bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Machine learning in patient flow: a review
Authors: El-Bouri Rasheed , Taylor Thomas , Youssef Alexey , Zhu Tingting , Clifton David A
Published: January 2021

This work is a review of the ways in which machine learning has been used in order to plan, improve or aid the problem of moving patients through healthcare services. We decompose the patient flow problem into four subcategories: prediction of demand on a healthcare institution, prediction of the demand and resource required to transfer patients from the emergency department to the hospital, prediction of potential resource required for the treatment and movement of inpatients and prediction of length-of-stay and discharge timing. We argue that there are benefits to both approaches of considering the healthcare institution as a whole as well as the patient by patient case and that ideally a combination of these would be best for improving patient flow through hospitals. We also argue that it is essential for there to be a shared dataset that will allow researchers to benchmark their algorithms on and thereby allow future researchers to build on that which has already been done. We conclude that machine learning for the improvement of patient flow is still a young field with very few papers tailor-making machine learning methods for the problem being considered. Future works should consider the need to transfer algorithms trained on a dataset to multiple hospitals and allowing for dynamic algorithms which will allow real-time decision-making to help clinical staff on the shop floor.
Algebraicity of the metric tangent cones and equivariant K-stability
Authors: Li Chi , Wang Xiaowei , Xu Chenyang
Published: January 2021

We prove two new results on the

K
K

-polystability of

Q

\mathbb {Q}

-Fano varieties based on purely algebro-geometric arguments. The first one says that any

K
K

-semistable log Fano cone has a special degeneration to a uniquely determined

K
K

-polystable log Fano cone. As a corollary, we combine it with the differential-geometric results to complete the proof of Donaldson-Sun’s conjecture which says that the metric tangent cone of any point appearing on a Gromov-Hausdorff limit of Kähler-Einstein Fano manifolds depends only on the algebraic structure of the singularity. The second result says that for any log Fano variety with the torus action,

K
K

-polystability is equivalent to equivariant

K
K

-polystability, that is, to check

K
K

-polystability, it is sufficient to check special test configurations which are equivariant under the torus action.
Morroniside promotes the osteogenesis by activating PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling
Authors: Liu Hui , Li Xi , Lin Jingui , Lin Miaokuo
Published: January 2021

Morroniside exerts a proosteogenic effect, which can prevent bone loss. However, the detailed mechanism underlying Morroniside-regulated bone formation is unclear. Morroniside can maintain cell homeostasis by promoting PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling. The purpose of this study is to explore the significance of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling in Morroniside-regulated osteogenesis. The results showed that Morroniside promoted the activities of PI3K, Akt, and mTOR in osteoblast precursor MC3T3-E1. The differentiation of MC3T3-E1 to mature osteoblasts promoted by Morroniside can be reversed by the pharmacological inhibition of PI3K or mTOR. Importantly, in the presence of Morroniside, the osteoblast differentiation suppressed by PI3K inhibitor was reversed by mTOR overexpression. In vivo assays showed that in bone tissue of ovariectomized mice, Morroniside-enhanced osteoblast formation was reversed by the pharmacological inhibition of PI3K or mTOR. In conclusion, Morroniside can promote the osteogenesis through PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling, which provides a novel clue for the strategy of Morroniside in treating osteoporosis.
Fish oil suppresses obesity more potently in lean mice than in diet-induced obese mice but ameliorates steatosis in such obese mice
Authors: Okue Sachiko , Ishikawa Eimi , Nakahara Ren , Ito Tsubasa , Okura Takumi , Sakae Mana , Miura Atsushi , Ozaki-Masuzawa Yori , Hosono Takashi , Seki Taiichiro
Published: January 2021

This study sought to clarify the antiobesity effects of fish oil (FO) in terms of prevention and amelioration. An isocaloric diet composed of lard or FO was given to lean C57BL/6J mice for the study of prevention and high-fat diet-induced obese (DIO) mice for the study of amelioration for 4 weeks. Body weight gain and food efficiency were potently suppressed by FO in lean mice compared to lard diet-fed mice. Uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1) expression in inguinal white adipose tissue (WAT) was also significantly induced by FO in lean mice. FO also suppressed body weight gain and food efficiency in DIO mice but did not reduce body weight. FO ameliorated liver steatosis in DIO mice by mildly inducing UCP-1 in inguinal WAT. FO suppressed obesity more potently in lean mice than in DIO mice but ameliorated steatosis in the DIO mice.
Investing in crime prevention after the crisis: Social impact bonds, the value of (re) offending and the new ‘culture of crime control’
Authors: Williams James W , Treffers Stefan
Published: January 2021

A recurring theme of criminal justice reform in the years following the financial crisis of 2008 has been the costs of incarceration and the effort to reduce correctional populations. This paper examines one aspect of this post-crisis landscape: the social impact bond (SIB). First piloted in Peterborough prison in 2010, SIBs use private investment to fund social programs with governments paying a return if these programs are successful. Drawing from research on SIBs in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom, the paper explores this effort to turn (re)offending into an investment, its challenges and how SIBs reveal a financial ‘style of reasoning’ that is re-shaping the ‘culture of crime control’ with critical implications for providers, programs and participants.
What is the Unit of Empowerment? An Ecological Perspective
Authors: Skene Keith R
Published: January 2021

This article sets out to examine the meaning of empowerment in social work theory and approaches this task by asking what is the unit of empowerment? The article begins by exploring the spectrum of definitions of empowerment and of power, recognising the latter as the root concept of empowerment. Three units of empowerment are then identified: the individual, societal and ecological. Two forms of ecological empowerment, weak and strong, are detailed. It is then argued that empowerment is best understood from a strong ecological perspective. We define ecological empowerment as the liberation of the Earth system, so as to optimise its functioning, and, in turn, empower all levels of its organisation, including societies and individuals. The article ends with an exploration of the implications of such integration at a policy level relating to all actors in a social work setting.
Pitchfork’s authenticity problem: the critical reception of Vampire Weekend and Lil Wayne
Authors: Murray Margaret
Published: January 2021

This article turns a critical eye on the arguments deployed by Pitchfork, one of the most popular music websites, when reviewing two artists: Vampire Weekend and Lil Wayne. Rhetorically analyzing the reception of these two artists is illuminating because both had indie breakouts in 2008, both release genre-spanning music, and both have had over a decade of commercial success. However, Vampire Weekend’s whiteness enables them to benefit from authenticity tropes that are unavailable to Lil Wayne. The analysis will show how Lil Wayne is essentialized as a rapper who is unauthorized to move beyond that genre. Overall, this article examines authenticity as the rhetorical move by which exclusion is constructed and highlights how assumptions about the relationship between race and performance are key to arguments about artistry.
Management of Severe and Severe/Complicated Clostridoides difficile Infection Using Sequential Fecal Microbiota Transplant by Retention Enema
Authors: Rupawala Abbas Hatim , Gachette Darrel , Bakhit Mena , Jimoh Lanre , Kelly Colleen R
Published: January 2021

We evaluated serial fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) by retention enema in patients with severe or severe/complicated Clostridoides difficile infection (CDI) unresponsive to at least 48 hours of standard antibiotic therapy. Of the 15 patients included, despite initial improvement in most patients, only 5 patients sustained cure at 30 days, and serious adverse events occurred in 4 patients.
Spinning the legs and blood: should intradialytic exercise be routinely offered during maintenance haemodialysis?
Authors: Graham-Brown Matthew P M , Herrington William G , Burton James O
Published: January 2021

Patients with end-stage kidney disease on haemodialysis (HD) have an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). These patients also experience high levels of physical deconditioning and programmes of rehabilitation have been tested in a variety of forms with variable success. It has been suggested that programmes of exercise rehabilitation have a role to play in improving the physical condition of patients on HD and in addressing the traditional and non-traditional risk factors that drive CVD for this population. Intradialytic exercise has often been suggested as a convenient way of delivering rehabilitation for patients on HD, as it makes use of otherwise dead time, but there are legitimate concerns about this group of at-risk patients undertaking exercise at a time when their myocardium is already vulnerable to the insults of demand ischaemia from the processes of dialysis and ultrafiltration. A study in this issue of Clinical Kidney Journal provides reassuring data, showing that cycling during dialysis potentially reduces evidence of demand ischaemia (episodes of myocardial stunning). Together with the safety and quality of life data, we expect from the multicentre PrEscription of Intra-Dialytic Exercise to Improve quAlity of Life in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease study (the protocol for which is published concurrently), rehabilitation programmes that include intradialytic exercise are perhaps closer than ever for patients on HD.
Chemical Characterization and Quantification of Circulating Intact PTH and PTH Fragments by High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry in Chronic Renal Failure
Authors: Kritmetapak Kittrawee , Losbanos Louis A , Hines Jolaine M , O’Grady Katherine L , Ulmer Candice Z , Vesper Hubert W , Enders Felicity T , Singh Ravinder J , Kumar Rajiv
Published: January 2021

Background

The precise concentrations of full-length parathyroid hormone (PTH1-84) and the identity and concentrations of PTH fragments in patients with various stages of chronic renal failure are unknown.

Methods

We developed a liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) method to characterize and quantify PTH1-84 and PTH fragments in serum of 221 patients with progressive renal dysfunction. Following capture by matrix-bound amino-terminal or carboxyl-terminal region-specific antibodies and elution from matrix, PTH1-84 and PTH fragments were identified and quantitated using LC-HRMS. PTH was simultaneously measured using an intact PTH (iPTH) immunoassay.

Results

Full-length PTH1-84 and 8 PTH fragments (PTH28-84, 34-77, 34-84, 37-77, 37-84, 38-77, 38-84, and 45-84) were unequivocally identified and were shown to increase significantly when an eGFR declined to ≤17-23 mL/min/1.73m2. Serum concentrations of PTH1-84 were similar when measured by LC-HRMS following capture by amino-terminal or carboxyl-terminal immunocapture methods. In patients with an eGFR of <30 mL/min/1.73 m2, serum PTH concentrations measured using LC-HRMS were significantly lower than PTH measured using an iPTH immunoassay. PTH7-84 and oxidized forms of PTH1-84 were below the limit of detection (30 and 50 pg/mL, respectively).

Conclusions

LC-HRMS identifies circulating PTH1-84, carboxyl-terminal PTH fragments, and mid-region PTH fragments, in patients with progressive renal failure. Serum PTH1-84 and its fragments markedly rise when an eGFR decreases to ≤17-23 mL/min/1.73 m2. PTH concentrations measured using LC-HRMS tend to be lower than those measured using an iPTH immunoassay, particularly in severe chronic renal failure. Our data do not support the existence of circulating PTH7-84 and oxidized PTH1-84.
Variability of “Reported Fetal Fraction” in Noninvasive Prenatal Screening (NIPS)
Authors: Persson Fredrik , Prensky Lawrence
Published: January 2021

Background

Fetal fraction is often used to designate no-calls in noninvasive prenatal screening (NIPS). We wished to compare the variability in determining fetal fraction to gold standard methods.

Methods

We identified 6 publications with datasets consisting of methods capable of measuring fetal fraction for all samples that also had comparison data from gold standard methods. Examples of gold standard methods included relative Y-chromosome quantification in cases of male fetus pregnancies or relative quantification of the relevant chromosome for pregnancies affected by one of the 3 major trisomies.

Results

The studies showed that the differences of the various fetal fraction measurement assays as compared to a gold standard measurement displayed a standard deviation (SD) in the range of 1.3–3.4% fetal fraction (FF). The 4 studies that measured FF from fragment size and genomic coordinates or single nucleotide polymorphisms had a lower variability, with a median SD of about 1.6%, whereas 2 other studies using different methods displayed significantly higher variability.

Conclusion

When deciding whether to use the reported FF as a reason to discard samples as no-calls or not, we recommend taking the variability of the FF measurement into consideration.
Plasma lipoprotein(a) measured in the routine clinical care is associated to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease during a 14-year follow-up
Authors: Littmann Karin , Hagström Emil , Häbel Henrike , Bottai Matteo , Eriksson Mats , Parini Paolo , Brinck Jonas
Published: January 2021

Aims

To investigate plasma lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels measured in routine clinical care and their association with mortality and cardiovascular disease.

Methods and results

This retrospective registry-based observational cohort study includes all individuals with plasma Lp(a) results measured at the Karolinska University Laboratory 2003–17. Outcome data were captured in national outcome registries. Levels of Lp(a) expressed in mass or molar units were examined separately. In adjusted Cox regression models, association between deciles of plasma Lp(a) concentrations, mortality, and cardiovascular outcomes were assessed. A total of 23 398 individuals [52% females, mean (standard deviation) age 55.5 (17.2) years, median Lp(a) levels 17 mg/dL or 19.5 nmol/L] were included. Individuals with an Lp(a) level >90th decile (>90 mg/dL or >180 nmol/L) had hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) of 1.25 (1.05–1.50) for major adverse cardiovascular events (P = 0.013), 1.37 (1.14–1.64) for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (P = 0.001), and 1.62 (1.28–2.05) for coronary artery disease (P ≤ 0.001), compared to individuals with Lp(a) ≤50th decile. No association between Lp(a) and mortality, peripheral artery disease, or ischaemic stroke was observed.

Conclusion

High Lp(a) levels are associated with adverse cardiovascular disease outcomes also in individuals with Lp(a) measured in routine clinical care. This supports the 2019 ESC/EAS recommendation to measure Lp(a) at least once during lifetime to assess cardiovascular risk and implies the need for intensive preventive therapy in patients with elevated Lp(a).
Different combinations of serotonin receptors regulate predatory and bacterial feeding behaviors in the nematode Pristionchus pacificus
Authors: Ishita Yuuki , Chihara Takahiro , Okumura Misako
Published: January 2021

Feeding behavior is one of the most fundamental behaviors in animals, and regulation of this behavior is critical for proper food intake. The nematode Pristionchus pacificus exhibits dimorphism in feeding behavior, bacterial feeding and predatory feeding on other nematodes, and the latter behavior is assumed to be an evolutionarily novel behavior. Both types of feeding behavior are modulated by serotonin; however, the downstream mechanism that modulates these behaviors is still to be clarified. Here, we focused on serotonin receptors and examined their expression patterns in P. pacificus. We also generated knockout mutants of the serotonin receptors using the CRISPR/Cas9 system and examined feeding behaviors. We found that Ppa-ser-5 mutants and the Ppa-ser-1; Ppa-ser-7 double mutant decreased predation. Detailed observation of the pharyngeal movement revealed that the Ppa-ser-1; Ppa-ser-7 double mutant reduces tooth movement, which is required for efficient predatory feeding. Conversely, Ppa-ser-7 and Ppa-mod-1 mutants decreased bacterial feeding. This study revealed that specific combinations of serotonin receptors are essential for the modulation of these distinct feeding behaviors, providing insight into the evolution of neural pathways to regulate novel feeding behavior.
Impact of a New Home Care Payment Mechanism on Growth of the Home Care Workforce in Taiwan
Authors: Wu Shih-Cyuan , Peng Mei-Chi , Hsueh Jui-Yuan , Chiang Tung-Liang , Tu Yu-Kang , Tung Yu-Chi , Chen Ya-Mei
Published: January 2021

Background and Objectives

Taiwan implemented its first National 10-Year Long-Term Care Plan in 2008 and its second in 2017. Over the first 10 years, the number of home care workers grew too slowly to meet demand. To increase the home care workforce, the government introduced 2 new payment mechanisms in 2018. This study assesses these mechanisms’ impact on growth in numbers of home care workers and use of home care services in Taiwan.

Research Design and Methods

Data were collected from the Ministry of Health and Welfare (2014–2019) and the Division of Long-Term Care (2017–2019). Generalized estimating equations compared rates of growth in the number of home care, institutional care, and foreign care workers and the number of care recipients receiving care from each group before and after 2018.

Results

Before 2018, rates of growth in all three groups of care workers increased slowly. After 2018, the rate of growth for home care workers increased to 31.8% from 9%, while growth in the other two groups remained stable. While there was greater workforce growth among home care than institutional care workers post-implementation of the payment mechanisms (p < .05), the number of home care recipients (p < .05) and monthly home care visits (p < .05) also increased.

Discussion and Implications

The new payment mechanisms improved home care workers’ autonomy and salaries and appear to have contributed to immediate increased recruitment and retention. Whether this increase continues over the long run will need to be determined.
Voluntary food fortification policy in Australia: did ‘formal’ stakeholder consultation influence the outcome?
Authors: Ashton Bronwyn , Star Cassandra , Lawrence Mark , Coveney John
Published: January 2021

This research aimed to understand how the policy was represented as a ‘problem’ in food regulatory decision-making in Australia, and the implications for public health nutrition engagement with policy development processes. Bacchi’s ‘what’s the problem represented to be?’ discourse analysis method was applied to a case study of voluntary food fortification policy (VFP) developed by the then Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council (ANZFRMC) between 2002 and 2012. As a consultative process is a legislated aspect of food regulatory policy development in Australia, written stakeholder submissions contributed most of the key documents ascertained as relevant to the case. Four major categories of stakeholder were identified in the data; citizen, public health, government and industry. Predictably, citizen, government and public health stakeholders primarily represented voluntary food fortification (VF) as a problem of public health, while industry stakeholders represented it as a problem of commercial benefit. This reflected expected differences regarding decision-making control and power over regulatory activity. However, at both the outset and conclusion of the policy process, the ANZFRMC represented the problem of VF as commercial benefit, suggesting that in this case, a period of ‘formal’ stakeholder consultation did not alter the outcome. This research indicates that in VFP, the policy debate was fought and won at the initial framing of the problem in the earliest stages of the policy process. Consequently, if public health nutritionists leave their participation in the process until formal consultation stages, the opportunity to influence policy may already be lost.
Atrial and ventricular flows across a transcatheter mitral valve
Authors: Hatoum Hoda , Askegaard Gunnar , Iyer Ramji , Prasad Dasi Lakshmi
Published: January 2021

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to evaluate the haemodynamic performance of transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) Implant with a focus on turbulence and washout adjacent to the ventricular surface of the leaflets. TMVR holds the promise of treating a large spectrum of mitral valve diseases. However, the haemodynamic performance and flow dynamics of such replacements are not fully understood.

METHODS

A tri-leaflet biopsrosthetic TMVR represented by Caisson implant of size 36A was implanted in the mitral position of a left heart simulator pulse duplicating system under physiological conditions. The 36A implant covers an anterior–posterior range of 26–32 mm and a commissure-to-commissure range of 30–36 mm. Transmitral pressure gradient, effective orifice area and regurgitant fraction were calculated. Particle image velocimetry was performed to evaluate turbulence in 2 perpendicular planes (Reynolds and viscous shear stresses, respectively). Additionally, dye experiments were performed to visualize washout.

RESULTS

Transmitral pressure gradient was 1.29 ± 0.27 mmHg and effective orifice area was 2.96 ± 0.28 cm2. Regurgitant fraction was 14.13 ± 0.08%. Total washout was 4.27 cardiac cycles. Largest viscous shear stress reaches 3.7 Pa and 2.4 Pa in ventricle and atrium, respectively. Reynolds shear stress in the atrial side was <10 Pa. In the ventricular side, the largest Reynolds shear stress reached ∼35 Pa.

CONCLUSIONS

TMVR leads to favourable haemodynamics with low degree of turbulence combined with fast washout around the leaflets indicating promising potential for freedom from blood damage potential and thrombosis corroborated by initial clinical studies as part of the valves’s Early Feasibility Study.
Simulation of constrained elastic curves and application to a conical sheet indentation problem
Authors: Bartels Sören
Published: January 2021

We consider variational problems that model the bending behavior of curves that are constrained to belong to given hypersurfaces. Finite element discretizations of corresponding functionals are justified rigorously via $\varGamma $-convergence. The stability of semi-implicit discretizations of gradient flows is investigated, which provide a practical method to determine stationary configurations. A particular application of the considered models arises in the description of conical sheet deformations.
Extracting postmarketing adverse events from safety reports in the vaccine adverse event reporting system (VAERS) using deep learning
Authors: Du Jingcheng , Xiang Yang , Sankaranarayanapillai Madhuri , Zhang Meng , Wang Jingqi , Si Yuqi , Pham Huy Anh , Xu Hua , Chen Yong , Tao Cui
Published: January 2021

Objective

Automated analysis of vaccine postmarketing surveillance narrative reports is important to understand the progression of rare but severe vaccine adverse events (AEs). This study implemented and evaluated state-of-the-art deep learning algorithms for named entity recognition to extract nervous system disorder-related events from vaccine safety reports.

Materials and Methods

We collected Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) related influenza vaccine safety reports from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) from 1990 to 2016. VAERS reports were selected and manually annotated with major entities related to nervous system disorders, including, investigation, nervous_AE, other_AE, procedure, social_circumstance, and temporal_expression. A variety of conventional machine learning and deep learning algorithms were then evaluated for the extraction of the above entities. We further pretrained domain-specific BERT (Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers) using VAERS reports (VAERS BERT) and compared its performance with existing models.

Results and Conclusions

Ninety-one VAERS reports were annotated, resulting in 2512 entities. The corpus was made publicly available to promote community efforts on vaccine AEs identification. Deep learning-based methods (eg, bi-long short-term memory and BERT models) outperformed conventional machine learning-based methods (ie, conditional random fields with extensive features). The BioBERT large model achieved the highest exact match F-1 scores on nervous_AE, procedure, social_circumstance, and temporal_expression; while VAERS BERT large models achieved the highest exact match F-1 scores on investigation and other_AE. An ensemble of these 2 models achieved the highest exact match microaveraged F-1 score at 0.6802 and the second highest lenient match microaveraged F-1 score at 0.8078 among peer models.
Response Rate and Survival at Key Timepoints With PD-1 Blockade vs Chemotherapy in PD-L1 Subgroups: Meta-Analysis of Metastatic NSCLC Trials
Authors: Man Johnathan , Millican Jared , Mulvey Arthur , Gebski Val , Hui Rina
Published: January 2021

Background

Expression of programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) on tumor cells with or without immune cells is widely reported in clinical trials of programmed cell death receptor 1 (PD-1) blockade in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. Various cutpoints have been studied.

Methods

We performed a systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and conference proceedings up to December 2019 for randomized and nonrandomized clinical trials of anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 monotherapy in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. We retrieved data on objective response rate (ORR), 1-year and 2-year progression-free survival (PFS), and 2-year and 3-year overall survival (OS) in various PD-L1 subgroups. Results were pooled and analyzed based on different cutpoints, with nonrandomized comparisons made with pooled chemotherapy outcomes.

Results

A total of 9810 patients in 27 studies were included. In treatment-naïve patients, benefits with PD-1 blockade over chemotherapy were seen in ORR in patients having PD-L1 50% or greater, in 2-year OS for PD-L1 1% or greater, and in 1-year PFS, 2-year PFS, and 3-year OS for unselected patients. First-line PD-1 blockade compared with chemotherapy demonstrated higher ORR, 2-year PFS, and 3-year OS if PD-L1 was 50% or greater; lower ORR, higher 2-year PFS, and similar 3-year OS if PD-L1 was 1%-49%; and lower ORR, similar 1-year PFS, and lower 2-year OS if PD-L1 was less than 1%. In previously treated patients, PD-1 blockade demonstrated similar or superior outcomes to chemotherapy in all PD-L1 subgroups.

Conclusions

PD-L1 should guide the choice of PD-1 blockade vs chemotherapy in treatment-naïve patients. In previously treated patients, PD-1 blockade provides a favorable outcome profile to chemotherapy in all PD-L1 subgroups.
Refugees’ Transnational Livelihoods and Remittances: Syrian Mobilities in the Middle East Before and After 2011
Authors: Zuntz Ann-Christin
Published: January 2021

Pursuing an ethnographic approach, this article explores how Syrians’ pre-war kinship-based networks have oriented livelihoods strategies for refugees in Jordan after 2011. Drawing on long-term fieldwork (2015–2017) in northern Jordan, I argue that seasonal migration was a livelihoods strategy for Syria’s rural poor long before 2011, serving as their old-age provision and contributing to rural development. Since 2011, conflict-induced displacement and border closures have reshaped Syrians’ transnational kinship-based networks: geographically, but also with regard to the diversification of sources of income and gendered responsibilities. In Jordan, Syrian refugees mobilize pre-war transnational ties to access jobs in agriculture and the humanitarian sector, and distribute their income through kinship-based cross-border networks. These ethnographic findings challenge a localized understanding of refugee livelihoods, demonstrating that the household economies of refugees, migrants, and those left behind, in Syria, Jordan, the Gulf countries, and now Europe, are intertwined. In closing, I provide recommendations about how a networked understanding of refugee livelihoods can inform the COVID-19 emergency response, and help create decent jobs for displaced people in the Global South.
A logic of knowledge based on abstract arguments
Authors: Wáng Yì N , Li Xu
Published: January 2021

We introduce a logic of knowledge in a framework in which knowledge is treated as a kind of belief. The framework is based on a standard KD45 characterization of belief, and the characterization of knowledge undergoes the classical tripartite analysis that knowledge is justified true belief, which has a natural link to the studies of logics of evidence and justification. The interpretation of knowledge avoids the unwanted properties of logical omniscience, independent of the choice of the base logic of belief. We axiomatize the logic, prove its soundness and completeness and study the computational complexity results of the model checking and satisfiability problems. We extend the logic to a multi-agent setting and introduce a variant in which belief is characterized in a weaker system to avoid the problem of logical omniscience.
Heterogeneity of Psychological Profiles in French Army Units and Psychological Changes Between Pre- and Post-deployment: Two Pilot Studies
Authors: Verdonk Charles , Duffaud Anaïs M , Claverie Damien , Fromage Dominique , Vieira Céline , Canini Frédéric , Trousselard Marion
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Over the past two decades, overseas deployments of the French Army have been characterized by the exposure of its service personnel to sustained, high levels of combat stress. There is a need to assess their mental health throughout the deployment cycle, identify risk factors associated with stress-related disorders, and characterize the factors that promote long-term well-being.

Methods

We conducted two pilot studies within four units of the French Army: a conventional combat unit, a counterterrorist unit, a combat service support unit, and a medical support unit. Study 1 (n = 65) analyzed the psychological functioning of service personnel with respect to their personality and stress management characteristics. Study 2 (n = 40) analyzed the impact of overseas deployment on stress-related psychological outcomes.

Results

Overall, results from study 1 showed that service personnel have a protective psychological functioning, which is particularly developed in the counterterrorist unit. In study 2, although no stress-related disorder symptoms were observed with the psychometric tools used, a certain degree of psychological dysfunction (social dysfunction and lower positive affect) was detected post-deployment.

Conclusions

These two complementary studies are key elements in developing a better understanding of unmet, medico-military needs that lie on the pathway that links exposure to stressors to impaired health. Certain personnel enrolled in the French Army (notably, the counterterrorist unit) were found to have a high level of protective psychological functioning, largely due to the training they receive. Nevertheless, overall, overseas deployment was associated with poorer psychological functioning and the emergence of social dysfunction, especially in units responsible for the care of service personnel (medical support and combat service support units).
Propensity-Adjusted Comparative Analysis of Radial Versus Femoral Access for Neurointerventional Treatments
Authors: Catapano Joshua S , Ducruet Andrew F , Nguyen Candice L , Majmundar Neil , Wilkinson D Andrew , Cole Tyler S , Baranoski Jacob F , Cavalcanti Daniel D , Fredrickson Vance L , Srinivasan Visish M , Rutledge Caleb , Lawton Michael T , Albuquerque Felipe C
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND

Transradial artery (TRA) catheterization for neuroendovascular procedures is associated with a lower risk of complications than transfemoral artery (TFA) procedures. However, the majority of literature on TRA access pertains to diagnostic procedures rather than interventional treatments.

OBJECTIVE

To compare TRA and TFA approaches for cerebrovascular interventions.

METHODS

All patients with an endovascular intervention performed at a single center from October 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were grouped into 2 cohorts on the basis of whether TRA or TFA access was used. Outcomes included complications, fluoroscopy times, and total contrast administered.

RESULTS

A total 579 interventional treatments were performed during the 15-mo study period. TFA procedures (n = 417) were associated with a significantly higher complication rate than TRA (n = 162) procedures (43 cases [10%] vs 5 cases [3%]; P = .008). After excluding patients who underwent thrombectomy and performing a propensity adjustment (including age, sex, pathology, procedure, sheath size, and catheter size), TRA catheterization was associated with decreased odds of a complication (odds ratio, 0.25; 95% CI 0.085-0.72; P = .01), but no significant difference in the amount of contrast administered (6.7-mL increase; 95% CI, −7.2 to 20.6; P = .34) or duration of fluoroscopy (2.1-min increase; 95% CI, −2.5 to 6.7; P = .37) compared with TFA catheterization.

CONCLUSION

Neurointerventional procedures and treatments for a variety of pathologies can be performed successfully using the TRA approach, which is associated with a lower risk of complications and no difference in fluoroscopy duration compared with the TFA approach.
The COVID-19 Symptom to Isolation Cascade in a Latinx Community: A Call to Action
Authors: Rubio Luis A , Peng James , Rojas Susy , Rojas Susana , Crawford Emily , Black Douglas , Jacobo Jon , Tulier-Laiwa Valerie , Hoover Christopher M , Martinez Jackie , Jones Diane , Sachdev Darpun , Cox Chesa , Herrera Eduardo , Valencia Rebecca , Zurita Karla G , Chamie Gabriel ,   The CLIAHUB Consortium, DeRisi Joe , Petersen Maya , Havlir Diane V , Marquez Carina
Published: January 2021

Background

Rapid coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) diagnosis and isolation of infectious persons are critical to stopping forward transmission, and the care cascade framework can identify gaps in the COVID-19 response.

Methods

We described a COVID-19 symptom to isolation cascade and barriers among symptomatic persons who tested polymerase chain reaction positive for severe acute respiratory disease coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) at a low-barrier testing site serving a low-income Latinx community in San Francisco. Steps in the cascade are defined as days from symptom onset to test, test to result, and result to counseling on self-isolation. We examined SARS-CoV-2 cycle threshold (Ct) values to assess the likelihood of infectiousness on the day of testing and during missed isolation days.

Results

Among 145 persons, 97% were Latinx and 81% had an income of <$50 000. The median time from symptom onset to isolation (interquartile range [IQR]) was 7 (5–10) days, leaving a median (IQR) of 3 (0–6) days of isolation. Eighty-three percent had moderate to high levels of virus (Ct <33), but by disclosure 23% were out of their isolation period. The longest intervals were symptom onset to test (median [IQR], 4 [2–9] days) and test to results notification (median [IQR], 3 [2–4] days). Access to a test site was the most common barrier to testing, and food and income loss was the most common barrier to isolation.

Conclusions

Over half of the 10-day isolation period passed by the time of disclosure, and over a fifth of people were likely outside the window of infectiousness by the time they received results. Improvements in test access and turnaround time, plus support for isolation, are needed for epidemic control of SARS-CoV-2 in highly impacted communities.
Natural variation in plant telomere length is associated with flowering time
Authors: Choi Jae Young , Abdulkina Liliia R , Yin Jun , Chastukhina Inna B , Lovell John T , Agabekian Inna A , Young Pierce G , Razzaque Samsad , Shippen Dorothy E , Juenger Thomas E , Shakirov Eugene V , Purugganan Michael D
Published: January 2021

Telomeres are highly repetitive DNA sequences found at the ends of chromosomes that protect the chromosomes from deterioration duringcell division. Here, using whole-genome re-sequencing and terminal restriction fragment assays, we found substantial natural intraspecific variation in telomere length in Arabidopsis thaliana, rice (Oryza sativa), and maize (Zea mays). Genome-wide association study (GWAS) mapping in A. thaliana identified 13 regions with GWAS-significant associations underlying telomere length variation, including a region that harbors the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene. Population genomic analysis provided evidence for a selective sweep at the TERT region associated with longer telomeres. We found that telomere length is negatively correlated with flowering time variation not only in A. thaliana, but also in maize and rice, indicating a link between life-history traits and chromosome integrity. Our results point to several possible reasons for this correlation, including the possibility that longer telomeres may be more adaptive in plants that have faster developmental rates (and therefore flower earlier). Our work suggests that chromosomal structure itself might be an adaptive trait associated with plant life-history strategies.
Impact of COVID-19 on corticosteroids and antibiotics prescribing in England: an interrupted time series analysis
Authors: Chalitsios Christos V , McKeever Tricia M , Langley Tessa E , Shaw Dominick E
Published: January 2021

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), prednisolone and antibiotics all play a crucial role in the management of respiratory diseases. The aim of this study was to analyse whether the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic affected prescribing rates, as public health measures were implemented to reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Monthly practise-level prescribing data published by NHS Digital were analysed. At the point, the COVID-19 outbreak was declared a pandemic, ICS prescriptions rose significantly. This was followed by a decrease in ICS and prednisolone prescribing in the following months. There was no difference in the antibiotic prescribing trend.
The State Price Density Implied by Crude Oil Futures and Option Prices
Authors: Christoffersen Peter , Jacobs Kris , Pan Xuhui (Nick)
Published: January 2021

Both large oil price increases and decreases are associated with deteriorating economic conditions. The projection of the state price density (SPD) onto oil returns estimated from oil futures and option prices displays a U-shaped pattern. Because investors assign high state prices to large negative and large positive oil returns, the U-shaped SPD may steepen in either tail when economic conditions deteriorate. The positive return region of the SPD is more closely related to economic conditions. The oil SPD contains information about economic conditions and future security returns that is distinct from the information in the stock index SPD.
Association between Toxoplasma gondii infection and coronary atherosclerosis
Authors: Alhusseiny Samar M , Saleh Nora E , El-Zayady Wafaa M , Hussein Mohammed S , El-Beshbishi Samar N
Published: January 2021

Background

Toxoplasma gondii is a worldwide protozoon that can infect all nucleated vertebrate cells. Little information is available about the association between T. gondii infection and coronary atherosclerosis.

Methods

A total of 320 cases were enrolled (160 patients with coronary atherosclerosis and 160 non-atherosclerotic individuals). Blood samples were collected to measure anti–T. gondii immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and serum lipid profile. Coronary angiogram was also performed.

Results

The seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies in atherosclerotic and non-atherosclerotic individuals was 63.1% and 46.2%, respectively, with higher levels of anti–T. gondii IgG in atherosclerotic patients. Consumption of contaminated water, unwashed fruits and vegetables and raw meat and contact with soil were significant risk factors for Toxoplasma infection. Significant differences were detected in serum levels of low-density lipoproteins, triglycerides and cholesterol between both groups. Positive correlations were detected between ELISA titres and serum levels of low-density lipoproteins, triglycerides and cholesterol, disease severity and the number of affected vessels. Male gender and contact with soil had a significant association with positive T. gondii serology in atherosclerotic patients.

Conclusions

Patients with coronary atherosclerosis have a high prevalence of T. gondii infection. More studies are crucial to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the effects of chronic toxoplasmosis on coronary atherosclerosis.
Predicting the impact of COVID-19 interruptions on transmission of gambiense human African trypanosomiasis in two health zones of the Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Aliee Maryam , Castaño Soledad , Davis Christopher N , Patel Swati , Miaka Erick Mwamba , Spencer Simon E F , Keeling Matt J , Chitnis Nakul , Rock Kat S
Published: January 2021

Many control programmes against neglected tropical diseases have been interrupted due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, including those that rely on active case finding. In this study we focus on gambiense human African trypanosomiasis (gHAT), where active screening was suspended in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) due to the pandemic. We use two independent mathematical models to predict the impact of COVID-19 interruptions on transmission and reporting and achievement of the 2030 elimination of transmission (EOT) goal for gHAT in two moderate-risk regions of the DRC. We consider different interruption scenarios, including reduced passive surveillance in fixed health facilities, and whether this suspension lasts until the end of 2020 or 2021. Our models predict an increase in the number of new infections in the interruption period only if both active screening and passive surveillance were suspended, and with a slowed reduction—but no increase—if passive surveillance remains fully functional. In all scenarios, the EOT may be slightly pushed back if no mitigation, such as increased screening coverage, is put in place. However, we emphasise that the biggest challenge will remain in the higher-prevalence regions where EOT is already predicted to be behind schedule without interruptions unless interventions are bolstered.
Effect of Resistance and Ethaboxam Seed Treatment on the Management of Phytophthora Root Rot in Illinois and Iowa
Authors: Cerritos-Garcia Daniel G. , Granda Juan P. , Matthiessen Rashelle , Diers Brian W. , Robertson Alison E. , Mideros Santiago X.
Published: January 2021

Phytophthora root and stem rot (PRR) is a limiting factor for soybean production. Seed treatments are used for early-season management, but efficacy can depend on seed selection and the local environment. Ethaboxam is a new fungicide commercially available as a seed treatment to control oomycetes. Field experiments were established in Illinois and Iowa in 2017 and 2018 to evaluate the effect of ethaboxam + metalaxyl on PRR. Experiments included soybean lines with no resistance gene, Rps1c or Rps1k, and different levels of partial resistance. Seed treatments increased soybean stands in all locations and years. Significant yield effects were observed only in two locations that were inoculated with Phytophthora spp. Groups of soybean lines with the same Rps gene responded differently in each location, showing how Rps gene usefulness depends on the field. A comparison of the effect of seed treatment on lines with different levels of partial resistance showed that partial resistance alone cannot always protect against stand losses. Soybean lines with high levels of partial resistance had consistently higher yields than those with low levels of partial resistance across Illinois locations. These results show that ethaboxam seed treatment can protect early-season stands and that selection of cultivars with high levels of partial resistance is important for PRR management.
The Risk of Wheat Blast in Rice–Wheat Co-Planting Regions in China: MoO Strains of Pyricularia oryzae Cause Typical Symptom and Host Reaction on Both Wheat Leaves and Spikes
Authors: Shizhen Wang , Jiaoyu Wang , Zhen Zhang , Zhongna Hao , Xueming Zhu , Rongyao Chai , Haiping Qiu , Yanli Wang , Fucheng Lin , Guochang Sun
Published: January 2021

The Triticum pathotype of Magnaporthe oryzae (syn. Pyricularia oryzae) causes wheat blast, which has recently spread to Asia. To assess the potential risk of wheat blast in rice–wheat growing regions, we investigated the pathogenicity of 14 isolates of P. oryzae on 32 wheat cultivars, among which Oryzae pathotype of P. oryzae (MoO) isolates were completely avirulent on the wheat cultivars at 22°C but caused various degrees of infection 25°C. These reactions at 25°C were isolate and cultivar dependent, like race-cultivar specificity, which was also recognized at the heading stage and caused typical blast symptoms on spikes. Microscopic analyses indicated that a compatible MoO isolate produced appressoria and infection hyphae on wheat as on rice. When we compared transcriptomes in wheat–MoO interactions, the bulk of pathogen-related genes were upregulated or downregulated in compatible and incompatible patterns, but changes in gene transcription were more significant in a compatible pattern. These results indicate that temperature could influence the infection ratio of wheat with MoO, and some MoO strains could be potential pathogens that increase the risk of wheat blast outbreaks in wheat–rice growing regions with global warming. In addition, certain wheat cultivars exhibited resistance and are assumed to carry resistance-promoting genes to the MoO strains.
Understanding the most commonly billed diagnoses in primary care: General medical exam
Authors: Rogers Julia L.
Published: January 2021

This is the ninth article in a 12-part series on the most commonly billed diagnoses in primary care. The purpose of the adult general medical exam is health promotion, disease prevention, early disease detection, and management of chronic disease processes.
Prediction of Delivery Complications by First-Trimester Ultrasound Measurement of the Gestational Sac's Distance From a Previous Cesarean Section Scar
Authors: Li Cong , Yang Pan , Luo Hong
Published: January 2021

(Abstracted from J Ultrasound Med 2020;39:1563–1571)

Cesarean delivery has been increasing globally. The cesarean section (CS) scar has been thought to be involved in the etiology of several specific conditions, such as cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP), placental abnormalities, and scar dehiscence.
HPV Vaccination and the Risk of Invasive Cervical Cancer
Authors: Lei Jiayao , Ploner Alexander , Elfström K. Miriam , Wang Jiangrong , Roth Adam , Fang Fang , Sundström Karin , Dillner Joakim , Sparén Pär
Published: January 2021

(Abstracted from N Engl J Med 2020;383:1340–1348)

Because of the well-established association between oncogenic types of human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer, as of December 2019 a total of 124 countries and territories had implemented HPV vaccination programs. Studies have demonstrated that HPV vaccination protects against HPV infection, genital warts, and high-grade precancerous cervical lesions.