bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New Video-Based Crash Detection Method: Balancing Speed and Accuracy Using a Feature Fusion Deep Learning Framework
Authors: Lu Zhenbo , Zhou Wei , Zhang Shixiang , Wang Chen
Published: November 2020

Quick and accurate crash detection is important for saving lives and improved traffic incident management. In this paper, a feature fusion-based deep learning framework was developed for video-based urban traffic crash detection task, aiming at achieving a balance between detection speed and accuracy with limited computing resource. In this framework, a residual neural network (ResNet) combined with attention modules was proposed to extract crash-related appearance features from urban traffic videos (i.e., a crash appearance feature extractor), which were further fed to a spatiotemporal feature fusion model, Conv-LSTM (Convolutional Long Short-Term Memory), to simultaneously capture appearance (static) and motion (dynamic) crash features. The proposed model was trained by a set of video clips covering 330 crash and 342 noncrash events. In general, the proposed model achieved an accuracy of 87.78% on the testing dataset and an acceptable detection speed (FPS > 30 with GTX 1060). Thanks to the attention module, the proposed model can capture the localized appearance features (e.g., vehicle damage and pedestrian fallen-off) of crashes better than conventional convolutional neural networks. The Conv-LSTM module outperformed conventional LSTM in terms of capturing motion features of crashes, such as the roadway congestion and pedestrians gathering after crashes. Compared to traditional motion-based crash detection model, the proposed model achieved higher detection accuracy. Moreover, it could detect crashes much faster than other feature fusion-based models (e.g., C3D). The results show that the proposed model is a promising video-based urban traffic crash detection algorithm that could be used in practice in the future.
Critical Factors Analysis of Severe Traffic Accidents Based on Bayesian Network in China
Authors: Chen Hong , Zhao Yang , Ma Xiaotong
Published: November 2020

The purpose of this study is to minimize the negative influences of the severe traffic accidents in China by profoundly analyzing the complex coupling relations among accident factors contributing to the single-vehicle and multivehicle traffic accidents with the Bayesian network (BN) crash severity model. The BN model was established by taking the critical factors identified with the improved grey correlation analysis method as node variables. The severe traffic accident data collected from accident reports published in China were used to validate this model. The model’s efficiency was validated objectively by comparing the conditional probability obtained by this model with the actual value. The result shows that the BN model can reflect the real relations among factors and can be seen as the target network for the severe traffic accidents in China. Besides, based on BN’s junction tree engine, five-factor combination sequences for the number of deaths and three-factor combination sequences for the number of injuries were ranked according to the severity degree to reveal the critical reasons and reduce the massive traffic accidents damage.
Pulmonary Hypertension and Hypocholesterolemia Secondary to Thyrotoxicosis
Authors: Shyamali Narangoda Liyanage Ajantha , Ponnamperuma Chandrike
Published: November 2020

Background. Thyroid disorders commonly affect the cardiovascular system. Thyrotoxicosis leading to pulmonary hypertension has been increasingly reported during recent years. Thyroid dysfunction affects the lipid metabolism, and thyrotoxicosis can be associated with low lipid levels. Thyrotoxicosis presenting with right ventricular dysfunction is rare, and only few cases had been reported. Case Presentation. A 53-year-old woman presented with progressive shortness of breath and swelling of body for four months. Examination showed generalized oedema and a systolic murmur over the left sternal border. Transthoracic echocardiography confirmed pulmonary hypertension with tricuspid regurgitation. Investigations revealed thyrotoxicosis and very low cholesterol levels. Diagnosis of Graves’ disease was confirmed with detection of thyrotropin receptor antibodies. Pulmonary pressure was normalized six months after antithyroid therapy. Conclusion. Thyrotoxicosis is a recognized cause of reversible pulmonary hypertension and acquired hypocholesterolemia. However, most clinicians are not aware of these associations. This case illustrates the importance of assessing thyroid function in patients presenting with pulmonary hypertension.
Theta Cone Metric Spaces and Some Fixed Point Theorems
Authors: Ali Abou Bakr Sahar Mohamed
Published: November 2020

This paper introduces the concept of the theta cone metric, studies its various topological properties, and gives some examples of it. Furthermore, it proves some lemmas and then uses them to give further generalizations of some well-known fixed point theorems. Specifically, Theorem 2 of the paper is a generalization of Reich’s fixed point theorem.
Evaluation of the Potential Prognostic Value of Tumor Budding in Laryngeal Carcinoma by Conventional and Immunohistochemical Staining
Authors: Abd Raboh Nermine M. , Mady Ossama M. , Hakim Sarah A.
Published: November 2020

Background. Tumor budding is a promising prognostic indicator in several cancers especially in colorectal cancer. However, only few studies have been conducted to assess and validate its prognostic value in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma; none of which used pancytokeratin immunohistochemistry. In view of the modest results of treatment of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, the need of new prognostic indicators becomes of paramount importance. Aim of the Study. We aim to evaluate tumor budding in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, by haematoxylin and eosin, as well as by pancytokeratin immunohistochemistry. Material and Methods. A retrospective study on 118 cases of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma from archives of Pathology Lab of Ain Shams University Specialized Hospital and Ain Shams University Hospitals from January 2014 to January 2017. The ENT and histopathology reports were reviewed to determine clinicopathologic data of the patients. Results. Tumor budding shows high statistically significant relations (

p
=
0.0001

for each) with important clinicopathological parameters of laryngeal carcinoma (site, grade, tumor stage, lymph node stage, lymph node extracapsular invasion, and vascular invasion). The extent of tumor budding correlated with overall survival, local recurrence disease free, and distant metastasis disease free (

p
=
0.001

for each). Multivariate analysis showed tumor budding to be an independent prognostic factor affecting progression-free survival. There was a moderate agreement between H&E and IHC by pancytokeratin as regards detection of budding among study cases (

kappa
=
0.593

). Conclusions. Tumor budding was correlated with poor prognostic clinicopathologic indicators in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. It is recommended to use pancytokeratin immunohistochemistry to evaluate tumor budding in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma especially in confusing cases.
Characterization and Clinical Outcomes of DNA Mismatch Repair–deficient Small Bowel Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Latham Alicia , Shia Jinru , Patel Zalak , Reidy-Lagunes Diane L. , Segal Neil H. , Yaeger Rona , Ganesh Karuna , Connell Louise , Kemeny Nancy E. , Kelsen David P. , Hechtman Jaclyn F. , Nash Garrett M. , Paty Philip B. , Zehir Ahmet , Tkachuk Kaitlin A. , Sheikh Rania , Markowitz Arnold J. , Mandelker Diana , Offit Kenneth , Berger Michael F. , Cercek Andrea , Garcia-Aguilar Julio , Saltz Leonard B. , Weiser Martin R. , Stadler Zsofia K.
Published: November 2020

Purpose:

The prevalence and clinical characteristics of small bowel adenocarcinomas (SBA) in the setting of Lynch syndrome have not been well studied. We characterized SBA according to DNA mismatch repair and/or microsatellite instability (MMR/MSI) and germline mutation status and compared clinical outcomes.

Experimental Design:

A single-institution review identified 100 SBAs. Tumors were evaluated for MSI via MSIsensor and/or corresponding MMR protein expression via IHC staining. Germline DNA was analyzed for mutations in known cancer predisposition genes, including MMR (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, and EPCAM). Clinical variables were correlated with MMR/MSI status.

Results:

Twenty-six percent (26/100; 95% confidence interval, 18.4–35.4) of SBAs exhibited MMR deficiency (MMR-D). Lynch syndrome prevalence was 10% overall and 38.5% among MMR-D SBAs. Median age at SBA diagnosis was similar in non-Lynch syndrome MMR-D versus MMR-proficient (MMR-P) SBAs (65 vs. 61; P = 0.75), but significantly younger in Lynch syndrome (47.5 vs. 61; P = 0.03). The prevalence of synchronous/metachronous cancers was 9% (6/67) in MMR-P versus 34.6% (9/26) in MMR-D SBA, with 66.7% (6/9) of these in Lynch syndrome (P = 0.0002). In the MMR-P group, 52.2% (35/67) of patients presented with metastatic disease, compared with 23.1% (6/26) in the MMR-D group (P = 0.008). In MMR-P stage I/II patients, 88.2% (15/17) recurred, compared with 18.2% (2/11) in the MMR-D group (P = 0.0002).

Conclusions:

When compared with MMR-P SBA, MMR-D SBA was associated with earlier stage disease and lower recurrence rates, similar to observations in colorectal cancer. With a 38.5% prevalence in MMR-D SBA, germline Lynch syndrome testing in MMR-D SBA is warranted.
Tumor Mutational Burden as a Predictor of Immunotherapy Response: Is More Always Better?
Authors: Strickler John H. , Hanks Brent A. , Khasraw Mustafa
Published: November 2020

Immune checkpoint inhibitors, including antibodies that block programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) and PD-L1, have transformed the management of many cancers. However, the majority of patients have primary or acquired resistance to these immunotherapies. There is a significant unmet need for predictive biomarkers that can reliably identify patients who derive a clinically meaningful response from PD-1/PD-L1 blockade. High tumor mutational burden (TMB-H) has shown promise as a biomarker in lung cancer, but the broad applicability of TMB-H as a biomarker of response across all solid tumors is unclear. The FDA has approved the PD-1 inhibitor, pembrolizumab, as a therapy for all solid tumors with TMB equal to or greater than 10 mutations/megabase as measured by the FoundationOne CDx assay. This approval was based on an exploratory analysis of the KEYNOTE-158 study, which was a single-arm, phase II multi-cohort study of pembrolizumab for select, previously treated advanced solid tumors. Here, we elucidate the caveats of using TMB as a biomarker with a universal threshold across all solid tumors. While we recognize the importance of this and other FDA pan-cancer approvals, several questions about TMB as a predictive biomarker remain unanswered. In this perspective, we discuss clinical trial evidence in this area. We review the relationship between TMB and the tumor immune microenvironment. We highlight the risks of extrapolating evidence from a limited number of tumor histologies to all solid tumors, and we propose avenues for future research.
Optimal Adjuvant Therapy in Resected Stage IIIA-N2 Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Harboring EGFR Mutations
Authors: Wen Miaomiao , Wang Lei , Wang Xuejiao , Yang Sanhu , Sun Ying , Xia Jinghua , Zhang Yanning , Zhang Zhipei , Huang Lijun , Jiang Tao
Published: November 2020

Background: Some non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients are unexpectedly diagnosed with stage IIIA-N2 disease at the time of thoracoscopy or thoracotomy. Because of the limited statistical evidence of induction chemotherapy for these patients, it is necessary to develop more profound treatment strategies. Methods: The demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with stage IIIA-N2 NSCLC harboring epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations after radical resection were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into 3 groups based on treatment: EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs, erlotinib or gefitinib), adjuvant chemotherapy (docetaxel plus cisplatin), and combination treatment (chemotherapy plus EGFR-TKIs). The effect of adjuvant therapy on survival rate was assessed using univariate and Cox regression analyses. Results: Patients receiving EGFR-TKIs alone showed significantly improved disease-free survival (DFS; p = 0.025) when compared to those receiving chemotherapy alone. Compared to chemotherapy alone, the combination of chemotherapy and EGFR-TKIs resulted did not significantly improve DFS (p < 0.001) and overall survival (OS p < 0.001). The combination of EGFR-TKIs with chemotherapy as adjuvant therapy led to improvements in both DFS (p = 0.116) and OS (p = 0.039) compared to patients receiving a EGFR-TKI monotherapy. Toxicities were mild in the 3 treatment groups. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that adjuvant EGFR-TKI treatment significantly increased the DFS of patients with stage IIIA-N2 NSCLC when compared with cisplatin-based chemotherapy. The use of EGFR-TKIs and chemotherapy is recommended in the setting of combined-modality therapy.
How Shall I Write to My Patient? Data Protection in Digital Communication
Authors: Alpers Georg W. , Frey Lisa , Tessmer-Petzendorfer Stephanie , Klingauf Anna , Schad Silvia
Published: November 2020

Digital communication is omnipresent. In everyday life, social messenger apps are very popular. Thus, for some patients1 it seems intuitive to use such media to correspond with their professional therapists as well. From a practical perspective, this seems to be advantageous for the therapists themselves. However, this should not lead us to overlook the problems of such platforms, especially issues with data protection. In spite of the legally binding rollout of a safe communication route for therapeutic and medical services in Germany (the so-called “Telematik-Infrastruktur”), so far, there is no unproblematic communication platform for therapists and their patients. Special messenger apps, which explicitly do not store metadata, seem to be the least problematic besides classic phone calls or letters. However, they are not yet widely used. This paper aims to sensitize psychotherapists for their responsibility and to demonstrate technical options, which need to be weighed carefully in order to maximize data protection of digital communication in therapeutic practice.
Clinical Spectrum and Outcomes of Ocular and Periocular Complications following External-Beam Radiotherapy for Inoperable Malignant Maxillary Sinus Tumors
Authors: Ting Darren Shu Jeng , Rana-Rahman Romeela , Ng Jia Yu , Wilkinson David J.P. , Ah-Kine Desiree , Patel Trushar
Published: November 2020

Purpose: To highlight the clinical spectrum, management, and outcomes of ocular/periocular complications following high-dose external-beam radiotherapy (EBRT) for inoperable malignant maxillary sinus-involving tumors (MMST). Methods: A retrospective, interventional case series. All patients who were diagnosed with inoperable MMST (with orbital involvement) and treated with high-dose fractionated EBRT (65 Gy in 30 fractions) at James Cook University Hospital, UK, were included. Results: Seven patients with advanced MMST (T4aN0M0–T4bN2cM0) were included and were followed up for 23.8 ± 10.2 months. Severe lid margin disease, dry eye, and neurotrophic keratopathy were universally observed. Other complications included cicatricial conjunctivitis (71%), corneal perforation (57%), limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD; 43%), glaucoma (29%), and superimposed candida keratitis (14%). Amniotic membrane transplant (AMT; 71%), tarsorrhaphy (43%), tectonic keratoplasty (29%), and evisceration (14%) were warranted. Intact corneal epithelium was observed in all patients and good corrected-distance visual acuity (≥20/60) was observed in 3 (43%) patients at final follow-up. Conclusion: High-dose EBRT for inoperable MMST can lead to a wide array of severe ocular/periocular complications. AMT serves as a potentially useful treatment modality to restore the ocular surface integrity after severe radiation keratopathy. We advocate active monitoring for any evolving ophthalmic complications during and after EBRT to enable timely intervention.
AIM Platform: A Novel Nano Artificial Antigen-Presenting Cell-Based Clinical System Designed to Consistently Produce Multi-Antigen-Specific T-Cell Products with Potent and Durable Anti-Tumor Properties
Authors: Suarez Lauren , Wang Ruipeng , Carmer Scott , Bednarik Daniel , Myint Han , Jones Kristi , Oelke Mathias
Published: November 2020

Over the last decade, tremendous progress has been made in the field of adoptive cell therapy. The two prevailing modalities include endogenous non-engineered approaches and genetically engineered T-cell approaches. Endogenous non-engineered approaches include dendritic cell-based systems and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) that are used to produce multi-antigen-specific T-cell products. Genetically engineered approaches, such as T-cell receptor engineered cells and chimeric antigen receptor T cells are used to produce single antigen-specific T-cell products. It is noted by the authors that there are alternative methods to sort for antigen-specific T cells such as peptide multimer sorting or cytokine secretion assay-based sorting, both of which are potentially challenging for broad development and commercialization. In this review, we are focusing on a novel nanoparticle technology that generates a non-engineered product from the endogenous T-cell repertoire. The most common approaches for ex vivo activation and expansion of endogenous, non-genetically engineered cell therapy products rely on dendritic cell-based systems or IL-2 expanded TIL. Hurdles remain in developing efficient, consistent, controlled processes; thus, these processes still have limited access to broad patient populations. Here, we describe a novel approach to produce cellular therapies at clinical scale, using proprietary nanoparticles combined with a proprietary manufacturing process to enrich and expand antigen-specific CD8+ T-cell products with consistent purity, identity, and composition required for effective and durable anti-tumor response.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging May Be Able to Identify the Origin of Neuroendocrine Tumor Liver Metastases
Authors: Barat Maxime , Soyer Philippe , Al Sharhan Fatima , Terris Benoit , Oudjit Ammar , Gaujoux Sébastien , Coriat Romain , Hoeffel Christine , Dohan Anthony
Published: November 2020

Objectives: The aim of the study was to discriminate hepatic metastases from pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNET) and hepatic metastases from midgut neuroendocrine tumors (mNET) with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: MRI examinations of 24 patients with hepatic metastases from pNET were quantitatively and qualitatively assessed by 2 blinded readers and compared to those obtained in 23 patients with hepatic metastases from mNET. Inter-reader agreement was calculated with kappa and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of each variable for the diagnosis of hepatic metastasis from pNET were calculated. Associations between variables and primary tumor (i.e., pNET vs. mNET) were assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses. A nomogram was developed and validated using an external cohort of 20 patients with pNET and 20 patients with mNET. Results: Interobserver agreement was strong to perfect (k = 0.893–1) for qualitative criteria and excellent for quantitative variables (ICC: 0.9817–0.9996). At univariate analysis, homogeneity on T1-weighted images was the most discriminating variable for the diagnosis of pNET (OR: 6.417; p = 0.013) with greatest sensitivity (88%; 21/24; 95% CI: 68–97%). At multivariate analysis, tumor homogeneity on T1-weighted images (p = 0.007; OR: 17.607; 95% CI: 2.179–142.295) and target sign on diffusion-weighted images (p = 0.007; OR: 19.869; 95% CI: 2.305–171.276) were independently associated with pNET. Nomogram yielded a corrected AUC of 0.894 (95% CI: 0.796–0.992) for the diagnosis of pNET in the training cohort and 0.805 (95% CI: 0.662–0.948) in the validation cohort. Conclusions: MRI provides qualitative features that can help discriminate between hepatic metastases from pNET and those from mNET.
Can the Onset of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration Be an Acceptable Endpoint for Prophylactic Clinical Trials?
Authors: Mendonça Luísa S.M. , Levine Emily S. , Waheed Nadia K.
Published: November 2020

Many studies over the past 20 years have pursued the goal of preventing or deferring progression from early and intermediate age-related macular degeneration (AMD) to advanced AMD. The onset of neovascular AMD has been used as a primary endpoint in some prophylactic clinical trials because it is easy to assess and relatively well-defined. Nevertheless, the use of this endpoint for assessing progression of AMD lacks validation. The aims of this paper are to review the current practice of clinical trials investigating the prevention of progression of early or intermediate AMD to neovascular AMD, so-called prophylactic trials, as well as identify ongoing efforts to standardize endpoints and select the ideal population for such studies.
Left Ventricular Magnetic Resonance Imaging Strain Predicts the Onset of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy–Associated Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Siddiqui Saira , Alsaied Tarek , Henson Sarah E. , Gandhi Janvi , Patel Priyal , Khoury Philip , Villa Chet , Ryan Thomas D. , Wittekind Samuel G. , Lang Sean M. , Taylor Michael D.
Published: November 2020

Background:

Early detection of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction before the onset of overt Duchenne muscular dystrophy–associated cardiomyopathy (DMDAC) may direct clinical management to slow onset of dysfunction. We aimed to assess whether LV strain will predict those who develop DMDAC.

Methods:

We performed a single center retrospective case control study of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy who underwent serial cardiac magnetic resonance between 2006 and 2019. Patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy with an LV ejection fraction ≥55% on ≥1 cardiac magnetic resonance were identified and grouped into age-matched +DMDAC and –DMDAC. Within 3 years, +DMDAC had a subsequent cardiac magnetic resonance with a decline in LV ejection fraction ≥10% and absolute LV ejection fraction ≤50%. −DMDAC maintained an LV ejection fraction ≥55% on serial cardiac magnetic resonances. Two-dimensional and 3-dimensional global radial strain, global circumferential strain (GCS), and global longitudinal strain were measured using tissue tracking software and their ability to predict DMDAC onset was assessed. Multivariable analysis adjusted for late gadolinium enhancement.

Results:

Thirty +DMDAC and 30 age-matched −DMDAC patients were included with a total of 164 studies analyzed. Before DMDAC onset, 2-dimensional global radial strain and GCS were significantly worse in +DMDAC compared with −DMDAC (25.1±6.0 versus 29.0±6.3,
P
=0.011; −15.4%±2.4 versus −17.3%±2.6,
P
=0.003). Three-dimensional GCS and global radial strain had similar findings. Among strain measures, 3-dimensional GCS had the highest area under the curve to predict DMDAC in our cohort. These findings persisted after adjusting for the presence of late gadolinium enhancement.

Conclusions:

Reduced global radial strain and GCS may predict those at risk for developing DMDAC before onset of LV dysfunction and its clinical utility warrants further exploration.
Risk Factor Control and Cardiovascular Event Risk in People With Type 2 Diabetes in Primary and Secondary Prevention Settings
Authors: Wright Alison K. , Suarez-Ortegon Milton Fabian , Read Stephanie H. , Kontopantelis Evangelos , Buchan Iain , Emsley Richard , Sattar Naveed , Ashcroft Darren M. , Wild Sarah H. , Rutter Martin K.
Published: November 2020

Background:

To examine the association between the degree of risk factor control and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in type 2 diabetes and to assess if the presence of cardio-renal disease modifies these relationships.

Methods:

A retrospective cohort study using data from English practices from CPRD GOLD (Clinical Practice Research Datalink) and the SCI-Diabetes dataset (Scottish Care Information-Diabetes), with linkage to hospital and mortality data. We identified 101 749 with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in CPRD matched with 378 938 controls without diabetes and 330 892 with type 2 diabetes in SCI-Diabetes between 2006 and 2015. The main exposure was number of optimized risk factors: nonsmoker, total cholesterol ≤4 mmol/L, triglycerides ≤1.7 mmol/L, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) ≤53 mmol/mol (≤7.0%), systolic blood pressure <140mm Hg, or <130 mm Hg if high risk. Cox models were used to assess cardiovascular risk associated with levels of risk factor control.

Results:

In CPRD, the mean baseline age in T2D was 63 years and 28% had cardio-renal disease (SCI-Diabetes: 62 years; 35% cardio-renal disease). Over 3 years follow-up (SCI-Diabetes: 6 years), CVD events occurred among 27 900 (27%) CPRD-T2D, 101 362 (31%) SCI-Diabetes-T2D, and 75 520 (19%) CPRD-controls. In CPRD, compared with controls, T2D participants with optimal risk factor control (all risk factors controlled) had a higher risk of CVD events (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.21; 95% confidence interval, 1.12–1.29). In T2D participants from CPRD and SCI-Diabetes, pooled hazard ratios for CVD associated with 5 risk factors being elevated versus optimal risk factor control were 1.09 (95% confidence interval, 1.01–1.17) in people with cardio-renal disease but 1.96 (95% confidence interval, 1.82–2.12) in people without cardio-renal disease. People without cardio-renal disease were younger and more likely to have suboptimal risk factor control but had fewer prescriptions for risk factor modifying medications than those with cardio-renal disease.

Conclusions:

Optimally managed people with T2D have a 21% higher CVD risk when compared with controls. People with T2D without cardio-renal disease would be predicted to benefit greatly from CVD risk factor intervention.
Treatment Patterns and Blood Pressure Control With Initiation of Combination Versus Monotherapy Antihypertensive Regimens
Authors: An Jaejin , Luong Tiffany , Qian Lei , Wei Rong , Liu Ran , Muntner Paul , Brettler Jeffrey , Jaffe Marc G. , Moran Andrew E. , Reynolds Kristi
Published: November 2020

Many patients with hypertension require 2 or more drug classes to achieve their blood pressure (BP) goal. We compared antihypertensive medication treatment patterns and BP control between patients who initiated combination therapy versus monotherapy. We identified adults with hypertension enrolled in a US integrated healthcare system who initiated antihypertensive medication between 2008 and 2014. Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, antihypertensive medication, and BP were extracted from electronic health records. Antihypertensive medication patterns and multivariable adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) of achieving the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guideline-recommended BP <130/80 mm Hg were evaluated for 2 years following treatment initiation. Of 135 971 patients, 43% initiated antihypertensive combination therapy (35% ACE [angiotensin converting enzyme] inhibitor (ACEI)-thiazide diuretics; 8% with other combinations) and 57% initiated monotherapy (22% ACEIs; 16% thiazide diuretics; 11% β blockers; 8% calcium channel blockers). After multivariable adjustment including premedication BP levels, patients who initiated ACEI-thiazide diuretic combination therapy were more likely to achieve BP <130/80 mm Hg compared with their counterparts who initiated monotherapy with ACEI (PR, 1.10 [95% CI, 1.08–1.12]), thiazide diuretic (PR, 1.21 [95% CI, 1.18–1.24]), β blocker (PR, 1.17 [95% CI, 1.14–1.20]), or calcium channel blocker (PR, 1.25 [95% CI, 1.22–1.29]). Compared with initiating monotherapy, patients initiating ACEI-thiazide diuretic combination therapy were more likely to achieve BP goals.
Extreme Diversity of the Human Vascular Mesenchymal Cell Landscape
Authors: Bruijn Laura E. , van den Akker Brendy E. W. M. , van Rhijn Connie M. , Hamming Jaap F. , Lindeman Jan H. N.
Published: November 2020

Background

Human mesenchymal cells are culprit factors in vascular (patho)physiology and are hallmarked by phenotypic and functional heterogeneity. At present, they are subdivided by classic umbrella terms, such as “fibroblasts,” “myofibroblasts,” “smooth muscle cells,” “fibrocytes,” “mesangial cells,” and “pericytes.” However, a discriminative marker‐based subclassification has to date not been established.

Methods and Results

As a first effort toward a classification scheme, a systematic literature search was performed to identify the most commonly used phenotypical and functional protein markers for characterizing and classifying vascular mesenchymal cell subpopulation(s). We next applied immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence to inventory the expression pattern of identified markers on human aorta specimens representing early, intermediate, and end stages of human atherosclerotic disease. Included markers comprise markers for mesenchymal lineage (vimentin, FSP‐1 [fibroblast‐specific protein‐1]/S100A4, cluster of differentiation (CD) 90/thymocyte differentiation antigen 1, and FAP [fibroblast activation protein]), contractile/non‐contractile phenotype (α‐smooth muscle actin, smooth muscle myosin heavy chain, and nonmuscle myosin heavy chain), and auxiliary contractile markers (h1‐Calponin, h‐Caldesmon, Desmin, SM22α [smooth muscle protein 22α], non‐muscle myosin heavy chain, smooth muscle myosin heavy chain, Smoothelin‐B, α‐Tropomyosin, and Telokin) or adhesion proteins (Paxillin and Vinculin). Vimentin classified as the most inclusive lineage marker. Subset markers did not separate along classic lines of smooth muscle cell, myofibroblast, or fibroblast, but showed clear temporal and spatial diversity. Strong indications were found for presence of stem cells/Endothelial‐to‐Mesenchymal cell Transition and fibrocytes in specific aspects of the human atherosclerotic process.

Conclusions

This systematic evaluation shows a highly diverse and dynamic landscape for the human vascular mesenchymal cell population that is not captured by the classic nomenclature. Our observations stress the need for a consensus multiparameter subclass designation along the lines of the cluster of differentiation classification for leucocytes.
The Role of Artists' Collectives in Producing State Socialist Art in 1950s Romania the Bottom-Up, Pragmatic Professionalization of State Commissions
Authors: Preda Caterina
Published: November 2020

This article analyzes the collective basis of the establishment of the Socialist Realist model of production for the fine arts in Romania in the early 1950s. It discusses the unstudied case of the “artists' collectives” (of production) together with other collective forms, such as the collective studios and the guiding commissions. This is an archive-based study of cultural institutionalism of socialist regimes, based on the analysis of under-explored archival sources such as those of the Romanian Artists' Union (UAP) or the Artistic Fund (FP). Focusing on two specific case studies, those of the artists' collectives “Progressive art” and “Th. Aman”, both founded in 1951, it provides more context to the establishment of the socialist model in Romania. The article finds the state assumed definition of art considered the artist as a simple executioner, and the “artists' collectives” participated in eradicating the individuality of the artist, one of the goals of the new socialist model.
Dissimulitermes, a new soldierless termite genus (Blattaria: Isoptera: Termitidae: Apicotermitinae) from the Neotropics and the histology of its dehiscent organ
Authors: Constantini Joice , Janei Vanelize , Costa-Leonardo Ana Maria , Cancello Eliana M.
Published: November 2020

A new genus, Dissimulitermes Constantini & Cancello gen. nov., is described from the Neotropical region. The main morphological feature of the new genus is remarkable defensive organs. A new species of Dissimulitermes is described: D. invisibilis Constantini & Cancello, sp. nov. Description, comparisons, measurements, a distribution map, histology of their dehiscent organ, and an illustration of all the fundamental morphological aspects are provided.
A Rediscovered Almoravid Qurʾān in the Bavarian State Library, Munich (Cod. arab. 4)
Authors: Bongianino Umberto
Published: November 2020

This article examines and contextualizes a small Quranic manuscript, copied in al-Andalus in 533/1138–1139, whose importance has so far gone unrecognized. Among its many interesting features are: its early date; its lavish illumination; its colophon and the information contained therein; its system of notation and textual division; its use of different calligraphic styles, including Maghribī thuluth; and a series of didactic notes written at the beginning and end of the codex. Presented in the appendix is an updated list of the extant Qurʾāns in Maghribī scripts dated to before 600/1203–1204, aimed at encouraging the digitization, publication, and comparative study of this still largely uncharted material. The advancement of scholarship on the arts of the book, the transmission of the Qurʾān, and the consumption of Quranic manuscripts in the Islamic West depends upon the analysis of these and many other surviving codices and fragments, related to Cod. arab. 4 of the Bavarian State Library and its context of production.
Thanks for Typing
Authors: Christensen Karen
Published: November 2020

In this paper, I review the Thanks for Typing conference held at Oxford University in March 2019, which explored the experiences of women who worked as literary helpmeets for famous men. I also give some details from the papers presented there. In my paper ‘“Jumped-up Typists”: Two secretaries who became guardians of the flame’, I discussed how two literary wives, Sophia Mumford (1899–1997), wife of the American historian and philosopher Lewis Mumford, and Valerie Eliot (1926–2012), second wife of T. S. Eliot, found their identities in supporting, and later defending, their husbands’ work. I also looked at the consequences of their devotion as they grew older. It was clear from the papers presented at Thanks for Typing that the contributions of the women who surround powerful or influential men—not only as typists but as assistants, muses, and even managers of their husbands’ affairs—are often hidden and suppressed. The full acknowledgment of those who contribute to creative and intellectual work is a subject that needs further attention from both men and women.
The Role of Literary Prizes in Inciting Change
Authors: Chatfield Zoë
Published: November 2020

Originally, literary prizes were restricted to the world of academia, but since the 19th century they have grown to become commercial events in the publishing calendar. This article looks at the role of the literary prize as an agent of change by focusing on two prominent prizes in the United Kingdom: the Booker and the Women’s Prize for Fiction. By analysing data from archive material held at Oxford Brookes University, this article argues that the founding of the Women’s Prize highlighted an issue with the Booker and promoted discussion around that issue, and that the Booker reacted positively in the years after the introduction of a competing literary prize.
The Human Intellect: Liberation or Limitation?
Authors: Ebstein Michael
Published: November 2020

The article discusses various attitudes towards the human intellect (ʿaql) in classical Islamic mysticism, as reflected in key mystical writings composed from the third/ninth century to the rise of Ibn al-ʿArabī in the sixth/twelfth. It begins by presenting the basic challenge that the concept of ʿaql posed for the mystics of Islam and then proceeds to analyze diverse approaches to the intellect in works that were written in both the east (mashriq) and the west (al-Andalus). Special attention is given to the impact of Neoplatonism on mystical attitudes towards the intellect. The conclusion to the article offers general observations on the problem of ʿaql in classical Islamic mysticism, and attempts to explain the tendency of certain sixth/twelfth-century mystics who were exposed to Neoplatonic thought to reduce the role of the intellect in the mystical quest for God.
Impact of Shelf Valleys on the Spread of Surface-Trapped River Plumes
Authors: Xiao Canbo , Zhang Weifeng , Chen Ying
Published: November 2020

This study focuses on mechanisms of shelf valley bathymetry affecting the spread of riverine freshwater in the nearshore region. In the context of Changjiang River, a numerical model is used with different no-tide idealized configurations to simulate development of unforced river plumes over a sloping bottom, with and without a shelf valley off the estuary mouth. All simulated freshwater plumes are surface-trapped with continuously growing bulges near the estuary mouth and narrow coastal currents downstream. The simulations indicate that a shelf valley tends to compress the bulge along the direction of the valley long axis and modify the incident angle of the bulge flow impinging toward the coast, which then affects the strength of the coastal current. The bulge compression results from geostrophic adjustment and isobath-following tendency of the depth-averaged flow in the bulge region. Generally, the resulting change in the direction of the bulge impinging flow enhances down-shelf momentum advection and freshwater delivery into the coastal current. Sensitivity simulations with altered river discharges Q, Coriolis parameter, shelf bottom slope, valley geometry, and ambient stratification show that enhancement of down-shelf freshwater transport in the coastal current, ΔQc, increases with increasing valley depth within the bulge region and decreasing slope Burger number of the ambient shelf. Assuming potential vorticity conservation, a scaling formula of ΔQc/Q is developed, and it agrees well with results of the sensitivity simulations. Mechanisms of valley influences on unforced river plumes revealed here will help future studies of topographic influence on river plumes under more realistic conditions.
Dynamics of Deep Recirculation Cells Offshore of the Deep Western Boundary Current in the Subtropical North Atlantic (15°–30°N)
Authors: Biló Tiago Carrilho , Johns William E , Zhao Jian
Published: November 2020

The dynamics of the deep recirculation offshore of the deep western boundary current (DWBC) between 15° and 30°N within the upper North Atlantic Deep Water layer (1000 ≤ z ≤ 3000 m) is investigated with two different eddy-resolving numerical simulations. Despite some differences in the recirculation cells, our assessment of the modeled deep isopycnal circulation patterns (36.77 ≤ σ2 ≤ 37.06 kg m−3) shows that both simulations predict the DWBC flowing southward along the continental slope, while the so-called Abaco Gyre and two additional cyclonic cells recirculate waters northward in the interior. These cells are a few degrees wide, located along the DWBC path, and characterized by potential vorticity (PV) changes occurring along their mean streamlines. The analysis of the mean PV budget reveals that these changes result from the action of eddy forcing that tends to erode the PV horizontal gradients. The lack of a major upper-ocean boundary current within the study region, and the fact that the strongest eddy forcing is constrained within a few hundreds of kilometers of the western boundary, suggest that the DWBC is the primary source of eddy forcing. Finally, the eddies responsible for forcing the recirculation have dominant time scales between 100 and 300 days, which correspond to the primary observed variability scales of the DWBC transport at 26.5°N.
Hiring and Intra-occupational Gender Segregation in Software Engineering
Authors: Campero Santiago
Published: November 2020

Women tend to be segregated into different subspecialties than men within male-dominated occupations, but the mechanisms contributing to such intra-occupational gender segregation remain obscure. In this study, I use data from an online recruiting platform and a survey to examine the hiring mechanisms leading to gender segregation within software engineering and development. I find that women are much more prevalent among workers hired in software quality assurance than in other software subspecialties. Importantly, jobs in software quality assurance are lower-paying and perceived as lower status than jobs in other software subspecialties. In examining the origins of this pattern, I find that it stems largely from women being more likely than men to apply for jobs in software quality assurance. Further, such gender differences in job applications are attenuated among candidates with stronger educational credentials, consistent with the idea that relevant accomplishments help mitigate gender differences in self-assessments of competence and belonging in these fields. Demand-side selection processes further contribute to gender segregation, as employers penalize candidates with quality assurance backgrounds, a subspecialty where women are overrepresented, when they apply for jobs in other, higher-status software subspecialties.
Towards a theoretical synergy: Critical race theory and decolonial thought in Trumpamerica and Brexit Britain
Authors: Meghji Ali
Published: November 2020

This article argues for a theoretical synergy between critical race theory (CRT) and decolonial thought. The author propounds that while CRT and decolonial thought have different scopes, we can synergize them in analysis. Specifically, decolonial thought’s transnational focus on coloniality complements CRT’s ‘presentist’ focus on national racialized social systems. The author displays the efficacy of this theoretical synergy by discussing Brexit Britain and Trumpamerica. While CRT is helpful for analysing how these political projects built upon contemporary post-racial ideology and racialized emotions, it struggles to deal with the postcolonial melancholia that runs through both political moments. Decolonial thought is thus required to tease out the transnational, historical dynamics of coloniality embodied in Brexit Britain and Trumpamerica. This is particularly apparent in the way both projects involve a desire to return the nation to its imperial glory, and to keep those who are deemed to be opposed to Western civilization – particularly ‘the Muslim’ – outside of the nation’s borders.
The Effect of Lodging Taxes on the Performance of US Hotels
Authors: Sharma Abhinav , Perdue Richard R. , Nicolau Juan L.
Published: November 2020

The objective of this article is to analyze the impact of lodging taxes on the performance of US hotels by looking at the two key market segments involved. The empirical application conducted on a sample of more than 7,000 observations corresponding to more than 100 urban submarkets from 2013 to 2018 finds that lodging taxes have a more negative effect on hotel performance (RevPar) for group bookings than for transient bookings. As groups usually have greater flexibility regarding the location of events, they can more easily choose a different destination if a tax increase is observed. To prevent this possibility hotels may be more inclined to offer discounts to groups, thereby absorbing some of the tax increase. The results obtained have relevant managerial implications, which are discussed.
Popper and Kuhn: A Different Retrospect
Authors: Hattiangadi Jagdish
Published: November 2020

Karl Popper and Thomas Kuhn were friends of science because they shared some values—the value of science for humanity, especially. My thesis is that their different accounts of science could not save it from its belittlers. They failed in their defense of science unknowingly, because of what they did not do. They did not defend an Enlightenment opinion that happens to be true—namely, that a new theory of induction of the seventeenth century can be applied successfully to gain knowledge. They opposed the opinion that the “experimental philosophy” of the Royal Society in London can sometimes produce affirmative knowledge of fundamental principles, even if that sort of event is rare and hard to pull off.
Cultural Evolutionary Theory and the Significance of the Biology-Culture Analogy
Authors: Stanley Shaun
Published: November 2020

Throughout the literature on Cultural Evolutionary Theory (CET) attention is drawn to the existence and significance of an analogy between biological phenomena and socio-cultural phenomena (the “biology-culture analogy”). Mesoudi (2017) seems to argue that it is the accuracy of the analogy, and the magnitude of accurate instances of this analogy at work, which provides warrant for an evolutionary approach to the study of socio-cultural phenomena, and, thus, for CET. An implication of this is that if there is evidence to suggest that the analogy is not accurate, or that there aren’t many cases where it is accurate, this would constitute evidence to reject an evolutionary approach to the study of socio-cultural phenomena. As such, opponents of CET raise objections highlighting the weakness of the biology-culture analogy. These objections, in turn, have standard replies in the literature that serve to reinforce the realism of the biology-culture analogy. Curiously, this situation would appear to support a position in the philosophy of social science called “Ontology Matters” (Lauer 2019). It is the view that social ontology can contribute to the empirical success of the social sciences (among which I include CET) by providing an accurate account of what there is in the domain of the social world which can be used to generate better explanations and/or predictions of social phenomena. If ontology matters, in this sense, perhaps this can help to clarify and resolve the dispute regarding the realism of the biology-culture analogy. In turn, perhaps this can help us determine what warrant there is for CET. However, I think this situation is indicative of severe confusion and misunderstanding as to the significance of the biology-culture analogy. This confusion is caused by inattention to two things. First, the useful distinction between it’s methodological, epistemological, and ontological significance. Second, the abstract (ontologically minimalist) nature of Darwinian evolution by natural selection. By drawing attention to these two things, I hope to take the sting out of, and deflate the significance of, disputes regarding the accuracy of the analogy, for both proponents and opponents of CET, as well as to bring into contact a classical dispute in the philosophy of social science with some relevant aspects of theoretical biology.
Rank and File Employee Satisfaction and the Implied Cost of Equity Capital
Authors: Fu Jiajia , Ji Yuan , Jing Jiao
Published: November 2020

Rank and file employees execute firms’ daily operating activities, but prior research rarely examines their importance due to a lack of employee information. In this article, we use a novel data set—company reviews by rank and file employees—to provide evidence on the impact of employee satisfaction on a firm’s cost of equity capital. We find that firms with higher employee satisfaction have a lower cost of equity. Our results are robust to a variety of endogeneity tests and model specifications. We also find that the effect of employee satisfaction is more pronounced for firms with higher risk, greater financial constraints, and higher labor intensity or product market competition where labor is more critical to firm success. Further analysis shows that the negative association between employee satisfaction and the cost of equity is primarily grounded in reviews from current rather than former employees. Finally, we document that firms with high employee satisfaction experience lower systematic and idiosyncratic risk. Overall, our article presents novel evidence on the capital market benefits of higher employee satisfaction, particularly with regard to financing cost reduction.