bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decreasing trend in preterm birth and perinatal mortality, do disparities also decline?
Authors: Ravelli Anita C. J. , Eskes Martine , van der Post Joris A. M. , Abu-Hanna Ameen , de Groot Christianne J. M.
Published: May 2020

Background

In the Netherlands, several initiatives started after the publication of the PERISTAT findings that showed the perinatal mortality risk was higher than in other European countries. The objective of this study is 1) to report recent trends in perinatal mortality and in intermediate risk groups (preterm birth, congenital anomalies and small for gestational age (SGA)), 2) describing perinatal mortality risk among children born preterm, with congenital anomalies or SGA, and born in maternal high risk groups (parity, age, ethnicity and socio-economic status (SES)).

Methods

A nationwide cohort study in the Netherlands among 996,423 singleton births in 2010–2015 with a gestational age between 24.0 and 42.6 weeks. Trend tests, univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used. We did separate analyses for gestational age subgroups and line of care.

Results

The perinatal mortality rate was 5.0 per 1000 and it decreased significantly from 5.6 in 2010 to 4.6 per 1000 in 2015. Preterm birth significantly declined (6.1% in 2010 to 5.6% in 2015). Analysis by gestational age groups showed that the largest decline in perinatal mortality of 32% was seen at 24–27 weeks of gestation where the risk declined from 497 to 339 per 1000. At term, the decline was 23% from 2.2 to 1.7 per 1000. The smallest decline was 3% between 32 and 36 weeks.

In children with preterm birth, congenital anomalies or SGA, the perinatal mortality risk significantly declined. Main risk factors for perinatal mortality were African ethnicity (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.1 95%CI [1.9–2.4]), maternal age ≥ 40 years (aOR1.9 95%CI [1.7–2.2]) and parity 2+ (aOR 1.4 95%CI [1.3–1.5]). Among the (post)term born neonates, there was no significant decline in perinatal mortality in women with low age, low or high SES, non-Western ethnicity and among women who started or delivered under primary care.

Conclusions

There is a decline in preterm birth and in perinatal mortality between 2010 and 2015. The decline in perinatal mortality is both in stillbirths and in neonatal mortality, most prominently among 24–27 weeks and among (post)term births. A possible future target could be deliveries among 32–36 weeks, women with high maternal age or non-Western ethnicity.
FOXC2 is a prognostic biomarker and contributes to the growth and invasion of human hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Chen Jinzhang , Rong Xiaoxiang , Liu Xinhui , Zheng Dayong , Rong Xiaodong , Chen Fengsheng , Zhao Peng , Liu Feiye , Ruan Jian
Published: May 2020

Background

Forkhead box C2 (FOXC2) is a crucial factor involving in various cancers. However, its functions in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unknown. Here, we explored the role of FOXC2 in the progression of HCC and its potential mechanisms.

Methods

FOXC2 expression in HCC tissue and cells were detected by immunohistochemistry or western blot and real-time PCR. CCK8, wound healing and transwell assay were used to measure cell growth and invasion. Tumor formation experiment was carried out to assess the tumorigenicity of HCC cells. Regulation of FOXC2 on Ang-2 was validated by luciferase assay and complementary experiments.

Results

Increased FOXC2 expression was found to be associated positively with more aggressive clinicopathologic features. HCC patients with higher FOXC2 expression had significantly shorter overall survival. FOXC2 expression was indentified as an independent risk factor for resectable HCC. Increased FOXC2 expression accelerated the migration and invasion of HCC cells, accompanied by enhanced Ang-2 expression. Likewise, FOXC2 knockdown yielded opposite results. Moreover, FOXC2 stimulated the activation of the Ang-2 promoter. Suppression of Ang-2 expression hindered the FOXC2-mediated EMT processs, cell migration and invasion of HCC.

Conclusions

FOXC2 is a novel prognostic predictor for HCC and may facilitate the growth and invasion through Ang-2.
The impact and distinction of ‘lipid healthy but obese’ and ‘lipid abnormal but not obese’ phenotypes on lumbar disc degeneration in Chinese
Authors: Shi Sheng , Zhou Zhi , Liao Jun-Jun , Yang Yue-Hua , Wu Jun-Song , Zheng Shuang , He Shi-Sheng
Published: May 2020

Background

Lipid abnormality and obesity have been proposed to be associated with lumbar disc degeneration, but little is known about the effect of ‘lipid healthy but obese’ (LH-O) and ‘lipid abnormal but not obese’ (LA-NO) phenotypes on lumbar disc degeneration in Chinese. The study aims to determine the impact and distinction of LH-O and LA-NO phenotypes on lumbar disc degeneration in Chinese, and to identify the association of related factors with risk of lumbar disc degeneration.

Methods

A total of 678 individuals were included with lumbar magnetic resonance imaging, serum lipid levels and anthropometric measurements. Obesity was defined on the basis of body mass index or waist to hip ratio (WHR). Pfirrmann score and Weishaupt’s scale were utilized to assess the degree of disc degeneration and facet joint degeneration.

Results

The incidence of the LH-O and LA-NO phenotypes were 11.4% and 18.1%, respectively. LA-NO phenotype demonstrates a high incidence for disc degeneration (P < 0.05), while LH-O phenotype confers a severe disc degeneration grade (P < 0.05). No statistical difference in the percentage of severe facet joint degeneration grade in each group (P > 0.05). Elevated triglycerides and greater WHR may be the risk factors for lumbar disc degeneration in Chinese.

Conclusion

LH-O and LA-NO phenotypes are common with different status of disc degeneration in Chinese. Elevated triglycerides and abdominal obesity appear to play crucial roles in the development of lumbar disc degeneration.
Correction to: Sexual and reproductive health (SRH): a key issue in the emergency response to the coronavirus disease (COVID- 19) outbreak
Authors: Tang Kun , Gaoshan Junjian , Ahonsi Babatunde , Ali Moazzam , Bonet Mercedes , Broutet Nathalie , Kara Edna , Kim Caron , Thorson Anna , Thwin Soe Soe
Published: May 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Is diet partly responsible for differences in COVID-19 death rates between and within countries?
Authors:   The ARIA group, Bousquet Jean , Anto Josep M. , Iaccarino Guido , Czarlewski Wienczyslawa , Haahtela Tari , Anto Aram , Akdis Cezmi A. , Blain Hubert , Canonica G. Walter , Cardona Victoria , Cruz Alvaro A. , Illario Maddalena , Ivancevich Juan Carlos , Jutel Marek , Klimek Ludger , Kuna Piotr , Laune Daniel , Larenas-Linnemann Désirée , Mullol Joaquim , Papadopoulos Nikos G. , Pfaar Oliver , Samolinski Boleslaw , Valiulis Arunas , Yorgancioglu Arzu , Zuberbier Torsten
Published: May 2020

Reported COVID-19 deaths in Germany are relatively low as compared to many European countries. Among the several explanations proposed, an early and large testing of the population was put forward. Most current debates on COVID-19 focus on the differences among countries, but little attention has been given to regional differences and diet. The low-death rate European countries (e.g. Austria, Baltic States, Czech Republic, Finland, Norway, Poland, Slovakia) have used different quarantine and/or confinement times and methods and none have performed as many early tests as Germany. Among other factors that may be significant are the dietary habits. It seems that some foods largely used in these countries may reduce angiotensin-converting enzyme activity or are anti-oxidants. Among the many possible areas of research, it might be important to understand diet and angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) levels in populations with different COVID-19 death rates since dietary interventions may be of great benefit.
Protective effect of Antigonon leptopus (Hook et. Arn) in cadmium induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in rats
Authors: Poosa Madhuri , Vanapatla Swaroopa Rani
Published: May 2020

Background

Antigonon leptopus is a medicinal plant its leaves has not been reported for protective effects against cadmium induced hepatorenal toxicity. Cadmium (Cd) is a non-essential toxic metal used in industrial process, causes severe risk to human health with high levels. It is accumulated primarily in liver and kidney.

Methods

Male Wistar albino rats (200-250 g) were divided into 6 groups (n = 6) and had free access to diet and water. Cadmium chloride (5 mg/kg b.w/day) was administered orally for 21 days and methanolic extract of Antigonon leptopus (ALME) was administered to groups of cadmium treated rats at daily doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w;p.o. for 21 days. At the end, liver and kidney markers along with antioxidant parameters are evaluated.

Results

The results indicated that, administration of cadmium significantly (p < 0.05) increased the levels liver enzymes in serum and bilirubin levels, decreases in total proteins and albumin; in addition to the levels of uric acid, urea and creatinine were increased in the serum. Glutathione (GSH) levels and the enzyme catalase activities were significantly(p < 0.05) decreased while lipid peroxidation was increased in hepatic and renal tissues of cadmium treated rats. The pre-administration of ALME at all the three test doses, alleviated hepatorenal toxicity in cadmium treated rats, used Silymarin (100 mg/kg) as standard. Moreover, ALME treatment was able to reverse the histopathological changes in liver and kidney tissues, and increased the red blood cells, hemoglobin content and decreased prothrombin time and white blood cells.

Conclusion

Among all the three test doses, ALME at 200 mg/kg have shown significant antioxidant effect and also exerts beneficial effect against cadmium induced hepatorenal toxicity.
Full-chain modeling and performance analysis of integral imaging three-dimensional display system
Authors: Yuan Ying , Wang Xiaorui , Yang Yang , Yuan Hang , Zhang Chao , Zhao Zhenshun
Published: May 2020

The full-chain system performance characterization is very important for the optimization design of an integral imaging three-dimensional (3D) display system. In this paper, the acquisition and display processes of 3D scene will be treated as a complete light field information transmission process. The full-chain performance characterization model of an integral imaging 3D display system is established, which uses the 3D voxel, the image depth, and the field of view of the reconstructed images as the 3D display quality evaluation indicators. Unlike most of the previous research results using the ideal integral imaging model, the proposed full-chain performance characterization model considering the diffraction effect and optical aberration of the microlens array, the sampling effect of the detector, 3D image data scaling, and the human visual system, can accurately describe the actual 3D light field transmission and convergence characteristics. The relationships between key parameters of an integral imaging 3D display system and the 3D display quality evaluation indicators are analyzed and discussed by the simulation experiment. The results will be helpful for the optimization design of a high-quality integral imaging 3D display system.
The Academic Career Readiness Assessment: Clarifying Hiring and Training Expectations for Future Biomedical Life Sciences Faculty
Authors: Clement Laurence , Dorman Jennie B. , McGee Richard
Published: May 2020

The Academic Career Readiness Assessment (ACRA) represents the qualifications and levels of achievement required to obtain a faculty position in the life sciences across institutions, providing trainees with the information needed to prepare for a faculty position, regardless of the knowledge or abilities of their mentors.
Global Alliance for Genomics and Health Meets Bioconductor: Toward Reproducible and Agile Cancer Genomics at Cloud Scale
Authors: Carey Vincent J. , Ramos Marcel , Stubbs Benjamin J. , Gopaulakrishnan Shweta , Oh Sehyun , Turaga Nitesh , Waldron Levi , Morgan Martin
Published: May 2020

PURPOSE

Institutional efforts toward the democratization of cloud-scale data and analysis methods for cancer genomics are proceeding rapidly. As part of this effort, we bridge two major bioinformatic initiatives: the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH) and Bioconductor.

METHODS

We describe in detail a use case in pancancer transcriptomics conducted by blending implementations of the GA4GH Workflow Execution Services and Tool Registry Service concepts with the Bioconductor curatedTCGAData and BiocOncoTK packages.

RESULTS

We carried out the analysis with a formally archived workflow and container at dockstore.org and a workspace and notebook at app.terra.bio. The analysis identified relationships between microsatellite instability and biomarkers of immune dysregulation at a finer level of granularity than previously reported. Our use of standard approaches to containerization and workflow programming allows this analysis to be replicated and extended.

CONCLUSION

Experimental use of dockstore.org and app.terra.bio in concert with Bioconductor enabled novel statistical analysis of large genomic projects without the need for local supercomputing resources but involved challenges related to container design, script archiving, and unit testing. Best practices and cost/benefit metrics for the management and analysis of globally federated genomic data and annotation are evolving. The creation and execution of use cases like the one reported here will be helpful in the development and comparison of approaches to federated data/analysis systems in cancer genomics.
Biomarkers in Precision Cancer Immunotherapy: Promise and Challenges
Authors: McKean William B. , Moser Justin C. , Rimm David , Hu-Lieskovan Siwen
Published: May 2020

The rapid expansion of modern cancer immunotherapeutics has led to a dramatic improvement in patient survival and sustained remission for otherwise refractory malignancies. However, a significant limitation behind these current treatment modalities is an irregularity in clinical response, which is especially pronounced among checkpoint inhibition. This unpredictability leads to significant side effects, financial costs, and health care burden, with unsatisfactory clinical benefit in the majority of treated patients. Additionally, although ongoing studies and trials investigate the use of multiple biomarkers predictive of patient response or harm, none of these are comprehensive in predicting potential benefit. This unmet need for validated biomarkers is largely secondary to a prohibitive complexity within tumor parenchyma and microenvironment, dynamic clonal and proteomic changes to therapy, heterogenous host immune defects, and varied standardization among sample preparation and reporting. Herein, we discuss current advantages of predictive biomarkers, as well as limitations in their clinical use and application. We also review future directions, ideal characteristics, and trial design needed for proper precision immuno-oncology and biomarker development.
Factor VIII and Functional Protein C Activity in Critically Ill Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Case Series
Authors: Tabatabai Ali , Rabin Joseph , Menaker Jay , Madathil Ronson , Galvagno Samuel , Menne Ashley , Chow Jonathan H. , Grazioli Alison , Herr, Daniel , Tanaka Kenichi , Scalea Thomas , Mazzeffi Michael
Published: May 2020

Critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been observed to be hypercoagulable, but the mechanisms for this remain poorly described. Factor VIII is a procoagulant factor that increases during inflammation and is cleaved by activated protein C. To our knowledge, there is only 1 prior study of factor VIII and functional protein C activity in critically ill patients with COVID-19. Here, we present a case series of 10 critically ill patients with COVID-19 who had severe elevations in factor VIII activity and low normal functional protein C activity, which may have contributed to hypercoagulability.
DESIGN OF FAULT-TOLERANT CHIP INTERFACES
Authors: Zolnikov Vladimir , Mozgovoy Nikolay , Grechanyy Sergey , Selyutin Igor' , Strukov I.
Published: May 2020

The article discusses the process of designing the interface of fault-tolerant chips. A redundant internal interface is designed for integrating system components on chips into a single information exchange system. The paper describes the interface for the four-channel construction of the VLSI chip of the BMC SNK. Special attention is paid to the description of interface signals.
LOAD BALANCING IN CLOUD COMPUTING
Authors: Zolnikov Vladimir , Oksyuta O. , Dayub Nur
Published: May 2020

Cloud computing is a new Internet technology that focuses on commercial computing. Load balancing helps improve the performance of a centralized server. This paper analyzes various algorithms using the tool of analysis, namely, cloud-based Analytics. A comparison of load distribution algorithms is also made.
Preparation of future geography teachers for professional activity on a basis competence approach
Authors: Hevko Ihor Vasilievich
Published: May 2020

The professional competence of the future teacher of geography, in addition to the level of his own professional education, is determined by his motivated desire for continuous self-education and self-improvement, attitude to work.The axiological component of the studied phenomenon is considered. If we understand professional training as a process of professional development, mastering the experience of future professional activity, we can say that a competent specialist is characterized by value-semantic attitude to future activities. Positive attitude of future teachers to the emergence and development of professional pedagogical competence provides and supports motivational sphere. expressed in need and interest.Preparation of future teachers of geography for professional activity has its own features, which allows to specify and clarify the definition of "preparation of future teachers of geography for professional activity" as an integrated education, including a system of organizational and pedagogical activities focused on educational process - obtaining professional knowledge and skills basics of methods of teaching geography as a pedagogical science and methods of its research, the formation of abilities and qualities necessary for future activities, and I result - the willingness of teachers to the profession. Accordingly, we can formulate a definition of "readiness of future geography teachers for professional activities" as an integral education that is manifested in the needs, desires, motives for professional activities, as well as provides the ability to educational activities based on existing geographical and pedagogical knowledge, skills and emotional experience. value attitude to geographical science.
The influence of thyroid function disorders on pregnant women on the Apgar scale and psychomotor development of the child in the first 18 months of life
Authors: Florczyk Weronika , Weber-Nowakowska Katarzyna , Gębska Magdalena
Published: May 2020

Introduction. In the prenatal period, there are many exogenous and endogenous factors, which adversely affect the normal development of the fetus and may affect the further development of the child. The impaired reference level of thyroid hormones pregnant woman may entail a number of complications, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy, wherein the process takes place organogenesis and the formation of the nervous system.Goal. The overall objective of the work is to verify the correlation between hypothyroidism and child developmental problems in the first eighteen months of life and the Apgar scale.Materials and methods. The study included 200 pregnant women aged 17 to 40 years of age. The research tool was an online, proprietary questionnaire, which has been placed in social groups, which included pregnant women struggling with hypothyroidism.Conclusions. Developmental disorders up to 18 months of children age occurred in 45% of women with thyroid dysfunction, of which 43% related to symptoms of neurological problems including 56% of impaired muscle tone. The present study demonstrates that the final outcome Apgar does not forecast problems in the course of further development of the child up to 18 months of age. Significant further research, which will help establish the presence of mechanisms adverse impact on offspring and pregnancy outcomes.
The use of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway as an immunotherapy in oncological diseases, autoimmune diseases and infectious diseases
Authors: Madras Dominika Katarzyna , Rocka Agata Agnieszka , Szumna Klaudia Daria , Jasielski Patryk Piotr , Piędel Faustyna
Published: May 2020

Introduction: PD-1 is programmed death receptor 1 belonging to the CD28 family of receptors. Immune cells have this receptor on their surface. PD-L1 allows cancer cells to avoid the host's response. Connection to the PD-1 receptor leads to the death of the immune cell.Objective: The use of PD-1 receptors in the treatment of oncological, autoimmune and infectious diseases.Abbreviated description of the state of knowledge: The development and progression of immunotherapy in recent years has resulted in the approval of five immunotherapy pathways targeting PD-1 (pembrolizumab and durvalumab) or PD-L1 (atezolizumab, nivolumab and avelumab) in patients with progression during or after cisplatin based chemotherapy. The latest updates show that in some types of cancer, positive PD-L1 expression has an effect on treatment effect and qualification. These therapies are used, among others in melanoma, lymphomas, kidney cancer or breast cancer. PD-1 is also used to treat autoimmune and infectious diseases.Conclusions: Understanding the mechanism of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway allows to design targeted therapy for individuals. It has been already used in NSCLC treatment program, whether bladder cancer or melanoma. Immunotherapy increases the survival time of patients with advanced stages of cancer. The therapies targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway in autoimmune and infectious diseases are in clinical trials.
Age-related relationship between the development of hyperplastic processes and VEGF expression in endometrial cells
Authors: Chumak Z. V. , Shapoval M. V. , Artyomenko V. V.
Published: May 2020

The existence of a clear tendency to increase the prevalence of hormone-dependent diseases and endometrial cancer against the background of increasing the frequency of their occurrence and rejuvenation of the age of manifestation leads to the search for new possible markers of diagnosis and prognosis of the development of pathological process. Angiogenesis is one of the forms that lead to the formation of new blood vessels, with an increased metabolic need for perfusion of existing vessels. The vascular endothelial growth factor family (VEGF) is a protein that is the major inducer of angiogenesis. The objective: To study the expression of VEGF in endometrial cells in proliferative, hyperplastic, atrophic states at women’s different ages. Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis of medical records of the pathohistological bureau for the period 2014-2016 was conducted. 2196 pathomorphological findings of endometrial tissue specimens have been examined. Estimation of VEGF expression was performed in 417 endometrial specimens, in the cohorts of the study: in the reproductive, perimenopausal, postmenopausal periods, respectively, in groups with physiological endometrial proliferation phase, hyperplastic, atypical, atrophic endometrium. The results were statistically processed. Results and discussion. Analyzing the data presented, higher VEGF expression was detected in atypical hyperplasia in all age categories, but it was likely that higher rates were established in the postmenopausal period, with atypical endometrial hyperplasia, suggesting physicians' alertness to the process in this category. Probably low were indexes found at atrophic endometrium in this age category, which confirms the endometrial preservation of its growth factors, and in the presence of processes that stimulate the proliferation of the organ, they can trigger at the molecular-genetic level, neoplastic mechanisms. The data of the retrospective analysis confirm the growth of atypical form of hyperplastic processes and their maximum detection in the age categories 41 - 45  and 46 - 50 years old, and the beginning of detection of endometrial malignancy from the age of 46 - 50 years old, with a gradual increase with age. Conclusions. Expression of VEGF level in endometrial tissue cells as an inducer of angiogenesis can be a promising marker for the diagnosis of the risk of proliferative conditions and their prognosis, especially in relation to other markers characterizing immunohistochemical and molecular genetic cellular parameters.
Plant based diet and cardio-metabolic disease
Authors: Dąbrowska Justyna , Wójcik Magdalena , Borowik Joanna , Kuśmierczuk Kinga , Pieciewicz-Szczęsna Halina
Published: May 2020

Introduction: Modern lifestyle, especially diet have a great impact on health. The number of people suffering from conditions related to lifestyle is growing rapidly. Illnesses related to lifestyle, specifically to diet are large health and economic burdens, which makes them the leading priorities of our time. Coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, type 2 diabetes, and obesity are some of cardio-metabolic diseases related to diet.  Plant-based diets are dietary patterns in which  a high intake of plant food is emphasized  and the intake of animal products is limited. Plant based diet was associated with decreased risk of cardio-metabolic disease.The aim of the study: The purpose of this systemic review was to collect and analyse current data of plant based diet and its effect on health.Material and method: Standard criteria were used to review the literature data. The search of articles in the PubMed and Google Scholar database was carried out using the following keywords: plant based diet, vegetarian diet, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, hypercholesterolemia.Description of the state of knowledge: Red meat and, especially processed meat, is source of cholesterol, saturated fatty acids, and sodium, which makes it a risk factors for metabolic disorders.  Healthy plant based diet can positively affect cardiovascular health in many ways. High fiber content makes those diets  low in energy density, flavonoids that are present in fruits and vegetables and also high content of antioxidants. Plant based diet was also shown to be helpful in reducing weight.Summary: Many risk factors of cardio-metabolic disease are related to our lifestyle and dietary choices . Changes towards plant based diet can be beneficial for our health in many ways. Healthy plant based diet should be considered as a nonpharmaceutical approach to prevent and treat cardio-metabolic diseases.
Biochemical indicators of the organism condition of rats which received high-fat diets with different fatty acid composition
Authors: Levitsky A. P. , Selivanskaya I. A. , Markov A. V. , Pupin T. I.
Published: May 2020

Aim. To determine the effects on the body of high-fat diets (HFD) with different fatty acid composition.Methods. Used ordinary sunflower, olive, palm and butter, which were introduced into the feed in an amount of 15 %. Rats were fed for 41 days. Gum, liver, small intestinal mucosa were isolated and blood serum was obtained, which determined the activity of elastase, ALT and alkaline phosphatase, as well as the content of glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol. The activity of elastase, catalase, urease, lysozyme, and MDA content were determined in tissue homogenates. The API index and the degree of dysbiosis were calculated.Results. In rats treated with HFD, elastase, urease, MDA content increased, but lysozyme and catalase activity decreased in all tissues, the API index also decreased, and the degree of dysbiosis increased significantly. Serum triglycerides and cholesterol increased. Stronger pathological changes occurred in rats treated with palm or butter, and the lowest in rats treated with olive oil.Conclusion. HFD causes the development of dysbiosis, decreased levels of antioxidant protection and the development of inflammation, more pronounced with the consumption of fats high in palmitic acid.
Does Competition Improve Analysts’ Forecast Informativeness?
Authors: Banerjee Sanjay
Published: May 2020

This paper studies the effect of competition on analysts’ forecast informativeness. Analysts compete to achieve a higher rank in forecast accuracy. Competition can impair, improve, or have no effect on analysts’ forecast informativeness. Competition impairs informativeness if and only if the prior uncertainty of the economic state is high, and analysts’ private signals are positively correlated conditional on the state. The more intense the competition in terms of a higher prize-to-penalty ratio and a stronger signal correlation, the less informative the forecasts. The higher the number of competing analysts, the greater the likelihood that analyst forecasts are less informative.

This paper was accepted by Suraj Srinivasan, accounting.
Cognitive and Structural Antecedents of Innovation: A Large-Sample Study
Authors: Lee Saerom , Csaszar Felipe A.
Published: May 2020

This paper studies how cognitive and structural antecedents affect adaptation to disruptive innovations. We do so by analyzing how video game firms adapted to the free-to-play business model around the period of disruption (2012–2015). Our data set (which contains 461 firms, collectively employing 83,157 individuals) allows us to characterize each firm’s organizational structure and each employee’s experience profile; it also captures the performance of firms under the existing and new technological regimes (that is, firms that do and do not adopt the disruptive innovation). We show that adoption, implementation under the existing regime, and implementation under the new regime are affected by cognitive and structural antecedents in different and often opposite ways. We also point out conditions under which cognitive and structural antecedents can compensate for each other. Overall, our study contributes to a better understanding of how firms should organize to face disruptive innovations.
Time evolution of photovoltaic fields generated by arbitrary light patterns in z-cut LiNbO3:Fe: application to optoelectronic nanoparticle manipulation
Authors: Muñoz-Martínez Juan Francisco , Alcázar Ángel , Carrascosa Mercedes
Published: May 2020

The bulk photovoltaic effect is a phenomenon that generates high electric fields in certain ferroelectric crystals under illumination, as iron doped lithium niobate (LiNbO3:Fe). A variety of innovative applications of these electric fields require using of z-cut plates, in which the polar axis is normal to the larger crystal faces. However, the kinetics and distribution of the photovoltaic fields in this configuration have not been investigated in depth. In this work, the photovoltaic charge transport of z-cut configuration is studied through a complete finite element analysis. Light patterns commonly used for particle trapping applications are used to study the temporal evolution of the electric field developed by the crystal. Results show that photovoltaic currents perpendicular to the optical axis play a key role in the development of the final charge distribution. Moreover, there is a relevant, localized charge accumulation inside the crystal which is required to reach the saturation electric field in the whole illuminated volume. The role of crystal thickness and light absorption are analysed. It has been found that they are important to determine the time evolution of the process. The simulations are expected to be a key tool to analyse and improve photovoltaic optoelectronic tweezers.
Square pulse effects on polarized radiative transfer in an atmosphere-ocean model
Authors: Wang Cun-Hai , Feng Yan-Yan , Yang Yao-Hua , Ben Xun , Zhang Xin-Xin
Published: May 2020

Based on our previously proposed modified Monte Carlo method, which is efficient to simulate the time-dependent polarized radiative transfer problem in an atmosphere-ocean model with a reflective/refractive interface, we further investigate the square pulse effect on the polarized radiative transfer in an atmosphere-ocean model. A short square pulse, with a duration of nanoseconds, is assumed to be incident at the top of the atmosphere. The polarized signals varying with time and directions are presented for the locations just above and below the atmosphere-water interface and at the bottom of the ocean, and effects of the incidence and disappearance of the external pulse on the Stokes vector components are analyzed. Results in this paper present the general distribution of square-pulse induced polarized signals and they are important for signal analysis in the field of remote sensing using nanosecond pulses.
Mitigating offset frequency drift in frequency combs using a customized power law dispersion
Authors: Henry Nathan C. , Burghoff David , Khurgin Jacob B.
Published: May 2020

We introduce a new, to the best of our knowledge, passive technique of mitigating the phase noise in optical frequency combs (FC) by reducing the drift of offset frequency. This can be achieved by customizing the dispersion to attain a power law dependence of the wave vector on frequency,

k

(
ω
)
∼

ω
α

, ensuring a constant ratio between group and phase velocities. When this condition is maintained, the drift offset frequency is passively mitigated, and phase noise is reduced. Using quantum cascade laser (QCL) FCs as an example, we demonstrate, analytically and numerically, that the desired dispersion can be easily engineered by properly adjusting the thickness of the QCL active region and that stable offset frequency can be combined with low residual group dispersion.
High-speed fiber-optic scanning nonlinear endomicroscopy for imaging neuron dynamics in vivo
Authors: Park Hyeon-Cheol , Guan Honghua , Li Ang , Yue Yuanlei , Li Ming-Jun , Lu Hui , Li Xingde
Published: May 2020

Fiber-optic-based two-photon fluorescence endomicroscopy is emerging as an enabling technology for in vivo histological imaging of internal organs and functional neuronal imaging on freely-behaving animals. However, high-speed imaging remains challenging due to the expense of miniaturization and lack of suited fast beam scanners. For many applications, a higher imaging speed is highly desired, especially for monitoring functional dynamics such as transient dendritic responses in neuroscience. This Letter reports the development of a fast fiber-optic scanning endo-microscope with an imaging speed higher than 26 frames/s. In vivo neural dynamics imaging with the high-speed endomicroscope was performed on a freely-behaving mouse over the primary motor cortex that expressed GCaMP6m. The results demonstrate its capability of real-time monitoring of transient neuronal dynamics with very fine temporal resolution.
Entanglement demonstration on board a nano-satellite
Authors: Villar Aitor , Lohrmann Alexander , Bai Xueliang , Vergoossen Tom , Bedington Robert , Perumangatt Chithrabhanu , Lim Huai Ying , Islam Tanvirul , Reezwana Ayesha , Tang Zhongkan , Chandrasekara Rakhitha , Sachidananda Subash , Durak Kadir , Wildfeuer Christoph F. , Griffin Douglas , Oi Daniel K. L. , Ling Alexander
Published: May 2020

Global quantum networks for secure communication can be realized using large fleets of satellites distributing entangled photon pairs between ground-based nodes. Because the cost of a satellite depends on its size, the smallest satellites will be most cost-effective. This Letter describes a miniaturized, polarization entangled, photon-pair source operating on board a nano-satellite. The source violates Bell’s inequality with a Clauser–Horne–Shimony–Holt parameter of

2.60
±
0.06

. This source can be combined with optical link technologies to enable future quantum communication nano-satellite missions.
ExCIDS: a combined approach coupling Expansion Microscopy (ExM) and Circular Intensity Differential Scattering (CIDS) for chromatin-DNA imaging
Authors: Marongiu Riccardo , Le Gratiet Aymeric , Pesce Luca , Bianchini Paolo , Diaspro Alberto
Published: May 2020

Expansion microscopy (ExM) is a novel preparation method enhancing the optical resolution by expanding uniformly the relative distance between fluorescence molecules on a sample placed inside a polymerized gel matrix. However, a skilled operator is needed for fluorescent labeling protocols and a high light dose is required for measurement. In this work, we couple ExM with a label-free differential circular polarization microscopy technique, demonstrated to be sensitive to the chiral organization of biopolymers. We show that by improving the distance between chiral groups, the new imaging contrast gives access to a better resolution of the chromatin-DNA organization in situ.
Multitask deep-learning-based design of chiral plasmonic metamaterials
Authors: Ashalley Eric , Acheampong Kingsley , Besteiro Lucas V. , Yu Peng , Neogi Arup , Govorov Alexander O. , Wang Zhiming M.
Published: May 2020

The field of chiral plasmonics has registered considerable progress with machine-learning (ML)-mediated metamaterial prototyping, drawing from the success of ML frameworks in other applications such as pattern and image recognition. Here, we present an end-to-end functional bidirectional deep-learning (DL) model for three-dimensional chiral metamaterial design and optimization. This ML model utilizes multitask joint learning features to recognize, generalize, and explore in detail the nontrivial relationship between the metamaterials’ geometry and their chiroptical response, eliminating the need for auxiliary networks or equivalent approaches to stabilize the physically relevant output. Our model efficiently realizes both forward and inverse retrieval tasks with great precision, offering a promising tool for iterative computational design tasks in complex physical systems. Finally, we explore the behavior of a sample ML-optimized structure in a practical application, assisting the sensing of biomolecular enantiomers. Other potential applications of our metastructure include photodetectors, polarization-resolved imaging, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, with our ML framework being applicable to a wider range of physical problems.
Proteinen desnaturalizazio termalaren bidezko analisia konposatu bioeraginkor berrien aurkikuntzarako
Authors: Rueda Yuri , Navarro-Imaz Hiart , Rekondo Irati , Cristobal Susana , Fresnedo Olatz
Published: May 2020

Konposatu bioeraginkorrak bizidunetan jarduera zelularraren edota fisiologikoaren gain eragin dezaketen substantzia kimiko naturalak zein sintetikoak dira. Horien artean daude, adibidez, farmakoak, prozesu biologikoen modulazioaren bitartez osasunaren gain efektu onuragarriak bideratu ditzaketenak. Konposatu bioeraginkor berrien eta horien itu biologikoak bilatzeko estrategia berrien garapena inpaktu handiko erronka da. Itu proteinak edota ekintza mekanismoak aurkitzeko metodologia ezberdinak garatu dira. Itu proteinak aurkitzeko metodoen artean, lan honetan jorratzen dena daukagu: konposatu bioeraginkorrek proteinen desnaturalizazio termalean eragindako aldaketen azterketan oinarritutako metodoa. Lan honetan, konposatu bioeraginkorrak bilatzeko metodologia horren oinarriak eta haren inplementaziorako irizpideak azaltzen dira.
Gender Matters: Characteristics of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Women From a Large, Multicenter Study in the United States
Authors: Phipps Meaghan , Livanos Alexandra , Guo Averill , Pomenti Sydney , Yeh Jonathan , Dakhoul Lara , Burney Heather , Kettler Carla , Liu Hao , Miller Ethan , Gawrieh Samer , deLemos Andrew , Scanga Andrew , Chalasani Naga , Wattacheril Julia
Published: May 2020

INTRODUCTION:

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, affecting men to women at a ratio of about 4:1. Risk factors, characteristics, and outcomes for HCC in women in the United States remain poorly understood; therefore, we aim to explore gender differences further.

METHODS:

Patients diagnosed with HCC between January 2000 and June 2014 at 5 large centers were identified. Clinical information, tumor characteristics, and survival data were extracted manually. The presence of underlying cirrhosis was assessed based on published criteria.

RESULTS:

Of 5,327 patients with HCC in our cohort, 1,203 (22.6%) were women. There were important differences in the underlying etiology of liver disease between the 2 genders (P < 0.0001): women had a significantly higher frequency of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (23% vs 12%) and lower frequency of alcoholic liver disease (5% vs 15%). The proportion of noncirrhotic HCC was significantly higher among women (17% vs 10%, P < 0.0001). Women had less-advanced HCC at presentation by tumor, node, metastasis staging (P < 0.0001) and a higher proportion within Milan criteria (39% vs 35%, P = 0.002). Women had a greater overall survival (2.5 ± 2.9 years vs 2.2 ± 2.7 years, P = 0.0031).

DISCUSSION:

The frequency of underlying nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and noncirrhotic HCC were significantly higher in women than men in this large cohort. Women presented with less-advanced HCC and had a greater overall survival. Further investigation is warranted to explore potential mechanisms and implications for these gender differences, especially with noncirrhotic HCC (see Visual Abstract, Supplementary Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/AJG/B535).
Colorectal Cancer Litigation: 1988–2018
Authors: Panuganti Pranati L. , Hartnett Davis A. , Eltorai Adam E. M. , Eltorai Mahmoud I. , Daniels Alan H.
Published: May 2020

INTRODUCTION:

The purpose of this study was to examine colorectal cancer (CRC) malpractice suits over the past 20 years in the United States and evaluate the most common allegations, lawsuit outcomes, indemnity payment amounts, patient outcomes, and physician characteristics.

METHODS:

The malpractice section of VerdictSearch, a legal database, was queried for cases in which CRC was a principle component of the lawsuit. Legal notes were used to characterize plaintiff allegations, verdict, financial compensation, and case year. Clinical history for each case were analyzed for patient demographics, medical outcomes, and physician characteristics.

RESULTS:

A total of 240 CRC-related malpractice cases (1988–2018) were collected, resulting in defense (n = 101, 42.1%), plaintiff (n = 37, 15.4%), or settlement (n = 96, 40%) verdict. The primary defendants were often primary care physicians (n = 61, 25.4%) and gastroenterologists (n = 55, 22.9%). Most common plaintiff allegations are failure to perform diagnostic colonoscopy for patients with symptoms (n = 67, 27.9%), failure to perform screening colonoscopy according to screening guidelines (n = 46, 19.2%), or failure to detect CRC with colonoscopy (n = 45, 18.7%). A common alleged error in diagnosis before the median year of 2005 was failure to detect CRC by the noncolonoscopic methods (<2005: n = 22, 24.2%; >2005: n = 3, 3.09%).

DISCUSSION:

Plaintiff-alleged errors in diagnosis are consistently the most common reason for CRC malpractice litigation in the past 20 years, whereas specific diagnostic allegations (i.e., failure to screen vs failure to detect) and methods used for surveillance may vary over time. It is important to identify such pitfalls in CRC screening and explore areas for improvement to maximize patient care and satisfaction and reduce physician malpractice litigations.
Weltzeit im Kolonialstaat
Authors: Sprute Sebastian-Manès
Published: May 2020

Sebastian-Manès Sprute untersucht die soziokulturellen Auswirkungen der Implementierung der standardisierten Weltzeit im kolonialen Senegal. Er diskutiert dabei den Transfer von Zeitnormen in einem vielschichtigen Arrangement von temporalen Ordnungspolitiken, Synchronisierungs- sowie Standardisierungsanstrengungen, das auf allen Ebenen der gesellschaftlichen und staatlichen Organisation wirksam wurde. Seine Pionierarbeit setzt sich in umfassender Weise mit dem Stellenwert von zeitlichen Ordnungen in Globalisierungsprozessen auseinander und leistet einen reichhaltigen Beitrag zur Untersuchung des bisher nur wenig erforschten Phänomens der Globalisierung der westlichen Zeitordnung.
Architekturen des Inauthentischen
Authors: Rabl Christian
Published: May 2020

Eine Architekturästhetik des Inauthentischen richtet sich gegen jenen Authentizitätsbegriff, der in der Architekturtheorie und -publizistik als Zentralkategorie fungiert, um künstlerische Autorschaft, bauliche Materialität und unverfälschten Traditionsbezug zu beglaubigen und zu prämieren. Mit der Artikulation der Qualitäten architektonischer Inauthentizitätsphänomene, wie sie die stilimitierende Baukunst des Historismus und deklarativ künstliche Themenarchitekturen - etwa in den Stadtästhetiken von Budapest, Tiflis, Baku, Wiesbaden, Atlantic City und Doha - ausbilden, will Christian Rabl mit seinen Architekturen des Inauthentischen die architekturtheoretischen Authentizitätskategorien deplausibilisieren.
Die Zukunft des Heidelberger Bibliothekssystems im Spiegel des CATS-Forschungsbaus
Authors: Probst Veit , Balzuweit Rike
Published: May 2020

Seit 2006 hat die Universitätsbibliothek Heidelberg fünf Bibliotheksneubauten sowie fünf große Sanierungsmaßnahmen im Gesamtvolumen von rund 133 Millionen Euro angestoßen. Höhepunkt der Bauaktivitäten 2019 war die Neueröffnung der Bibliothek des Center for Asian and Transcultural Studies (CATS). Mit dem Forschungsbau nach Art. 91b GG ist die größte deutsche Asienbibliothek nach der Ostasienabteilung der Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin entstanden. Der Bau ist Schlussstein langjähriger Reorganisationsprozesse, mit denen die Universitätsbibliothek Heidelberg die Voraussetzungen dafür geschaffen hat, sechs asienwissenschaftliche Institutsbibliotheken unter einem Dach zusammenzuführen.
Valoración de un cambio de protocolo del cribado prenatal mediante la inclusión del diagnóstico prenatal no invasivo
Authors: Cabra-Rodríguez Rocío , Bueno Rodríguez Guadalupe , Santos Rosa Cristina , Castaño López Miguel Ángel , Delgado Muñoz Sonia , León-Justel Antonio
Published: May 2020

Objetivos

El diagnóstico prenatal no invasivo (DPNI) es un test que permite detectar en la sangre materna las principales alteraciones cromosómicas del feto durante el embarazo. El objetivo es evaluar el DPNI, valorando su rendimiento dentro del Programa Andaluz de Cribado de Anomalías Congénitas del Sistema Sanitario Público Andaluz.

Métodos

Estudio observacional retrospectivo en el que se analizan los DPNI realizados desde su incorporación, además del número de procedimientos diagnósticos invasivos tras la implementación del DPNI en gestantes incluidas en el programa entre marzo del año 2016 y agosto del 2017.

Resultados

Se realizaron 6.258 cribados combinados en gestantes de primer y segundo trimestre, con una cobertura de la población del 95%; se obtuvo un cálculo de riesgo elevado (≥1/280) en 250 gestantes, de los cuales el DPNI se aplicó en 200 gestantes después de asumir las pérdidas. La sensibilidad obtenida fue de 100% (IC 95%:76,84 a 100%) y la especificidad de 99,46% (IC 95%:97,04 a 99,99%).

Conclusiones

Este test es muy sensible, con alta especificidad. En nuestro estudio, la incorporación del DPNI en la práctica clínica minimiza las pérdidas fetales y reduce en un 70% la realización de procedimientos invasivos.