bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Green supply chain management in Latin America: Systematic literature review and future directions
Authors: Teixeira Adriano Alves , Moraes Tiago Estrela da Cunha , Stefanelli Nelson Oliveira , de Oliveira Jorge Henrique Caldeira , Teixeira Talita Borges , de Souza Freitas Wesley Ricardo
Published: November 2020

The implementation and scope of green supply chain management (GSCM) practices vary among organizations. In emerging economies, new production chain models are required, but little is known about GSCM in these countries, especially in Latin America. Thus, this paper aims to highlight the state‐of‐the‐art of GSCM in Latin America, through a systematic review of the literature (using Scopus and Web of Science databases) and suggests a research agenda with nine recommendations. Results show underexplored themes, such as GSCM benefits, GSCM and key performance indicators, and GSCM and competitive advantage. This study is the only systematic review of GSCM in Latin America, providing a useful research agenda for academics, managers, and policymakers. For instance, this paper contributes to the advancement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in Latin America by suggesting that scholars, practitioners, and governments shed lights on sustainable production and consumption standards (SDG 12), measures to combat climate change and its impact (SDG 13), and the best means of implementation and global partnerships for sustainable development (SDG 17).
Rademacher expansions and the spectrum of 2d CFT
Authors: Alday Luis F. , Bae Jin-Beom
Published: November 2020

Abstract

A classical result from analytic number theory by Rademacher gives an exact formula for the Fourier coefficients of modular forms of non-positive weight. We apply similar techniques to study the spectrum of two-dimensional unitary conformal field theories, with no extended chiral algebra and c > 1. By exploiting the full modular constraints of the partition function we propose an expression for the spectral density in terms of the light spectrum of the theory. The expression is given in terms of a Rademacher expansion, which converges for spin j ≠ 0. For a finite number of light operators the expression agrees with a variant of the Poincare construction developed by Maloney, Witten and Keller. With this framework we study the presence of negative density of states in the partition function dual to pure gravity, and propose a scenario to cure this negativity.
Technik und Biomechanik der Bohr-Draht(Kirschner-Draht)-Osteosynthese bei Kindern
Authors: Slongo Theddy
Published: November 2020

Operationsziel

Sichere und stabile Fixierung metaphysärer sowie epiphysärer Frakturen (Salter-Harris I–IV) mittels korrekter Bohrdraht(Kirschner[K]-Draht)-Osteosynthese, in der Folge als K‑Draht-Osteosynthese (OS) bezeichnet.

Indikationen

Gemäß der AO(Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen)-Kinderklassifikation der langen Röhrenknochen (AO Pediatric Comprehensive Classification of Long-Bone Fractures [PCCF]) alle Salter-Harris- und metaphysären Frakturen sowie Frakturen des Fuß- und Handskelettes, unabhängig von der Repositionsart, geschlossen oder offen, sofern eine Adaptationsosteosynthese eine hinreichende Stabilität zulässt. Eine K‑Draht-OS erfordert immer eine zusätzliche Fixierung/Ruhigstellung in einem Gipsverband.

Kontraindikationen

Alle diaphysären Frakturen, sofern ein K‑Draht nicht im Sinne der Markraumschienung verwendet wird. Nicht korrekt reponierte respektive nicht reponierbare Frakturen.

Operationstechnik

Nach geschlossener oder offener, möglichst anatomischer Reposition werden unter Durchleuchtungskontrolle 1, 2, gelegentlich 3 K-Drähte pro Fragment eingebracht. Wichtig ist dabei, dass die K‑Drähte das zu fixierende Fragment sowie das Hauptfragment (Metaphyse) optimal fassen. Es muss daher möglich sein, mit dem Durchleuchtungsgerät eine streng seitliche sowie korrekte anteroposteriore Aufnahme machen zu können. Dabei ist darauf zu achten, dass man das Gerät in die entsprechende Ebene schwenken kann. Ein Drehen der Extremität sollte auf ein Minimum beschränkt werden. Durch eine zusätzliche Manipulation zwecks Durchleuchtung könnten die zuvor optimal reponierten Fragmente erneut dislozieren. Dies wiederum kann zu einer schlechten K‑Draht-Fixierung führen. Je nach Morphologie der Fraktur, Größe der Fragmente und Lokalisation der Fraktur (Humerus, Unterarm, Femur oder Tibia, Hand oder Fuß) muss die K‑Draht-Technik angepasst werden. Diese kann sein: monolateral gekreuzt, monolateral divergierend auf- oder absteigend oder die häufigste angewendete aufsteigend gekreuzte Technik. Die K‑Drähte werden in der Regel über Hautniveau belassen und umgebogen. Somit können sie ohne erneute Narkose in der Ambulanz entfernt werden. Man muss sich bewusst sein, dass der K‑Draht weder eine Kompressions- noch eine Neutralisations-OS ist, sondern immer nur eine Adaptation. Daher braucht eine K‑Draht-OS immer eine zusätzliche Ruhigstellung mittels Gips oder konfektionierter Schiene.

Weiterbehandlung

Ruhigstellung im Gipsverband für 4 bis 5 Wochen abhängig vom Alter.

Ergebnisse

Bei technisch optimal durchgeführter Fixation und korrekter Indikation für eine K‑Draht-OS sowie adäquater Nachbehandlung sind die Ergebnisse sehr gut bis gut.
Simulation of vibrationally resolved absorption spectra of neutral and cationic polyaromatic hydrocarbons
Authors: Chadwick Rebecca J. , Wickham Katherine , Besley Nicholas A.
Published: November 2020

The identification of the carriers of the absorption features associated with the diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs) is a long-standing problem in astronomical spectroscopy. Computational simulations can contribute to the assignment of the carriers of DIBs since variations in molecular structure and charge state can be studied more readily than through experimental measurements. Polyaromatic hydrocarbons have been proposed as potential carriers of these bands, and it is shown that simulations based upon density functional theory and time-dependent density functional theory calculations can describe the vibrational structure observed in experiment for neutral and cationic naphthalene and pyrene. The vibrational structure arises from a small number of vibrational modes involving in-plane atomic motions, and the Franck–Condon–Herzberg–Teller approximation improves the predicted spectra in comparison with the Franck–Condon approximation. The study also highlights the challenges for the calculations to enable the assignment in the absence of experimental data, namely prediction of the energy separation between the different electronic states to a sufficient level of accuracy and performing vibrational analysis for higher-lying electronic states.
Proof of the $$K(\pi , 1)$$ conjecture for affine Artin groups
Authors: Paolini Giovanni , Salvetti Mario
Published: November 2020

We prove the $$K(\pi ,1)$$

K
(
π
,
1
)

conjecture for affine Artin groups: the complexified complement of an affine reflection arrangement is a classifying space. This is a long-standing problem, due to Arnol’d, Pham, and Thom. Our proof is based on recent advancements in the theory of dual Coxeter and Artin groups, as well as on several new results and constructions. In particular: we show that all affine noncrossing partition posets are EL-shellable; we use these posets to construct finite classifying spaces for dual affine Artin groups; we introduce new CW models for the orbit configuration spaces associated with arbitrary Coxeter groups; we construct finite classifying spaces for the braided crystallographic groups introduced by McCammond and Sulway.
Beyond physiotherapy and pharmacological treatment for fibromyalgia syndrome: tailored tACS as a new therapeutic tool
Authors: Bernardi Laura , Bertuccelli Margherita , Formaggio Emanuela , Rubega Maria , Bosco Gerardo , Tenconi Elena , Cattelan Manuela , Masiero Stefano , Del Felice Alessandra
Published: November 2020

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a complex pain disorder, characterized by diffuse pain and cognitive disturbances. Abnormal cortical oscillatory activity may be a promising biomarker, encouraging non-invasive neurostimulation techniques as a treatment. We aimed to modulate abnormal slow cortical oscillations by delivering transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) and physiotherapy to reduce pain and cognitive symptoms. This was a double-blinded, randomized, crossover trial conducted between February and September 2018 at the Rehabilitation Unit of a teaching Hospital (NCT03221413). Participants were randomly assigned to tACS or random noise stimulation (RNS), 5 days/week for 2 weeks followed by ad hoc physiotherapy. Clinical and cognitive assessments were performed at T0 (baseline), T1 (after stimulation), T2 (1 month after stimulation). Electroencephalogram (EEG) spectral topographies recorded from 15 participants confirmed slow-rhythm prevalence and provided tACS tailored stimulation parameters and electrode sites. Following tACS, EEG alpha1 ([8–10] Hz) activity increased at T1 (p = 0.024) compared to RNS, pain symptoms assessed by Visual Analog Scale decreased at T1 (T1 vs T0p = 0.010), self-reported cognitive skills and neuropsychological scores improved both at T1 and T2 (Patient-Reported Outcomes in Cognitive Impairment, T0–T2, p = 0.024; Everyday memory questionnaire, T1 compared to RNS, p = 0.012; Montréal Cognitive Assessment, T0 vs T1, p = 0.048 and T0 vs T2, p = 0.009; Trail Making Test B T0–T2, p = 0.034). Psychopathological scales and other neuropsychological scores (Trail Making Test-A; Total Phonemic Fluency; Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised; Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure) improved both after tACS and RNS but earlier improvements (T1) were registered only after tACS. These results support tACS coupled with physiotherapy in treating FMS cognitive symptoms, pain and subclinical psychopathology.
Navigating through the jungle of information. Informational self-efficacy predicts climate change-related media exposure, knowledge, and behaviour
Authors: Loy Laura S. , Hamann Karen R. S. , Reese Gerhard
Published: November 2020

Climate change is a complex issue and understanding it is not an easy endeavour. An abundance of information is available through media and a lot of research has dealt with the question of how to best communicate this issue to the public. However, uncertainty and scepticism remain. In this paper, we argue that the subjective capability of informing oneself satisfactorily about climate change (i.e. informational self-efficacy) to reach goals like forming an opinion, evaluating political decisions regarding climate change, or behaving in a climate protective manner might be a crucial determinant of people’s engagement with the issue. In an online survey with a quota sample of German residents (N = 498), informational self-efficacy positively predicted people’s exposure to climate change communication in the media, their knowledge about the climate system and climate protective behaviours, and the extent to which they actually engaged in climate protective actions. Moreover, informational self-efficacy positively predicted climate protective behaviour and climate system knowledge indirectly through media exposure—but not behavioural knowledge. Hence, next to optimising the provided climate change communication, we suggest to strengthen people’s confidence in dealing with it through media literacy trainings and examine the causal effect of these trainings on informational self-efficacy and climate change engagement. Furthermore, the impact of different behaviours on climate change should be more often and more concretely discussed in media coverage.
Police Implementation of the Partial Sex Purchase Ban in England and Wales
Authors: Matolcsi Andrea
Published: November 2020

A main point of contention in the policy areas of prostitution and sex trafficking is whether the purchase of sex should be criminalised, whether fully (in all circumstances) or partly (only under specific circumstances). Particularly, Europe has seen several countries either fully criminalise buying sex or insofar as the person in prostitution is subject to exploitation or coercion. An example of the latter, since 2010, it is an offence in England and Wales (UK) to buy sex with a person in prostitution who has been coerced or exploited by a third party. While the offence was heavily debated before it was adopted, there has been little empirical research on its implementation, particularly by police who are on the front line of implementation. While police statistics on the offence are of questionable reliability, indications are that there has been little application of the offence. This paper explores several potential reasons for this in the context of interviews with 10 police representatives in four areas of England. Factors such as police’s knowledge and awareness of the offence, difficulties with its application, and to what extent and in what way policing of prostitution and trafficking for sexual exploitation are taking place, may all be playing a role, but do not explain lack of use in all of the areas examined in this research. The notions that there are not enough victims for the law to be applied or that police may be resisting applying the offence because they find the strict liability element of the offence unfair were not supported by these interviews. This research is unique in finding that there may be an issue with police misunderstanding fundamental elements of the offence and what seems to be a lack of awareness of the offence. These findings have implications for the assessment of the enforceability of this and similar offences and policy discussions around such offences.
An optimised chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) method for starchy leaves of Nicotiana benthamiana to study histone modifications of an allotetraploid plant
Authors: Ranawaka Buddhini , Tanurdzic Milos , Waterhouse Peter , Naim Fatima
Published: November 2020

All flowering plants have evolved through multiple rounds of polyploidy throughout the evolutionary process. Intergenomic interactions between subgenomes in polyploid plants are predicted to induce chromatin modifications such as histone modifications to regulate expression of gene homoeologs.Nicotiana benthamianais an ancient allotetraploid plant with ecotypes collected from climatically diverse regions of Australia. Studying the chromatin landscape of this unique collection will likely shed light on the importance of chromatin modifications in gene regulation in polyploids as well its implications in adaptation of plants in environmentally diverse conditions. Generally, chromatin immunoprecipitation and high throughput DNA sequencing (ChIP-seq) is used to study chromatin modifications. However, due to the starchy nature of matureN. benthamianaleaves, previously published protocols were unsuitable. The higher amounts of starch in leaves that co-precipitated with nuclei hindered downstream processing of DNA. Here we present an optimised ChIP protocol forN. benthamianaleaves to facilitate comparison of chromatin modifications in two closely related ecotypes. Several steps of ChIP were optimised including tissue harvesting, nuclei isolation, nuclei storage, DNA shearing and DNA recovery. Commonly available antibodies targeting histone 3 lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) and histone 3 lysine 9 dimethylation (H3K9me2) histone modifications were used and success of ChIP was confirmed by PCR and next generation sequencing. Collectively, our optimised method is the first comprehensive ChIP method for mature starchy leaves ofN. benthamianato enable studies of chromatin landscape at the genome-wide scale.
Co-production as an Emerging Methodology for Developing School-Based Health Interventions with Students Aged 11–16: Systematic Review of Intervention Types, Theories and Processes and Thematic Synthesis of Stakeholders’ Experiences
Authors: Reed Hayley , Couturiaux Danielle , Davis Marianne , Edwards Amy , Janes Edward , Kim Hyun Sue , Melendez-Torres G. J. , Murphy Simon , Rotevatn Torill Alise , Smith Jesse , Evans Rhiannon
Published: November 2020

Co-production affords an intervention’s target population the opportunity to participate in intervention theory decision-making during the development process. This addresses the over-reliance on developing interventions through academic theories which can be devoid of contextual understanding and result in challenges to implementing school-based health programmes. There is an emergent empirical literature on co-producing school-based health interventions, but an understanding of appropriate theoretical types and processes and stakeholders’ experiences is lacking. Through the conduct of a systematic review, this study seeks to understand the types and underlying theories and processes for co-production in school-based health interventions with students aged 11–16. A thematic synthesis explored stakeholders’ experiences of the different types of co-production. A systematic search of five electronic bibliographic databases, citation tracking of included studies, and consultation with an expert international panel were employed. Of 27,433 unique papers, 30 papers representing 22 studies were retained to describe types, and 23 papers of 18 studies used to synthesise stakeholders’ experiences. Three types were identified: external, individual-level, and system-level capacity-building. Whilst this review showed variability in co-production types, stakeholders involved and processes, shared functions were identified. Students’, school staff, facilitators’ and researchers’ experiences in terms of acceptability, feasibility and undertaking decision-making are discussed. Recommendations for conceptualising and reporting co-production and process evaluations of co-produced school-based health interventions are highlighted.
Ungleichheit in globalen Wertschöpfungsketten: eine intersektionale Perspektive auf soziale Reproduktion
Authors: Sproll Martina
Published: November 2020

Der Artikel fragt nach der Bedeutung von sozialer Ungleichheit für die Dynamik globaler Produktion. Trotz einer breiten feministischen Debatte zur Rolle von Geschlechterverhältnissen in globalen Wertschöpfungsketten seit den 1970er-Jahren wurde diese Dimension systematisch aus dem Mainstream der weiteren Theorieentwicklung ausgeblendet. Der vorliegende Beitrag schärft den Blick für soziale Ungleichheit in transnationalen Produktionsnetzen, indem zum einen die Verflechtung von bezahlter und unbezahlter sowie formeller und informeller Arbeit beleuchtet wird, die immer auch geschlechtlich strukturiert ist. Zum anderen wird die Bedeutung privater Haushalte für die Aneignung von Mehrwert durch (transnationale) Unternehmen thematisiert, die den Zusammenhang von produktiver und reproduktiver Sphäre sichtbar macht. Akkumulation in globalen Wertschöpfungsketten basiert auf der gezielten Ausnutzung von Ungleichheit und Diskriminierung, die auf der Verflechtung unterschiedlicher Ungleichheitsdimensionen wie Geschlecht, Ethnizität/Race, Klassen- bzw. Kastenzugehörigkeit, Alter oder Region beruhen. Eine intersektionale Perspektive auf Ungleichheit ist deshalb unabdingbar, um die komplexen Macht- und Herrschaftsverhältnisse zu verstehen und entsprechende Gegenmaßnahmen entwickeln zu können.
Bakterielle Mechanismen der marinen Polysaccharidverwertung
Authors: Schweder Thomas , Bornscheuer Uwe , Hehemann Jan-Hendrik , Amann Rudolf
Published: November 2020

The oceans have been compared to a “global heterotrophic digester”. This is due to the high productivity of microalgae and the rapid turnover of the produced biomass by microbes. A major part of the algal biomass consists of diverse polysaccharides which belong to the most complex polymer structures in nature. These marine sugars are decomposed by specialized bacteria, mainly of the phyla Bacteroidetes and Gammaproteobacteria, which possess dedicated conserved gene clusters encoding a remarkable diversity of carbohydrate-active enzymes.
Profile control performance and field application of preformed particle gel in low-permeability fractured reservoir
Authors: Xu Bin , Wang Yan
Published: November 2020

Water well profile control is the main way to control water channeling in low-permeability fractured reservoirs, and preformed particle gels (PPGs) are commonly used. A preformed particle gel was prepared and the synthesis conditions were optimized. The temperature and salt resistant performance, plugging performance were investigated and the field application was tested. The results showed PPGs exhibited good temperature and salt resistant performance. PPGs with larger particle size showed greater plugging strength but shorter valid period. Field tests suggested that multiple rounds of profile control should be employed using PPGs with different particle sizes to achieve deep profile control.
Toward an understanding of the relation between gene regulation and 3D genome organization
Authors: Tian Hao , Yang Ying , Liu Sirui , Quan Hui , Gao Yi Qin
Published: November 2020

Background

High‐order chromatin structure has been shown to play a vital role in gene regulation. Previously we identified two types of sequence domains, CGI (CpG island) forest and CGI prairie, which tend to spatially segregate, but to different extent in different tissues. Here we aim to further quantify the association of domain segregation with gene regulation and therefore differentiation.

Methods

By means of the published RNA‐seq and Hi‐C data, we identified tissue‐specific genes and quantitatively investigated how their regulation is relevant to chromatin structure. Besides, two types of gene networks were constructed and the association between gene pair co‐regulation and genome organization is discussed.

Results

We show that compared to forests, tissue‐specific genes tend to be enriched in prairies. Highly specific genes also tend to cluster according to their functions in a relatively small number of prairies. Furthermore, tissue‐specific forest‐prairie contact formation was associated with the regulation of tissue‐specific genes, in particular those in the prairie domains, pointing to the important role of gene positioning, in the linear DNA sequence as well as in 3D chromatin structure, in gene regulatory network formation.

Conclusion

We investigated how gene regulation is related to genome organization from the perspective of forest‐prairie spatial interactions. Since unlike compartments A and B, forest and prairie are identified solely based on sequence properties. Therefore, the simple and uniform framework (forest‐prairie domain segregation) provided here can be utilized to further understand the chromatin structure changes as well as the underlying biological significances in different stages, such as tumorgenesis.
A low-to-high friction transition in gradient nano-grained Cu and Cu-Ag alloys
Authors: Chen Xiang , Han Zhong
Published: November 2020

A unique low-to-high friction transition is observed during unlubricated sliding in metals with a gradient nano-grained (GNG) surface layer. After persisting in the low-friction state (0.2–0.4) for tens of thousands of cycles, the coefficients of friction in the GNG copper (Cu) and copper-silver (Cu-5Ag) alloy start to increase, eventually reaching a high level (0.6–0.8). By monitoring the worn surface morphology evolution, wear-induced damage accumulation, and worn subsurface structure evolution during sliding, we found that the low-to-high friction transition is strongly correlated with distinct microstructural instabilities induced by vertical plastic deformation and wear-off of the stable nanograins in the subsurface layer. A very low wear loss of the GNG samples was achieved compared with the coarse-grained sample, especially during the low friction stage. Our results suggest that it is possible to postpone the initiation of low-to-high friction transitions and enhance the wear resistance in GNG metals by increasing the GNG structural stability against grain coarsening under high loading.
Heterogeneity in SIR epidemics modeling: superspreaders and herd immunity
Authors: Szapudi Istvan
Published: November 2020

Deterministic epidemic models, such as the Susceptible-Infected-Recovered (SIR) model, are immensely useful even if they lack the nuance and complexity of social contacts at the heart of network science modeling. Here we present a simple modification of the SIR equations to include the heterogeneity of social connection networks. A typical power-law model of social interactions from network science reproduces the observation that individuals with a high number of contacts, “hubs” or “superspreaders”, can become the primary conduits for transmission. Conversely, once the tail of the distribution is saturated, herd immunity sets in at a smaller overall recovered fraction than in the analogous SIR model. The new dynamical equations suggest that cutting off the tail of the social connection distribution, i.e., stopping superspreaders, is an efficient non-pharmaceutical intervention to slow the spread of a pandemic, such as the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Numerical investigation on epi-off crosslinking effects on porcine corneas
Authors: Cornaggia Aram , Boschetti Federica , Mazzotta Cosimo , Pandolfi Anna
Published: November 2020

Experimental inflation tests, conducted on 90 pig corneas before and after corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) treatment, are simulated with the finite element method. The experimental sample consists of five groups of corneas treated with different UV-A irradiation times (2.5, 5, 10, 15, and 20 min) at constant irradiance 9 mW/cm2. The linear elastic shell theory is used to estimate the equivalent material stiffness of the corneas, revealing that it increases with the exposure time in CXL corneas. In the view of numerical simulations, a simple mechanical model assuming piecewise constant elastic modulus across the corneal thickness is introduced, to estimate the effective increment of the material stiffness in the anterior stroma and the effective depth of the stiffness increment. The two effective quantities are used in the finite element models to simulate the post-CXL tests. Numerical models are able to describe the mechanical effects of CXL in the cornea. The increment of equivalent material stiffness has to be ascribed to a localized increment of the material stiffness in the anterior layers of the cornea, while the posterior layers preserve the original material stiffness. According to the simplified model, the increment of the material stiffness of the anterior cornea increases with the irradiation dose, while the effective reinforcement depth decreases with the irradiation dose. This trend, predicted by a simple mechanical model by imposing equilibrium and compatibility, has been verified by the numerical calculations that captured the global mechanical response of the corneas in untreated and post-CXL conditions.
3D Bioprinting of Cardiovascular Tissues for In Vivo and In Vitro Applications Using Hybrid Hydrogels Containing Silk Fibroin: State of the Art and Challenges
Authors: Vettori Laura , Sharma Poonam , Rnjak-Kovacina Jelena , Gentile Carmine
Published: November 2020

Purpose of Review

3D bioprinting of cardiovascular tissues for in vitro and in vivo applications is currently investigated as a potential solution to better mimic the microenvironment typical of the human heart. However, optimal cell viability and tissue vascularization remain two of the main challenges in this regard. Silk fibroin (SF) as a natural biomaterial with unique features supports cell survival and tissue vascularization. This review aims to evaluate the potential of hydrogels containing SF in 3D bioprinting of cardiac tissue that better recapitulate the native cardiac microenvironment.

Recent Findings

SF hydrogels spontaneously develop nanocrystals, which limit their use for 3D bioprinting applications. Nevertheless, the printability of SF is improved in hybrid hydrogels by mixing it with other natural polymers (such as alginate and gelatin). This is achieved by adding SF with other polymers or by crosslinking it by peroxidase catalysis (i.e., with alginate). Compared to only SF-based hydrogels, hybrid hydrogels provide a durable bioprinted construct with improved mechanical stability and biological properties. To date, studies using cardiac cells in bioprinted SF constructs are yet to be performed.

Mixing SF with other polymers in bioprinted hybrid hydrogels improves the printability and durability of 3D bioprinted tissues. Studies using these hydrogels with cardiac cells will be required to evaluate the biocompatibility of SF hybrid hydrogels and to establish their potential use for cardiovascular applications.
Outcomes of Occipital Nerve Stimulation for Craniofacial Pain Syndromes
Authors: Magown Philippe , Becker Werner J , Kiss Zelma HT
Published: November 2020

Objectives:

Occipital nerve regional stimulation (ONS) is reported to improve pain in several studies. We examined long-term pain and functional outcomes of ONS in an open-label prospective study.

Methods:

Patients with medically refractory and disabling craniofacial pain were prospectively selected for ONS. Primary outcome was a change in mean daily pain intensity on the numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) at 6 months. Secondary outcomes included changes in NPRS, Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6), Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS), Pain Disability Index (PDI), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale – Revised (CESD-R), and Short Form-36 version 2 (SF36) at last follow-up.

Results:

Thirteen patients (mean age 49.7 ± 8.4) diagnosed with occipital neuralgia (6), hemicrania continua (2), persistent idiopathic facial pain (2), post-traumatic facial pain (1), cluster headache (1), and chronic migraine (1) were enrolled. Mean NPRS improved by 2.1 ± 2.1 at 6 months and 2.1 ± 1.9 at last follow-up (23.5 ± 18.1 months). HIT-6 decreased by 8.7 ± 8.8, MIDAS decreased by 61.3 ± 71.6, and PDI decreased by 17.9 ± 18. SF36 physical functioning, bodily pain, and social functioning improved by 16.4 ± 19.6, 18.0 ± 31.6, and 26.1 ± 37.3, respectively. Moderate to severe headache days (defined as ≥50% of baseline mean NPRS) were reduced by 8.9 ± 10.2 days per month with ONS.

Conclusion:

ONS reduced the long-term NPRS and moderate–severe monthly headache days by 30% and improved functional outcomes and quality of life. A prospective registry for ONS would be helpful in accumulating a larger cohort with longer follow-up in order to improve the use of ONS.
Adapting to Crisis: Accounting Information Systems during the Weimar Hyperinflation
Authors: Hoffmann Sebastian , Walker Stephen P.
Published: November 2020

German corporations are characterized as having been adaptable in the face of numerous traumatizing events during the twentieth century. This article explores how firms adapted their accounting information systems during the hyperinflation of the 1920s. It suggests that responses to the crisis focused on system elements identified as key to continuing operations. Initially, firms amended selling and purchasing arrangements, modified financial reporting, and shifted managerial reporting to nonmonetary information. As inflation accelerated, human resources were diverted to maintaining critical functions, especially those related to remunerating labor. While some elements of accounting systems fell into disrepair, there were also examples of innovation.
Trajectories of functioning in a population-based sample of veterans: contributions of moral injury, PTSD, and depression
Authors: Maguen Shira , Griffin Brandon J. , Copeland Laurel A. , Perkins Daniel F. , Richardson Cameron B. , Finley Erin P. , Vogt Dawne
Published: November 2020

Background

Although research has shown that exposure to potentially traumatic and morally injurious events is associated with psychological symptoms among veterans, knowledge regarding functioning impacts remains limited.

Methods

A population-based sample of post-9/11 veterans completed measures of intimate relationship, health, and work functioning at approximately 9, 15, 21, and 27 months after leaving service. Moral injury, posttraumatic stress, and depression were assessed at ~9 months post-separation. We used Latent Growth Mixture Models to identify discrete classes characterized by unique trajectories of change in functioning over time and to examine predictors of class membership.

Results

Veterans were assigned to one of four functioning trajectories: high and stable, high and decreasing, moderate and increasing, and moderate and stable. Whereas posttraumatic stress, depression, and moral injury associated with perpetration and betrayal predicted worse outcomes at baseline across multiple functioning domains, moral injury associated with perpetration and depression most reliably predicted assignment to trajectories characterized by relatively poor or declining functioning.

Conclusions

Moral injury contributes to functional problems beyond what is explained by posttraumatic stress and depression, and moral injury due to perpetration and depression most reliably predicted assignment to trajectories characterized by functional impairment over time.
Behavioral activation therapy for depression is associated with a reduction in the concentration of circulating quinolinic acid
Authors: Savitz Jonathan , Ford Bart N. , Yeh Hung-Wen , Akeman Elisabeth , Cosgrove Kelly , Clausen Ashley N. , Martell Christopher , Kirlic Namik , Santiago Jessica , Teague T. Kent , Irwin Michael R. , Paulus Martin P. , Aupperle Robin L.
Published: November 2020

Background

An inflammation-induced imbalance in the kynurenine pathway (KP) has been reported in major depressive disorder but the utility of these metabolites as predictive or therapeutic biomarkers of behavioral activation (BA) therapy is unknown.

Methods

Serum samples were provided by 56 depressed individuals before BA therapy and 29 of these individuals also provided samples after 10 weeks of therapy to measure cytokines and KP metabolites. The PROMIS Depression Scale (PROMIS-D) and the Sheehan Disability Scale were administered weekly and the Beck depression inventory was administered pre- and post-therapy. Data were analyzed with linear mixed-effect, general linear, and logistic regression models. The primary outcome for the biomarker analyses was the ratio of kynurenic acid to quinolinic acid (KynA/QA).

Results

BA decreased depression and disability scores (p's < 0.001, Cohen's d's > 0.5). KynA/QA significantly increased at post-therapy relative to baseline (p < 0.001, d = 2.2), an effect driven by a decrease in QA post-therapy (p < 0.001, uncorrected, d = 3.39). A trend towards a decrease in the ratio of kynurenine to tryptophan (KYN/TRP) was also observed (p = 0.054, uncorrected, d = 0.78). Neither the change in KynA/QA, nor baseline KynA/QA were associated with response to BA therapy.

Conclusion

The current findings together with previous research show that electronconvulsive therapy, escitalopram, and ketamine decrease concentrations of the neurotoxin, QA, raise the possibility that a common therapeutic mechanism underlies diverse forms of anti-depressant treatment but future controlled studies are needed to test this hypothesis.
Supplementation of c-type natriuretic peptide during in vitro growth period benefits the development of murine preantral follicles
Authors: Ang Li , Haixia Cao , Hongxia Li , Ruijiao Li , Xingping Guo , Huaixiu Wang
Published: November 2020

The present study investigated the effects of c-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) on the development of murine preantral follicles during in vitro growth (IVG). Preantral follicles isolated from ovaries of Kunming mice were cultured in vitro. In the culture system, CNP was supplemented in the experimental groups and omitted in the control groups. In Experiment 1, CNP was only supplemented at the early stage and follicle development was evaluated. In Experiments 2 and 3, CNP was supplemented during the whole period of in vitro culture. In Experiment 2, follicle development and oocyte maturity were evaluated. In Experiment 3, follicle development and embryo cleavage after in vitro fertilization (IVF) were assessed. The results showed that in the control groups in all three experiments, granulosa cells migrated from within the follicle and the follicles could not reach the antral stage. In the experimental groups in all three experiments, no migration of granulosa cells was observed and follicle development was assessed as attaining the antral stage, which was significantly superior to that of the control group (P < 0.0001). Oocyte meiotic arrest was effectively maintained, hence giving good developmental competence. In conclusion, CNP supplementation in the culture system during IVG benefited the development of murine preantral follicles.
Extent and nutritional quality of foods and beverages to which children are exposed in Colombian TV food advertising
Authors: Velasquez Alcides , Mora-Plazas Mercedes , Gómez Luis Fernando , Taillie Lindsey S , Dillman Carpentier Francesca R
Published: November 2020

Objective:

To examine children’s exposure to food and beverage advertising across a year of Colombian television based on whether products exceed Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO)-defined nutrient thresholds.

Design:

Nutritional information was obtained for all foods and beverages advertised and used to categorise each product according to the product category (e.g. beverage, snack food) and nutritional quality based on the PAHO model for identifying products in excess of free sugars, Na or saturated fat or containing non-caloric sweeteners or trans-fat. Television audience ratings data were used to derive the average child audience (unique child viewers) per ad and the number of times ads were seen by children in a single week (weekly impressions) based on product category and nutritional quality.

Setting:

All food and beverage ads on cable and over-the-air TV in Colombia in 2017.

Participants:

N/A.

Results:

Of all instances of TV ads, 89·3 % were of unhealthy products. A larger proportion of male and female children, as well as children from low (88·01 %), mid (89·10 %) and high (89·10 %) socio-economic status, are exposed to advertising of unhealthy products, but no significant difference was found between these proportions.

Conclusion:

The majority of foods and beverages advertised to Colombian children are unhealthy. These findings highlight a need to implement statutory measures to reduce children’s exposure to unhealthy food advertising in Colombia, as obesity and overweight have been increasing among school-age children in Colombia, and exposure to television advertising of unhealthy foods is a known contributor to children’s food intake and obesity.
Kognitiv aktivierende Gespräche über Rechtschreibfehler
Authors: Widmer Anna-Katharina
Published: November 2020

Zusammenfassung. Einleitung: Kognitive Aktivierung gilt als wichtiges Unterrichtsqualitätsmerkmal für den Orthographieunterricht, wie in der Studie von Hanisch (2018) nachgewiesen werden konnte. Für vertiefende Analysen der individuellen Lernprozesse der Zweitklässler_innen aus dieser Studie wurden Fallstudien durchgeführt und der Aspekt der Fehlersensibilität fokussiert, da in dem hoch kognitiv aktivierenden Setting orthographische Fehler in Rechtschreibgesprächen als didaktisches Mittel eingesetzt wurden. Dementsprechend stellten sich die Forschungsfragen, ob und wie sich die Fähigkeit zur Fehlerkorrektur, das Wissen zur Fehlervermeidung sowie zu potenziellen Fehlerquellen in Wörtern veränderten. Methode: Hierfür wurden exemplarisch vier der in der Studie von Hanisch (2018) in einem Prä-Post-Design durchgeführten Rechtschreibinterviews mithilfe der qualitativen Inhaltsanalyse ausgewertet und bereits bestehende Kategorien rekodiert sowie neue Kategorien festgelegt. Ergebnisse: Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass drei Kinder ihre Fehlersensibilität steigerten. Sie bauten morphematisches Rechtschreibwissen auf und erkannten Aufpassstellen in Wörtern. Die Fehlerkorrektur blieb für drei Kinder auch nach der Intervention herausfordernd. Diskussion: Dennoch lassen die Ergebnisse die Hypothese zu, dass durch kognitiv aktivierende Gespräche über Rechtschreibfehler die Fehlersensibilität gesteigert werden kann und sie deshalb gewinnbringende Elemente für eine qualitätsvolle Förderung in der Orthographiedidaktik darstellen.
Fires Represent an Important Source of Carbon Emissions in Mexico
Authors: Corona‐Núñez Rogelio O. , Li Fangjun , Campo Julio E.
Published: November 2020

Biomass burning, including fires, has been identified as the largest source of primary fine carbonaceous particles in the troposphere and one of the major drivers of global carbon (C) cycle, cloud properties, and climate. Most of the global C emissions happen in the Pantropic region. Modeling estimates suggest an increase in Mexican fire frequencies, intensity, and C emission to the atmosphere. However, no study has combined field and satellite data to estimate C emissions by fires for any tropical country. Here, we present an approach to estimate the spatiotemporal variability of fires and its total C emissions in Mexico with the associated climate that combines national fire inventories with remote sensing. We provide evidence that tropical ecosystems, particularly tropical forests at Yucatan Peninsula, Pacific Coast, and Gulf of Mexico, provide the largest C emissions with high fire densities. We found evidence to contrast the relationships of the interannual and intra‐annual variability of C emissions with immediate and lagged climate effects such as El Niño and La Niña events. Data also indicate that C emissions from fires are up to 11 times higher than those from deforestation and account 19% of the total National CO2 emissions and 5% of the total Pantropical C emissions. Because fires are related to climate change, we encourage future studies to focus on climate fire feedbacks for implementing adequate climate mitigation strategies.
FGF401 and vinorelbine synergistically mediate antitumor activity and vascular normalization in FGF19-dependent hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Huynh Hung , Prawira Aldo , Le Thi Bich Uyen , Vu Thanh Chung , Hao Huai-Xiang , Huang Alan , Wang Youzhen , Porta Diana Graus
Published: November 2020

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a lethal cancer with limited therapeutic options, and standard therapy with sorafenib provides only modest survival benefits. Fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) has been proposed as a driver oncogene, and targeting its receptor, FGFR-4, may provide a better alternative to standard therapy for patients with FGF19-driven tumors. Sixty-three HCC patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models were screened for FGF19 expression. Mice bearing high and low FGF19-expressing tumors were treated with FGF401 and/or vinorelbine, and the antitumor activity of both agents was assessed individually and in combination. Tumor vasculature and intratumoral hypoxia were also examined. High FGF19 expression was detected in 14.3% (9 of 63) of the HCC models tested and may represent a good target for HCC treatment. FGF401 potently inhibited the growth of high FGF19-expressing HCC models regardless ofFGF19gene amplification. Furthermore, FGF401 inhibited the FGF19/FGFR-4 signaling pathway, cell proliferation, and hypoxia, induced apoptosis and blood vessel normalization and prolonged the overall survival (OS) of mice bearing high FGF19 tumors. FGF401 synergistically acted with the microtubule-depolymerizing drug vinorelbine to further suppress tumor growth, promote apoptosis, and prolong the OS of mice bearing high FGF19 tumors, with no evidence of increased toxicity. Our study suggests that a subset of patients with high FGF19-expressing HCC tumors could benefit from FGF401 or FGF401/vinorelbine treatment. A high level of FGF19 in a tumor may serve as a potential biomarker for patient selection.
Realising the full potential of MR-PHeWAS in cancer
Authors: Bowden Jack
Published: November 2020

MR-PHeWAS is a powerful new design for discovering causal mechanisms between a disease and its many candidate risk factors in a hypothesis-free manner. This technique has great potential in the field of cancer research, provided that both powerful and principled statistical approaches are used.
CircCNTNAP3-TP53-positive feedback loop suppresses malignant progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Wang Hui , Song Xuming , Wang Yajing , Yin Xuewen , Liang Yingkuan , Zhang Te , Xu Lin , Jiang Feng , Dong Gaochao
Published: November 2020

Mutation or downregulation of p53 (encoded by TP53) accelerates tumorigenesis and malignant progression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, it is still unknown whether circular RNAs (circRNAs), a novel class of endogenous noncoding RNAs, participate in the regulation of this progress. In this study, we explored the expression profiles of circRNAs in three paired samples of ESCC and identified cCNTNAP3, which is a circRNA that originates from the CNTNAP3 gene transcript and is highly expressed in normal human esophageal tissue. However, we found that the cCNTNAP3 expression level was significantly downregulated in ESCC tissues. In vitro and in vivo studies revealed that cCNTNAP3 inhibited proliferation and increased apoptosis in p53 wild-type ESCC cells, but not in mutant cells. Mechanistically, we found that cCNTNAP3 promotes the expression of p53 by sponging miR-513a-5p. Rescue assay confirmed that the suppressive function of cCNTNAP3 was dependent on miR-513a-5p. We also observed that p53/RBM25 participated in the formation of cCNTNAP3, which implied the existence of a positive feedback loop between cCNTNAP3 and p53. Furthermore, the downregulation of cCNTNAP3 was significantly correlated with later T stage and thus can serve as an independent risk factor for the overall survival of patients with p53 wild-type ESCC. In conclusion, the cCNTNAP3-TP53 positive feedback loop may provide a potential target for the management of ESCC, which also reveals the important role of circRNAs in the regulation of p53.
Intelligent non-colorimetric indicators for the perishable supply chain by non-wovens with photo-programmed thermal response
Authors: Romano Luigi , Portone Alberto , Coltelli Maria-Beatrice , Patti Francesco , Saija Rosalba , Iatì Maria Antonia , Gallone Giuseppe , Lazzeri Andrea , Danti Serena , Maragò Onofrio M. , Camposeo Andrea , Pisignano Dario , Persano Luana
Published: November 2020

Spoiled perishable products, such as food and drugs exposed to inappropriate temperature, cause million illnesses every year. Risks range from intoxication due to pathogen-contaminated edibles, to suboptimal potency of temperature-sensitive vaccines. High-performance and low-cost indicators are needed, based on conformable materials whose properties change continuously and irreversibly depending on the experienced time-temperature profile. However, these systems can be limited by unclear reading, especially for colour-blind people, and are often difficult to be encoded with a tailored response to detect excess temperature over varying temporal profiles. Here we report on optically-programmed, non-colorimetric indicators based on nano-textured non-wovens encoded by their cross-linking degree. This combination allows a desired time-temperature response to be achieved, to address different perishable products. The devices operate by visual contrast with ambient light, which is explained by backscattering calculations for the complex fibrous material. Optical nanomaterials with photo-encoded thermal properties might establish new design rules for intelligent labels.