bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Visual Field Progression Rate before and after Cataract Surgery in Patients with Open-Angle and Angle-Closure Glaucoma
Authors: Su Wei-Wen , Hsieh Shian-Sen , Sun Ming-Hui , Chen Henry Shen-Lih , Lee Yung-Sung , Yang Lan-Yan , Tseng Hsiao-Jung
Published: June 2021

Purpose. To evaluate Humphrey visual field (VF) progression rate before and after cataract surgery in patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and angle-closure glaucoma (ACG). Methods. After reviewing all records in our Humphrey VF database from July 1, 2001, to December 31, 2018, eyes of OAG and ACG that had received uncomplicated phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation during the period and had been followed up regularly for more than one year with ≥3 reliable VF tests before and after cataract surgery, respectively, were enrolled. The VF progression rate, visual acuity, and intraocular pressure (IOP) before and after cataract surgery were compared. Results. Seventy-seven eyes (OAG: 51; ACG: 26) from 60 patients were enrolled. The mean preoperative and postoperative follow-up durations were 4.89 ± 2.70 and 5.48 ± 2.30 years in the OAG group and 5.14 ± 3.31 and 5.97 ± 2.35 years in the ACG group. IOP and visual acuity significantly improved postoperatively in both groups. In the OAG group, there was no significant change in the VF progression rate (pre-op: −0.39 ± 0.94 dB/year; post-op: −0.47 ± 0.72 dB/year) (

P
=
0.619

), whereas, in the ACG group, the rate significantly flattened after surgery from −1.39 ± 1.31 dB/year to −0.34 ± 0.64 dB/year (

P
=
0.003

). Conclusions. The VF progression rate did not differ between preoperative and postoperative eyes with OAG, but those with ACG exhibited rapid VF decline preoperatively, which was significantly flattened postoperatively.
Approximate Symmetries Analysis and Conservation Laws Corresponding to Perturbed Korteweg–de Vries Equation
Authors: Ayaz Tahir , Ali Farhad , Mashwani Wali Khan , Khan Israr Ali , Salleh Zabidin , Ikramullah
Published: June 2021

The Korteweg–de Vries (KdV) equation is a weakly nonlinear third-order differential equation which models and governs the evolution of fixed wave structures. This paper presents the analysis of the approximate symmetries along with conservation laws corresponding to the perturbed KdV equation for different classes of the perturbed function. Partial Lagrange method is used to obtain the approximate symmetries and their corresponding conservation laws of the KdV equation. The purpose of this study is to find particular perturbation (function) for which the number of approximate symmetries of perturbed KdV equation is greater than the number of symmetries of KdV equation so that explore something hidden in the system.
Interface Slip of the Steel Beam Strengthened with the CFRP Sheet under Temperature and Creep
Authors: Hou Wenyu , Li Yanfeng , Guan Yongping
Published: June 2021

This paper studied the interface slip between the CFRP sheet and the steel beam under the action of temperature and creep. The formulas of the interface slip were established by using the elastic method and energy variational method, respectively, and the accuracy of the formulas was verified by finite element analysis Abaqus. The results showed that when the creep was not taken into account, the interface slip was the maximum at the end of the beam and the minimum at the middle of the span. When the temperature increased to 5°C, the slip increased about 0.005 mm. And when the thickness of the CFRP sheet increased to 0.05 mm, the slip increased about 0.003 mm. When the creep was taken into account, the interface slip increased with the increase of load and decreased with the increase of stiffness. When the stiffness reached about 10 ka, the variation of the stiffness on the slip was basically unchanged.
Assessment of Some Characteristics and Properties of Zirconium Dioxide Nanoparticles Modified with 3-(Trimethoxysilyl) Propyl Methacrylate Silane Coupling Agent
Authors: Dao Phi Hung , Nguyen Thuy Chinh , Phung Thi Lan , Nguyen Tien Dung , Nguyen Anh Hiep , Vu Thi Ngoc Lan , Vu Quoc Trung , Vu Dinh Hieu , Tran Thi Kim Ngan , Thai Hoang
Published: June 2021

This study presents the results of surface modification of zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) nanoparticles by 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate silane coupling agent by assessing some characteristics and properties of modified ZrO2 nanoparticles by infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, size distribution, zeta potential, and field emission scanning electron microscopy methods. The modified and unmodified ZrO2 nanoparticles have been used as nanoadditives for organic coatings based on acrylic emulsion resin. The abrasion resistance of acrylic coating was evaluated according to ASTM E968-15. The obtained results show that ZrO2 nanoparticles were functionalized successfully with 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate silane. The modified ZrO2 nanoparticles exhibit a positive effectiveness in the enhancement of the abrasion resistance of acrylic resin coating compared to unmodified ZrO2 nanoparticles.
Intelligent IoT‐Based Cross‐Border e‐Commerce Supply Chain Performance Optimization
Authors: Xia Lei , Liu Sitong
Published: June 2021

Internet of Things (IoT) technology can benefit automated production, agriculture, intelligent autonomous driving, and many other industries by using billions of smart devices. As a good example, intelligent IoT and 5G are the main source of information acquisition and play an important role in the multiobjective optimization process of the supply chain. This paper develops an optimal management and coordination method to improve the performance of cross‐border e‐commerce supply chain by using IoT tracking technique and multiobjective decision‐making. The numerical results justify that our proposed scheme has high internal consistency, with the Cronbach’s alpha factor of each dimension of the optimized decision model all greater than 80%.
Hyperion Image Analysis Depicts a Preliminary Landscape of Tumor Immune Microenvironment in OSCC with Lymph Node Metastasis
Authors: Xie Shang , Zhang Xin-Yuan , Shan Xiao-Feng , Yau Vicky , Zhang Jian-Yun , Wang Wei , Yan Yong-Pan , Cai Zhi-Gang
Published: June 2021

Background. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) constitutes the most common types of oral cancer. Because its prognosis varies significantly, identification of a tumor immune microenvironment could be a critical tool for treatment planning and predicting a more accurate prognosis. This study is aimed at utilizing the Hyperion imaging system to depict a preliminary landscape of the tumor immune microenvironment in OSCC with lymph node metastasis. Methods. We collected neoplasm samples from OSCC patients. Their formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue sections were obtained and stained utilizing a panel of 26 clinically relevant metal-conjugated antibodies. Detection and analysis were performed for these stained cells with the Hyperion imaging system. Results. Four patients met our inclusion criteria. We depicted a preliminary landscape of their tumor immune microenvironment and identified 25 distinct immune cell subsets from these OSCC patients based on phenotypic similarity. All these patients had decreased expression of CD8+ T cells in tumor specimens. Variety in cell subsets was seen, and more immune activated cells were found in patient A and patient B than those in patient C and patient D. Such differences in tumor immune microenvironments can contribute to forecasting of individual prognoses. Conclusion. The Hyperion imaging system helped to delineate a preliminary and multidimensional landscape of the tumor immune microenvironment in OSCC with lymph node metastasis and provided insights into the influence of the immune microenvironment in determination of prognoses. These results reveal possible contributory factors behind different prognoses of OSCC patients with lymph node metastasis and provide reference for individual treatment planning.
Random Forest versus Support Vector Machine Models’ Applicability for Predicting Beam Shear Strength
Authors: Mohammed Hayder Riyadh Mohammed , Ismail Sumarni
Published: June 2021

The shear and bending are the actions that are experienced in the beam owing to the fact that the beam is a flexural member due to the load in the transverse direction to their longitudinal axis. The shear strength (Vs) computation of reinforced concrete (RC) beams has been a major topic in the field of structural engineering. There have been several methodologies introduced for the Vs prediction; however, the modeling accuracy is relatively low owing to the complex characteristic of the resistance mechanism involving dowel effect of longitudinal reinforcement, concrete in the compression zone, contribution of the stirrups if existed, and the aggregate interlock. Hence, the current research proposed a new soft computing model called random forest (RF) to predict Vs. Experimental datasets were collected from the open‐source literature including the related geometric properties and concrete characteristics of beam specimens. Nine input combinations were constructed based on the statistical correlation to be supplied for the proposed predictive model. The prediction accuracy of the RF model was validated against the Support Vector Machine (SVM), and several other empirical formulations have been adopted in the literature. The proposed RF model revealed better prediction accuracy in addition the model structure emphasis in the incorporation of seven predictors by excluding (beam flange thickness and coefficient). In the quantitative term, the minimal root mean square error value was attained (RMSE = 89.68 kN).
DNAPK Inhibition Preferentially Compromises the Repair of Radiation-induced DNA Double-strand Breaks in Chronically Hypoxic Tumor Cells in Xenograft Models
Authors: Jiang Yanyan , Willmore Elaine , Wedge Stephen R. , Ryan Anderson J.
Published: June 2021

Radiation-induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) can be repaired by homologous recombination (HR) and nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ). Recently, it has been found that chronic tumor hypoxia compromises HR repair of DNA DSBs but activates the NHEJ protein DNAPK. We therefore hypothesized that inhibition of DNAPK can preferentially potentiate the sensitivity of chronically hypoxic cancer cells to radiation through contextual synthetic lethality in vivo. In this study, we investigated the impact of DNAPK inhibition by a novel selective DNAPK inhibitor, NU5455, on the repair of radiation-induced DNA DSBs in chronically hypoxic and nonhypoxic cells across a range of xenograft models. We found that NU5455 inhibited DSB repair following radiation in both chronically hypoxic and nonhypoxic tumor cells. Most importantly, the inhibitory effect was more pronounced in chronically hypoxic tumor cells than in nonhypoxic tumor cells. This is the first in vivo study to indicate that DNAPK inhibition may preferentially sensitize chronically hypoxic tumor cells to radiotherapy, suggesting a broader therapeutic window for transient DNAPK inhibition combined with radiotherapy.
A Novel Nrf2 Pathway Inhibitor Sensitizes Keap1-Mutant Lung Cancer Cells to Chemotherapy
Authors: Zhang Di , Hou Zhilin , Aldrich Kelly E. , Lockwood Lizbeth , Odom Aaron L. , Liby Karen T.
Published: June 2021

The nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)–Keap1–ARE pathway, a master regulator of oxidative stress, has emerged as a promising target for cancer therapy. Mutations in NFE2L2, KEAP1, and related genes have been found in many human cancers, especially lung cancer. These mutations lead to constitutive activation of the Nrf2 pathway, which promotes proliferation of cancer cells and their resistance to chemotherapies. Small molecules that inhibit the Nrf2 pathway are needed to arrest tumor growth and overcome chemoresistance in Nrf2-addicted cancers. Here, we identified a novel small molecule, MSU38225, which can suppress Nrf2 pathway activity. MSU38225 downregulates Nrf2 transcriptional activity and decreases the expression of Nrf2 downstream targets, including NQO1, GCLC, GCLM, AKR1C2, and UGT1A6. MSU38225 strikingly decreases the protein level of Nrf2, which can be blocked by the proteasome inhibitor MG132. Ubiquitination of Nrf2 is enhanced following treatment with MSU38225. By inhibiting production of antioxidants, MSU38225 increases the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) when cells are stimulated with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP). MSU38225 also inhibits the growth of human lung cancer cells in both two-dimensional cell culture and soft agar. Cancer cells addicted to Nrf2 are more susceptible to MSU38225 for suppression of cell proliferation. MSU38225 also sensitizes human lung cancer cells to chemotherapies both in vitro and in vivo. Our results suggest that MSU38225 is a novel Nrf2 pathway inhibitor that could potentially serve as an adjuvant therapy to enhance the response to chemotherapies in patients with lung cancer.
Arid5a: A Missing Link between EMT and Tumoral Immune Resistance
Authors: Van den Eynde Benoit J.
Published: June 2021

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) endows tumor cells with the ability to invade and migrate, and to suppress antitumor immunity. In this issue, Parajuli and colleagues report that EMT tumors often express the RNA-binding protein AT-rich interactive domain 5a (Arid5a), which they find stabilizes the mRNAs encoding indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO1) and CCL2. As a new link between EMT and tumoral immune resistance, Arid5a represents a therapeutic target of interest.

See related article by Parajuli et al., p. 862 (4).
Plummer-Vinson Syndrome in an African-American Woman
Authors: Patel Keshav , Kassir Mahmoud , Patel Madhav , Eichorn Wesley
Published: June 2021

Plummer-Vinson syndrome (PVS) presents with the classic triad of iron-deficiency anemia, dysphagia, and esophageal webs. The mainstay treatment of PVS is iron supplementation and the dysphagia usually responds to iron supplementation before the hematologic abnormalities are corrected. This syndrome classically affects middle-aged Caucasian women and very few cases have been reported in African Americans. We present a rare case of PVS in an African-American woman. A 63-year-old woman presented with shortness of breath, dysphagia, and lightheadedness for several weeks. Chest X-ray was negative for any acute abnormalities. Initial hemoglobin was 7.0 g/dL, which improved to 7.5 g/dL after 1 unit of packed red blood cells. She had a mean corpuscular volume of 62 fL, a ferritin level of 6 ng/mL, and an iron level of 12 μg/dL. Fecal occult blood test was negative and barium swallow revealed a proximal esophageal web. Her dysphagia did not significantly improve despite intravenous iron supplementation and esophageal web dilation. Video-fluoroscopic swallow study revealed esophageal and pharyngeal phase dysphagia with food entrapment. She was discharged with plans to follow up with a primary care physician and repeat esophagogastroduodenoscopy in 1 year. This case report highlights a rare case of PVS in an African-American woman and emphasizes the importance of maintaining a comprehensive and broad differential diagnosis.
Analysis of Immune Landscape in Pancreatic and Ileal Neuroendocrine Tumours Demonstrates an Immune Cold Tumour Microenvironment
Authors: Tanno Lulu , Naheed Salma , Dunbar Jonathan , Tod Jo , Lopez Maria A. , Taylor Julian , Machado Maria , Green Bryan , Ashton-Key Margaret , Chee Serena J. , Wood Oliver , Pearce Neil W. , Thomas Gareth J. , Friedmann Peter S. , Cave Judith , Ottensmeier Christian H.
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are rare tumours with an increasing incidence. While low- and intermediate-grade pancreatic NET (PanNET) and small intestinal NET (siNET) are slow growing, they have a relatively high rate of metastasizing to the liver, leading to substantially worse outcomes. In many solid tumours, the outcome is determined by the quality of the antitumour immune response. However, the quality and significance of antitumour responses in NETs are incompletely understood. This study provides clinico-pathological analyses of the tumour immune microenvironment in PanNET and siNETs. Methods: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue from consecutive resected PanNETs (61) and siNETs (131) was used to construct tissue microarrays (TMAs); 1-mm cores were taken from the tumour centre, stroma, tumour edge, and adjacent healthy tissue. TMAs were stained with antibodies against CD8, CD4, CD68, FoxP3, CD20, and NCR1. T-cell counts were compared with counts from lung cancers. Results: For PanNET, median counts were CD8+ 35.4 cells/mm2, CD4+ 7.6 cells/mm2, and CD68+ macrophages 117.7 cells/mm2. For siNET, there were CD8+ 39.2 cells/mm2, CD4+ 24.1 cells/mm2, and CD68+ 139.2 cells/mm2. The CD8+ cell density in the tumour and liver metastases were significantly lower than in the adjacent normal tissues, without evidence of a cell-rich area at the tumour edge that might have suggested immune exclusion. T-cell counts in lung cancer were significantly higher than those in PanNET and siNETs: CD8+ 541 cells/mm2 and CD4+ 861 cells/mm2 (p ≤ 0.0001). Conclusion: PanNETs and siNETs are immune cold with no evidence of T cell exclusion; the low density of immune infiltrates indicates poor antitumour immune responses.
Transformações na Arquitetura de Álvaro Siza na década de 1990 : uma entrevista com Jorge Figueira (JF)
Authors: Penteado Neto Raul Teixeira
Published: June 2021

Este artigo tem como objetivo relatar resultados parciais da pesquisa que analisou nove projetos do arquiteto Português Álvaro Siza (1933), produzidos entre os anos de 1966 e 1998, a partir do trinômio “arqueologia, metamorfose e inflexão”. A partir de análise atenta à obra do arquiteto português, observaram-se indícios da existência de processos contínuos de recuperação, transformação e atualização de soluções presentes em seu repertório de projetos pregressos, em novos contextos, processo que seria qualificado por Vittorio Gregotti (1972), com o termo “arqueologia autônoma”. A partir dessas considerações, surge o pressuposto sintetizado no título da dissertação que sugere uma chave de leitura e entendimento da obra de Siza a partir da ideia de que três inflexões mais radicais de linguagem teriam sido tributárias e deflagradas por três projetos não-construídos precedentes, que poderiam ser considerados seus “prenúncios”. Este Artigo apresenta uma entrevista com o Prof. Dr. Jorge Figueira, na busca de esclarecer as possíveis origens da inflexão de linguagem ocorrida no Museu da Fundação Iberê Camargo, única obra do arquiteto português Álvaro Siza construída no Brasil até a data. O trabalho busca evidenciar a relevância da memória, acumulação de influências e experiências pregressas no processo de projeto do arquiteto Álvaro Siza.
Apontamentos para a compreensão do processo de projeto a partir dos fundamentos da ontologia materialista de G. Lukács
Authors: Thiesen José Rodolfo Pacheco
Published: June 2021

O artigo pretende abordar elementos teórico-filosóficos, com base na ontologia materialista de György Lukács, a respeito do exercício de projeto em Arquitetura e Urbanismo. Pretende-se tratar o ato conceptivo de projeto como um pôr teleológico mediado pelo mundo objetivo. Este tratamento se diferencia das compreensões que atribuem ao sujeito isolado todas as possíveis qualidades de um bom projetista, com ideias (ou soluções) que surgem de processos estritamente mentais. Ela ajuda a estabelecer uma relação do projetista com seu objeto que é dinâmica e contínua, além de facilitar o trabalho coletivo e se afastar do apelo autoral. Em relação ao ensino, ela visa a não somente formar objetos "bem resolvidos", mas sobretudo sujeitos mais capazes de lidar com os problemas arquitetônicos.
Da popularização do entorno à evasão da elite: a Rua das Trincheiras, João Pessoa-PB
Authors: Costa Paula Augusta Ismael da
Published: June 2021

O cenário atual da Rua das Trincheiras, marcado por ruínas e ocupações irregulares, aponta a existência de conflitos urbanos que se impõem sobre a dinâmica local. Este artigo revela, através da análise de produção deste espaço urbano, que estes conflitos se originaram com a popularização dos entornos das Trincheiras na primeira metade do século XX, instaurando um processo de evasão pelos residentes mais abastados. Diante da retaguarda abandonada, a partir do século XXI as Trincheiras passaram a ser o próprio objeto da apropriação popular, acirrando os conflitos à medida que se torna um espaço de disputa entre diferentes camadas sociais, usos, poderios econômicos e sociais que ora a cobiçam, ora a renegam em séculos de existência, resistência e ocupação.
Low Carotid Flow Pulsatility Index Correlates With the Presence of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms
Authors: Igase Michiya , Igase Keiji , Okada Yoko , Ochi Masayuki , Tabara Yasuharu , Sadamoto Kazuhiko , Ohyagi Yasumasa
Published: June 2021

Background

We assessed cases of incidental unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA) discovered on screening magnetic resonance angiography to identify hemodynamic and atherosclerotic risk factors.

Methods and Results

The data of 1376 healthy older subjects (age range, 31–91 years) without cerebro‐ or cardiovascular diseases who underwent brain magnetic resonance angiography as part of a medical checkup program at a health screening center were examined retrospectively. We looked for an increase in classical risk factors for UIAs (age, sex, hypertension, and smoking) and laboratory data related to lifestyle diseases among subjects with UIAs. Brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity, central systolic blood pressure, radial augmentation index, and carotid flow pulsatility index were also compared between those with and without UIAs. We found UIAs in 79 (5.7%) of the subjects. Mean age was 67.1±9.0 years, and 55 (70%) were women. Of the 79 aneurysms, 75 (95%) were in the anterior circulation, with a mean diameter of 3.1 mm (range, 2.0–8.0 mm). Subjects with UIAs were significantly older and had more severe hypertension. The carotid flow pulsatility index was significantly lower in subjects with UIAs and negatively and independently correlated with UIAs. Tertile analysis stratified by carotid flow pulsatility index revealed that subjects with lower indices had higher levels of low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Conclusions

The presence of UIAs correlated with lower carotid flow pulsatility index and elevated low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol in the data from a population of healthy older volunteers. A reduced carotid flow pulsatility index may affect low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol elevation by some molecular pathways and influence the development of cerebral aneurysms. This may guide aneurysm screening indications for institutions where magnetic resonance angiography is not routine.
Why Plain Futurates are Different
Authors: Rullmann Hotze , Huijsmans Marianne , Matthewson Lisa , Todorović Neda
Published: June 2021

In English, simple present (plain) and present progressive constructions can make reference to the future, in constructions known as futurates. In previous literature, these two types of futurate have often been discussed separately or treated as more or less equivalent. This squib argues that they convey different meanings: plain futurates presuppose the existence of a schedule, while progressive futurates do not. We propose a formal definition of a schedule and present novel empirical data based on a questionnaire study. We show that plain futurates are restricted to contexts providing a schedule, but progressive futurates are not.
Persistence of information flow: A multiscale characterization of human brain
Authors: Benigni Barbara , Ghavasieh Arsham , Corso Alessandra , d’Andrea Valeria , De Domenico Manlio
Published: June 2021

Information exchange in the human brain is crucial for vital tasks and to drive diseases. Neuroimaging techniques allow for the indirect measurement of information flows among brain areas and, consequently, for reconstructing connectomes analyzed through the lens of network science. However, standard analyses usually focus on a small set of network indicators and their joint probability distribution. Here, we propose an information-theoretic approach for the analysis of synthetic brain networks (based on generative models) and empirical brain networks, and to assess connectome’s information capacity at different stages of dementia. Remarkably, our framework accounts for the whole network state, overcoming limitations due to limited sets of descriptors, and is used to probe human connectomes at different scales. We find that the spectral entropy of empirical data lies between two generative models, indicating an interpolation between modular and geometry-driven structural features. In fact, we show that the mesoscale is suitable for characterizing the differences between brain networks and their generative models. Finally, from the analysis of connectomes obtained from healthy and unhealthy subjects, we demonstrate that significant differences between healthy individuals and the ones affected by Alzheimer’s disease arise at the microscale (max. posterior probability smaller than 1%) and at the mesoscale (max. posterior probability smaller than 10%).
Cytotoxic effect of endemic Tchihatchewia isatidea Boiss. from Turkey
Authors: Kirbağ Sevda , Keser Serhat , Tekin Suat , İnci Şule , Sandal Süleyman
Published: June 2021

Tchihatchewia isatidea Boiss (Brassicaceae) is known among the public as “Reddish Bride”, “Paint and Bridal Flower”. Flower parts are used for painting and flowering branches for treatment of cough. In this study, anticancer properties of water, ethanol and methanol extracts of Tchihatchewia isatidea flower parts were investigated against human breast (MCF-7), human colon (HCT-116) and human prostate (LNCaP) cancer cell lines. Changes in the viability of cancer cells were detected by utilizing 3- (4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) -2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. Studies have shown that there is a statistically significant decrease in the cell viability of human breast cancer (MCF-7), colon (HCT-116) and prostate (LNCaP) cancer cells when extracts of T. isatidea water, ethanol and methanol are used.
Resolving phylogenetic and classical nomenclature: A revision of Seraphsidae Jung, 1974 (Gastropoda: Neostromboidae)
Authors: MAXWELL STEPHEN J. , RYMER TASMIN L. , CONGDON BRADLEY C.
Published: June 2021

This revision demonstrates that an integrated taxonomic approach to classical taxonomic practice can lead to increased internal cladistic resolution within a clade, including the recognition of new taxa at all nomenclatural levels. In particular, this revision has two aims: 1) to complete an α-taxonomic revision of Seraphsidae (Stromboidea); and 2) to resolve the infrafamilial relationships within Seraphsidae using morphological cladistics. An annotated synonymy was generated for each taxon, the precedence of names determined, and revised descriptions formulated. Character sets that reflect the synapomorphies within the major subclades of Seraphsidae were coded and a cladogram generated using maximum likelihood within the tnt program with default settings. Four forms of material and evidence were used in this systematic review: 1) the type material for each taxon; 2) non-type physical material; 3) published images; and 4) literary references for specimen localities without illustration. The current morphologically-based classification of Seraphsidae was found to be sound in terms of current species delimitations. Regardless of this, the use of an integrated taxonomy improved understanding of the internal cladistic relationships within Seraphsidae, which led to higher resolution of the internal cladistic arrangements and taxonomic delimitation. Furthermore, this increased resolution is now reflected in the family nomenclature. Two new subfamilies are proposed, Seraphsinae and Pseudoterebellinae, which are used to distinguish the two clades within Seraphsidae based on form: members of Seraphsinae are involute, while members of Pseudoterebellinae are evolute. Pseudoterebellum is proposed as a new genus to show the discontinuity in the fossil record and highlight the structural differences between it and Terebellum. A new species from Jamaica, Seraphs kaindraperi, is described, being the first record from that location and that geological period and is morphologically distinct from other described taxa. This revision included Mauryna within Seraphsidae on the grounds that it provides a basal link to the Seraphsidae sister taxa Semiterebellum and Terebellopsis, all of which are currently contained within Rostellariidae, and all three clades may in time be brought together under one family. All clades have been constructed to be in compliance with both the ICZN and PhyloCode. It was not possible within the context of this revision to test the results of the α-taxonomic findings against phylogenies generated with molecular data. This was due to the high number of extinct taxa within the Seraphsidae.
The missing Eusarcus: generic relocation of Pucrolia minuta, with synonymic notes (Opiliones: Laniatores: Gonyleptidae)
Authors: ACOSTA LUIS E. , GUERRERO ELIÁN L.
Published: June 2021

The harvestmen family Gonyleptidae (Opiliones), the largest one in the Neotropics (Kury 2003), is astonishingly diverse in eastern South America. The species-rich genus Eusarcus Perty, 1833, is characteristic for this area. It is the second largest gonyleptid genus (Kury 2003; Hara & Pinto-da-Rocha 2010), with a long taxonomical history beginning in the 19th century, when Perty (1833) described the genus together with four species. The number of species increased gradually in the 20th century through the addition of new descriptions and the synonymies of several related genera, with the corresponding species transferals (Hara & Pinto-da-Rocha 2010). Eusarcus is a relatively well-studied taxon that has undergone a thorough systematic revision (Hara & Pinto-da-Rocha 2010). Currently the genus contains 40 valid species, some of them cave-dwellers, with 32 species inhabiting the Atlantic rainforest and Paraná semi-deciduous forests (Saraiva & DaSilva 2016; Santos Júnior et al. 2021). The remaining species are peripheral to the core geographic area and are found in the Brazilian Cerrado, in Paraguay, or in the “Pampas” grasslands of Argentina, Uruguay, and southern Brazil (Hara & Pinto-da-Rocha 2010).
miR-124-3p Down-Regulation Influences Pancreatic-β-Cell Function by Targeting Secreted Frizzled-Related Protein 5 (SFRP5) in Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Jiang Zhenhuan , Yang Min , Jin Jianming , Song Zhenqiang , Li Chenguang , Zhu Yanjuan , Tang Yunzhao , Ni Changlin
Published: June 2021

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a complex metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia, insulin resistance and pancreatic β-cell dysfunction. There are evidences showed that microRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in DM. The purpose of our study was to determine the role of miR-124-3p
in DM. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) was applied to measure the level of miR- 124-3p in peripheral blood from healthy control patients and DM patients. Then we explored the effects of miR-124-3p inhibitor on the secretion of insulin of pancreatic β-cells. Moreover,
we determined the effects of miR-124-3p inhibitor on the apoptosis and viability of pancreatic β-cells through flow cytometry and MTT assay. And we also used western blotting to detect the protein expression of cleaved-caspase3/pro-caspase3, and the activity of caspase3 was detected.
In addition, we confirmed the direct target of miR-124-3p using Dual luciferase reporter assay. Our data showed that in the blood of DM patients, SFRP5 was significantly reduced, while miR-124-3p was increased significantly. Furthermore, we found that down-regulation of miR-124-3p increased
total insulin content in INS-1 cells, enhanced insulin secretion in INS-1 cells. Furthermore, we revealed that miR-124-3p inhibitor enhanced INS-1 cell viability, decreased apoptosis of INS-1 cells, increased pro-caspase3 expression, decreased cleaved-caspase3 expression and caspase3 activity.
In addition, we proved SFRP5 was a direct target of miR-124-3p in pancreatic β-cells. Moreover, SFRP5-siRNA reversed all the effects of miR-124-3p knockdown on pancreatic β-cells.
Sufentanil Inhibits Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells by Upregulating miRNA-204
Authors: Zhuo Jiuwu , Zheng Yishan , Hu Wanying , Yin Guoping
Published: June 2021

Sufentanil is a powerful analgesic that acts on μ-receptors, but there are few studies on sufentanil in cancer. The biological function and underlying mechanisms of sufentanil on the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells were explored in the present study. HCC cells were first treated
with different concentrations of sufentanil and the most optimum concentration of sufentanil was determined. The expression of miR-204 in HCC cells was changed by transfected with miR-204 inhibitor and the transfection efficiency was assessed by qRT-PCR. CCK-8, wound-healing and Transwell
assays were performed to evaluate the proliferation, migration and invasion of HCC cells, respectively. The level of AKT and PI3K phosphorylation (p-AKT and p-PI3K) were assessed by western blot analysis. Our results demonstrated that sufentanil effectively inhibited cell proliferation,migration
and invasion in both Huh7 and Hep3B cells, and significantly decreased the expression of p-AKT and p-PI3K. In addition, miR-204 was upregulated in Huh7 and Hep3B cells treated with sufentanil, and low expression of miR-204 attenuated the damage of sufentanil on the viability of Huh7 and Hep3B
cells. Taken together, sufentanil suppressed the proliferation, migration and invasion of HCC cells via inhibiting AKT/PI3K signaling pathway by targeting miR-204.
Colonial management as a social field: The Palestinian remaking of Israel’s system of spatial control
Authors: Habbas Walid , Berda Yael
Published: June 2021

This article delves into the everyday dynamics of colonial rule to outline a novel way of understanding colonized–colonizer interactions. It conceives colonial management as a social field in which both the colonized and colonizers negotiate and exchange resources, despite their decidedly unequal positions within a racial hierarchy. Drawing their example from the West Bank, the authors argue that a Palestinian economic elite has proactively participated in the co-production of the colonial management of spatial mobility, a central component of Israeli colonial rule. The study employs interviews and document analysis to investigate how the nexus between Palestine’s commercial-logistical needs and Israel’s security complex induced large-scale Palestinian producers to exert agency and reorder commercial mobility. The authors describe and explain the evolution of a ‘Door-to-Door’ logistical arrangement, in which large-scale Palestinian traders participate in extending Israeli’s system of spatial control in exchange for facilitating logistical mobility. This horizontal social encounter that entails pay-offs is conditioned, but not fully determined, by vertical relations of domination and subordination.
Moral regulation and a good moral panic: UK Polish migrant workers and the 2016 EU Referendum
Authors: Fitzgerald Ian , Smoczyński Rafał
Published: June 2021

The UK 2016 EU Referendum has introduced a period of uncertainty for both the indigenous population and for non-British citizens. This uncertainty is considered within a framework of the recent revisions in the sociology of moral panics through an analysis of interviews with Polish migrant workers. This analysis reveals two main discursive framing logics. The first logic refers to a self-reported anti-Polish migrant moral panic discourse that – according to respondents – was exploited by British anti-migrant campaigners. The second type of articulation illustrates the good moral panic logic, namely, a panicking discourse appearing among respondents about the vulnerability of their community in post-Referendum Britain. This article, however, problematises the good moral panic logic by eliciting competing narratives found in the interview data. The latter did not aim merely at stimulating caring attitudes but referred also to moral regulation techniques to manage Brexit-oriented risks and avoid the trap of becoming a vulnerable migrant.
How the environment is conceptualised and represented globally in social work codes of ethics
Authors: Liu Kang , Flynn Catherine A
Published: June 2021

While the environment is fundamental to humankind’s wellbeing, to date, social work has been largely focused on the social, rather than the physical, environment. To map how the broader environment is captured in the profession’s foundational documents, an exploratory sequential mixed methods study (QUAL → quan) analysed data from 64 social work codes of ethics. Findings indicate that although the environment is mentioned in the majority of these, there is a continued focus on the social, overlooking to some degree the physical, predominantly the built, environment. A more holistic understanding of the environment would enable social work to better fulfil its commitment to human rights and social justice.
Engaging Future Healthcare Professionals as Caregivers to Hospice Patients in Comfort Care Homes
Authors: Melekis Kelly , Weisse Carol S. , Phillips Emma
Published: June 2021

Most people wish to die at home yet significant barriers exist in accessing care in one’s home, especially for individuals with caregiver and/or housing instability. Across the U.S., residential homes for the dying are opening to address gaps in end-of-life care by recruiting community members to serve as caregivers to hospice patients during their final days. This paper describes a blended-experiential training program, informed by both an evidence-based educational framework and transformative learning theory, that trains undergraduate students to serve as surrogate family members to hospice patients in residential care homes. This study analyzed data from a sample of undergraduate students (n = 35) who participated in an 8-week program. Applying Kirkpatrick’s evaluation model, study results indicate the program provided essential knowledge and skills in end-of-life care, benefiting both student learning outcomes and resident care.
Female Narcissism: Assessment, Aetiology, and Behavioural Manifestations
Authors: Green Ava , MacLean Rory , Charles Kathy
Published: June 2021

Despite putative gender differences in the expression of narcissism, prominent theories have virtually dismissed the role of females in the development and manifestation of narcissism. The contention that narcissism is a pathology of the self that may partly differ in males and females is further evident in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). The DSM-5 reports that up to 75% of those diagnosed with Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) are men. Such figures suggest that the representation of narcissism as codified in the DSM-5 may only be marginally applicable to females, given its prominent focus and nature on capturing grandiose themes which closely resemble commonly masculine norms. The overemphasis on grandiose features extends to the empirical literature which defines narcissism as a normative personality trait and is widely assessed using the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI), on which males obtain significantly higher scores than females. As this review will demonstrate, one limitation frequently occurring in the literature is the attempt to comprehend narcissistic manifestations in females through the lens of what has commonly been defined as narcissism (DSM/NPI). In this review, the literature concerning the diagnostic assessment and conceptualisation of narcissistic personality disorder, aetiological factors, aggression, and partner violence perpetration will be discussed in relation to the importance of gender. This is followed by a review of existing gaps in theory and research, and suggestions for fruitful directions that can aid a richer and more meaningful literature on narcissism inclusive of gender issues.
Exclusion Through Inclusion: Institutional Constraints on Women's Political Empowerment in India and Bangladesh
Authors: Prodip Mahbub Alam
Published: June 2021

This comparative case study uses qualitative data to explore and analyze the institutional obstacles that women in reserved seats face to their political empowerment in the Gram Panchayat in India and the Union Parishad in Bangladesh. The findings reveal that women in reserved seats in both countries confront some fundamental institutional barriers, such as a masculine model of politics, lack of political party support, as well as lack of power and resources. Indian women face serious problems—the inclusion of ex‐officio members, the rotational system, bureaucratic dominance, and partisan elections—whereas Bangladeshi women suffer from the unequal distribution of reserved seats under a quota policy and lack of clarity in rules, power, and provisions. A lack of financial resources limits the effective participation of women members in the decision‐making process in both countries. Further institutional reforms are vital to ensure women's political empowerment through reserved seats in both countries.
Fault tolerant control for robotic manipulator using fractional-order backstepping fast terminal sliding mode control
Authors: Anjum Zeeshan , Guo Yu , Yao Wei
Published: June 2021

In this paper, the problems of tracking control and finite-time stabilization of a high nonlinear system such as a robotic manipulator in the presence of actuator faults, uncertainties, and external disturbances are explored. In order to improve the performance of the system in the presence of actuator faults, uncertainties and external disturbances a novel fault tolerant control system based on fractional-order backstepping fast terminal sliding mode control is developed in this paper. The control system is developed by employing the results obtained from studies in the fields of fractional-order calculus, backstepping, sliding mode control, Mittag–Leffler stability, and finite-time Lyapunov stability. The performance of the suggested controller is then tested for a PUMA560 robot in which the first three joints are used. The simulation results validate the usefulness of the developed control approach in terms of accuracy of tracking, and convergence speed in the presence of disturbances, uncertainties and actuator faults. The trajectory tracking performance of the developed method is compared with other state of the art approaches such as conventional computed torque control, proportional integral derivative control and nonsingular fast terminal sliding mode control. The simulation results show that the proposed control approach performed better as compared to other control approaches in the presence of actuator faults, uncertainties, and disturbances.
Pennsylvania in 2018: How Redistricting Does and Doesn’t Make a Difference
Authors: Hicks William D. , McKee Seth C.
Published: June 2021

In this Field Note, we use precinct- and individual-level data on Pennsylvania to assess whether congressional redistricting influenced voter preferences in the 2018 midterm. Despite redistricting vastly altering the distribution of voters in House districts, this did little to change their preferences. Rather, redistricting contributed to Democratic House gains primarily by configuring a handful of districts to be more favorable to the Democratic Party. The evidence for minimal direct effects of redistricting on voter preferences, despite the presence of national political conditions breaking strongly in favor of Democrats, speaks to the increasing nationalization of American elections and with it, a concomitant decline in the incumbency advantage.
The Algorithms of Mindfulness
Authors: Bruder Johannes
Published: June 2021

This paper analyzes notions and models of optimized cognition emerging at the intersections of psychology, neuroscience, and computing. What I somewhat polemically call the algorithms of mindfulness describes an ideal that determines algorithmic techniques of the self, geared at emotional resilience and creative cognition. A reframing of rest, exemplified in corporate mindfulness programs and the design of experimental artificial neural networks sits at the heart of this process. Mindfulness trainings provide cues as to this reframing, for they detail each in their own way how intermittent periods of rest are to be recruited to augment our cognitive capacities and combat the effects of stress and information overload. They typically rely on and co-opt neuroscience knowledge about what the brains of North Americans and Europeans do when we rest. Current designs for artificial neural networks draw on the same neuroscience research and incorporate coarse principles of cognition in brains to make machine learning systems more resilient and creative. These algorithmic techniques are primarily conceived to prevent psychopathologies where stress is considered the driving force of success. Against this backdrop, I ask how machine learning systems could be employed to unsettle the concept of pathological cognition itself.
The experience of type 2 diabetes: Application of the Model of Human Occupation
Authors: Klinedinst Tara C , Swink Laura A , Atler Karen E , Chard Christine A , Malcolm Matt P
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Integrating type 2 diabetes (T2DM) self-care behaviors into daily life is complex and poorly understood. Occupational therapists, as experts in life context, habits, roles, and routines, can foster new ways of understanding and promoting daily engagement in T2DM self-care. The Model of Human Occupation (MOHO), a conceptual practice model, may have applicability to better understanding the experience of living with T2DM and engaging in necessary self-care behaviors.

Methods

We conducted focus group interviews with individuals with T2DM ( n = 10). We applied the MOHO to understand the experience of living with T2DM and engaging in related self-care behaviors.

Findings

Participants discussed each element of MOHO and how it related to living with and managing type 2 diabetes. Participants identified obtaining skills for self-advocacy with family, individualized/adapted exercise, stable health-promoting environments and routines, and problem-solving skills for disruptions to routine as critical needs for managing T2DM. These intervention strategies are well-aligned with MOHO and occupational therapy practice.

Conclusion

We found that MOHO was a useful tool for exploring the experience and daily management of T2DM.
The water, food, energy, and ecosystem nexus in the Asian Alpine Belt: Research progress and future directions for achieving sustainable development goals
Authors: Wang Yijia , Fu Bojie , Liu Yanxu
Published: June 2021

The Asian Alpine Belt (AAB) region extends from the Tibetan Plateau to the Caucasus. Rapid climate change and increasing anthropogenic pressures in the ecologically sensitive alpine area are making the achievement of sustainable development goals in the AAB more challenging. The water–food–energy–ecosystem (WFEE) nexus describes the trade-offs and synergies among the various elements of water, food, energy resources, and natural ecosystems relevant for sustainable development. The optimization of the WFEE nexus in the AAB region has become a vital issue for reaching sustainability in this ecologically fragile Eurasian region and its developing countries. In this paper, we broadly classify research into four types based on a compilation of recent research on the WFEE nexus in the AAB region: ecohydrological processes, agriculture and livestock, clean energy, and local social adaptation. We use the classification–coordination–collaboration approach to build an optimized conceptual framework to indicate a future research path. The outlook includes enhanced identification of the WFEE nexus, scientifically rational decision-making, and attention to cross-sector and transnational collaboration to support the realization of sustainable development goals in the AAB region.