bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factor Model of Human Capital Accumulation in the Context of Global Challenges
Authors: Zharova Ekaterina , Minaev Nickolay , Gevorgyan Olga
Published: September 2020

The transition to the fourth industrial revolution and the digital economy leads to a new socio-economic formation. In the new society, the place and role of human capital in the system of factors that ensure the socio-economic development of territories are being rethought. Human capital is becoming one of the key elements that ensure the sustainable development of territories and increase their global competitiveness. The increasing role of human capital creates a need to develop effective mechanisms for managing its accumulation and use, which requires systematic research of factors that affect this process. To solve this problem, the team of authors formed a factor model of the territory’s human capital accumulation in the context of global challenges and responses to them. The generated model was developed in such a way as to reflect the system of factors, as well as the nature of their influence and relationship.
Lung Sonography in Obstetrics during COVID-19
Authors: Recker Florian , Weber Eva , Strizek Brigitte , Gembruch Ulrich , Seibel Armin
Published: September 2020

In the current coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, certain patients are becoming seriously ill. Lung pathologies are common, and some patients even go on to develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which requires intubation and artificial respiration of the critically ill patient. Imaging of the lung is absolutely necessary to obtain a diagnosis, assess the course of disease and for treatment. Particularly in gynecology and obstetrics (OBGYN), ultrasound scans of the lung can be a useful additional tool when caring for pregnant patients in the delivery room. As obstetricians use ultrasound imaging a lot in routine clinical practice, in the current pandemic setting, routine prenatal imaging screening could be expanded by the addition of ultrasound scans of the lung. Lung sonography can offer important additional information, particularly in obstetrics where the indications for radiation-emitting imaging are particularly restrictive. If there is a sonographic
suspicion of lung involvement, then, depending on the symptoms and the morphological extent of the ultrasound findings, it may be necessary to consider admitting the patient to hospital for close fetal and maternal monitoring.
Es ist mehr als nur Medizin erforderlich: Die Corona-Pandemie braucht komplexe Interventionen
Authors: Glaeske Gerd
Published: September 2020

In den letzten Monaten hat eine Autorengruppe 4 Thesenpapiere zur Corona-Pandemie publiziert 1, 2, 3, 4, in denen neben Themen wie Epidemiologe und Bürgerrechte auch Aspekte der zielgruppenspezifischen Prävention, insbesondere bei vulnerablen Gruppen, diskutiert werden. Dabei geht es vor allem um Kinder und Frauen, die während des Lockdowns Gewalt und massive Einschränkungen ihrer bisherigen Lebenssituation zu ertragen hatten. Insbesondere Kinder aus Familien oder einer Umgebung mit einem sozial schwachen Status wurden verstärkt benachteiligt, weil ihnen weniger Möglichkeiten zur Aufrechterhaltung ihrer gewohnten Kommunikation als während der Schul- oder Kindergartenzeiten angeboten wurden. Es müssen daher zielgruppenspezifische Präventionsmaßnahmen in Pandemiezeiten verstärkt werden.
Measurement of transient electron density of a pulsed microwave argon plasma jet via microwave Rayleigh scattering
Authors: Zhang Ming , Chen Zhaoquan , Wu Jinfang , Zhang Huang , Zhang Sanyang , Lu Xinpei
Published: September 2020

It is critical to measure the electron density and its transient variation in an atmospheric-pressure plasma jet. In the present study, the transient electron density of a pulsed microwave argon plasma jet at atmospheric gas pressure is measured using a homemade microwave Rayleigh scattering device. First, the high-speed photographs of the plasma jet are captured by an intensified charge-coupled device camera. Then, the radius and length of the plasma jet are determined from the high-speed photographs. Finally, the temporal scattering signal measurement is performed and the time-varying electron density is obtained. The electron density increases to a peak value of 4.55 × 1020 m−3 at 45 μs. Then, it decays monotonically until it reaches the detection limit. It is worth pointing out that there is no input microwave power after 40 μs, but the electron density still presents a sharp peak. This indicates that there is a change in the ionization process that further induces a variation in the discharge morphology. In addition, an electromagnetic simulation model is modulated to simulate the scattered electric field distributions produced by two different scatterers (air and plasma). The simulation results indicate that a higher electron density of scatterer leads to the acquisition of more intense scattering signals, which indicate that the microwave scattering process is similar to that associated with dipole radiation. These results verify the accuracy of the transient electron density measured using microwave Rayleigh scattering.
Superconducting granular aluminum resonators resilient to magnetic fields up to 1 Tesla
Authors: Borisov K. , Rieger D. , Winkel P. , Henriques F. , Valenti F. , Ionita A. , Wessbecher M. , Spiecker M. , Gusenkova D. , Pop I. M. , Wernsdorfer W.
Published: September 2020

High kinetic inductance materials constitute a valuable resource for superconducting quantum circuits and hybrid architectures. Superconducting granular aluminum (grAl) reaches kinetic sheet inductances in the nH/□ range, with proven applicability in superconducting quantum bits and microwave detectors. Here, we show that the single photon internal quality factor Qi of grAl microwave resonators exceeds 105 in magnetic fields up to 1 T, aligned in-plane to the grAl films. Small perpendicular magnetic fields, in the range of 0.5 mT, enhance Qi by approximately 15%, possibly due to the introduction of quasiparticle traps in the form of fluxons. Further increasing the perpendicular field deteriorates the resonators' quality factor. These results open the door for the use of high kinetic inductance grAl structures in circuit quantum electrodynamics and hybrid architectures with magnetic field requirements.
OrbNet: Deep learning for quantum chemistry using symmetry-adapted atomic-orbital features
Authors: Qiao Zhuoran , Welborn Matthew , Anandkumar Animashree , Manby Frederick R. , Miller Thomas F.
Published: September 2020

We introduce a machine learning method in which energy solutions from the Schrödinger equation are predicted using symmetry adapted atomic orbital features and a graph neural-network architecture. OrbNet is shown to outperform existing methods in terms of learning efficiency and transferability for the prediction of density functional theory results while employing low-cost features that are obtained from semi-empirical electronic structure calculations. For applications to datasets of drug-like molecules, including QM7b-T, QM9, GDB-13-T, DrugBank, and the conformer benchmark dataset of Folmsbee and Hutchison [Int. J. Quantum Chem. (published online) (2020)], OrbNet predicts energies within chemical accuracy of density functional theory at a computational cost that is 1000-fold or more reduced.
The auxiliary glutamate receptor subunit dSol-1 promotes presynaptic neurotransmitter release and homeostatic potentiation
Authors: Kiragasi Beril , Goel Pragya , Perry Sarah , Han Yifu , Li Xiling , Dickman Dion
Published: September 2020

Significance

Physiological signals that modulate glutamate receptor trafficking and function remain enigmatic. Here, we identify the auxiliary glutamate receptor subunit
dSol-1
to be necessary for the homeostatic control of presynaptic neurotransmitter release at the
Drosophila
neuromuscular junction.
dSol-1
promotes the accumulation of kainate receptors at presynaptic terminals to enable the synapse-specific expression of homeostatic plasticity.
On the accuracy of official Chinese crop production data: Evidence from biophysical indexes of net primary production
Authors: Liu Gengyuan , Wang Xueqi , Baiocchi Giovanni , Casazza Marco , Meng Fanxin , Cai Yanpeng , Hao Yan , Wu Feng , Yang Zhifeng
Published: September 2020

Significance

With rapid economic growth and urbanization, there has been an increasing debate on food security and crop supplies in China. Grains have become central to China’s agriculture policy of ensuring food security mostly through domestic supply. Accurate production statistics are essential for research, monitoring, and planning. Recent increases in crop production reported by national statistics have come under increasing scrutiny. This paper provides an approach to validate Chinese official grain data, based on integrated socioecological indicators of terrestrial net primary production. This approach, grounded on agriculture’s biophysical spatially explicit constraints, provides a powerful means to check the plausibility of China’s grain production statistics at different administrative levels, generates insights about their discrepancies, and can contribute to improved crop production measurements.
The rise of COVID-19 cases is associated with support for world leaders
Authors: Yam Kai Chi , Jackson Joshua Conrad , Barnes Christopher M. , Lau Jenson , Qin Xin , Lee Hin Yeung
Published: September 2020

Significance

Amid the present COVID-19 pandemic, we find that many citizens around the world “rally ‘round the flag” and increase their support for their respective political leaders. We observe these findings among countries that are culturally and geographically diverse, and even among leaders who are strongly disliked by citizens prior to the pandemic. Our findings could have important voting implications during or immediately after the pandemic. As an example, the Korean ruling party won the most seats in the house by any party since 1960 in an election held during the pandemic in April 2020. COVID-19 might thus serve as a catalyst to help some incumbent governments.
Experience-dependent plasticity in an innate social behavior is mediated by hypothalamic LTP
Authors: Stagkourakis Stefanos , Spigolon Giada , Liu Grace , Anderson David J.
Published: September 2020

Significance

Modification of instinctive behaviors occurs through experience, yet the mechanisms through which this happens have remained largely unknown. Recent studies have shown that potentiation of aggression, an innate behavior, can occur through repeated winning of aggressive encounters. Here, we show that synaptic plasticity at a specific excitatory input to a hypothalamic cell population is correlated with, and required for, the expression of increasingly higher levels of aggressive behavior following aggressive experience. We additionally show that the amplitude and persistence of long-term potentiation at this synapse are influenced by serum testosterone, administration of which can normalize individual differences in the expression of intermale aggression among genetically identical mice.
Deep learning of immune cell differentiation
Authors: Maslova Alexandra , Ramirez Ricardo N. , Ma Ke , Schmutz Hugo , Wang Chendi , Fox Curtis , Ng Bernard , Benoist Christophe , Mostafavi Sara ,   Immunological Genome Project
Published: September 2020

Significance

Applying artificial intelligence tools to a highly complex question of immunology, we show that a deep neural network can learn to predict the patterns of chromatin opening across 81 stem and differentiated cells across the immune system, solely from the DNA sequence of regulatory regions. It does so by discovering ab initio the binding motifs for known master regulators, along with some unknown ones, and their combinatorial operation. These predictions validated biochemically, and a mouse-trained neural network predicts human enhancer/promoter activity much better than sequence comparisons would. Beyond serving as a trove of testable functional frameworks, this work is important in showing how massively complex integrated questions of immunology can be handled with such tools.
Electric field measurements in a He:N2 nanosecond pulsed discharge with sub-ns time resolution
Authors: Lepikhin N D , Luggenhölscher D , Czarnetzki U
Published: September 2020

The electric field in the He:N2 nanosecond atmospheric pressure plasma jet is studied using the electric-field induced second harmonic generation technique. It is shown that the calibration obtained with a DC voltage applied to the discharge cell may lead to incorrect results in the electric field measurements. It is proposed to use nanosecond high voltage pulses at low repetition rates for the calibration instead of a DC voltage. The temporal development of the electric field in the discharge at different distances from the cathode is measured with high temporal (100 ps) and spatial (50 µm) resolution. An electric field profile structure similar to the one in streamers or ionization fronts is observed. The velocity of the propagation of the falling edge of the ionization front is determined to be 0.85 × 106 m s−1. The validity of the local field approximation, important for modeling of these kind of discharges, is confirmed for the present conditions based on time and space derivatives of the measured electric field. The temporal evolution of the electron density is obtained by the measured electrical current and the time resolved electric field measurement combined with the electron mobility calculated with BOLSIG+.
Technical feasibility of magnetic resonance fingerprinting on a 1.5T MRI-linac
Authors: Bruijnen T , van der Heide O , Intven M P W , Mook S , Lagendijk J J W , van den Berg C A T , Tijssen R H N
Published: September 2020

Hybrid MRI-linac (MRL) systems enable daily multiparametric quantitative MRI to assess tumor response to radiotherapy. Magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) may provide time efficient means of rapid multiparametric quantitative MRI. The accuracy of MRF, however, relies on adequate control over system imperfections, such as eddy currents and

B
1
+

, which are different and not as well established on MRL systems compared to diagnostic systems. In this study we investigate the technical feasibility of gradient spoiled 2D MRF on a 1.5T MRL. We show with phantom experiments that the MRL generates reliable MRF signals that are temporally stable during the day and have good agreement with spin-echo reference measurements. Subsequent in-vivo MRF scans in healthy volunteers and a patient with a colorectal liver metastasis showed good image quality, where the quantitative values of selected organs corresponded with the values reported in literature. Therefore we conclude that gradient spoiled 2D MRF is feasible on a 1.5T MRL with similar performance as on a diagnostic system. The precision and accuracy of the parametric maps are sufficient for further investigation of the clinical utility of MRF for online quantitatively MRI-guided radiotherapy.
Boosting I/O and visualization for exascale era using Hercule: test case on RAMSES
Authors: Strafella Loic , Chapon Damien
Published: September 2020

It has been clearly identified that I/O is one of the bottleneck to extend application for the exascale era. New concepts such as ‘in transit’ and ‘in situ’ visualization and analysis have been identified as key technologies to circumvent this particular issue. A new parallel I/O and data management library called Hercule, developed at CEA-DAM, has been integrated to Ramses, an AMR simulation code for self-gravitating fluids. Splitting the original Ramses output format in Hercule database formats dedicated to either checkpoints/restarts (HProt format) or post-processing (HDep format) not only improved I/O performance and scalability of the Ramses code but also introduced much more flexibility in the simulation outputs to help astrophysicists prepare their DMP (Data Management Plan). Furthermore, the very lightweight and purpose-specific post-processing format (HDep) will significantly improve the overall performance of analysis and visualization tools such as PyMSES 5. An introduction to the Hercule parallel I/O library as well as I/O benchmark results will be discussed.
Biocontrol actinomycetes better protects cell membranes in celery (apium graveolens l.) under freezing stress in the presence of fungal pathogen
Authors: Wang Lingna , Guo Qiao , Li Haiyang , Li Yulong , Lai Hangxian , Xue Quanhong
Published: September 2020

Beneficial microbes can mitigate biotic or abiotic stress-induced damage to plant cell membranes. Yet, little is known about the effects of actinomycetes on cell membrane permeability in plants under joint biotic and abiotic stresses. Herein, the effects of three biocontrol actinomycetes (Streptomyces pactum Act12, S. globisporus Act7, and S. globisporus subsp. globisporus C28) on cell membrane permeability in the leaves of celery (Apium graveolens L. cv. “Hanyusiji”) were evaluated under fungal pathogen (biotic) and freezing (abiotic) stresses by using electrical conductivity measurements. Our results showed that, under freezing stress, any of three fungal pathogens alone resulted in increased cell membrane permeability. Under the single stress of freezing, medium and high concentrations of C28 respectively reduced cell membrane permeability by 37.0% and 30.6%; Act7 exerted no significant effects, whereas high concentration of Act12 increased cell membrane permeability. Under the dual stresses of fungal pathogen and freezing, these protective effects of Act12, Act7, and C28 did not differ significantly. Nonetheless, these protective effects depended on the type of pathogen infection involved: the largest reduction in cell membrane permeability occurred in the presence of F. oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum (46.4-69.2%) followed by A. alternate (17.4-51.8%), with F. sambucinum ranked lowest (8.8-35.5%). In conclusion, inoculating an appropriate concentration of actinomycetes can mitigate freezing-induced cell membrane injury in celery plants. Importantly, the actinomycete strains better protected the cell membrane against freezing injury under fungal pathogen stress, but this benefit depends on the adverse effects of pathogens on cell membrane permeability.
The thermal discharge retrieve and analysis of Hongyanhe district with Landsat-8 and GF-5 Image
Authors: Liu Yuanlin , Huang Shutao , Yi Piyuan , Wu Ding
Published: September 2020

This paper based on the method of radiance transfer equation retrieved sea surface temperature (SST) of Hongyanhe district with the Landsat-8 and GF-5 Data. By the analysis of maximum value, average value and mean square deviation of the remote sensing image, this paper characterized the influence of thermal discharge water on the near coast region, discussed the uncertainty of remote sensing retrieve process. Furthermore demonstrated the advantages of GF-5 data in the application of SST monitoring.
Research on lightning numerical prediction
Authors: Guan Yiying , Wang Lianzhong , Yang Fan , Zhang Yang , Teng Hao , Zhao Guangna , Huijun Zhang
Published: September 2020

In this paper, the numerical lightning prediction G model (abbreviated as LNP-G1) established by the cumulus electric field model breaks through the traditional statistical prediction model of experience plus linear extrapolation, and adopts the dynamic model based on the objective development law of cumulus cloud for the first time, thus realizing the lightning prediction in the real sense.It is certain that with the application of LNP-G in business, it will provide timely and advanced lightning objective numerical forecast for marine ships, aerospace, rocket launch, forest fire prevention and other industries, so as to avoid or reduce the major harm caused by lightning.
A preliminary study on seasonal variations of sediment concentrations in the inner Qiantang Estuary
Authors: Xie Dongfeng , Huang Junbao , Bo Jiang , Li Ruohua , Tang Ziwen , Lu Haiyan
Published: September 2020

The Qiantang Estuary is characterized by high suspended sediment concentrations, due to the world-famous tidal bore. In this study, continuous sediment concentrations has been observed in the inner Qiantang Estuary in April, June, September and November of 2018, by fixing an OBS on a floating platform. The results show that SSC have both tidally and seasonal variations, in particular influenced by the tidal bore. In summer and autumn the tidal ranges were relatively large and the time series of SSC were spike-similar. In spring and winter the tidal ranges were relatively smaller and the time series of SSC were similar to a sine/cosine curve. SSC is largest in autumn, followed by summer and winter, and smallest in spring. SSCs in the summer and autumn correlate positively with tidal range but the correlations in spring and winter are less insignificant. SSC depends mainly on the tidal range given the tidal range is large enough. Under relatively smaller tidal range, the relative importance of other factors such as river discharge, bed level changes and winds, etc., on the sediment concentrations would be increased.
Effect of Gender Roles and Workplace Violence on the Professional Quality of Life and Wellbeing at Work Among Child Protection Workers
Authors: Dufour Renaud , Juster Robert-Paul , Geoffrion Steve
Published: September 2020

Exposure to workplace violence puts child protection workers at risk for adverse occupational outcomes. While previous studies have identified protective and risk factors, individual differences in gender roles have yet to be explored. Moving beyond sex, the present study aims to examine the ways in which gender roles influence exposure to workplace violence, professional quality of life, and wellbeing at work among child protection workers. A randomized sample stratified by sex of 301 Canadian child protection workers (male: 15.6%, female: 84.4%) completed validated questionnaires of gender roles, professional quality of life, and wellbeing at work. We assessed mean differences using analyses of covariances controlling for clinical experience and type of work. We then assessed the moderating effect of gender roles on other variables through hierarchical multiple linear regressions. Androgyny (high masculinity and high femininity) was associated with higher scores on positive indicators of professional quality of life and wellbeing at work. However, gender roles showed no significant moderating effect on the relationship between exposure to violence, professional quality of life, and wellbeing at work. Results suggest that androgyny could be related to potential psychosocial benefits for child protection workers.
A novel, comprehensive tool for predicting 30-day mortality after surgical aortic valve replacement
Authors: Biancari Fausto , Rosato Stefano , Costa Giuliano , Barbanti Marco , D’Errigo Paola , Tamburino Corrado , Cerza Francesco , Rosano Aldo , Seccareccia Fulvia ,   for the OBSERVANT Research Group, Seccareccia Fulvia , D’Errigo Paola , Rosato Stefano , Maraschini Alice , Badoni Gabriella , Tamburino Corrado , Barbanti Marco , Santoro Gennaro , Ranucci Marco , Covello Remo Daniel , De Palma Rossana , Scondotto Salvatore , Region Sicilia
Published: September 2020

OBJECTIVES

We sought to develop and validate a novel risk assessment tool for the prediction of 30-day mortality after surgical aortic valve replacement incorporating a patient’s frailty.

METHODS

Overall, 4718 patients from the multicentre study OBSERVANT was divided into derivation (n = 3539) and validation (n = 1179) cohorts. A stepwise logistic regression procedure and a criterion based on Akaike information criteria index were used to select variables associated with 30-day mortality. The performance of the regression model was compared with that of European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) II.

RESULTS

At 30 days, 90 (2.54%) and 35 (2.97%) patients died in the development and validation data sets, respectively. Age, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, concomitant coronary revascularization, frailty stratified according to the Geriatric Status Scale, urgent procedure and estimated glomerular filtration rate were independent predictors of 30-day mortality. The estimated OBS AVR score showed higher discrimination (area under curve 0.76 vs 0.70, P < 0.001) and calibration (Hosmer–Lemeshow P = 0.847 vs P = 0.130) than the EuroSCORE II. The higher performances of the OBS AVR score were confirmed by the decision curve, net reclassification index (0.46, P = 0.011) and integrated discrimination improvement (0.02, P < 0.001) analyses. Five-year mortality increased significantly along increasing deciles of the OBS AVR score (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The OBS AVR risk score showed high discrimination and calibration abilities in predicting 30-day mortality after surgical aortic valve replacement. The addition of a simplified frailty assessment into the model seems to contribute to an improved predictive ability over the EuroSCORE II. The OBS AVR risk score showed a significant association with long-term mortality.
Deciphering the dynamics of a heterogeneous sea cliff using ambient vibrations: case study of the Sutta-Rocca overhang (southern Corsica, France)
Authors: Mercerat E Diego , Payeur Jean Baptiste , Bertrand Etienne , Malascrabes Marie , Pernoud Michel , Chamberland Yannick
Published: September 2020

We report here an interesting case study of dynamic characterization of a limestone sea cliff area, named the Sutta-Rocca overhang, located near the medieval town of Bonifacio (southern Corsica, France). The site belongs to an UNESCO protected area with an important number of visitors per year. Therefore, it is of particular interest to evaluate the potential rockfall hazard along the cliff. With the objective of evaluating the feasibility of an operational technique to monitor the cliff using ambient vibrations, two seismic stations were installed during six months (from 2016 November to 2017 April) in order to identify and monitor the resonant frequencies of the a priori unstable rock mass. Several techniques of classical seismic monitoring are tested on the site: single-station spectral analysis for identification of frequency peaks related to the unstable mass, relative spectral amplifications between stations and the operational modal analysis of the cliff. In particular, data analysis from a temporary campaign of two days of continuous recordings by a linear array of seismometers perpendicular to the sea cliff highlights the main characteristics of the ground motion: the overall motion of the promontory mainly in the north–south direction (perpendicular to the coast) and bending vertical and parallel to the cliff (east–west direction) at higher frequencies. The strong vertical and east–west seismic amplifications are also confirmed by the analysis of five local seismic events recorded at both semi-permanent stations. Even if ambient vibrations and seismic data analysis allows to decipher the dynamics of the Sutta-Rocca overhang, we conclude that classical seismic monitoring of just one single frequency peak with a limited number of sensors is not recommended for this particular site.
Progestin type affects the increase of heparanase level and procoagulant activity mediated by the estrogen receptor
Authors: Treger Sharon , Ackerman Shanny , Kaplan Victoria , Ghanem Shourouk , Nadir Yona
Published: September 2020

STUDY QUESTION

Does progestin have an effect on heparanase level and procoagulant activity?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Progestin increases the heparanase level and procoagulant activity via the estrogen receptor and the magnitude of the effect depends on the progestin type.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Users of combined oral contraceptives (COCs) containing third- and fourth-generation progestins have a higher risk of venous thrombosis compared to those employing second-generation progestins. Heparanase protein is capable of degrading heparan sulfate (HS) chains and enhancing activation of the coagulation system. We have previously demonstrated that estrogen enhances the expression and procoagulant activity of heparanase.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

Estrogen and progestin receptor positive breast carcinoma cell lines: EMT6, T47D and MCF-7 were compared to the MDA-231 breast carcinoma cell line devoid of these receptors. This observational study incorporated 45 users of third-generation COCs progestins, 21 users of fourth-generation COCs progestins and 28 individuals not using hormonal therapy and not pregnant per history.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

Second-generation progestin—levonorgestrel, third-generation progestin—desogastrel (DSG), an estrogen receptor antagonist—ICI 182.780 and a progestin receptor antagonist—mifepristone, were added to cell lines. Heparanase level and procoagulant activity, HS levels, tissue factor (TF) activity and factor Xa levels were evaluated in the plasma of the study group.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

Levonorgestrel and DSG increased heparanase levels in the cells and medium. The effect of DSG was more prominent and additive to that of estrogen. The effect was inhibited by ICI 182.780. In the plasma of COC users, heparanase procoagulant activity, HS levels, TF activity and factor Xa levels were significantly higher compared to controls. In COC pills containing the same dose of estrogen, the procoagulant effect of drospirenone was significantly stronger than that of DSG and gestodene.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

The limitations of the study include a small number of participants in each study group, although the results are statistically significant and evaluated by several different coagulation parameters.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

The study demonstrates a new mechanism through which progestin affects coagulation system activation and shows that this effect is progestin type-dependent. Development of a progestin derivative with an attenuated effect on heparanase procoagulant activity may reduce thrombotic risk.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

No external funding was sought for this study. Y.N. is named in a European patent application No. IL201200027 filed on 18 January 2012. Other authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

N/A.
Inherited Chromosomally Integrated Human Herpesvirus 6 Is a Risk Factor for Spontaneous Abortion
Authors: Miura Hiroki , Kawamura Yoshiki , Ohye Tamae , Hattori Fumihiko , Kozawa Kei , Ihira Masaru , Yatsuya Hiroshi , Nishizawa Haruki , Kurahashi Hiroki , Yoshikawa Tetsushi
Published: September 2020

Background

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) can be genetically transmitted from parent to child as inherited chromosomally integrated HHV-6 (iciHHV-6). HHV-6 reactivation occurs in pregnant women with iciHHV-6. We found no sex differences in the frequency of index cases with iciHHV-6 but inheritance from the father was more common. We evaluated the association between iciHHV-6 status and spontaneous abortion.

Methods

iciHHV-6 was confirmed by high viral DNA copy numbers in whole blood and somatic cells. The origin of integrated viral genome, paternal or maternal, was examined using the same method. The pregnancy history of 23 mothers in families with iciHHV-6 and 285 mothers in families without iciHHV-6 was abstracted.

Results

Of 23 iciHHV-6 index cases, 8 mothers and 15 fathers had iciHHV-6. Spontaneous abortion rates in mothers with and mothers without/fathers with iciHHV-6 and mothers in families without iciHHV-6 were 27.6%, 10.3%, and 14.8%, respectively (P = .012). Mothers with iciHHV-6 (odds ratio [OR], 6.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10–37.4) and maternal age at the most recent pregnancy ≥40 years (OR, 3.91; 95% CI, 1.30–11.8) were associated with 2 or more spontaneous abortions.

Conclusions

Mothers with iciHHV-6 is a risk factor for spontaneous abortion.
A Computational Approach to Identify Interfering Medications on Urine Drug Screening Assays without Data from Confirmatory Testing
Authors: Ayala-Lopez Nadia , Aref Layla , Colby Jennifer M , Hughey Jacob J
Published: September 2020

Urine drug screening (UDS) assays can rapidly and sensitively detect drugs of abuse but can also produce spurious results due to interfering substances. We previously developed an approach to identify interfering medications using electronic health record (EHR) data, but the approach was limited to UDS assays for which presumptive positives were confirmed using more specific methods. Here we adapted the approach to search for medications that cause false positives on UDS assays lacking confirmation data. From our institution’s EHR data, we used our previous dataset of 698,651 UDS and confirmation results. We also collected 211,108 UDS results for acetaminophen, ethanol and salicylates. Both datasets included individuals’ prior medication exposures. We hypothesized that the odds of a presumptive positive would increase following exposure to an interfering medication independently of exposure to the assay’s target drug(s). For a given assay–medication pair, we quantified potential interference as an odds ratio from logistic regression. We evaluated interference of selected compounds in spiking experiments. Compared to the approach requiring confirmation data, our adapted approach showed only modestly diminished ability to detect interfering medications. Applying our approach to the new data, we discovered and validated multiple compounds that can cause presumptive positives on the UDS assay for acetaminophen. Our approach can reveal interfering medications using EHR data from institutions at which UDS results are not routinely confirmed.
University Student Perspectives of Entomophagy: Positive Attitudes Lead to Observability and Education Opportunities
Authors: Petersen Matthew , Olson Olivia , Rao Sujaya
Published: September 2020

Positive experiences with insect food items that highlight the benefits of insect production and reduce the novelty of entomophagy are needed. Toward this goal, we developed an experiential learning lesson plan that would provide a positive experience with entomophagy and associate key educational content related to insect food items. First, two cricket powder brownie taste-test surveys were conducted with groups of university students to evaluate attitudes relating to insects as food, sustainability of insect production, and nutritional content. Students displayed a taste preference for cricket flour brownies but could not consistently differentiate between brownie types, ranked environmental and nutritional benefits associated with insect food products over taste factors alone, and indicated a positive attitude toward purchasing insect products in the future. Willingness to try other insect products in the future was significantly greater for students with increased experience with consuming insect products. These results were then used to create an university lesson plan that will allows for future evaluation of student attitudes while increasing exposure to entomophagy and providing education on the positive aspects of insects as food production. Our work highlights the favorable attitude toward insect food products shown by university students and how positive perception of entomophagy increases with continued exposure to the practice.
Movement Behavior of the Pine Needle Gall Midge (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)
Authors: Liu Huanxiu , Duan Chunhua , Qi Yukun , Ren Lili , Wu Haiwei
Published: September 2020

The movement behavior of the pine needle gall midge (Thecodiplosis japonensis Uchida Et Inouye (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)), an invasive species in China, was determined by using a tethered flight technique and digital videography in the laboratory. The flight distance, duration, and speed of females were compared at different ages (2–10 h) and ambient temperatures (17, 21, 26, and 30°C). Female flight distance and duration at 26°C were significantly greater than those at 17°C and 21°C. The age of T. japonensis did not significantly affect the three flight characteristics. For females at 2–10 h of age at 26°C and 70% RH, the maximum flight distance was 667.59 m; the longest flight time was 6,222.34 s; and the fastest flight speed was 0.44 m·s−1. For larvae wetted with water, the highest jump was 5.7 cm; the longest jump was 9.6 cm; and the greatest distance moved in 5 min was 27.13 cm, which showed that the active dispersal potential of larvae was very low.
Effects of flux variation on the surface temperatures of Earth-analog circumbinary planets
Authors: Yadavalli S Karthik , Quarles Billy , Li Gongjie , Haghighipour Nader
Published: September 2020

The Kepler Space telescope has uncovered around thirteen circumbinary planets (CBPs) that orbit a pair of stars and experience two sources of stellar flux. We characterize the top-of-atmosphere flux and surface temperature evolution in relation to the orbital short-term dynamics between the central binary star and an Earth-analog CBP. We compare the differential evolution of an Earth-analog CBP’s flux and surface temperature with that of an equivalent single-star (ESS) system to uncover the degree by which the potential habitability of the planet could vary. For a Sun-like primary, we find that the flux variation over a single planetary orbit is greatest when the dynamical mass ratio is $\sim$0.3 for a G-K spectral binary. Using a latitudinal energy balance model, we show that the ice-albedo feedback plays a substantial role in (Earth-analog) CBP habitability due to the interplay between flux redistribution (via obliquity) and changes in the total flux (via binary gyration). We examine the differential evolution of flux and surface temperature for Earth-like analogs of the habitable zone CBPs (4 Kepler and 1 hypothetical system) and find that these analogs are typically warmer than their ESS counterparts.
The contribution of quasar absorption outflows to AGN feedback
Authors: Miller Timothy R , Arav Nahum , Xu Xinfeng , Kriss Gerard A
Published: September 2020

Determining the distance of quasar absorption outflows from the central source (R) and their kinetic luminosity ($\dot{E}_\mathrm{\scriptstyle k}$) is crucial for understanding their contribution to active galactic nucleus (AGN) feedback. Here, we summarize the results for a sample of nine luminous quasars that were observed with the Hubble Space Telescope. We find that the outflows in more than half of the objects are powerful enough to be the main agents for AGN feedback, and that most outflows are found at R > 100 pc. The sample is representative of the quasar absorption outflow population as a whole and is unbiased towards specific ranges of R and $\dot{E}_\mathrm{\scriptstyle k}$. Therefore, the analysis results can be extended to the majority of such objects, including broad absorption line quasars. We find that these results are consistent with those of another sample (seven quasars) that is also unbiased towards specific ranges of R and $\dot{E}_\mathrm{\scriptstyle k}$. Assuming that all quasars have absorption outflows, we conclude that most luminous quasars produce outflows that can contribute significantly to AGN feedback. We also discuss the criterion for whether an outflow is energetic enough to cause AGN feedback effects.
Fundamental parameters for 45 open clusters with Gaia DR2, an improved extinction correction and a metallicity gradient prior
Authors: Monteiro H , Dias W S , Moitinho A , Cantat-Gaudin T , Lépine J R D , Carraro G , Paunzen E
Published: September 2020

Reliable fundamental parameters of open clusters (OCs) such as distance, age, and extinction are key to our understanding of Galactic structure and stellar evolution. In this work, we use Gaia Data Release 2 (DR2) to investigate 45 OCs listed in the New catalogue of optically visible open clusters and candidates (DAML) but with no previous astrometric membership estimation based on Gaia DR2. In the process of selecting targets for this study, we found that some clusters reported as new discoveries in recent papers based on Gaia DR2 were already known clusters listed in DAML. Cluster memberships were determined using a maximum likelihood method applied to Gaia DR2 astrometry. This has allowed us to estimate mean proper motions and mean parallaxes for all investigated clusters. Mean radial velocities were also determined for 12 clusters, 7 of which had no previous published values. We have improved our isochrone fitting code to account for interstellar extinction using an updated extinction polynomial for the Gaia DR2 photometric bandpasses and the Galactic abundance gradient as a prior for metallicity. The updated procedure was validated with a sample of clusters with high-quality [Fe/H] determinations. We then did a critical review of the literature and verified that our cluster parameter determinations represent a substantial improvement over previous values.
A fresh look at the RR Lyrae population in the Draco dwarf spheroidal galaxy with Gaia
Authors: Muraveva Tatiana , Clementini Gisella , Garofalo Alessia , Cusano Felice
Published: September 2020

We present a catalogue of 285 RR Lyrae stars (RRLs) in the Draco dwarf spheroidal (dSph) galaxy, obtained by combining data from a number of different surveys including the Data Release 2 (DR2) of the European Space Agency cornerstone mission Gaia. We have determined individual distances to the RRLs in our sample using for the first time a Gaia G-band luminosity–metallicity relation ($M_{G}\small{--}{\rm [Fe/H]}$) and study the structure of the Draco dSph as traced by its RRL population. We find that the RRLs located in the western/south-western region of Draco appear to be closer to us, which may be a clue of interaction between Draco and the Milky Way. The average distance modulus of Draco measured with the RRLs is $\mu =19.53\pm 0.07$ mag, corresponding to a distance of $80.5\pm 2.6$ kpc, in good agreement with previous determinations in the literature. Based on the pulsation properties of the RRLs, we confirm the Oosterhoff-intermediate nature of Draco. We present an additional sample of 41 candidate RRLs in Draco, which we selected from the Gaia DR2 catalogue based on the uncertainty of their G-band magnitudes. Additional epoch data that will become available in the Gaia Data Release 3 will help to confirm whether these candidates are bona fide Draco RRLs.
Treatment of Neck Pain with Opioids in the Primary Care Setting: Trends and Geographic Variation
Authors: Jami Meghana , Marrache Majd , Puvanesarajah Varun , Raad Micheal , Prasad Niyathi , Jain Amit
Published: September 2020

Objective

Neck pain is a leading cause of years lived with disability and is often managed with opioid medications in primary care settings, though this is contraindicated by national guidelines. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of opioid prescription for neck pain at a primary care visit and to analyze the geographic variation and trends in opioid prescriptions between 2011 and 2017.

Methods

Using a prescription drug claims database, we identified 591,961 adult patients who presented for neck pain in primary care settings between 2011 and 2017. Patients who had outpatient specialty visits within 1 year before presentation, a concomitant diagnosis of a non-musculoskeletal cause of neck pain, or preexisting chronic opioid use were excluded.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 45 ± 12 years, and 64% were female. Fifteen percent of patients were prescribed opioids within 30 days of their encounter. Eleven percent of patients were prescribed moderate- to high-dose opioids (>20 morphine milligram equivalents). From 2011–2017, the proportion of both overall opioid prescriptions and moderate- to high-dose prescriptions given to first time presenters to an outpatient clinic for neck pain was highest in Mississippi (20%) and lowest in New Mexico (6%) (P < 0.001). In 2017, the proportion of both overall opioid prescriptions and moderate- to high-dose prescriptions was highest in the Midwest (10.4%) and lowest in the Northeast (4.9%). The proportion of patients with filled opioid prescriptions declined between 2011 (19%) and 2017 (13%) (P < 0.001), and the proportion of patients with moderate- to high-dose prescriptions declined from 2011 (13%) to 2017 (8%) (P < 0.001). first-time presenters of neck pain to an outpatient clinic 

Conclusions

Opioid medication use for neck pain in the primary care setting is significant. Although opioid prescriptions are declining, there remains a need for further standardization in prescription practices.
Frequency of Physical Therapist Intervention Is Associated With Mobility Status and Disposition at Hospital Discharge for Patients With COVID-19
Authors: Johnson Joshua K , Lapin Brittany , Green Karen , Stilphen Mary
Published: September 2020

Objective

For patients diagnosed with the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, evidence is needed to understand the effect of treatment by physical therapists in the acute hospital on patient outcomes. The primary aims of this study were to examine the relationship of physical therapy visit frequency and duration in the hospital with patients’ mobility status at discharge and probability of discharging home.

Methods

This retrospective study included patients with COVID-19 admitted to any of 11 hospitals in 1 health system. The primary outcome was mobility status at discharge, measured using the Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care 6-Clicks basic mobility (6-Clicks mobility) and the Johns Hopkins Highest Level of Mobility scales. Discharge to home versus to a facility was a secondary outcome. Associations between these outcomes and physical therapy visit frequency or mean duration were tested using multiple linear or modified Poisson regression. Potential moderation of these relationships by particular patient characteristics was examined using interaction terms in subsequent regression models.

Results

For the 312 patients included, increased physical therapy visit frequency was associated with higher 6-Clicks mobility (b = 3.63; 95% CI, 1.54–5.71) and Johns Hopkins Highest Level of Mobility scores (b = 1.15; 95% CI, 0.37–1.93) at hospital discharge and with increased probability of discharging home (adjusted relative risk = 1.82; 95% CI, 1.25–2.63). Longer mean visit duration was also associated with improved mobility at discharge and the probability of discharging home, though the effects were less pronounced. Few moderation effects were observed.

Conclusion

Patients with COVID-19 demonstrated improved mobility at hospital discharge and higher probability of discharging home with increased frequency and longer mean duration of physical therapy visits. These associations were not generally moderated by patient characteristics.

Impact

Physical therapy should be an integral component of care for patients hospitalized due to COVID-19. Providing sufficient physical therapist interventions to improve outcomes must be balanced against protection from viral spread.

Lay Summary

Patients with COVID-19 can benefit from more frequent and longer physical therapy visits in the hospital.