bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conventional and simple methods of measuring esophageal nocturnal baseline impedance show excellent agreement
Authors: Park Jin‐soo , Van der Wall Hans , Falk Gregory Leighton
Published: May 2021

Objectives

Mean nocturnal baseline impedance (MNBI) shows promise in investigating reflux disease by reflecting esophageal mucosal integrity. This study aimed to measure MNBI by both conventional and simple methods in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in order to evaluate the efficacy of the simple measurement method.

Methods

Altogether 187 patients were divided into LPR (n = 105) or GERD (n = 82) groups according to their predominant symptom profile, and underwent off‐therapy impedance‐pH monitoring. MNBI was measured by both the conventional and simple methods. The Bland‐Altman plots were constructed to assess mean differences and to identify bias in the two measurement methods.

Results

For the two measurement methods, mean difference was (−89 ± 328) Ω in the distal esophagus, (−6 ± 653) Ω in the proximal esophagus, and (128 ± 577) Ω in the pharynx, respectively. There was a strong correlation between conventional and simple MNBI values, with  the coefficient of 0.940 in the distal esophagus, 0.463 in the proximal esophagus, and 0.712 in the pharynx (all P < 0.001).

Conclusions

There was an excellent agreement between the conventional and simple methods of MNBI measurement, with no evidence of proportional bias. Conventional and simple MNBI values correlated excellently in the distal esophagus and moderately well in the proximal esophagus and pharynx. This study supports the use of the simple method of measuring MNBI to enhance diagnoses of reflux disease.
A Global Agenda for Household Water Security: Measurement, Monitoring, and Management
Authors: Wutich Amber , Jepson Wendy E. , Stoler Justin , Thomson Patrick , Kooy Michelle , Brewis Alexandra , Staddon Chad , Meehan Katie
Published: May 2021

Water scholarship has advanced considerably in recent decades. Despite this remarkable progress, water challenges may be growing more quickly than our capacity to solve them. While much progress has been made toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 — water and sanitation for all — new stressors have emerged to threaten this progress. Far from being a problem of the Global South, recent research shows that water insecurity is very much a global phenomenon — and one that has been, until recently, seriously neglected in the Global North. This indicates a strong need for innovative measurement of who experiences water insecurity, new approaches for monitoring the efficacy of water interventions, and more effective management of complex, mobile, and multiple water infrastructures to achieve water security. In this paper, we introduce the Household Water Insecurity approach to addressing these concerns. First, we suggest ways to improve the measurement of water insecurity — pinpointing problems at the household and individual levels — in ways that can inform policymaking with improved precision. Second, we discuss ways that new information and communication technology can improve monitoring and indicate where water infrastructure repairs and investments are most needed. Third, we highlight the need for new approaches to managing complex water infrastructures in more inclusive and democratic ways.
Concealing researcher identity in fieldwork and social media: Sexuality and speaking for participants
Authors: Sou Gemma
Published: May 2021

Researchers often conceal or reveal parts of their identity to ensure the success of fieldwork. Yet, connection between researchers and research participants can now be maintained via social networking sites. This raises new questions about the ethics and practicalities of negotiating identity during and after fieldwork. The paper draws on a narrative ethnography of concealing my lesbian identity during and after ethnographic research in Bolivia. I demonstrate that in a socially mediated world the “curation” of researcher identity is no longer temporally and geographically bound to the periods and locales of fieldwork. Second, I argue that a researcher's decision to conceal elements of their identity may be informed by essentialist assumptions about research participants. Third, researchers may effectively colonise and silence research participants because they speak for them and remove any opportunity for participants to respond to the element of the researcher's identity being hidden, such as sexuality, class, or religion.
Electrographic seizures in critically ill children: empowering critical care providers with quantitative EEG
Authors: Lalgudi Ganesan Saptharishi
Published: May 2021

This commentary is on the original article by Butler et al. on pages 976–983 of this issue.
Recent progress in the mechanistic understanding of NET formation in neutrophils
Authors: Liu Ming‐Lin , Lyu Xing , Werth Victoria P.
Published: May 2021

Neutrophils are the most abundant circulating white blood cells and one of the major cell types of the innate immune system. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are a result of the extracellular release of nuclear chromatin from the ruptured nuclear envelope and plasma membrane. The externalized chromatin is an ancient defense weapon for animals to entrap and kill microorganisms in the extracellular milieu, thus protecting animals ranging from lower invertebrates to higher vertebrates. Although the externalized chromatin has the advantage of acting as anti‐infective to protect against infections, extracellular chromatin might be problematic in higher vertebrate animals as they have an adaptive immune system that can trigger further immune or autoimmune responses. NETs and their associated nuclear and/or cytoplasmic components may induce sterile inflammation, immune, and autoimmune responses, leading to various human diseases. Though important in human pathophysiology, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of NET formation (also called NETosis) are not well understood. Given that nuclear chromatin forms the backbone of NETs, the nucleus is the root of the nuclear DNA extracellular traps. Thus, nuclear chromatin decondensation, along with the rupture of nuclear envelope and plasma membrane, is required for nuclear chromatin extracellular release and NET formation. So far, most of the literature focuses on certain signaling pathways, which are involved in NET formation but without explanation of cellular events and morphological changes described above. Here, we have summarized emerging evidence and discuss new mechanistic understanding, with our perspectives, in NET formation in neutrophils.
Specifying links between infants' theory of mind, associative learning, and selective trust
Authors: Crivello Cristina , Grossman Shawna , Poulin‐Dubois Diane
Published: May 2021

The psychological mechanisms underlying infants' selective social learning are currently a subject of controversy. The main goal of the present study was to contribute data to this debate by investigating whether domain‐specific or domain‐general abilities guide infants' selectivity. Eighteen‐month‐olds observed a reliable and an unreliable speaker, and then completed a forced‐choice word learning paradigm, two theory of mind tasks, and an associative learning task. Results revealed that infants showed sensitivity to the verbal competence of the speaker. Additionally, infants with superior knowledge inference abilities were less likely to learn from the unreliable speaker. No link was observed between selective social learning and associative learning skills. These results replicate and extend previous findings demonstrating that socio‐cognitive abilities are linked to infants' selective social learning.
On the scope and nature ofMaximise Presupposition
Authors: Bade Nadine
Published: May 2021

The paper introduces the principle Maximise Presupposition and its cognates. The main focus of the literature and this article is on the inferences that arise as a result of reasoning with Maximise Presupposition (‘anti‐presuppositions’). I will review the arguments put forward for distinguishing them from other inference types, most notably presuppositions and conversational implicatures. I will zoom in on three main issues regarding Maximise Presupposition and these inferences critically discussed in the literature: epistemic strength(ening), projection, and the role of alternatives. I will discuss more recent views which argue for either a uniform treatment of anti‐presuppositions and implicatures and/or a revision of the original principle in light of new data and developments in pragmatics.
Reach‐scale stream temperature response to large wood placement
Authors: Clark Christopher , Krall Michelle , Roni Phil , Ceder Kevin
Published: May 2021

Climate change models indicate that stream temperatures within much of the Columbia River Basin will increase significantly in the next 50 years leading to inhospitable conditions for salmonid fishes in several stream reaches. Restoration measures such as riparian planting, maintaining instream flows, and large wood (LW) placement are thought to ameliorate the impacts of climate change on stream temperatures. While LW placement is known to improve habitat complexity, it is unclear whether it will also help reduce summer stream temperatures. To help understand the influence of LW placement on stream temperatures, we monitored nine interior Columbia River Basin LW projects using an extensive posttreatment study design. We mapped stream bottom temperatures, topography, and physical habitat in paired treatment (LW placement) and control reaches to compare water temperatures and cool‐water patches between reaches. We found no difference in the mean or the variance in overall reach temperatures or thalweg temperatures between treatment and control reaches. Mapping found variation in water temperatures of less than 0.5°C within reaches, making mapping of cool‐water patches impractical and further emphasized the lack of temperature differences. Our results indicate that LW placement projects in the interior Columbia River Basin do not appear to be decreasing reach‐scale summer water temperatures or creating cool water refugia for fishes. Moreover, the current configuration and implementation of LW placement projects, which typically focus on placing wood on banks and channel margins, are unlikely to ameliorate the effects of climate change on stream temperatures.
African‐American and Hispanic Income, Wealth and Homeownership since 1989
Authors: Wolff Edward N.
Published: May 2021

This paper analyzes trends in the income, net worth, and homeownership of non‐Hispanic African‐Americans and Hispanics relative to non‐Hispanic whites in the United States from 1989 to 2016 and the reasons for those trends using data from the Survey of Consumer Finances. The wealth gap between African‐American and white families was much the same in 2007 as in 1989 but it lessened considerably for Hispanics. The net worth of both minorities declined sharply relative to that of non‐Hispanic whites from 2007 to 2016 and that decline was due largely to the lower rate of return on wealth of these two groups during the 2007–2010 period and largely due to the larger dissaving of these two groups during the 2010–2016 period. The paper also finds that the wealth gap is much smaller if net worth is augmented by pension wealth and especially by Social Security wealth.
Infinite time blow‐up of solutions to a class of wave equations with weak and strong damping terms and logarithmic nonlinearity
Authors: Ding Hang , Wang Renhai , Zhou Jun
Published: May 2021

This paper investigates the infinite time blow‐up of solutions with arbitrary high initial energy to wave equations with weak damping term, strong damping term, and logarithmic nonlinearity. This problem has been studied previously with the assumptions that there is no strong damping term and the initial displacement and initial velocity have the same sign. However, from the physical point of view, it is obvious that the initial displacement and initial velocity may have different signs, and it is very necessary to consider the effects of the strong damping term. For example, the strong damping term indicates that the stress is not only proportional to the strain as with the Hooke law, but also proportional to the strain rate as in a linearized Kelvin–Voigt material. In this paper, by providing a completely different method from previous studies, we show that the solutions may blow up at infinity with arbitrary high initial energy when the model involves the strong damping term and the initial displacement and initial velocity may have different signs. Moreover, in this paper, we prove for the first time how to extend the solution over time (the whole half line) in studying the infinite time blow‐up phenomena for hyperbolic equations with logarithmic nonlinearity. These results fill in the gaps in previous studies on this type of models.
Validity of Force–Velocity Profiling Assessed With a Pneumatic Leg Press Device
Authors: Lindberg Kolbjørn , Eythorsdottir Ingrid , Solberg Paul , Gløersen Øyvind , Seynnes Olivier , Bjørnsen Thomas , Paulsen Gøran
Published: May 2021

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the concurrent validity of force–velocity (FV) variables assessed across 5 Keiser leg press devices. Methods: A linear encoder and 2 independent force plates (MuscleLab devices) were mounted on each of the 5 leg press devices. A total of 997 leg press executions, covering a wide range of forces and velocities, were performed by 14 participants (29 [7] y, 181 [5] cm, 82 [8] kg) across the 5 devices. Average and peak force, velocity, and power values were collected simultaneously from the Keiser and MuscleLab devices for each repetition. Individual FV profiles were fitted to each participant from peak and average force and velocity measurements. Theoretical maximal force, velocity, and power were deduced from the FV relationship. Results: Average and peak force and velocity had a coefficient of variation of 1.5% to 8.6%, near-perfect correlations (.994–.999), and a systematic bias of 0.7% to 7.1% when compared with reference measurements. Average and peak power showed larger coefficient of variations (11.6% and 17.2%), despite excellent correlations (.977 and .952), and trivial to small biases (3.9% and 8.4%). Extrapolated FV variables showed near-perfect correlations (.983–.997) with trivial to small biases (1.4%–11.2%) and a coefficient of variation of 1.4% to 5.9%. Conclusions: The Keiser leg press device can obtain valid measurements over a wide range of forces and velocities across different devices. To accurately measure power, theoretical maximal power calculated from the FV profile is recommended over average and peak power values from single repetitions, due to the lower random error observed for theoretical maximal power.
Two more coronaviruses may infect people
Authors: King Anthony
Published: May 2021

Concern grows about the pandemic potential of other members of the virus family.
Door opened to more permissive research on human embryos
Authors: Servick Kelly
Published: May 2021

Updated stem cell guidelines also herald new ways to study development.
Occurrence and significance of Cryptococcus neoformans in the oropharynx and on the skin of a healthy human population
Authors: Randhawa H S , Paliwal D K
Published: May 2021

Cryptococcus neoformans was cultured on one occasion from the oropharyngeal washings in 1 of 820 and from the interdigital areas of the feet in 6 of 723 healthy persons. Among the positive persons were two school children, two laboratory workers, one gardener, one plumber, and one printing press worker. Repeat cultures were negative in all seven positive persons; serological tests for cryptococcal antigen/antibody were negative in three. The results demonstrate that C. neoformans may occur as a transient inhabitant of the oropharynx or skin of healthy people.
Comparisons of Venezuelan encephalitis virus strains by hemagglutination-inhibition tests with chicken antibodies
Authors: Scherer W F , Pancake B A
Published: May 2021

Twenty strains of Venezuelan encephalitis (VE) virus inoculated intravenously in large doses into roosters produced hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) antibodies detectable in plasmas within 7 to 10 days. No signs of illness occurred, and there was no evidence of viral growth in tissues since blood concentrations of infectious virus steadily decreased after inoculation. HI antibodies in early plasmas were specific for VE virus and did not cross-react significantly with two other North American alphaviruses, eastern and western encephalitis viruses. VE virus strains could be distinquished by virus-dilution, short-incubation HI, but not by plasma-dilution neutralization tests, by using early rooster antibodies. The distinctions by HI test were similar with some strains to, but different with other strains from, those described by Young and Johnson with the spiny rat antisera used to establish their subtype classifications of VE virus (14, 28). Nevertheless, results of HI tests with rooster antibodies correlated with equine virulence, as did results with spiny rat antibodies, and distinguished the new strains of virus that appeared in Middle America during the VE outbreak of 1969 from preexisting strains.
Canine brucellosis: bacteriological and serological investigation of naturally infected dogs in Mexico City
Authors: Flores-Castro R , Suarez F , Ramirez-Pfeiffer C , Carmichael L E
Published: May 2021

Bacteriological investigation of canine brucellosis in Mexico City revealed a high rate (11.8%) of Brucella canis infection in a sampling of 59 stray dogs. When conservative criteria were employed in the interpretation of serological test results, there was general agreement between the serological and bacteriological findings; however, some animals with localized male genital tract infections could not be judged as infected solely by serological tests. All Mexican field isolates were identified as B. canis; however, some diversity was observed as regards nitrate reduction, growth in the presence of basic fuchsine, and the degree of mucoidness. The seemingly high prevalence of B. canis infection in Mexico City dogs suggests the need for further inquiry into the possible public health significance.
Unusual coiled gram-positive anaerobe isolated from a gutter wall abscess
Authors: Pollock H M , Rintala L
Published: May 2021

A gram-positive, nonsporing coiled rod was visible on Gram stain and isolated in pure culture from 20 ml of pus. This organism differs from previously described species in that it produces only acetic acid from glucose metabolism, hydrolyzes esculin, and has less fermentative activity in carbohydrates.
Importance of duration of acute kidney injury after severe trauma: a cohort study
Authors: Hatton Gabrielle E , Harvin John A , Wade Charles E , Kao Lillian S
Published: May 2021

Background

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common after severe trauma. AKI incidence and AKI stage have previously been shown to be associated with poor outcomes after trauma. However, AKI duration may also be important for outcomes after trauma, given that it is associated with long-term morbidity and mortality in general intensive care unit (ICU) and hospitalized patients. We hypothesized that duration of AKI is independently associated with poor outcomes after trauma.

Methods

A cohort study was conducted at a single, level 1 trauma center. Patients admitted to the ICU between 2009 and 2018 were included. Data were extracted from the trauma registry and electronic medical records. AKI within 7 days from presentation was defined according to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes guidelines. Multivariable analyses were performed to assess the association between AKI incidence, AKI stage, and AKI duration with outcomes including prolonged ICU and hospital length of stay, discharge to home, and mortality.

Results

Of 7049 patients included, 72% were male, the median age was 41 years (IQR 27–58), and 10% died. The AKI incidence was 45%, with 69% of these patients presenting with AKI on arrival. The majority (73%) of patients who suffered AKI recovered within 2 days. After adjustment in separate models, AKI incidence, AKI stage and AKI duration were each associated with prolonged hospitalization, an unfavorable discharge disposition, and mortality. AKI stage and duration were not used in the same model due to collinearity.

Conclusions

Post-traumatic AKI was common on arrival and frequently short lasting. Duration correlated with highest AKI stage, and both were separately associated with prolonged hospitalization, discharge destination other than home, and mortality on adjusted analyses. Given the high incidence of AKI on arrival, stage or duration may be better targets for future interventions and quality improvement initiatives to improve outcomes after post-traumatic AKI.

Level of evidence

III. Prognostic.
Where to go when all options are terrible: ranging behavior of brown-throated three-toed sloths (Bradypus variegatus) in central Amazonian flooded igapó forests
Authors: Castro-Sa Matheus J. , Dias-Silva Renann H.P. , Barnett Adrian A.
Published: May 2021

Ranging behaviors performed by animals are influenced by both biotic and abiotic factors. For herbivorous mammals, seasonality in forage production is considered to be the main driver of movement patterns. Here, we investigated the home range and movement of one of the most abundant herbivores in the Americas and their relationship with plant phenology in an Amazon igapó — a seasonally flooded riverine forest with strongly pulsed leaf production phenology. Using a combination of telemetry and phenological analysis, the study recorded movement patterns of five brown-throated three-toed sloths (Bradypus variegatus Schinz, 1825) over a 6-month period and related these to seasonal and within-forest differences in food availability through monitoring young leaf production of 570 trees. All monitored animals were shown to be permanently resident within the igapó flooded forest, maintaining their home range even during flood periods when most trees lacked leaves. We found that seasonal variation in leaf production had no effect on the extent of displacement of the sloths. Accordingly, for herbivores with low metabolism, variation in young leaf availability may not be the main driver of their ranging behavior. In addition, an arboreal habit and well-developed swimming capacity allow igapó sloths to occupy a niche ecologically inaccessible to other mammals.
Chebyshev collocation-optimization method for studying the Powell–Eyring fluid flow with fractional derivatives in the presence of thermal radiation
Authors: Khader M. M.
Published: May 2021

In this work, a mathematical model of the fractional-order in non-Newtonian Powell–Eyring fluid flow (PEFF) and heat transfer is presented and solved numerically. The set of nonlinear differential equations in terms of velocity, temperature which describes our proposed problem is tackled through the spectral collocation method based on Chebyshev polynomials of the third kind. This method reduces the presented model to a nonlinear system of algebraic equations. This system is constructed as a constrained optimization problem and optimized to get the unknown coefficients of the series solution. The effects of the thermal radiation, Powell–Eyring parameters; suction parameter and Prandtl number on the PEFF are discussed. The numerical values of the dimensionless velocity and temperature are depicted graphically. The results show that the given procedure is an easy and efficient tool to investigate the solution of such models. Some of findings of this important work help to govern the velocity and the rate of heat transportation through the boundary layer. At the same time, this study highlights many applications in fields of engineering and industry, where the quality of the desired product depends on the rate of heat transfer, thermal radiation phenomenon, and the composition of the material used, and manufacturing processes.
On the large rank of certain semigroups of transformations on a finite chain
Authors: Kumar Jitender
Published: May 2021

The large rank of a finite semigroup [Formula: see text] is the least number [Formula: see text] such that every subset of [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] elements generates [Formula: see text]. This paper obtains the large ranks of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], the semigroups of singular transformations, injective partial and partial transformations on a finite chain [Formula: see text], which preserve or reverse the order, respectively. As a consequence, we obtain the large ranks of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], the semigroups of injective order-preserving partial transformations and order-preserving partial transformations on [Formula: see text], respectively.
A Finite Element Approach to Evaluate Thermoregulation in the Human Body due to the Effects of Sweat Evaporation during Cooking, Cleaning, and Walking
Authors: Shrestha Dev Chandra , Acharya Saraswati , Gurung Dil Bahadur
Published: May 2021

Sweat evaporation is the principal process of dissipating heat energy in a hot environment and during activities. Sweat loss is significantly affected by the level of energy expenditure, hormones, and the number of sweat glands. The thickness of the skin layer plays a vital role to maintain body temperature. The rate of sweat evaporation varies with ambient temperature and activity level. On increasing both metabolism and ambient temperature, sweat rate loss also increases and controls the body in the thermoregulatory system. The evaporative sweat release rate has a linear behavior. The appropriate physical and physiological parameters that affect thermoregulation have been incorporated into the model. The study presents the temperature distribution in three layers: epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue (SST) of the human dermal parts during cooking, cleaning, and walking. The solution is obtained by using the finite element method. The results demonstrate that the body mechanism keeps the body in thermoregulation by increasing the sweat evaporation rate exhibited by increasing the ambient temperature and metabolism during strenuous activities.
Strong Convergence on the Split Feasibility Problem by Mixing
W
-Mapping
Authors: Gao Fugen , Liu Xiaoxiao , Li Xiaochun
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we concern with the split feasibility problem (SFP) in real Hilbert space whenever the sets involved are nonempty, closed, and convex. By mixing

W

-mapping with the viscosity, we introduce a new iterative algorithm for solving the split feasibility problem, and we prove that our proposed algorithm is convergent strongly to a solution of the split feasibility problem.
Novel and Highly Potent ATR Inhibitor M4344 Kills Cancer Cells With Replication Stress, and Enhances the Chemotherapeutic Activity of Widely Used DNA Damaging Agents
Authors: Jo Ukhyun , Senatorov Ilya S. , Zimmermann Astrid , Saha Liton Kumar , Murai Yasuhisa , Kim Se Hyun , Rajapakse Vinodh N. , Elloumi Fathi , Takahashi Nobuyuki , Schultz Christopher W. , Thomas Anish , Zenke Frank T. , Pommier Yves
Published: May 2021

Although several ATR inhibitors are in development, there are unresolved questions regarding their differential potency, molecular signatures of patients with cancer for predicting activity, and most effective therapeutic combinations. Here, we elucidate how to improve ATR-based chemotherapy with the newly developed ATR inhibitor, M4344 using in vitro and in vivo models. The potency of M4344 was compared with the clinically developed ATR inhibitors BAY1895344, berzosertib, and ceralasertib. The anticancer activity of M4344 was investigated as monotherapy and combination with clinical DNA damaging agents in multiple cancer cell lines, patient-derived tumor organoids, and mouse xenograft models. We also elucidated the anticancer mechanisms and potential biomarkers for M4344. We demonstrate that M4344 is highly potent among the clinically developed ATR inhibitors. Replication stress (RepStress) and neuroendocrine (NE) gene expression signatures are significantly associated with a response to M4344 treatment. M4344 kills cancer cells by inducing cellular catastrophe and DNA damage. M4344 is highly synergistic with a broad range of DNA-targeting anticancer agents. It significantly synergizes with topotecan and irinotecan in patient-derived tumor organoids and xenograft models. Taken together, M4344 is a promising and highly potent ATR inhibitor. It enhances the activity of clinical DNA damaging agents commonly used in cancer treatment including topoisomerase inhibitors, gemcitabine, cisplatin, and talazoparib. RepStress and NE gene expression signatures can be exploited as predictive markers for M4344.
p53 Frameshift Mutations Couple Loss-of-Function with Unique Neomorphic Activities
Authors: Tong David R. , Zhou Wen , Katz Chen , Regunath Kausik , Venkatesh Divya , Ihuegbu Chinyere , Manfredi James J. , Laptenko Oleg , Prives Carol
Published: May 2021

p53 mutations that result in loss of transcriptional activity are commonly found in numerous types of cancer. While the majority of these are missense mutations that map within the central DNA-binding domain, truncations and/or frameshift mutations can also occur due to various nucleotide substitutions, insertions, or deletions. These changes result in mRNAs containing premature stop codons that are translated into a diverse group of C-terminally truncated proteins. Here we characterized three p53 frameshift mutant proteins expressed from the endogenous TP53 locus in U2OS osteosarcoma and HCT116 colorectal cancer cell lines. These mutants retain intact DNA-binding domains but display altered oligomerization properties. Despite their abnormally high expression levels, they are mostly transcriptionally inactive and unable to initiate a stimuli-induced transcriptional program characteristic of wild-type p53. However, one of these variant p53 proteins, I332fs*14, which resembles naturally expressed TAp53 isoforms β and γ, retains some residual antiproliferative activity and can induce cellular senescence in HCT116 cells. Cells expressing this mutant also display decreased motility in migration assays. Hence, this p53 variant exhibits a combination of loss-of-gain and gain-of-function characteristics, distinguishing it from both wild type p53 and p53 loss.

Implications:

p53 frameshift mutants display a mixture of residual antiproliferative and neomorphic functions that may be differentially exploited for targeted therapy.
Visualisation for ontology sense-making: A tree-map based algorithmic approach
Authors: Vidanage Kaneeka , Mohamad Noor Noor Maizura , Mohemad Rosmayati , Bakar Zuriana Abu
Published: May 2021

Ontology sense-making or visual comprehension of the ontological schemata and structure are vital for cross-validation purposes of the ontology increment during the process of applied ontology construction. Also, it is important to query the ontology in order to verify the accuracy of the stored knowledge embeddings. This will boost the interactions between domain specialists and ontologists in applied ontology construction processes. Hence existing mechanisms have numerous of deficiencies (discussed in the paper), a new algorithm is proposed in this research to boost the efficiency of usage of tree-maps for effective ontology sense making. Proposed algorithm and prototype are quantitatively and qualitatively assessed for their accuracy and efficacy.
The Comparison of Role Conflict Among Registered Nurses and Registered Practical Nurses Working in Acute Care Hospitals in Ontario Canada
Authors: Nowrouzi-Kia Behdin , Fox Mary T. , Sidani Souraya , Dahlke Sherry , Tregunno Deborah
Published: May 2021

Objectives

The study aimed to describe and compare nurses’ perceptions of role conflict by professional designation [registered nurse (RN) vs registered practical nurse (RPN)] in three primary areas of practice (emergency department, medical unit, and surgical unit).

Methods

This analysis used data (n = 1,981) from a large cross-sectional survey of a random sample of RNs and RPNs working as staff nurses in acute care hospitals in Ontario, Canada. Role conflict was measured by the Role Conflict Scale.

Results

A total of 1,981 participants (RN = 1,427, RPN = 554) met this study’s eligibility criteria and provided complete data. In general, RN and RPN mean total scale scores on role conflict hovered around the scale’s mid-point (2.72 to 3.22); however, RNs reported a higher mean score than RPNs in the emergency department (3.22 vs. 2.81), medical unit (2.95 vs 2.81) and surgical unit (2.90 vs 2.72). Where statistically significant differences were found, the effect sizes were negligible to medium in magnitude with the largest differences noted between RNs and RPNs working in the emergency department.

Conclusions

The results suggest the need to implement strategies that diminish role conflict for both RNs and RPNs.
Long-term Exercise After Pulmonary Rehabilitation (LEAP): a pilot randomised controlled trial of Tai Chi in COPD
Authors: Moy Marilyn L. , Wayne Peter M. , Litrownik Daniel , Beach Douglas , Klings Elizabeth S. , Davis Roger B. , Pinheiro Adlin , Yeh Gloria Y.
Published: May 2021

Mind–body modalities are promising strategies to maintain the benefits gained after completion of conventional pulmonary rehabilitation in persons with COPD.

In this pilot randomised controlled study we examined Tai Chi in persons with COPD after completing pulmonary rehabilitation. Participants were randomised 2:2:1 to Tai Chi (TC), usual care (UC) or group walking (GW) for 24 weeks. We assessed feasibility; primary outcome was exercise capacity measured by 6-min walk test (6MWT) distance at 24 weeks. Secondary outcomes included health-related quality of life measured by Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire (CRQ), dyspnoea, mood, stress, social support, self-efficacy, physical activity and exercise engagement. Effect size estimates and estimates from generalised estimating equations were calculated.

Ninety-one persons (36 TC, 37 UC, 18 GW) were enrolled, with mean age 69±6 years, 59% male, and forced expiratory volume in 1 s % predicted (FEV1% pred) 48±19%. There was no difference in adherence and adverse events between groups. There was a small between-group effect size (ES=0.25) in change in 6MWT distance favouring TC compared to UC; 24-week comparison was nonsignificant (p=0.10). There were no differences in secondary outcomes. In exploratory analyses, there was a greater percentage of participants in TC who improved 6MWT distance at 24 weeks, compared to UC, 64%versus39%, p=0.05. There were higher percentages of participants in TC who improved CRQ Fatigue (59%versus31%, p=0.02) and CRQ Mastery (47%versus20%, p=0.01) domain scores, compared to UC. For GW, there were no differences compared with TC.

Tai Chi may be a feasible option to maintain the benefits gained after completing conventional pulmonary rehabilitation.
Mortality from Parkinson’s disease and other causes among a workforce manufacturing paraquat: an updated retrospective cohort study
Authors: Tomenson John Andrew , Campbell Clive
Published: May 2021

Background

Epidemiological studies of the association between Parkinson’s disease (PD) and paraquat (PQ) exposure have given inconsistent findings. The aim of the study was to update information on the risk of PD and mortality from major causes of death among a UK workforce who manufactured PQ by extending the follow-up by seven and a half years.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included all employees who had ever worked on any of the four plants at Widnes, UK where PQ was manufactured between 1961 and 1995. The 926 male and 42 female workers were followed through 31 December 2017. Mortalities for males were compared with national and local rates, including rates for PD as a mentioned cause of death.

Results

A total of 394 male and 21 female workers had died by end of follow-up. Four death certificates of male workers mentioned PD, including two deaths that were due to PD. At least 6 death certificates of male employees would have been expected to have mentioned PD (SMR = 0.67; 95% CI 0.18–1.72). Reduced mortalities compared with local rates were found for major causes of death.

Conclusions

The study provided no evidence of an increased risk of PD, or increased mortalities from other causes among PQ production workers whose exposure to PQ on a daily basis was at least comparable to that of a PQ sprayer or mixer/loader.
Implementing circular economy concept by converting cassava pulp and wastewater to biogas for sustainable production in starch industry
Authors: Lerdlattaporn Ruenrom , Phalakornkule Chantaraporn , Trakulvichean Sivalee , Songkasiri Warinthorn
Published: May 2021

Adoption of the circular economy concept to utilize wastes and by-products from the cassava starch industry for biogas production has been considered a viable option. The annual generation of wastewater and cassava pulp in Thailand is reported to be approximately 21 million m3 and 9.5 Mt, respectively. This research therefore aimed to analyze the key drivers and challenges in implementing the circular economy concept in the cassava starch industry in order to generate higher demand for biogas systems, increase the energy security and resource efficiency, and combat the environmental problems associated with cassava wastes. The following three scenarios were analyzed in this study: (1) a factory without integrated biogas system, (2) a factory with integrated biogas installation using wastewater as a raw material, and (3) a factory with biogas system using both wastewater and cassava pulp as raw materials. The assessment of economic feasibility, resource efficiency, water recovery, land use, and global warming potential was performed to compare different scenarios. This study found that Scenario 3 generated the highest net present value and the shortest payback period of 6.14 million USD and 4.37 yr, respectively, for the 10-yr operational period. Moreover, Scenario 3 had the highest resource efficiency and water recovery with the lowest land use (1.89 × 105 m2 at 5 × 105 kg of starch d− 1) and the lowest global warming potential (0.14 kg CO2eq kg− 1 of starch).
A ESTRUTURA ACUSATÓRIA DA INVESTIGAÇÃO CRIMINAL: ANÁLISE A PARTIR DA LEI N. 13.964/2019
Authors: Avila Thiago Pierobom de
Published: May 2021

Objetivo: O presente artigo objetiva reconhecer a estrutura acusatória na fase da investigação criminal implementada pela Lei nº 13.964/2019, analisando sua constitucionalidade e esclarecendo as possíveis antinomias hermenêuticas.Metodologia: Utiliza-se do método jurídico hermenêutico dedutivo e de análise, bem como da técnica de interpretação sistemática à luz do referencial teórico do sistema acusatório.Resultados: Reconhecem-se três pontos relevantes na reforma: (i) o juiz das garantias; (ii) o afastamento do controle judicial do arquivamento da investigação criminal; e (iii) o afastamento do juiz da iniciativa de celebração do acordo de não persecução penal. Refutam-se os argumentos de inconstitucionalidade utilizados por decisão liminar do STF na ADIN 6299.Contribuições: O afastamento do juiz das iniciativas de investigação e de decisão ex officio sobre a restrição de direitos fundamentais eleva sua imparcialidade objetiva. O Ministério Público passa a ser o gestor da investigação criminal, controlando internamente o arquivamento do inquérito e tendo a iniciativa extrajudicial do acordo de não persecução penal. O investigado e a vítima também têm novas garantias regulamentadas. Indicam-se áreas de necessário ajuste hermenêutico.
A POLÍTICA DE PATENTES ESTIMULA A INOVAÇÃO? - O CASO DA DOENÇA DE CHAGAS
Authors: Feres Marcos Vinício Chein , Morais Anderson Resende , Souza Andressa Mendes de
Published: May 2021

Objetivo: A doença de Chagas é uma enfermidade tropical causada pelo parasita Trypanosoma cruzi, sendo considerada negligenciada pela Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS). Atualmente, estima-se que 1,9 a 4,6 milhões de pessoas estão infectadas por tal parasita no Brasil. No entanto, apesar dos números alarmantes, pouquíssimos são os tratamentos disponíveis para a referida enfermidade. Considerando que o alvo da política de propriedade intelectual deve ser o estímulo à inovação e ao desenvolvimento tecnológico, o objetivo desta pesquisa é verificar se o sistema institucional de patentes pode estar contribuindo para fomentar a pesquisa e o desenvolvimento de produtos médicos para a doença de Chagas.Metodologias: A presente pesquisa empírica emprega uma abordagem metodológica, com base nas regras de inferências, elaboradas por Epstein e King (2013), e na codificação dos dados, proposta por Charmaz (2014), utilizando a teoria enraizada nos dados.Resultados: Verificou-se que o sistema jurídico de patentes, em nível nacional, parece distanciar-se de seu objetivo originário, no que concerne ao desenvolvimento de produtos para prevenção e/ou cura da doença de Chagas pelo setor privado.Contribuições: A contribuição mais relevante é a participação de instituições públicas no processo de patenteamento referente à doença de Chagas, o que corrobora a noção de que essas organizações assumem a função de instrumentos de política econômica quando aliam o desenvolvimento científico ao interesse social no que concerne à tentativa de desenvolvimento de produtos médicos voltados para a população afetada pela enfermidade.
Increasing wavelength-controlled steering range of an optical phased
array by using two subarrays
Authors: Wang Qing , Wang Shuxiao , Jia Lianxi , Cai Yan , Yue Wencheng , Yu Mingbin
Published: May 2021

We demonstrate an optical phased array that consists of two subarrays based on the silicon on insulator (SOI) platform, each subarray including 16 independent channels. The demonstrated field of view of the optical phased array is

36.6
∘

×

32.6
∘

with a spot size of

1.68
∘

×

0.0673
∘

. A steering range of 32.6° is achieved by combining two subarrays with different periods and tuning the wavelength from 1500 nm to 1600 nm. In another dimension, the steering is realized by introducing phase differences between channels.
Optical sensing based on multimode Fano resonances in metal-insulator-metal waveguide systems with X-shaped resonant cavities
Authors: Li Jina , Chen Jianfeng , Liu Xing , Tian He , Wang Jinfang , Cui Jingang , Rohimah Siti
Published: May 2021

A plasmonic metal-insulator-metal (MIM) waveguide system is proposed, which is composed of a symmetrical X-shaped resonant cavity and a bus waveguide with a baffle, and its Fano resonance and optical sensing characteristics are investigated by using the finite element method (FEM). The results show that the system allows easy implementation of up to four Fano resonances, and the maximum refractive index sensitivity and figure of merit are 1303 nm/RIU and 3113, respectively. The influences of the geometric parameters of the system on the Fano resonances are also investigated, and further the independent adjustments of the Fano resonance line shape and wavelength are realized. Moreover, when an additional X-shaped resonant cavity is added to the system, more ultrasharp Fano resonances with considerable performances are obtained, which may enhance the parallel processing capability of the system. The proposed plasmonic MIM waveguide system may have potential applications in integrated photonic devices and nanoscale optical sensing.
A reaction-diffusion network model predicts a dual role of Cactus/IκB to regulate Dorsal/NFκB nuclear translocation in Drosophila
Authors: Barros Claudio D. T. , Cardoso Maira A. , Bisch Paulo M. , Araujo Helena M. , Lopes Francisco J. P.
Published: May 2021

Dorsal-ventral patterning of theDrosophilaembryo depends on the NFκB superfamily transcription factor Dorsal (Dl). Toll receptor activation signals for degradation of the IκB inhibitor Cactus (Cact), leading to a ventral-to-dorsal nuclear Dl gradient. Cact is critical for Dl nuclear import, as it binds to and prevents Dl from entering the nuclei. Quantitative analysis ofcactmutants revealed an additional Cact function to promote Dl nuclear translocation in ventral regions of the embryo. To investigate this dual Cact role, we developed a predictive model based on a reaction-diffusion regulatory network. This network distinguishes non-uniform Toll-dependent Dl nuclear import and Cact degradation, from the Toll-independent processes of Cact degradation and reversible nuclear-cytoplasmic Dl flow. In addition, it incorporates translational control of Cact levels by Dl. Our model successfully reproduces wild-type data and emulates the Dl nuclear gradient in mutantdlandcactallelic combinations. Our results indicate that the dual role of Cact depends on the dynamics of Dl-Cact trimers along the dorsal-ventral axis: In the absence of Toll activation, free Dl-Cact trimers retain Dl in the cytoplasm, limiting the flow of Dl into the nucleus; in ventral-lateral regions, Dl-Cact trimers are recruited by Toll activation into predominant signaling complexes and promote Dl nuclear translocation. Simulations suggest that the balance between Toll-dependent and Toll-independent processes are key to this dynamics and reproduce the full assortment of Cact effects. Considering the high evolutionary conservation of these pathways, our analysis should contribute to understanding NFκB/c-Rel activation in other contexts such as in the vertebrate immune system and disease.
DNA vaccination induced protective immunity against SARS CoV-2 infection in hamsterss
Authors: Chai Kit Man , Tzeng Tsai-Teng , Shen Kuan-Yin , Liao Hung-Chun , Lin Jhe-Jhih , Chen Mei-Yu , Yu Guann-Yi , Dou Horng-Yunn , Liao Ching-Len , Chen Hsin-Wei , Liu Shih-Jen
Published: May 2021

The development of efficient vaccines against COVID-19 is an emergent need for global public health. The spike protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a major target for the COVID-19 vaccine. To quickly respond to the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, a nucleic acid-based vaccine is a novel option, beyond the traditional inactivated virus vaccine or recombinant protein vaccine. Here, we report a DNA vaccine containing the spike gene for delivery via electroporation. The spike genes of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 were codon optimized for mammalian cell expression and then cloned into mammalian cell expression vectors, called pSARS-S and pSARS2-S, respectively. Spike protein expression was confirmed by immunoblotting after transient expression in HEK293T cells. After immunization, sera were collected for antigen-specific antibody and neutralizing antibody titer analyses. We found that both pSARS-S and pSARS2-S immunization induced similar levels of antibodies against S2 of SARS-CoV-2. In contrast, only pSARS2-S immunization induced antibodies against the receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2. We further found that pSARS2-S immunization, but not pSARS-S immunization, could induce very high titers of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. We further analyzed SARS-CoV-2 S protein-specific T cell responses and found that the immune responses were biased toward Th1. Importantly, pSARS2-S immunization in hamsters could induce protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2 challengein vivo. These data suggest that DNA vaccination could be a promising approach for protecting against COVID-19.