bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of COVID-19 in plastic surgery departments: a comparative retrospective study in a COVID-19 and in a non-COVID-19 hospital
Authors: Grippaudo Francesca Romana , Migliano Emilia , Redi Ugo , Turriziani Gianmarco , Marino Davide , D’Ermo Giuseppe , Ribuffo Diego
Published: August 2020

Background

COVID-19 is a new human-infecting coronavirus for which the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic. The first Italian cases occurred in February 2020: since then, there has been an exponential increase in new cases, hospitalizations and intensive care assistance demand. This new and sudden scenario led to a forced National Health System reorganization and review of welfare priorities. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of this pandemic on ordinary activities in two plastic surgery divisions in Rome, hosted in a COVID-19 and a non-COVID-19 hospital.

Methods

The data of this comparative retrospective study was collected between 9 March and 9 April 2019 and the same period of 2020 from two plastic surgery units, one in a COVID-19 hospital and second in a non-COVID-19 hospital in Rome, Italy. The 2019–2020 data of the two hospitals was compared regarding the number of surgeries, post-operative dressings and first consultations performed.

Results

Both units sustained a decrease in workload due to lockdown effects. Statistically significant differences for day surgery procedures (p value = 0.0047) and first consultations (p value < 0.0001) were found between the COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 institutes, with a drastic trend limiting non-urgent access to COVID-19 hospitals.

Conclusions

The long-term effects of healthcare reshuffling in the “COVID-19 era” imply a delay in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer and cancellation of many reconstructive procedures. These findings pose a question on the future consequences of a long-term limitation in plastic surgery healthcare.

Level of evidence: Level III, risk/prognostic study.
Reporting frequency of radiology findings increases after introducing visual rating scales in the primary care diagnostic work up of subjective and mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Håkansson Claes , Torisson Gustav , Londos Elisabet , Hansson Oskar , Björkman-Burtscher Isabella M. , van Westen Danielle
Published: August 2020

Objectives

Study the effect of introducing a template for radiological reporting of non-enhanced computed tomography (NECT) in the primary care diagnostic work up of cognitive impairment using visual rating scales (VRS).

Methods

Radiology reports were assessed regarding compliance with a contextual report template and the reporting of the parameters medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTA), white matter changes (WMC), global cortical atrophy (GCA), and width of lateral ventricles (WLV) using established VRS in two age-matched groups examined with NECT before (n = 111) and after (n = 125) the introduction of contextual reporting at our department. True positive rate (TPR) and true negative rate (TNR) before and after were compared.

Results

We observed a significant increase in the percentage of radiology reports with mentioning of MTA from 29 to 76% (p < 0.001), WMC from 69 to 86% (p < 0.01), and GCA from 54 to 82% (p < 0.001). We observed a significant increase in the percentages of reports where all of the parameters were mentioned, from 6 to 29% (p < 0.001). There was a significant increase in TPR from 10 to 55% for MTA.

Conclusion

This study suggests that contextual radiological assessment using VRS could increase the reporting frequency of radiology findings in the diagnostic work up of cognitive impairment but compliance with templates may be difficult to endorse.

Key Points

• Introducing visual rating scales in clinical practice increases the reporting frequency of MTA, WMC, and GCA in the diagnostic work up of subjective and mild cognitive impairment.

• Introducing visual rating scales has an effect on the true positive rate of reported MTA.

• Compliance with contextual radiology templates remains low when use of the template is not enforced by the department leadership.
Complex renal cysts (Bosniak ≥IIF): interobserver agreement, progression and malignancy rates
Authors: Lucocq James , Pillai Sanjay , Oparka Richard , Nabi Ghulam
Published: August 2020

Objective

The objective was to assess the interobserver agreement rate, progression rates and malignancy rates in the assessment of complex renal cysts (≥ Bosniak IIF) using a population-based database.

Methods

A regional database identified 452 complex renal cysts in 415 patients between 2009 and 2019. Each patient was tracked and followed up using a unique identifier and deterministic linkage methodology. The interobserver agreement rate between radiologists was calculated using a weighted kappa statistic. Progression and malignancy rates of cysts (Bosniak ≥IIF) over the 11-year period were calculated.

Results

The linear-weighted kappa value was 0.69 for all complex cysts. The rate of progression and regression of Bosniak IIF cysts was 4.6% (7/151) and 3.3% (5/151), respectively. All malignant IIF cysts progressed within 16 months of diagnosis. The malignancy rate of surgically resected Bosniak III and IV cysts was 79.3% (23/29) and 84.5% (39/46), respectively. Of all malignant tumours, 73.8% and 93.7% were of low ISUP grade and low stage, respectively.

Conclusions

This study further confirms that there is a good degree of agreement between radiologists in classifying complex renal masses using the Bosniak classification. The progression rate of Bosniak IIF cysts is low, but the malignancy rates of surgically resected Bosniak IIF, III and IV cysts are high. Benign cysts are frequently resected, and a very high proportion of histopathologically confirmed cancers in complex renal cysts are of low grade and stage.

Key Points

•There is a good degree of agreement between radiologists in classifying complex renal masses using the Bosniak classification.

•The rate of progression of Bosniak IIF cysts is low, and malignant cysts progress early during surveillance. Although the malignancy rates of resected Bosniak IIF, III and IV cysts are high, the rate of benign cyst resection is significant.
Vitamin D and COVID-19 infection and mortality in UK Biobank
Authors: Hastie Claire E. , Pell Jill P. , Sattar Naveed
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Low blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration has been proposed as a potential causal factor in COVID-19 risk. We aimed to establish whether baseline serum 25(OH)D concentration was associated with COVID-19 mortality, and inpatient confirmed COVID-19 infection, in UK Biobank participants.

Methods

UK Biobank recruited 502,624 participants aged 37–73 years between 2006 and 2010. Baseline exposure data, including serum 25(OH)D concentration, were linked to COVID-19 mortality. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were performed for the association between 25(OH)D and COVID-19 death, and Poisson regression analyses for the association between 25(OH)D and severe COVID-19 infection.

Results

Complete data were available for 341,484 UK Biobank participants, of which 656 had inpatient confirmed COVID-19 infection and 203 died of COVID-19 infection. 25(OH)D concentration was associated with severe COVID-19 infection and mortality univariably (mortality per 10 nmol/L 25(OH)D HR  0.92; 95% CI 0.86–0.98; p = 0.016), but not after adjustment for confounders (mortality per 10 nmol/L 25(OH)D HR 0.98; 95% CI = 0.91–1.06; p = 0.696). Vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency was also not independently associated with either COVID-19 infection or linked mortality.

Conclusions

Our findings do not support a potential link between 25(OH)D concentrations and risk of severe COVID-19 infection and mortality. Randomised trials are needed to prove a beneficial role for vitamin D in the prevention of severe COVID-19 reactions or death.
Dyslexia and cognitive impairment in adult patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1: a clinical prospective analysis
Authors: Gutschmidt K. , Wenninger S. , Montagnese F. , Schoser B.
Published: August 2020

Background

Cognitive impairments in patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) have often been described, however, there are only few studies differentiating between partial performance disorders and mental retardation in common. This study focused on the evaluation of reading performance and the frequency of dyslexia in adult DM1 patients.

Methods

We performed a prospective cohort study including genetically confirmed adult DM1 patients registered in the DM registry of Germany or the internal database of the Friedrich-Baur-Institute, Munich, Germany. For the assessment of the patients’ reading and spelling performance, we used the standardized and validated test ‚Salzburger Lese- und Rechtschreibtest‘ (SLRT II). The ‚CFT-20 R Grundintelligenztest Skala 2‘ in revised ("R") version (CFT 20-R), determining the intelligence level, was appropriate to differentiate between dyslexia and general mental retardation. The diagnosis of dyslexia, the combined reading and spelling disorder, was based on the guidelines for diagnosis and therapy of children and adolescents with dyslexia 2015 (S3-guideline) providing (1) the criterion of the divergence from age level and (2) the criterion of IQ-divergence.

Results

Fifty-seven DM1 patients participated in our study. Evaluating the reading performance, 16 patients fulfilled the divergence criteria of the age level and 2 patients the IQ-divergence criteria. In total, the diagnosis of a reading disorder was given in 18 DM1 patients (31.6 %). In 11 out of these 18 patients with a reading disorder, a relevant impairment of spelling performance was observed with at least three spelling errors. As there are no normative values for adults in spelling performance, we assume a combined reading disorder and dyslexia, in those 11 DM1 patients (19.3 %). Regarding the separate analyses of the test procedures, in the SLRT II the performance was below average in 40.4 % of all patients for ‘word reading’ and in 61.4 % of all patients for ‘pseudoword reading’. There was a significant positive correlation between the CTG expansion size and a reading disorder (p=0.027). The average IQ of 17 examined DM1 patients was in the lower normal range (86.1 ± 19.1). 54.5 % of patients with reading disorder had a normal IQ.

Conclusion

The calculated prevalence of dyslexia in the DM1 study cohort was 19.3 % and thus considerably increased compared to the normal German population. As dyslexia is not equivalent to a general cognitive impairment, it is important not to miss dyslexic features in cognitive inconspicuous DM1 patients. Case-by-case one should consider a differential diagnostic approach, as individualized therapies can be offered to support dyslexic patients in their performance.
The role of EP-2 receptor expression in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
Authors: Schmoeckel Elisa , Fraungruber Patricia , Kuhn Christina , Jeschke Udo , Mahner Sven , Kolben Theresa Maria , Kolben Thomas , Vilsmaier Theresa , Hester Anna , Heidegger Helene Hildegard
Published: August 2020

Prostaglandin induced signalling is involved in different cancers. As previously described, the EP3 receptor expression decreases with increasing stage of cervical intraepithelial lesions (CIN). In addition, in cervical cancer EP3 is an independent prognosticator for overall survival and correlates with FIGO stages. Currently the role of Prostaglandin 2 receptor 2 (EP2) in CIN is unknown. The aim of this study was to analyse the expression of EP2 for potential prognostic value for patients with cervical dysplasia. EP2 expression was analysed by immunohistochemistry in 33 patient samples (CIN1–3) using the immune-reactivity scoring system (IRS). Expression levels were correlated with clinical outcome to analyse prognostic relevance in patients with CIN2. Data analysis was performed using non parametric Kruskal–Wallis and Spearman rank sum test. Cytoplasmic expression levels of EP2 correlated significantly (p < 0.001) with different grades of cervical dysplasia. Median EP2-IRS in CIN1 was 2 (n = 8), 3 in CIN2 (n = 9) and 6 in CIN3 (n = 16). Comparing regressive (n = 3, median IRS = 2) to progressive (n = 6, median IRS = 4) CIN2 cases the median IRS differed significantly (p = 0.017). Staining intensity (p = 0.009) and IRS (p = 0.005) of EP2 and EP3 correlate inversely. EP2 expression level significantly increases with higher grade of CIN and could qualify as a potential prognostic marker for the regressive or progressive course in CIN2 lesions. These findings emphasize the significant role of PGE2 signalling in CIN and could help to identify targets for future therapies.
Senescence and autophagy in usual interstitial pneumonia of different etiology
Authors: Gallob Florian , Brcic Luka , Eidenhammer Sylvia , Rumpp Florian , Nerlich Andreas , Popper Helmut
Published: August 2020

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a disease with a dismal prognosis. Currently, the causing agent(s) are poorly understood. Recent data suggest that senescence and autophagy might play a role in its development, as well as changes in metabolism due to hypoxic conditions. In this study, the expression of senescence markers in 23 cases of usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP)/IPF and UIP/chronic autoimmune diseases (UIP/AuD) was investigated. The status of autophagy was evaluated with respect to either antiinflammatory or antihypoxia function. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues of UIP were selected for immunohistochemistry with antibodies for p21, p16, and β-galactosidase (senescence); for LC3, SIRT1, MAP1S, and pAMKα (autophagy); and for LDH and GLUT1 (metabolism). Epithelial cells in cystic remodeled areas of UIP stained for p16 and p21, p16 being more specific compared with p21. Myofibroblasts were negative in all cases. An upregulation of all four autophagy markers was seen not only in epithelia within remodeled areas and proliferating myofibroblasts, but also in bronchial epithelia and pneumocytes. Upregulated autophagy points to a compensatory mechanism for hypoxia; therefore, LDH and GLUT1 were investigated. Their expression was present in epithelia within cystic remodeling and in myofibroblasts. The cells within the remodeled areas stained for cytokeratin 5, but coexpressed TTF1, confirming their origin from basal cells of bronchioles. Within this population, senescent cells arise. Our results indicated that autophagy in UIP very likely helps cells to survive in hypoxic condition. By phagocytosis of cellular debris, they supplement their need for nutrition, and by upregulating LDH and GLUT1, they compensate for local hypoxia.
Characteristics and outcome of a first acute myocardial infarction in patients with ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: Södergren Anna , Askling Johan , Bengtsson Karin , Forsblad-d’Elia Helena , Jernberg Tomas , Lindström Ulf , Ljung Lotta , Mantel Ängla , Jacobsson Lennart T. H.
Published: August 2020

Objectives

To study clinical characteristics, mortality, and secondary prevention, after a first incident acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) compared with the general population.

Methods

In total, 292 subjects with AS and a first AMI between Jan 2006 and Dec 2014 were identified using the Swedish national patient register. Each subject was matched with up to 5 general population comparators per AS-patient (n = 1276). Follow-up started at the date of admission for AMI and extended until death or 365 days of follow-up. Cox regression was used to assess mortality in two time intervals: days 0–30 and days 31–365. For a subgroup with available data, clinical presentation at admission, course, treatment for AMI, and secondary prevention were compared.

Results

During the 365-day follow-up, 56/292 (19%) AS patients and 184/1276 (14%) comparators died. There were no difference in mortality due to cardiovascular-related causes, although the overall mortality day 31–365 was increased among patients with AS compared with comparators (HR [95% CI] = 2.0 [1.3;3.0]). At admission, AS patients had a higher prevalence of cardiovascular comorbidities compared with comparators. At discharge, patients with AS were less often prescribed lipid-lowering drugs and non-aspirin antiplatelet therapy.

Conclusions

Patients with AS tend to have a higher comorbidity burden at admission for first AMI. The mortality after a first AMI due to cardiovascular-related causes does not seem to be elevated, despite an increased overall mortality during days 31–365 among patients with AS compared with the general population.

Key Points• The all-cause mortality after a first AMI was higher in patients with AS.• Mortality after a first AMI due to CVD-related causes does not seem to be elevated for patients with AS.• In patients with AS suffering a first AMI, more attention should be given to other comorbidities causing an excess in mortality.
A combined multiple action recognition and summarization for surveillance video sequences
Authors: Elharrouss Omar , Almaadeed Noor , Al-Maadeed Somaya , Bouridane Ahmed , Beghdadi Azeddine
Published: August 2020

Human action recognition and video summarization represent challenging tasks for several computer vision applications including video surveillance, criminal investigations, and sports applications. For long videos, it is difficult to search within a video for a specific action and/or person. Usually, human action recognition approaches presented in the literature deal with videos that contain only a single person, and they are able to recognize his action. This paper proposes an effective approach to multiple human action detection, recognition, and summarization. The multiple action detection extracts human bodies’ silhouette, then generates a specific sequence for each one of them using motion detection and tracking method. Each of the extracted sequences is then divided into shots that represent homogeneous actions in the sequence using the similarity between each pair frames. Using the histogram of the oriented gradient (HOG) of the Temporal Difference Map (TDMap) of the frames of each shot, we recognize the action by performing a comparison between the generated HOG and the existed HOGs in the training phase which represents all the HOGs of many actions using a set of videos for training. Also, using the TDMap images we recognize the action using a proposed CNN model. Action summarization is performed for each detected person. The efficiency of the proposed approach is shown through the obtained results for mainly multi-action detection and recognition.
Preventing and mitigating farmed bivalve disease: a Northern Ireland case study
Authors: Fox M. , Christley R. , Lupo C. , Moore H. , Service M. , Campbell K.
Published: August 2020

Shellfish production forms a large proportion of marine aquaculture production in Northern Ireland (NI). Diseases represent a serious threat to the maintenance and growth of shellfish cultivation with severe consequences to production output and profitability. In Northern Ireland, production generally benefits from a good health status with the absence of notifiable diseases, except for localised cases of Bonamia ostreae, Marteilia refringens and ostreid herpes virus. In this paper, we qualitatively explore that the prevalence, risk, impact, mitigation and experience shellfish farmers in this region have in relation to disease. Sixteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with stakeholders within the sector. The interviews were transcribed verbatim, and Nvivo 12 was used to facilitate an inductive thematic analysis. Our results highlighted that the industry has varying attitudes and experiences with disease. At present-day temperatures, disease is not an issue and this provides vast market opportunities for the region. However, disease outbreaks have led to detrimental consequences to financial income, production output and reputation in the past, whilst control and mitigation remain reactive. It is imperative proactive disease prevention and control that are employed and enforced to sustain NI’s reputation as a healthy shellfish region, particularly under increasing global temperatures and intensified production systems. A cultural shift to disease appreciation, risk analysis and surveillance through research, education, training and collaboration is essential. This study highlights the importance of providing a bottom-up communication platform with the stakeholders directly involved in shellfish culture and management, the value of cross sector engagement and the need to improve knowledge transfer between science the sector.
Decreased Platelet Inhibition by Thienopyridines in Hyperuricemia
Authors: Lee Silvia , Wadowski Patricia P. , Hoberstorfer Timothy , Weikert Constantin , Pultar Joseph , Kopp Christoph W. , Panzer Simon , Gremmel Thomas
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Hyperuricemia carries an increased risk of atherothrombotic events in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This may at least in part be due to inadequate P2Y12 inhibition. The aim of this study was to prospectively investigate the potential association between hyperuricemia and decreased platelet inhibition by P2Y12 antagonists.

Methods

Levels of uric acid as well as on-treatment residual platelet reactivity in response to adenosine diphosphate (ADP) were assessed in 301 clopidogrel-treated patients undergoing elective angioplasty and stenting, and in 206 prasugrel- (n = 118) or ticagrelor-treated (n = 88) ACS patients following acute PCI. Cut-off values for high on-treatment residual ADP-inducible platelet reactivity (HRPR) were based on previous studies showing an association of test results with clinical outcomes.

Results

Hyperuricemia was significantly associated with increased on-treatment residual ADP-inducible platelet reactivity in clopidogrel- and prasugrel-treated patients in univariate analyses and after adjustment for differences in patient characteristics by multivariate regression analyses. In contrast, ticagrelor-treated patients without and with hyperuricemia showed similar levels of on-treatment residual platelet reactivity to ADP. HRPR occurred more frequently in clopidogrel- and prasugrel-treated patients with hyperuricemia than in those with normal uric acid levels. In contrast, hyperuricemic patients receiving ticagrelor did not have a higher risk of HRPR compared with those with normal uric acid levels.

Conclusion

Hyperuricemia is associated with decreased platelet inhibition by thienopyridines but a normal response to ticagrelor. It remains to be established if lowering uric acid increases the antiplatelet effects of clopidogrel and prasugrel in hyperuricemic patients with HRPR.
Secretive Symbolism? The Death Penalty, Executions, and Japan
Authors: Holmes Billy
Published: August 2020

The importance of analysing the death penalty and state-imposed executions is derived from their concerning the right to life, and their retaining wide-spread support throughout retentionist, abolitionist de facto, and abolitionist states worldwide. Discrepancies in the execution rates of retentionist states appear reducible to their serving symbolic or pragmatic functions i.e. they are used primarily to validate public opinion or primarily to deter crime. Prima facie, Japan seems akin to a symbolic state, due to its low execution rate and its official justification for both retaining the death penalty and continuing to use executions i.e. doing otherwise would be undemocratic. However, the practices that surround executions in Japan shroud them in secrecy and silence, which appears at odds with both its apparent symbolic function and this justification. This makes Japan a uniquely important case study for research on practices surrounding executions. Understanding why this contradiction exists will entail a more nuanced understanding of the ways in which the death penalty, executions, and the practices surrounding them, can function in retentionist states. This essay aids such understanding by critically analysing this official justification and various other arguments for why this might be the case and advancing an alternative explanation.
Estimating the Unrestricted and Restricted Liu Estimators for the Poisson Regression Model: Method and Application
Authors: Månsson Kristofer , Kibria B. M. Golam
Published: August 2020

This paper considers both unrestricted and restricted Liu estimators in the presence of multicollinearity for the Poisson regression model. It also considers some new estimators of the shrinkage parameter for both unrestricted and restricted Liu estimators. Based on a simulation study and its empirical application, we found that the restricted estimator outperforms the unrestricted one. Further, the restricted Liu estimator also outperforms both the unrestricted Liu and restricted Liu estimators.
Hence, this new method is a preferred option when the coefficient vector β may belong to a linear sub-space defined by Rβ = r.
An analysis of wind conditions at pedestrian level in the selected types of multi-family housing developments
Authors: Poćwierz Marta , Zielonko-Jung Katarzyna
Published: August 2020

The following article addresses the issue of wind conditions around urban building development at pedestrian level. Factors that depend on those issues include wind comfort and air quality within urbanized spaces. The conditions specific of cities located in a temperate climate zone have been taken into account. The article is intended to identify aerodynamic phenomena characteristic of the three basic types of multi-family building development (section, linear, quarter). For each type of buildings, three different variants were considered on the basis of land use efficiency (low, medium, high) each type of buildings is characterised with. The models illustrate the patterns observed within European urban planning thought and have been developed in accordance with contemporary architectural and urban conditions, as well as with legal requirements and good practices in force in Poland. Experimental research in the wind tunnel has been conducted by means of two complementary field methods (visualization and erosion). The application of these two methods made it possible to obtain data on airflow direction layouts and on changes in airflow velocity. Subsequently, the results obtained in the study have been compared. Thus, more and less favourable geometrical layouts in respect to aerodynamic phenomena have been indicated.
QTL detection in a pedigreed breeding population of diploid potato
Authors: Korontzis George , Malosetti Marcos , Zheng Chaozhi , Maliepaard Chris , Mulder Han A. , Lindhout Pim , Veerkamp Roel F. , van Eeuwijk Fred A.
Published: August 2020

Diploid hybrid potato breeding is emerging as an alternative to breeding tetraploid potato clones. The development of diploid breeding varieties involves recent, shallow pedigrees with a limited number of founders. Within this context, alternative QTL detection methodologies should be considered to enable identification of relevant QTLs and characterize the founders of the pedigree. To that end, we are using a dataset of multiple diploid potato$$\hbox {F}_3$$F3families under selection derived by a cross between an inbredSolanum chacoenseand an outbred diploidSolanum tuberosum, and identify QTLs for tuber fresh weight. We used three methods for QTL detection: (1) a Genome Wide Association Study model, (2) a linkage approach tailored to the population under study and (3) a more general approach for modelling multiallelic QTLs in complex pedigrees using identity-by-descent (IBD) probabilities. We show that all three approaches enable detection of QTLs in the population under study, but the method that makes better use of IBD information has a more direct and detailed interpretation by linking QTL alleles to the founders.
Self-Building Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to Empower Big Data Analytics in Smart Cities
Authors: Alahakoon Damminda , Nawaratne Rashmika , Xu Yan , De Silva Daswin , Sivarajah Uthayasankar , Gupta Bhumika
Published: August 2020

The emerging information revolution makes it necessary to manage vast amounts of unstructured data rapidly. As the world is increasingly populated by IoT devices and sensors that can sense their surroundings and communicate with each other, a digital environment has been created with vast volumes of volatile and diverse data. Traditional AI and machine learning techniques designed for deterministic situations are not suitable for such environments. With a large number of parameters required by each device in this digital environment, it is desirable that the AI is able to be adaptive and self-build (i.e. self-structure, self-configure, self-learn), rather than be structurally and parameter-wise pre-defined. This study explores the benefits of self-building AI and machine learning with unsupervised learning for empowering big data analytics for smart city environments. By using the growing self-organizing map, a new suite of self-building AI is proposed. The self-building AI overcomes the limitations of traditional AI and enables data processing in dynamic smart city environments. With cloud computing platforms, the self-building AI can integrate the data analytics applications that currently work in silos. The new paradigm of the self-building AI and its value are demonstrated using the IoT, video surveillance, and action recognition applications.
Dwelling in Strangeness: Accounts of the Kingsley Hall Community, London (1965-1970), Established by R. D. Laing
Authors: Chapman Adrian
Published: August 2020

This article explores archival accounts of the experimental community, Kingsley Hall (1965-70), established by R. D. Laing, the radical Scottish psychiatrist. The paper contributes to renewed interest in Kingsley Hall, R. D. Laing's radical psychiatry and UK counterculture. Archival sources enable not only the further exploration of already known figures but also let us hear previously unheard voices. Following a discussion of archival materials, the Hall is analyzed thematically and historically as (i) an inner spaceship; (ii) an embattled middle-class countercultural plantation; (iii) a site of spiritual renewal and development; (iv) a single-building arts colony; and (v) a countercultural experiment. Finally, it is argued that with re-evaluation of 1960s and 1970s counterculture now underway on the Left, the Hall’s experiment in Laingian countercultural psychiatry—as we may fittingly call it—may yet inform future radical projects (in mental health and beyond).
The ‘experiential’ as an existential past
Authors: Chen Sihwei , Vander Klok Jozina , Matthewson Lisa , Rullmann Hotze
Published: August 2020

Recent literature has debated the nature and robustness of distinctions between pronominal tenses and existential tenses, between absolute tenses and relative tenses, and between perfect aspects and relative tenses. In this paper, we investigate anteriority markers in Javanese and Atayal, two distantly related Austronesian languages. On the basis of a range of empirical diagnostics, we propose that the markerstauin Javanese and -in- in Atayal are relative past tenses with existential semantics. We demonstrate that plausible alternative analyses are not tenable: these markers do not have pronominal tense semantics and they are not perfect aspects despite their salient ‘experiential’ interpretation. Further, we claim that a single language can possess both pronominal and existential tenses. Our diagnostics show that whiletauand -in- are existential past tenses, Javanese and Atayal each also have a pronominal tense morpheme which is phonologically null and which pragmatically interacts withtauand -in-.
Effects of Dating Matters® on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Outcomes among Middle School Youth: a Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: DeGue Sarah , Niolon Phyllis Holditch , Estefan Lianne Fuino , Tracy Allison J. , Le Vi D. , Vivolo-Kantor Alana M. , Little Todd D. , Latzman Natasha E. , Tharp Andra , Lang Kyle M. , Taylor Bruce
Published: August 2020

Sexual violence (SV), including sexual harassment (SH), is a significant public health problem affecting adolescent health and well-being. This study extends prior research by evaluating the effectiveness of a comprehensive teen dating violence prevention model, Dating Matters, on SV and SH perpetration and victimization, inclusive of any victim-perpetrator relationship, among middle school students. Dating Matters includes classroom-delivered programs for youth in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades; community-based programs for parents; a youth communications program; training for educators; and community-level activities. Middle schools in four urban areas in the USA were randomly assigned to receive Dating Matters (DM, N = 22) or a standard-of-care intervention (SC, N = 24) over four consecutive school years (2012–2016). The analytic sample included two cohorts who entered the study in 6th grade and completed 8th grade by the end of the study allowing for full exposure to Dating Matters (DM: N = 1662; SC: N = 1639; 53% female; 50% black, non-Hispanic; 6 waves of data collection for each cohort). Structural equation modeling was employed with multiple imputation to account for missing data. Dating Matters was associated with significant reductions in SV and SH perpetration and victimization scores in most—but not all—sex/cohort groups by the end of 8th grade relative to an evidence-based TDV prevention program. On average, students receiving Dating Matters scored 6% lower on SV perpetration, 3% lower on SV victimization, 4% lower on SH perpetration, and 8% lower on SH victimization by the end of middle school than students receiving an evidence-based violence prevention program. Overall, Dating Matters shows promise for reducing SV and SH, occurring both within and outside dating relationships, through middle school. Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01672541
The Factors Predicting Quality of Life Among Unemployed Adults: A Model Based on Salutogenic Approach
Authors: Hult Marja , Pietilä Anna-Maija , Saaranen Terhi
Published: August 2020

Unemployment narrows the realization of individual potential and has a negative effect on the experiences and status of an individual, thereby weakening the quality of life. We explored meaningfulness, health and work ability as predictors of quality of life among unemployed adults. A total of 30,598 persons participated in nationwide Finnish Regional Health and Well-Being Study (N = 76,000) between January 2014 and January 2015. This study used data from 1158 unemployed or laid-off persons aged 20–65. Developed path model based on the salutogenic approach fitted well to the data. Perceived meaningfulness had the most substantial effect on the quality of life. Good health associated with good work ability and they both had a significant impact on the quality of life. Meaningfulness and quality of life were better among women compared to men. The salutogenic approach is suitable for exploring the quality of life in the context of unemployment. Unemployed persons should be encouraged to engage in activities, voluntary work, for instance, that would increase their resources, enhance their quality of life, and contribute to re-employment.
Comparison of topological, empirical and optimization-based approaches for locating quality detection points in water distribution networks
Authors: Santonastaso Giovanni Francesco , Di Nardo Armando , Creaco Enrico , Musmarra Dino , Greco Roberto
Published: August 2020

The positioning of quality detection points as well as the frequency of sampling is a crucial aspect for the implementation of Water Safety Plans (WSPs), which have been proposed worldwide to ensure water quality and to minimize the risk from contamination in water distribution networks (WDNs). In this regard, some international legislations and best practices about quality of drinking water suggest very fine sampling frequencies, but they do not specify where the detection points should be located in a WDN. In this paper, three different approaches, based on empiricism, optimization and topology, respectively, were applied to locate detection quality points in a WDN. The comparison highlighted that empirical approach commonly adopted by water utility practitioners is unsatisfactory. The optimization-based approach, although performing significantly better, is difficult to apply, since it requires a calibrated hydraulic model. The topological approach, based on the use of the betweenness centrality and not requiring any hydraulic information and simulation, proves to be effective, and it can be easily adopted by water utilities to identify the location for quality detection points, due to its simplicity compared with the optimization-based approach.
Polymer types ingested by northern fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) and southern hemisphere relatives
Authors: Kühn Susanne , van Oyen Albert , Bravo Rebolledo Elisa L. , Ask Amalie V. , van Franeker Jan Andries
Published: August 2020

Although ingestion of plastic by tubenosed seabirds has been documented regularly, identification of the polymer composition of these plastics has rarely been described. Polymer assessment may assist in identifying sources and may indicate risks from additives occurring in specific types of polymers. Using known test materials, two identification methods Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and near infrared spectroscopy (FTIR and NIR) were compared. Although both methods were found to be similarly suitable for identification of plastic polymers, a significant difference was observed in identification of natural materials. FTIR frequently misclassified natural materials as being a synthetic polymer. Within our results, an 80% match score threshold functioned best to distinguish between natural items and synthetics. Using NIR, the historical variability of plastics ingested by northern fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) from the Dutch sector of the North Sea was analysed for three time periods since the 1980s. For the more recent decade, variability between fulmars from different regions in the northeast Atlantic was investigated. Regional variation was further explored by analysing plastics obtained from the stomachs of southern hemisphere relatives of the fulmar (southern fulmar, cape petrel, snow petrel) and Wilson’s storm petrel. Results show that proportional abundance of polymer types in these seabirds is closely related to the plastic categories that they ingest (e.g. pellets, foam, fragments). The uptake of different plastic categories and related polymer types most likely reflects spatial and temporal variations in availability rather than ingestion preferences of the birds.
Treatment with a DC-SIGN ligand reduces macrophage polarization and diastolic dysfunction in the aging female but not male mouse hearts
Authors: Trial JoAnn , Diaz Lankenau Rodrigo , Angelini Aude , Tovar Perez Jorge E. , Taffet George E. , Entman Mark L. , Cieslik Katarzyna A.
Published: August 2020

Cardiac diastolic dysfunction in aging arises from increased ventricular stiffness caused by inflammation and interstitial fibrosis. The diastolic dysfunction contributes to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), which in the aging population is more common in women. This report examines its progression over 12 weeks in aging C57BL/6J mice and correlates its development with changes in macrophage polarization and collagen deposition.

Aged C57BL/6J mice were injected with dendritic cell–specific intercellular adhesion molecule-3-grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN) ligand 1 (DCSL1, an anti-inflammatory agent) or saline for 12 weeks. Echo and Doppler measurements were performed before and after 4 and 12 weeks of treatment. DCSL1 prevented the worsening of diastolic dysfunction over time in females but not in males. Cardiac single cell suspensions analyzed by flow cytometry revealed changes in the inflammatory infiltrate: (1) in males, there was an increased total number of leukocytes with an increased pro-inflammatory profile compared with females and they did not respond to DCSL1; (2) by contrast, DCSL1 treatment resulted in a shift in macrophage polarization to an anti-inflammatory phenotype in females. Notably, DCSL1 preferentially targeted tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα+) pro-inflammatory macrophages. The reduction in pro-inflammatory macrophage polarization was accompanied by a decrease in collagen content in the heart.

Age-associated diastolic dysfunction in mice is more severe in females and is associated with unique changes in macrophage polarization in cardiac tissue. Treatment with DCSL1 mitigates the changes in inflammation, cardiac function, and fibrosis. The characteristics of diastolic dysfunction in aging female mice mimic similar changes in aging women.
Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance for the Differentiation of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
Authors: Burrage Matthew K. , Ferreira Vanessa M.
Published: August 2020

Purpose of Review

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a common presentation encountered in clinical practice with a diverse range of potential aetiologies. Differentiation of pathological from physiological hypertrophy can be challenging but is crucial for further management and prognostication. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) with advanced myocardial tissue characterisation is a powerful tool that may help to differentiate these aetiologies in the assessment of LVH.

Recent Findings

The use of CMR for detailed morphological assessment of LVH is well described. More recently, advanced CMR techniques (late gadolinium enhancement, parametric mapping, diffusion tensor imaging, and myocardial strain) have been used. These techniques are highly promising in helping to differentiate key aetiologies of LVH and provide valuable prognostic information.

Recent advancements in CMR tissue characterisation, such as parametric mapping, in combination with detailed morphological assessment and late gadolinium enhancement, provide a powerful resource that may help assess and differentiate important causes of LVH.
Understanding Engagement in HIV Programmes: How Health Services Can Adapt to Ensure No One Is Left Behind
Authors: Grimsrud Anna , Wilkinson Lynne , Eshun-Wilson Ingrid , Holmes Charles , Sikazwe Izukanji , Katz Ingrid T.
Published: August 2020

Purpose of Review

Despite the significant progress in the HIV response, gaps remain in ensuring engagement in care to support life-long medication adherence and viral suppression. This review sought to describe the different points in the HIV care cascade where people living with HIV were not engaging and highlight promising interventions.

Recent Findings

There are opportunities to improve engagement both between testing and treatment and to support re-engagement in care for those in a treatment interruption. The gap between testing and treatment includes people who know their HIV status and people who do not know their status. People in a treatment interruption include those who interrupt immediately following initiation, early on in their treatment (first 6 months) and late (after 6 months or more on ART). For each of these groups, specific interventions are required to support improved engagement.

There are diverse needs and specific populations of people living with HIV who are not engaged in care, and differentiated service delivery interventions are required to meet their needs and expectations. For the HIV response to realise the 2030 targets, engagement will need to be supported by quality care and patient choice combined with empowered patients who are treatment literate and have been supported to improve self-management.
‘Where Art Thou?’: Ethnocracy, Toponymic Silence, and Toponymic Subjugation in the Harare Commemorative Landscapes During the Mugabe Era (1980–2017)
Authors: Mamvura Zvinashe
Published: August 2020

This article explores the post-colonial national identity formation using place names that commemorate the nation’s past in Zimbabwe. Place name alterations that the new political elites implemented at independence in 1980 were aimed at disassembling relics of the deposed regime and craft a new national identity. The commemorative landscapes of Harare, as a national capital, constitute a strategic medium in the constitution of national identity. Ethnicity dominated the political landscape in Zimbabwe. The two main political parties, the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) and Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU), have been aligned with the two supertribes, Shona and Ndebele, respectively. The article explores how the ruling ZANU (PF) government whose leadership was largely Shona used a meta-narrative modelled around discourses of exclusionary autochthony and a partial presentation of the liberation war history that projected ZAPU as having made an insignificant contribution to the liberation war to construct a national identity. It concludes that the use of exclusionary definitions of belonging and a one-sided presentation of the war past that projected ZANU as having contributed more to the liberation war entrenched Shona ethnic chauvinistic tendencies and propagated ZANU (PF) political hegemony. Using the theoretical lens of critical toponymy, the article argues that politically motivated place renaming efforts usually select from the past aspects that serve present political purposes.
Therapeutic silencing miR-146b-5p improves cardiac remodeling in a porcine model of myocardial infarction by modulating the wound reparative phenotype
Authors: Liao Yiteng , Li Hao , Cao Hao , Dong Yun , Gao Lei , Liu Zhongmin , Ge Junbo , Zhu Hongming
Published: August 2020

Fibrotic remodeling is an adverse consequence of immune response-driven phenotypic modulation of cardiac cells following myocardial infarction (MI). MicroRNA-146b (miR-146b) is an active regulator of immunomodulation, but its function in the cardiac inflammatory cascade and its clinical implication in fibrotic remodeling following MI remain largely unknown. Herein, miR-146b-5p was found to be upregulated in the infarcted myocardium of mice and the serum of myocardial ischemia patients. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments demonstrated that miR-146b-5p was a hypoxia-induced regulator that governed the pro-fibrotic phenotype transition of cardiac cells. Overexpression of miR-146b-5p activated fibroblast proliferation, migration, and fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition, impaired endothelial cell function and stress survival, and disturbed macrophage paracrine signaling. Interestingly, the opposite effects were observed when miR-146b-5p expression was inhibited. Luciferase assays and rescue studies demonstrated that the miR-146b-5p target genes mediating the above phenotypic modulations included interleukin 1 receptor associated kinase 1 (IRAK1) and carcinoembryonic antigen related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1). Local delivery of a miR-146b-5p antagomir significantly reduced fibrosis and cell death, and upregulated capillary and reparative macrophages in the infarcted myocardium to restore cardiac remodeling and function in both mouse and porcine MI models. Local inhibition of miR-146b-5p may represent a novel therapeutic approach to treat cardiac fibrotic remodeling and dysfunction following MI.