bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AI based forecasting in fast fashion industry: a review
Authors: Laaziz El Hassan
Published: June 2020

The textile and clothing sector is considered as one of the driving sectors of the Moroccan economy. It occupies a highly strategic position given the importance of its contribution in terms of growth and jobs. This sector, which is undergoing profound changes essentially linked to progressive dismantling of the Multi-Fibres arrangements (MFAs) that have governed trade long years, remains by far the largest export sector in the Moroccan industry. In this environment where competition will become more and more fierce, the ideal for a textile company is to produce exactly the products that its customers will buy. This ideal is unfortunately impossible, except in very special case where the company starts to manufacture from the receipt of the order of the client. Thus, in order to make the decisions relating to its proper functioning and to its durability, the company must rely on a reliable forecasting system. Such a system allows to achieve a competitive advantage by minimizing supply chain costs, avoiding shortages and minimizing financial losses due to the balance of unsold items.

The purpose of this article is to make a review of the literature on fashion retail sales forecasting methods. We have explored different kinds of analytical methods for fast fashion retail sales forecasting, their features and characteristics. From the reviewed literature we got a synthetic view of the pure statistical models, the pure Artificial Intelligence (AI) models, and the hybrid models.
Preparation of SiO2 particles with silicone-methoxy groups on surface and its co-curing hydroxyl silicone oil
Authors: Zhou Ran , Ma Haihong , Zhou Zhengfa , Xu Weibing , Ren Fengmei , Li Chunhui
Published: June 2020

SiO2 particles were modified by γ-aminopropyltriethoxy silane (KH550) and γ-(2,3-epoxypropoxy)propyltrimethoxy silane (KH560) in sequence to prepare SiO2 particles with silicone-methoxy groups on surface (SiO2-s-Si(OCH3)3). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to characterize the modified SiO2 particles. The SiO2-s-Si(OCH3)3 particles and tetramethoxysilane were used to co-cure hydroxyl silicone oil. The strong interfacial interactions between silicone rubber and fillers, which came from hydrolyzed SiO2-s-Si(OCH3)3 particles in situ reacting with hydroxyl silicone oil, had a great effect on the properties of composites. The mechanical properties, thermal conductivity, dielectric strength and volume resistivity of SiO2-s-Si(OCH3)3/silicone rubber composites were considerably higher than that of pristine SiO2/silicone rubber composites at the same content of SiO2, while the dielectric constant and dielectric loss tangent of SiO2-s-Si(OCH3)3/silicone rubber composites was lower than that of pristine SiO2/silicone rubber composites at the same content of SiO2.
Towards 1.6T datacentre interconnect technologies: the TWILIGHT perspective
Authors: Spyropoulou Maria , Kanakis Giannis , Jiao Yuqing , Stabile Ripalta , Calabretta Nicola , Williams Kevin , Dupuy Jean-Yves , Konczykowska Agnieszka , Schatz Richard , Ozolins Oskars , Zve{ě}řina Jakub , Žoldák Martin , Bakopoulos Paraskevas , Patronas Giannis , Avramopoulos Hercules
Published: June 2020

The transformation of datacentres to support the increasing traffic growth requires the development of new technologies to migrate to 1.6T optical transceivers and to ultra-fast high radix optical space switches. In this work, an outline of the technological perspectives of TWILIGHT project is provided in accordance with research updates and industry standards.
Optical polarization rogue waves and their identifications
Authors: Gao Lei , Wu Qiang , Cao Yulong , Wabnitz Stefan , Zhu Tao
Published: June 2020

Optical rogue waves are a class of pulses with extremely large amplitudes, whose probability of occurrence unexpectedly deviates from Gaussian-law statistics. To date, the mechanisms of rogue wave generation are still debated: investigations are under way, exploring the statistics of various pulse dimensions across different physical domains. Although polarization is one of the fundamental parameters of optical rogue waves, its statistics have received little attention until recently. Here, we review recent process of the polarization-dependent properties of optical rogue waves in ultrafast optics. Based on a two-dimensional statistical model, we introduce the concept of optical polarization rogue waves. Specifically, we consider the frequency of generation of waves with freak or rogue state of polarization, with a probability of occurrence deviating from a normal distribution. We demonstrate three nonlinear optical laser systems: a partially mode-locked laser, a dissipative soliton laser, and supercontinuum generation within a highly nonlinear fiber. Further, we identify optical polarization rogue waves in nonlinear laser systems, and discuss their generation mechanisms. Related results reveal that optical polarization rogue waves are embedded in optical systems with a deteriorated degree of coherence, which originates from vector four-wave-mixing processes. Polarization-dependent investigations will provide additional insight for our understanding of optical rogue waves.
Metasurface waves in digital optics
Authors: Luo Xiangang
Published: June 2020

Digital optics is a new discipline that aims to replace traditional curved and bulky optical elements with flat and thin ones that can be intelligently designed by a computer and be compatible with the mature semiconductor fabrication industry. Metasurface-based digital optics is characterized by enhanced or multifunctional performances, a compact footprint, and most importantly the ability to break the limitations of conventional refractive, reflective and diffractive optics. The structural inclusions on the subwavelength scale can tremendously change the light fields and give rise to novel electromagnetic modes. In particular, the coupled evanescent fields within the subwavelength structures form a special kind of wave, termed a metasurface wave (M-wave), possessing many interesting properties. This article provides a short perspective of M-waves in digital optics, with particular emphasis on the representative applications in metalenses, photolithography, and optical phased array, etc. Finally, an outlook on the generalized diffraction limit and intelligent digital optics is presented.
First principle insights of NO2 detection via III-V nitride nanoribbons with armchair edges
Authors: Yogi Rachana , Jaiswal Neeraj K
Published: June 2020

The development of low-dimensional and robust nano-sensors is an area of potential research and development. In this direction, here, we investigated the sensing of NO2 gas molecules adsorbed on the edges of III-V nitride nanoribbons with armchair edges (AXNNR, X = B/Al/Ga). Five different adsorption sites are considered for the adsorption of NO2 molecules and the adsorption assisted modulation of electronic and transport properties has been observed for detection purpose. Interestingly, a semiconducting to metallic transition has been noticed in considered AXNNR due to NO2 interaction. The selectivity of NO2 with respect to N2 is found to be higher as compared to that of O2. Further, some of the selected structures exhibit an interesting negative differential resistance (NDR) phenomenon which suggest that NO2 adsorbed AXNNR could also be useful for designing of the fast switching devices and oscillators applications.
Weakly mixing smooth planar vector field without asymptotic directions
Authors: Bakhtin Yuri , Li Liying
Published: June 2020

We construct a planar smooth weakly mixing stationary random vector field with nonnegative components such that, with probability 1, the flow generated by this vector field does not have an asymptotic direction. Moreover, for all individual trajectories, the set of partial limiting directions coincides with those spanning the positive quadrant. A modified example shows that a particle in space-time weakly mixing positive velocity field does not necessarily have an asymptotic average velocity.
A robust approach to sharp multiplier theorems for Grushin operators
Authors: Dall’Ara Gian Maria , Martini Alessio
Published: June 2020

We prove a multiplier theorem of Mihlin–Hörmander-type for operators of the form

−

Δ
x

−
V
(
x
)

Δ
y

-\Delta _x - V(x) \Delta _y

on

R

x

d
1

×

R

y

d
2

\mathbb {R}^{d_1}_x \times \mathbb {R}^{d_2}_y

, where

V
(
x
)
=

∑

j
=
1

d
1

V
j

(

x
j

)

V(x) = \sum _{j=1}^{d_1} V_j(x_j)

, the

V
j

V_j

are perturbations of the power law

t
↦

|

t

|

2
σ

t \mapsto |t|^{2\sigma }

, and

σ
∈
(
1

/

2
,
∞
)

\sigma \in (1/2,\infty )

. The result is sharp whenever

d
1

≥
σ

d
2

{d_1} \geq \sigma {d_2}

. The main novelty of the result resides in its robustness: this appears to be the first sharp multiplier theorem for nonelliptic subelliptic operators allowing for step higher than two and perturbation of the coefficients. The proof hinges on precise estimates for eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of one-dimensional Schrödinger operators, which are stable under perturbations of the potential.
The setting aside and enforcement of intra-EU investment arbitration awards after Achmea
Authors: Scheu Julian , Nikolov Petyo
Published: June 2020

By rendering its preliminary ruling in Achmea v Slovakia, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) declared intra-EU investment treaty arbitration to be incompatible with fundamental principles of the European legal order. This decision does not only illustrate the challenge of regime interaction in international economic law but is also of highest practical relevance. Diverse and critical reactions from arbitral practice and legal scholarship suggest that it will ultimately be up to the courts within and outside of the EU to clarify how the ECJ’s findings in Achmea relate to the legal fate of arbitral awards. Against this background, the aim of the present contribution is to shed light on the judgment’s legal consequences on the post-award phase. As a starting point, an analysis of the judgment finds that the ECJ’s reasoning in Achmea is applicable to investor–State dispute resolution (ISDS) clauses contained in all intra-EU investment treaties, including the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) when applied in an intra-EU context (Section 2). Based on these findings, we evaluate how the incompatibility of intra-EU investment treaty arbitration with the law of the European Union (EU law) affects setting aside proceedings (Section 3) and applications for recognition and enforcement of awards (Section 4) within and outside of the EU. We show that possible solutions may range from fully enforcing intra-EU investment awards to completely disregarding any legal effect. Evaluating the complex legal landscape applicable to both types of proceedings clearly illustrates that there is no simple ‘yes-or-no’ rule. Instead, factors such as the applicability of the ICSID Convention, the seat of the arbitral tribunal or the jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought are relevant but should not be considered in isolation. Instead, it is concluded that these factors must be considered as inter-related aspects of an analytical framework which may lead to a coherent understanding of the relationship between the European legal order and the settlement of intra-EU investment disputes (Section 5).
MDIPA: a microRNA–drug interaction prediction approach based on non-negative matrix factorization
Authors: Jamali Ali Akbar , Kusalik Anthony , Wu Fang-Xiang
Published: June 2020

Motivation

Evidence has shown that microRNAs, one type of small biomolecule, regulate the expression level of genes and play an important role in the development or treatment of diseases. Drugs, as important chemical compounds, can interact with microRNAs and change their functions. The experimental identification of microRNA–drug interactions is time-consuming and expensive. Therefore, it is appealing to develop effective computational approaches for predicting microRNA–drug interactions.

Results

In this study, a matrix factorization-based method, called the microRNA–drug interaction prediction approach (MDIPA), is proposed for predicting unknown interactions among microRNAs and drugs. Specifically, MDIPA utilizes experimentally validated interactions between drugs and microRNAs, drug similarity and microRNA similarity to predict undiscovered interactions. A path-based microRNA similarity matrix is constructed, while the structural information of drugs is used to establish a drug similarity matrix. To evaluate its performance, our MDIPA is compared with four state-of-the-art prediction methods with an independent dataset and cross-validation. The results of both evaluation methods confirm the superior performance of MDIPA over other methods. Finally, the results of molecular docking in a case study with breast cancer confirm the efficacy of our approach. In conclusion, MDIPA can be effective in predicting potential microRNA–drug interactions.

Availability and implementation

All code and data are freely available from https://github.com/AliJam82/MDIPA.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Origins of atrophy in Parkinson linked to early onset and local transcription patterns
Authors: Maia Pedro D , Pandya Sneha , Freeze Benjamin , Torok Justin , Gupta Ajay , Zeighami Yashar , Raj Ashish
Published: June 2020

There is enormous clinical value in inferring the brain regions initially atrophied in Parkinson disease for individual patients and understanding its relationship with clinical and genetic risk factors. The aim of this study is to leverage a new seed-inference algorithm demonstrated for Alzheimer’s disease to the Parkinsonian context and to cluster patients in meaningful subgroups based on these incipient atrophy patterns. Instead of testing brain regions separately as the likely initiation site for each patient, we solve an L1-penalized optimization problem that can return a more predictive heterogeneous, multi-locus seed patterns. A cluster analysis of the individual seed patterns reveals two distinct subgroups (S1 versus S2). The S1 subgroup is characterized by the involvement of the brainstem and ventral nuclei, and S2 by cortex and striatum. Post hoc analysis in features not included in the clustering shows significant differences between subgroups regarding age of onset and local transcriptional patterns of Parkinson-related genes. Top genes associated with regional microglial abundance are strongly associated with subgroup S1 but not with S2. Our results suggest two distinct aetiological mechanisms operative in Parkinson disease. The interplay between immune-related genes, lysosomal genes, microglial abundance and atrophy initiation sites may explain why the age of onset for patients in S1 is on average 4.5 years later than for those in S2. We highlight and compare the most prominently affected brain regions for both subgroups. Altogether, our findings may improve current screening strategies for early Parkinson onsetters.
Oxytocin and elderly MRI-based hippocampus and amygdala volume: a 7-year follow-up study
Authors: Orihashi Ryuzo , Mizoguchi Yoshito , Imamura Yoshiomi , Yamada Shigeto , Ueno Takefumi , Monji Akira
Published: June 2020

Oxytocin is deeply involved in human relations. In recent years, it is becoming clear that oxytocin is also involved in social cognition and social behaviour. Oxytocin receptors are also thought to be present in the hippocampus and amygdala, and the relationship between oxytocin and the structure and function of the hippocampus and amygdala has been reported. However, a few studies have investigated oxytocin and its relationship to hippocampus and amygdala volume in elderly people. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between serum oxytocin levels and hippocampus and amygdala volume in elderly people. The survey was conducted twice in Kurokawa-cho, Imari, Saga Prefecture, Japan, among people aged 65 years and older. We collected data from 596 residents. Serum oxytocin level measurements, brain MRI, Mini–Mental State Examination and Clinical Dementia Rating were performed in Time 1 (2009–11). Follow-up brain MRI, Mini–Mental State Examination and Clinical Dementia Rating were performed in Time 2 (2016–17). The interval between Time 1 and Time 2 was about 7 years. Fifty-eight participants (14 men, mean age 72.36 ± 3.41 years, oxytocin 0.042 ± 0.052 ng/ml; 44 women, mean age 73.07 ± 4.38 years, oxytocin 0.123 ± 0.130 ng/ml) completed this study. We analysed the correlation between serum oxytocin levels (Time 1) and brain volume (Time 1, Time 2 and Times 1–2 difference) using voxel-based morphometry implemented with Statistical Parametric Mapping. Analysis at the cluster level (family-wise error; P < 0.05) showed a positive correlation between serum oxytocin levels (Time 1) and brain volume of the region containing the left hippocampus and amygdala (Time 2). This result suggests that oxytocin in people aged 65 years and older may be associated with aging-related changes in hippocampus and amygdala volume.
Maternal Obesity and Risk of Early-onset Neonatal Bacterial Sepsis: Nationwide Cohort and Sibling-controlled Studies
Authors: Villamor Eduardo , Norman Mikael , Johansson Stefan , Cnattingius Sven
Published: June 2020

Background

Maternal overweight and obesity are related to risks of pregnancy and delivery complications that, in turn, are associated with newborn infections. We examined the associations between early pregnancy body mass index (BMI; kg/m2) and risk of early-onset neonatal bacterial sepsis (EOS).

Methods

We conducted a nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study of 1 971 346 live singleton infants born in Sweden between 1997 and 2016. Outcome was a culture-confirmed EOS diagnosis. We estimated hazard ratios (HR) of EOS according to BMI using proportional hazard models, and identified potential mediators. Among term infants, we conducted sibling-controlled analyses.

Results

EOS risk per 1000 live births was 1.48; 0.76 in term and 15.52 in preterm infants. Compared with infants of normal-weight mothers (BMI, 18.5–24.9), the adjusted HR (95% confidence interval [CI]) of EOS for BMI categories <18.5, 25.0–29.9, 30.0–34.9, 35.0–39.9, and ≥40.0 were, respectively, 1.07 (.83–1.40), 1.19 (1.08–1.32), 1.70 (1.49–1.94), 2.11 (1.73–2.58), and 2.50 (1.86–3.38). Maternal overweight and obesity increased the risk of EOS by group B Streptococcus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli. Half of the association was mediated through preeclampsia, cesarean section delivery, and preterm delivery. A dose-response association was consistently apparent in term infants only. In sibling-controlled analyses, every kilogram per meter squared interpregnancy BMI change was associated with a mean 8.3% increase in EOS risk (95% CI, 1.7%–15.3%; P = .01).

Conclusions

Risk of EOS increases with maternal overweight and obesity severity, particularly in term infants.
Reconstruction of Transmission Pairs for Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Mainland China: Estimation of Superspreading Events, Serial Interval, and Hazard of Infection
Authors: Xu Xiao-Ke , Liu Xiao Fan , Wu Ye , Ali Sheikh Taslim , Du Zhanwei , Bosetti Paolo , Lau Eric H Y , Cowling Benjamin J , Wang Lin
Published: June 2020

Background

Knowledge on the epidemiological features and transmission patterns of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is accumulating. Detailed line-list data with household settings can advance the understanding of COVID-19 transmission dynamics.

Methods

A unique database with detailed demographic characteristics, travel history, social relationships, and epidemiological timelines for 1407 transmission pairs that formed 643 transmission clusters in mainland China was reconstructed from 9120 COVID-19 confirmed cases reported during 15 January–29 February 2020. Statistical model fittings were used to identify the superspreading events and estimate serial interval distributions. Age- and sex-stratified hazards of infection were estimated for household vs nonhousehold transmissions.

Results

There were 34 primary cases identified as superspreaders, with 5 superspreading events occurred within households. Mean and standard deviation of serial intervals were estimated as 5.0 (95% credible interval [CrI], 4.4–5.5) days and 5.2 (95% CrI, 4.9–5.7) days for household transmissions and 5.2 (95% CrI, 4.6–5.8) and 5.3 (95% CrI, 4.9–5.7) days for nonhousehold transmissions, respectively. The hazard of being infected outside of households is higher for people aged 18–64 years, whereas hazard of being infected within households is higher for young and old people.

Conclusions

Nonnegligible frequency of superspreading events, short serial intervals, and a higher risk of being infected outside of households for male people of working age indicate a significant barrier to the identification and management of COVID-19 cases, which requires enhanced nonpharmaceutical interventions to mitigate this pandemic.
Interference and Coverage Modeling for Indoor Terahertz Communications with Beamforming Antennas
Authors: Wang Chao-Chao , Wang Wan-Liang , Yao Xin-Wei
Published: June 2020

A general framework to investigate the interference and coverage probability is proposed in this paper for indoor terahertz (THz) communications with beamforming antennas. Due to the multipath effects of THz band (0.1–10 THz), the line of sight and non-line of sight interference from users and access points (APs) (both equipped with beamforming antennas) are separately analyzed based on distance-dependent probability functions. Moreover, to evaluate the effects of obstacles in real applications, a Poisson distribution blockage model is implemented. Moreover, the coverage probability is derived by means of signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR). Numerical results are conducted to present the interference and coverage probability with different parameters, including the indoor area size, SINR threshold, numbers of interfering users and APs and half-power bandwidth of beamforming antenna.
Behavioral snake mimicry in breeding tits
Authors: Møller Anders Pape , Flensted-Jensen Einar , Liang Wei
Published: June 2020

Many animals mimic the behavior or the appearance of venomous snakes. When humans or other potential predators place their hand near the nest of tits belonging to the family Paridae (and a few other species), the incubating female performs a hissing display that mimics the inhalation hiss of a viper or another snake. They hiss vigorously while lunging their head forward and shaking their wings and tail, repeating this behavior several times. The structure of the hiss in tits is similar to that of the inhalation hiss of a snake, providing evidence of significant convergence of the mimic toward the model. The behavior of individual females is repeatable among trials. Individuals that flew away from their nest box only performed the hissing display on 6% of later trials, when present at their box, whereas individuals that did not fly away hissed on 28% of occasions, consistent with great tits Parus major either cautiously flying away or staying put on their nest while actively defending it. Individuals that flew away produced fewer chicks than individuals that stayed and hissed. The hissing display was more common when snakes were more abundant: 1) When breeding late during the season; 2) when breeding at sites with more snakes; and 3) when breeding in subtropical and tropical China with a higher abundance of snakes than in Denmark with a lower abundance. The frequency of nest predation was higher in sites with no snakes, and the frequency of predation increased with decreasing frequency of hissing display. These findings are consistent with expectations for frequency-dependent selection acting on snake mimicry.
ELF interactions in English-medium engineering classrooms
Authors: Sahan Kari
Published: June 2020

At many universities, English serves as a lingua franca (ELF) between teachers and students for whom English is not their L1. Despite the spread of English-medium instruction (EMI), empirical research on the nature of teacher–student interactions in EMI classrooms remains limited. This study examines the use of ELF in EMI engineering classes at a university in Turkey to explore how teachers and students use code-switching as a communicative strategy in classroom interactions. Data were collected and analysed using a qualitative approach. Nearly 14 hours of classroom observation data were collected from three lecturers and analysed according to patterns of classroom interaction and language use. The findings suggest that teachers and students prioritize communicative efficiency over an adherence to monolingual, NS norms in classroom interactions. Pedagogical implications are discussed for ELT specialists tasked with preparing students for academic study in English and supporting content lecturers in EMI settings.
Does Perceived Ageism Widen the Digital Divide? And Does It Vary by Gender?
Authors: Choi Eun Young , Kim Youngsun , Chipalo Edson , Lee Hee Yun
Published: June 2020

Background and Objectives

Existing literature presents a widening digital divide among older adults in addition to the consideration of the potential adverse impacts of ageism on internet use among the older adult population. Our study aimed to investigate (a) whether older adults’ perceived ageism will be associated with their use of the internet and (b) whether the relationship between perceived ageism and internet use will be moderated by age groups and binary gender.

Research Design and Methods

Using the data from the 2016 Health and Retirement Study, regression analyses were separately performed by gender. Two measures of perceived ageism were considered: (a) self-perception of aging and (b) perceived age discrimination.

Results

Our findings suggested that greater exposure to ageism is generally related to less use of the internet. In addition, we found divergent patterns in the relationship between ageism and internet use by gender. For women, a lower level of internet use was predicted by more negative perceptions of aging, whereas men’s internet use was associated with the experience of age discrimination. Furthermore, interaction effects between age groups and ageism varied across gender. The negative perception of aging was more strongly associated with less internet use in older women than middle-aged women. In comparison, the perceived age discrimination predicted less internet use in middle-aged men than older men.

Discussion and Implications

Our findings suggest that perceived ageism is significantly associated with internet use, and its association differs by gender.
Multiple Caregivers, Many Minds: Family Discord and Caregiver Outcomes
Authors: Xu Jiayun , Liu Pi-Ju , Beach Scott
Published: June 2020

Background and Objectives

Family caregivers often have other family members helping to provide care. The purpose of our study was to examine relationships between care coordination quality among family members and the following caregiver outcomes: caregiver mental health (depressive symptoms, anxiety), social activity restrictions, and caregiver burden.

Research Design and Methods

Secondary analysis was conducted using data from the 2017 Pittsburgh Regional Caregivers’ Survey. Six hundred and fifty-five caregivers who had other family members helping with care reported discordance in care coordination, depressive symptoms, anxiety, social activity restrictions, caregiving burden, and covariates such as demographics and known risk factors for negative caregiver outcomes. We used multiple logistic regression and negative binominal expansion models in the analysis.

Results

Discordant care coordination was associated with higher levels of caregiver depressive symptoms (p < .001), anxiety (p < .01), social activity restriction (p < .001), and caregiver burden (p < .001) after controlling for known risk factors.

Discussion and Implications

We found that lower quality of family care coordination was associated with negative caregiver outcomes. Future research should further investigate the dynamics of family care coordination and impacts on both caregivers and care recipients. The results suggest that caregiver interventions attempting to understand and decrease care coordination discord should be a priority.
Patterns and Predictors of Transitions Across Residential Care Settings and Nursing Homes Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in the United States
Authors: Chyr Linda C , Drabo Emmanuel F , Fabius Chanee D
Published: June 2020

Background and Objectives

Older adults prefer to age in place, but sociodemographic, health, and socioeconomic factors may influence their decision to remain in the community. Guided by Andersen’s behavioral model, we characterize incident transitions out of the community into residential care settings or nursing homes and identify predictors of these transitions.

Research Design and Methods

Study participants include 2,725 (weighted n = 13,704,390) community-dwelling U.S. older adults of the National Health and Aging Trends Study from 2011 to 2018. We examined the associations between sociodemographic, socioeconomic, and health factors and the probability of transition using a multinomial logit model.

Results

Over the study period, 86.2% of older adults remained in the community, whereas 9.0% and 4.9% transitioned to residential care settings and nursing homes, respectively. Older age, living alone, having functional and cognitive limitations, and hospitalization were associated with increased risk of transitioning to residential care settings or nursing homes from the community. Blacks and Hispanics were less likely to transition to residential care settings or nursing homes. Adults with lower income had a greater risk of transitioning to nursing homes. Medicaid enrollment did not affect the likelihood of transition.

Discussion and Implications

Majority of older adults remained in the community, and incident transition to residential care settings was more common than to nursing homes. Policy should target sociodemographic, health, and socioeconomic factors that enable older adults to age in place. Future work should examine whether these new residential care settings enhance the quality of life or result in subsequent transitions back into the community.
Patients’ views of routine quality of life assessment following a diagnosis of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Pompili Cecilia , Boele Florien , Absolom Kate , Holch Patricia , Clayton Beverly , Smyllie Emma , Franks Kevin , Velikova Galina
Published: June 2020

OBJECTIVES

There is an increasing interest in the quality of life (QoL) evaluation following video-assisted thoracoscopic anatomical lung resection or stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy for early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A qualitative interview study was conducted to gain insight into the optimal methods of assessing and discussing QoL in clinical practice.

METHODS

A prospective observational longitudinal study of patients with early-stage NSCLC was conducted where repeated QoL measures were administered either online or on paper. A subset of participants was invited for qualitative interviews after the 6-month assessment or at the end of the study. The semi-structured interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed.

RESULTS

Twenty-three patients were interviewed. Generally, patients were content with recruitment and data collection procedures. Most opted to complete the assessments on paper instead of online; this choice was influenced by the level of technology literacy. Some found the questionnaires too generic to reflect their experiences. Barriers to questionnaire completion were mostly practical, and many acknowledged benefits of QoL assessment including allowing them to express problems and health issues, and following changes over time. Generally, participants would like to discuss QoL results during clinical consultations, but reported this rarely happened.

CONCLUSIONS

Lung cancer patient interviews confirm the acceptability of repeated QoL assessments, but online data capture is limited. Patients highlight the importance of discussing QoL aspects with their clinical team. Future strategies are needed to optimize the routine collection of patient-reported outcomes in clinical practice.
Abbreviated Screening Breast MRI in Women at Higher-than-Average Risk for Breast Cancer with Prior Normal Full Protocol MRI
Authors: Plaza Michael J , Perea Elizabeth , Sanchez-Gonzalez Marcos A
Published: June 2020

Objective

To compare the performance of abbreviated screening breast MRI (ABMR) versus full protocol MRI (FPMR) in women at higher-than-average risk for breast cancer with a prior normal FPMR.

Methods

ABMR was performed on higher-than-average-risk women who had a prior normal FPMR. ABMR protocol consisted of short inversion time inversion recovery imaging, precontrast, and two early postcontrast sequences acquired in under 10 minutes. Retrospective review of ABMR examinations performed from July 2016 to July 2018 was compared with a control group who underwent routine screening with FPMR who had a prior normal FPMR performed from July 2014 to June 2016. Screening outcome metrics were calculated and compared, adjusting for differences in patient demographics.

Results

The study cohort included 481 ABMR examinations, while the control group included 440 FPMR studies. There was no significant difference in the abnormal interpretation rate (AIR) or cancer detection rate (CDR) for the ABMR versus the FPMR group (AIR 6.0% vs 6.8% respectively, odds ratio (OR) 0.91, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.53–1.5, P = 0.73; CDR 8.3 vs 11 cancers detected per 1000 examinations respectively, OR 0.73, 95% CI: 0.20–2.7, P = 0.64). The PPV2 and PPV3 for the ABMR group was 19% and 21% versus 16% and 16% for the FPMR group, with no statistical difference. Sensitivity was 100% in each group with no interval cancers. There was no difference in specificity between the ABMR and FPMR groups, 93% versus 94%, respectively (P = 0.73).

Conclusion

ABMR may be used to screen higher-than-average-risk women with a prior normal FPMR as outcome metrics are equivalent to FPMR.
Implementation of UN Treaty Body Decisions: A Brief Insight for Practitioners
Authors: Principi Kate Fox
Published: June 2020

The United Nations human rights treaty bodies are independent bodies of experts tasked with monitoring the implementation by states parties of human rights treaties. These bodies monitor the implementation of treaties, inter alia, by making decisions on allegations of individual human rights violations under the individual complaints procedures (these decisions are officially referred to as ‘Views’). The number of complaints to the treaty bodies has increased exponentially since the first complaint was examined by the Human Rights Committee in 1977 and is expected to continue to rise. At the same time, a backlog in cases has increased, as resources have never matched the rise in cases to be considered. In addition, decisions in which the treaty bodies find violations of human rights are not always implemented—that is, states do not necessarily grant the victim of the violation the remedy prescribed by the treaty body examining the case. This current situation is taking place against a global backdrop of increased criticism of human rights: a global pushback against human rights, including from states which have been heretofore human rights supportive. Surely, the response from supporters of human rights should be to reinforce the importance and universality of the treaties as the foundation of human rights norms. This article seeks to demonstrate one way to do so by focusing on implementation of treaty body decisions in individual cases.
Counterparts of Far Eastern Guest Stars: Novae, supernovae, or something else?
Authors: Hoffmann Susanne M , Vogt Nikolaus
Published: June 2020

Historical observations of transients are crucial for studies of their long-term evolution. This paper forms part of a series of papers in which we develop methods for the analysis of ancient data of transient events and their usability in modern science. Prior research on this subject by other authors has focused on looking for historical supernovae and our earlier work focused on cataclysmic binaries as classical novae. In this study we consider planetary nebulae, symbiotic stars, supernova remnants, and pulsars in the search fields of our test sample. We present the possibilities for these object types to flare up visually, give a global overview on their distribution, and discuss the objects in our search fields individually. To summarize our results, we provide a table of the most likely identifications of the historical sightings in our test sample and outline our method in order to apply it to further historical records in future works. Highlights of our results include a re-interpretation of two separate sightings as one supernova observation from May 667 to June 668 CE, the remnant of which could possibly be SNR G160.9+02.6. We also suggest the recurrent nova U Sco as a candidate for the appearance observed between Scorpius and Ophiuchus in 891, which could point towards a long-term variability of eruption amplitudes. In addition, we find that the ‘shiny bright’ sighting in 1431 can be linked to the symbiotic binary KT Eri, which erupted as a naked eye classical nova in 2009.
NLTE spectral analysis of the intermediate helium-rich subdwarf B star CPD−20°1123
Authors: Löbling L
Published: June 2020

Subdwarf B (sdB) stars are core helium-burning stars with stratified atmospheres. Their atmospheres are dominated by hydrogen (H) while the helium (He) and metal abundances are shaped by an interplay of gravitational settling and radiative levitation. However, a small fraction of these show spectra dominated by He i absorption lines. In between these groups of He-deficient and extreme He-rich sdBs, some are found to have intermediate surface He abundances. These objects are proposed to be young ‘normal’ (He-deficient) sdBs for which the dynamical stratification of the atmosphere is still ongoing. We present an analysis of the optical spectrum of such an intermediate He-rich sdB, namely CPD−20°1123, by means of non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE) stellar atmosphere models. It has a He-to-H number ratio of He/H = 0.13 ± 0.05 and its effective temperature of $\mbox{$T_\mathrm{eff}$} = 25\, 500 \pm 1000 \, \mathrm{K}$ together with a surface gravity of $\log \, (g$ / cm s−2) = 5.3 ± 0.3 places the star close to the high-temperature edge until which it may be justified to use LTE model atmospheres. This work states a test of the Tübingen NLTE Model Atmosphere Package for this temperature regime. We present the first application of revised, elaborated model atoms of low ionization stages of light metals usable with this atmosphere code.
miR-130b regulates gap junctional intercellular communication through connexin 43 in granulosa cells from patients with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Jiang Linlin , Huang Hui , Qian Yifan , Li Yu , Chen Xiaoli , Di Na , Yang Dongzi
Published: June 2020

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding RNAs that negatively regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. We explored whether connexin 43 (Cx43) was differently expressed in luteinized granulosa cells from women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) compared with luteinized granulosa cells from women with a normal menstrual cycle, and whether certain miRNAs regulate the Cx43 level and gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC). The miRNA profile was investigated in ovarian cortex tissues from five women with PCOS and five women without PCOS using a miRNA microarray. The levels of miR-130b and Cx43 mRNA were measured using real-time PCR in human luteinized granulosa cells from 20 women with PCOS and 25 women without PCOS. Protein and mRNA expression analysis and luciferase assays were conducted to confirm the substrate of miR-130b. PCOS ovarian cortex showed differential expression of miRNAs compared with non-PCOS ovarian cortex. Furthermore, miR-130b levels were increased in PCOS ovarian cortex and in luteinized granulosa cells compared with those in women with normal menstrual cycles, whereas the level of Cx43 mRNA, the identified target of miR-130b, was decreased in granulosa cells from patients with PCOS. Overexpression of miR-130b in a granulosa cell line resulted in reduced Cx43 protein levels and inhibited GJIC using scrape loading and dye transfer assay. Meanwhile, inhibition of miR-130b increased the Cx43 level. In conclusion, miR-130b was increased in PCOS granulosa cells, where it targets Cx43 to affect GJIC. The results of the present study suggested that miR-130b, via post-transcriptional regulation of Cx43, is involved in the pathophysiology of PCOS, which provides new insight into the pathological mechanism of PCOS.
Small-molecule sensitization of RecBCD helicase–nuclease to a Chi hotspot-activated state
Authors: Karabulut Ahmet C , Cirz Ryan T , Taylor Andrew F , Smith Gerald R
Published: June 2020

Coordinating multiple activities of complex enzymes is critical for life, including transcribing, replicating and repairing DNA. Bacterial RecBCD helicase–nuclease must coordinate DNA unwinding and cutting to repair broken DNA. Starting at a DNA end, RecBCD unwinds DNA with its fast RecD helicase on the 5′-ended strand and its slower RecB helicase on the 3′-ended strand. At Chi hotspots (5′ GCTGGTGG 3′), RecB’s nuclease cuts the 3′-ended strand and loads RecA strand-exchange protein onto it. We report that a small molecule NSAC1003, a sulfanyltriazolobenzimidazole, mimics Chi sites by sensitizing RecBCD to cut DNA at a Chi-independent position a certain percent of the DNA substrate's length. This percent decreases with increasing NSAC1003 concentration. Our data indicate that NSAC1003 slows RecB relative to RecD and sensitizes it to cut DNA when the leading helicase RecD stops at the DNA end. Two previously described RecBCD mutants altered in the RecB ATP-binding site also have this property, but uninhibited wild-type RecBCD lacks it. ATP and NSAC1003 are competitive; computation docks NSAC1003 into RecB’s ATP-binding site, suggesting NSAC1003 acts directly on RecB. NSAC1003 will help elucidate molecular mechanisms of RecBCD-Chi regulation and DNA repair. Similar studies could help elucidate other DNA enzymes with activities coordinated at chromosomal sites.
What binds us? Inter-brain neural synchronization and its implications for theories of human consciousness
Authors: Valencia Ana Lucía , Froese Tom
Published: June 2020

The association between neural oscillations and functional integration is widely recognized in the study of human cognition. Large-scale synchronization of neural activity has also been proposed as the neural basis of consciousness. Intriguingly, a growing number of studies in social cognitive neuroscience reveal that phase synchronization similarly appears across brains during meaningful social interaction. Moreover, this inter-brain synchronization has been associated with subjective reports of social connectedness, engagement, and cooperativeness, as well as experiences of social cohesion and ‘self-other merging’. These findings challenge the standard view of human consciousness as essentially first-person singular and private. We therefore revisit the recent controversy over the possibility of extended consciousness and argue that evidence of inter-brain synchronization in the fastest frequency bands overcomes the hitherto most convincing sceptical position. If this proposal is on the right track, our understanding of human consciousness would be profoundly transformed, and we propose a method to test this proposal experimentally.
A fast and versatile cross-linking strategy via o-phthalaldehyde condensation for mechanically strengthened and functional hydrogels
Authors: Zhang Zhen , He Chaoliang , Rong Yan , Ren Hui , Wang Tianran , Zou Zheng , Chen Xuesi
Published: June 2020

Fast and catalyst-free cross-linking strategy is of great significance for construction of covalently cross-linked hydrogels. Here, we report the condensation reaction between o-phthalaldehyde (OPA) and N-nucleophiles (primary amine, hydrazide and aminooxy) for hydrogel formation for the first time. When four-arm poly(ethylene glycol) (4aPEG) capped with OPA was mixed with various N-nucleophile-terminated 4aPEG as building blocks, hydrogels were formed with superfast gelation rate, higher mechanical strength and markedly lower critical gelation concentrations, compared to benzaldehyde-based counterparts. Small molecule model reactions indicate the key to these cross-links is the fast formation of heterocycle phthalimidine product or isoindole (bis)hemiaminal intermediates, depending on the N-nucleophiles. The second-order rate constant for the formation of phthalimidine linkage (4.3 M−1 s−1) is over 3000 times and 200 times higher than those for acylhydrazone and oxime formation from benzaldehyde, respectively, and comparable to many cycloaddition click reactions. Based on the versatile OPA chemistry, various hydrogels can be readily prepared from naturally derived polysaccharides, proteins or synthetic polymers without complicated chemical modification. Moreover, biofunctionality is facilely imparted to the hydrogels by introducing amine-bearing peptides via the reaction between OPA and amino group.
Omega-3 fats in pregnancy: could a targeted approach lead to better metabolic health for children?
Authors: Satokar Vidit V , Cutfield Wayne S , Cameron-Smith David , Albert Benjamin B
Published: June 2020

The prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing worldwide, and the children of women who are obese during pregnancy are at greatest risk. This risk may be mediated by exaggeration of the normal insulin resistance of pregnancy. Omega-3 (n-3) fats are insulin sensitizing. Supplementation during pregnancy may reduce metabolic risk and adiposity in the children. Though results from animal studies are encouraging, completed clinical trials have not demonstrated this benefit. However, to our knowledge, previous studies have not targeted women who are overweight or obese while pregnant—the group at greatest risk for insulin resistance and most likely to benefit from n-3. In this narrative review, the importance of performing clinical trials restricted to women who are overweight or obese is discussed, as is the potential importance of n-3 dose, oil source and quality, and the timing of the intervention.
National Survey of US HIV Clinicians: Knowledge and Attitudes About the Affordable Care Act and Opinions of its Impact on Quality of Care and Barriers to Care
Authors: McManus Kathleen A , Ferey Joshua , Farrell Elizabeth , Dillingham Rebecca
Published: June 2020

Background

The Affordable Care Act’s (ACA’s) major reforms started in 2014. In addition to assessing HIV clinicians’ ACA knowledge and attitudes, this study aims to evaluate HIV clinicians’ perspectives on whether the ACA has impacted the quality of HIV care and whether it addresses the main barriers to HIV care.

Methods

HIV clinicians were emailed a survey weblink in 2018. Descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U tests, and binary logistic regression were performed.

Results

Of the 211 survey participants, the majority (70%) answered all 4 knowledge questions correctly. About 80% knew correctly whether their state had expanded Medicaid. Participants from Medicaid expansion states were more likely to report an improved ability to provide high-quality care compared with participants from Medicaid nonexpansion states (50% vs 34%; P = .01). The average response to whether the ACA addresses the main barriers to HIV care was neutral and did not differ based on Medicaid status. The top 3 main barriers to HIV care cited were mental health, substance use, and transportation.

Conclusions

HIV clinicians in Medicaid expansion states were more likely to report an improved ability to provide high-quality care since ACA implementation compared with those in Medicaid nonexpansion states. However, HIV clinicians across the United States are concerned that the ACA does not address the main barriers to HIV care. To be successful, the “Ending the HIV Epidemic” initiative should address these identified barriers.