bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Marked loss of adipose tissue during neoadjuvant therapy as a predictor for poor prognosis in patients with gastric cancer: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Zhang Yingjing , Li Zijian , Jiang Lin , Xue Zhigang , Ma Zhiqiang , Kang Weiming , Ye Xin , Liu Yuqin , Jin Zhengyu , Yu Jianchun
Published: January 2021

Background

The influence of body composition changes during neoadjuvant treatment (NT) on long‐term survival in patients with gastric cancer (GC) undergoing radical gastrectomy remains unclear. The present study aimed to explore the association between changes in body composition during NT and survival in patients with GC.

Methods

GC patients treated with NT and radical gastrectomy between 2015 and 2018 were included in this retrospective study. Skeletal muscle mass, visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) were measured by computer tomography before and after NT. Body composition changes during NT were compared with Kaplan–Meier curves. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were applied to determine the predictors of overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS).

Results

In total, 157 GC patients were studied. A marked loss of adipose tissue was associated with poor nutritional status. The median follow‐up time for all patients was 25 months. Patients with marked VAT loss (≥ 35.7%) during NT had significantly shorter OS (p = 0.028) and DFS (p = 0.03). Similarly, poorer OS (p = 0.033) and DFS (p = 0.003) were observed in patients with marked SAT loss (≥ 30.1%) during NT. Changes in skeletal muscle mass and body weight during NT were not associated with survival. Marked VAT loss accompanied by marked SAT loss was an independent predictor of OS (hazards ratio = 2.447; p = 0.045) and DFS (hazards ratio = 2.674; p = 0.018).

Conclusions

Patients with locally advanced GC have a worse survival when they experienced marked loss of adipose tissue during NT.
Profit‐tax relationship, business group affiliation, and external monitoring in china
Authors: Lin Kenny Z. , Shi Shanshan , Tang Feng
Published: January 2021

This study examines whether business group affiliation weakens the sensitivity of income tax expense to pretax income, while external monitoring mechanisms mitigate the effect of group affiliation. We find that this sensitivity is weaker for Chinese listed firms affiliated with a top 500 business group than for unaffiliated firms. Economically, our coefficient estimate implies that group affiliation weakens tax sensitivity to income by 5.2% in relative terms. However, we find that tax sensitivity improved in the post‐2008 period and with the presence of strong monitoring mechanisms by means of tax enforcement, analyst scrutiny, and long‐term institutional shareholding. To the extent that unexplained variation in current tax expense at a given income level is indicative of aggressive tax behavior, our results suggest that effective external monitoring can mitigate this behavior in group‐affiliated firms.
Mapping the Ethics of Translational Genomics: Situating Return of Results and Navigating the Research-Clinical Divide
Authors: Wolf Susan M. , Burke Wylie , Koenig Barbara A.
Published: January 2021

Research on the use of genome and exome sequencing for diagnosis, identification of potential therapies, precision prescribing of pharmaceuticals, and identification of disease risk is progressing rapidly. Research projects now commonly yield findings of potential health importance for the individuals sequenced as well as their relatives, raising difficult questions about investigator responsibilities to offer those research findings for potential clinical work-up. As sequencing is moving into clinical application, the ethical questions are further multiplying. The ethical quandaries will only proliferate as use of sequencing in screening to achieve public health goals is debated more widely.
Return of Genetic Research Results to Participants and Families: IRB Perspectives and Roles
Authors: Beskow Laura M. , O'Rourke P. Pearl
Published: January 2021

Whether or not to offer individual genetic results to research participants has been the subject of considerable debate, yet consensus regarding what, when, and how to return remains elusive. Despite this lack of clarity, the discussion has moved to the offer of research results to family members of participants, including when the participant is deceased. Given the familial implications of genetic information, this extension is perhaps logical. But it raises concerns throughout the research process, including, for example, questions about disclosures and choices on consent forms, procedures for identifying and contacting family members, and how any such obligations might apply to secondary users of biospecimens and data.
Disclosing Secondary Findings from Pediatric Sequencing to Families: Considering the “Benefit to Families”
Authors: Wilfond Benjamin S. , Fernandez Conrad V. , Green Robert C.
Published: January 2021

Should children ever have genetic testing for adultonset conditions? For the last two decades, there have been general recommendations from professional organizations that discourage such testing. Until recently, such testing was only plausible in the context of a family history of a Mendelian condition that might prompt the parents (or an adolescent) to request testing for the adult-onset condition present within the family. In this context there has been a gradual shift in the direction of suggesting parents should have greater discretion to obtain such testing after careful consideration of risks and benefits by the family and the health care provider.
Considerations for Returning Research Results to Culturally Diverse Participants and Families of Decedents
Authors: Garrison Nanibaa' A.
Published: January 2021

As genomic medicine advances and immense amounts of data are generated that may potentially affect human health, there is increasing concern around which of these results matter to participants. There has been considerable debate onwhichresearch results to return to participants andwhenthose results should be returned. To date, however, the debates around the return of genomic results have not focused onhowthose results should be returned, especially when the results come from minority and/or culturally diverse participants. This commentary explores cultural and ethical considerations, and shares insight from my own Navajo background, around returning genomic research results to participants and potentially to families of culturally diverse backgrounds, with a special focus on considerations when the research participant is deceased, and raises points for further discussion.
How Agencies Market Egg Donation on the Internet: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Keehn Jason , Howell Eve , Sauer Mark V. , Klitzman Robert
Published: January 2021

Oocyte donation has been used to treat human infertility for nearly 30 years, and remains particularly popular in helping women of advanced reproductive age, yet it also poses ethical concerns. Due to increasing demand and undersupply of available oocyte (or egg) donors, a niche business has developed in which “agencies” assist physician practices in advertising, recruiting, screening and even “matching” donors to recipients in need of such services. The advent of the Internet has increased the number and visibility of these services, creating a market in which programs bid for women perceived as having desired traits and superior pedigrees. A few questionable ethical aspects of these agencies have been examined by ourselves and others, including patterns of monetary compensation that directly conflict with the American Society for Reproductive Medicine's (ASRM) ethical guidelines, but many questions remain unexamined.

For-profit agencies that recruit and often match egg donors with intended parents exist alongside licensed, professional fertility clinics that actually perform the medical procedures.
Regulation of Biobanks in South Africa
Authors: Andanda Pamela , Govender Sandra
Published: January 2021

The ongoing efforts to establish biobanks in Africa envisage the availability of biological samples and data in accordance with relevant national legislation and ethical principles. Current literature has established that many African countries “do not have national legislation or guidelines on the use of stored biological samples” or if such guidelines are in place, then “disparities exist in relation to informed consent and export and import requirements.” In this regard, this article considers the extent to which the available legal and ethical regulatory frameworks in South Africa are capable of governing the use of stored biological samples in a manner that facilitates health research while at the same time protecting the interests of sample donors.
Measuring the Statistical Capacity of Nations*
Authors: Cameron Grant J. , Dang Hai‐Anh H. , Dinc Mustafa , Foster James , Lokshin Michael M.
Published: January 2021

The international development community has used the World Bank's Statistical Capacity Index since its inception in 2004. The Sustainable Development Goals create new challenges for national statistical systems to produce high‐quality and internationally comparable data. This paper reviews measurement methodologies, posits desired attributes, and presents theoretical and empirical frameworks to propose a new, improved index to monitor progress in the statistical capacity of nations. The paper illustrates the properties of the proposed index with global data from 2016.
Production of tocotrienols in seeds of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) enhances oxidative stability and offers nutraceutical potential
Authors: Salimath Shanmukh S. , Romsdahl Trevor B. , Konda Anji Reddy , Zhang Wei , Cahoon Edgar B. , Dowd Michael K. , Wedegaertner Thomas C. , Hake Kater D. , Chapman Kent D.
Published: January 2021

Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is an economically important multi‐purpose crop cultivated globally for fibre, seed oil and protein. Cottonseed oil also is naturally rich in vitamin E components (collectively known as tocochromanols), with α‐ and γ‐tocopherols comprising nearly all of the vitamin E components. By contrast, cottonseeds have little or no tocotrienols, tocochromanols with a wide range of health benefits. Here, we generated transgenic cotton lines expressing the barley (Hordeum vulgare) homogentisate geranylgeranyl transferase coding sequence under the control of the Brassica napus seed‐specific promoter, napin. Transgenic cottonseeds had ~twofold to threefold increases in the accumulation of total vitamin E (tocopherols + tocotrienols), with more than 60% γ‐tocotrienol. Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization‐mass spectrometry imaging showed that γ‐tocotrienol was localized throughout the transgenic embryos. In contrast, the native tocopherols were distributed unequally in both transgenic and non‐transgenic embryos. α‐ Tocopherol was restricted mostly to cotyledon tissues and γ‐tocopherol was more enriched in the embryonic axis tissues. Production of tocotrienols in cotton embryos had no negative impact on plant performance or yield of other important seed constituents including fibre, oil and protein. Advanced generations of two transgenic events were field grown, and extracts of transgenic seeds showed increased antioxidant activity relative to extracts from non‐transgenic seeds. Furthermore, refined cottonseed oil from the two transgenic events showed 30% improvement in oxidative stability relative to the non‐transgenic cottonseed oil. Taken together, these materials may provide new opportunities for cottonseed co‐products with enhanced vitamin E profile for improved shelf life and nutrition.
Wittgenstein and Meaning
Authors: Freeman‐Core Charles
Published: January 2021

The subject of this paper is something very general – namely, Wittgenstein’s conception of meaning. The concept of meaning necessarily brings with it other concepts, such as ‘subject’, ‘rule’, ‘language’ and ‘system’, and so we shall be concerned in one way or another with all of these too. However, our direct focus will be on the concept of the proposition, and our primary aim will be to clarify various category distinctions which determine this concept. The overall thesis which we shall argue towards is that there is more of a common conception of meaning between early and later Wittgenstein than is generally acknowledged, and that this common conception can be elucidated through the application of Kantian ideas.
Peroxidase activity and operation of photo‐protective component of NPQ play key roles in drought tolerance of mung bean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilcziek]
Authors: Bano Hussan , Athar Habib‐ur‐Rehman , Zafar Zafar Ullah , Ogbaga Chukwuma C. , Ashraf Muhammad
Published: January 2021

Developing drought‐tolerant cultivars is mainly restricted due to poor knowledge of the mechanism behind drought tolerance. In the present work, available germplasm of Vigna radiata (mung bean) was screened for drought tolerance using multiple agronomic and physiological parameters and used to selected one drought‐tolerant (NM‐13‐1) and one drought‐sensitive (NM‐54) cultivar for further studies. Plant water status and PSII activity were found to be potential physiological discriminating traits. Changes in PSII and PSI activity, accumulation of proline, oxidative damage, and antioxidants were further assessed in selected drought‐sensitive and drought‐tolerant cultivars. Drought stress reduced PSII efficiency and electron transport in both mung bean cultivars. Drought increased NPQ and Y(NPQ), a greater increase in NPQ and Y(NPQ) was found in the drought‐tolerant cv NM‐13‐1, indicating that the drought‐tolerant cultivar managed over‐excitation of PSII by safe heat dissipation via photo‐protective component of NPQ. A decrease in PSI efficiency with an increase in donor end limitation of PSI in both mung bean cultivars further confirmed that the electron transport through PSII became down‐regulated. However, the drought‐sensitive cv. NM‐54 had poor ability to manage over‐excitation of PSII through buildup of Y(NPQ) thereby causing greater oxidative stress. Mung bean cultivars counteracted oxidative stress by accumulation of proline and increasing POD activities. Drought‐tolerant cv. NM‐13‐1 had higher proline accumulation and antioxidant potential than in the drought‐sensitive cultivar. Overall, drought tolerance in the mung bean cultivars can be related to plant water status, PSII activity, Y(NPQ), and POD activity, which can be effectively used for selecting mung bean cultivars for drought tolerance.
From Substance to Skill: Student Perspective on Caring
Authors: Sela Yael , Nissanholtz-Gannot Rachel , Zigdon Avi , Grinberg Keren
Published: January 2021

Background: Nursing professionals unanimously agree that caring is the professional core, reflecting its uniqueness and distinguishing it from other health professions. The perception of caring seems to be changing with time along with nursing students' perceptions of this topic.Aim: This integrative review was aimed at presenting an overview of changes in student considerations when choosing the nursing profession and relating to the caring aspect.Methods: We reviewed past literature and defined “Caring”, “Nursing”, “Nursing Career”, “Patient Care” and “Students” as their keywords on Medline, PubMed, Embase and Web of Science. There was also conducted a manual search in order to find other potentially suitable resources.Results: The findings indicate that the concept of caring continues to be ambiguous and difficult to define, and demonstrate a different approach to caring as compared to the past.Conclusion: Caring is now considered more of a skill and less of a substance. The nursing education system should give their students a pack of tools that will develop an approach that consists of extensive practical knowledge alongside a strong understanding and empathy for the patient, in order to provide human and sensitive care.
Nicotinamide riboside supplementation does not alter whole‐body or skeletal muscle metabolic responses to a single bout of endurance exercise
Authors: Stocks Ben , Ashcroft Stephen P. , Joanisse Sophie , Dansereau Linda C. , Koay Yen Chin , Elhassan Yasir S. , Lavery Gareth G. , Quek Lake‐Ee , O'Sullivan John F. , Philp Ashleigh M. , Wallis Gareth A. , Philp Andrew
Published: January 2021

Key points

Acute nicotinamide riboside (NR) supplementation does not alter substrate metabolism at rest, during or in recovery from endurance exercise.

NR does not alter NAD+‐sensitive signalling pathways in human skeletal muscle.

NR supplementation and acute exercise influence the NAD+ metabolome.

Oral supplementation of the NAD+ precursor nicotinamide riboside (NR) has been reported to alter metabolism alongside increasing sirtuin (SIRT) signalling and mitochondrial biogenesis in rodent skeletal muscle. However, whether NR supplementation can elicit a similar response in human skeletal muscle is unclear. This study assessed the effect of 7‐day NR supplementation on whole‐body metabolism and exercise‐induced mitochondrial biogenic signalling in skeletal muscle. Eight male participants (age: 23 ± 4 years, 46.5 ± 4.4 ml kg–1 min–1) received 1 week of NR or cellulose placebo (PLA) supplementation (1000 mg day–1). Muscle biopsies were collected from the medial vastus lateralis prior to supplementation and pre‐, immediately post‐ and 3 h post‐exercise (1 h of 60% Wmax cycling) performed following the supplementation period. There was no effect of NR supplementation on substrate utilisation at rest or during exercise or on skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration. Global acetylation, auto‐PARylation of poly ADP‐ribose polymerase 1 (PARP1), acetylation of Tumour protein 53 (p53)Lys382 and Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD)Lys122 were also unaffected by NR supplementation or exercise. NR supplementation did not increase skeletal muscle NAD+ concentration, but it did increase the concentration of deaminated NAD+ precursors nicotinic acid riboside (NAR) and nicotinic acid mononucleotide (NAM) and methylated nicotinamide breakdown products (Me2PY and Me4PY), demonstrating the skeletal muscle bioavailability of NR supplementation. In summary, 1 week of NR supplementation does not alter whole‐body metabolism or skeletal muscle signal transduction pathways implicated in the mitochondrial adaptation to endurance exercise.
Espaciotemporalidades sobre la violencia política en la producción audiovisual del Centro Nacional de Memoria Histórica: el caso de “Mampuján: Crónica de un desplazamiento”
Authors: Olaya Gualteros Vladimir , Urrego Salas Andrés Felipe
Published: January 2021

En este artículo se analizó el documental Mampuján: Crónica de un desplazamiento, producido por el Centro Nacional de Memoria Histórica (CNMH) que cuenta la historia de las personas que en 2000 vivieron el desarraigo del pueblo de Mampuján, municipio del departamento de Bolívar, a causa del conflicto armado interno colombiano. Se propone el objetivo de comprender cómo en ese audiovisual se constituyen unas temporalidades y espacialidades que proporcionan marcos de visibilidad para interpretar el pasado. Planteamos la tesis de que este documental cuenta con una estructura lineal que configura una manera análoga de comprender la historia reciente de la violencia política en Colombia y que a su vez conlleva un riesgo de subexposición y sobreexposición del pueblo de Mampuján. Metodológicamente, se realiza un análisis desde la perspectiva de los estudios visuales y la hermenéutica, con un énfasis en el estudio de la narrativa del documental desde su forma de organizar los diferentes elementos que lo componen hasta el ritmo en que los expone. El análisis nos permite concluir que el cine documental tiene la potencialidad de constituir unos conocimientos históricos en la medida en que reconstruye y rememora unos hechos pasados. En el caso de la producción del CNMH, se encuentra que sus documentales aportan a la formación de nuestros modos de ver y comprender la violencia política vivida en la historia reciente colombiana. Así, el artículo presenta un avance en la reflexión sobre los dispositivos visuales relacionados con la guerra en el país.
Influence of the temperature on the opto-acoustophoretic effect
Authors: Dumy Gabriel , Hoyos Mauricio , Aider Jean-Luc
Published: January 2021

Opto-acoustophoretic mobility has been demonstrated recently for fluorescent and colored particles acoustically levitated in a stationary ultrasonic field when illuminated with the appropriate optical wavelength [Dumy, Hoyos, and Aider, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 146, 4557–4568 (2019); Zhou, Gao, Yang, Li, Shao, Zhang, Li, and Li, Adv. Sci. 5, 1800122 (2018)]. It is a repeatable phenomenon, needing both acoustic trapping and specific optic excitation to occur. However, the physical origin of the phenomenon is still debated. In this study, we provide more insights into the probable origin of this phenomenon by confronting numerical simulations with temperature controlled experiments. The phenomenon properties are well reproduced by our model, relying on a thermofluidic instability, hinting at the potential thermally induced fluid density gradient as a drag source for the observed ejection of particles. Thermostated experiments exhibit a surprising threshold above which the phenomenon is not observed anymore no matter how large the optic or acoustic energies used. This exciting observation differs from the initial interpretation of the phenomenon, altering its potential application without removing its interest because it suggests the possible contactless generation of customized flows by acoustically trapped particles.
Broad and potent activity against SARS-like viruses by an engineered human monoclonal antibody
Authors: Rappazzo C. Garrett , Tse Longping V. , Kaku Chengzi I. , Wrapp Daniel , Sakharkar Mrunal , Huang Deli , Deveau Laura M. , Yockachonis Thomas J. , Herbert Andrew S. , Battles Michael B. , O’Brien Cecilia M. , Brown Michael E. , Geoghegan James C. , Belk Jonathan , Peng Linghang , Yang Linlin , Hou Yixuan , Scobey Trevor D. , Burton Dennis R. , Nemazee David , Dye John M. , Voss James E. , Gunn Bronwyn M. , McLellan Jason S. , Baric Ralph S. , Gralinski Lisa E. , Walker Laura M.
Published: January 2021

Targeting sarbecoviruses

As we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, we must confront the possibility of new pathogenic coronaviruses emerging in humans in the future. With this in mind, Rappazzo
et al.
isolated antibodies from a survivor of the 2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), used yeast display libraries to introduce diversity into these antibodies, and then screened for binding to SARS-CoV-2. One of the affinity-matured progeny strongly neutralized SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and two SARS-related viruses from bats. In addition, this antibody bound to the receptor-binding domains from a panel of sarbecoviruses, suggesting broader activity, and provided protection against SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 in mouse models.

Science
, this issue p.
823
Inactivation of GalU Leads to a Cell Wall-Associated Polysaccharide Defect That Reduces the Susceptibility of Enterococcus faecalis to Bacteriolytic Agents
Authors: Kurushima Jun , Tomita Haruyoshi
Published: January 2021

Cell wall-associated polysaccharides of bacteria are involved in various physiological characteristics. Recent studies demonstrated that the cell wall-associated polysaccharide of
Enterococcus faecalis
is required for susceptibility to bactericidal antibiotic agents.
Stringent Starvation Protein Regulates Prodiginine Biosynthesis via Affecting Siderophore Production in
Pseudoalteromonas
sp. Strain R3
Authors: Yin Jianhua , Ding Mengdan , Zha Fanglan , Zhang Jiadi , Meng Qiu , Yu Zhiliang
Published: January 2021

The red-pigmented prodiginines are attracting increasing interest due to their broad biological activities. As with many secondary metabolites, the biosynthesis of prodiginines is regulated by both environmental and physiological factors.
AbaM Regulates Quorum Sensing, Biofilm Formation, and Virulence in
Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: López-Martín Mario , Dubern Jean-Frédéric , Alexander Morgan R. , Williams Paul
Published: January 2021

Acinetobacter baumannii
is a multiantibiotic-resistant pathogen of global health care importance. Understanding
Acinetobacter
virulence gene regulation could aid the development of novel anti-infective strategies.
Phylogenetic Distribution of Plastic-Degrading Microorganisms
Authors: Gambarini Victor , Pantos Olga , Kingsbury Joanne M. , Weaver Louise , Handley Kim M. , Lear Gavin
Published: January 2021

We have collated the most complete database of microorganisms identified as being capable of degrading plastics to date. These data allow us to explore the phylogenetic distribution of these organisms and their enzymes, showing that traits for plastic degradation are predominantly not phylogenetically conserved.
Syn-Collision Folding and Multi-Layers Detachment in the Molassic Basin, Northeastern Tunisia
Authors: Ramzi A. , Noureddine M. , Lassaad C.
Published: January 2021

Tunisia had been the place of various tectonic episodes which have drawn the actual structural map of the country. The Neogene period was the most active period in which the collision contributed to the mountain ranges formation such as the Atlassic chain. The contrast of mechanical behavior between the different sedimentary units of the cover and the substratum is a determining factor that has controlled the deformation style of many folding structures. Detachment folding has been studied on the basis of field and seismic data examples from the Northeastern Tunisia. We discuss different aspects of detachment to constrain the chronology of structural events and understand the cover‒substratum relationship during the major folding phases. In the present paper, we found that the deformation style admitted previously do not reflect adequately the tectonic structure of Kechabta Neogene basin (North of Tunisia). The cover-substratum relationship study at this area revealed two major shortening phases; the first had been happened during the Upper Tortonian and the second in the Lower Quaternary. The resulting folding style is characterized by disharmonic and multi-layers detachment phenomena produced by incompetent evaporitic sequences. The two described folding phases are superimposed and testify at a large scale the continental collision which controls the North African margin during the Late Miocene to the Quaternary.
Diagnostic challenge: an atypical presentation of infective endocarditis
Authors: Parente Cristina Sarah , Sandland-Taylor Laura Emma , Akhtar Waheed
Published: January 2021

It is recognised that infective endocarditis is frequently a challenging diagnosis to make, as it may present with a range of non-specific symptoms. A middle-aged man was admitted with an 8-day history of profuse non-bloody diarrhoea and vomiting. He had no medical history and no identifiable risk factors for infective endocarditis, and so this in combination with the patient’s atypical symptoms presented a diagnostic challenge. The patient was eventually diagnosed with aStaphylococcus aureusright-sided infective endocarditis. This case report explores the events which led to this diagnosis and demonstrates a number of unique learning points. It also highlights the importance of maintaining an open mind and being prepared to revise an initial diagnosis in the face of medical uncertainty.
Severe ulcerative oesophagitis caused by primary Epstein-Barr virus infection in an immunocompetent individual
Authors: Lorentsen Ruben Due , Klarskov Louise Laurberg , Steenholdt Casper
Published: January 2021

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infects the vast majority of the human population. The primary infection in immunocompetent individuals is typically asymptomatic or presenting as infectious mononucleosis. Here, an 18-year-old man without medical history was admitted with mild non-specific symptoms of infection presenting primarily with severe dysphagia and epigastric pain. Gastroscopy revealed severe, extensive, ulcerative oesophagitis with suspicion of Crohn’s disease. However, a diagnosis of primary EBV infection presenting as severe ulcerative oesophagitis and without systemic symptoms of infectious mononucleosis was made based on dynamic changes in EBV serology (shift from IgM to IgG positivity), EBV-specific immunohistochemical staining, and PCR analysis of biopsy specimens. This rare manifestation of primary EBV in an immunocompetent patient was treated symptomatically and resolved within a few weeks, and should be considered a differential diagnosis at otherwise unexplained ulcerative oesophagitis in younger individuals.
Calcitonin gene related peptide in migraine: current therapeutics, future implications and potential off-target effects
Authors: Ray Jason Charles , Kapoor Mahima , Stark Richard J , Wang Shuu-Jiun , Bendtsen Lars , Matharu Manjit , Hutton Elspeth Jane
Published: January 2021

Migraine is the second largest cause of years lost to disability globally among all diseases, with a worldwide prevalence over 1 billion. Despite the global burden of migraine, few classes of therapeutics have been specifically developed to combat migraine. After 30 years of translational research, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inhibitors have emerged as a promising new tool in the prevention of migraine. Like all new therapeutics; however, we have limited real-world experience and CGRP has several known systemic actions that warrant consideration. This article provides a narrative review of the evidence for CGRP antagonists and summarises the known and potential side effects that should be considered.
Implementing a unique immersive near-peer-led clinical skills educational bootcamp for early-year clinical medical students
Authors: Khan Umair , Bakhiet Abdelwakeel
Published: January 2021

We establish the development of a unique immersive clinical skills bootcamp for third-year medical students, with formal teaching under five key themes: procedural skills day, examinations, imaging, data interpretation and prescribing. Lastly a simulation event was developed to allow the participants to bring the different themes together, in order to successfully manage an acutely unwell patient for their stage of learning using the newly learnt skills. A 4-week bootcamp was developed and delivered to students. A curriculum was developed based on student's precourse answers to specific questions. Pre and post bootcamp questionnaires were used to assess participants confidence and knowledge using a 5-point Likert scale. A combination of objective structured examination, didactic lectures and group-based discussions were utilised. Tutors' teaching performance was also analysed. A focus group was held post bootcamp. Bootcamp was delivered to 15 students. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Students were more confident in all of the five key domains post bootcamp. All students feel more equipped to take opportunities that arise on medical wards as a result of the skills learnt. Participants were receptive to the combination of teaching methods used. All students would recommend this course to their peers. Early-year clinical students successfully received an immersive goal-directed course with formal teaching. The near-peer teaching model improved participants educational experience. We were able to successfully demonstrate that near-peer teaching is effective when it is goal directed, and further when it addresses areas of medical education whereby there is a disparity in the formal teaching available.
A hybrid GMDH neural network and logistic regression framework for state parameter–based liquefaction evaluation
Authors: Duan Wei , Congress Surya Sarat Chandra , Cai Guojun , Liu Songyu , Dong Xiaoqiang , Chen Ruifeng , Liu Xuening
Published: January 2021

The cyclic stress or liquefaction behavior of granular materials is strongly affected by the relative density and confining pressure of the soil. In this study, the state parameter accounting for both relative density and effective stress was used to evaluate soil liquefaction potential. Based on case histories along with the cone penetration test (CPT) database, models for calculating the state parameter using a group method of data handling (GMDH) neural network were developed and recommended according to their performance. The state parameter was then used to develop a state parameter–based probabilistic liquefaction evaluation method using a logistic regression model. From a conservative point of view, the boundary curve of 20% probability of liquefaction was suggested as a deterministic criterion for state parameter–based liquefaction evaluation. Subsequently, a mapping function relating the calculated factor of safety (FS) to the probability of liquefaction (PL) was proposed based on the compiled CPT database. Based on the developed PL–FS function, a new risk criterion associated with the state parameter–based design chart was proposed. Finally, a flowchart of state-based probabilistic liquefaction evaluation and quality control for ground-improvement projects was presented for the benefit of practitioners.
Stable small spatial hairs in a power-law k-inflation model
Authors: Do Tuan Q.
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we extend our investigation of the validity of the cosmic no-hair conjecture within non-canonical anisotropic inflation. As a result, we are able to figure out an exact Bianchi type I solution to a power-law k-inflation model in the presence of unusual coupling between scalar and electromagnetic fields as $$-f^2(\phi )F_{\mu \nu }F^{\mu \nu }/4$$

-

f
2

(
ϕ
)

F

μ
ν

F

μ
ν

/
4

. Furthermore, stability analysis based on the dynamical system method indicates that the obtained solution does admit stable and attractive hairs during an inflationary phase and therefore violates the cosmic no-hair conjecture. Finally, we show that the corresponding tensor-to-scalar ratio of this model turns out to be highly consistent with the observational data of the Planck 2018.
Charge-carrier collective motion in germanium detectors for $$\beta \beta $$-decay searches
Authors: Comellato Tommaso , Agostini Matteo , Schönert Stefan
Published: January 2021

The time analysis of the signal induced by the drift of charge carriers in high purity germanium detectors provides information on the event topology. Millions of charge carriers are produced in a typical event. Their initial distribution, stochastic diffusion and Coulomb self-repulsion affect the time structure of the signal. We present a comprehensive study of these effects and evaluate their impact on the event discrimination capabilities for the three geometries which will be used in the Legend experiment for neutrinoless double-beta decay.
Renormalization in Minkowski space–time
Authors: Steib Imola , Nagy Sándor , Polonyi János
Published: January 2021

The multiplicative and the functional renormalization group methods are applied for the four-dimensional scalar theory in Minkowski space–time. It is argued that the appropriate choice of the subtraction point is more important in Minkowski than in Euclidean space–time. The parameters of the cutoff theory, defined by a subtraction point in the quasi-particle domain, are complex due to the mass-shell contributions and the renormalization group flow becomes much more involved than its Euclidean counterpart.
Suppression of electroweak instanton processes in high-energy collisions
Authors: Khoze Valentin V. , Milne Daniel L.
Published: January 2021

Electroweak instantons are a prediction of the Standard Model and have been studied in great detail in the past although they have not been observed. Earlier calculations of the instanton production cross-section at colliders revealed that it was exponentially suppressed at low energies, but may grow large at energies (much) above the sphaleron mass. Such calculations faced difficulty in the breakdown of the instanton perturbation theory in the high-energy regime. In this paper, we review the calculation for the electroweak instanton cross-section using the optical theorem, including quantum effects arising from interactions in the initial state and show that this leads to an exponential suppression of the cross-section at all energies, rendering the process unobservable.
Polanyi's revenge and AI's new romance with tacit knowledge
Authors: Kambhampati Subbarao
Published: January 2021

Artificial intelligence systems need the wisdom to know when to take advice from us and when to learn from data.
The 28th ACM SIGSPATIAL International Conference on Advances in Geographic Information Systems (ACM SIGSPATIAL 2020)
Authors: Lu Chang-Tien , Wang Fusheng , Trajcevski Goce , Huang Yan , Newsam Shawn , Xiong Li
Published: January 2021

This report describes the development and finalization of the 28th ACM SIGSPATIAL International Conference on Advances in Geographic Information Systems (ACM SIGSPATIAL 2020), held virtually online, November 3-6, 2020. The attendance for the 2020 conference was 999, the highest in the history of ACM SIGSPATIAL.
The 6th ACM SIGSPATIAL International Workshop Emergency Management Using GIS 2020
Authors: Huan Yan , Thill Jean-Claude , Zhang Hui , Chen Bin , Xu Wei
Published: January 2021

Safety refers to the stable external environment and orders wherein society and citizens need to engage in and conduct normal life, work, study, entertainment, and communication. Resilience in public safety refers to the ability to withstand the shocks and pressures of emergencies. Emergency management is the creation of plans through which communities decrease the impact of disasters and prevent from unexpected events. GIS models and simulation capabilities are used to exercise response and recovery plans during non-disaster times. They help the decision-makers understand near real-time possibilities during an event. For example, while global communities are trying to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, GIS tools are widely used by health departments, safety and emergency management authorities and wider professionals around the world for gathering and analyzing data to support informed decisions.
A Promising PMMA/m-MgO All-Solid-State Electrolyte for Lithium-Oxygen Batteries
Authors: Wang Songzhao , Hu Jiwen , Gui Xuefeng , Lin Shudong , Tu Yuanyuan
Published: January 2021

Lithium-oxygen batteries are in desperate need of stable solid-state electrolyte to replace liquid electrolyte containing potential safety hazard which can resisting the corrosion of O2−, inhibit the formation of lithium dendrite, and prevent the chemical reaction between the lithium and the oxygen diffusing from the air positive electrode to the negative electrode. However, unfortunately, the poor ionic conductivity of the solid-state electrolyte inhibits its further application. Here, we report a stable all-solid-state composite electrolyte consisting of organic PMMA and inorganic modified MgO (m-MgO) for lithium-oxygen batteries. Owing to the introduction of stable oxygen-containing functional groups, the optimization relying on the shortened path of original ion conduction has thus improved the conduction rate. The tests on the all-solid-state electrolyte demonstrate that it possesses good ionic conductivity and a wide electrochemical window. The tests of Lithium-oxygen battery based on PMMA/m-MgO electrolyte revealed that the cycle performance is significantly improved, the polarization phenomenon is effectively controlled, and the rate performance is also enhanced.
Effect of Sr Addition to a Modified AA3003 on Microstructural and Corrosion Properties
Authors: Verkens Donovan , Revilla Reynier I. , Huizenga Richard , Marcoen Kristof , Günyüz Mert , Işıksaçan Cemil , Terryn Herman , De Graeve Iris
Published: January 2021

Sr is known to transform the morphology of the eutectic silicon phase as well as the Fe-rich β phase in Al-Si alloys, improving their mechanical properties. However, little is known about the effect Sr has on the (local) corrosion properties of aluminium alloys. This study investigates the effect of Sr addition to a modified AA3003 heat exchanger material on the morphology of the different phases present, especially the Fe-rich phases, as well as on the (local) corrosion properties of this material. This work reports the formation of a Sr-rich phase, which slightly increases the macrohardness of the material. The Fe-rich phases are not shown to be refined/influenced by the addition of Sr Potentiodynamic polarization experiments showed an increase in pitting potential by increasing the amount of Sr in the material up to 0.4 wt.%. Nevertheless, the analysis of the corrosion morphology revealed that the Sr-containing particles did not contribute to the corrosion process despite their cathodic behaviour compared to the Al matrix as measured by Scanning Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy. This behaviour was attributed to the thicker oxide layer found on the Sr-rich particles.
Review—Development History of High Efficiency Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cell: From Discovery to Practical Use
Authors: Taguchi Mikio
Published: January 2021

Silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells are attracting attention as high-efficiency Si solar cells. The features of SHJ solar cells are: (1) high efficiency, (2) good temperature characteristics, that is, a small output decrease even in the temperature environment actually used, (3) easy application to double-sided power generation (bifacial module) using symmetric structure. We have developed and actively evolved this SHJ solar cells from early 1990s, and introduced the module equipped with SHJ solar cells named as well-known “HIT®” in 1997. Since then, we have produced more than 500 MW of HIT® per year for over 20 years. Although several companies have entered the market along the way, we are the only company with this scale of production. In this paper, we will discuss the history of the development, the unique feature of this solar cell, the technology development required to fabricate the module using these solar cells, and the efforts made to ensure reliability. By sharing our knowledge and reliability technology we have developed, we hope to accelerate the spread of SHJ solar cells, which are expected to become the next mainstream solar cells.
Review—Photoluminescence Properties of Cr3+-Activated Fluoride Phosphors
Authors: Adachi Sadao
Published: January 2021

The Cr3+-activated phosphor properties are discussed in detail from an aspect of spectroscopic point of view. The host materials considered here are a various kind of fluoride compounds. The photoluminescence (PL) and PL excitation spectra of such Cr3+-activated fluoride phosphors are analyzed based on Franck−Condon analysis within the configurational-coordinate model. A method is proposed for obtaining reliable crystal-field (Dq) and Racah parameters (B and C) based on a general ligand field theory with paying an attention to difficulty in the exact estimation of such important ligand field parameters. The intra-d-shell Cr3+ states, such as 2
Eg
(2
G),

T

2
g

4

(4
F), and

T

1
g

4

(4
F), in various fluoride hosts are determined and plotted against Dq in the Tanabe−Sugano energy-level diagram. A comparative discussion of Cr3+ and Mn4+ as efficient activator ions for near-IR and red-emitting phosphors is given. Key properties of the Cr3+-activated fluoride phosphors are also presented for use of such near-IR or red-emitting fluoride phosphors in future light-emitting and related device applications.
Review—Aggregation-Induced Emission in Carbon Dots for Potential Applications
Authors: Arshad Farwa , Pal Ayan , Sk Md Palashuddin
Published: January 2021

Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) has unlocked a completely new research area corresponding to application potentials of luminescent materials. Notably, carbon dots (Cdots) are emerging as well-recognized alternative to organic dyes because of their fascinating fluorescence properties. They exhibit improved emission when aggregated due to the changes in solvent polarity, higher concentration, externally added chemical species. Herein, a review on the AIE property is demonstrated with a substantial emphasis on Cdot optical property. Mechanistic overview along with application potentials of the same in sensing, optoelectronic devices, fingerprints recognition and solar concentrators are highlighted. Finally, a summary corresponding to recent developments and future prospects have been discussed.
Generation and characterization of a novel rat model of primary hyperoxaluria type 1 with a nonsense mutation in alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase gene
Authors: Li Yueyan , Zheng Rui , Xu Guofeng , Huang Yunteng , Li Yongmei , Li Dali , Geng Hongquan
Published: January 2021

Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 is a severe inherited disorder that results in recurrent urolithiasis and renal failure. We generated an alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase ( Agxt) Q84X nonsense mutant rat model that displayed an early onset of hyperoxaluria, spontaneous renal CaOx precipitation, bladder stone, and kidney injuries. Our results suggest an interaction of renal CaOx crystals with the activation of inflammation-, fibrosis-, and necroptosis-related pathways. In all, the AgxtQ84X rat strain has broad applicability in mechanistic studies and the development of innovative therapeutics.
The right ventricular transcriptome signature in Ossabaw swine with cardiometabolic heart failure: implications for the coronary vasculature
Authors: Kelly Shannon C. , Rau Christoph D. , Ouyang An , Thorne Pamela K. , Olver T. Dylan , Edwards Jenna C. , Domeier Timothy L. , Padilla Jaume , Grisanti Laurel A. , Fleenor Bradley S. , Wang Yibin , Rector R. Scott , Emter Craig A.
Published: January 2021

Heart failure (HF) patients with deteriorating right ventricular (RV) structure and function have a nearly twofold increased risk of death compared with those without. Despite the well-established clinical risk, few studies have examined the molecular signature associated with this HF condition. The purpose of this study was to integrate morphological, molecular, and functional data with the transcriptome data set in the RV of a preclinical model of cardiometabolic HF. Ossabaw swine were fed either normal diet without surgery (lean control, n = 5) or Western diet and aortic-banding (WD-AB; n = 4). Postmortem RV weight was increased and positively correlated with lung weight in the WD-AB group compared with CON. Total RNA-seq was performed and gene expression profiles were compared and analyzed using principal component analysis, weighted gene co-expression network analysis, module enrichment analysis, and ingenuity pathway analysis. Gene networks specifically associated with RV hypertrophic remodeling identified a hub gene in MAPK8 (or JNK1) that was associated with the selective induction of the extracellular matrix (ECM) component fibronectin. JNK1 and fibronectin protein were increased in the right coronary artery (RCA) of WD-AB animals and associated with a decrease in matrix metalloproteinase 14 protein, which specifically degrades fibronectin. RCA fibronectin content was correlated with increased vascular stiffness evident as a decreased elastin elastic modulus in WD-AB animals. In conclusion, this study establishes a molecular and transcriptome signature in the RV using Ossabaw swine with cardiometabolic HF. This signature was associated with altered ECM regulation and increased vascular stiffness in the RCA, with selective dysregulation of fibronectin.
Conventional Processing Affects Nutritional and Antinutritional Components and In Vitro Protein Digestibility in Kabau (Archidendron bubalinum)
Authors: Fitriani Aprilia , Santoso Umar , Supriyadi Supriyadi
Published: January 2021

Kabau, an unexplored crop, was analyzed to determine its nutrition and antinutrition components and in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD). Some conventional processes, such as steaming, frying, and boiling, were carried out to study their effect. The results indicated that all of the techniques reduced carbohydrate content. Frying significantly increased the fat content of Kabau and reduced other nutritional components. In general, all the methods significantly reduced phytic acid, tannin, and trypsin inhibitors, as much as 94.95–96.26%, 20–35%, and 89.22–92.88%, respectively. The reduction of antinutritional components resulted in higher IVPD on boiled and steamed Kabau, 69.47% and 61.48%, respectively.