bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How telemedicine integrated into China’s anti-COVID-19 strategies: case from a National Referral Center
Authors: Li Peiyi , Liu Xiaoyu , Mason Elizabeth , Hu Guangyu , Zhou Yongzhao , Li Weimin , Jalali Mohammad S
Published: August 2020

Introduction

We present the integration of telemedicine into the healthcare system of West China Hospital of Sichuan University (WCH), one of the largest hospitals in the world with 4300 inpatient beds, as a means for maximising the efficiency of healthcare delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Implemented on 22 January 2020, the telemedicine technology allowed WCH providers to conduct teleconsultations, telerounds, teleradiology and tele-intensive care unit, which in culmination provided screening, triage and treatment for COVID-19 and other illnesses. To encourage its adoption, the government and the hospital publicised the platform on social media and waived fees.

Discussion

From 1 February to 1 April 2020, 10557 online COVID-19 consultations were conducted for 6662 individuals; meanwhile, 32676 patients without COVID completed virtual follow-ups. We discuss that high-quality, secure, affordable and user-friendly telemedical platforms should be integrated into global healthcare systems to help decrease the transmission of the virus and protect healthcare providers from infection.
Impact of smoking on the income level of Chinese urban residents: a two-wave follow-up of the China Family Panel Study
Authors: Wei Han , Zhong Zhigang , Yang Lian , Yao Tingting , Huang Shiyao , Mao Zhengzhong
Published: August 2020

Objectives

This study attempts to analyse the impact of smoking on the income level of Chinese urban residents to provide a reference for creating informed regulations on cigarette smoking.

Design

A population-based cohort study.

Method

Two waves of panel data in 2014 and 2016 from the China Family Panel Study were used. A total of 8025 urban adults were identified. The Hausman–Taylor model was used to analyse the theoretical relationship between smoking and income.

Results

The percentage of current smokers decreased from 27.39% (2014) to 26.24% (2016), while the percentage of former smokers rose from 9.78% to 11.78%. The results from the Hausman–Taylor model showed that current smokers and former smokers are associated with statistically significant decrease in the income of urban residents of 37.70% and 44.00%, respectively, compared with that of non-smokers. After eliminating the impact of smoking on income, the poverty rate among urban residents decreased from 15.33% to 13.63%.

Conclusions

Smoking can significantly reduce the income of Chinese urban residents, resulting in immense negative impacts on Chinese society. Therefore, the government should raise the tax rate on tobacco, include smoking cessation treatment in medical insurance coverage, promote publicity campaigns on the awareness of tobacco hazards and encourage smokers to quit smoking early.
Validation methods for global and local positioning-based athlete monitoring systems in team sports: a scoping review
Authors: Luteberget Live Steinnes , Gilgien Matthias
Published: August 2020

Background/Objective

Global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) and local positioning systems (LPS) are to date common tools to measure external training load in athletes. The aim of this scoping review was to map out and critically appraise the methods used to validate different GNSS and LPS used in team sports.

Method

A total of 48 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the review. The reference systems applied in the validations, and the parameters investigated were extracted from the studies.

Results

The results show a substantial range of reference systems used to validate GNSS and LPS and a substantial number of investigated parameters. The majority of the validation studies have employed relatively simple field-based research designs, with use of measure tape/known distance as reference measure for distance. Timing gates and radar guns were frequently used as reference system for average and peak speed. Fewer studies have used reference system that allow for validation of instantaneous dynamic position, such as infrared camera-based motion capture systems.

Conclusions

Because most validation studies use simple and cost-effective reference systems which do not allow to quantify the exact path athletes travel and hence misjudge the true path length and speed, caution should be taken when interpreting the results of validation studies, especially when comparing results between studies. Studies validating instantaneous dynamic position-based measures is warranted, since they may have a wider application and enable comparisons both between studies and over time.
Evaluation of indicators supporting reproducibility and transparency within cardiology literature
Authors: Anderson J Michael , Wright Bryan , Rauh Shelby , Tritz Daniel , Horn Jarryd , Parker Ian , Bergeron Daniel , Cook Sharolyn , Vassar Matt
Published: August 2020

Objectives

It has been suggested that biomedical research is facing a reproducibility issue, yet the extent of reproducible research within the cardiology literature remains unclear. Thus, our main objective was to assess the quality of research published in cardiology journals by assessing for the presence of eight indicators of reproducibility and transparency.

Methods

Using a cross-sectional study design, we conducted an advanced search of the National Library of Medicine catalogue for publications in cardiology journals. We included publications published between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2019. After the initial list of eligible cardiology publications was generated, we searched for full-text PDF versions using Open Access, Google Scholar and PubMed. Using a pilot-tested Google Form, a random sample of 532 publications were assessed for the presence of eight indicators of reproducibility and transparency.

Results

A total of 232 eligible publications were included in our final analysis. The majority of publications (224/232, 96.6%) did not provide access to complete and unmodified data sets, all 229/232 (98.7%) failed to provide step-by-step analysis scripts and 228/232 (98.3%) did not provide access to complete study protocols.

Conclusions

The presentation of studies published in cardiology journals would make reproducing study outcomes challenging, at best. Solutions to increase the reproducibility and transparency of publications in cardiology journals is needed. Moving forward, addressing inadequate sharing of materials, raw data and key methodological details might help to better the landscape of reproducible research within the field.
MM2-type sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: new diagnostic criteria for MM2-cortical type
Authors: Hamaguchi Tsuyoshi , Sanjo Nobuo , Ae Ryusuke , Nakamura Yosikazu , Sakai Kenji , Takao Masaki , Murayama Shigeo , Iwasaki Yasushi , Satoh Katsuya , Murai Hiroyuki , Harada Masafumi , Tsukamoto Tadashi , Mizusawa Hidehiro , Yamada Masahito
Published: August 2020

Objective

To clinically diagnose MM2-cortical (MM2C) and MM2-thalamic (MM2T)-type sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD) at early stage with high sensitivity and specificity.

Methods

We reviewed the results of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease Surveillance Study in Japan between April 1999 and September 2019, which included 254 patients with pathologically confirmed prion diseases, including 9 with MM2C-type sCJD (MM2C-sCJD) and 10 with MM2T-type sCJD (MM2T-sCJD), and 607 with non-prion diseases.

Results

According to the conventional criteria of sCJD, 4 of 9 patients with MM2C- and 7 of 10 patients with MM2T-sCJD could not be diagnosed with probable sCJD until their death. Compared with other types of sCJD, patients with MM2C-sCJD showed slower progression of the disease and cortical distribution of hyperintensity lesions on diffusion-weighted images of brain MRI. Patients with MM2T-sCJD also showed relatively slow progression and negative results for most of currently established investigations for diagnosis of sCJD. To clinically diagnose MM2C-sCJD, we propose the new criteria; diagnostic sensitivity and specificity to distinguish ‘probable’ MM2C-sCJD from other subtypes of sCJD, genetic or acquired prion diseases and non-prion disease controls were 77.8% and 98.5%, respectively. As for MM2T-sCJD, clinical and laboratory features are not characterised enough to develop its diagnostic criteria.

Conclusions

MM2C-sCJD can be diagnosed at earlier stage using the new criteria with high sensitivity and specificity, although it is still difficult to diagnose MM2T-sCJD clinically.
Instruments of health and harm: how the procurement of healthcare goods contributes to global health inequality
Authors: Trueba Mei L , Bhutta Mahmood F , Shahvisi Arianne
Published: August 2020

Many healthcare goods, such as surgical instruments, textiles and gloves, are manufactured in unregulated factories and sweatshops where, amongst other labour rights violations, workers are subject to considerable occupational health risks. In this paper we undertake an ethical analysis of the supply of sweatshop-produced surgical goods to healthcare providers, with a specific focus on the National Health Service of the United Kingdom. We contend that while labour abuses and occupational health deficiencies are morally unacceptable in the production of any commodity, an additional wrong is incurred when the health of certain populations is secured in ways that endanger the health and well-being of people working and living elsewhere. While some measures have been taken to better regulate the supply chain to healthcare providers in the UK, further action is needed to ensure that surgical goods are sourced from suppliers who protect the labour and occupational health rights of their workers.
Towards a personalised treatment approach for asthma attacks
Authors: Martin Matthew J , Beasley Richard , Harrison Tim W
Published: August 2020

Asthma attacks (exacerbations) are common, accounting for over 90 000 UK hospital admissions per annum. They kill nearly 1500 people per year in the UK, have significant associated direct and indirect costs and lead to accelerated and permanent loss of lung function. The recognition of asthma as a heterogeneous condition with multiple phenotypes has revolutionised the approach to the long-term management of the condition, with greater emphasis on personalised treatment and the introduction of the treatable traits concept. In contrast asthma attacks are poorly defined and understood and our treatment approach consists of bronchodilators and systemic corticosteroids. This review aims to explore the current limitations in the description, assessment and management of asthma attacks. We will outline the risk factors for attacks, strategies to modify this risk and describe the recognised characteristics of attacks as a first step towards the development of an approach for phenotyping and personalising the treatment of these critically important events. By doing this, we hope to gradually improve asthma attack treatment and reduce the adverse effects associated with recurrent courses of corticosteroids.
Respiratory follow-up of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia
Authors: George Peter M , Barratt Shaney L , Condliffe Robin , Desai Sujal R , Devaraj Anand , Forrest Ian , Gibbons Michael A , Hart Nicholas , Jenkins R Gisli , McAuley Danny F , Patel Brijesh V , Thwaite Erica , Spencer Lisa G
Published: August 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented surge in hospitalised patients with viral pneumonia. The most severely affected patients are older men, individuals of black and Asian minority ethnicity and those with comorbidities. COVID-19 is also associated with an increased risk of hypercoagulability and venous thromboembolism. The overwhelming majority of patients admitted to hospital have respiratory failure and while most are managed on general wards, a sizeable proportion require intensive care support. The long-term complications of COVID-19 pneumonia are starting to emerge but data from previous coronavirus outbreaks such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) suggest that some patients will experience long-term respiratory complications of the infection. With the pattern of thoracic imaging abnormalities and growing clinical experience, it is envisaged that interstitial lung disease and pulmonary vascular disease are likely to be the most important respiratory complications. There is a need for a unified pathway for the respiratory follow-up of patients with COVID-19 balancing the delivery of high-quality clinical care with stretched National Health Service (NHS) resources. In this guidance document, we provide a suggested structure for the respiratory follow-up of patients with clinicoradiological confirmation of COVID-19 pneumonia. We define two separate algorithms integrating disease severity, likelihood of long-term respiratory complications and functional capacity on discharge. To mitigate NHS pressures, virtual solutions have been embedded within the pathway as has safety netting of patients whose clinical trajectory deviates from the pathway. For all patients, we suggest a holistic package of care to address breathlessness, anxiety, oxygen requirement, palliative care and rehabilitation.
Evaluating how licensing-law strategies will impact disparities in tobacco retailer density: a simulation in Ohio
Authors: Craigmile Peter F , Onnen Nathaniel , Schwartz Elli , Glasser Allison , Roberts Megan E
Published: August 2020

Objectives

To assess tobacco licensing-law strategies (eg, restricting the sale of tobacco near schools, banning the sale of tobacco in pharmacies) in terms of the equity of their impact and ability to correct existing disparities in tobacco retailer density.

Methods

We geocoded all 11 392 tobacco retailers in Ohio, categorised neighbourhoods based on their demographic characteristics and calculated current disparities in tobacco retailer density. We next simulated the four main types of licensing-law strategies (capping-based, declustering-based, school-based and pharmacy-based), as well as strategy combinations. Finally, using statistical methods that account for residual spatial dependence, we evaluated how each strategy would impact density disparities.

Findings

The most impactful licensing-law strategy depended on the type of community. School-based reductions were equitable for low-income, African–American and urban neighbourhoods (eg, eliminating retailers from 1000 feet of all schools produced a 9.2% reduction in the log retailer rate for neighbourhoods with a low prevalence of African–Americans and a 17.7% reduction for neighbourhoods with a high prevalence of African–Americans). Conversely, capping-based reductions were equitable for rural neighbourhoods. Pharmacy-based reductions demonstrated inequitable impacts.

Conclusion

Licensing-law strategies could be a central tobacco control effort that benefits both the overall population and vulnerable communities. Policymakers will need to consider their community’s characteristics when selecting licensing-law strategies to correct (rather than inadvertently widen) density disparities. But when matched with the appropriate strategy, high-risk communities could remove over 20% of their tobacco retailers.
Investigation of pathological haemorrhage in Maine Coon cats
Authors: O'Halloran Conor , Cerna Petra , Breheny Craig , Reed Nicki , Rolph Kerry , Cade Sue , Jones Jaimie , Brown Richard Arthur Llewellyn , Slade Suzy , Papasouliotis Kostas , Gunn‐Moore Danielle
Published: August 2020

Objective

Afibrinogenaemic haemorrhage was previously reported in a Maine Coon cat. Two littermates subsequently died from surgical non‐haemostasis, suggesting a hereditable coagulopathy.

Methods

We prospectively recruited cats which were: a) Maine Coons with pathological haemorrhage (group 1, n=8), b) healthy familial relatives of group 1 (group 2, n=13) and c) healthy Maine Coons unrelated to groups 1 and 2 (group 3, n=12). Coagulation tests: prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and thrombin clotting time (TCT) were performed on citrated plasma along with quantification of fibrinogen. Routine haematological examination was performed on EDTA‐anticoagulated blood collected contemporaneously.

Results

Thirty‐three blood samples were analysed. Fibrinogen concentrations were significantly reduced in groups 1 (P<0.01) and 2 (P<0.01) compared with group 3. Similarly, TCT was found to be significantly extended in group 1 (P<0.01) and group 2 (P=0.02) with respect to group 3.

Conclusions

Dysfibrinogenaemia was identified in clinical cases and their healthy relatives, suggesting that this may represent a hereditary condition of Maine Coon cats. Clinicians should be aware of the increased potential for non‐haemostasis in this cat breed and consider assessing clotting function before (elective) surgery.
Roger Courtney Martin
Authors: Martin Mathew , Carr Tom
Published: August 2020

A countryman vet who loved his job so much that he claimed never to have done a day’s work.
Oral nitrate reduction is not impaired after training in chlorinated swimming pool water in elite swimmers
Authors: Rowland Samantha N. , Chessor Richard , French George , Robinson George P. , O’Donnell Emma , James Lewis J. , Bailey Stephen J.
Published: August 2020

This study tested the hypothesis that exposure to chlorine-sterilised pool water would impair oral nitrate reduction (ONR). ONR was assessed in elite swimmers before and after morning and afternoon pool-based training. Nonswimmers were only assessed in the morning. ONR was similar in swimmers and nonswimmers (P = 1.000) and unchanged before and after morning and afternoon training (P ≥ 0.341). Therefore, exposure to chlorinated pool water does not interfere with ONR.

Novelty Exposure to chlorine-sterilised pool water does not impair oral nitrate reduction in elite swimmers.
Barriers and facilitators of physical activity participation in adults living with type 1 diabetes: a systematic scoping review
Authors: Brennan Marian C. , Brown Janie A. , Ntoumanis Nikos , Leslie Gavin D.
Published: August 2020

To identify and map barriers and facilitators of physical activity (PA) in adults living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in any care setting or environment. A scoping review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines to address the aim of this review. Exclusion/inclusion criteria were determined a priori. Articles captured in the search were subject to title and abstract screening before full-text articles were assessed for eligibility against the exclusion/inclusion criteria. Included articles underwent critical appraisal before being charted, mapped, and discussed. Forty-six articles were included in the final synthesis. Most commonly, articles reported cross-sectional survey studies (46%), then qualitative designs (17%), and opinion or text (17%). Experimental studies accounted for 13% of included articles. Hypoglycaemia/fear of hypoglycaemia was the most commonly reported barrier and patient education the most commonly discussed facilitator. Quality appraisal revealed methodological issues among included articles. Higher quality research with theoretically sound behaviour-change interventions combined with targeted patient education is needed to address hypoglycaemia/fear of hypoglycaemia as a barrier to PA.

Novelty: Hypoglycaemia and fear of hypoglycaemia were the most commonly reported barriers to PA in adults with T1D. Powered randomised controlled trials are required to establish efficacy of behaviour change interventions targeting these barriers to PA.
Projected economic losses from milk performance detriments under heat stress in Quebec dairy herds
Authors: Ouellet V. , Grenier P. , Santschi D.E. , Cabrera V.E. , Fadul-Pacheco L. , Charbonneau É.
Published: August 2020

The objective of this study was to estimate economic losses associated with milk performance detriments under different climate scenarios. A dataset containing milk records of Holstein and daily temperature–humidity indexes compiled over 6 yr in two contrasting climatic dairy regions of Quebec [eastern (EQ) and southwestern Quebec (SWQ)] was used to develop equations for modeling milk performance. Milk performance, including milk, fat, protein, and lactose yields of dairy herds (kg·d−1), were then projected considering six plausible climate scenarios during a climatic reference period (REF: 1971–2000) and two future periods (FUT1: 2020–2049; FUT2: 2050–2079). Economic losses were assessed by comparing future to reference milk prices based on components. Results indicated that fat and protein yields could decline in the future, thus resulting in economic losses ranging from $5.34 to $7.07 CAD·hL−1 in EQ and from $5.03 to $6.99 CAD·hL−1 in SWQ, depending on the amplitude of future temperature and humidity changes and on whether it is milk quota or cow number which is adjusted to avoid under-quota production. The projected increase in occurrence and duration of heat stress episodes under climate change could result in substantial financial harm for producers, thereby reinforcing the necessity of implementing heat-abatement strategies on dairy farms.
Study on low vibration isolator arrangement of marine gearboxes based on an impedance model
Authors: Ren Yafeng , Chang Shan , Liu Geng
Published: August 2020

To reduce the underwater noise of ships, gearboxes are usually flexibly installed on the ship’s foundation. A reasonable isolator arrangement can effectively reduce the vibration transmitted from the gears to the foundation. In this paper, a dynamic model of a single-stage vibration-isolated gear system is established based on an impedance synthesis approach. This model is a multiple degrees of freedom, multi-mount, and flexible model that can take into account the local stiffness of the housing and foundation. By studying the influence of installation span, installation offset, and number of isolators on the vibrations of the ship’s foundation, it was determined that reducing isolator span is beneficial to isolation, increasing isolator offset can slightly reduce vibration, increasing the number of isolators does not always increase vibration, and the local stiffness characteristics of the housing and foundation have a greater influence than other factors on the isolation performance.
Measurement of deuteron carbon vector analyzing powers in the kinetic energy range 170–380 MeV
Authors: Müller F. , Żurek M. , Bagdasarian Z. , Barion L. , Berz M. , Ciepal I. , Ciullo G. , Dymov S. , Eversmann D. , Gaisser M. , Gebel R. , Grigoryev K. , Grzonka D. , Hejny V. , Hempelmann N. , Hetzel J. , Hinder F. , Kacharava A. , Kamerdzhiev V. , Keshelashvili I. , Koop I. , Kulikov A. , Lehrach A. , Lenisa P. , Lomidze N. , Lorentz B. , Maanen P. , Macharashvili G. , Magiera A. , Mchedlishvili D. , Nass A. , Nikolaev N. N. , Pesce A. , Prasuhn D. , Pretz J. , Rathmann F. , Rolando V. , Rosenthal M. , Saleev A. , Schmidt V. , Senichev Y. , Shergelashvili D. , Shmakova V. , Silenko A. , Slim J. , Soltner H. , Stahl A. , Stassen R. , Stephenson E. , Ströher H. , Tabidze M. , Tagliente G. , Talman R. , Trinkel F. , Uzikov Yu. , Valdau Yu. , Valetov E. , Weidemann C. , Wrońska A. , Wüstner P.
Published: August 2020

A measurement of vector analyzing powers in elastic deuteron-carbon scattering has been performed at the Cooler Synchrotron COSY of Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany. Seven kinetic beam energies between 170 and 380 MeV have been used. A vector-polarized beam from a polarized deuteron source was injected, accelerated to the final desired energy and stored in COSY. A thin needle-shaped diamond strip was used as a carbon target, onto which the beam was slowly steered. Elastically scattered deuterons were identified in the forward direction using various layers of scintillators and straw tubes. Where data exist in the literature (at 200 and 270 MeV), excellent agreement of the angular shape was found. The beam polarization of the presented data was deduced by fitting the absolute scale of the analyzing power to these references. Our results extend the world data set and are necessary for polarimetry of future electric dipole moment searches at storage rings. They will as well serve as an input for theoretical description of polarized hadron-hadron scattering.
Ward identity determination of $$Z_{\mathrm {S}}/Z_{\mathrm {P}}$$ for $$N_{\mathrm {f}}=3$$ lattice QCD in a Schrödinger functional setup
Authors: Heitger Jochen , Joswig Fabian , Vladikas Anastassios
Published: August 2020

We derive chiral Ward identities for lattice QCD with Wilson quarks and$$N_{\mathrm{f}}\ge 3$$Nf≥3flavours, on small lattices with Schrödinger functional boundary conditions and vanishingly small quark masses. These identities relate the axial variation of the non-singlet pseudoscalar density to the scalar one, thus enabling the non-perturbative determination of the scale-independent ratio$$Z_{\mathrm {S}}/Z_{\mathrm {P}}$$ZS/ZPof the renormalisation parameters of these operators. We obtain results for$$N_{\mathrm{f}}=3$$Nf=3QCD with tree-level Symanzik-improved gluons and Wilson-Clover quarks, for bare gauge couplings which cover the typical range of large-volume$$N_{\mathrm{f}}= 2+1$$Nf=2+1simulations with Wilson fermions at lattice spacings below$$0.1\,$$0.1fm. The precision of our results varies from 0.3 to 1%, except for the coarsest lattice, where it is 2%. We discuss how the$$Z_{\mathrm {S}}/Z_{\mathrm {P}}$$ZS/ZPratio can be used in the non-perturbative calculations of$${\mathrm {O}}(a)$$O(a)improved renormalised quark masses.
FOREIGN TECHNOLOGY LICENSING AND FIRM INNOVATION IN ASEAN: THE MODERATING ROLE OF EMPLOYEE TRAINING AND R&D
Authors: NGUYEN-VAN DUNG , CHANG CHIA-HUA
Published: August 2020

The study investigates the role of foreign technology licensing and the moderating effects of employee training and research and development (R&D) on the foreign technology licensing–innovation relationship in Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). This research focus is important because prior works on this research stream tend to concentrate on large economies such as China, while little has been done to examine this issue at the firm level in the ASEAN context. Moreover, no empirical studies to date have investigated the moderating effect of employee training, as a proxy for absorptive capacity, on the foreign technology licensing–firm innovation relationship. The study utilizes several novel ordinal regression models to address some popular limitations of the standard ordinal regression model. In addition, the propensity score matching (PSM) method is utilized to account for the endogeneity problem. The study is based on data from the Enterprise Surveys conducted by the World Bank in 2015–2016. The empirical results reveal that foreign technology licensing is positively associated with innovation at a higher degree of radicalness. Furthermore, both employee training and R&D positively moderate the foreign technology licensing–innovation relationship.
Brief review on thin films, perovskite solar cells and nanostructure’s applications
Authors: Mosavi Amirhosein , Gorji Nima E.
Published: August 2020

In this brief review, we studied the development milestones of thin film photovoltaics (PV) made of CdTe, CIGS, CZTS and perovskite materials and expanded the discussion to the application of graphene and nanotube in the architecture of these devices. Thin film solar cells are alternative for Si-based PVs and reached a comparable performance to Si PVs. However, they mostly suffer from instability in device and performance and thus several research groups considered the application of graphene and nanostructure carbon materials as conductive electrodes of such devices. The stability of such devices has been the main barrier on up-scaling the cell to module level despite the performance being beaten 23% so far. For emerging perovskite solar cells, the main approach of the researchers is to protect the perovskite layer from moisture and humidity degradation by bringing the protective layers such as graphene and nanotubes or carbon deviations into the devices structure. It has been revealed that graphene’s excellent heat dissipation and thermal conductivity can reduce the moisture reaction with perovskite layer which promises device stability at air.
Desi Fusion and the Lyall Farm Store: The Challenges of Balancing Profits, Tradition and Social Responsibility in a Rapidly Developing India
Authors: Dhaliwal Amandeep
Published: August 2020

This case is about an Indian female entrepreneur, Ms.Pavit Sidhu Puri, who was attempting to profitably create opportunities for impoverished women producing traditional hand-crafted products and environmentally-friendly, homemade traditional Indian delicacies. She was CEO of 2 businesses — Lyall Farm Store (LFS) and Desi Fusion (DF). LFS was established by Gursharan Kaur in 2004. It mainly dealt in traditional hand-made food items likes herbs, spices, pickles and other staple foods, while DF was launched in 2011 by Pavit Sidhu Puri, the daughter in law of Gursharan Kaur. DF’s products gave a modern twist to the traditional Phulkari (the handmade embroidery work of the Punjab) by converting it into products like laptop and mobile covers, handbags, wines covers and tissue boxes. Both businesses have been doing very well. They have been profitable so far, but the number of orders had been decreasing. They have encountered problems involving sourcing the right raw material, ensuring the availability of labor keeping the costs low, as well as creating awareness and acceptance among customers. After the death of Gursharan Kaur, Pavit was left alone to surmount the problems at both companies. She had inherited a legacy and as well as initiated her own venture. Now she was at a juncture where she had to overcome the present problems and place both ventures on growth trajectory.
Fake Galois actions
Authors: Farrell Niamh , Ruhstorfer Lucas
Published: August 2020

We prove that for all non-abelian finite simple groups [Formula: see text], there exists a fake [Formula: see text]th Galois action on [Formula: see text] with respect to [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the universal covering group of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is any non-negative integer coprime to the order of [Formula: see text]. This is one of the two inductive conditions needed to prove an [Formula: see text]-modular analogue of the Glauberman–Isaacs correspondence.
Keeping CALM
Authors: Hellerstein Joseph M. , Alvaro Peter
Published: August 2020

In distributed systems theory, CALM presents a result that delineates the frontier of the possible.
Interaction and architecture is dead.
Authors: Wiberg Mikael
Published: August 2020

Interaction design is increasingly about embedding interactive technologies in our built environment; architecture is increasingly about the use of interactive technologies to reimagine and dynamically repurpose our built environment. This forum focuses on this intersection of interaction and architecture. ---
Mikael Wiberg, Editor
Designing for aspirations
Authors: Toyama Kentaro
Published: August 2020

This is a forum for perspectives on designing for communities marginalized by economics, social status, infrastructure, or policies. It will discuss design methods, theoretical and conceptual contributions, and methodological engagements for underserved communities.
--- Nithya Sambasivan, Editor
Machine Learning-based Defect Coverage Boosting of Analog Circuits under Measurement Variations
Authors: Xama Nektar , Andraud Martin , Gomez Jhon , Esen Baris , Dobbelaere Wim , Vanhooren Ronny , Coyette Anthony , Gielen Georges
Published: August 2020

Safety-critical and mission-critical systems, such as airplanes or (semi-)autonomous cars, are relying on an ever-increasing number of embedded integrated circuits. Consequently, there is a need for complete defect coverage during the testing of these circuits to guarantee their functionality in the field. In this context, reducing the escape rate of defects during production testing is crucial, and significant progress has been made to this end. However, production testing using automatic test equipment is subject to various measurement parasitic variations, which may have a negative impact on the testing procedure and therefore limit the final defect coverage. To tackle this issue, this article proposes an improved test flow targeting increased analog defect coverage, both at the system and block levels, by analyzing and improving the coverage of typical functional and structural tests under these measurement variations. To illustrate the flow, the technique of inserting a pseudo-random signal at available circuit nodes and applying machine learning techniques to its response is presented. A DC-DC converter, derived from an industrial product, is used as a case study to validate the flow. In short, results show that system-level tests for the converter suffer strongly from the measurement variations and are limited to just under 80% coverage, even when applying the proposed test flow. Block-level testing, however, can achieve only 70% fault coverage without improvements but is able to consistently achieve 98% of fault coverage at a cost of at most 2% yield loss with the proposed machine learning–based boosting technique.
It's alive!
Authors: Mone Gregory
Published: August 2020

Scientists and engineers cross the reality gap, transferring simulated evolution into real machines.
AI on edge
Authors: Greengard Samuel
Published: August 2020

Shifting artificial intelligence to the "edge" of the network could transform computing… and everyday life.
Flood-risk analysis on terrains
Authors: Lowe Aaron , Agarwal Pankaj K. , Rav Mathias
Published: August 2020

An important problem in terrain analysis is modeling how water flows across a terrain and creates floods by filling up depressions. In this paper, we study a number of
flood-risk
related problems: given a terrain
Σ
, represented as a triangulated
xy
-monotone surface with
n
vertices, a rain distribution R, and a volume of rain Ψ, determine which portions of
Σ
are flooded. We give an overview of efficient algorithms for these problems as well as explore the efficacy and efficiency of these algorithms on real terrains.
The Rules of Attraction: The Necessary Role of Animal Cognition in Explaining Conservation Failures and Successes
Authors: Greggor Alison L. , Berger-Tal Oded , Blumstein Daniel T.
Published: August 2020

Integrating knowledge and principles of animal behavior into wildlife conservation and management has led to some concrete successes but has failed to improve conservation outcomes in other cases. Many conservation interventions involve attempts to either attract or repel animals, which we refer to as approach/avoidance issues. These attempts can be reframed as issues of manipulating the decisions animals make, which are driven by their perceptual abilities and attentional biases, as well as the value animals attribute to current stimuli and past learned experiences. These processes all fall under the umbrella of animal cognition. Here, we highlight rules that emerge when considering approach/avoidance conservation issues through the lens of cognitive-based management. For each rule, we review relevant conservation successes and failures to better predict the conditions in which behavior can be manipulated, and we suggest how to avoid future failures.
The Impact of Medical Malpractice Reforms
Authors: Liu Jing , Hyman David A.
Published: August 2020

This article evaluates the effects of medical malpractice reform on claiming, malpractice premiums, physician supply, and defensive medicine. We conclude that damage caps materially reduce claim frequency, payouts per claim, and total payouts. The effects of damage caps on malpractice premiums, physician supply, and defensive medicine are more modest. It is difficult to quantify the impact of reforms other than damage caps—partly because reforms are typically adopted as a package deal, and partly because of the limitations of the available data. We close by identifying three areas that would benefit from more research.
Comparison of the effects of soluble corn fiber and fructooligosaccharides on metabolism, inflammation, and gut microbiome of high-fat diet-fed mice
Authors: Van Hul Matthias , Karnik Kavita , Canene-Adams Kirstie , De Souza Mervyn , Van den Abbeele Pieter , Marzorati Massimo , Delzenne Nathalie M. , Everard Amandine , Cani Patrice D.
Published: August 2020

Dietary fibers are essential components of a balanced diet and have beneficial effects on metabolic functions. To gain insight into their impact on host physiology and gut microbiota, we performed a direct comparison of two specific prebiotic fibers in mice. During an 8-wk follow up, mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) were compared with mice on a normal diet (basal condition, controls) and to mice fed the HFD but treated with one of the following prebiotics: fructooligosaccharides (FOS) or soluble corn fiber (SCF). Both prebiotic fibers led to a similar reduction of body weight and fat mass, lower inflammation and improved metabolic parameters. However, these health benefits were the result of different actions of the fibers, as SCF impacted energy excretion, whereas FOS did not. Interestingly, both fibers had very distinct gut microbial signatures with different short-chain fatty acid profiles, indicating that they do not favor the growth of the same bacterial communities. Although the prebiotic potential of different fibers may seem physiologically equivalent, our data show that the underlying mechanisms of action are different, and this by targeting different gut microbes. Altogether, our data provide evidence that beneficial health effects of specific dietary fibers must be documented to be considered a prebiotic and that studies devoted to understanding how structures relate to specific microbiota modulation and metabolic effects are warranted.
Caloric restriction recovers impaired β-cell-β-cell gap junction coupling, calcium oscillation coordination, and insulin secretion in prediabetic mice
Authors: Corezola do Amaral Maria Esméria , Kravets Vira , Dwulet JaeAnn M. , Farnsworth Nikki L. , Piscopio Robert , Schleicher Wolfgang E. , Miranda Jose Guadalupe , Benninger Richard K. P.
Published: August 2020

Caloric restriction can decrease the incidence of metabolic diseases, such as obesity and Type 2 diabetes mellitus. The mechanisms underlying the benefits of caloric restriction involved in insulin secretion and glucose homeostasis are not fully understood. Intercellular communication within the islets of Langerhans, mediated by Connexin36 (Cx36) gap junctions, regulates insulin secretion dynamics and glucose homeostasis. The goal of this study was to determine whether caloric restriction can protect against decreases in Cx36 gap junction coupling and altered islet function induced in models of obesity and prediabetes. C57BL6 mice were fed with a high-fat diet (HFD), showing indications of prediabetes after 2 mo, including weight gain, insulin resistance, and elevated fasting glucose and insulin levels. Subsequently, mice were submitted to 1 mo of 40% caloric restriction (2 g/day of HFD). Mice under 40% caloric restriction showed reversal in weight gain and recovered insulin sensitivity, fasting glucose, and insulin levels. In islets of mice fed the HFD, caloric restriction protected against obesity-induced decreases in gap junction coupling and preserved glucose-stimulated calcium signaling, including Ca2+oscillation coordination and oscillation amplitude. Caloric restriction also promoted a slight increase in glucose metabolism, as measured by increased NAD(P)H autofluorescence, as well as recovering glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. We conclude that declines in Cx36 gap junction coupling that occur in obesity can be completely recovered by caloric restriction and obesity reversal, improving Ca2+dynamics and insulin secretion regulation. This suggests a critical role for caloric restriction in the context of obesity to prevent islet dysfunction.
Salicylate administration suppresses the inflammatory response to nutrients and improves ovarian function in polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: González Frank , Mather Kieren J. , Considine Robert V. , Abdelhadi Ola A. , Acton Anthony J.
Published: August 2020

Oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation are often present in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We examined the effects of salsalate treatment on nutrient-induced OS and inflammation, ovarian androgen secretion, ovulation, and insulin sensitivity in PCOS. Eight lean insulin-sensitive women with PCOS and eight age- and body composition-matched ovulatory controls for baseline comparison participated in the study. The women with PCOS underwent a 12-wk treatment of salsalate, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, at a dose of 3 g daily. Markers of OS and inflammation were quantified in mononuclear cells (MNC) and plasma from blood drawn fasting and 2 h after saturated fat ingestion before and after treatment. Ovarian androgen secretion was assessed from blood drawn fasting and 24, 48, and 72 h after human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) administration before and after treatment. Ovulation was documented based on biphasic basal body temperatures and luteal range progesterone elevations. A two-step pancreatic clamp was performed pre- and posttreatment to measure basal endogenous glucose production (EGP) and the steady-state glucose disposal rate (GDR) during the euglycemic phase and markers of OS and inflammation in MNC and plasma during the hyperglycemic phase. Salsalate administration suppressed lipid- and glucose-stimulated reactive oxygen species generation, activated nuclear factor-κB and circulating tumor necrosis factor-α, normalized basal androgen levels, and lowered HCG-stimulated androgen secretion without altering EGP or GDR. Four salsalate-treated subjects responded with two consecutive ovulations. We conclude that in PCOS, salsalate-induced suppression of OS and inflammation ameliorates ovarian androgen hypersecretion and may induce ovulation while maintaining insulin action.
Elevated plasma lactate levels via exogenous lactate infusion do not alter resistance exercise-induced signaling or protein synthesis in human skeletal muscle
Authors: Liegnell Rasmus , Apró William , Danielsson Sebastian , Ekblom Björn , van Hall Gerrit , Holmberg Hans-Christer , Moberg Marcus
Published: August 2020

Lactate has been implicated as a potential signaling molecule. In myotubes, lactate incubation increases mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1)- and ERK-signaling and induces hypertrophy, indicating that lactate could be a mediator of muscle adaptations to resistance exercise. However, the potential signaling properties of lactate, at rest or with exercise, have not been explored in human tissue. In a crossover design study, 8 men and 8 women performed one-legged resistance exercise while receiving venous infusion of saline or sodium lactate. Blood was sampled repeatedly, and muscle biopsies were collected at rest and at 0, 90, and 180 min and 24 h after exercise. The primary outcomes examined were intracellular signaling, fractional protein synthesis rate (FSR), and blood/muscle levels of lactate and pH. Postexercise blood lactate concentrations were 130% higher in the Lactate trial (3.0 vs. 7.0 mmol/L, P < 0.001), whereas muscle levels were only marginally higher (27 vs. 32 mmol/kg dry wt, P = 0.003) compared with the Saline trial. Postexercise blood pH was higher in the Lactate trial (7.34 vs. 7.44, P < 0.001), with no differences in intramuscular pH. Exercise increased the phosphorylation of mTORS2448 (∼40%), S6K1T389 (∼3-fold), and p44T202/T204 (∼80%) during recovery, without any differences between trials. FSR over the 24-h recovery period did not differ between the Saline (0.067%/h) and Lactate (0.062%/h) trials. This study does not support the hypothesis that blood lactate levels can modulate anabolic signaling in contracted human muscle. Further in vivo research investigating the impact of exercised versus rested muscle and the role of intramuscular lactate is needed to elucidate its potential signaling properties.
Biomechanics of diastolic dysfunction: a one-dimensional computational modeling approach
Authors: Kadry Karim , Pagoulatou Stamatia , Mercier Quentin , Rovas Georgios , Bikia Vasiliki , Müller Hajo , Adamopoulos Dionysios , Stergiopulos Nikolaos
Published: August 2020

This study uses a complete and validated computational model of the cardiovascular system to simulate the two main pathologies involved in diastolic dysfunction (DD), i.e., abnormal active relaxation and increased ventricular diastolic stiffness. The three phenotypes of DD were successfully replicated according to literature data. We elucidate the biomechanical effect of the relaxation pathologies involved and how these pathologies interact to create the various phenotypes of DD.
Pattern-Reversal Visual Evoked Potentials Tests in Persons with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with and without Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Al-Najjar Raghda S. , Al-Aubody Nehaya M. , Al-Asadi Salah Z. , Alabbood Majid
Published: August 2020

Background. Currently, diabetic retinopathy (DR) has a wide recognition as a neurovascular rather than a microvascular diabetic complication with an increasing need for enhanced detection approaches. Pattern-reversal visual evoked potentials (PRVEPs) test, as an objective electrophysiological measure of the optic nerve and retinal function, can be of great value in the detection of diabetic retinal changes. Objectives. The use of two sizes of checkerboard PRVEPs testing to detect any neurological changes in persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with and without a clinically detected DR. Also, to compare the results according to the candidate age, duration, and glycemic status of T2DM. Methods. This study included 50 candidates as group A with T2DM and did not have a clinically detected DR and 50 candidates as group B with T2DM and had a clinically detected early DR and 50 candidates as controls who were neither diabetic nor had any other medical or ophthalmic condition that might affect PRVEPs test results. The PRVEPs were recorded in the consultant unit of ophthalmology in Almawani Teaching Hospital. Monocular PRVEPs testing of both eyes was done by using large (60 min) and small (15 min) checks to measure N75 latency and P100 latency and amplitude. Results. There was a statistically significant P100 latency delay and P100 amplitude reduction in both groups A and B in comparison with the controls. The difference between groups A and B was also significant. In both test results of groups A and B, the proportions of abnormal P100 latency were higher than those of P100 amplitude with a higher abnormal proportions in 15 min test. Conclusions. The PRVEP test detected neurological changes, mainly as conductive alterations affecting mostly the foveal region prior to any overt DR clinical changes, and these alterations were heightened by the presence of DR clinical changes.