bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An empirical analysis of the impact of China’s financial development on current account
Authors: Li Wei , Dai Yuzan
Published: December 2020

The global economy presents a situation of unbalanced development, and the imbalance of current account is the important aspect of global economic imbalance. This paper constructs the comparative advantage index of financial development and efficiency index of financial system that suits China’s national conditions, demonstratively analyzes how the financial development affects current account.
Dynamic Relationship between RMB Exchange Rate and Interest Rate Based on VAR-DCC-GARCH Model
Authors: Zhao Xuhang
Published: December 2020

Based on the daily data of Shibor and nominal exchange rate from 2006 to 2019, this paper constructs VAR model and uses Granger causality test and impulse response model to analyze the dynamic relationship between exchange rate and interest rate. Based on the DCC-GARCH model, this paper analyzes the correlation between exchange rate volatility and interest rate volatility, and concludes that there is a weak negative correlation between exchange rate and interest rate. Both exchange rate and monetary policy will have an important impact on China’s economic environment, so it is of great practical significance to study the joint impact of exchange rate and monetary policy.
The Impact of Black Swan Events on Stock Prices: Evidence from the Melamine Incident in China
Authors: ZHU Wenjian
Published: December 2020

The influence of melamine incident on dairy industry in 2008 was investigated, and the control effect of different enterprises on the black swan incident was analyzed. First of all, this paper analyzes the impact of the stock of listed companies in the dairy industry after the black swan incident, and compares the impact of the different risk treatment of several leading enterprises on the stock price recovery.

The results show that: first, the melamine incident has a negative effect on the enterprises involved, and the enterprises involved do not have a competitive advantage. Second, in the same period, enterprises pay more attention to the influence of black swan event and take more powerful measures. The greater the risk treatment intensity is, the less the influence of black swan event will be. Third, the two enterprises have similar risk handling strength. The faster the response to risk events, the earlier the processing time, and the less affected by the black swan event.
The research of Born Global Firms’ transnational strategy
Authors: Chong Li
Published: December 2020

With the development of global business, Born Global Firms are always sinking into various pressures which are related to economic factors, social factors and informational factors. This situation making Born Global Firms’ strategies is supposed to achieve those requirements that including global market integration, social responsiveness, worldwide learning. There are four important strategies which are widely used in Born Global Firms internationalization process that including multinational strategy, global strategy, international strategy, and transnational strategy. This essay will introduce pursuing transnational strategy and some difficulties existing in this process. Furthermore, an example of an entrepreneurial subsidiary will be chosen to explore and conduct further research.
How Daily FSSB and Ethical Leadership Affect Work Stress for Chinese Public Servants
Authors: Chongrui Liu , Cheng Zhang , Cong Wang , Hongjie Wang , Jizhou Chen
Published: December 2020

Employees’ work stress has been studied extensively. This study investigates how day-to-day family supportive supervisor behaviors (FSSB hereafter) affect daily subordinates’ work stress. 137 employees responded to daily surveys for 10 days. With a total of 1370 surveys, the results showed that daily FSSB was positively related to daily subordinates’ positive emotions, and ethical leadership positively moderated the relationship between the two. In addition, daily FSSB and daily subordinates’ positive emotions had negative effect on daily work stress, which provided evidence that daily subordinates’ positive emotions played a mediating role in the relation of daily FSSB and daily work stress.
Research on the Influence of the Mode of Home with Joint Property Rights on the Commercial House Prices Based on Synthetic Control Methods——Taking Huangshi City as An Example
Authors: Liu Fengjuan , Zhao Yao
Published: December 2020

By the synthetic control method and monthly panel data of 21 cities from March 2008 to December 2014, this paper analyzes the effects of the mode of housing with common property rights and regulation policy on commodity housing prices of Huangshi City and the sensitivity of housing prices to policies. The results show that the effect of the mode of home with joint property rights on the commodity house price of Huangshi City is not significant, which shows that the commodity house price of Huangshi City is less sensitive to the related regulatory policies. Therefore, this paper suggests that the government should establish new special housing management institutions or adjust, improve the responsibilities of the existing housing management institutions, expand the number of applicants for home with common property rights, especially for those who have the prominent contributions to the society, which can be allowed to apply the housing with the joint property rights even if they are in the middle income level, restructure or standardize the existing management system, laws and regulations and set up an effective management system for participating in the construction and management of home with common property rights.
Supply Chain Quality Performance Evaluation Model Based on Intuitionistic Fuzzy PROMETHEE
Authors: Dubo He , Dong Huang
Published: December 2020

Aiming at the ambiguity and uncertainty in subjective group decision-making of supply chain quality performance evaluation, the traditional preference ranking organization methods for enrichment evaluation (PROMETHEE) is extended to a fuzzy environment, and a new intuitive fuzzy PROMETHEE model is proposed. The model uses intuitionistic fuzzy numbers to express the decision-maker’s semantic evaluation information, and establishes a trust function based on the evaluation information to determine the decision-maker’s weight. Then, use the method of maximizing the net flow to obtain the attribute weight. Finally, gather the evaluation information to obtain the decision group’s pros and cons. The validity and feasibility of the model is verified by an example.
Time Series and Multiple Linear Regression Calibration Model for CO Monitoring Data
Authors: Yan Xu , Shuangting Lan
Published: December 2020

CO is a kind of air pollutant with the largest amount and the widest distribution in the atmosphere produced by combustion of carbon containing substances. Real-time monitoring of the concentration of CO can grasp the air quality in time and take corresponding measures to the pollution sources. Monitoring data may be affected by the internal factors and the external factors. ARIMA was used for the internal factor as A. Meteorological factors were taken as external factors, and the difference of CO between the standard data and monitoring data was taken as dependent variable. Multivariate linear regression was modeled as B. Time series calibration model was obtained Y=A+B. The error analysis showed that the accuracy of CO was improved. The additive model could effectively calibrate CO monitoring data.
Design and analysis of a kind of engineering information security protection system
Authors: Lingdong Zeng , Peng Dong , Jingqian Zhu
Published: December 2020

This paper firstly briefly analyzes the general design principles and special requirements of a certain type of engineering information security protection system. This paper focuses on the analysis of information security technology prevention system design. This paper is based on modern information technology and fully adopts the latest development and concepts of information security protection technology; The design analysis process makes extensive use of computer, network security, automation, industrial control, and other technologies. The purpose of this paper is to make a certain engineering and weapon equipment information security protection system adapt to the special environment of information security, reliability, and confidentiality. Another purpose is to realize the particularity, advancement, practicability, and expansibility and of a certain type of engineering information security protection system.
Research on Financial Efficiency of Yunnan Baiyao Based on Big Data
Authors: Li Xuefeng
Published: December 2020

The analysis of corporate financial efficiency can meet the different decision needs of users of accounting information. Big data transforms accounting information from real-time data to real-time cloud computing platforms, providing a rich information foundation for financial efficiency analysis of enterprises. This article uses the financial data of Yunnan Baiyao in the past six years, and analyzes the problems and countermeasures of its financial management by analyzing the company’s operating capacity, profitability, solvency and development ability, in order to provide useful reference for enterprise management.
A Study on the Integration of Multiple Subjects in Financial Supply of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Long-term care
Authors: Bo SU , Si-qi FENG , Cui-ling GUAN
Published: December 2020

China is a country with an aging population, and the social risks brought by the incapacitated elderly and demented elderly are constantly increasing. It is difficult for families to bear the financial burden of long-term care for the incapacitated elderly and demented elderly independently, so they must rely on external forces to provide financial support for long-term care. The advantages of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the treatment and rehabilitation of senile diseases are increasingly prominent, but there is still a lack of integration between Traditional Chinese Medicine services and long-term care of the elderly, which should guide social subjects to enter the field of long-term care of the elderly in Traditional Chinese Medicine. This paper analyzes the feasibility of “3+1” model in which multiple subjects, such as family, government, market, charity and public welfare organizations, share the financial burden of long-term care for the incapacitated elderly and demented elderly, and studies the construction of an effective financial supply integration mechanism.
Test-Retest-Reliability of Computer-Based Metamorphopsia Measurement in Macular Diseases
Authors: Claessens Daniela , Schuster Alexander K. , Krüger Ronald V. , Liegl Marian , Singh Laila , Kirchhof Bernd
Published: December 2020

In this study, the test-retest-reliability as one aspect of reliability of metamorphopsia measurements using a computer-based measuring method was determined in patients with macular diseases. Metamorphopsia amplitude, position, and area were quantified using AMD – A Metamorphopsia Detector software (app4eyes GmbH & Co. KG, Germany) in patients with diabetic, myopic, or uveitic macular edema, intermediate or neovascular age-associated macular degeneration, epiretinal membrane, vitelliform maculopathy, Irvine-Gass syndrome, or macular edema due to venous retinal occlusion. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated in order to determine the repeatability of two repeated measurements and was used as an indicator of the reliability of the measurements. In this study, metamorphopsia measurements were conducted on 36 eyes with macular diseases. Metamorphopsia measurements made using AMD – A Metamorphopsia Detector software were highly reliable and
repeatable in patients with maculopathies. The intraclass correlation coefficient of all indices was excellent (0.95 – 0.97). For diseases of the vitreoretinal interface or macular diseases with intra- or subretinal edema, this metamorphopsia measurement represents a supplement for visual function testing in the clinic, as well as in clinical studies.
Gesäßpflege bei wundem oder offenem Gesäß
Authors: Wilmes Sabrina
Published: December 2020

Wartezeiten zum Lernen nutzen – das ist die Idee der One Minute Wonder. Wir stellen in loser Reihe OMWs zu verschiedenen Themen vor.
Dental and Medical Students’ Knowledge and Attitude toward COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study from Pakistan
Authors: Ali Saqib , Alam Beenish Fatima , Farooqi Faraz , Almas Khalid , Noreen Sara
Published: December 2020

Objective The aims of this study were to investigate the awareness, knowledge, and attitudes of Pakistani medical and dental undergraduate students toward COVID-19 during the surge of its outbreak.

Materials and Methods The multicentered, cross-sectional study was carried out nationwide among undergraduate medical and dental students. A convenience sampling technique was used. A self-developed online questionnaire was pretested to be completed by the participants. It was distributed using social media. The survey was comprised of questions related to demographics, health status, general hygiene perception, understanding, and the learning attitudes of the students. Comparisons of the knowledge scores and the attitude responses with the demographic information were done using the independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Chi-square, as appropriate.

Results Of the 937 total respondents, 353 (38%) were males and 582 (62%) were females; two students did not mark their gender. Of these, 680 (73%) were dental students and 257 (27%) were medical students. The mean knowledge score of the female dental students (5.15 ± 1.08) was significantly higher than that of the male students (4.87 ± 1.09). Overall, the mean knowledge score was statistically higher among the medical students in comparison to the dental students (5.21 ± 1.15, 5.05 ± 1.09; p = 0.054), respectively.

Conclusion The medical and dental students were both aware of the importance of the use of a mask. The medical students had a greater awareness regarding the mode of transmission, symptoms, and origin of COVID-19. However, the dental students showed better understanding of the use of surgical masks and the correct protocol for hand washing. Social media was considered the main source for COVID-19 related information.
Discipline-Specific Perspectives on Caring for Babies with Trisomy 13 or 18 in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Torbert Nicholas , Neumann Marie , Birge Nicole , Perkins Donnetta , Ehrhardt Elizabeth , Weaver Meaghann S.
Published: December 2020

Objective Care offerings vary across medical settings and between families for babies with trisomy 13 or 18. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore nurse, advanced practice practitioner, and neonatologist perspectives on care for babies with trisomy 13 or 18 in the intensive care unit.

Study Design Voice-recorded qualitative interviews occurred with 64 participants (41 bedside nurses, 14 advance practice practitioners, and 9 neonatologists) from two neonatal intensive care units (NICU) in the midwestern United States. Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research guidelines were followed. Content analyses occurred utilizing MAXQDA (VERBI Software, 2020).

Results Over half of NICU staff perceived care for babies with trisomy 13 or 18 as different from care for other babies with critical chronic illness. Qualitative themes included internal conflict, variable presentation and prognosis, grappling with uncertainty, family experiences, and provision of meaningful care. Neonatologists emphasized the variability of presentation and prognosis, while nurses emphasized provision of meaningful care. Phrases “hard/difficult” were spoken 31 times; primarily describing the comorbidities, complexities, and prognostic uncertainty.

Conclusion Care for babies with these genetic diagnoses reveals need for a shared dialogue not only with families but also across staff disciplines. While perspectives differ, participants depicted striving to offer compassionate, family-centered care while also balancing biomedical uncertainty about interventions for children with trisomy 13 and 18.

Key Points
Genome-wide identification, phylogenetic analysis and expression profiling of the late embryogenesis-abundant (LEA) gene family in Brachypodium distachyon
Authors: Ma LiTing , Zhu Ting , Wang HaiRong , Zhou Hao , Shao LeiLei , Ding Qin , Zhang DaZhong , Ma LingJian
Published: December 2020

Late embryogenesis-abundant (LEA) proteins are the products of an important gene family in plants that play vital roles in regulating growth and development as well as a variety of stress responses. In our study, 67 members of LEA (BdLEA) were identified in the genome of Brachypodium distachyon L. Analyses of gene structure, evolutionary relationships and protein motifs showed that the BdLEAs belonged to six subfamilies. Analyses of chromosomal locations and duplication events revealed that the 67 BdLEAs were distributed over all five chromosomes and 26 BdLEAs were identified as products of duplication events. Gene Ontology (GO) annotation results suggested that nearly 60% of BdLEAs could be involved in stress response. Furthermore, transcriptomic analysis showed that the BdLEAs were differentially expressed in nine organs and responded to low stringency of exogenous phytohormones. Subsequently, 18 BdLEAs from six subfamilies were randomly selected for quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis, which showed that they were mainly expressed in the spikelets and they may preferentially respond to salt, drought and abscisic acid (ABA) stress. This study is the first to report the characteristics of the BdLEA family, providing valuable information for understanding the evolution of LEAs in the model plant B. distachyon and supporting future functional research on these proteins.
Aspects associated with sexualised drug use among gay men and other men who have sex with men: a cross-sectional study from the Latin America MSM Internet Survey 2018 – Chile
Authors: Lisboa Donoso Cristian , Stuardo Ávila Valeria
Published: December 2020

Background
Sexualised drug use has attracted interest due to the role it could play in increasing exposure to the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmissible infections. It also carries risks inherent to substance use and may influence psychosocial factors. This study characterised sexualised drug use among Latin America MSM Internet Survey (LAMIS) respondents in Chile, in order to identify aspects associated with the phenomenon. Methods: LAMIS data were used to analyse: drug use (in any context, in sexual context and sexualised drug use), epidemiological aspects and psychosocial aspects. In addition, the associations between the sexualised drug use and these aspects were estimated. Results: The prevalence of sexualised drug use was 24% (n = 4945). The drugs most used in a sexual context (n = 3365) were cannabis, poppers and viagra. Cocaine, ecstasy/MDMA (3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine) and ketamine use were reported in sexual encounters with multiple partners. Living with HIV (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.92), having had sex with three or more casual partners in the past year (AOR = 2.02) and having engaged in sex without a condom with three or more casual partners in this period (AOR = 1.61) were aspects associated with sexualised drug use. Less social integration (AOR = 0.76) and internalised homonegativity (AOR = 0.85) were aspects associated with a decrease of possibility of practising sexual drug use. Conclusion: Sexualised drug use is an emerging phenomenon in Chile, whose complexity needs to be studied in all its dimensions to have a complete understanding of its effect on people’s health.
Cortical tension overrides geometrical cues to orient microtubules in confined protoplasts
Authors: Colin Leia , Chevallier Antoine , Tsugawa Satoru , Gacon Florian , Godin Christophe , Viasnoff Virgile , Saunders Timothy E. , Hamant Olivier
Published: December 2020

Significance

In plants, microtubules largely determine the direction of cell expansion and the orientation of cell division planes. However, what processes orient the microtubules has remained debated. Here, we used microfabricated wells to confine and deform wallless plant cells in a controlled way to analyze the response of microtubules to cell geometry and surface tension. We demonstrate that microtubules align with cell geometry by default, whereas when surface tension increases (e.g. when turgor pressure increases), they align with the direction of maximal tension. Not only does this explain many observations in plant tissues, but it also provides a simple mechanism at the core of plant morphogenesis, in which microtubules can spontaneously align with tension, in a typical self-organized system.
Estimating literary translators’ earnings penalty
Authors: Mirsafian Leila , Pirnajmuddin Hossein , Nejadansari Dariush
Published: December 2020

Seeking to fill the gap in economics-related research in the subfield of translator studies, this article aims to identify
the best approach to estimate the earnings penalty and forgone income of Iranian professional literary translators. The data were collected
through interviews with 118 Iranian professional literary translators. A multiple regression analysis done to estimate the translators’
annual income equation shows that male Tehran-based literary translators who have no other jobs and spent less time on higher education earn
more than their colleagues who are female, do not live in Tehran, have other jobs, and spent more time on higher education. However, the
multiple regression analysis for estimating the average forgone income equation of the interviewees indicates that the more experience and
the fewer award jury/editorial board memberships female non-Tehran-based literary translators have, the more they suffer from earnings
penalties. Building on these findings, the article highlights the implications of cultural economics research for translator studies.
Second critical point appears in two models of water
Authors: Dumé Isabelle
Published: December 2020

Researchers in the US and Italy have identified a second critical point in two theoretical models of water
US election focuses on science
Authors: Gwynne Peter
Published: December 2020

From dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic to stimulating industries of the future, science policy will play a larger role than usual in next month’s US election
Neutrino observatory set for the Pacific
Authors: Cartlidge Edwin
Published: December 2020

Astrophysicists in Germany and North America have published plans to build the world’s largest neutrino telescope on the sea floor off the coast of Canada.
Eliminating the boundary between sky and space
Authors: Nailard Oliver
Published: December 2020

Reusable vehicles are vital to make access to space more affordable, but conventional rocket engines have their limits. Oliver Nailard describes how UK firm Reaction Engines hopes to revolutionize space access with a new class of propulsion system, the Synergetic Air Breathing Rocket Engine (SABRE)
Automated flow control of a multi-lane swimming chamber for small fishes indicates species-specific sensitivity to experimental protocols
Authors: Illing Björn , Severati Andrea , Hochen Justin , Boyd Paul , Raison Paulin , Mather Rachel , Downie Adam T , Rummer Jodie L , Kroon Frederieke J , Humphrey Craig
Published: December 2020

In fishes, swimming performance is considered an important metric to measure fitness, dispersal and migratory abilities. The swimming performance of individual larval fishes is often integrated into models to make inferences on how environmental parameters affect population-level dynamics (e.g. connectivity). However, little information exists regarding how experimental protocols affect the swimming performance of marine fish larvae. In addition, the technical setups used to measure larval fish swimming performance often lack automation and accurate control of water quality parameters and flow velocity. In this study, we automated the control of multi-lane swimming chambers for small fishes by developing an open-source algorithm. This automation allowed us to execute repeatable flow scenarios and reduce operator interference and inaccuracies in flow velocity typically associated with manual control. Furthermore, we made structural modifications to a prior design to reduce the areas of lower flow velocity. We then validated the flow dynamics of the new chambers using computational fluid dynamics and particle-tracking software. The algorithm provided an accurate alignment between the set and measured flow velocities and we used it to test whether faster critical swimming speed (Ucrit) protocols (i.e. shorter time intervals and higher velocity increments) would increase Ucrit of early life stages of two tropical fish species [4–10-mm standard length (SL)]. The Ucrit of barramundi (Lates calcarifer) and cinnamon anemonefish (Amphiprion melanopus) increased linearly with fish length, but in cinnamon anemonefish, Ucrit started to decrease upon metamorphosis. Swimming protocols using longer time intervals (more than 2.5 times increase) negatively affected Ucrit in cinnamon anemonefish but not in barramundi. These species-specific differences in swimming performance highlight the importance of testing suitable Ucrit protocols prior to experimentation. The automated control of flow velocity will create more accurate and repeatable data on swimming performance of larval fishes. Integrating refined measurements into individual-based models will support future research on the effects of environmental change.
Impact of medication adherence to dual antiplatelet therapy on the long-term outcome of drug-eluting or bare-metal stents
Authors: Choi J.H , Choi J.M , Lee S.H , Jang Y.J , Kang M , Lee J.M , Park T.K , Yang J.H , Song Y.B , Choi K.H , Hahn J.Y , Choi S.H , Gwon H.C , Lee S.H
Published: December 2020

Objective

In percutaneous coronary intervention, drug-eluting stent (DES) showed better clinical outcome compared to bare-metal stent (BMS) but mostly with different DAPT durations. This study investigated the clinical superiority of DES over BMS with regard to the medication adherence to dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT).

Methods

We retrospectively enrolled all Koreans PCI patients in year 2011 (n=47,291). Medication adherence to DAPT was assessed by proportion of days covered (PDC) per 6 months. Analysis adjusted with the clinical propensity for receiving DES or BMS and DAPT PDC of the first 6 month was performed. Primary outcome was the 5-year major adverse clinical event (MACE) risk consisting all-cause death, revascularization, shock, or stroke.

Results

Patients with DES (n=46,356) showed higher PDC (78% versus 60%, p<0.001) and lower MACE risk (39% versus 56%, p<0.001) compared to patients with BMS (n=935). In the propensity-matched 1,868 patients, MACE risk was lower with DES than BMS (46% versus 54%, HR=0.80, 95% CI: 0.70–0.91, p<0.001). Patients with good medication adherence (PDC ≥80%) showed much lower MACE risk compared to patients with PDC <80% regardless of DES or BMS (HR=0.36, 95% CI: 0.30–0.44; HR=0.40, 95% CI: 0.33–0.48, p<0.001, all). Patients with DES and PDC <80% showed higher MACE risk compared to BMS with and PDC ≥80% (HR=1.30, 95% CI: 1.03–1.64, p=0.027).

Conclusions

Good medication adherence to DAPT in the first 6 month was prerequisite for better clinical outcome in both DES and BMS. DES with poor adherence to DAPT showed worse outcome compared with BMS with good adherence.

Impact of medication adherence to dual antiplatelet therapy.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None
File-based localization of numerical perturbations in data analysis pipelines
Authors: Salari Ali , Kiar Gregory , Lewis Lindsay , Evans Alan C , Glatard Tristan
Published: December 2020

Background

Data analysis pipelines are known to be affected by computational conditions, presumably owing to the creation and propagation of numerical errors. While this process could play a major role in the current reproducibility crisis, the precise causes of such instabilities and the path along which they propagate in pipelines are unclear.

Method

We present Spot, a tool to identify which processes in a pipeline create numerical differences when executed in different computational conditions. Spot leverages system-call interception through ReproZip to reconstruct and compare provenance graphs without pipeline instrumentation.

Results

By applying Spot to the structural pre-processing pipelines of the Human Connectome Project, we found that linear and non-linear registration are the cause of most numerical instabilities in these pipelines, which confirms previous findings.
A methodological approach to correlate tumor heterogeneity with drug distribution profile in mass spectrometry imaging data
Authors: Prasad Mridula , Postma Geert , Franceschi Pietro , Morosi Lavinia , Giordano Silvia , Falcetta Francesca , Giavazzi Raffaella , Davoli Enrico , Buydens Lutgarde M C , Jansen Jeroen
Published: December 2020

Background

Drug mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) data contain knowledge about drug and several other molecular ions present in a biological sample. However, a proper approach to fully explore the potential of such type of data is still missing. Therefore, a computational pipeline that combines different spatial and non-spatial methods is proposed to link the observed drug distribution profile with tumor heterogeneity in solid tumor. Our data analysis steps include pre-processing of MSI data, cluster analysis, drug local indicators of spatial association (LISA) map, and ions selection.

Results

The number of clusters identified from different tumor tissues. The spatial homogeneity of the individual cluster was measured using a modified version of our drug homogeneity method. The clustered image and drug LISA map were simultaneously analyzed to link identified clusters with observed drug distribution profile. Finally, ions selection was performed using the spatially aware method.

Conclusions

In this paper, we have shown an approach to correlate the drug distribution with spatial heterogeneity in untargeted MSI data. Our approach is freely available in an R package 'CorrDrugTumorMSI'.
Chromosomal genome of Triplophysa bleekeri provides insights into its evolution and environmental adaptation
Authors: Yuan Dengyue , Chen Xuehui , Gu Haoran , Zou Ming , Zou Yu , Fang Jian , Tao Wenjing , Dai Xiangyan , Xiao Shijun , Wang Zhijian
Published: December 2020

Background

Intense stresses caused by high-altitude environments may result in noticeable genetic adaptions in native species. Studies of genetic adaptations to high elevations have been largely limited to terrestrial animals. How fish adapt to high-elevation environments is largely unknown. Triplophysa bleekeri, an endemic fish inhabiting high-altitude regions, is an excellent model to investigate the genetic mechanisms of adaptation to the local environment. Here, we assembled a chromosomal genome sequence of T. bleekeri, with a size of ∼628 Mb (contig and scaffold N50 of 3.1 and 22.9 Mb, respectively). We investigated the origin and environmental adaptation of T. bleekeri based on 21,198 protein-coding genes in the genome.

Results

Compared with fish species living at low altitudes, gene families associated with lipid metabolism and immune response were significantly expanded in the T. bleekeri genome. Genes involved in DNA repair exhibit positive selection for T. bleekeri, Triplophysa siluroides, and Triplophysa tibetana, indicating that adaptive convergence in Triplophysa species occurred at the positively selected genes. We also analyzed whole-genome variants among samples from 3 populations. The results showed that populations separated by geological and artificial barriers exhibited obvious differences in genetic structures, indicating that gene flow is restricted between populations.

Conclusions

These results will help us expand our understanding of environmental adaptation and genetic diversity of T. bleekeri and provide valuable genetic resources for future studies on the evolution and conservation of high-altitude fish species such as T. bleekeri.
iGenomics: Comprehensive DNA sequence analysis on your Smartphone
Authors: Palatnick Aspyn , Zhou Bin , Ghedin Elodie , Schatz Michael C
Published: December 2020

Background

Following the miniaturization of integrated circuitry and other computer hardware over the past several decades, DNA sequencing is on a similar path. Leading this trend is the Oxford Nanopore sequencing platform, which currently offers the hand-held MinION instrument and even smaller instruments on the horizon. This technology has been used in several important applications, including the analysis of genomes of major pathogens in remote stations around the world. However, despite the simplicity of the sequencer, an equally simple and portable analysis platform is not yet available.

Results

iGenomics is the first comprehensive mobile genome analysis application, with capabilities to align reads, call variants, and visualize the results entirely on an iOS device. Implemented in Objective-C using the FM-index, banded dynamic programming, and other high-performance bioinformatics techniques, iGenomics is optimized to run in a mobile environment. We benchmark iGenomics using a variety of real and simulated Nanopore sequencing datasets of viral and bacterial genomes and show that iGenomics has performance comparable to the popular BWA-MEM/SAMtools/IGV suite, without necessitating a laptop or server cluster.

Conclusions

iGenomics is available open source (https://github.com/stuckinaboot/iGenomics) and for free on Apple's App Store (https://apple.co/2HCplzr).
Continued Statural Growth in Older Adolescents and Young Adults With Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis Beyond the Time of Expected Growth Plate Closure
Authors: Gupta Neera , Liu Chunyan , King Eileen , Sylvester Francisco , Lee Dale , Boyle Brendan , Trauernicht Anna , Chen Shiran , Colletti Richard ,   ImproveCareNow Network, Adler Jeremy , Ali Sabina A , Al-Nimr Amer , Ayers Travis D , Baron Howard I , Beasley Genie L , Benkov Keith J , Cabrera Jose M , Cho-Dorado Michele E , Dancel Liz D , Di Palma Joan S , Dorsey Jill M , Gulati Ajay S , Hellmann Jennifer A , Higuchi Leslie M , Hoffenberg Edward , Israel Esther J , Jester Traci W , Kiparissi Fevronia , Konikoff Michael R , Leibowitz Ian , Maheshwari Anshu , Moulton Dedrick E , Moses Jonathan , Ogunmola Nicholas A , Palmadottir Johanna G , Pandey Akash , Pappa Helen M , Pashankar Dinesh S , Pasternak Brad A , Patel Ashish S , Quiros J Anthony , Rountree Carl B , Samson Charles M , Sandberg Kelly C , Schoen Bess , Steiner Steven J , Stephens Michael C , Sudel Boris , Sullivan Jillian S , Suskind David L , Tomer Gitit , Tung Jeanne , Verstraete Sofia G
Published: December 2020

Background

Cessation of statural growth occurs with radiographic closure of the growth plates, radiographically defined as bone age (BA) 15 years in females and 17 in males.

Methods

We determined the frequency of continued growth and compared the total height gain beyond the time of expected growth plate closure and the chronological age at achievement of final adult height in Crohn’s disease (CD) vs ulcerative colitis (UC) and described height velocity curves in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) compared with children in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). We identified all females older than chronological age (CA) 15 years and males older than CA 17 years with CD or UC in the ImproveCareNow registry who had height documented at ≥3 visits ≥6 months apart.

Results

Three thousand seven patients (48% female; 76% CD) qualified. Of these patients, 80% manifested continued growth, more commonly in CD (81%) than UC (75%; P = 0.0002) and in females with CD (83%) than males with CD (79%; P = 0.012). Median height gain was greater in males with CD (1.6 cm) than in males with UC (1.3 cm; P = 0.0004), and in females with CD (1.8 cm) than in females with UC (1.5 cm; P = 0.025). Height velocity curves were shifted to the right in patients with IBD vs NHANES.

Conclusions

Pediatric patients with IBD frequently continue to grow beyond the time of expected growth plate closure. Unexpectedly, a high proportion of patients with UC exhibited continued growth, indicating delayed BA is also common in UC. Growth, a dynamic marker of disease status, requires continued monitoring even after patients transition from pediatric to adult care.
Universal Healthcare Coverage Does Not Ensure Adherence to Initial Colorectal Cancer Screening Guidelines
Authors: McEvoy Christian S , Shah Nina G , Roberts Sarah E , Carroll Anna M , Platz Timothy A , Oxner Christopher R , Butler Ralph E , Ricca Robert L
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the USA, and screening tests are underutilized. The aim of this study was to determine the proportion of individuals at average risk who utilized a recommended initial screening test in a universal healthcare coverage system.

Materials and Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study of active duty and retired military members as well as civilian beneficiaries of the Military Health System. Individuals born from 1960 to 1962 and eligible for full benefits on their 50th birthday were evaluated. Military rank or rank of benefits sponsor was used to determine socioeconomic status. Adherence to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines for initial colorectal cancer screening was determined using “Current Procedural Terminology” and “Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System” codes for colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, fecal occult blood test, and fecal immunohistochemistry test. Average risk individuals who obtained early screening ages 47 to 49 were also identified.

Results

This study identified 275,665 individuals at average risk. Of these, 105,957 (38.4%) adhered to screening guidelines. An additional 19,806 (7.2%) individuals were screened early. Colonoscopy (82.7%) was the most common screening procedure. Highest odds of screening were associated with being active duty military (odds ratio [OR] 3.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.43 to 3.85), having highest socioeconomic status (OR 2.37, 95% CI 2.31 to 2.44), and having managed care insurance (OR 4.36, 95% CI 4.28 to 4.44).

Conclusions

Universal healthcare coverage does not ensure initial colorectal cancer screening utilization consistent with guidelines no does it eliminate disparities.
Differences in Rate of Gestational Diabetes Between Active Duty and Non-active Duty Beneficiaries at a Military Treatment Facility
Authors: Odedokun Tolulope , Weir Larissa F , Aden James K
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) affects approximately 1-14% of all pregnancies in the United States and has significant maternal and neonatal consequences. Developing GDM can increase a patient’s risk of developing overt diabetes in the future which may impact a soldier’s readiness. The purpose of this study is to compare the incidence of GDM in active duty females compared with civilian dependents.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective cohort analysis was performed at a military medical center with IRB approval. Active duty and dependent status women who delivered between June 1, 2014 and April 30, 2015 were identified along with incidence of GDM. Sample size calculation determined a need for 391 women in each group to observe a 5% difference in rate of GDM with a power of 80%. Chi-squared analysis was used to compare rates of GDM.

Results

Rates of GDM were similar between the two cohorts (active duty = 9.95%, dependent = 9.72%, P = .91). Age, gravidity, and prepregnancy BMI were also similar between groups. The rate of diet-controlled GDM were different between the two cohorts (active duty = 53.8%, dependent = 34.2%, P = .02).

Conclusions

This study highlights active duty females have similar rates of GDM as dependents. Gestational diabetes mellitus is known to affect short- and long-term maternal and neonatal outcomes and can impact a soldier’s readiness. Further research is required to determine the long-term impact of GDM in active duty females and best practices to decrease rates of GDM in the military population.
Deployment and Psychological Correlates of Suicide Ideation: A Prospective, Longitudinal Study of Risk and Resilience Among Combat Veterans
Authors: Yurgil Kate A , Barkauskas Donald A , Baker Dewleen G
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Suicide rates among military personnel have risen in part due to war zone deployments. Yet, the degree to which deployment-related stressors, in combination with preexisting and co-occurring psychiatric symptoms and individual resilience factors, contribute to suicide ideation (SI) remains unclear. The current study leverages prospective, longitudinal data to examine both risk and protective factors associated with SI in deployed service members.

Materials and Methods

Participants were 1,805 active duty enlisted Marines and Navy service members assessed before and after a 7-month deployment for SI, preexisting and concurrent symptoms of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alcohol consumption, as well as prior and deployment-related traumatic brain injury (TBI). Current self-reported psychological resilience and social support were analyzed as potential protective factors.

Results

Rates of SI were 7.3% and 3.9% before and after deployment, respectively. Of those with post-deployment SI, 68.6% were new-onset cases. Multivariate regression revealed that concurrent mild depression was the strongest risk factor (odds ratio [OR] = 10.03, 95% CI 5.28-19.07). Other significant risk factors included prior SI (OR = 3.36, 95% CI 1.60-7.05), prior subthreshold PTSD (OR = 2.10, 95% CI 1.10-3.99), and deployment TBI (OR = 1.84, 95% CI 1.03-3.28). Controlling for clinical symptoms and TBI, the risk of SI was reduced for those with moderate (OR = 0.50, 95% CI 0.27-0.93) and high psychological resilience scores (OR = 0.25, 95% CI 0.08-0.79) after deployment.

Conclusions

Results indicate that even mild symptoms of depression and PTSD may increase the risk of SI. Screening for subthreshold clinical symptoms and TBI while incorporating psychological resilience training would allow for a more multidimensional approach to suicide risk assessment.
Gamma-Irradiated Cornea in Combat-related Ocular Trauma
Authors: Davis Brian M , Clabeaux Carson , Vlasov Anton , Houghtaling Paul
Published: December 2020

Corneal injury is a known risk for deployed troops worldwide. To the authors’ knowledge, there has been no reported use of gamma-irradiated corneas in the setting of severe corneal trauma. Our report highlights the case of a 36-year-old active duty solider who sustained bilateral penetrating ocular trauma from a nearby ordnance explosion. We propose that ocular surgeons should consider utilizing gamma-irradiated corneas in (1) a situation where the corneal tissue is so damaged that it would be challenging to accomplish an adequate repair while providing the opportunity for future visual rehabilitation and (2) remote and/or deployed environments where storage of fresh donor tissue is limited. The long shelf life of gamma-irradiated corneas reduces the need for specialized storage equipment and the need for continuous resupply, both potentially leading to significant cost savings for the Military Health System.
Methodology of the U.S. Army’s Suicide Prevention Leadership Tool Study: The Behavioral Health Readiness and Suicide Risk Reduction Review (R4)
Authors: Curley Justin M , Duffy Farifteh F , Kim Paul Y , Clarke-Walper Kristina M , Nugent Katie L , Penix Elizabeth A , Elliman Toby D , Wilk Joshua E , Riviere Lyndon A
Published: December 2020

Introduction

The Secretary of the U.S. Army issued two directives in late 2017 to directly combat the problem of suicide in the U.S. Army. The first was to develop an Army tool to assist commanders and first-line leaders in preventing suicide and improving behavioral health (BH) outcomes, which has been previously published as the BH Readiness and Risk Reduction Review (R4). The second was to conduct an evaluation study of the tool with Army units in the field. This study is the first to empirically examine the Army’s tool-based methods for identifying and caring for the health and welfare of soldiers at risk for suicide, and this article outlines the methodology employed to study the effectiveness of the R4 tools and accomplish the Secretary’s second directive.

Methods

The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research Institutional Review Board approved the R4 study. The study employed a repeated measurements in pre/post quasi-experimental design, including a nonequivalent but comparable business-as-usual control group. The R4 intervention consisted of the R4 tools, accompanying instructions, and an orientation. Samples were drawn from two geographically separated U.S. Army divisions in the continental United States, each composed of four comparable brigades. Study implementation consisted of three phases and three data collections over the course of 12 months. Soldiers completed anonymous survey instruments to assess a range of health factors, behaviors, characteristics, tool-related decision-making processes, and the frequency, type, and quality of interactions between soldiers and leaders.

Results

The R4 study commenced on May 6, 2019, and concluded on June 4, 2020. Sample size goals were achieved for both the divisions at all three data collection time points.

Conclusions

The methodology of the R4 study is critical for the U.S. Army from both a precedential and an outcome-based standpoint. Despite the use of many previous tools and programs for suicide prevention, this is the first time the Army has been able to empirically test the effectiveness of tool-supported decision-making among Army units in a rigorous fashion. The methodology of such a test is a critical marker for future interventional inquiries on the subject of suicide in the Army, and the results will allow for more informed decision-making by leaders when approaching these ongoing challenges.