bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Connecting the proxy-SU(3) symmetry to the shell model
Authors: Bonatsos Dennis , Martinou Andriana , Assimakis I.E. , Peroulis S.K. , Sarantopoulou S. , Minkov N.
Published: September 2021

Proxy-SU(3) symmetry is an approximation scheme extending the Elliott SU(3) algebra of the sd shell to heavier shells. When introduced in 2017, the approximation had been justified by calculations carried out within the Nilsson model. Recently our group managed to map the cartesian basis of the Elliott SU(3) model onto the spherical shell model basis, proving that the proxy-SU(3) approximation corresponds to the replacement of the intruder orbitals by their de Shalit-Goldhaber partners, paving the way for using the proxy-SU(3) approximation in shell model calculations. The connection between the proxy-SU(3) scheme and the spherical shell model has also been worked out in the original framework of the Nilsson model, with identical results.
Low energy reactions of halo nuclei
Authors: Martel Ismael
Published: September 2021

Halo nuclei are extreme nuclear states consisting of one or more weakly-bound valence nucleons spatially decoupled from a tightly bound nuclear core. The weakly bound nature of the halo dominates the reaction probability, but the specific reaction mechanisms depend also on the core and target nuclei. Despite of the inherent complexity of the reaction process, simple two-body models and direct reaction theories can be used to extract useful information of the structure of the halo nucleus and its dynamics. These ideas are discussed using selected experiments of Coulomb barrier reactions with one- and two- neutron halo systems.
Enhanced production of 99Mo in inverse kinematics heavy ion reactions
Authors: Mabiala Justin , Rodrigues Marcia R.D. , Souliotis Georgios A. , Iacob Victor E. , Nica Ninel , Roeder Brian , Tabacaru Gabriel , Wang Kang , Romo Jedidiah , Scriven Dustin , Tenpas Nolan , Bonasera Aldo
Published: September 2021

The reaction of a 100Mo beam at 12 MeV/nucleon impinging on a 4He gas-cell target was performed. The 99Mo alongside other coproduced isotopes were collected after the gas target on an aluminum catcher foil and their respective radioactivities were measured by offline γ-ray analysis. In this contribution, preliminary experimental results which are used to discuss the possibility of optimal large-scale production conditions of the produced radioisotopes are presented.
Comment faciliter la construction et la conduite des projets interdisciplinaires : retour d’expérience d’un programme de recherche sur la gestion intégrée de la santé des animaux en élevage
Authors: Ducrot Christian , Barrio Maria Belen , Boissy Alain , Casabianca François , Pinard-van der Laan Marie-Hélène , Maillet Isabelle
Published: September 2021

L’article présente le retour d’expérience sur la conduite de l’interdisciplinarité dans 14 projets d’un programme sur la gestion intégrée de la santé des animaux. Les difficultés rencontrées portent sur l’acculturation et l’équilibre entre disciplines, l’animation scientifique et les publications. Le degré d’interdisciplinarité des projets va de la juxtaposition à l’intégration des disciplines. Les recommandations proposées aux porteurs de projet sont notamment le décentrage des questions disciplinaires pendant la phase de conception, une mise en œuvre basée sur une animation agile, et, pendant la phase de bilan, une analyse de l’apport de l’interdisciplinarité à la question initiale. Pour renforcer l’interdisciplinarité, le pilotage des programmes interdisciplinaires devrait donner la priorité à l’acculturation des chercheurs à l’interdisciplinarité, apporter un appui à la conception de projets et analyser le degré d’intégration des disciplines atteint dans les projets.
Optimality conditions for nonsmooth multiobjective bilevel optimization using tangential subdifferentials
Authors: Jennane Mohsine , Kalmoun El Mostafa , El Fadil Lhoussain
Published: September 2021

In combining the value function approach and tangential subdifferentials, we establish necessary optimality conditions of a nonsmooth multiobjective bilevel programming problem under a suitable constraint qualification. The upper level objectives and constraint functions are neither assumed to be necessarily locally Lipschitz nor convex.
Effekte einer Klopftechnik zur Reduktion von Stress, Angst und Burnout
Authors: Wiederhold Dietmar
Published: September 2021

Mit dem Ausbruch der COVID-19-Pandemie haben Pflegekräfte an vorderster Front eine hohe Verantwortung für die Pflege und Behandlung von schwer kranken Patienten übernommen. Das Erleben der Patientenschicksale auf der einen und die eigenen familiären Verpflichtungen auf der anderen Seite haben enorme Auswirkungen auf die psychische Gesundheit mit sich gebracht. So wurde ein hohes Maß an Hilflosigkeit, Schlafstörungen, Ängsten, Stress, Burnout und Depressionen bei den Beschäftigten im Gesundheitswesen beobachtet. 98 % der Wirksamkeitsstudien zeigen statistisch signifikante Verbesserungen der psychischen Belastungen, wenn die Emotional-Freedom-Technique (EFT) angewendet wird. Dabei handelt es sich um eine Klopftechnik von Akupressurpunkten der Traditionellen Chinesischen Medizin (TCM), mit welcher durch eigene körperliche Stimulation ausgleichende und harmonisierende Effekte auf Geist und Emotionen erzeugt werden sollen. In der vorliegenden Studie wurde die Wirksamkeit von EFT auf die Prävention von Stress, Angst und Burnout bei Pflegekräften in der Versorgung von COVID-19-Patienten untersucht.
Die Abel-Niere – die erste „Kapillarniere“
Authors: Brunner Jürgen
Published: September 2021

1913 entwickelten J. J. Abel, L. G. Rountree und B. B. Turner einen ersten Dialysator mit mehreren ca. bleistiftdicken Röhren. In Tierversuchen konnten sie eine Dialyseeffektivität feststellen. Im Modell kann man deutlich die Form der heute üblichen Kapillardialysatoren sehen.
Förderpreis Nephrologische Pflege 2022
Authors: Schäfer Christian
Published: September 2021

Die Thieme Gruppe schreibt im Jahr 2022 wieder den Förderpreis Nephrologische Pflege aus und stiftet das Preisgeld von 1500 Euro.
New Inhibitors in the Ageing Population: A Retrospective, Observational, Cohort Study of New Inhibitors in Older People with Hemophilia
Authors: Astermark Jan , Ay Cihan , Carvalho Manuela , D'Oiron Roseline , Moerloose Philippe De , Dolan Gerard , Fontana Pierre , Hermans Cedric , Holme Pål Andre , Katsarou Olga , Kenet Gili , Klamroth Robert , Mancuso Maria Elisa , Marquardt Natascha , Núñez Ramiro , Pabinger Ingrid , Tait Robert , Valk Paul van der
Published: September 2021

Introduction A second peak of inhibitors has been reported in patients with severe hemophilia A (HA) aged >50 years in the United Kingdom. The reason for this suggested breakdown of tolerance in the aging population is unclear, as is the potential impact of regular exposure to the deficient factor by prophylaxis at higher age. No data on hemophilia B (HB) have ever been reported.

Aim The ADVANCE Working Group investigated the incidence of late-onset inhibitors and the use of prophylaxis in patients with HA and HB aged ≥40 years.

Methods A retrospective, observational, cohort, survey-based study of all patients aged ≥40 years with HA or HB treated at an ADVANCE hemophilia treatment center.

Results Information on 3,095 people aged ≥40 years with HA or HB was collected. Of the 2,562 patients with severe HA, the majority (73% across all age groups) received prophylaxis. In patients with severe HA, the inhibitor incidence per 1,000 treatment years was 2.37 (age 40–49), 1.25 (age 50–59), and 1.45 (age 60 + ). Overall, the inhibitor incidence was greatest in those with moderate HA (5.77 [age 40–49], 6.59 [age 50–59], and 4.69 [age 60 + ]) and the majority of inhibitor cases were preceded by a potential immune system challenge. No inhibitors in patients with HB were reported.

Conclusion Our data do not identify a second peak of inhibitor development in older patients with hemophilia. Prophylaxis may be beneficial in older patients with severe, and possibly moderate HA, to retain a tolerant state at a higher age.
Comparison of Skin Substitutes for Acute and Chronic Wound Management
Authors: Bay Caroline , Chizmar Zachary , Reece Edward M. , Yu Jessie Z. , Winocour Julian , Vorstenbosch Joshua , Winocour Sebastian
Published: September 2021

Chronic and acute wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers and burns, respectively, can be difficult to treat, especially when autologous skin transplantations are unavailable. Skin substitutes can be used as a treatment alternative by providing the structural elements and growth factors necessary for reepithelialization and revascularization from a nonautologous source. As of 2020, there are 76 commercially available skin substitute products; this article provides a review of the relevant literature related to the major categories of skin substitutes available.
Bone Healing and Inflammation: Principles of Fracture and Repair
Authors: ElHawary Hassan , Baradaran Aslan , Abi-Rafeh Jad , Vorstenbosch Joshua , Xu Liqin , Efanov Johnny Ionut
Published: September 2021

Bones comprise a significant percentage of human weight and have important physiologic and structural roles. Bone remodeling occurs when healthy bone is renewed to maintain bone strength and maintain calcium and phosphate homeostasis. It proceeds through four phases: (1) cell activation, (2) resorption, (3) reversal, and (4) bone formation. Bone healing, on the other hand, involves rebuilding bone following a fracture. There are two main types of bone healing, primary and secondary. Inflammation plays an integral role in both bone remodeling and healing. Therefore, a tightly regulated inflammatory response helps achieve these two processes, and levels of inflammation can have detrimental effects on bone healing. Other factors that significantly affect bone healing are inadequate blood supply, biomechanical instability, immunosuppression, and smoking. By understanding the different mechanisms of bone healing and the factors that affect them, we may have a better understanding of the underlying principles of bony fixation and thereby improve patient care.
Raster Thomson scattering in large-scale laser plasmas produced at high repetition rate
Authors: Kaloyan M. , Ghazaryan S. , Constantin C. G. , Dorst R. S. , Heuer P. V. , Pilgram J. J. , Schaeffer D. B. , Niemann C.
Published: September 2021

We present optical Thomson scattering measurements of electron density and temperature in a large-scale (∼2 cm) exploding laser plasma produced by irradiating a solid target with a high-energy (5–10 J) laser pulse at a high repetition rate (1 Hz). The Thomson scattering diagnostic matches this high repetition rate. Unlike previous work performed in single shots at much higher energies, the instrument allows for point measurements anywhere inside the plasma by automatically translating the scattering volume using motorized stages as the experiment is repeated at 1 Hz. Measured densities around 4 × 1016 cm−3 and temperatures around 7 eV result in a scattering parameter near unity, depending on the distance from the target. The measured spectra show the transition from collective scattering close to the target to non-collective scattering at larger distances. Densities obtained by fitting the weakly collective spectra agree to within 10% with an irradiance calibration performed via Raman scattering in nitrogen.
Utilising heterogeneous language resources for term extraction in maritime domains
Authors: Andersen Gisle
Published: September 2021

The development of terminologies for domains where these are lacking is a time-consuming and costly task. This article takes a methodological perspective and addresses a general methodological question: how can we, with limited funding, utilise to a maximal degree, existing language resources to create a terminology at a relatively low cost? Although an important player in the maritime industries for many centuries, Norway has not prioritised the systematic development of an official maritime terminology. The article therefore focuses specifically on efforts to develop a national resource for maritime domains. The article describes efforts to create a corpus of popular science and a parallel corpus of technical texts. Six different term extraction methods are applied. These include corpus-based statistical analyses of frequency, collocation and keyness, as well as bilingual term extraction. Finally, the pros and cons of each method are evaluated by means of a cost-benefit analysis.
Teachers’ perceptions and practices of translanguaging for emergent bilinguals in U.S. multilingual classrooms
Authors: Kim Sujin , Choi Sungshim
Published: September 2021

Building on the framework of translanguaging both as individuals’ flexible language practices and classroom pedagogy, this article reports on a case study that examined perceptions and practices of pedagogical translanguaging among a group of teachers from elementary school classrooms with emergent bilingual learners in a Mid-Atlantic U.S. school district. The analysis shows a range of transformations in the teachers’ perceptions and practices as well as their perceived and structural challenges in implementing pedagogical translanguaging for content-integrated literacy instruction. The findings point towards the complexity of pedagogical translanguaging in superdiverse classrooms and address the need for expanded empirical research on pedagogical translanguaging.
Psychological needs satisfaction, self‐determined motivation, and physical activity of students in physical education: Comparison across gender and school levels
Authors: Wang Lijuan , Chen Ruzhuan
Published: September 2021

This study applies self‐determination theory (SDT) to test the hypothesised relationships amongst three basic psychological needs, level of self‐determined motivation (i.e. self‐determination index, SDI) and moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA) of Chinese elementary and secondary school students during their physical education (PE) in Shanghai, China. Gender and school‐level differences in these relationships are also explored. The participants comprise 1829 students from three elementary and secondary schools in Shanghai, China. Accelerometers are used to measure the MVPA duration of the participants in PE. The Self‐regulation Questionnaire and the Psychological Needs Satisfaction Scale are completed by the participants to assess PE motivation and the three psychological needs of students. The structural equation modelling (SEM) results show that the hypothesised model has a good fit with our data. Autonomy, competence, and relatedness are positively associated with SDI for MVPA. The SDI is positively related to the time spent by students in MVPA in PE. The multi‐group path analysis results reveal that the relationship between SDI and MVPA is stronger for secondary school students than elementary students. Overall, our findings support the applicability of SDT in understanding and promoting the physical activities amongst Chinese school students in PE. Accordingly, intervention should be conducted to develop autonomy, competence and social relatedness of elementary and secondary school students. Additional efforts are required to encourage elementary school students to be more self‐determinant in PE classes.

Highlights

Findings support the applicability of SDT in understanding and promoting the physical activities amongst Chinese school students in PE

SDI was positively related to school students’ MVPA level. The satisfaction of autonomy, competence and relatedness towards PE was positively associated with students’ SDI.

The proposed motivational sequence for adolescent MVPA in PE were similar for male and female students.

The relationship between SDI and MVPA of secondary school students was significantly stronger than elementary school students
COOMET Supplementary comparison on polarization mode dispersion in optical fiber
Authors: Kravtsov Vladimir , Mitiurev Aleksei
Published: September 2021

Main text

INMETRO, KRISS, METAS and VNIIOFI carried out the supplementary comparison on Polarization mode dispersion in optical fiber (PMD). The aim of this comparison is to examine the equivalence of the PMD values for fiber optics among participating laboratories.

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database https://www.bipm.org/kcdb/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCPR, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Report on the SIM photometry and radiometry Key comparison of spectral regular transmittance
Authors: Cooksey Catherine C , Toman Blaza
Published: September 2021

Main text

This report details the results of the Inter-American Metrology System (SIM) key comparison on regular spectral transmittance (SIM.PR-K6.2010). Eight national metrology institutes participated in the comparison, which covered the spectral range from 380 nm to 1000 nm and the nominal transmittance range from 0.1 % to 90 % transmittance. The protocol mirrored that of the key comparison conducted by the Consultative Committee on Photometry and Radiometry (CCPR-K6.2010). The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) served as the pilot. Each participant received a single set of 5 comparison (neutral density) filters to measure. The pilot measured all sets before and after the participant measurements. All measurements were completed between December 2016 and February 2018. The results of this comparison were linked to the key comparison reference value (KCRV) of the CCPR comparison and are expressed in terms of degrees of equivalence. While most of the participants can adequately measure spectral regular transmittance and evaluate its uncertainty, there are some cases of non-equivalence that will require further investigation on the part of the participants.

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database https://www.bipm.org/kcdb/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCPR, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Abel inversion of soft x-ray fluctuations associated with fast particle-driven fishbone instabilities in MAST plasmas
Authors: McClements K G , Young J , Garzotti L , Jones OM , Michael C A
Published: September 2021

A set of soft x-ray cameras provided measurements of high frequency instabilities as well as steady-state emission in the Mega Amp Spherical Tokamak (MAST). It is shown that Abel inversion can be readily applied to fluctuating soft x-ray emission from the MAST midplane associated with fast particle-driven ‘fishbone’ instabilities, characterised by toroidal mode number n = 1. Each fishbone burst had an early phase in which high amplitude fluctuating soft x-ray signals from the plasma core were close to being in phase with each other, and there was a region close to the outboard plasma edge in which the fluctuations were relatively weak and in antiphase with those in the core. The major radius of the ‘phase axis’ at which the mode amplitude changed sign R

p
was initially outboard of the tokamak magnetic axis at R
0, but moved inboard during the burst, eventually becoming close to R
0, at which time the oscillations were of similar amplitude inboard and outboard of R

p
. The fishbone radial structure early in the burst can be understood in part by recognising that the mode is supported by energetic ions with a high average toroidal rotation rate: in a co-rotating frame, the effective magnetic axis is shifted outboard by a distance that is comparable to the difference between the major radii of the phase axis early in the burst and the laboratory frame magnetic axis. It is conjectured that the transition to a mode with R

p
≃ R
0 occurred because most of the energetic ions were expelled from the plasma core region where the mode amplitude peaked, so that the instability could no longer be characterised as an energetic particle mode. Abel inversion of fishbone soft x-ray emission thus provides useful insights into the nature of energetic particle modes in tokamak plasmas and their relationship with MHD modes.
Invited Commentary: Drug Checking for Novel Insights Into the Unregulated Drug Supply
Authors: Dasgupta Nabarun , Figgatt Mary C
Published: September 2021

Tobias et al. (Am J Epidemiol. 2022;191 (2):241–247) present a novel analysis of time trends in fentanyl concentrations in the unregulated drug supply in British Columbia, Canada. The preexisting knowledge about unregulated drugs had come from law-enforcement seizures and postmortem toxicology. As both of these data sources are subject to selection bias, large-scale drug-checking programs are poised to be a crucial component of the public health response to the unrelenting increase in overdose in North America. As programs expand, we offer 2 guiding principles. First, the primary purpose of these programs is to deliver timely results to people who use drugs to mitigate health risks. Second, innovation is needed to go beyond criminal justice paradigms in laboratory analysis for a more nuanced understanding of health concerns. We provide examples of the role adulterants play in our understanding of drug harms. We also describe the applications and limitations of common laboratory assays, with implications for epidemiologic surveillance. While the research and direct service teams in British Columbia have taken groundbreaking steps, there is still a need to establish best practices for communicating results to sample donors in an approachable yet nonalarmist tone.
Associations between Mental Health, Alcohol Consumption and Drinking Motives during COVID-19 Second Lockdown in Ireland
Authors: Carbia Carina , García-Cabrerizo Rubén , Cryan John F , Dinan Timothy G
Published: September 2021

Aims

The novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has impacted the lives of people worldwide since March 2020. Social restrictions aimed at flattening the curve may be associated with an increase in mental health problems and have raised concerns regarding their effect on alcohol consumption. The objective of this study was to characterize changes in alcohol use during lockdown in Ireland and associations with drinking motives and psychopathological symptoms.

Methods

We collected data from 713 adults (aged 18–60) during the second lockdown period (October/December 2020). By means of an online survey, participants self-reported their alcohol use before COVID and during lockdown. Motives to drink and psychopathological symptoms were also recorded.

Results

Our findings showed that 66% decreased their alcohol consumption, while 15% increased their alcohol consumption. An older age and coping motives were the strongest predictors of increased alcohol use during lockdown. Depression and hostility were the specific psychopathological dimensions associated with drinking to cope.

Conclusions

Older adults who drink to cope—mainly with depression symptomatology—are an important at-risk population, in line with predictions from alcohol self-medication frameworks. Future research is needed to incorporate strategies into the public mental health ecosystem.
Oxygen plasma modulates glucosinolate levels without affecting lipid contents and composition inBrassica napusseeds
Authors: Maruyama-Nakashita Akiko , Ishibashi Yohei , Yamamoto Kyotaro , Zhang Liu , Morikawa-Ichinose Tomomi , Kim Sun-Ju , Hayashi Nobuya
Published: September 2021

Rapeseed contains high levels of glucosinolates (GSLs), playing pivotal roles in defense against herbivores and pests. As their presence in rapeseed reduces the value of the meal for animal feeding, intensive efforts to reduce them produced low-seed GSL cultivars. However, there is no such variety suitable for the south part of Japan. Here, we tested the effects of cold oxygen plasma (oxygen CP) on seed germination and GSL and lipid content, in 3 rapeseed cultivars. According to the cultivars, oxygen CP slightly stimulated seed germination and modified the GSL levels, and decreased GSL levels in Kizakinonatane but increased those in Nanashikibu. In contrast, it negligibly affected the lipid content and composition in the 3 cultivars. Thus, oxygen CP modulated seed GSL levels without affecting seed viability and lipid content. Future optimization of this technique may help optimize rapeseed GSL content without plant breeding.
PATHOME-Drug: a subpathway-based polypharmacology drug-repositioning method
Authors: Nam Seungyoon , Lee Sungyoung , Park Sungjin , Lee Jinhyuk , Park Aron , Kim Yon Hui , Park Taesung
Published: September 2021

Motivation

Drug repositioning reveals novel indications for existing drugs and in particular, diseases with no available drugs. Diverse computational drug repositioning methods have been proposed by measuring either drug-treated gene expression signatures or the proximity of drug targets and disease proteins found in prior networks. However, these methods do not explain which signaling subparts allow potential drugs to be selected, and do not consider polypharmacology, i.e. multiple targets of a known drug, in specific subparts.

Results

Here, to address the limitations, we developed a subpathway-based polypharmacology drug repositioning method, PATHOME-Drug, based on drug-associated transcriptomes. Specifically, this tool locates subparts of signaling cascading related to phenotype changes (e.g. disease status changes), and identifies existing approved drugs such that their multiple targets are enriched in the subparts. We show that our method demonstrated better performance for detecting signaling context and specific drugs/compounds, compared to WebGestalt and clusterProfiler, for both real biological and simulated datasets. We believe that our tool can successfully address the current shortage of targeted therapy agents.

Availability and implementation

The web-service is available at http://statgen.snu.ac.kr/software/pathome. The source codes and data are available at https://github.com/labnams/pathome-drug.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Exposure to nivalenol declines mouse oocyte quality via inducing oxidative stress-related apoptosis and DNA damage
Authors: Wang Yue , Xing Chun-Hua , Zhang Hao-Lin , Pan Zhen-Nan , Sun Shao-Chen
Published: September 2021

Mammalian oocyte quality is critical for fertilization and early embryo development. The type B trichothecene nivalenol (NIV) is a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium oxysporum, and it is commonly found with deoxynivalenol in contaminated food or feed. NIV has been shown to affect the immune system and female reproductive system, cause emesis and growth retardation. Here, we investigated the toxicity of NIV on mouse oocyte quality, as well as the protective effects of melatonin on the NIV-exposed oocytes. We found NIV exposure caused meiotic arrest and further induced the failure of polar body extrusion in mouse oocytes. Transcriptome analysis data showed that NIV exposure altered the expression of multiple pathway-related genes in oocytes, indicating its wide toxicity on oocyte maturation. Based on the RNA-seq data, we showed that NIV exposure induced oxidative stress and caused DNA damage in oocytes. Besides, autophagy, and early apoptosis were also found in NIV-exposed oocytes. Treatment with melatonin significantly ameliorated these defects through its effects on ROS level. Thus, our results demonstrated that exposure to NIV affected oocyte quality and melatonin treatment could reduce the defects caused by NIV in mouse oocytes.
The Perfect Storm? COVID-19 and Substance Use amongst Social Work Students in the USA
Authors: Kim Youn Kyoung , Moon Sung Seek , Yu Mansoo , Um Mee Young , Maleku Arati , Kehinde Omoshola , Pooler David
Published: September 2021

During the COVID-19 pandemic, health risk behaviours related to substance use have been recognised as a significant public health concern amongst university students. Understanding the mechanisms of substance use behaviours, including those used to cope with COVID-19-related stressors, is imperative to curate targeted prevention efforts. To that end, we examined substance use prevalence and its associations with socio-demographic characteristics, preventive behaviours, and mental health amongst US social work students. We collected data from 457 students across all degree levels (BSW, MSW and PhD) from July to August 2020 through an online survey, to examine thirty-day patterns of substance use behaviours related to cigarettes, electronic vapour products, alcohol, binge drinking and marijuana. Univariate and bivariate analyses revealed high rates of substance use behaviours, particularly alcohol use (71 per cent), binge drinking (35 per cent) and marijuana use (25 per cent). Findings also revealed significant associations amongst substance use, socio-demographic characteristics, and mental health. Amongst other implications, our study should encourage social work programmes to promote positive coping strategies amongst students and foster substance abuse prevention efforts, both to mitigate health risk behaviours and to enhance student well-being, both during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Signifying Tomboy and the Thai TV Series Club Friday To Be Continued: She Changed
Authors: Chao Shi-Yan
Published: September 2021

This article examines the representation of same-sex attracted women in contemporary Thai culture by using the television series Club Friday To Be Continued: She Changed (2016) as the prime example. The show’s portrayal of the tomboy protagonist is not uncontroversial, given that her unfolding love for a man betrays the tomboy’s original self-identity as a woman-loving woman. It invokes the heteronormative specter that sees female homoeroticism as temporary or situational while same-sex attracted women will turn “straight” so long as they meet the right men. This article, however, urges us to look beyond the seeming political incorrectness and focus on the changing signification of “tomboy” in the Thai culture. I argue that the series dramatizes the expanded meaning of tomboy: now detached from a firm association with female homoeroticism (tom) to become a form of women’s gendered self-fashioning (tomboyism) that is mediated by trendy intra-Asian cosmopolitanism in contemporary Thai society.
Contribution of Interneuron Subtype-Specific GABAergic Signaling to Emergent Sensory Processing in Mouse Somatosensory Whisker Barrel Cortex
Authors: Baruchin Liad J , Ghezzi Filippo , Kohl Michael M , Butt Simon J B
Published: September 2021

Mammalian neocortex is important for conscious processing of sensory information with balanced glutamatergic and GABAergic signaling fundamental to this function. Yet little is known about how this interaction arises despite increasing insight into early GABAergic interneuron (IN) circuits. To study this, we assessed the contribution of specific INs to the development of sensory processing in the mouse whisker barrel cortex, specifically the role of INs in early speed coding and sensory adaptation. In wild-type animals, both speed processing and adaptation were present as early as the layer 4 critical period of plasticity and showed refinement over the period leading to active whisking onset. To test the contribution of IN subtypes, we conditionally silenced action-potential-dependent GABA release in either somatostatin (SST) or vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) INs. These genetic manipulations influenced both spontaneous and sensory-evoked cortical activity in an age- and layer-dependent manner. Silencing SST + INs reduced early spontaneous activity and abolished facilitation in sensory adaptation observed in control pups. In contrast, VIP + IN silencing had an effect towards the onset of active whisking. Silencing either IN subtype had no effect on speed coding. Our results show that these IN subtypes contribute to early sensory processing over the first few postnatal weeks.
The burden of subclinical cardiovascular disease in children and young adults with chronic kidney disease and on dialysis
Authors: Lalayiannis Alexander D , Ferro Charles J , Wheeler David C , Duncan Neill D , Smith Colette , Popoola Joyce , Askiti Varvara , Mitsioni Andromachi , Kaur Amrit , Sinha Manish D , McGuirk Simon P , Mortensen Kristian H , Milford David V , Shroff Rukshana
Published: September 2021

Background

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality even in young people with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We examined structural and functional CV changes in patients ˂30 years of age with CKD Stages 4 and 5 and on dialysis.

Methods

A total of 79 children and 21 young adults underwent cardiac computed tomography for coronary artery calcification (CAC), ultrasound for carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and echocardiography. Differences in structural (CAC, cIMT z-score, left ventricular mass index) and functional (carotid distensibility z-score and cfPWV z-score) measures were examined between CKD Stages 4 and 5 and dialysis patients.

Results

Overall, the cIMT z-score was elevated [median 2.17 (interquartile range 1.14–2.86)] and 10 (10%) had CAC. A total of 16/23 (69.5%) patients with CKD Stages 4 and 5 and 68/77 (88.3%) on dialysis had at least one structural or functional CV abnormality. There was no difference in the prevalence of structural abnormalities in CKD or dialysis cohorts, but functional abnormalities were more prevalent in patients on dialysis (P < 0.05). The presence of more than one structural abnormality was associated with a 4.5-fold increased odds of more than one functional abnormality (95% confidence interval 1.3–16.6; P < 0.05). Patients with structural and functional abnormalities [cIMT z-score >2 standard deviation (SD) or distensibility <−2 SD) had less carotid dilatation (lumen:wall cross-sectional area ratio) compared with those with normal cIMT and distensibility.

Conclusions

There is a high burden of subclinical CVD in young CKD patients, with a greater prevalence of functional abnormalities in dialysis compared with CKD patients. Longitudinal studies are required to test these hypothesis-generating data and define the trajectory of CV changes in CKD.
Practical Details for the Detection and Interpretation of Cryoglobulins
Authors: Kolopp-Sarda Marie-Nathalie , Miossec Pierre
Published: September 2021

Background

Cryoglobulins are immunoglobulins that precipitate at low temperature. Strict preanalytical and analytical conditions are critical for the detection of cryoglobulins.

Content

This review will focus on practical recommendations for detection and characterization of cryoglobulins and the technical problems that may be encountered. A laboratory report format is proposed for presentation of these results that includes the parameters necessary for an optimal interpretation by clinicians. The first step of detection of cryoglobulins can be performed in any laboratory that has a 37 °C incubator and temperature-controlled centrifuge. The second step is the characterization of cryoglobulins, and this often must be performed in more specialized laboratories. Characterization includes immunoglobulin typing, for the classification of cryoglobulins and potential underlying disease(s); quantification of immunoglobulins and rheumatoid factor in the cryoprecipitate to define the pathogenicity; and quantification of serum complement, which is useful for diagnosis.

These practical recommendations will be useful for the accurate detection of cryoglobulins, an essential step for the diagnosis of cryoglobulinemic vasculitis, a rare but severe clinical manifestation of cryoglobulins.
Prognosis and Prediction of Breast Cancer Using Machine Learning and Ensemble-Based Training Model
Authors: Gupta Niharika , Kaushik Baij Nath
Published: September 2021

There has been an increase in occurrence of human diseases all over the world. Among those, Breast Cancer has increased with an alarming rate in the past decade and this trend of increase would continue to grow. Now, there is a need for efficient text analytics and feature extraction tools to assist classifying, sharing and retrieving the information on human diseases in general and Breast Cancer in particular. In light of above, the present study has been undertaken with the objective to provide a comparative analysis of different classifiers on Breast Cancer dataset, and to propose a new ensemble training method of Machine Learning Classification. Here, machine learning models (such as K-Nearest Neighbour, Logistic Regression, Decision Tree, Random Forest, Gradient Boost, Support Vector Machine) and deep learning classifiers (such as Multi-Layer Feed Forward Neural Network, Recurrent Neural Network and Long Short Term Memory) have been applied on Breast Cancer dataset. An Ensemble Learning model for Prediction is proposed to classify the results among different classifiers. Finally, the Voting Ensemble is implemented to find out the optimal classifier for prediction of Breast Cancer. The results have been computed using the evaluation parameters such as Accuracy, Precision, Recall and Specificity. The confusion matrix drawn on the basis of evaluation parameters provides more emphasis on predicted and actual instances. Performance Evaluation for various machine learning models is computed. Results of this investigation concludes that Voting Ensemble outperforms other machine learning models. The prediction using Voting Ensemble resulted in an accuracy rate of 97.9 per cent, precision of 96.77 per cent and recall of 100 per cent.
Targeting the Hippo pathway in heart repair
Authors: Meng Fansen , Xie Bing , Martin James F
Published: September 2021

The Hippo pathway is an evolutionarily and functionally conserved signalling pathway that controls organ size by regulating cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. Emerging evidence has shown that the Hippo pathway plays critical roles in cardiac development, homeostasis, disease, and regeneration. Targeting the Hippo pathway has tremendous potential as a therapeutic strategy for treating intractable cardiovascular diseases, such as heart failure. In this review, we summarize the function of the Hippo pathway in the heart. Particularly, we highlight the post-translational modification of Hippo pathway components, including the core kinases LATS1/2 and their downstream effectors YAP/TAZ, in different contexts, which has provided new insights and avenues in cardiac research.
The Politics of the Moot Court
Authors: Scott David M , Soirila Ukri
Published: September 2021

Scholarship has generally represented moot court competitions in one of two ways: either as a beneficial way for students to develop practical skills prior to the Bar, or as a reproducer of hierarchy and exclusion. This review essay attempts to plot a third way of thinking about moots, one that finds critical potential in the exercise of mooting while remaining attentive to its conservative biases. Building out from a critique of the common law focus of Thomas and Cradduck’s The Art of Mooting, the essay reflects on how critical approaches to international law can be used to teach moot skills more effectively. The essay then turns to the limitations such a critical pedagogy must be aware of within the actual practice of the competition, considering how these limits can be navigated and even flipped into teachable moments for critically inclined students. The essay closes with a call for a more nuanced discussion about the use of experiential learning, of which moots are only one example, for fostering critical engagement with international law.
Evolutionary selection of alleles in the melanophilin gene that impacts on prostate organ function and cancer risk
Authors: Ermini Luca , Francis Jeffrey C , Rosa Gabriel S , Rose Alexandra J , Ning Jian , Greaves Mel , Swain Amanda
Published: September 2021

Background and objectives

Several hundred inherited genetic variants or SNPs that alter the risk of cancer have been identified through genome-wide association studies. In populations of European ancestry, these variants are mostly present at relatively high frequencies. To gain insight into evolutionary origins, we screened a series of genes and SNPs linked to breast or prostate cancer for signatures of historical positive selection.

Methodology

We took advantage of the availability of the 1000 genome data and we performed genomic scans for positive selection in five different Caucasian populations as well as one African reference population. We then used prostate organoid cultures to provide a possible functional explanation for the interplay between the action of evolutionary forces and the disease risk association.

Results

Variants in only one gene showed genomic signatures of positive, evolutionary selection within Caucasian populations melanophilin (MLPH). Functional depletion of MLPH in prostate organoids, by CRISPR/Cas9 mutation, impacted lineage commitment of progenitor cells promoting luminal versus basal cell differentiation and on resistance to androgen deprivation.

Conclusions and implications

The MLPH variants influencing prostate cancer risk may have been historically selected for their adaptive benefit on skin pigmentation but MLPH is highly expressed in the prostate and the derivative, positively selected, alleles decrease the risk of prostate cancer. Our study suggests a potential functional mechanism via which MLPH and its genetic variants could influence risk of prostate cancer, as a serendipitous consequence of prior evolutionary benefits to another tissue.

Lay Summary

We screened a limited series of genomic variants associated with breast and prostate cancer risk for signatures of historical positive selection. Variants within the melanophilin (MLPH) gene fell into this category. Depletion of MLPH in prostate organoid cultures, suggested a potential functional mechanism for impacting on cancer risk, as a serendipitous consequence of prior evolutionary benefits to another tissue.
European Society of Cardiology Quality Indicators for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention: developed by the Working Group for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Quality Indicators in collaboration with the European Association for Preventive Cardiology of the European Society of Cardiology
Authors: Aktaa Suleman , Gencer Baris , Arbelo Elena , Davos Constantinos H , Désormais Ileana , Hollander Monika , Abreu Ana , Ambrosetti Marco , Bäck Maria , Carballo David , Crawford Carolyn , Deaton Christi , Dendale Paul , Eijsvogels Thijs M H , Galbraith Mary , Piepoli Massimo Francesco , Salzwedel Annett , Smulders Yvo , Wilhelm Matthias , Biondi-Zoccai Giuseppe , Mach François , Visseren Frank L J , Gale Chris P
Published: September 2021

Aims

To develop a set of quality indicators (QIs) for the evaluation of the care and outcomes for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) prevention.

Methods and results

The Quality Indicator Committee of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) formed the Working Group for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Quality Indicators in collaboration with Task Force members of the 2021 ESC Guidelines on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Clinical Practice and the European Association of Preventive Cardiology (EAPC). We followed the ESC methodology for QI development, which involved (i) the identification of the key domains of care for ASCVD prevention by constructing a conceptual framework of care, (ii) the development of candidate QIs by conducting a systematic review of the literature, (iii) the selection of the final set of QIs using a modified Delphi method, and (iv) the evaluation of the feasibility of the developed QIs. In total, 17 main and 14 secondary QIs were selected across six domains of care for ASCVD prevention: (i) structural framework, (ii) risk assessment, (iii) care for people at risk for ASCVD, (iv) care for patients with established ASCVD, (v) patient education and experience, and (vi) outcomes.

Conclusion

We present the 2021 ESC QIs for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention, which have been co-constructed with EAPC using the ESC methodology for QI development. These indicators are supported by evidence from the literature, underpinned by expert consensus and aligned with the 2021 ESC Guidelines on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Clinical Practice to offer a mechanism for the evaluation of ASCVD prevention care and outcomes.
Association of perceived job security and chronic health conditions with retirement in older UK and US workers
Authors: Mutambudzi Miriam , Flowers Paul , Demou Evangelia
Published: September 2021

Background

The relationship between job insecurity, chronic health conditions (CHCs) and retirement among older workers are likely to differ between countries that have different labor markets and health and social safety nets. To date, there are no epidemiological studies that have prospectively assessed the role of job insecurity in retirement incidence, while accounting for CHC trajectories in two countries with different welfare systems. We investigated the strength of the association between baseline job insecurity and retirement incidence over an 11-year period while accounting for CHC trajectories, among workers 50–55 years of age at baseline in the UK and USA.

Methods

We performed Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, using 2006–2016 data from the Health and Retirement Study (US cohort, n = 570) and English Longitudinal Study on Aging (UK cohort n = 1052).

Results

Job insecurity was associated with retirement after adjusting for CHC trajectories (HR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.50–0.95) in the UK cohort only. CHC trajectories were associated with retirement in both cohorts; however, this association was attenuated in the US cohort, but remained significant for the medium-increasing trajectory in the UK cohort (HR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.01–1.97) after adjustment for all covariates. Full adjustment for relevant covariates attenuated the association between job insecurity and retirement indicating that CHCs, social and health factors are contributing mechanistic factors underpinning retirement incidence.

Conclusions

The observed differences in the two cohorts may be driven by macro-level factors operating latently, which may affect the work environment, health outcomes and retirement decisions uniquely in different settings.
Microbial Phylogenetic Context Using Phylogenetic Outlines
Authors: Bagci Caner , Bryant David , Cetinkaya Banu , Huson Daniel H
Published: September 2021

Microbial studies typically involve the sequencing and assembly of draft genomes for individual microbes or whole microbiomes. Given a draft genome, one first task is to determine its phylogenetic context, that is, to place it relative to the set of related reference genomes. We provide a new interactive graphical tool that addresses this task using Mash sketches to compare against all bacterial and archaeal representative genomes in the Genome Taxonomy Database taxonomy, all within the framework of SplitsTree5. The phylogenetic context of the query sequences is then displayed as a phylogenetic outline, a new type of phylogenetic network that is more general than a phylogenetic tree, but significantly less complex than other types of phylogenetic networks. We propose to use such networks, rather than trees, to represent phylogenetic context, because they can express uncertainty in the placement of taxa, whereas a tree must always commit to a specific branching pattern. We illustrate the new method using a number of draft genomes of different assembly quality.