bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Probing neuronal functions with precise and targeted laser ablation in the living cortex
Authors: Cheng Zongyue , Han Yiyong , Wei Bowen , Li Baoming , Cui Meng , Gan Wenbiao
Published: September 2020

Targeted cell ablation is an important strategy for dissecting the function of individual cells within biological tissues. Here we developed an amplified femtosecond laser-coupled two-photon microscopy (AFL-TPM) system that allows instantaneous and targeted ablation of individual cells and real-time monitoring of neuronal network changes in the living mouse cortex. Through precise and iterative control of the laser power and position, individual cells could be ablated by a single femtosecond light pulse with minimum collateral damage. We further show that ablation of individual somatostatin-expressing interneuron increases the activity of nearby neurons in the primary motor cortex during motor learning. Through precise dendrotomy, we reveal that different dendritic branches of layer 5 pyramidal neurons are structurally and functionally independent. By ablating individual cells and their processes in a spatiotemporally specific manner, the AFL-TPM system could serve as an important means for understanding the functions of cells within the complicated neuronal network.
A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the serpin superfamily
Authors: Spence Matthew A. , Mortimer Matthew D. , Buckle Ashley M. , Minh Bui Quang , Jackson Colin J.
Published: September 2020

Serine protease inhibitors (serpins) are found in all kingdoms of life and play essential roles in multiple physiological processes. Owing to the diversity of the superfamily, phylogenetic analysis is challenging and prokaryotic serpins have been speculated to have been acquired from Metazoa through horizontal gene transfer (HGT) due to their unexpectedly high homology. Here we have leveraged a structural alignment of diverse serpins to generate a comprehensive 6000-sequence phylogeny that encompasses serpins from all kingdoms of life. We show that in addition to a central “hub” of highly conserved serpins, there has been extensive diversification of the superfamily into many novel functional clades. Our analysis indicates that the hub proteins are ancient and are similar because of convergent evolution, rather than the alternative hypothesis of HGT. This work clarifies longstanding questions in the evolution of serpins and provides new directions for research in the field of serpin biology.
Spatial variation in population-density, movement and detectability of snow leopards in a multiple use landscape in Spiti Valley, Trans-Himalaya
Authors: Sharma Rishi Kumar , Sharma Koustubh , Borchers David , Bhatnagar Yash Veer , Suryawanshi Kulbhushan Singh , Mishra Charudutt
Published: September 2020

The endangered snow leopardPanthera unciaoccurs in human use landscapes in the mountains of South and Central Asia. Conservationists generally agree that snow leopards must be conserved through a land-sharing approach, rather than land-sparing in the form of strictly protected areas. Effective conservation through land-sharing requires a good understanding of how snow leopards respond to human use of the landscape. Snow leopard density is expected to show spatial variation within a landscape because of variation in the intensity of human use and the quality of habitat. However, snow leopards have been difficult to enumerate and monitor. Variation in the density of snow leopards remains undocumented, and the impact of human use on their populations is poorly understood. We examined spatial variation in snow leopard density in Spiti Valley, an important snow leopard landscape in India, via spatially explicit capture recapture analysis of camera trap data. We camera trapped an area encompassing a minimum convex polygon of 953 km2. We estimated an overall density of 0.49 (95% CI: 0.39-0.73) adult snow leopards per 100 km2. Using AIC, our best model showed the density of snow leopards to depend on wild prey density, movement about activity centres to depend on altitude, and the expected number of encounters at the activity centre to depend on topography. Models that also used livestock biomass as a density covariate ranked second, but the effect of livestock was weak. Our results highlight the importance of maintaining high density pockets of wild prey populations in multiple use landscapes to enhance snow leopard conservation.
Screening of candidate host cell membrane proteins involved in SARS-CoV-2 entry
Authors: Kotani Norihiro , Nakano Takanari , Kuwahara Ryusuke
Published: September 2020

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) represents a real threat to the global population, and understanding the biological features of the causative virus, i.e., severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is imperative for mitigating this threat. Analyses of proteins such as primary receptors and co-receptors (co-factors), which are involved in the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into host cells, will provide important clues to help control the virus. Here, we identified host cell membrane protein candidates present in proximity to the attachment sites of SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins, using proximity labeling and proteomic analysis. The identified proteins represent key candidate factors that may be required for viral entry. DPP4, Cadherin-17, and CD133 were found to co-localize with cell membrane-bound SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins in Caco-2 cells and thus showed potential as candidate factors. The experimental infection with a SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus indicated a 2-fold enhanced infectivity in the CD133-ACE2-coexpressing HEK293T cells compared to that in HEK293T cells expressing ACE-2 alone. The information and resources regarding these co-receptor labeling and analysis techniques could be utilized for the development of antiviral agents against SARS-CoV-2 and other emerging viruses.
Long-read sequencing reveals rapid evolution of immunity- and cancer-related genes in bats
Authors: Scheben Armin , Mendivil Ramos Olivia , Kramer Melissa , Goodwin Sara , Oppenheim Sara , Becker Daniel J , Schatz Michael C , Simmons Nancy B , Siepel Adam , McCombie W Richard
Published: September 2020

Bats are exceptional among mammals for their powered flight, extended lifespans, and robust immune systems. To investigate the genomic underpinnings of unique bat adaptations, we sequenced the genomes of the Jamaican fruit bat (Artibeus jamaicensis) and the Mesoamerican mustached bat (Pteronotus mesoamericanus) and compared them to a diverse collection of 13 additional bat species together with other mammals. We used the Oxford Nanopore Technologies long-read platform to generate highly complete assemblies (N50: 28-29Mb) and facilitate analysis of complex genomic regions containing duplicated genes. Using gene family size analysis, we found that the type I interferon locus was contracted by eight genes in the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of bats, shifting the proportion of interferon-ω to interferon-α and making interferon-ω the most common type I interferon in bats. Antiviral genes stimulated by type I interferons were also rapidly evolving, with interferon-induced transmembrane genes experiencing a lineage-specific duplication and strong positive selection in the gene IFIT2. Moreover, the lineage of phyllostomid bats showed an unprecedented expansion of PRDM9, a recombination-related gene also involved in infection responses, raising the possibility that this gene contributes to bat antiviral defenses. These modifications in the bat innate immune system may be important adaptations allowing them to harbor viruses asymptomatically. We additionally found evidence of positive selection on the branch leading to the MRCA of bats acting on 33 tumor suppressors and six DNA repair genes, which may contribute to the low cancer rates and longevity observed across bats. These new genomic resources enable insights into the extraordinary adaptations of bats, with implications for mammalian evolutionary studies and public health.
On theoretical engorgement and the myth of fair value accounting in China: a reply
Authors: Bewley Kathryn , Graham Cameron , Peng Songlan
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This article is a reply to “On theoretical engorgement and the myth of fair value accounting in China” Nobes (2019) from the authors of “Adaptability to fair value accounting in an emerging economy: A case study of China's IRFS convergence” (Peng and Bewley, 2010) and “The Winding Road to Fair Value Accounting in China: A Social Movement Analysis” (Bewley et al., 2018).

Design/methodology/approach

This article engages directly with the arguments of the criticism.

Findings

This article argues that the author of the commentary misunderstands the purpose, content and findings of both papers. By providing only a narrowly focused technical analysis of the new Chinese accounting standards, the author fails to see that their qualitative research approach reveals important, complex social and political factors at play in China's attempts to adopt modern international accounting principles. The commentary expresses a view that accounting is a neutral technology that needs only to be clearly defined and enumerated to be correctly implemented, whereas this research takes a much broader and deeper perspective. The authors seek to understand how China was able to successfully adopt fair value accounting standards in 2006, whereas an earlier attempt to introduce fair value in 1998 had led to abuse of fair value measurements and the eventual repeal of fair value regulations in 2001.

Practical implications

This article helps clarify the purpose of qualitative accounting research, the role of theory in such research and the usefulness of theory in describing and explaining empirical case facts related to changes in accounting standards, particularly in an international context.

Originality/value

This article contributes to a better appreciation of qualitative accounting research.
Stakeholder-informed considerations for a food poverty definition
Authors: Beacom Emma , Furey Sinéad , Hollywood Lynsey Elizabeth , Humphreys Paul
Published: September 2020

Purpose

A number of food poverty definitions have been identified by academics and various government organisations globally; however, there exists no government-endorsed definition of food poverty in the United Kingdom (UK), and there remains a gap regarding how relevant current food poverty definitions are in the Northern Ireland (NI)/UK contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

Interviews (n = 19) with a range of stakeholders (e.g. policymakers, politicians, community advice centre workers, consumer sub-group representatives, food bank and food redistribution organisation representatives) were conducted to examine (1) the usefulness of a food poverty definition, (2) what a food poverty definition should include and (3) the applicability of an existing definition (Radimer et al., 1992) in the NI/UK context. Data was thematically analysed using QSR NVivo (v.12).

Findings

Definition was considered important to increase awareness and understanding. Any consideration of revising the Radimer et al. (1992) definition, or of establishing a new standardised definition, should seek to reduce/remove ambiguity and subjectivity of terminology used (i.e. more clearly defining what the terms “adequate”, “sufficient”, “quality” and “socially acceptable ways” mean in this context).

Practical implications

This research emphasises the importance of appropriately conceptually defining social phenomena such as food poverty, as a first step to constructing and reviewing measurement approaches and ultimately assessing predictors and recommending solutions.

Originality/value

This research addresses the gap relating to stakeholders’ opinion on food poverty definition and contributes recommendations for modifying the Radimer et al. (1992) definition in the NI/UK and present-day contexts.
A global sensitivity analysis approach for multiple failure modes based on convex-probability hybrid uncertainty
Authors: Zhang Yidu , Liu Yongshou , Guo Qing
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to develop a method for evaluating the failure probability and global sensitivity of multiple failure modes based on convex-probability hybrid uncertainty.

Design/methodology/approach

The uncertainty information of the input variable is considered as convex-probability hybrid uncertainty. Moment-independent variable global sensitivity index based on the system failure probability is proposed to quantify the effect of the input variable on the system failure probability. Two-mode sensitivity indices are adopted to characterize the effect of each failure mode on the system failure probability. The method based on active learning Kriging (ALK) model with a truncated candidate regions (TCR) is adopted to evaluate the systems failure probability, as well as sensitivity index and this method is termed as ALK-TCR.

Findings

The results of five examples demonstrate the effectiveness of the sensitivity index and the efficiency of the ALK-TCR method in solving the problem of multiple failure modes based on the convex-probability hybrid uncertainty.

Originality/value

Convex-probability hybrid uncertainty is considered on system reliability analysis. Moment-independent variable sensitivity index based on the system failure probability is proposed. Mode sensitivity indices are extended to hybrid uncertain reliability model. An effective global sensitivity analysis approach is developed for the multiple failure modes based on convex-probability hybrid uncertainty.
Beyond “who pays?”: stadium development and urban governance
Authors: Friedman Michael T. , Beissel Adam S.
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reframe analyses of stadium and arena subsidization policies from perspectives centered upon economic and financial issues toward a perspective focused on broader issues of urban governance and the public purposes of sports facilities. Such assessments would provide a better understanding of whether such use of public resources represents good public policy.

Design/methodology/approach

To demonstrate this, the paper uses an integrated literature review to offer a historical analysis of sport facility development within the context of the broader assumptions that shape public policy and how sports have been used toward achieving particular public goals. This history provides a foundation for an analysis of sports facility development within the current moment as cities require team owners to invest in redevelopment activities in the neighborhoods surrounding sports facilities.

Findings

This paper asserts that focusing on the economic and financial aspects of sports facility development is a perspective that is too narrow. Instead, this paper shows that a more holistic approach, beginning with the dominant mode of urban governance and how its assumptions underlie the public purposes for which stadiums and arenas are used, provides a better explanatory framework and a deeper understanding of the issue in the contemporary moment.

Originality/value

Moving beyond the question of economic efficacy, the public purpose-centered approach of this paper seeks to place subsidization policies into a broader dialog with other priorities toward maximizing the public good among the broadest population.
Predicting popular contributors in innovation crowds: the case of My Starbucks Ideas
Authors: Hsiang Chien-Yi , Rayz Julia Taylor
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This study aims to predict popular contributors through text representations of user-generated content in open crowds.

Design/methodology/approach

Three text representation approaches – count vector, Tf-Idf vector, word embedding and supervised machine learning techniques – are used to generate popular contributor predictions.

Findings

The results of the experiments demonstrate that popular contributor predictions are considered successful. The F1 scores are all higher than the baseline model. Popular contributors in open crowds can be predicted through user-generated content.

Research limitations/implications

This research presents brand new empirical evidence drawn from text representations of user-generated content that reveals why some contributors' ideas are more viral than others in open crowds.

Practical implications

This research suggests that companies can learn from popular contributors in ways that help them improve customer agility and better satisfy customers' needs. In addition to boosting customer engagement and triggering discussion, popular contributors' ideas provide insights into the latest trends and customer preferences. The results of this study will benefit marketing strategy, new product development, customer agility and management of information systems.

Originality/value

The paper provides new empirical evidence for popular contributor prediction in an innovation crowd through text representation approaches.
The use of swaps by local administrations: the case of Italian regions, 2007–2014
Authors: Oldani Chiara , Fantini Giulia
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This study contributes to the literature on local administrations' debt and attempts to answer the following research questions: (1) What effects do swaps produce on regions' debt? (2) Have swaps been used to finance discretionary debt?

Design/methodology/approach

The paper investigates the debt burden as influenced by economic, financial and political variables and forces with panel data techniques, and tests whether swaps have been used to financing debt due to unfunded expenditures.

Findings

Panel data results of 15 Italian regions over the 2007–2014 period shows that regions with higher debt exhibited a higher interest rate exposure and have employed derivatives hoping to counterbalance the reduced resources received from the central state, in line with other European countries' experience (i.e. France and Greece).

Research limitations/implications

The scarcity of official data and information on swaps has limited the empirical investigations in the literature but did not reduce the losses of local administrations.

Originality/value

This study creates the first database on swaps purchased by Italian regions to investigate their impact on their debt. Results show that highly indebted regions with reduced funds from the central state and diminished local resources are more likely to use swaps to fund their debt. Italian regions heavily depended on long-term debt to finance their non-healthcare services, rather than current revenues; swaps have been used to finance discretionary (non-healthcare) debt.
Establishing the First Annual Meetings of the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry
Authors: Weiss Roger D.
Published: September 2020

This paper describes the initial meetings of the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry, and it compares and contrasts these relatively small meetings with the much larger meetings today. The paper is centered on the organization's initial focus on establishing itself in the mainstream of medicine and psychiatry. (Am J Addict 2020;00:00–00)
Addiction Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine: The Evolution of Addiction Physician Specialists
Authors: Nunes Edward V. , Kunz Kevin , Galanter Marc , O'Connor Patrick G.
Published: September 2020

Addiction Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine are two physician subspecialities recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) that focus on providing care for patients with substance use disorders. Their shared and distinct historical roots are reviewed, and their respective ABMS board examination content areas and Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) fellowship training program requirements are compared. Addiction Psychiatry, a subspecialty under the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, began certifying diplomates in 1993, currently has 1202 active diplomates, and certifies around 150 diplomates every 2 years through 50 ACGME‐accredited fellowships. Addiction Medicine, a subspecialty under the American Board of Preventive Medicine, began certifying diplomates in 2018, has 2604 diplomates with more expected before the practice pathway closes (anticipated in 2021), after which a fellowship training becomes required. Currently there are 78 accredited Addiction Medicine fellowships and more under development. The fields display substantial overlap between their respective examination content areas and fellowship training requirements, covering similar knowledge and skills for evaluation and treatment of substance use disorders and psychiatric and medical comorbidities across the full range of clinical settings, from general medical to addiction specialty settings. Key differences include that Addiction Psychiatry is open only to Board‐certified psychiatrists and places extra emphasis on psychotherapeutic and psychopharmacological management strategies. Addiction Medicine is open to any ABMS primary specialty, including psychiatry. Opportunities for collaboration are discussed as both fields pursue the common goal of providing a well‐trained workforce of physicians to meet the public health challenge presented by addiction. (Am J Addict 2020;00:00–00)
UK practice for penile prosthesis surgery: baseline analysis of the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) Penile Prosthesis Audit
Authors: Muneer Asif , Fowler Sarah , Ralph David J. , Summerton Duncan J , Rees Rowland W. ,   the BAUS Section of Andrology, Genitourethral Surgery
Published: September 2020

Objectives

To undertake a prospective multicentre national audit of penile prosthesis practice in the UK over a 3‐year period.

Patients and Methods

Data were submitted by urological surgeons as part of the British Association of Urological Surgeons Penile Prosthesis National Audit. Patients receiving a penile prosthesis (inflatable or malleable) were included as part of a prospective registry over a 3‐year period. Data were validated and then analysed using a software package (Tableau).

Results

A total of 1071 penile prosthesis procedures were included from 22 centres. The three commonest aetiological factors for erectile dysfunction were diabetes, prostate surgery and Peyronie's disease. Of the recorded data, inflatable penile prostheses were the commonest devices implanted, with 665 devices used (62.1%), whereas malleable prostheses accounted for 14.2% of the implants. Recorded intra‐operative complications included urethral injury (0.7%, n = 7), corporal perforation (1.1%, n = 12) and cross‐over (0.6%, n = 6). Known postoperative complications were recorded in 9.8% of patients (74/752), with the two most frequently reported being postoperative penile pain (n = 11) and scrotal haematoma (n = 14).

Conclusion

This baseline analysis is the largest prospective registry of penile prostheses procedures to date. The data show that, over the 3‐year collection period in the UK, there are now fewer surgeons performing the procedure, together with a reduction in the number of centres. Peri‐operative complications were infrequent, and the rate of implant abortion (e.g. as a result of urethral injury) was very low. Further follow‐up data will be required to publish long‐term outcomes and patient satisfaction.
New Cutoff Scores for Delirium Screening Tools to Predict Patient Mortality
Authors: Yamanashi Takehiko , Iwata Masaaki , Crutchley Kaitlyn J. , Sullivan Eleanor J. , Malicoat Johnny R. , Anderson Zoe‐Ella M. , Marra Pedro S. , Chang Gloria , Kaneko Koichi , Shinozaki Eri , Lee Sangil , Shinozaki Gen
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Detecting delirium is important to identify patients with a high risk of poor outcomes. Although many different kinds of screening instruments for delirium exist, there is no solid consensus about which methods are the most effective. In addition, it is important to find the most useful tools in predicting outcomes such as mortality.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 1,125 adult inpatients (mean age = 67.7; median age = 69).

MEASUREMENTS

Post hoc analyses were performed based on existing data from the Confusion Assessment Method for Intensive Care Unit (CAM‐ICU), Delirium Rating Scale‐Revised‐98 (DRS), and the Delirium Observation Screening Scale (DOSS). Correlation among these scales and relationships between 365‐day mortality and each scale were evaluated.

RESULTS

A positive result on the CAM‐ICU (“CAM‐ICU positive”) was associated with higher DRS and DOSS scores. A DRS score = 9/10 was the best cutoff to detect CAM‐ICU positive, and DOSS = 2/3 was the best cutoff to detect CAM‐ICU positive. CAM‐ICU positive was associated with high 365‐day mortality. DRS score = 9/10 and DOSS score = 0/1 were found to differentiate mortality risk the most significantly. Higher DRS and DOSS scores significantly coincided with a decrease in a patient's survival rate at 365 days.

CONCLUSION

The best DRS and DOSS cutoff scores to differentiate 365‐day mortality risk were lower than those commonly used to detect delirium in the literature. New cutoff scores for the DRS and DOSS might be useful in differentiating risk of mortality among hospital patients.
Skin barrier damaging and repairing process: A new application field of dermoscopy
Authors: Ye CongXiu , Yi JinLing , Lai Wei , Zheng Yue
Published: September 2020

Background

Although more and more noninvasive detection technologies have been used in assessing skin barrier integrity and functions, more accurate, intuitive, and convenient detective methods still needed to be explored and developed.

Aims

To investigate the characteristic image changes under the dermoscopy and to explore the relationship with skin physiological indexes in skin barrier damaging and repairing process.

Patients/Methods

25 healthy subjects with normal skin in forearm were included and divided into different groups according to the operated strips numbers (30, 35, and 40 times). Before tape stripping, and immediately, 3, 7, 14, and 21 days after tape stripping, dermoscopic examination and skin transepidermal water loss (TEWL), surface hydration, and L*a*b* value were simultaneously tested in the same region.

Results

Immediately after different times tape stripping, the amount of cuticle cells residues and the microvascular images were different. In skin barrier repairing process, the scab forming time observed under dermoscopy was day 14, day 7, and day 3 on 30 times, 35 times, and 40 times stripped skin, respectively. A small amount of cuticle cells and blurry vessels could be identified in hydration value <40 group, while there was no cuticle cell residue, and the branching vessels were obvious in hydration value >40 group.

Conclusions

Unique manifestations could be observed under dermoscopy in different time points of skin barrier with various degree of injury and in skin barrier repairing process. By combining dermoscopy and skin indexes assessing technologies, the skin barrier integrity and function could be observed and evaluated more accurately and precisely.
Prevalence of fetal alcohol syndrome in a population‐based sample of children living in remote Australia: The Lililwan Project
Authors: Fitzpatrick James P , Latimer Jane , Carter Maureen , Oscar June , Ferreira Manuela L , Carmichael Olson Heather , Lucas Barbara R , Doney Robyn , Salter Claire , Try Julianne , Hawkes Genevieve , Fitzpatrick Emily , Hand Marmingee , Watkins Rochelle E , Martiniuk Alexandra LC , Bower Carol , Boulton John , Elliott Elizabeth J
Published: September 2020

Aim

Aboriginal leaders concerned about high rates of alcohol use in pregnancy invited researchers to determine the prevalence of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and partial fetal alcohol syndrome (pFAS) in their communities.

Methods

Population‐based prevalence study using active case ascertainment in children born in 2002/2003 and living in the Fitzroy Valley, in Western Australia (April 2010–November 2011) (n = 134). Socio‐demographic and antenatal data, including alcohol use in pregnancy, were collected by interview with 127/134 (95%) consenting parents/care givers. Maternal/child medical records were reviewed. Interdisciplinary assessments were conducted for 108/134 (81%) children. FAS/pFAS prevalence was determined using modified Canadian diagnostic guidelines.

Results

In 127 pregnancies, alcohol was used in 55%. FAS or pFAS was diagnosed in 13/108 children, a prevalence of 120 per 1000 (95% confidence interval 70–196). Prenatal alcohol exposure was confirmed for all children with FAS/pFAS, 80% in the first trimester and 50% throughout pregnancy. Ten of 13 mothers had Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test scores and all drank at a high‐risk level. Of children with FAS/pFAS, 69% had microcephaly, 85% had weight deficiency and all had facial dysmorphology and central nervous system abnormality/impairment in three to eight domains.

Conclusions

The population prevalence of FAS/pFAS in remote Aboriginal communities of the Fitzroy Valley is the highest reported in Australia and similar to that reported in high‐risk populations internationally. Results are likely to be generalisable to other age groups in the Fitzroy Valley and other remote Australian communities with high‐risk alcohol use during pregnancy. Prevention of FAS/pFAS is an urgent public health challenge.
Cardiovascular outcome trials in obesity: A review
Authors: Wilding John P.H. , Jacob Stephan
Published: September 2020

Obesity is a global epidemic associated with over 200 health complications and a significant risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD), partly by increasing classical risk factors such as lipid and glucose levels and blood pressure. Weight loss through lifestyle interventions, pharmacotherapy and/or bariatric surgery improves CV risk factors. Cardiovascular outcome trials (CVOTs) of anti‐obesity medications aim to evaluate the CV safety and benefits of pharmacotherapy. Many CVOTs in obesity have either failed to demonstrate a CV benefit or have been terminated prematurely because of safety issues, prompting regulatory agencies to define new requirements (based on those for CVOTs in type 2 diabetes [T2D]). CVOTs of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1RAs) in T2D have demonstrated that some GLP‐1RAs reduce CV risk and may help inform future CVOTs in obesity, given the approval of liraglutide 3.0 mg for obesity. In this review, the evidence for the link between obesity and CVD is considered in the context of studies showing that weight loss improves markers of CV risk and risk of adverse CV events. The review also examines the CVOTs in obesity that have been conducted to date and those under way, such as the SELECT trial with subcutaneous semaglutide of 2.4 mg.
An outbreak of acute hemorrhagic papules on the posterior neck in children during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Smith Allison , Polcari Ingrid , Maguiness Sheilagh , Boull Christina
Published: September 2020

Within a two‐week timespan in April 2020, multiple children presented with hemorrhagic macules, papules, and erosions localized to the posterior neck and occipital scalp. All of these patients were children of health care workers, with at least one confirmed COVID‐19 exposure. The unique lesional morphology and the timing of onset led to SARS‐CoV‐2 antibody testing for all and biopsy of one child. Biopsy ultimately confirmed these lesions were consistent with arthropod bites, which coincided with an unprecedented surge in local populations of Simulium tuberosum, a biting gnat.
Educating for Organizing in U.S. Sociology: A Missing Component in Scholar‐Activist Pedagogy1
Authors: Foster Johanna E.
Published: September 2020

In this essay, I argue that sociology programs should offer curricular opportunities for undergraduate students to study the actual mechanics of social change in the form of explicit training in the philosophies and practices of community organizing and direct action. That training, I assert, is separate from a content‐driven approach to the study of social movements, or the inclusion of community‐based research courses. Grounded in an analysis of the roots of the discipline of U.S. sociology as situated in the practice of empirically informed democratic engagement, I shift the focus away from a debate over whether or not critical pedagogy is, or should include, activism. Instead, I focus on the extent to which our students are, in practice, learning concrete organizing skills to change power relations, regardless of the content area or pedagogical style. In doing so, I bring back into the conversation a tradition that the profession seems to have forgotten, and think of ways in which contemporary sociology programs in the United States can better contribute to the advancement of a grassroots, or a humanistic public sociology.
Case Study of Difficulty Index and Discrimination Index Item of Year 5 English Language Summative Test (Comprehension)/ Kajian Kes Indeks Kesukaran Dan Diskriminasi Item Ujian Sumatif Bahasa Inggeris (Pemahaman) Tahun 5
Authors: Husin Ayu Siti Aminah
Published: September 2020

Summative test is an evaluation process on students which is conducted comprehensively and administered at the end of a teaching and learning process. Evaluation is the benchmark for the success of a teaching and learning process which aims to determine the level of student achievement. The overall teaching objectives serve as the basis in the construction and administration of this summative test. Information from the summative tests conducted will be evaluated and interpreted about students’ mastery level. The summative test conducted should also provide an overview to what extent the teaching objectives that have been set are achieved. The results of these summative test scores are then used in various evaluation and taken as Take Off Value (TOV) of students for the following year. Therefore, a study on a summative test instrument was conducted in identifying the difficulty index and item discrimination for the items contained in the summative test paper. A case study on this English Summative Test (Comprehension) was conducted towards 27 Year 5 students from the same class. The results of the study found that the items of summative test need to be modified. Besides, the students' failure to get high marks and good grades in the summative test is due to the low item quality and low validity of the question. The results of this study have implications for subject teachers to improve the items in this summative test instrument in order to get accurate information on students’ ability. The index of difficulty and discrimination of items provides information on students’ strengths and weaknesses in a particular topic and also can provide an overview of the skills that need to be designed in the reinforcement and enrichment activities.
Book reviews: Robert Guest (2004) “The Shackled Continent: Power, Corruption, and African Lives”
Authors: Wubayehu Tadele Zemede
Published: September 2020

Over the past two decades, extreme poverty has been decreasing in all regions of the world except for sub-Saharan Africa. This attracted the attention of many scholars and policymakers from Africa and other continents of the world to study and understand the reason why Africa has remained so poor. As a result, many scholars have advanced many reasons for poverty and underdevelopment on the continent.  However, no consensus is reached among scholars for poverty and underdevelopment of Africa. 'The shackled continent' is one of the books that has attempted to explain the reasons why Africa has remained so poor. The main of this paper was to critically review the book. The shackled continent has critically analyzed and identified many hobbles that have affected the development process in Africa.  In this regard, the author assumption is that Africa has remained so poor as a result of several factors which includes failures of leadership, tribal politics, bad governance, impacts of AIDs, resource curse, lack of transparent property rights, ethnic strife, corruption, frequent military coups, and development assistance failures. Guest admits that these reasons to some extent contribute to the Africans' development challenges. However, arguably failures of leadership are the main reason for underdevelopment in Africa. The author argues that global capitalism is merely a solution to Africa's problems. This book has many strengths as well as weaknesses.
A Semi-Analytic Elastic Rod Model of Pediatric Spinal Deformity
Authors: Neelakantan Sunder , Purohit Prashant K. , Pasha Saba
Published: September 2020

The mechanism of the scoliotic curve development in healthy adolescents remains unknown in the field of orthopedic surgery. Variations in the sagittal curvature of the spine are believed to be a leading cause of scoliosis in this patient population. Here, we formulate the mechanics of S-shaped slender elastic rods as a model for pediatric spine under physiological loading. Second, applying inverse mechanics to clinical data of the subtypes of scoliotic spines, with characteristic 3D deformity, we determine the undeformed geometry of the spine before the induction of scoliosis. Our result successfully reproduces the clinical data of the deformed spine under varying loads, confirming that the prescoliotic sagittal curvature of the spine impacts the 3D loading that leads to scoliosis.
Constitutive Modeling of Corneal Tissue: Influence of Three-Dimensional Collagen Fiber Microstructure
Authors: Wang Shuolun , Hatami-Marbini Hamed
Published: September 2020

The cornea, the transparent tissue in the front of the eye, along with the sclera, plays a vital role in protecting the inner structures of the eyeball. The precise shape and mechanical strength of this tissue are mostly determined by the unique microstructure of its extracellular matrix. A clear picture of the 3D arrangement of collagen fibrils within the corneal extracellular matrix has recently been obtained from the secondary harmonic generation images. However, this important information about the through-thickness distribution of collagen fibrils was seldom taken into account in the constitutive modeling of the corneal behavior. This work creates a generalized structure tensor (GST) model to investigate the mechanical influence of collagen fibril through-thickness distribution. It then uses numerical simulations of the corneal mechanical response in inflation experiments to assess the efficacy of the proposed model. A parametric study is also done to investigate the influence of model parameters on numerical predictions. Finally, a brief comparison between the performance of this new constitutive model and a recent angular integration (AI) model from the literature is given.
A 2nd-Order Continuous Time Delta-Sigma Modulator for Photoplethysmography Analog Front-End
Authors: Pribadi Eka Fitrah , Pandey Rajeev Kumar , Chao Paul C.-P.
Published: September 2020

A brief presents a 2nd order continuous-time delta-sigma modulator (CT-DSM) using a low pass filter to reduce the slew rate requirement of the output swing of the first integrator. By adding the low pass filter, the desired transfer function of the CT-DSM is altered. Thus a feed-forward based compensation circuit is introduced to transform the altered transfer function to the original condition. The CT-DSM is designed with a bandwidth of 100 Hz to satisfy the requirement of photoplethysmogram (PPG) detection. The CT-DSM is simulated using CMOS 180 nm technology with the layout area 460 μm × 460 μm. The circuit uses a 1.8 V supply voltage and consumes 35.61 μW. The signal-to-noise ratio of the CT-DSM is 101.2 dB, while the SFDR is 99.1 dB.
Development of Human-Like Motion Planning Method Using Task Constrained for Humanoid Robotic Arm With Non-Offset Wrist
Authors: Zhu Yi-Hao , Chang Jen-Yuan (James)
Published: September 2020

In industry 4.0, to increase flexibility of a robotic arm system, high-DOFs (degrees of freedom) robotic arm system is used for different applications. A traditional way of dealing with high-DOFs configuration control is to utilize kinesthetic teaching in Cartesian space by guiding the robot’s end-effector to targets. Usually, the teaching process takes a long time, and the configuration of the robotic arm makes them only workable for specific application needs. This research presents a novel mechanical design of 7-DOFs humanoid robotic arm and an algorithm to generate human-like motions for the anthropometric robotic arm to solve the problem. Because the humanoid robotic arm exists one redundant DOF, in this paper, this extra DOF is utilized to optimize the human-like motion in performing tasks with minimum angle variance, adjusting force transmission with manipulability ellipsoids, and avoiding obstacles in the environment. Finally, a 7-DOFs humanoid robotic arm is designed and used in a task which is typically performed by bartenders, namely, pouring wine into the glass.
Design of a New Long-Time Continuous Photoplethysmography Signal Acquisition System to Obtain Accurate Measurement of Heart Rate
Authors: Pandey Rajeev Kumar , Lin Jerry , Chao Paul C.-P.
Published: September 2020

This study presents a time-interleave and low DC drift long-time continuous photoplethysmography (PPG) signal acquisition system to obtain accurate measurement of heart rate (HR) in real-time. Time-interleave functionality is used herein to minimize the mispositioning issue. Intensity tuning and transimpedance amplifier gain tuning is used herein to acquire a high-quality PPG signal. The front-end analog readout circuit is designed and implemented by using T18 process. The experimental result shows that the design readout system has the DC settling time of 1 second after the motion artifact. The measured current sensing range is 30nA–10uA. The estimated signal to noise ratio is 68dB@1Hz. The backend pre-signal processing incorporates a new convolution-based moving average filter, signal quality index estimator, and a peak-through detector. The non-invasive PPG sensor is applied to the wrist artery of the 40 healthy subjects for sensing the pulsation of the blood vessel. During the measurement, the subject did not drink (alcohol), eat, smoke or workout. The Measurement results shows that the heart rate accuracy and standard error are 95%, and 0.37±1.96bpm, respectively.
A Novel Energy Harvester in a Backpack via Precision Sensing of Back Electromotive Force
Authors: Yen W.-W. , Chao Paul C.-P.
Published: September 2020

In this paper, swop fly-back converter, a new type of fly-back converter, was proposed. It is controlled by constant-on time, a strategy of pulse frequency modulation with boundary conduction mode. Due to the structure of swop fly-back converter and the boundary conduction mode control strategy, the energy delivery to battery is proportional to the voltage of coupled capacitor of swop fly-back converter which changed the position of the metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor and the capacitor instead of measuring input voltage and input current. Thus, the energy was estimated by measuring the voltage of coupled capacitor. The previous test shows that the voltage of coupled capacitor sensing which is measured by 10-bit ADC is good. The peak voltage is 4.036 V, the ADC value is 1009 digi, and it induced average power 1.25W for striding and 2W for jogging.
Dissolution Behavior of Silicon Nitride Thin Films in a Simulated Ocular Environment
Authors: Schade Christoph , Phan Alex , Joslin Kevin , Truong Phuong , Talke Frank
Published: September 2020

The time dependent dissolution of silicon nitride is studied in a simulated eye environment (controlled saline solution) as a function of temperature and pressure. Silicon nitride films manufactured by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) and low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD), respectively, were tested. The results revealed that both film types showed evidence of dissolution i.e., the films dissolved in the saline solution over time. At 37°C, PECVD and LPCVD silicon nitride membranes dissolved at a rate of 1.3 nm/day and 0.3 nm/day, respectively. It was found that at 23°C, the dissolution rate of the PECVD samples reduced to just 0.2 nm/day. Dissolution was not observed in samples tested in deionized water at 37°C. Titanium oxide layers (TiO2) were tested as protective layers to stop the dissolution. The results are important for implantable MEMS devices where silicon nitride is used as a functional membrane or as a protective layer.
Wettability Control of PDMS Surface Coated on the Glass Using Ultrasonic Vibration Treatment
Authors: Park Dong-su , Xu Jiajun , Park Kyoung-Su
Published: September 2020

In this study, a method was proposed to change the surface roughness of Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane, a hydrophobic material coated on circular steel substrates, using ultrasonic vibration with frequency above 20 kHz to control the surface tension of water droplet on the PDMS membrane. Ultrasonic vibration applied from piezo actuator was transmitted through circular steel substrate to PDMS membrane and it made the PDMS (liquid) vibrated. It made surface roughness of PDMS membrane changed. The results of coating the PDMS membrane on the circular steel substrate and measuring the contact angle of the water droplet after applying ultrasonic frequency vibration showed that ultrasonic frequency vibration could affect the surface roughness of the PDMS membrane. In this paper, we compared and discussed the surface roughness effects on various vibration frequencies and amplitudes.
Study of Contact Detect Response for PMR and HAMR Media Using the Integrated Thermistor Based Proximity Sensor
Authors: Peri M. D. Murthy , Kiely James , Anaya-Dufresne Manuel C. , Bodurtha Kent
Published: September 2020

As the Hard Disk Drive industry migrates from PMR to HAMR technology, it is important to understand differences in the measurement of contact detection between PMR vs. HAMR media. Compared to PMR media, HAMR media tends to be rougher and has a higher thermal conductance. Since some contact detection methods rely on interface heat transfer, it is important to understand the impact of media type on measurements. In the current paper, we present results from mechanical spinstand studies using the integrated thermistor in the head. The heater in the head is dithered at a fixed frequency and the thermistor response is analyzed at that frequency. Changes in the thermistor resistance as a function of head-media clearance are used to understand how thermal conduction differences between PMR vs. HAMR media may impact contact detection. We find that heat conduction is different between HAMR and PMR media types and can have an impact on contact detection.
Why obesity worsens COVID-19
Authors: Wadman Meredith
Published: September 2020

Even people in the overweight category face higher risk of serious disease.
Long-term forest degradation surpasses deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Matricardi Eraldo Aparecido Trondoli , Skole David Lewis , Costa Olívia Bueno , Pedlowski Marcos Antonio , Samek Jay Howard , Miguel Eder Pereira
Published: September 2020

Degradation by logging, fire, and fragmentation is increasing as a spatially distinct disturbance in the Amazon landscape.