bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Burma Drinx Group (A): Strategizing for CEO Succession in a Family Business
Authors: Degravel Daniel , Tun Christina Hui Min
Published: February 2021

Burma Drinx Group, a large family-owned conglomerate in Myanmar, an Asian country in economic and political transition, is about to reinvent itself to achieve success and adaptation to its evolving context. Based on internal and external information about the firm, the case states the challenges and issues that Burma Drinx Group (thereafter BDG) is experiencing as a family-owned conglomerate operating in a ‘non-friendly’ business environment and in a turbulent political and economic context. It focuses on the group CEO Aung Win’s succession. The reader is invited to understand the specificities of BDG’s internal environment, and to manage the idiosyncrasies of this family business conglomerate regarding CEO Win’s succession. Beyond the succession issue, BDG’s decision-makers face critical challenges for the future and have to make bold and courageous decisions to build on the success of the organization. The case proposes a consulting-case style where analysis and reflection are required to understand the challenges and to provide relevant solutions to the top management of the company. Material from the academic literature about succession is offered as a resource to the reader.
Towards Personalized Auditory Models: Predicting Individual Sensorineural Hearing-Loss Profiles From Recorded Human Auditory Physiology
Authors: Keshishzadeh Sarineh , Garrett Markus , Verhulst Sarah
Published: February 2021

Over the past decades, different types of auditory models have been developed to study the functioning of normal and impaired auditory processing. Several models can simulate frequency-dependent sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and can in this way be used to develop personalized audio-signal processing for hearing aids. However, to determine individualized SNHL profiles, we rely on indirect and noninvasive markers of cochlear and auditory-nerve (AN) damage. Our progressive knowledge of the functional aspects of different SNHL subtypes stresses the importance of incorporating them into the simulated SNHL profile, but has at the same time complicated the task of accomplishing this on the basis of noninvasive markers. In particular, different auditory-evoked potential (AEP) types can show a different sensitivity to outer-hair-cell (OHC), inner-hair-cell (IHC), or AN damage, but it is not clear which AEP-derived metric is best suited to develop personalized auditory models. This study investigates how simulated and recorded AEPs can be used to derive individual AN- or OHC-damage patterns and personalize auditory processing models. First, we individualized the cochlear model parameters using common methods of frequency-specific OHC-damage quantification, after which we simulated AEPs for different degrees of AN damage. Using a classification technique, we determined the recorded AEP metric that best predicted the simulated individualized cochlear synaptopathy profiles. We cross-validated our method using the data set at hand, but also applied the trained classifier to recorded AEPs from a new cohort to illustrate the generalizability of the method.
An Evaluation of the Educational Impact of College Campus Visits: A Randomized Experiment
Authors: Swanson Elise , Kopotic Katherine , Zamarro Gema , Mills Jonathan N. , Greene Jay P. , W. Ritter Gary
Published: February 2021

We study whether visits to a college campus during eighth grade affect students’ interest in and preparation for college. Two cohorts of eighth graders were randomized within schools to a control condition, in which they received a college informational packet, or a treatment condition, in which they received the same information and visited a flagship university three times during an academic year. We estimate the effect of the visits on students’ college knowledge, postsecondary intentions, college preparatory behaviors, academic engagement, and ninth-grade course enrollment. Treated students exhibit higher levels of college knowledge, efficacy, and grit, as well as a higher likelihood of conversing with school personnel about college. Additionally, treated students are more likely to enroll in advanced science/social science courses. We find mixed evidence on whether the visits increased students’ diligence on classroom tasks and a negative impact on students’ desire to attend technical school.
Deformation-dependent peak floor acceleration for the performance-based design of nonstructural elements attached to R/C structures
Authors: Muho Edmond V , Pian Chao , Qian Jiang , Shadabfar Mahdi , Beskos Dimitri E
Published: February 2021

This study introduces a simple and efficient method to determine the peak floor acceleration (PFA) at different performance levels for three types of plane reinforced concrete (RC) structures: moment-resisting frames (MRFs), infilled–moment-resisting frames (I-MRFs), and wall-frame dual systems (WFDSs). By associating the structural maximum PFA response with the deformation response, the acceleration-sensitive nonstructural components, and the building contents, can be designed to adhere to the performance-based seismic design of the supporting structure. Thus, the proposed method can accompany displacement-based seismic design methods to design acceleration-sensitive nonstructural elements to comply with the deformation target of the supporting structure. The PFA response shape is represented by line segments defined by key points corresponding to certain floor levels. These key points are defined by explicit empirical expressions developed herein. The maximum PFA response is correlated with the maximum interstory drift ratio (IDR) and other vital characteristics of the supporting structure such as the fundamental period. The proposed expressions are established based on extensive nonlinear dynamic analyses of 19 MRFs, 19 WFDSs, and 19 I-MRFs under 100 far-fault ground motions scaled to capture different deformation targets. Realistic examples demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed method to assess the PFA response at a given IDR, making the method suitable in the framework of performance-based design.
An open-source site database of strong-motion stations in Japan: K-NET and KiK-net (v1.0.0)
Authors: Zhu Chuanbin , Weatherill Graeme , Cotton Fabrice , Pilz Marco , Kwak Dong Youp , Kawase Hiroshi
Published: February 2021

This article describes an open-source site database for a total number of 1742 earthquake recording sites in the K-NET (Kyoshin network) and KiK-net (Kiban Kyoshin network) networks in Japan. This database contains site characterization parameters directly derived from available velocity profiles, including average wave velocities, bedrock depths, and velocity contrast. Meanwhile, it also consists of earthquake horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) and peak parameters, for example, peak frequency, amplitude, width, and prominence. In addition, the site database also comprises topographic and geological proxies inferred from regional models or maps. Each parameter is derived in a consistent manner for all sites. This site database can benefit the application of machine learning techniques in studies on site amplification. Besides, it can facilitate, for instances, the search of the optimal site parameter(s) for the prediction of site amplification, the development and testing of ground-motion models or methodologies, as well as investigations on spatial or regional variability in site response. All resources (the site database, earthquake HVSR data at all sites, and the MATLAB script for peak identification) can be freely accessed via: https://doi.org/10.5880/GFZ.2.1.2020.006
Oriented and annealed poly(lactic acid) films and their performance in flexible printed and hybrid electronics
Authors: Luoma Enni , Välimäki Marja , Rokkonen Teijo , Sääskilahti Hannu , Ollila Jyrki , Rekilä Jari , Immonen Kirsi
Published: February 2021

Flexible and hybrid electronics (FHE) are widely utilized from wearable to automotive applications. Instead of commonly used poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) film, bio-based and biodegradable polymer, poly(lactic acid) (PLA), is a most promising novel substrate alternative for FHE. From the point of heat curable conductive inks, the poor heat resistance and inherent brittleness are the major drawbacks of PLA. By increasing the PLA film crystallinity through orientation and annealing, its properties can be improved. Two commercial grades, standard PLA (PLA) and a high heat PLA (hhPLA), plus one stereocomplex PLA (scPLA) blend were used to compare PLA performance with different optical purities and crystallinity for printed FHE. Machine direction orientation (MDO), biaxial orientation (BO) and annealing improved the stability of the laboratory and pilot scale manufactured PLA films. MDO was more effective in improving stiffness and strength while BO resulted in more ductile behaviour. In hhPLA the crystallinity increased from 0% to 50% improving tensile strength by 83%, tensile modulus by 52% and strain at break from 3.7% to 114% with 3 × 3 BO and annealing. The scPLA blend contained homo- and stereocomplex crystallites and a double melting peak behaviour provided higher temperature stability through final melting at 220°C. Its optical transparency reached 95%, remaining high up to 250 nm wavelength. In roll-to-roll printing, the PLA and hhPLA films were dried at 100°C prior the printing and this decreased the MD elongation from 2.55% and 0.27% to 0.00–0.05%. The sheet resistance of printed silver was <40 mΩ/sq with additional drying for printed and hybrid integrated light-emitting diode (LED) foils. Printed LED foils on PLA had dimensional and electrical performance comparable to PET, even though lower drying temperatures were used.
Trends and determinants of HIV transmission among men who inject drugs in the Pokhara Valley, Nepal: analysis of cross-sectional studies
Authors: Hogan Sam , Page Andrew , Ogbo Felix , Dixit Sameer , Rajbhandari Rajesh Man , Rawal Bir , Deuba Keshab
Published: February 2021

Background

HIV is a major public health issue around the world, especially in developing countries. Although the overall prevalence of HIV in Nepal is relatively low, there are specific sub-populations where the prevalence is far higher than the national average. One of these sub-groups is male people who inject drugs (male PWIDs). In order to understand the reasons for the differences in prevalence, a series of socio-demographic, behavioural and knowledge-based risk factors need to be assessed.

Methods

The study used a series of 7 cross-sectional survey datasets from Pokhara (Nepal), collected between 2003 and 2017 (N = 2235) to investigate trends in HIV prevalence among male PWIDs by socio-demographic and behavioural and knowledge-based risk factors. A series of logistic regression models were conducted to investigate the association between study factors and HIV.

Results

HIV prevalence decreased from the levels seen in 2003 (22.0%) and 2005 (21.7%), with the lowest prevalence recorded in 2015 (2.6%), however prevalence has increased in the most recent period (4.9%). A lower risk of HIV was associated with younger age (<=24 years compared to > 24 years, OR = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.10–0.31), being married (OR = 1.91, 95% CI = 1.25–3.02) and shorter duration of drug use (<=4 years compared to > 4 years, OR = 0.16, 95% CI = 0.09–0.29). A higher risk of HIV was associated with low (compared to secondary or higher) education level (OR = 2.76, 95% CI = 1.75–4.36), a lack of addiction treatment (OR = 2.59, 95% CI = 1.64–4.08), and recent use of unsterilized injection equipment (OR = 2.22, 95% CI = 1.20–4.11).

Conclusion

The prevalence of HIV in male PWIDs in Pokhara has been variable, but overall has reduced in recent years to 2.6% before increasing in 2017 to 4.9%. The main determinants which increase the risk of HIV among male PWIDs in Pokhara are low education level, a lack of treatment for drug addiction and the recent use of unsterilised equipment. Each of these indicate the need to improve addiction treatment and education programs for intra-venous drug use to aid this key population in avoiding risk-taking behaviours.
Inspiring the future generation of oncologists: a UK-wide study of medical students’ views towards oncology
Authors: Rallis Kathrine S. , Wozniak Anna Maria , Hui Sara , Nicolaides Marios , Shah Neha , Subba Beena , Papalois Apostolos , Sideris Michail
Published: February 2021

Background

One in 2 people born in the UK after 1960 are expected to require oncology input in their lifetime. However, only 36% of UK medical schools provide dedicated oncology placements and teaching indicating a discordance between public health impact and training. We designed a UK-wide survey to capture medical students’ views on current oncology teaching and the potential role of a national undergraduate oncology symposium as an educational, networking and motivational tool.

Methods

We undertook a national cross-sectional survey of UK medical students’ views in oncology and satisfaction with teaching using pre-designed questionnaires. We also distributed a dedicated survey (pre and post-conference) to compare medical students’ motivation towards a career in oncology after attending the national symposium. This study was prospectively approved by QMUL Ethics Committee (Reference number QMREC2348). Statistical analysis included univariate inferential tests on SPSS and GraphPad software.

Results

The national survey was completed by 166 students representing 22 UK medical schools. Students reported limited interest, knowledge and exposure to oncology, lack of confidence in skills, and teaching dissatisfaction. Oncology was perceived as a challenging specialty (mean 4.5/5 ± 0.7), yet most students estimate receiving only 1–2 weeks of dedicated oncology teaching. The national symposium generated a statically significant increase in students’ interest, knowledge, and confidence in skills surrounding oncology, improving students’ perceived ability to cope with the emotional challenges in this field.

Conclusion

Students’ views towards oncology alongside their teaching dissatisfaction underpin the need to revisit and strive to improve current undergraduate oncology curricula. Increasing medical student oncology exposure by proposing outcome-based guidelines and adopting a standardised undergraduate oncology curriculum should be the foremost priority in inspiring future oncologists to ensure excellent cancer patient care.
Hyperglycemia, inflammatory response and infarct size in obstructive acute myocardial infarction and MINOCA
Authors: Paolisso Pasquale , Foà Alberto , Bergamaschi Luca , Donati Francesco , Fabrizio Michele , Chiti Chiara , Angeli Francesco , Toniolo Sebastiano , Stefanizzi Andrea , Armillotta Matteo , Rucci Paola , Iannopollo Gianmarco , Casella Gianni , Marrozzini Cinzia , Galiè Nazzareno , Pizzi Carmine
Published: February 2021

Background

Hyperglycemia has been associated with increased inflammatory indexes and larger infarct sizes in patients with obstructive acute myocardial infarction (obs-AMI). In contrast, no studies have explored these correlations in non-obstructive acute myocardial infarction (MINOCA). We investigated the relationship between hyperglycemia, inflammation and infarct size in a cohort of AMI patients that included MINOCA.

Methods

Patients with AMI undergoing coronary angiography between 2016 and 2020 were enrolled. The following inflammatory markers were evaluated: C-reactive protein, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and neutrophil-to-platelet ratio (NPR). Myocardial infarct size was measured by peak high sensitivity troponin I (Hs-TnI) levels, left-ventricular-end-diastolic-volume (LVEDV) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Results

The final study population consisted of 2450 patients with obs-AMI and 239 with MINOCA. Hyperglycemia was more prevalent among obs-AMI cases. In all hyperglycemic patients—obs-AMI and MINOCA—NLR, NPR, and LPR were markedly altered. Hyperglycemic obs-AMI subjects exhibited a higher Hs-TnI (p < 0.001), a larger LVEDV (p = 0.003) and a lower LVEF (p < 0.001) compared to normoglycemic ones. Conversely, MINOCA patients showed a trivial myocardial damage, irrespective of admission glucose levels.

Conclusions

Our data confirm the association of hyperglycemic obs-AMI with elevated inflammatory markers and larger infarct sizes. MINOCA patients exhibited modest myocardial damage, regardless of admission glucose levels.
Effect of different thermal stimuli on improving microcirculation in the contralateral foot
Authors: Ren Weiyan , Xu Liqiang , Zheng Xuan , Pu Fang , Li Deyu , Fan Yubo
Published: February 2021

Background

The lower extremities of the body often suffer from impaired microcirculation, particularly in the elderly or people with underlying conditions such as diabetes. Especially for people suffering from peripheral vascular diseases, skin lesions or wearing an external fixator in one side of limbs, direct contact treatments are not suitable for them to improve microcirculation. Heating the contralateral limb has been reported to improve blood flow in the impaired limb. However, its effect on plantar microvascular responses has not been previously investigated. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore how heating by warm bath and infrared radiation affects the circulations in the contralateral foot. Twelve healthy adults participated in this study and were randomly assigned to either placing the left foot in a warm bath or exposing it to infrared radiation for 10 min intervention every other day. The skin temperature (Temp) and skin blood flow (SBF) in the second metatarsal head of the contralateral foot were measured before and after the intervention.

Results

The results showed that both Temp (Bath: from 29.05 ± 3.56 °C to 31.03 ± 4.14 °C; Infrared: from 29.98 ± 3.86 °C to 31.07 ± 3.92 °C) and SBF (Bath: from 62.26 ± 48.12 PU to 97.76 ± 63.90 PU; Infrared: from 63.37 ± 39.88 PU to 85.27 ± 47.62 PU) in the contralateral foot were significantly increased after heating in both tests (p < 0.05). However, the contralateral SBF increased for 5 min after heating in warm bath test, but only for 1 min in infrared radiation test.

Conclusions

The results of this study show that both heating methods are the effective at increasing contralateral Temp and SBF, but the warm bath has a stronger residual thermal effect.
The cannabinoid receptor CB1 affects the proliferation and apoptosis of adenomyotic human uterine smooth muscle cells of the junctional zone: a mechanism study
Authors: Wang Sha , Li Bohan , Shen Xue , Duan Hua , Guo Zhengchen , Li Xiao , Sun Fuqing
Published: February 2021

Background

The denomyotic junctional zone (JZ) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of adenomyosis. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is an important nuclear marker of cell proliferation. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the cannabinoid receptor CB1 on proliferation and apoptosis in the JZ in women with and without adenomyosis.

Methods

JZ smooth muscle cells (JZSMCs) of the adenomyosis and control groups were collected and cultivated. Immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting were used for protein localization and expression detection of CB1 and PCNA. Additionally, qRT-PCR was used to quantitatively analyse the mRNA expression of the two. AM251 and ACEA were used to regulate the function of CB1 receptors, and CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry assay were used to verify the proliferation and apoptosis of JZSMCs after regulation.

Results

We demonstrated that in normal JZSMCs CB1 and PCNA messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression was significantly higher in the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle than in the secretory phase. CB1 and PCNA expression in JZSMCs from women with ADS was significantly higher than that in control women and did not significantly differ across the menstrual cycle. CB1 receptor antagonist AM251 inhibited the proliferation of adenomyotic JZSMCs in a dose-dependent manner. The CB1 receptor agonist ACEA significantly promoted the proliferation of adenomyotic JZSMCs. The apoptosis rate of adenomyotic JZSMCs treated with AM251 was significantly higher than that of JZSMCs from the untreated control group. The apoptosis rate was significantly decreased in the ACEA group compared with that in the untreated control group. Furthermore, AM251 suppressed the phosphorylation of AKT and Erk1/2 in adenomyotic JZSMCs. The CB1 agonist ACEA significantly promoted the phosphorylation of AKT and Erk1/2.

Conclusions

Our results indicated that the levels of CB1 and PCNA were increased in patients with adenomyosis and that cyclic changes were lost. CB1 may affect uterine JZ proliferation and apoptosis in adenomyosis by enhancing AKT and MAPK/Erk signalling.
The potential role of chemotaxis and the complement system in the formation and progression of thoracic aortic aneurysms inferred from the weighted gene coexpression network analysis
Authors: Lei Chuxiang , Yang Dan , Chen Wenlin , Kan Haoxuan , Xu Fang , Zhang Hui , Wang Wei , Ji Lei , Zheng Yuehong
Published: February 2021

Background

Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) can be life-threatening due to the progressive weakening and dilatation of the aortic wall. Once the aortic wall has ruptured, no effective pharmaceutical therapies are available. However, studies on TAA at the gene expression level are limited. Our study aimed to identify the driver genes and critical pathways of TAA through gene coexpression networks.

Methods

We analyzed the genetic data of TAA patients from a public database by weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA). Modules with clinical significance were identified, and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were intersected with the genes in these modules. Gene Ontology and pathway enrichment analyses were performed. Finally, hub genes that might be driving factors of TAA were identified. Furthermore, we evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of these genes and analyzed the composition of immune cells using the CIBERSORT algorithm.

Results

We identified 256 DEGs and two modules with clinical significance. The immune response, including leukocyte adhesion, mononuclear cell proliferation and T cell activation, was identified by functional enrichment analysis.CX3CR1,C3, andC3AR1were the top 3 hub genes in the module correlated with TAA, and the areas under the curve (AUCs) by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of all the hub genes exceeded 0.7. Finally, we found that the proportions of infiltrating immune cells in TAA and normal tissues were different, especially in terms of macrophages and natural killer (NK) cells.

Conclusion

Chemotaxis and the complement system were identified as crucial pathways in TAA, and macrophages with interactive immune cells may regulate this pathological process.
Mid-term results of bilateral synchronous total hip arthroplasty for bony ankylosis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: Han Lei , Quan Renfu , Pei Zhenle , Cao Guoping , Hu Yungen , Liu Jingjing
Published: February 2021

Background

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) for bony ankylosis is technically challenging in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). This study aimed to determine the mid-term results of bilateral synchronous THA for bony ankylosis in patients with AS.

Methods

Nineteen cases of bony ankylosis in patients with AS who received bilateral synchronous THA were included in this study (17 males and 2 females, mean age 49.2 years). Disease duration was 5–38 years (mean 18 years and 6 months). All patients received cementless THA. Intraoperative blood loss, visual analog scale (VAS) score, and complications were assessed. Harris hip scores evaluated the clinical effect.

Results

Patients were followed up for 62–98 months (mean 82.5 months). VAS score decreased from 7.42 ± 0.92 to 2.42 ± 0.83, Harris hip score improved from 21.8 ± 7.2 to 80.3 ± 6.5, and the flexion-extension range of the hip improved from 0 to 142.3 ± 6.2°. One patient with septum bronchiale had a fracture intraoperatively and was treated with wire strapping. One patient had a traction injury of the femoral nerve postoperatively and recovered 1 year after the operation. Loosening and subsidence were not observed in all patients. Heterotopic bone formation was noted in 3 patients. No complications such as joint dislocation, acute infection, and deep vein thrombosis were found.

Conclusion

Bilateral synchronous THA was effective for bony ankylosis of the hip in patients with AS because it improved patients’ quality of life and had satisfactory mid-term outcomes.
Silk fibroin hydrogel scaffolds incorporated with chitosan nanoparticles repair articular cartilage defects by regulating TGF-β1 and BMP-2
Authors: Li Yuan , Liu Yanping , Guo Qiang
Published: February 2021

Cartilage defects frequently occur around the knee joint yet cartilage has limited self-repair abilities. Hydrogel scaffolds have excellent potential for use in tissue engineering. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess the ability of silk fibroin (SF) hydrogel scaffolds incorporated with chitosan (CS) nanoparticles (NPs) to repair knee joint cartilage defects. In the present study, composite systems of CS NPs incorporated with transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1; TGF-β1@CS) and SF incorporated with bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2; TGF-β1@CS/BMP-2@SF) were developed and characterized with respect to their size distribution, zeta potential, morphology, and release of TGF-β1 and BMP-2. Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) were co-cultured with TGF-β1@CS/BMP-2@SF extracts to assess chondrogenesis in vitro using a cell counting kit-8 assay, which was followed by in vivo evaluations in a rabbit model of knee joint cartilage defects. The constructed TGF-β1@CS/BMP-2@SF composite system was successfully characterized and showed favorable biocompatibility. In the presence of TGF-β1@CS/BMP-2@SF extracts, BMSCs exhibited normal cell morphology and enhanced chondrogenic ability both in vitro and in vivo, as evidenced by the promotion of cell viability and the alleviation of cartilage defects. Thus, the TGF-β1@CS/BMP-2@SF hydrogel developed in the present study promoted chondrogenic ability of BMSCs both in vivo and in vitro by releasing TGF-β1 and BMP-2, thereby offering a novel therapeutic strategy for repairing articular cartilage defects in knee joints.
Development of new 9-ball test protocols for assessing expertise in cue sports
Authors: Pan Jing Wen , Komar John , Kong Pui Wah
Published: February 2021

Background

This study aimed to develop new test protocols for evaluating 9-ball expertise levels in cue sports players.

Methods

Thirty-one male 9-ball players at different playing levels were recruited (recreational group, n = 8; university team, n = 15; national team, n = 8). A 15-ball test was administered to indicate overall performance by counting the number of balls potted. Five skill tests (power control, cue alignment, angle, back spin, and top spin) were conducted to evaluate specific techniques by calculating error distances from pre-set targets using 2D video analysis.

Results

Intra-class correlation analyses revealed excellent intra-rater and inter-rater reliability in four out of five skill tests (ICC > 0.95). Significant between-group differences were found in 15-ball test performance (p <  0.001) and absolute error distances in the angle (p <  0.001), back spin (p = 0.006), and top spin tests (p = 0.045), with the recreational group performing worst while the national team performing best. Greater inter-trial variability was observed in recreational players than the more skilled players (p <  0.005).

Conclusions

In conclusion, the 9-ball test protocols were reliable and could successfully discriminate between different playing levels. Coaches and researchers may employ these protocols to identify errors, monitor training, and rank players.
Microbial diversity characterization of seawater in a pilot study using Oxford Nanopore Technologies long-read sequencing
Authors: Liem M. , Regensburg-Tuïnk T. , Henkel C. , Jansen H. , Spaink H.
Published: February 2021

Objective

Currently the majority of non-culturable microbes in sea water are yet to be discovered, Nanopore offers a solution to overcome the challenging tasks to identify the genomes and complex composition of oceanic microbiomes. In this study we evaluate the utility of Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) sequencing to characterize microbial diversity in seawater from multiple locations. We compared the microbial species diversity of retrieved environmental samples from two different locations and time points.

Results

With only three ONT flow cells we were able to identify thousands of organisms, including bacteriophages, from which a large part at species level. It was possible to assemble genomes from environmental samples with Flye. In several cases this resulted in > 1 Mbp contigs and in the particular case of a Thioglobus singularis species it even produced a near complete genome. k-mer analysis reveals that a large part of the data represents species of which close relatives have not yet been deposited to the database. These results show that our approach is suitable for scalable genomic investigations such as monitoring oceanic biodiversity and provides a new platform for education in biodiversity.
Global uniform asymptotical stability for fractional-order gene regulatory networks with time-varying delays and structured uncertainties
Authors: Wu Zhaohua , Wang Zhiming , Zhou Tiejun
Published: February 2021

In this paper, we investigate a class of fractional-order gene regulatory networks with time-varying delays and structured uncertainties (UDFGRNs). First, we deduce the existence and uniqueness of the equilibrium for the UDFGRNs by using the contraction mapping principle. Next, we derive a novel global uniform asymptotic stability criterion of the UDFGRNs by using a Lyapunov function and the Razumikhin technique, and the conditions relating to the criterion depend on the fractional order of the UDFGRNs. Finally, we provide two numerical simulation examples to demonstrate the correctness and usefulness of the novel stability conditions. One of the most interesting findings is that the structured uncertainties indeed have an impact on the stability of the system.
A new extension to the controlled metric type spaces endowed with a graph
Authors: Mlaiki Nabil , Souayah Nizar , Abdeljawad Thabet , Aydi Hassen
Published: February 2021

In this paper, we initiate a new extension of b-metric spaces, called controlled metric-like spaces, by changing the condition $$ \bigl[\wp (s,r)=0 \Leftrightarrow s=r\bigr]\quad \text{by } \bigl[\wp (s,r)=0 \Rightarrow s=r\bigr] $$

[
℘
(
s
,
r
)
=
0
⇔
s
=
r
]

by 

[
℘
(
s
,
r
)
=
0
⇒
s
=
r
]

and that means basically we may have a non-zero self-distance. We prove some fixed point theorems which generalize many results in the literature. Also, we present an interesting application to illustrate our results by considering controlled metric-like spaces endowed with a graph.
Comparable results using 2.0-mm vs. 3.5-mm screw augmentation in midshaft clavicle fractures: a 10-year experience
Authors: Wurm M. , Zyskowski M. , Greve F. , Gersing A. , Biberthaler P. , Kirchhoff C.
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Absence of cortical alignment in wedge-shaped and multifragmentary fractures (Fx) results in decreased fixation stability. The aim of this study was to compare the outcome using 2.0- vs. 3.5-mm screws for open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) in dislocated, wedge-shaped or fragmentary midshaft clavicle fractures.

Materials and methods

Patients suffering from AO/OTA 15 2.A-C midshaft clavicle fractures were operatively treated between 2008 and 2018. 2.0- or 3.5-mm cortical screws were used to restore anatomic alignment in dislocated, wedge-shaped and fragmentary clavicle fractures. Data of radiologic outcome were collected until fracture consolidation was identified.

Results

80 consecutive patients with a mean age of 44.5 ± 16.3 years, who were operatively treated for dislocated midshaft clavicle fractures were enrolled. 40 patients were treated using 2.0-mm and 40 patients using routine 3.5-mm cortical screws, respectively. Time to fracture consolidation was 12.8 ± 7.8 months. No mal- or non-unions occurred during routine follow-up until 18 months postoperatively.

Conclusion

Restoring anatomic alignment in wedge or fragmentary clavicle fractures can ultimately be addressed using cortical screw augmentation. Both groups showed comparable results with respect to fracture reduction, fixation and stability as well as time to consolidation of the fracture, while the 2.0-mm screw diameter was associated with easier handling of small Fx fragments.
Influence and Information in Team Decisions: Evidence from Medical Residency
Authors: Chan David C.
Published: February 2021

I study team decisions among physician trainees. Exploiting a discontinuity in team roles across trainee tenure, I find evidence that teams alter decision-making, concentrating influence in the hands of senior trainees. I also demonstrate little convergence in variation of trainee effects despite intensive training. This general pattern of trainee effects on team decision-making exists in all types of decisions and settings that I examine. In analyses evaluating mechanisms behind this pattern, I find support for the idea that significant experiential learning occurs during training and that teams place more weight on judgments of senior trainees in order to aggregate information. (JEL D83, I11, J44, M53, M54)
The Impact of Paid Maternity Leave on Maternal Health
Authors: Bütikofer Aline , Riise Julie , M. Skira Meghan
Published: February 2021

We examine the impact of the introduction of paid maternity leave in Norway in 1977 on maternal health in the medium and long term. Using administrative data combined with survey data on the health of women around age 40, we find the reform improved a range of maternal health outcomes, including BMI, blood pressure, pain, and mental health. The reform also increased health-promoting behaviors, such as exercise and not smoking. The effects were larger for first-time and low-resource mothers and women who would have taken little unpaid leave in the absence of the reform. (JEL I12, J13, J16, J32)
Overview of MRI for pulmonary functional imaging
Authors: Ohno Yoshiharu , Hanamatsu Satomu , Obama Yuki , Ueda Takahiro , Ikeda Hirotaka , Hattori Hidekazu , Murayama Kazuhiro , Toyama Hiroshi
Published: February 2021

Morphological evaluation of the lung is important in the clinical evaluation of pulmonary diseases. However, the disease process, especially in its early phases, may primarily result in changes in pulmonary function without changing the pulmonary structure. In such cases, the traditional imaging approaches to pulmonary morphology may not provide sufficient insight into the underlying pathophysiology. Pulmonary imaging community has therefore tried to assess pulmonary diseases and functions utilizing not only nuclear medicine, but also CT and MR imaging with various technical approaches. In this review, we overview state-of-the art MR methods and the future direction of: (1) ventilation imaging, (2) perfusion imaging and (3) biomechanical evaluation for pulmonary functional imaging.
Housing Conditions of Population in the Russian Arctic Regions or Housing Question in the Russian Arctic
Authors: Chapargina Anastasiya , Emelyanova Elena
Published: February 2021

The issues of population providing with comfortable and affordable housing are relevant, because it has special social importance for the socio-economic development of Russia. The availability of housing is a person’s primary need, the satisfaction of which allows solving many social problems. Many problems to improve the living conditions of the population are solved within the framework of the state social policy, including the construction of social housing, housing subsidies, and the provision of preferential housing. The article considers issues related to improving the living conditions of the population in the Arctic regions of the Russian Federation. The paper aims to analyze the living conditions of the population in the Russian Arctic regions and to assess the needs and opportunities of the population in improving their housing conditions. Research methods are analysis and synthesis of statistical information, grouping, generalization, comparison, visualization. The infrastructure and improvement of the housing stock and the housing provision of the population in the Arctic regions of the Russian Federation were assessed. The possibilities and needs of the population of the Arctic regions in improving housing conditions are estimated. The authors said that the specificity and complexity of solving the problem of improving housing conditions in the Arctic regions is, first of all, to increasing capital costs for the construction and maintenance of the housing stock and the high cost of utilities for the population. A set of measures has been proposed for revitalizing and recovering from a pandemic domestic consumer demand of residents of the Arctic regions for improving housing conditions in the region of residence, as well as to create conditions for the consolidation of the population and the solution of social problems associated with housing.
Levantamento de insetos com potencial bioindicador de qualidade ambiental em fragmento de floresta Atlântica no estado do Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Mendes Matheus Prem , Duarte Marcelo Netto , Rodrigues William Costa
Published: February 2021

O presente estudo teve como objetivos realizar o levantamento de insetos das ordens Coleoptera, Hymenoptera e Orthoptera, com ênfase na família Gryllidae, a fim de compreender suas relações com a flora presente e a relação com a altura da serapilheira, além de buscar e identificar possíveis bioindicadores. Foram realizadas quatro coletas, de agosto de 2012 a maio de 2013, em oito pontos distintos, cada ponto com seis armadilhas. Foram utilizadas armadilhas de queda do tipo pitfall. Os insetos foram triados, identificados e armazenados em local apropriado. Dos insetos coletados, 1309 são Coleoptera, 2204 são Hymenoptera e 348 Orthoptera, sendo 340 Gryllidae. Dentre os Coleópteras, a família com maior destaque foi a Staphilinidae com 644, por apresentar maior abundância e por ter maior ocorrência em locais menos perturbados ecologicamente, apresentando sensibilidade às modificações do ambiente, sendo apontada como possível bioindicador. Os estudos sobre grilos na região e no fragmento são escassos, motivo pelo qual devem ser intensificados com o objetivo de elucidar seus aspectos ecológicos.
CÁRDENAS ARAVENA, Claudia y FERNÁNDEZ NEIRA, Karinna (eds.), La Corte Penal Internacional y sus primeros 10 años, un enfoque práctico, Legal Publishing, Santiago de Chile, 2013, ISBN: 978-956- 346-387-3, 642 p.
Authors: Seoane Dalila B.
Published: February 2021

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Normas para la publicación en el Anuario Iberoamericano de Derecho Internacional Penal (ANIDIP)
Authors: Olasolo Alonso Hector
Published: February 2021

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Identifying adverse childhood experiences in maternity services
Authors: Mortimore Vivien , Richardson Michelle , Unwin Sally
Published: February 2021

Background

Maternity services have a unique opportunity to support women and families to build resilience and mitigate against the harmful impact of parental exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) but, most importantly, to prevent exposure to ACEs in future generations.

Aim

To identify ACEs in families who use maternity services in order to improve the professional response to risk, build parental resilience and strengthen parenting capacity.

Methods

A quality improvement project piloted an ACEs screening tool with 44 women and their partners when booking for maternity services. Implementation was supported by the development of a range of bespoke tools. Evaluation took place through quantitative data analysis and qualitative feedback from professionals and parents.

Findings

The use of the ACEs screening tool successfully identified ACEs which would otherwise not have been known using the previous antenatal booking questions. The bespoke tool kit was well-received by women, their partners and professionals. Identification and discussion of ACEs enabled appropriate support to be offered.

Conclusion

Identifying ACEs in maternity services and offering additional support requires further work before wider implementation. These interventions have the potential to reduce risk, build resilience and strengthen parenting capacity which could protect infants from experiencing a cycle of adversity.
Development and evaluation of an intravascular link nurse network to sustain improvements in practice
Authors: McGuire Rose , Bagallon Geralyn
Published: February 2021

Link nurses have been used to support many areas of specialist nursing practice since the 1980s. They add value as they provide a practical and timely way of sharing information and knowledge and raising awareness with the wider multidisciplinary team. One strategy to improve standards and sustain improvements in the care of vascular access devices was to develop an intravascular link nurse network: ‘Finding the missing link’. The link nurses are supported to attend quarterly masterclasses underpinned by the current evidence base. The masterclasses provide forums and workshops for learning, sharing initiatives, processes, progress and feedback. Results from the 2018/2019 sessions evaluation showed that 80% of the link nurses scored the workshops as excellent, 14% good, less than 1% fair and poor, and 4% did not provide an answer. Overall, 87% of link nurses were extremely likely to recommend the programme, 13% were likely to recommend it, and 93% found it helpful in their personal and professional growth. The network with supporting masterclasses has proven to be an effective strategy within the Trust.
¿Qué significación tienen las humanidades digitales para las humanidades?
Authors: Liu Alan
Published: February 2021

El artículo busca demostrar que las humanidades digitales solo pueden ser explicadas y comprendidas si tenemos en cuenta que la problemática subyacente es la identidad no solo de las humanidades digitales, sino también de las humanidades en general. Tanto en lo que prometen como en la amenaza que suponen, las humanidades digitales sirven como simulacro de una manera futura de trabajar y estudiar las humanidades integrando algunos valores de la sociedad contemporánea sobre lo digital, sin perder su esencia en favor de otros dominios del conocimiento que se han vuelto digitales para reivindicarse en esa sociedad. El artículo explora mediante el análisis de un proyecto real, paso a paso, cómo la cuestión de la significación de las humanidades digitales refleja tanto un problema específico de las humanidades digitales como la crisis todavía mayor de la importancia y la significación de las humanidades de hoy en día.
El monstruo desde la exterioridad y la virtualidad: prácticas digitales en César González
Authors: Rangel Manrique Emily
Published: February 2021

El presente artículo reflexiona sobre el uso de la marginalidad en la cultura audiovisual digital como un elemento monstruoso «necesario» en la producción e intensificación de la subjetividad y la realidad social. Se reflexiona a partir de los análisis de la película subida a YouTube ¿Qué puede un cuerpo? (2014)de César González, así como del examen a la escritura y publicaciones en su blogCamilo Blajaquis. En el análisis se establece una articulación entre las nociones de exterioridad, virtualidad y «estética de la política» (Rancière) para indagar cómo estas prácticas digitales se sitúan en la lucha por nuevos canales de movilización afectiva.
Full 3D+1 modeling of tilted-pulse-front setups for single-cycle terahertz generation: comment
Authors: Bakunov M. I. , Bodrov S. B.
Published: February 2021

Wang et al. [J. Opt. Soc. Am. B
37, 1000 (2020)JOBPDE0740-322410.1364/JOSAB.379142]
simulated terahertz generation by tilted-pulse-front optical
excitation of a lithium niobate crystal and made predictions about the
optimal generation conditions and spatial distribution of the
generated terahertz beam. We point out that the formulas used by Wang
et al. for the tilted-pulse-front
optical pulse and optically induced nonlinear polarization are
irrelevant to the conventional tilted-pulse-front configuration. The
predictions made by Wang et al. appear
inadequate for optimizing typical tilted-pulse-front experimental
setups.
Temporal reflection and refraction of optical pulses inside a dispersive medium: an analytic approach
Authors: Zhang Junchi , Donaldson W. R. , Agrawal G. P.
Published: February 2021

We develop an analytic approach for reflection of light at a temporal boundary inside a dispersive medium and derive frequency-dependent expressions for the reflection and transmission coefficients. Using the analytic results, we study the temporal reflection of an optical pulse and show that our results agree fully with a numerical approach used earlier. Our approach provides approximate analytic expressions for the electric fields of the reflected and transmitted pulses. Whereas the width of the transmitted pulse is modified, the reflected pulse is a mirrored version of the incident pulse. When a part of the incident spectrum lies in the region of total internal reflection, both the reflected and transmitted pulses are distorted considerably.
Coupled metamaterial optical resonators for infrared emissivity spectrum modulation
Authors: Morsy Ahmed M. , Povinelli Michelle L.
Published: February 2021

We study the absorptivity of coupled metamaterial resonators in the mid-infrared range. We consider resonators supporting either a bright mode or a dark mode, introducing an additional degree of freedom for spectral modulation relative to bright modes alone. In a dark-bright coupled resonator system, we demonstrate tunable spectral splitting by changing the separation between resonators. We show via coupled mode theory that resonator separation can be mapped to coupling constant. We further introduce a dark-dark coupled resonator system, which gives rise to an emissive bright mode only in the presence of inter-resonator coupling. The dark-dark system yields a broadband emissivity that decays to zero exponentially with resonator separation, providing a design method for strong thermal emissivity control.
Hole array enhanced dual-band infrared photodetection
Authors: Suo Fei , Tong Jinchao , Chen Xiren , Xu Zhengji , Zhang Dao Hua
Published: February 2021

Photonic structures have been attracting more attention due to their ability to capture, concentrate and propagate optical energy. In this work, we propose a photon-trapping hole-array structure integrated in a nip InAsSb-GaSb heterostructure for the enhancement of the photoresponse in both near- and mid-infrared regions. The proposed symmetrical hole array can increase the photon lifetime inside the absorption layer and reduce reflection without polarization dependence. Significant enhancements in absorption and photoelectric conversion efficiency are demonstrated in dual bands for unpolarized incidence. The enhancement factors of responsivity at room temperature under zero-bias are 1.12 and 1.33 for the near- and mid-infrared, respectively, and they are increased to 1.71 and 1.79 when temperature drops to the thermoelectric cooling temperature of 220 K. Besides, such an integrated hole array also slightly improves working frequency bandwidth and response speed. This work provides a promising way for high-efficiency polarization-independent photoelectric conversion in different electromagnetic wave ranges.