bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What is ‘Alzheimer's disease’? The neuropathological heterogeneity of clinically defined Alzheimer's dementia
Authors: Mehta Rupal I. , Schneider Julie A.
Published: February 2021

Purpose of review

Beta-amyloid with paired helical filaments (PHF)-tau neurofibrillary tangles define hallmark Alzheimer's disease neuropathologic changes (AD-NC). Yet persons with Alzheimer's dementia, defined broadly as an amnestic multidomain progressive dementia, often exhibit postmortem evidence of other neuropathologies including other neurodegenerative (Lewy body disease and transactive response DNA-binding protein disease) and vascular-related brain lesions. Clinicopathologic and epidemiologic analyses demonstrate the significance of these substrates, as coinciding neuropathologies mitigate the threshold for diagnosis of Alzheimer's dementia. In addition, other biologic processes may also independently underlie a progressive amnestic dementia. Advances in research on the relationship between age-related cognitive decline and the underlying neuropathologic substrates indicate that consensus neuropathologic criteria or disease nomenclature may need new considerations or refinement. This review appraises seminal literature as well as mixed pathologies and biological factors that may be determinants of clinical and pathologic disease.

Recent findings

Cognition in aging (spanning from normal cognition to dementia) represents a clinical continuum. Traditional neuropathologic substrates of dementia however do not explain the variability of cognitive decline. Conversely, not all patients with AD-NC exhibit symptomatology of Alzheimer's dementia. In addition to diagnostic plaques and tangles, other neurodegenerative, cerebrovascular, and perivascular substrates manifest through discrete tissue lesions. Factors related to energetics, neurogenetics, neuroimmunology, resilience, proteinopathies, and waste clearance are increasingly suggested to be general drivers of disease. Recognition of novel neuroimmune pathways and brain–body connections further suggest there may be broader extracranial determinants of person-specific disease.

Alzheimer's dementia is a pathologically heterogeneous and biologically multilayered disease. Recent studies and exercises in nomenclature reveal shortcomings in existing terminologies. Recognizing and overcoming these limitations is required for experts to effectively communicate about and ultimately prevent and treat Alzheimer's dementia.
CINS: Cell Interaction Network inference from Single cell expression data
Authors: Yuan Ye , Cosme Carlos , Adams Taylor Sterling , Schupp Jonas , Sakamoto Koji , Xylourgidis Nikos , Ruffalo Matthew , Kaminski Naftali , Bar-Joseph Ziv
Published: February 2021

Studies comparing single cell RNA-Seq (scRNA-Seq) data between conditions mainly focus on differences in the proportion of cell types or on differentially expressed genes. In many cases these differences are driven by changes in cell interactions which are challenging to infer without spatial information. To determine cell-cell interactions that differ between conditions we developed the Cell Interaction Network Inference (CINS) pipeline. CINS combines Bayesian network analysis with regression-based modeling to identify differential cell type interactions and the proteins that underlie them. We tested CINS on a disease case control and on an aging human dataset. In both cases CINS correctly identifies cell type interactions and the ligands involved in these interactions. We performed additional mouse aging scRNA-Seq experiments which further support the interactions identified by CINS.
Longitudinal analysis of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence using multiple serology platforms
Authors: Carreño Juan Manuel , Mendu Damodara Rao , Simon Viviana , Shariff Masood A , Singh Gagandeep , Menon Vidya , Krammer Florian
Published: February 2021

Serological tests are important tools helping to determine previous infection with severe acute respiratory disease coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and to monitor immune responses. The current tests are based on spike (S), the receptor binding domain (RBD), or the nucleoprotein (NP) as substrate. Here, we used samples from a high seroprevalence cohort of health care workers (HCWs) to perform a longitudinal analysis of the antibody responses using three distinct serological assays. 501 serum samples were tested using: a) a research-grade RBD and spike based tandem enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (MS–RBD ELISA, MS-spike ELISA), b) a commercial RBD and spike based tandem ELISA (Kantaro-RBD, -spike), and c) a commercial NP-based chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA, Abbott Architect). Seroprevalence ranged around 28% during the early stage of the pandemic (a: 28.4% positives; b: 28.1%; c: 27.3%). Good correlation was observed between the MS and Kantaro RBD ELISAs and between the MS and Kantaro spike ELISAs. By contrast, modest correlations were observed between the Abbott Architect and both RBD and spike-based assays. A proportion of HCWs (n=178) were sampled again 3-5 months after the first time point. Although antibody levels declined in most of the positive individuals, the overall seroprevalence measured by RBD-spike based assays remained unchanged. However the seroprevalence of NP-reactive antibodies significantly declined. Lastly, we tested six samples of individuals who received two doses of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine and found that seroconversion was detected by the RBD-spike assays but – of course as expected - not the NP based assay. In summary, our results consolidate the strength of different serological assays to assess the magnitude and duration of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2.
A simple and robust method for automating analysis of naïve and regenerating peripheral nerves
Authors: Wong Alison L. , Hricz Nicholas , Malapati Harsha , von Guionneau Nicholas , Wong Michael , Harris Thomas , Boudreau Mathieu , Cohen-Adad Julien , Tuffaha Sami
Published: February 2021

Background

Manual axon histomorphometry (AH) is time- and resource-intensive, which has inspired many attempts at automation. However, there has been little investigation on implementation of automated programs for widespread use. Ideally such a program should be able to perform AH across imaging modalities and nerve states. AxonDeepSeg (ADS) is an open source deep learning program that has previously been validated in electron microscopy. We evaluated the robustness of ADS for peripheral nerve axonal histomorphometry in light micrographs prepared using two different methods.

Methods

Axon histomorphometry using ADS and manual analysis (gold-standard) was performed on light micrographs of naïve or regenerating rat median nerve cross-sections prepared with either toluidine-resin or osmium-paraffin embedding protocols. The parameters of interest included axon count, axon diameter, myelin thickness, and g-ratio.

Results

Manual and automatic ADS axon counts demonstrated good agreement in naïve nerves and moderate agreement on regenerating nerves. There were small but consistent differences in measured axon diameter, myelin thickness and g-ratio; however, absolute differences were small. Both methods appropriately identified differences between naïve and regenerating nerves. ADS was faster than manual axon analysis.

Conclusions

Without any algorithm retraining, ADS was able to appropriately identify critical differences between naïve and regenerating nerves and work with different sample preparation methods of peripheral nerve light micrographs. While there were differences between absolute values between manual and ADS, ADS performed consistently and required much less time. ADS is an accessible and robust tool for AH that can provide consistent analysis across protocols and nerve states.
Bone mineral density modeling via random field: normality, stationarity, sex and age dependence
Authors: Henyš Petr , Vořechovský Miroslav , Kuchař Michal , Heinemann Axel , Kopal Jiří , Ondruschka Benjamin , Hammer Niels
Published: February 2021

Background and Objective

Capturing the population variability of bone properties is of paramount importance to biomedical engineering. The aim of the present paper is to describe variability and correlations in bone mineral density with a spatial random field inferred from routine computed tomography data.

Methods

Random fields were simulated by transforming pairwise uncorrelated Gaussian random variables into correlated variables through the spectral decomposition of an age-detrended correlation matrix. The validity of the random field model was demonstrated in the spatiotemporal analysis ofbone mineral density. The similarity between the computed tomography samples and those generated via random fields was analyzed with theenergy distancemetric.

Results

The random field of bone mineral density was found to be approximately Gaussian/slightly left-skewed/strongly right-skewed at various locations. However, average bone density could be simulated well with the proposed Gaussian random field for which the energy distance, i.e., a measure that quantifies discrepancies between two distribution functions, is convergent with respect to the number of correlation eigenpairs.

Conclusions

The proposed random field model allows the enhancement of computational biomechanical models with variability in bone mineral density, which could increase the usability of the model and provides a step forward inin-silicomedicine.
Coordination of genome replication and anaphase entry by rDNA copy number inS. cerevisiae
Authors: Kwan Elizabeth X. , Alvino Gina M. , Lynch Kelsey L. , Levan Paula F. , Amemiya Haley M. , Wang Xiaobin S. , Johnson Sarah A. , Sanchez Joseph C. , Miller Madison A. , Croy Mackenzie , Lee Seung-been , Naushab Maria , Cuperus Josh T. , Brewer Bonita J. , Queitsch Christine , Raghuraman M. K.
Published: February 2021

Eukaryotes maintain hundreds of copies of ribosomal DNA (rDNA), many more than required for ribosome biogenesis, suggesting a yet undefined role for large rDNA arrays outside of ribosomal RNA synthesis. We demonstrate that reducing theSaccharomyces cerevisiaerDNA array to 35 copies, which is sufficient for ribosome function, shifts rDNA from being the latest replicating region in the genome to one of the earliest. This change in replication timing results in delayed genome-wide replication and classic replication defects. We present evidence that the requirement for rDNA to replicate late, which is conserved among eukaryotes, also coordinates the completion of genome replication with anaphase entry through the proper sequestration of the mitotic exit regulator Cdc14p in the rDNA-containing nucleolus. Our findings suggest that, instead of being a passive repetitive element, the large late-replicating rDNA array plays an active role in genome replication and cell cycle control.
Transverse FIV suppression of square cylinder using two control rods of varying size and distance in lock-in and galloping regions
Authors: D. Farahani S. , Rabiee Amir Hossein
Published: February 2021

Purpose)

In this study, for the first time, the efficacy of control rods for full suppression of vortex-induced vibrations (VIV) and galloping of an elastically supported rigid square cylinder that vibrates freely in the cross-flow direction is investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

To this aim, two small control rods are placed at constant angles of ± 45° relative to the horizontal axis and then the influence of diameter and spacing ratios on the oscillation and hydrodynamic response along with the vortex structure behind the cylinder is evaluated in the form of nine different cases in both VIV and galloping regions.

Findings

The performed simulations show that using the configuration presented in this study results in full VIV suppression for the spacing ratios G/D = 0.5, 1 and 1.5 at the diameter ratios d/D = 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 (D: diameter of square cylinder, G: distance between rods and cylinder, d: diameter of rods). On the contrary, a perfect attenuation of galloping is only achieved at the largest diameter (d/D = 0.3) and the smallest spacing ratio (G/D = 0.5). In general, for both VIV and galloping regions, with increasing diameter ratio and decreasing spacing ratio, the effect of the control rods wake in the vortex street of square cylinder gradually increases. This trend carries on to the point where the vortex shedding is completely suppressed and only the symmetric wake of control rods is observed.

Originality/value

So far, the effect of rod control on VIV of a square cylinder and its amplitude of oscillations has not been investigated.
John H. Patterson and the early sales practices of NCR
Authors: Hawes Jon M.
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to explore not only the greatness of Patterson but also some of the mistakes he made along the way.

Design/methodology/approach

The study traces the career of John Patterson, founder and president of the National Cash Register (NCR) from 1884 to 1922. Data from many different sources, some only recently available through the HathiTrust Digital Library, are analyzed to provide a systematic and focused examination of Patterson’s greatness, as well as some errors in judgment he during his lengthy leadership at NCR.

Findings

John Patterson recognized the potential development of a new global industry before it existed and went to work creating it. After he bought the original patents for the cash register, he spent huge sums on research and development and secured hundreds of additional patents on the device. He also spent a fortune on educational advertising to create market demand where none previously existed and invested heavily in developing his salesforce through a strong focus on training, professionalism and high commissions. He also engaged in many unsavory sales practices to try to keep others from encroaching on what he considered his exclusive right to the cash register market. At one point, he was convicted in a criminal proceeding for those efforts and sentenced to prison.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to provide a balanced review of Patterson’s contributions to the business history of that era from a sales and marketing perspective. The paper may be of interest to marketing scholars and practitioners, as well as business historians.
An indicator-based integrated methodology for evaluating sustainability in transportation systems using multivariate statistics and fuzzy logic
Authors: Illahi Ubaid , Mir Mohammad Shafi
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to quantify and evaluate transport sustainability from an integrated perspective. It is argued that transportation systems being interdisciplinary and complex, the integrated approach towards quantification and evaluation would present its sustainability goals’ attainment in a much better way.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed integrated methodology is divided into five major steps that are sub-divided. It adopts a three-tier classification system i.e. pillar, sub-division and indicator. In total, 116 sustainable transportation indicators (STIs) were classified into 10 subdivisions corresponding to three sustainability pillars. The weighting and aggregation of STIs were done using a combination of a statistical tool called principal component analysis/factor analysis, a machine learning tool called fuzzy logic and equal weighting method. The final output that the proposed integrated methodology generates is a new composite index called the integrated sustainable transportation index (IIST).

Findings

To check the credibility of the proposed integrated methodology, it was applied to 26 states and the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, India. Based on the computed IIST, 27 study zones were ranked and mapped. The results showed that while Tamil Nadu (0.643), Telangana (0.574) and Maharashtra (0.564) were the best-performing states, Goa (0.347), Chhattisgarh (0.436) and Meghalaya (0.439) were the worst-performing states, as far as the relative transportation sustainability is concerned.

Practical implications

The proposed integrated methodology could be useful for transportation evaluators, planners and policymakers who can recognize, track and improve the strengths and overcome the weaknesses within a transportation system.

Originality/value

The novelty of this research work is that it uses a multi-stage multi-tool approach to quantify and evaluate transport sustainability that minimizes the demerits of single-stage individual tools while maximizing their merits.
Allies or rivals: how abusive supervision influences subordinates’ knowledge hiding from colleagues
Authors: Wang Changyu , Feng Jiaojiao , Li Xinze
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Previous research suggests that abusive supervision has a positive effect on subordinates’ behaviors of knowledge hiding. However, the authors argue that this effect depends on the level of team abusive supervision differentiation. Drawing on the conservation of resources (COR) theory and social comparison theory, this study tries to explain how the level of team abusive supervision differentiation, in conjunction with individuals' own experiences of abusive supervision, influences the focal subordinate's knowledge hiding from their colleagues.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper addresses a sample of 412 employees nested in 73 groups and tests an original model using structural equation modeling.

Findings

Results show that abusive supervision would indirectly promote subordinates' knowledge hiding toward coworkers via emotional exhaustion, and team abusive supervision differentiation has a positive moderating effect on the above indirect relationship.

Practical implications

Human resource management (HRM) practices should be used to reduce abusive supervision both at individual and team level and minimize employees' emotional exhaustion, thereby affecting knowledge hiding from coworkers.

Originality/value

Results show that whether a subordinate's experience of abusive supervision leads to knowledge hiding via emotional exhaustion depends on the level of team abusive supervision differentiation. This finding adds to the literature about abusive supervision and knowledge hiding.
Le rôle des clivages des partis politiques dans le renforcement de la démocratie en Afrique
Authors: Song Jacques Simon
Published: February 2021

Dans cet article, nous examinons les effets des clivages des partis politiques sur la démocratie en Afrique. À partir d'un échantillon de 47 pays sur la période 1980–2012, nous spécifions et estimons un modèle en données de panel par la Méthode des Moments Généralisés en Système (MMG‐S). Quatre clivages politiques sont considérés: droite, gauche, centriste et sans orientation. Nos résultats montrent que les deux premiers clivages contribuent significativement à la consolidation de la démocratie, alors que les deux seconds la détériorent. Nous suggérons une structuration emboitée des partis politiques, afin de mieux renforcer le système démocratique.
“No one associates alcohol with being in good health”: Health and wellbeing as imperatives to manage alcohol use for young people
Authors: Caluzzi Gabriel , MacLean Sarah , Livingston Michael , Pennay Amy
Published: February 2021

Young people's drinking has declined markedly in Australia over the past 15 years, and this may be linked to changing norms and values around health. We take the view that healthism—a discourse that privileges good health and renders people personally responsible for managing health—has become pervasive, creating new pressures influencing young people's alcohol practices. Through interviews with 50 young light drinkers and abstainers, we explored these notions of health and alcohol. Although health was not the only reason that participants abstained or drank lightly, many avoided drinking to minimise health risks and to pursue healthy lifestyles. Their understanding of health came from multiple sources such as the media, schools, parents—and often reinforced public health messages, and healthist discourse. This discourse influenced how participants perceived health norms, engaged with health in everyday life and managed their alcohol consumption. Because the need to be healthy incorporated bodily health, mental health and social wellbeing, it also created tensions around how young people could drink while maintaining their health. This highlights the importance of health as a key consideration in the alcohol practices of light drinking and abstaining young Australians, which could help explain broader declines in youth drinking.
‘You're only there on the phone’? A qualitative exploration of community, affect and agential capacity in HIV self‐testing using a smartphone app
Authors: Janssen Ricky , Engel Nora , Pant Pai Nitika , Esmail Aliasgar , Dheda Keertan , Thomas Réjean , Krumeich Anja
Published: February 2021

Mobile health (mHealth) technologies for HIV care are developed to provide diagnostic support, health education, risk assessment and self‐monitoring. They aim to either improve or replace part of the therapeutic relationship. Part of the therapeutic relationship is affective, with the emergence of feelings and emotion, yet little research on mHealth for HIV care focuses on affect and HIV testing practices. Furthermore, most of the literature exploring affect and care relations with the introduction of mHealth is limited to the European and Australian context. This article explores affective dimensions of HIV self‐testing using a smartphone app strategy in Cape Town, South Africa and Montréal, Canada. This study is based on observation notes, 41 interviews and 1 focus group discussion with study participants and trained HIV healthcare providers from two quantitative studies evaluating the app‐based self‐test strategy. Our paper reveals how fear, apathy, judgement, frustration and comfort arise in testing encounters using the app and in previous testing experiences, as well as how this relates to care providers and test materials. Attending to affective aspects of this app‐based self‐testing practice makes visible certain affordances and limitations of the app within the therapeutic encounter and illustrates how mHealth can contribute to HIV care.
Oligometastases in head and neck carcinoma and their impact on management
Authors: Mat Lazim Norhafiza , Elliott Michael , Wykes James , Clark Jonathan
Published: February 2021

Historically, patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with distant metastases were regarded as palliative. Oligometastasis (OM) refers to patients with a limited number of distant metastatic deposits. Treatment of patients with OMs has been reported in patients with lung, colon, breast, prostate and brain malignancies. Selected patients with oligometastatic HNSCC have a higher probability of durable disease control and cure and these patients should be treated aggressively. Treatment options for patients with HNSCC OMs include single or combinations of the three arms of cancer treatment, that is surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy/immunotherapy. To date, there are limited studies reporting the management of OM with head and neck malignancy. This review will give insights into the management of OMs in HNSCC.
Investment climate and foreign direct investment in Malaysia: firm‐level evidence
Authors: Tiong Kui Ming , Cheng Ming Yu , Choong Chee Keong
Published: February 2021

Most of the foreign direct investment (FDI) studies on location determinants are based on macroeconomic characteristics. However, it is important to understand to what extent microeconomic obstacles hinder FDI. This study explores obstacles to FDI in Malaysia, based on firm‐level data. To overcome the problem of uncertainty in variable selection, Bayesian model averaging for logistic regression is employed. Using the Enterprise Surveys 2015 dataset for analysis, the Bayesian logistic regression approach provides robust findings on the importance of access to land, crime, and disorder as obstacles to FDI.
Effects of the natural sweetener rebaudioside A on intake, nutrient digestion, rumen fermentation, and blood biochemical parameters in adult goats during summer
Authors: Xu Liwei , Wei Yuqing , Wang Jiurong , Tang Shaoxun , Zhou Chuanshe , Tan Zhiliang , Han Xuefeng
Published: February 2021

The effects of dietary rebaudioside A inclusion on feed intake, digestion of nutrients, rumen fermentation, and blood biochemical parameters of goats were evaluated in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square study. Nine adult goats during summer were fed a basal forage/concentrate‐based diet and the forage was chopped rice straw. The three dietary treatments were 0, 350, and 700 mg rebaudioside A per kg chopped rice straw on a DM basis. No significant improvement was observed in dry matter intake (DMI) of forage and diet among treatments. Nutrient digestibility of DM and organic matter (OM) showed a significant trend (p < .10) across groups. Rebaudioside A inclusion significantly (p < .01) increased the concentration of total volatile fatty acids in the rumen, however, there were no differences in concentration of ruminal ammonia, and molar proportions of acetate, propionate, and butyrate. About blood metabolites, increasing rebaudioside A in the diet caused a quadratic response in glucose and total protein, and albumin concentrations. Under the conditions of this study, supplementation with rebaudioside A at 350 and 700 mg/kg forage did not improve consumption of rice straw‐based diet in adult goats in summer. However, the responses in digestibility, rumen fermentation, and blood metabolites appear to indicate the potential of rebaudioside A as a bio‐active substance in goats.
The importance of Ras in drug resistance in cancer
Authors: Healy Fiona M. , Prior Ian A. , MacEwan David J.
Published: February 2021

In this review, we analyse the impact of oncogenic Ras mutations in mediating cancer drug resistance and the progress made in the abrogation of this resistance, through pharmacological targeting. At a physiological level, Ras is implicated in many cellular proliferation and survival pathways. However, mutations within this small GTPase can be responsible for the initiation of cancer, therapeutic resistance and failure, and ultimately disease relapse. Often termed “undruggable,” Ras is notoriously difficult to target directly, due to its structure and intrinsic activity. Thus, Ras‐mediated drug resistance remains a considerable pharmacological problem. However, with advances in both analytical techniques and novel drug classes, the therapeutic landscape against Ras is changing. Allele‐specific, direct Ras‐targeting agents have reached clinical trials for the first time, indicating there may, at last, be hope of targeting such an elusive but significant protein for better more effective cancer therapy.

LINKED ARTICLES

This article is part of a themed issue on New avenues in cancer prevention and treatment (BJP 75th Anniversary). To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v179.12/issuetoc
German evidence and consensus‐based (S3) guideline: Vaccination recommendations for the prevention of HPV‐associated lesions
Authors: Gross Gerd E. , Werner Ricardo N. , Avila Valle Gabriela L. , Bickel Markus , Brockmeyer Norbert H. , Doubek Klaus , Gallwas Julia , Gieseking Friederike , Haase Heidemarie , Hillemanns Peter , Ikenberg Hans , Jongen Johannes , Kaufmann Andreas M. , Klußmann Jens Peter , von Knebel Doeberitz Magnus , Knuf Markus , Köllges Ralf , Laws Hans‐Jürgen , Mikolajczyk Rafael , Neis Klaus J. , Petry Karl‐Ulrich , Pfister Herbert , Schlaeger Martin , Schneede Peter , Schneider Achim , Smola Sigrun , Tiews Sven , Nast Alexander , Gaskins Matthew , Wieland Ulrike
Published: February 2021

Anogenital and oropharyngeal infections with human papilloma viruses (HPV) are common. Clinically manifest disease may significantly impact quality of life; the treatment of HPV‐associated lesions is associated with a high rate of recurrence and invasive neoplasms, such as cervical, anal, vulvar, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers, which are characterized by significant morbidity and mortality. Vaccination against HPV is an effective and safe measure for the primary prevention of HPV‐associated lesions, but immunization rates are still low in Germany. The present publication is an abridged version of the German evidence and consensus‐based guideline “Vaccination recommendations for the prevention of HPV‐associated lesions”, which is available on the website of the German Association of the Scientific Medical Societies (AWMF). On the basis of a systematic review with meta‐analyses, a representative panel developed and agreed upon recommendations for the vaccination of different populations against HPV. In addition, consensus‐based recommendations were developed for specific issues relevant to everyday practice. Based on current evidence and a representative expert consensus, these recommendations are intended to provide guidance in a field in which there is often uncertainty and in which both patients and health care providers are sometimes confronted with controversial and emotionally charged points of view.
The applicability of HYDRUS‐1D to infiltration of water‐repellent soil at different depths
Authors: Yang Yalong , Chen Yinwen , Chen Junying , Zhang Zhitao , Li Yi , Du Yuyan
Published: February 2021

HYDRUS‐1D has been extensively applied to the simulation of wettable soil infiltration, but very few studies have explored its applicability to the infiltration of water‐repellent soil (WRS) at different depths. To this end, HYDRUS‐1D was used to simulate water movement of layered soil with a surface repellent thickness of 10 cm. The parameters of the van Genuchten model were calibrated and validated using cumulative infiltration (CI), distance of the wetting front (Zf) and volumetric water content (θv) through five respective treatments. Another 10 tilled scenarios were selected to simulate water movement of tilled WRS. RRMSE (relative root mean square error) and CRM (coefficient of residual mass) were adopted to evaluate simulation accuracy. For the calibration and validation, the RRMSE values ranged from 0.04 to 0.251 and 0.042 to 0.101, respectively, indicating that HYDRUS‐1D could effectively simulate water movement of WRS. Furthermore, for layered treatments, the simulation accuracy of θv, CI and Zf decreased with the increase of the degree of repellency and thickness. The treatments with the repellent thickness of 10 cm had higher simulation accuracy than that with repellent thickness of 5 cm when the top layer had the same WRS. The results revealed HYDRUS‐1D was effective in the simulation of water movement in repellent clay loam with different degrees of repellency and depths.

Highlights

The applicability of HYDRUS‐1D to the infiltration of water‐repellent soil (WRS) at different depths was explored.

The simulation of different degrees of repellency and depths was first conducted.

Simulation accuracy decreased with the increase of degree of repellency and thickness.

HYDRUS‐1D was effective in simulating water movement of repellent soil.
Accuracy of omni‐planar and surface casting of epileptiform activity for intracranial seizure localization
Authors: Kleen Jonathan K. , Speidel Benjamin A. , Baud Maxime O. , Rao Vikram R. , Ammanuel Simon G. , Hamilton Liberty S. , Chang Edward F. , Knowlton Robert C.
Published: February 2021

Objective

Intracranial electroencephalography (ICEEG) recordings are performed for seizure localization in medically refractory epilepsy. Signal quantifications such as frequency power can be projected as heatmaps on personalized three‐dimensional (3D) reconstructed cortical surfaces to distill these complex recordings into intuitive cinematic visualizations. However, simultaneously reconciling deep recording locations and reliably tracking evolving ictal patterns remain significant challenges.

Methods

We fused oblique magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) slices along depth probe trajectories with cortical surface reconstructions and projected dynamic heatmaps using a simple mathematical metric of epileptiform activity (line‐length). This omni‐planar and surface casting of epileptiform activity approach (OPSCEA) thus illustrated seizure onset and spread among both deep and superficial locations simultaneously with minimal need for signal processing supervision. We utilized the approach on 41 patients at our center implanted with grid, strip, and/or depth electrodes for localizing medically refractory seizures. Peri‐ictal data were converted into OPSCEA videos with multiple 3D brain views illustrating all electrode locations. Five people of varying expertise in epilepsy (medical student through epilepsy attending level) attempted to localize the seizure‐onset zones.

Results

We retrospectively compared this approach with the original ICEEG study reports for validation. Accuracy ranged from 73.2% to 97.6% for complete or overlapping onset lobe(s), respectively, and ~56.1% to 95.1% for the specific focus (or foci). Higher answer certainty for a given case predicted better accuracy, and scorers had similar accuracy across different training levels.

Significance

In an era of increasing stereo‐EEG use, cinematic visualizations fusing omni‐planar and surface functional projections appear to provide a useful adjunct for interpreting complex intracranial recordings and subsequent surgery planning.
Thelivanbu (Illumined Love)
Authors: Thangaraj M. Thomas
Published: February 2021

Discontented with Christian understandings of salvation which tend to interpret Christ’s love employing various theories of the atonement, this essay seeks to move beyond existing models of identifying Christ’s death. Using insights from Saiva Siddhantha, a distinctively Tamil‐language philosophical tradition of the Hindu faith which names God as Siva, the author offers a constructive proposal for a Saivite‐Christian understanding of human salvation as thelivanbu (Illumined Love). The author argues that a combination of thelivu (illumination) and anbu (love), as portrayed in the Saivite and Christian scriptural traditions, presents a richer understanding of salvation. It is rooted in God’s seeking love and God’s waiting love and helps Christians move beyond atonement‐based understandings of Christ’s love which interpret Christ’s death as an act of satisfaction or an act of substitution which requires a shedding of blood.
Gentle Nazarene or Failure?
Authors: Harris Elizabeth
Published: February 2021

This paper argues through three case studies that representations of Jesus by practitioners of other religious traditions, in this case Buddhists, are conditioned by historical and social factors. The first two cases, David Hewavitarne/Anagārika Dharmapāla (1864–1933) and Allan Bennett/Ananda Metteyya (1872–1923), demonstrate that negative experience of Christian theology and practice broadly resulted in the judgment that Jesus was a failure. The more conciliatory and exploratory approach of my third case study, convert to Buddhism Maurice O’Connell Walshe (1911–1998), illustrates the factors that have led to (1) socially engaged cooperation between Buddhists and Christians and (2) the respectful dialogue on Jesus and the Buddha in the 21st century.
Framing a Theological Response to COVID‐19 in the Presence of the Religious Other
Authors: Pearson Clive
Published: February 2021

The Christian faith has a long history of responding to pandemics. Its past practice bore witness to the desire to care for others: it furnished an exemplary model with some notable exceptions. The dilemma that COVID‐19 presents is that the understanding of viral spread now lies within the preserve of a professionalized health system. The evident risk as a consequence is one of theological quietism and being “unavailing.” Now is not the time for simple hyper compliance at the expense of an enquiring confessional claim. The ecumenical witness in solidarity with other faiths/religions lends itself to a desire to consider how the present pandemic crisis might serve as an invitation for a theological enquiry into wider planetary issues.
A new model to investigate the impact of innovative IT services on smart urban growth: The mediating role of urban planners’ knowledge
Authors: Liu Dapeng , Zhao Mao , Xu Haiqing , Mehrgan Mansoureh
Published: February 2021

Cities have turned into intelligent urban zones via new data services like the semantic Web, cloud computing, mobile gadgets, and the Internet of Things (IoT). We can organize smart city policies by numerous technological and policy interferences to improve the efficacy, efficiency, and flexibility of urban infrastructures. Scholars have greatly focused on the development of smart cities. In this study, the influence of Information Technology (IT) services on smart urban growth to make a model for urban decision makers was examined. Data were collected from 201 managers and urban planners. The questionnaires using SPSS 25 and SMART‐PLS 3.2 were statistically analyzed. The outcomes show that cloud services had positive effects on urban planners’ knowledge. In addition, the influence of Near Field Communication (NFC) services on urban planners’ knowledge is positive and significant. The findings have also shown that IoT services are important factors in urban planners’ knowledge. Another point was that urban planners’ knowledge has significantly affected reliability, sustainability, social improvement, energy efficiency, and environmental improvement. At the managerial level, the findings provided recommendations to urban managers and planners.
Kenya and the Second World War: A review of the historiographical landscape
Authors: Owino Meshack
Published: February 2021

This article examines the landscape of scholarship on Kenya and the Second World War. Inspired by various scholars over the years lamenting about the dearth of publications on Africa and the Second World War, the article outlines the context of these observations as far as Kenya and the war are concerned; examines the nature of the literature on Kenya and the war; and evaluates how the publications measure up to the standard in the field while at the same time bringing us up to date on the existing literature on the field. What is the nature of the historiography on Kenya and the Second World War? What kind of publications exist on Kenya and the Second World War? How many books, monographs, articles, and chapters and even newspapers have been published on Kenya and the Second World War since the war began? What kinds of approaches do they bear in their analysis of Kenya and the war? What kinds of issues do they focus on and how do they focus on them? Are they comprehensive in their approaches and analyses? What are some of the problems and challenges of working on the history of Kenya and the Second World War? Those, in a nutshell, are some of the issues this article seeks to address
Transparency in clinical practice guidelines: the problem of consensus‐based recommendations and practice points
Authors: Venus Cameron , Jamrozik Euzebiusz
Published: February 2021

Clinical practice guidelines often provide ‘consensus‐based recommendations’ for issues where there is a lack of evidence to support an evidence‐based recommendation, and ‘practice points’ to assist clinicians in various aspects of everyday clinical care. However, Australian clinical practice guidelines often fail to define these terms clearly, and there is significant inconsistency in how they are used. This lack of clarity presents an impediment to the effective practice of evidence‐based medicine and an opportunity for reform in Australian clinical guideline development.
Integrated study of miR‐215 promoting breast cancer cell apoptosis by targeting RAD54B
Authors: Wang Mingyuan , Liao Jingnan , Tan Chang , Zhou Hong , Wang Jinjin , Wang Kangkai , Li Yiming , Wu Wei
Published: February 2021

Background

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are widely distributed in cells and participate in the regulation of the pathophysiological process of many diseases. As an important part of non‐coding RNA, miRNAs regulate a variety of molecules and signal pathways in tumour cells. However, the evidence for regulatory mechanisms of specific miRNAs in tumour cells is still lacking.

Methods

In this study, we used transcriptomics analysis and integrated a variety of public databases to screen miRNAs that have key regulatory effects on breast cancer (BC). In addition, we used in vitro and in vivo studies and combined clinical samples to verify its regulatory mechanism.

Results

We found that among the specific miRNAs, miR‐215‐5p is a key regulator in BC. Compared with normal adjacent tissues, miR‐215‐5p has a lower expression level in BC tissues. Patients with high expression levels of miR‐215‐5p have a longer survival time. miR‐215‐5p can specifically target the 3′UTR region of RAD54B mRNA and down‐regulate the expression of RAD54B, thereby inhibiting the proliferation of BC cells and promoting the apoptosis of BC cells.

Conclusions

Finally, we found that miR‐215‐5p can be used as an important biomarker for BC. We have clarified its function and revealed its mechanism of targeting RAD54B mRNA for the first time. This may provide important clues to reveal the deeper molecular regulation mechanism of BC.
Can Mandating Corporate Social Responsibility Backfire?
Authors: Kim Hajin
Published: February 2021

Corporations have enormous influence on society. Progressive policymakers and scholars increasingly advocate for corporations to be required to consider those influences on society—a corporate social responsibility (CSR) mandate. The now‐predominant view is that merely allowing directors to consider society (a permissive regime) is ineffective.

This article suggests that a CSR mandate could backfire by reducing the reputational rewards to pro‐social corporate acts. If stakeholders (customers, employees, investors) believe that corporations are legally required to do good, they might reward corporate good behavior less (“they had to do it anyway”). In contrast, if firms are merely allowed to act pro‐socially, stakeholders might provide greater rewards (“they chose to do it”). These reputational rewards matter because the business judgment rule precludes formal enforcement of a CSR mandate. Reputational and moral considerations alone must motivate pro‐social corporate acts.

Using two preregistered laboratory studies with more than 500 participants, the article finds empirical support for the backfiring hypothesis: rewards for pro‐social action were greater under a permissive regime than under a mandatory one. In a third incentive‐compatible and preregistered experiment with more than 400 participants, the article further finds that the moral force of the mandate does not compensate for these reduced reputational rewards. Once participants know the mandate is unenforceable, they do not act more pro‐socially under the mandate than under the permissive regime.

These results suggest a previously unrecognized benefit to the permissive regime. But the studies also suggest an unrecognized benefit to the mandate: reputational penalties for misbehavior can be greater under the mandate than under the permissive regime. Further study is necessary to determine which regime better motivates pro‐social corporate behavior. In weighing the options, this article illustrates the importance of considering reputational benefits and costs and explores how proposed statutory regimes can influence both. Changes in societal expectations and norms will determine our path forward and legal reform is but one avenue for such change.
The prediction model of nozzle height in liquid jet‐drop method to produce Ca‐alginate beads under microencapsulation process
Authors: Truong Vinh , Nguyen Phuong T. , Truong Vy T.
Published: February 2021

The models for prediction of nozzle height on Ca‐alginate bead formation developed previously for drop‐by‐drop process depending on the information of Oh number that is difficult to apply to liquid jet‐drop process due to the uncertainty of available models for droplet diameter prediction. In this study, the models for the prediction of nozzle height to obtain acceptable bead sphericity in the liquid jet‐drop process were developed without the need for droplet diameter information. The experiments were conducted for alginate concentrations of 1.5%–3%, liquid flow rates of 4–10 mL/min, and nozzle heights of 6–195 cm to study the size and sphericity of beads and microencapsulation yield (MEY) of lime oil. The generation of pulsation formed a smooth liquid jet‐drop process in which nozzle height, alginate concentration, and liquid flow rate had a significant effect on the bead size and sphericity but not on MEY. The optimum nozzle height at 94%–95% sphericity was found to correlate well with the Oh number. The optimum nozzle height for low viscosity liquid (<80 mPa·s) was less than 19 cm and for high‐viscosity liquid (>190 mPa·s) was 35–135 cm depending on the viscosity.

Practical applications

The application of microencapsulation in the food industry has been recognized widely as a method to protect active compounds from heat, light, and oxidation during manufacture and preservation. It can also be used to control the release of compounds or change the structure of the products. Vibration technology has been applied widely in microencapsulation concerning the production of high spherical beads for a better and precise controlled release. However, there is no available information about the effect of nozzle height on the sphericity of beads in this technology, especially for high viscosity and high shear rate operations. This study provided a model for the prediction of nozzle height to satisfy acceptable sphericity of beads in this technology with low‐frequency case.
Acute and cumulative effects of scheduling on aircrew fatigue in ultra‐short‐haul operations
Authors: Åkerstedt Torbjorn , Klemets Tomas , Karlsson David , Häbel Henrike , Widman Linnea , Sallinen Mikael
Published: February 2021

Aircrew fatigue constitutes a safety hazard in aviation, which authorities attempt to mitigate through flight time limitations. Some gaps in knowledge exist, however. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the associations of schedule characteristics with fatigue and amount of sleep in the acute 24‐h window, and as cumulative effects across the 7‐day work period. One hundred and six aircrew (14% cabin crew) participated. They rated fatigue on the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS) three times per flight day for four 7‐day work periods, with up to 7 days off between work periods. Mixed model regression was applied to the data. In the multivariable model, more sleep was associated with lower fatigue (p = .000)), corresponding to 0.26 KSS units less per hour of sleep. Very early, early and late duty types, as well as duty time, were associated with higher fatigue. For the 7‐day work period, accumulation of very early duties and longer duty time were associated with increased fatigue, and more accumulated sleep was associated with lower fatigue in the adjusted model (0.08 KSS units per hour of sleep) (p = .000). Accumulated duty time was not significant when analysed as a single variable, but became so after adjustment for sleep. The results suggest that sleep, duty time and early starts are important predictors of fatigue in the 24‐h window and that the number of very early starts and short sleep have cumulative effects on fatigue across a 7‐day work period.