangjun , Deng Qiaoling , Zhang Guqin , Wu Kaisong , Ni Lan , Yang Yibin , Liu Bing , Wang Wei , Wei Chaojie , Yang Jiong , Ye Guangming , Cheng Zhenshun
Published: April 2020

In December 2019, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), emerged in Wuhan, China, and has spread globally. However, the transmission route of SARS‐CoV‐2 has not been fully understood. In this study, we aimed to investigate SARS‐CoV‐2 shedding in the excreta of COVID‐19 patients. Electronical medical records, including demographics, clinical characteristics, laboratory and radiological findings of enrolled patients were extracted and analyzed. Pharyngeal swab, stool, and urine specimens were collected and tested for SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA by real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Viral shedding at multiple time points in specimens was recorded, and its correlation analyzed with clinical manifestations and the severity of illness. A total of 42 laboratory‐confirmed patients were enrolled, 8 (19.05%) of whom had gastrointestinal symptoms. A total of 28 (66.67%) patients tested positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA in stool specimens, and this was not associated with the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms and the severity of illness. Among them, 18 (64.29%) patients remained positive for viral RNA in the feces after the pharyngeal swabs turned negative. The duration of viral shedding from the feces after negative conversion in pharyngeal swabs was 7 (6‐10) days, regardless of COVID‐19 severity. The demographics, clinical characteristics, laboratory and radiologic findings did not differ between patients who tested positive and negative for SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA in the feces. Viral RNA was not detectable in urine specimens from 10 patients. Our results demonstrated the presence of SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA in the feces of COVID‐19 patients and suggested the possibility of SARS‐CoV‐2 transmission via the fecal‐oral route.
Maximum and minimum air temperature lapse rates in the Andean region of Ecuador and Peru
Authors: Navarro‐Serrano Francisco , López‐Moreno Juan I. , Domínguez‐Castro Fernando , Alonso‐González Esteban , Azorin‐Molina Cesar , El‐Kenawy Ahmed , Vicente‐Serrano Sergio M.
Published: April 2020

To know the vertical distribution of air temperature is complex, and this is necessary for different applications. The main explanatory variable of air temperature is elevation above sea level, whose relationship with air temperature is measured by air temperature lapse rates (LRs). LRs can vary considerably spatiotemporally due to a wide spectrum of geographical, environmental, and other atmospheric factors. Our study presents the first comprehensive assessment of spatiotemporal changes of LRs over the Tropical Andes. Our study is focused on the Peruvian and Ecuadorian Andes, divided in two subregions by the parallel 9.5° (i.e., north and south). Maximum and minimum air temperatures were employed from 115 quality checked weather stations, for the period 1994–2011. Maximum (LRmax) and minimum (LRmin) air temperature lapse rates have been calculated for the whole study period. The effects of seasonality, humidity content and ENSO on the variability of LRs have been analysed. Results show that LRs have large spatiotemporal variability, since references values of LRmax range from −3.57 (South, dry season) to −4.77 (North, wet season), and LRmin range from −3.78 (North, dry season) to −4.93°C·km−1 (South, dry season), in function of season and subregion. Results indicate that the ENSO phases contribute significantly to the variability of southern subregion LRs. This study also presents that minimum air temperatures were more unpredictable than maximum air temperatures in terms of error and uncertainty, as a consequence of the larger spatial variability of nocturnal air temperatures, mainly influenced by local topography. In conclusion, this work goes deeper into the need to obtain precise LRs adapted to the study region, and shows that the use of standard LR values can cause significant failures in modelling air temperature in regions of complex terrain, such as the Andes.
An endless summer: 2018 heat episodes in Europe in the context of secular temperature variability and change
Authors: Hoy Andreas , Hänsel Stephanie , Maugeri Maurizio
Published: April 2020

The year 2018 was affected by very long‐lasting, stable summer conditions in vast parts of Europe, in many regions already starting in April and lasting until October. We investigate the thermal characteristics of this year in a secular time perspective, using a spatially well‐distributed dataset of 67 European stations (west of ~30°E) with daily long‐term air temperature observations. Our dataset comprises many of the longest and most reliable (homogenous) temperature measurements available in Europe, mainly starting already in the 19th or rarely even 18th century. Individual time series length is considered to analyse the summer 2018 temperatures into a more than two‐century time perspective, while European time series are presented for the period 1855–2018 and records of five European regions are considered from 1881 onwards. The extreme long duration of the 2018 summer most clearly manifested itself in pronounced new continental maxima of summer half year (April–September) temperature averages and the number of days with maximum temperatures ≥20 and ≥25°C. Furthermore, those indices reached new local maxima at about half of our investigated stations. Records of other temperature indices, rather representing intense heat conditions, were particularly broken in the extended Baltic Sea region, supported by distinct and long‐lasting anticyclonic conditions in this area. However, the extreme summer of 2003 still dominates the ranking of most of these indices on the continental level, even though it is now generally closely followed by summer 2018. We show that long‐term variations of teleconnection indices and the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, as well as seasonal and anthropogenic effects, supported both the recent hot summers and the extreme summer of 2018.
Hepatocyte growth factor regulates HIF‐1α‐induced nucleus pulposus cell proliferation through MAPK‐, PI3K/Akt‐, and STAT3‐mediated signaling
Authors: Itsuji Tomonori , Tonomura Hitoshi , Ishibashi Hidenobu , Mikami Yasuo , Nagae Masateru , Takatori Ryota , Tanida Takashi , Matsuda Ken‐Ichi , Tanaka Masaki , Kubo Toshikazu
Published: April 2020

Intervertebral discs are important for maintaining mobility and offer support to the body trunk. If these discs lose their biomechanical features, lower back pain can occur. We previously reported that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) promotes cell proliferation and suppresses apoptosis, inflammation, and matrix degradation in nucleus pulposus (NP) cells. In the present study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms of how HGF promotes the proliferation of NP cells in hypoxic conditions. Hypoxic stimulation promoted modest cell proliferation, which was further upregulated by HGF. Expression of hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF‐1α) protein, which contributes to the maintenance of homeostasis in NP cells, was also upregulated in hypoxia‐treated cell groups; HGF further increased HIF‐1α expression in NP cells. Additionally, knockdown of HIF‐1α expression significantly reduced the proliferation of NP cells. An MAPK inhibitor inhibited the expression of HIF‐1α and pERK, as well as cell proliferation in a dose‐dependent manner. Similarly, inhibiting the PI3K/Akt and STAT3 pathways also decreased the expression of HIF‐1α and cell proliferation. These results show that under hypoxic conditions, HGF promotes NP cell proliferation via HIF‐1α‐, MAPK‐, PI3K/Akt‐, and STAT3‐mediated signaling which is involved in this pathway. The control of these signaling pathways may be a target for potential therapeutic strategies for the treatment of disc degeneration in hypoxic conditions.
Microbiota stratification and succession of amylase‐producing Bacillus in traditional Chinese Jiuqu (fermentation starters)
Authors: Wang Zong‐Min , Wang Cheng‐Tao , Shen Cai‐Hong , Wang Song‐Tao , Mao Jie‐Qi , Li Zhen , Gänzle Michael , Mao Jian
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

Jiuqu are vital saccharifying and fermenting agents for Chinese fermented foods. Natural ventilation during Jiuqu fermentation causes changes in temperature, oxygen and moisture content, resulting in mass and heat gradients from the outer to inner areas of Jiuqu blocks. In the present study, microbiota stratification in Jiuqu was investigated by single molecule real‐time sequencing and culture isolation. The contributors of Bacillus to amylase activity of Jiuqu and the dynamics of their biomass during Jiuqu fermentation were also analyzed.

RESULTS

The dominant orders, genera and species between the inner and outer layers of Huangjiu qu (HJQ) were similar, although they displayed greater variance in two layers of Baijiu qu (BJQ). Bacillus possessed the highest diversity (including 27 species) in Jiuqu. Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus altitudinis, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Bacillus megaterium were most prevalent in HJQ, whereas B. licheniformis, B. amyloliquefaciens and Bacillus cereus were dominant in BJQ. Isolates of B. amyloliquefaciens, B. subtilis and B. cereus exhibited high activities of amylase and glucoamylase. Quantification of Bacillus members possessing genes of α‐amylase revealed that B. cereus and B. licheniformis were the most dominant microbes to secret α‐amylase in Jiuqu and their biomass were increasing during Jiuqu fermentation.

CONCLUSION

The present study demonstrates the microbial distribution in different layers of Jiuqu and clarifies the Bacillus species processing the activity of α‐amylase. These results will help industries control the quality of Jiuqu by rationally selecting starters and optimizing their microbiota. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Cost Utility Analysis of Dupilumab Versus Endoscopic Sinus Surgery for Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps
Authors: Scangas George A. , Wu Arthur W. , Ting Jonathan Y. , Metson Ralph , Walgama Evan , Shrime Mark G. , Higgins Thomas S.
Published: April 2020

Objective

Both endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) and biologic therapies have shown effectiveness for medically‐refractory chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) without severe asthma. The objective was to evaluate cost‐effectiveness of dupilumab versus ESS for patients with CRSwNP.

Study Design

Cohort‐style Markov decision‐tree economic model with a 36‐year time horizon.

Methods

A cohort of 197 CRSwNP patients who underwent ESS were compared with a matched cohort of 293 CRSwNP patients from the SINUS‐24 and SINUS‐52 Phase 3 studies who underwent treatment with dupilumab 300 mg every 2 weeks. Utility scores were calculated from the SNOT‐22 instrument in both cohorts. Decision‐tree analysis and a 10‐state Markov model utilized published event probabilities and primary data to calculate long‐term costs and utility. The primary outcome measure was incremental cost per quality‐adjusted life year (QALY), which is expressed as an Incremental Cost Effectiveness Ratio. One‐way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed.

Results

The ESS strategy cost $50,436.99 and produced 9.80 QALYs. The dupilumab treatment strategy cost $536,420.22 and produced 8.95 QALYs. Because dupilumab treatment was more costly and less effective than the ESS strategy, it is dominated by ESS in the base case. One‐way sensitivity analyses showed ESS to be cost‐effective versus dupilumab regardless of the frequency of revision surgery and at any yearly cost of dupilumab above $855.

Conclusions

The ESS treatment strategy is more cost effective than dupilumab for upfront treatment of CRSwNP. More studies are needed to isolate potential phenotypes or endotypes that will benefit most from dupilumab in a cost‐effective manner.

Level of Evidence

2C Laryngoscope, 131:E26–E33, 2021
Zonal Reconstruction of Photonic Wavefunction via Momentum Weak Measurement
Authors: Yang Mu , Xiao Ya , Liao Yu‐Wei , Liu Zheng‐Hao , Xu Xiao‐Ye , Xu Jin‐Shi , Li Chuan‐Feng , Guo Guang‐Can
Published: April 2020

Direct measurement of wavefunctions has attracted great interest and many different methods have been developed. However, the precision of current techniques is limited by the use of Fourier transform lenses. These measurements require to shear cut the part of particles with momentum , which greatly restricts the efficiency and application of the approaches. Here, a method to directly measure 2D photonic wavefunctions is proposed and experimentally demonstrated by combining the momentum weak measurement technology and the zonal wavefront restoration algorithm. Both the Gaussian and Laguerre–Gaussian wavefunctions are experimentally well reconstructed. This method avoids using the Fourier lens and post selection on the momentum . This is further applied to measure wavefronts with ultra‐high spatial frequency and achieve a pixel resolution, which is difficult for traditional Shack–Hartmann wavefront sensing technologies. This work extends the ability of quantum measurement techniques and will be useful for high‐resolution wavefront sensing.
Cognitive reflection and economic order quantity inventory management: An experimental investigation
Authors: Pan Jinrui , Shachat Jason , Wei Sijia
Published: April 2020

We use laboratory experiments to evaluate the effects of individuals' cognitive abilities on their behavior in a finite horizon economic order quantity model. Participants' abilities to balance intuitive judgment with cognitive deliberations are measured by the cognitive reflection test (CRT). Participants then complete a sequence of ordering decisions. Our results show that participants with higher CRT scores on average earn greater profit and choose more effective policies. However, these gaps are transitory as participants with lower CRT scores exhibit faster learning. We also show gender differences in performance do not hold when we control for individual CRT scores.
In states with prominent virus crisis, door wide open for move to telehealth
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: April 2020

Amid ever‐changing policy developments in response to the COVID‐19 crisis, many states have identified loosening restrictions on telehealth services as a front‐burner item. This has allowed mental health provider agencies, particularly in the states hardest hit so far by the virus that causes COVID‐19, to move more quickly to transition in‐person outpatient services to telehealth.
Thousands of New York MH professionals volunteer for service
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: April 2020

Considered the U.S. epicenter of the COVID‐19 pandemic with more than 67,000 cases reported last month and increasing steadily, New York state is embracing the more than 6,000 mental health professionals who have heeded the call to volunteer to help residents in emotional stress from COVID‐19.
MH coalition asks government for needed protective gear
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: April 2020

A mental health coalition on April 1 in urged the federal government to provide personal protection equipment (PPE) to all behavioral health care professionals on the frontlines of the COVID‐19 pandemic. The letter, signed by the National Council for Behavioral Health, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Mental Health America and the American Psychiatric Association, states that the lack of PPE is putting behavioral health care workers at risk.
Lactobacillus Casei Zhang Alleviates Shrimp Tropomyosin‐Induced Food Allergy by Switching Antibody Isotypes through the NF‐κB‐Dependent Immune Tolerance
Authors: Fu Linglin , Xie Menghua , Wang Chong , Qian Yi , Huang Jianjian , Sun Zhihong , Zhang Heping , Wang Yanbo
Published: April 2020

Scope

Shellfish allergy is an important cause of food allergy, and tropomyosin (TM) is the major allergen within shellfish. Probiotics are safe bacteria that benefit host health and nutrition and is proposed as a novel approach for treating immunological diseases, including food allergies.

Methods and results

The probiotic strain Lactobacillus casei Zhang (LcZ) isolated from koumiss is investigated for its capacity to modulate food allergy induced by TM in BALB/c mice. Oral administration of LcZ attenuated allergy symptoms and intestinal epithelial damage. Furthermore, flow cytometry, real‐time quantitative PCR, and ELISA demonstrated that LcZ administration altered the development and function of dendritic cells (DCs), T cells, and B cells, finally resulting in the change of TM‐specific antibody isotypes into a tolerogenic pattern. Moreover, an in vitro spleen cell culture model reveals that LcZ directly modulates regulatory tolerogenic DC and T cell development, dependent on the activation of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) signaling pathway.

Conclusion

This work indicates the ability of LcZ to alleviate TM‐induced food allergy and demonstrates the involvement of the tolerogenic immune cells and NF‐κB signaling pathway, indicating LcZ to be a potential immunomodulator and immunotherapy assistor.
Microwave pressure sensor based on transmission response of a quarter‐wavelength single stub microstrip line
Authors: Shamabadi Ali Asghar , Rezaee Morteza , Kazemi‐Beydokhti Amin
Published: April 2020

A microwave pressure sensor based on variations in the transmission zero of a microstrip circuit is proposed in this article. The structure of the sensor is consisting of a microstrip line connected in parallel to a single stub, which the stub is terminated in a reactive load. When the length of stub is around quarter‐wavelength, the frequency of the transmission zero of microstrip line can be controlled by the reactance value. Therefore, by using a simple parallel plate capacitor as a transducer in which its capacitance is changed by the pressure, a microwave pressure sensor is realized. A prototype pressure sensor by using a circular‐shape parallel plate capacitor is designed and fabricated that the measurement results show a good linear variation of transmission zero with pressure with sensitivity of −0.57 MHz/kPa when the pressure changes from 0 to 466 kPa.
Differentiated adipose‐derived stem cells promote peripheral nerve regeneration
Authors: Yamamoto Daiki , Tada Kaoru , Suganuma Seigo , Hayashi Katsuhiro , Nakajima Tadahiro , Nakada Mika , Matsuta Masashi , Tsuchiya Hiroyuki
Published: April 2020

Introduction

Many reports have indicated that adipose‐derived stem cells (ADSCs) are effective for nerve regeneration. We investigated nerve regeneration by combining a polyglycolic acid collagen (PGA‐c) tube, which is approved for clinical use, and Schwann cell‐like differentiated ADSCs (dADSCs).

Methods

Fifteen‐millimeter‐long gaps in the sciatic nerve of rats were bridged in each group using tubes (group I), with tubes injected with dADSCs (group II), or by resected nerve (group III).

Results

Axonal outgrowth was greater in group II than in group I. Tibialis anterior muscle weight revealed recovery only in group III. Latency in nerve conduction studies was equivalent in group II and III, but action potential was lower in group II. Transplanted dADSCs maintained Schwann cell marker expression. ATF3 expression level in the dorsal root ganglia was equivalent in groups II and III.

Discussion

dADSCs maintained their differentiated state in the tubes and are believed to have contributed to nerve regeneration.