bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immunotherapy in treatment of metastatic prostate cancer: An approach to circumvent immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment
Authors: Sun Belinda L.
Published: August 2021

Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of cancer‐related death in men in the United States and the fifth worldwide. Most prostate cancer arises as an androgen‐dependent tumor but eventually progresses into castration‐resistance prostate cancer, incurable by the current androgen deprivation therapy and chemotherapy. The development of immunotherapy in cancer treatment has brought an exciting era of antiprostate cancer therapy through antitumor immune responses. Prostate cancer is recognized as a poorly immunogenic tissue with immunological ignorance showing low levels of antigen‐presenting process and cytotoxic T‐cell activation, high levels of immune checkpoint molecules and immunosuppressive cytokines/chemokines, and recruitment of immunosuppressive cells. Immunotherapies for prostate cancer have been developed to activate the innate and adaptive immune responses, such as vaccines and adoptive CAR‐T cells, or to inhibit immunosuppressive molecules, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors or antibodies. The U.S Food and Drug Administration has approved Sipuleucel‐T for the treatment of asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic metastatic castrate‐resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) and immune checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab for the treatment of all solid tumors, including prostate cancer, with impaired mismatch repair genes/microsatellite instability; however, the current clinical outcomes still need to be improved. As various immunosuppressive mechanisms coexist and cross‐interact within the tumor microenvironment, different immunotherapy approaches may have to be combined and selected in a highly personalized way. It is hoped that this rapidly evolving field of immunotherapy will achieve successful treatment for mCRPC and will be applied to a wider range of prostate cancer patients.
Energy Harvesting from Ceramic/Blended Polymer Nanocomposites: Ba0.85Ca0.15Zr0.10Ti0.90O3/Polyvinylidene Fluoride–Polytetrafluoroethylene
Authors: Kumar Amit , Kumar Archana , Prasad Kamal
Published: August 2021

The mechanical impact‐based energy harvesting characteristics of 0–3ϕBa0.85Ca0.15Zr0.10Ti0.90O3/(1−ϕ)polyvinylidene fluoride–polytetrafluoroethylene (BCZT/PVDF–PTFE); volume fraction (0 ≤ ϕ ≤ 0.25) nanocomposites, fabricated using a melt‐mixing method, are presented. A scanning electron microscope is utilized to investigate the distribution of BCZT nanoceramic powder as filler in the blended polymer (PVDF–PTFE; 80:20). The X‐ray diffraction method is applied to ascertain the formations of BCZT and BCZT/PVDF–PTFE. The values of apparent porosity, water absorption, shore D hardness, dielectric constant (εr), tangent loss (tan δ), piezoelectric charge coefficient (d33) and voltage constant (g33), and figure of merit (FM) are found to increase upon increasing ϕ. A significant increment in the impact‐generated electric voltage (25.38–77.73 V) and energy (9.42–243.9 nJ) is noticed with the increasing ϕ. In addition, the small values of water absorption (<0.091%) and tan δ (≈10−2) with relatively higher values of εr, d33, g33, FM, and shore D hardness, power out (Pdc = 0.47 mW using 470 Ω resistive load ϕ = 0.25 sample) as well as improved voltage generation and energy harvesting characteristics, prefigure the promise of the present composite system a superior lead‐free alternative for the applications in energy harvesting, detection/sensing, and structural health monitoring.
Parameter learning of stochastic Boolean networks
Authors: Chen Hongwei , Shen Bo
Published: August 2021

In this article, the parameter learning problem is studied for stochastic Boolean networks (SBNs). Both the measure noise and the system noise are assumed to be white and modeled by sequences of Bernoulli distributed stochastic variables which are mutually independent. An algebraic representation of the SBNs is obtained by taking advantage of vector expression of logic variable and applying the semi‐tensor product technique. Consequently, the parameter learning problem is reformulated as an optimization problem that makes it possible to identify the system matrices of SBNs in an efficient computation way. Subsequently, properties of forward and backward probabilities are investigated, and the EM algorithm is utilized to learn the model parameters from time series data. Finally, a numerical experiment is presented to show the usefulness of the designed parameter learning algorithm.
15.2: Invited Paper: Atomic Layer Deposited Oxide Semiconductor Enabling High Mobility and Low Driving Voltage in TFTs
Authors: Cho Min Hoe , Seul Hyeon Joo , Jeong Jae Kyeong
Published: August 2021

The amorphous indium‐gallium‐zinc oxide (a‐IGZO) thin‐film transistors (TFTs) have become the standard backplane technology for large‐area active‐matrix organic light‐emitting diode (AMOLED) TV. The high‐end mobile OLED demands the high mobility of ∼100 cm2/Vs. So far, the various approaches to improve the mobility of electron carriers in IGZO TFTs have been researched, including the optimization of cation composition, stacked channel structure, and the lattice ordering‐induced crystallization. In this paper, we presented our recent efforts toward the high‐performance and good reliability for IGZO TFTs, which is based on the atomic layer deposition process. First, the merits of the ALD‐derived IGZO compared to sputtered IGZO in terms of the electrical performance of IGZO TFT were investigated. Second, the quantum confinement effect in the IGZO heterojunction channel stacks was exploited, leading to 2DEG‐like high mobility. Finally, the IGZO TFTs with the high‐mobility and low‐driving‐voltage was realized through the bilayer IGZO channel and HfO2‐based gate dielectric stack.
46.3: Invited Paper: Technologies for scaling wafer diameter up to 300 mm to enable high yield and low cost micro LED production
Authors: Nishikawa A. , Loesing A. , Slischka B.
Published: August 2021

Cost and yield play a crucial role to make micro LED displays successful. Scaling up wafer diameter is one of the solutions not only because of lower cost per area but also because 200 and 300 mm diameter enable the use of precise and matured Si industry processes for higher yield. However, due to lack of large diameter GaN substrate, hetero‐epitaxy like GaN‐on‐sapphire or GaN‐on‐Si is necessary which causes strain issues because of large lattice and thermal expansion mismatch between GaN and substrate. In this paper, we describe strain issues and solutions of scaling up wafer diameter and demonstrate the latest excellent reproducible uniformity results of GaN‐on‐Si LED epiwafer properties on 200 mm and 300 mm Si substrates as an evidence of overcoming such issues.
P‐8.3: Novel Rolling Hinge for Rollable Mobile Device
Authors: Han Ho Jung , Park Hyun Min , Hwang Insun
Published: August 2021

After a foldable mobile phone's success, a rollable device has received a great attention in the market. Several makers have demonstrated its prototypes and trying to commercializing it. We have reviewed its mechanism and technical issues and suggest a novel rolling hinge for a rollable mobile device. We have developed a new back‐plate for stable and durable motion. Using our back‐plate and rolling hinge we have made a mock‐up of a rollable device and confirmed its performance and durability. Our mock‐up has the thickness of ~12.0 mm which is very slimmer than a foldable device. It can drive by manual, semi‐auto or auto ways. We designed motor force or spring force considering its moving resistance.
Characterization of palladium electrodeposition in ammonia‐free electrolyte with additives
Authors: Oh In‐Chan , Kim Ho‐Young , Hyun Soong‐Keun , Byoun Young‐Min
Published: August 2021

Electrodeposition of Pd provides excellent chemical and low‐contact resistance with good electrical properties, such as different types of electrical contacts in the electronics industry. The conventional Pd plating process utilizes ammonia‐based electrolytes. Ammonia was added continuously to maintain the optimum pH range in Pd electrolyte. In addition, the harmful and strong odor of the evaporating ammonia necessitates the use of a ventilator. A further disadvantage is that the brass substrate is corroded by ammonia vapor, and the corrosion products can contaminate the electrolytes, thereby changing the technological properties of the deposited plating for the worse. Ethylenediamine has been proposed as an alternative to ammonia; however, Pd electrodeposition occurs as microcracks via hydrogen evolution. In this study, the effects of Pd electrolyte on ethylenediamine as a complexing agent and the properties of various additives are investigated to improve current density and internal stress in Pd electrodeposition that occurs on a brass substrate. Therefore, complexing agents such as 3‐pyridine sulfonic acid, sodium nicotinate, butyne 1–4 diol, and sodium allylsulfonate are selected as additives, to serve as an alternative to ammonia in Pd electrolyte. In this study, the properties of electrodeposited Pd with various additives were examined. The effect of additives on Pd electrolytes can be classified as dense surfaces without defects such as microcracks and pinholes, which improved surface roughness and corrosion resistance. Particularly, Pd electrolyte using sodium nicotinate has relatively improved surface roughness and properties. Pd electrolyte was optimized under ammonia‐free conditions by the addition of sodium nicotinate.
Phosphine‐Free Ruthenium Complex for Hydrogenation of Carbonyl Compounds: Synthesis and Applications
Authors: Shashikumar K. , Maldode Suraj B. , Sajjanar Sachinkumar , Hegde Shivaprasad N. , Sattineni Suribabu , Avasare Vidya D. , Gadakh Amol V. , Ganesh Sambasivam , Sathiyanarayanan A. M.
Published: August 2021

A new phosphine‐free Ruthenium complex bearing hemilabile thiophene‐based ligand is synthesized for the large‐scale catalytic hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds. The methodology is also applicable for the one‐pot synthesis of various benzhydryl active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
Lophotrochozoa in the Cambrian evolutionary radiation and the Pelagiella problem
Authors: Landing Ed , Geyer Gerd , Jirkov Igor A. , Schiaparelli Stefano
Published: August 2021

Tiny snail‐like conchs of Pelagiella Matthew are important in discussions of lophotrochozoan and mollusc origins in the Cambrian evolutionary radiation (CER). The limited morphological features of Pelagiella conchs have led to the ‘Pelagiella problem’: (1) poorly distinguished Pelagiella species; (2) an exceptional genus range across all Cambrian palaeocontinents and climate belts; (3) an unparalleled genus‐lifespan (c. 31 myr) in the early Palaeozoic; and (4) the assumption that all Pelagiella spp. are gastropods, which compromises lophotrochozoan and mollusc phylogenies. The type species P. atlantoides is a gastropod, but we show that so‐called Pelagiella species with sub‐to‐triangular apertures and turbiniform conchs are not referable to the genus. Re‐evaluation of spectacular specimens of Pelagiella exigua Resser & Howell show it to be a polychaete with two apertural paleal chaetae fan arrays. Given that some modern sedentary polychaetes have paleal fan arrays, P. exigua is regarded as a likely member of the Sabellida Levinsen and is assigned to Pseudopelagiella gen. nov. Other Pelagiella spp. and forms with similar conchs are probably polychaetes not relevant to syntheses of early mollusc diversification. Pelagiellidae fam. nov. should be restricted to the late early Cambrian (c. 508 Ma) P. atlantoides. Pseudopelagiella exigua was unattached, probably benthic and lived with the apical conch surface on the sea floor, a mode of life similar to that of another family of the Sabellida, the sessile spirorbids that are cemented to substrate. Among numerous crown groups, the late early Cambrian eve of the CER included the polychaete Pseudopelagiella exigua and gastropod P. atlantoides.
In vivo hepatoprotective effect of Morinda elliptica stem extract against liver fibrosis induced by thioacetamide
Authors: Bradosty Sarwan W. , Hamad Saber W. , Agha Nabaz Fisal Shakir , Shaikh Faiyaz Khudaboddin , Qadir Nanakali Nadir Mustafa , Aziz Peshawa Yunis , Salehen Nur'Ain , Suzergoz Faruk , Abdulla Mahmood Ameen
Published: August 2021

Morinda elliptica L. (Rubiaceae) is a phytomedicinal herb, used to treat gastrointestinal complications in Peninsular Malaysia. The study evaluates the in vivo hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic extract of M. elliptica stem in thioacetamide (TAA) induced liver fibrosis in male Sprague Drawly rats. Thirty adult rats were divided into five groups of six rats each. Rats of the normal control group received intraperitoneal injections (i. p.) of vehicle 10% Tween‐20, 5 ml/kg, and hepatotoxic group 200 mg/kg TAA three times per week respectively. Three supplementary groups were treated with TAA plus daily oral silymarin (50 mg/kg) or M. elliptica (250 or 500 mg/kg). After 8 weeks of treatment, all rats were sacrificed. Liver fibrosis was assessed by gross macroscopic and microscopic tissue analysis, histopathological, and biochemical analysis. The livers of the TAA treated group showed uniform coarse granules, hepatocytic necrosis with lymphocytes infiltration. Contrary, the livers of M. elliptica treated groups (250 and 500 mg/kg) were much smoother and the cell damage was much lesser. The livers of M. elliptica treated groups rats showed elevated activity of SOD and CAT with a significant decrease in MDA level at p < .0001. The level of liver damage parameters, that is, ALP, ALT, and AST, bilirubin, total protein, and albumin were restored to the normal comparable to silymarin. M. elliptica stem extract significantly promoted normal rat liver architecture with significant perfections in biochemical parameters. The molecular contents of M. elliptica with hepatoprotective influence could be discovered, is the future prospective of this study.
Chronic ∆-9-tetrahydrocannabinol administration delays acquisition of schedule-induced drinking in rats and retains long-lasting effects
Authors: Fuentes-Verdugo Esmeralda , López-Tolsa Gabriela E. , Pellón Ricardo , Miguéns Miguel
Published: August 2021

Rationale

Schedule-induced drinking (SID) is a behavioural phenomenon characterized by an excessive and repetitive drinking pattern with a distinctive temporal distribution that has been proposed as a robust and replicable animal model of compulsivity. Despite cannabis currently being the most widely consumed illicit drug, with growing interest in its clinical applications, little is known about the effects of ∆-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on SID.

Objectives

The effects of chronic and acute THC administration on SID acquisition, maintenance and extinction were studied, as were the effects of such administrations on the distinctive temporal distribution pattern of SID.

Methods

THC (5 mg/kg i.p.), or the corresponding vehicle, was administered to adult Wistar rats for 14 days in a row. Subsequently, THC effects on SID acquisition were tested during 21 sessions using a 1-h fixed-time 60-s food delivery schedule. Acute effects of THC were also evaluated after SID development. Finally, two extinction sessions were conducted to assess behavioural persistence.

Results

The results showed that previous chronic THC treatment delayed SID acquisition and altered the distinctive behavioural temporal distribution pattern during sessions. Moreover, acute THC administration after SID development decreased SID performance in animals chronically pre-treated with the drug. No great persistence effects were observed during extinction in animals pre-treated with THC.

Conclusions

These results suggest that chronic THC affects SID development, confirming that it can disrupt learning, possibly causing alterations in time estimation, and also leads to animals being sensitized when they are re-exposed to the drug after long periods without drug exposure.
Causal effect of the tropical Pacific sea surface temperature on the Upper Colorado River Basin spring precipitation
Authors: Zhao Siyu , Zhang Jiaying
Published: August 2021

The Colorado River is one of the most important rivers in the southwestern U.S., with ~ 90% of the total flow originating from the Upper Colorado River Basin (UCRB). The UCRB April–July streamflow is well-correlated to the UCRB spring precipitation. It is known that the UCRB precipitation is linked to an El Niño-like sea surface temperature (SST) pattern, but the causal effect of the tropical Pacific SST on the UCRB spring precipitation is still uncertain. Here, we apply a Granger causality approach to understand the causal effect of the tropical Pacific averaged SST in previous three seasons (winter, fall, and summer) on the UCRB averaged precipitation in spring in observations and two climate models. In observations, only the winter SST has Granger causal effect (withp-value ~ 0.05) on spring precipitation, while historical simulations of the two climate models overestimate the causal effect for winter and fall (withp-value < 0.01 and < 0.05, respectively) due to model biases. Moreover, future projections of the two climate models show divergent causal effects, especially for the scenario with high anthropogenic emissions. The divergent projections indicate that (1) there are large uncertainties in model projections of the causal effect of the tropical Pacific SST on UCRB spring precipitation and (2) it is uncertain whether climate models can reliably capture changes in such causality. These uncertainties may result in large uncertainties in seasonal forecasts of the UCRB hydroclimate under global climate change.
Topically delivered 22 nt siRNAs enhance RNAi silencing of endogenous genes in two species
Authors: Hendrix Bill , Zheng Wei , Bauer Matthew J. , Havecker Ericka R. , Mai Jennifer T. , Hoffer Paul H. , Sanders Rick A. , Eads Brian D. , Caruano-Yzermans Amy , Taylor Danielle N. , Hresko Chelly , Oakes Janette , Iandolino Alberto B. , Bennett Michael J. , Deikman Jill
Published: August 2021

Main conclusion

22 nt siRNAs applied to leaves induce production of transitive sRNAs for targeted genes and can enhance local silencing. Systemic silencing was only observed for aGFPtransgene.

RNA interference (RNAi) is a gene silencing mechanism important in regulating gene expression during plant development, response to the environment and defense. Better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of this pathway may lead to future strategies to improve crop traits of value. An abrasion method to deliver siRNAs into leaf cells of intact plants was used to investigate the activities of 21 and 22 nt siRNAs in silencing genes inNicotiana benthamianaandAmaranthus cruentus. We confirmed that both 21 and 22 nt siRNAs were able to silence a green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgene in treated leaves ofN. benthamiana, but systemic silencing ofGFPoccurred only when the guide strand contained 22 nt. Silencing in the treated leaves ofN. benthamianawas demonstrated for three endogenous genes:magnesium cheletase subunit I(CHL-I),magnesium cheletase subunit H(CHL-H), andGENOMES UNCOUPLED4 (GUN4). However, systemic silencing of these endogenous genes was not observed. Very high levels of transitive siRNAs were produced forGFPin response to treatment with 22 nt siRNAs but only low levels were produced in response to a 21 nt siRNA. The endogenous genes tested also produced transitive siRNAs in response to 22 nt siRNAs. 22 nt siRNAs produced greater local silencing phenotypes than 21 nt siRNAs for three of the genes. These special properties of 22 nt siRNAs were also observed for theCHL-Hgene inA. cruentus. These experiments suggest a functional role for transitive siRNAs in amplifying the RNAi response.
Impact of small diameter and low level of emission laser coronary atherectomy in patients with acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Masuda Ryo , Shibui Takashi , Mizunuma Yoshiaki , Yoshikawa Shogo , Takeda Kosuke , Kujiraoka Hirofumi , Yamaoka Koichiro , Arai Tomoyuki , Inagaki Dai , Kimura Takashi , Yoshida Kiyotaka , Takahashi Masao , Kitamura Takeshi , Hojo Rintaro , Tsuchiyama Takaaki , Fukamizu Seiji , Sasano Tetsuo
Published: August 2021

Excimer laser coronary atherectomy (ELCA) is an effective treatment to remove intracoronary thrombi. In the present study, we compared in-hospital mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) who underwent conventional treatment and conventional treatment plus ELCA. Among 656 patients who were admitted to our hospital through the Tokyo CCU Network, 104 patients with AMI who were treated by percutaneous coronary intervention between January 2013 and December 2016 met inclusions criteria and underwent conventional treatment with ELCA (ELCA group) and 89 underwent conventional treatment alone (conventional group). We retrospectively evaluated in-hospital mortality within 30 days and used propensity score (PS) matching to reduce assignment bias and multivariate analysis to detect the predictors of in-hospital mortality. In-hospital mortality rate was significantly lower in the ELCA group before and after PS matching (2.9% vs. 13.5%, p = 0.006 before PS matching, and 2.8% vs. 14.1%, p = 0.016 after PS matching). After PS matching, β-blocker or statins use, incidence of shock, Killip classification, and door-to-balloon time were not significantly different. A multivariate logistic regression analysis identified ELCA, dyslipidemia, shock, and left ventricular ejection fraction as independent predictors of in-hospital mortality (odds ratio (OR), 0.147, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.022–0.959, p = 0.045; OR, 0.077, 95% CI, 0.007–0.805, p = 0.032; OR, 6.494, 95% CI, 1.228–34.34, p = 0.028; OR, 0.890, 95% CI, 0.828–0.957, p = 0.002, respectively). Our data indicate that ELCA with the small diameter and low level emission may reduce the in-hospital mortality compared to conventional methods in patients with AMI in drug-eluting stent era.
How many data clusters are in the Galaxy data set?
Authors: Grün Bettina , Malsiner-Walli Gertraud , Frühwirth-Schnatter Sylvia
Published: August 2021

In model-based clustering, the Galaxy data set is often used as a benchmark data set to study the performance of different modeling approaches. Aitkin (Stat Model 1:287–304) compares maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses of the Galaxy data set and expresses reservations about the Bayesian approach due to the fact that the prior assumptions imposed remain rather obscure while playing a major role in the results obtained and conclusions drawn. The aim of the paper is to address Aitkin’s concerns about the Bayesian approach by shedding light on how the specified priors influence the number of estimated clusters. We perform a sensitivity analysis of different prior specifications for the mixtures of finite mixture model, i.e., the mixture model where a prior on the number of components is included. We use an extensive set of different prior specifications in a full factorial design and assess their impact on the estimated number of clusters for the Galaxy data set. Results highlight the interaction effects of the prior specifications and provide insights into which prior specifications are recommended to obtain a sparse clustering solution. A simulation study with artificial data provides further empirical evidence to support the recommendations. A clear understanding of the impact of the prior specifications removes restraints preventing the use of Bayesian methods due to the complexity of selecting suitable priors. Also, the regularizing properties of the priors may be intentionally exploited to obtain a suitable clustering solution meeting prior expectations and needs of the application.
Comparative Evaluation of Characterization Methods for Powders Used in Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Mitterlehner Marco , Danninger Herbert , Gierl-Mayer Christian , Gschiel Harald , Martinez Carlos , Tomisser Manuel , Schatz Michael , Senck Sascha , Auer Jaqueline , Benigni Caterina
Published: August 2021

In recent years, the interest in additive manufacturing technologies has increased significantly, most of them using powders as feedstock material. It is therefore essential to check the quality of the powder before processing in order to ensure the same quality of the printed components at all times. This kind of quality assurance of a powder should be carried out independently of the additive manufacturing technology used. Since there is a lack of standards in this field, various powder analysis methods are available, with which, in principle, the same characteristics can often be measured, at least nominally. To verify the validity of these methods, three different nickel-based powders used for additive manufacturing were examined in the present study using standard methods (apparent density, tap density, Hall flow rate, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy) and advanced characterization methods (dynamic image analysis, x-ray microcomputed tomography, adsorption measurement by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method). A special focus has been given on particle size distribution, particle shape, specific surface area, and internal porosity. The results of these measurements were statistically compared. This study therefore provides an insight into the advantages and disadvantages of various optical characterization techniques.
Sea-level rise impact and future scenarios of inundation risk along the coastal plains in Campania (Italy)
Authors: Di Paola Gianluigi , Rizzo Angela , Benassai Guido , Corrado Giuseppe , Matano Fabio , Aucelli Pietro P. C.
Published: August 2021

Sea-level rise as a consequence of global warming increases the need to analyze coastal risks to conceive adaptation strategies aimed at coping with marine impacts at both short- and long-term scales. In this context, this study presents future scenarios of inundation risk evaluated along the main alluvial coastal plains of the Campania region (Italy). Due to their geomorphological and stratigraphical setting, the investigated areas are characterized by low topography and relevant but variable subsidence rates. Based on the upgrade of already published data and the new analysis of available datasets derived by multi-temporal interferometric processing of satellite Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images, future scenarios of local sea level for the years 2065 and 2100 have been evaluated coupling global projections with local subsidence trends. Furthermore, aspects related with the distribution of natural and anthropic assets, as well as the local social vulnerability, have been taken into account to calculate the overall risk. The inundation risk maps here proposed can effectively address the request to improve the knowledge of policymakers and local administrators and to raise their awareness about the potential impacts of climate change in coastal areas.
Sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer after neoadjuvant therapy using a magnetic tracer versus standard technique: A multicentre comparative non-inferiority study (IMAGINE-II)
Authors: Giménez-Climent Julia , Marín-Hernández Caridad , Fuster-Diana Carlos A. , Torró-Richart Jose A. , Navarro-Cecilia Joaquin
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Previous studies have shown that a magnetic tracer technique using superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) and a manual magnetometer (Sentimag, SM) is as effective as the standard technique using a radioisotope injection and a gamma probe (GP) for the detection of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) in breast cancer (BC) patients. This study was designed to investigate the performance of SM for post-neoadjuvant (NAT) SLN biopsy in BC patients.

Materials and methods:

Post-NAT BC patients were recruited from five centres. Readings of SLNs were recorded in transcutaneous, intraoperative and ex vivo scenarios by both GP and SM techniques. SLNs were assessed by OSNA (One-Step Nucleic Acid Amplification).

Results:

A total of 89 patients were included. At the patient level, the transcutaneous and intraoperative SLN detection rate was 97.8% by both techniques. At the node level, the GP detection rate intraoperatively was lower than that of SM (93.8% vs. 99.2%), with a concordance rate of 93% (90% CI 1.25; 9.44). The ex vivo detection rate was lower for GP compared to SM both per patient 96.6% vs. 97.8%, and per node 90.6% vs. 98.4% (90% CI -2.03; 4.22 and 1.82; 13.68, respectively). Furthermore, the detection rate of pathologically positive SLNs per patient and per node was lower for GP than SM both intraoperatively and ex vivo. These results showed the non-inferiority of SM intraoperatively per node (90% CI -4.89; 20.89) and ex vivo per patient (90% CI -2.38; 29.66).

Conclusion:

Our study showed the non-inferiority of SM compared to GP for detecting SLNs in post-NAT BC patients.

Highlights
International Business
Authors: Czinkota Michael R. , Ronkainen Ilkka A. , Gupta Suraksha
Published: August 2021

Thoroughly updated, the 9th edition of this bestselling textbook incorporates global trends and data, supported by an exemplary case selection based on firms from around the world. The internationally cited author team of Czinkota, Ronkainen, and Gupta balance conceptual understanding of business theory with the day-to-day realities of business practice, preparing students to become successful participants in the global business place. This edition brings greater focus on Asia and emerging markets, as well as Brexit, the impact of COVID-19 on business and the importance of technology and the digital space to international business practice. Through its discussion and analysis, the book guides students to a greater understanding of contemporary business issues and helps them to develop new tools of analysis. Covering all key aspects of international business, the authors emphasize a few key dimensions: international context, role of government in international business, small- and medium-sized firms, and social responsibility.
Educational inequalities in longevity in 18 OECD countries
Authors: Murtin Fabrice , Mackenbach Johan P. , Jasilionis Domantas , Mira d'Ercole Marco
Published: August 2021

This paper assesses inequality in longevity across education and gender groups in 23 OECD countries around 2011. Data on mortality rates by age, gender, educational attainment, and, for 17 countries, cause of death were collected from national sources, with similar treatment applied to all countries in order to derive comparable measures of longevity at age 25 and 65 by gender and education. These estimates show that, on average, the gap in life expectancy between high and low-educated people is 7.6 years for men and 4.8 years for women at age 25 years, and 3.6 years for men and 2.6 years for women at age 65. At the age of 25, the gap in life expectancy between high and low-educated people varies between 4.1 years (in Canada) and 13.9 years (in Hungary) for men, and between 2.5 years (in Italy) and 8.3 years (in Latvia) for women; in the United States, the gap is 10.0 years for men and 7.0 years for women. Cardiovascular diseases are the first cause of death for all gender and education groups after age 65 years, and the first cause of mortality inequality between the high and low-education elderly.
The Friendship Bench as a brief psychological intervention with peer support in rural Zimbabwean women: a mixed methods pilot evaluation
Authors: Fernando Shamiso , Brown Tim , Datta Kavita , Chidhanguro Dzivaidzo , Tavengwa Naume V. , Chandna Jaya , Munetsi Epiphania , Dzapasi Lloyd , Nyachowe Chandiwana , Mutasa Batsirai , Chasekwa Bernard , Ntozini Robert , Chibanda Dixon , Prendergast Andrew J.
Published: August 2021

Background

There is a large treatment gap for common mental disorders in rural areas of low-income countries. We tested the Friendship Bench as a brief psychological intervention delivered by village health workers (VHWs) in rural Zimbabwe.

Methods

Rural women identified with depression in a previous trial received weekly home-based problem-solving therapy from VHWs for 6 weeks, and joined a peer-support group. Depression was assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and Shona Symptom Questionnaire (SSQ). Acceptability was explored through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The proportion of women with depression pre- and post-intervention was compared using McNemar's test.

Results

Ten VHWs delivered problem-solving therapy to 27 women of mean age 33 years; 25 completed six sessions. Women valued an established and trustful relationship with their VHW, which ensured confidentiality and prevented gossip, and reported finding individual problem-solving therapy beneficial. Peer-support meetings provided space to share problems, solutions and skills. The proportion of women with depression or suicidal ideation on the EPDS declined from 68% to 12% [difference 56% (95% confidence interval (CI) 27.0–85.0);p= 0.001], and the proportion scoring high (>7) on the SSQ declined from 52% to 4% [difference 48% (95% CI 24.4–71.6);p< 0.001] after the 6-week intervention.

Conclusion

VHW-delivered problem-solving therapy and peer-support was acceptable and showed promising results in this pilot evaluation, leading to quantitative and qualitative improvements in mental health among rural Zimbabwean women. Scale-up of the Friendship Bench in rural areas would help close the treatment gap for common mental disorders.
Spreading or contraction of viscous drops between plates: single, multiple or annular drops
Authors: Moffatt H.K. , Guest Howard , Huppert Herbert E.
Published: August 2021

The behaviour of a viscous drop squeezed between two horizontal planes (a squeezed Hele-Shaw cell) is treated by both theory and experiment. When the squeezing force $F$ is constant and surface tension is neglected, the theory predicts ultimate growth of the radius $a\sim t^{1/8}$ with time $t$. This theory is first reviewed and found to be in excellent agreement with experiment. Surface tension at the drop boundary reduces the interior pressure, and this effect is included in the analysis, although it is negligibly small in the squeezing experiments. An initially elliptic drop tends to become circular as $t$ increases. More generally, the circular evolution is found to be stable under small perturbations. If, on the other hand, the force is reversed ($F<0$), so that the plates are drawn apart (the ‘contraction’, or ‘lifting plate’, problem), the boundary of the drop is subject to a fingering instability on a scale determined by surface tension. The effect of a trapped air bubble at the centre of the drop is then considered. The annular evolution of the drop under constant squeezing is still found to follow a ‘one-eighth’ power law, but this is unstable, the instability originating at the boundary of the air bubble, i.e. the inner boundary of the annulus. The air bubble is realised experimentally in two ways: first by simply starting with the drop in the form of an annulus, as nearly circular as possible; and second by forcing four initially separate drops to expand and merge, a process that involves the resolution of ‘contact singularities’ by surface tension. If the plates are drawn apart, the evolution is still subject to the fingering instability driven from the outer boundary of the annulus. This instability is realised experimentally by levering the plates apart at one corner: fingering develops at the outer boundary and spreads rapidly to the interior as the levering is slowly increased. At a later stage, before ultimate rupture of the film and complete separation of the plates, fingering spreads also from the boundary of any interior trapped air bubble, and small cavitation bubbles appear in the very low-pressure region, far from the point of leverage. This exotic behaviour is discussed in the light of the foregoing theoretical analysis.
The genus Sveltia (Gastropoda, Cancellariidae) in the Atlantic Pliocene of Iberia with a new species from the Cenozoic Mondego Basin of Portugal
Authors: Landau Bernard M. , Silva Carlos Marques da
Published: August 2021

The cancellarid genus Sveltia Jousseaume, 1887, is widespread in western European and North African Neogene marine fossil assemblages. In Pliocene deposits it is commonly represented by Sveltia varicosa (Brocchi, 1814), which until recently was considered a widely distributed taxon in the Mediterranean Sea and adjacent Atlantic faunas. A recent review of the species from the Pliocene of Italy and Spain (Guadalquivir Basin), leading to the erection of S. confusa, prompted the reassessment of the Sveltia material from the Atlantic Pliocene of the Portuguese Mondego Basin and the subsequent description of Sveltia sofiae n. sp. Consequently, a mosaic of species has emerged from what was previously viewed as the broad Atlanto-Mediterranean range of the widespread and quite variable S. varicosa. From a biogeographic standpoint, it is now clear that S. varicosa was a Mediterranean species, occurring east of the Alboran Sea. Sveltia confusa had a mainly Atlantic distribution, from the French Pliocene Ligerian Gulf to the Gulf of Cadiz, at least, and straddling the Strait of Gibraltar into the Alboran Sea. Sveltia sofiae n. sp. was endemic to western Iberia, represented today only in the western Portuguese Mondego Basin. Sveltia is a thermophilic genus. Since early Pliocene times, because of northeastern Atlantic sea surface temperature decline, it underwent a southward range contraction, occurring today—in the eastern Atlantic—from Cape Blanc, Mauritania, south. This range reduction was coupled with the post mid-Piacenzian southward contraction of the Pliocene Mediterranean-West African tropical molluscan province and the consequent rise of the present-day Mediterranean-Moroccan subtropical province.

UUID: http://zoobank.org/0cf3c73a-8d57-472e-87e4-f1ad065e5fb6.
Media Partisanship and Fundamental Corporate Decisions
Authors: Knill April , Liu Baixiao , McConnell John J.
Published: August 2021

Using the introduction of Fox News as a natural experiment, we investigate whether partisanship in television news coverage influences fundamental corporate decisions. We find that during the George W. Bush presidency, firms led by Republican-leaning managers headquartered in regions into which Fox was introduced shift upward their total investment expenditures and financial leverage. Our findings imply that in making fundamental corporate decisions, Republican-leaning managers are swayed by the Republican slant of Fox that presents an optimistic macroeconomic outlook. The results highlight the importance of heterogeneity in media slant in understanding the role of the media in corporate decision making.
A “Practically American” Canadian Woman Confronts a United States Citizen-Only Hiring Law: Katharine Short and the California Alien Teachers Controversy of 1915
Authors: Shanahan Brendan A.
Published: August 2021

In February 1915, non-citizen teachers throughout California abruptly learned that they would soon lose their jobs when state officials announced that local and county governments were required to enforce a long-forgotten anti-alien public employment law. In response, one Canadian immigrant teacher, Katharine Short, launched a diplomatic, legal, political, and public relations campaign against the policy. Earning the support of powerful (Anglo-)Canadian nationalists in wartime and a favorable depiction in California news coverage as a “practically American” Canadian woman, Short’s efforts culminated in an exemption for most immigrant teachers from the state’s nativist public employment policies. This article recovers, recounts, and contextualizes the California Alien Teachers Controversy of 1915 at the center of transformations in the political development, law, and politics of American citizenship and citizenship rights from the late-nineteenth to mid-twentieth centuries. It testifies to the growing power and powers of state governments to shape immigrants' lives and livelihoods via alienage law long into the mid-twentieth century, the rhetorical strength and courtroom limits of “right to contract” arguments in the context of anti-alien hiring and licensure disputes, and the disparate impact of these nativist laws on immigrants owing to inequalities of race, gender, and class and how those inequalities shaped the less-than-inclusive aims and strategies of Katharine Short in her campaign to alter the state's nativist public employment policies.
Internationale und deutsche Leitlinien zur Behandlung der PTBS bei Kindern und Jugendlichen
Authors: Steil Regina , Fischer Anne , Rosner Rita
Published: August 2021

Zusammenfassung. Über die Hälfte aller Kinder und Jugendlichen erleben vor ihrem 18. Geburtstag ein potentiell traumatisierendes Ereignis. Entwickeln die Betroffenen in der Folge eine posttraumatische Belastungsstörung (PTBS), wirken sich die damit verbundenen Konsequenzen häufig bis ins Erwachsenenalter aus. Klinische Leitlinien unterstützen die Behandlerinnen und Behandler bei der Auswahl geeigneter Therapien, sind aufgrund variierender Methodik und unterschiedlicher Evidenzgrundlage aber mit Interpretationsschwierigkeiten verbunden. Dieser Beitrag gibt einen Überblick über aktuelle nationale und internationale Leitlinienempfehlungen. Als Methode erster Wahl zur Behandlung der PTBS bei Kindern und Jugendlichen wird übereinstimmend Psychotherapie in Form von Traumafokussierter Kognitiver Verhaltenstherapie (Tf-KVT) und teilweise auch Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) empfohlen. Bezugspersonen sollen, wenn möglich, in die Behandlung einbezogen werden. Eine Pharmakotherapie wird nicht empfohlen. Forschungsbedarf besteht in den Bereichen der Dissemination empirisch gestützter Behandlungen, EMDR, und der Behandlung komplexer PTBS.
Navakanesh M Batmanathan: Customizing Hazard Outreach
Authors: Lee Jack
Published: August 2021

Geologist contributes to community-focused outreach in Southeast Asia.
Rebecca Charbonneau: The Future of Scientific History
Authors: Garz�n Camilo
Published: August 2021

Historian finds the liberal arts support a deeper study of science.
Variations in Cosmic Noise Absorption in Association With Equatorward Development of the Pulsating Auroral Patch: A Case Study to Estimate the Energy Spectra of Auroral Precipitating Electrons
Authors: Miyamoto Taishiro , Oyama Shin‐ichiro , Raita Tero , Hosokawa Keisuke , Miyoshi Yoshizumi , Ogawa Yasunobu , Kurita Satoshi
Published: August 2021

This study focused on a pulsating aurora event associated with aurora morphological changes in Fennoscandia in the early morning on March 7, 2017. A high‐speed sampling all‐sky camera captured equatorward development of the pulsating auroral patch in association with a substorm centered over the Greenland/North America region. Of particular interest in this event is the interconnection between the auroral intensity and the cosmic noise absorption (CNA) derived from three riometers aligned meridionally in Finland (from north to south: Ivalo, Sodankylä, and Rovaniemi). The analysis was made by dividing optical measurements into two oscillation components: longer and shorter than 40 s, that is, nonpulsating and pulsating auroral modulations. The interrelation between the auroral brightness and CNA showed a linear correlation. The inclination of the regression line changed with time depending on latitudes, which was interpreted as hardening or softening of the precipitating electron spectrum. Especially in the case of the low‐pass component, the inclination of the CNA‐vs‐intensity interrelation increased at the three riometer latitudes in the substorm recovery phase. On the other hand, for the high‐pass component, the inclination decreased at Rovaniemi (lower latitude) but remained uniform at Sodankylä (higher latitude). These features suggest that the precipitating electron spectrum has softened in the low‐pass or nonpulsating auroral component, but the spectrum has hardened in the high‐pass or pulsating auroral component on the lower latitude part of the auroral patch region. This study proposes a new application of riometer‐camera measurements to examine auroral particle precipitation.
Multicolor imaging of calcium-binding proteins in human kidney stones for elucidating the effects of proteins on crystal growth
Authors: Tanaka Yutaro , Maruyama Mihoko , Okada Atsushi , Furukawa Yoshihiro , Momma Koichi , Sugiura Yuki , Tajiri Rie , Sawada Koichi P. , Tanaka Shunichi , Takano Kazufumi , Taguchi Kazumi , Hamamoto Shuzo , Ando Ryosuke , Tsukamoto Katsuo , Yoshimura Masashi , Mori Yusuke , Yasui Takahiro
Published: August 2021

The pathogenesis of kidney stone formation includes multi-step processes involving complex interactions between mineral components and protein matrix. Calcium-binding proteins in kidney stones have great influences on the stone formation. The spatial distributions of these proteins in kidney stones are essential for evaluating the in vivo effects of proteins on the stone formation, although the actual distribution of these proteins is still unclear. We reveal micro-scale distributions of three different proteins, namely osteopontin (OPN), renal prothrombin fragment 1 (RPTF-1), and calgranulin A (Cal-A), in human kidney stones retaining original mineral phases and textures: calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) and calcium oxalate dihydrate (COD). OPN and RPTF-1 were distributed inside of both COM and COD crystals, whereas Cal-A was distributed outside of crystals. OPN and RPTF-1 showed homogeneous distributions in COM crystals with mosaic texture, and periodically distributions parallel to specific crystal faces in COD crystals. The unique distributions of these proteins enable us to interpret the different in vivo effects of each protein on CaOx crystal growth based on their physico-chemical properties and the complex physical environment changes of each protein. This method will further allow us to elucidate in vivo effects of different proteins on kidney stone formation.
Proteomics-based prognostic signature and nomogram construction of hypoxia microenvironment on deteriorating glioblastoma (GBM) pathogenesis
Authors: Wen Ya-Dan , Zhu Xiao-San , Li Dong-Jie , Zhao Qing , Cheng Quan , Peng Yun
Published: August 2021

The present study aimed to construct and evaluate a novel experiment-based hypoxia signature to help evaluations of GBM patient status. First, the 426 proteins, which were previously found to be differentially expressed between normal and hypoxia groups in glioblastoma cells with statistical significance, were converted into the corresponding genes, among which 212 genes were found annotated in TCGA. Second, after evaluated by single-variable Cox analysis, 19 different expressed genes (DEGs) with prognostic value were identified. Based on λ value by LASSO, a gene-based survival risk score model, named RiskScore, was built by 7 genes with LASSO coefficient, which were FKBP2, GLO1, IGFBP5, NSUN5, RBMX, TAGLN2 and UBE2V2. Kaplan–Meier (K–M) survival curve analysis and the area under the curve (AUC) were plotted to further estimate the efficacy of this risk score model. Furthermore, the survival curve analysis was also plotted based on the subtypes of age, IDH, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Meanwhile, immune infiltration, GSVA, GSEA and chemo drug sensitivity of this risk score model were evaluated. Third, the 7 genes expression were evaluated by AUC, overall survival (OS) and IDH subtype in datasets, importantly, also experimentally verified in GBM cell lines exposed to hypoxic or normal oxygen condition, which showed significant higher expression in hypoxia than in normal group. Last, combing the hypoxia RiskScore with clinical and molecular features, a prognostic composite nomogram was generated, showing the good sensitivity and specificity by AUC and OS. Meanwhile, univariate analysis and multivariate analysis were used for performed to identify variables in nomogram that were significant in independently predicting duration of survival. It is a first time that we successfully established and validated an independent prognostic risk model based on hypoxia microenvironment from glioblastoma cells and public database. The 7 key genes may provide potential directions for future biochemical and pharmaco-therapeutic research.