bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Potential donor characteristics and decisions made by organ procurement organization staff: Results of a discrete choice experiment
Authors: Predmore Zachary , Doby Brianna , Durand Christine M. , Segev Dorry L. , Sugarman Jeremy , Tobian Aaron A.R. , Wu Albert W.
Published: August 2021

Organ procurement organizations (OPOs) evaluate referrals for deceased organ donation in the United States. Efforts to expand the donor pool, such as the HIV organ policy equity (HOPE) Act that permits transplants from HIV‐positive donors to HIV‐positive recipients, can only succeed if OPOs pursue referrals. However, relatively little is known about how OPO staff evaluate referrals. To better understand this process, OPO staff completed a discrete choice experiment to quantify the relative importance of seven donor characteristics on the decision to pursue a theoretical donor. Relative importance was defined by Partworth utility using a hierarchical Bayesian conditional logit model. There were 51 respondents from 36 of 58 OPOs in the United States. Of the seven attributes, organ and tissue potential were the most influential, followed by age, type of death, HIV status, donor registration, and Hepatitis C status. To be preferred to an HIV‐negative donor, an HIV‐positive donor needed to have the potential to donate two additional organs. These data provide insight into the preferences of OPO referral staff and may help explain the lower than expected number of HIV‐positive transplants performed since the passage of the HOPE Act.
Statistical Analysis of Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) Caused by Solar Radiation During Wet and Dry
Authors: Mohd Shafie Marhamah , Mohd Shafie Marhamah , Umar Roslan , Sabri Nor Hazmin , Sabri Nor Hazmin
Published: August 2021

This paper describes a effect of solar radiation and radio signal within ultra-high frequency (UHF), which statistically deduced using Spearman correlation method. The observation was done in several location including Balai Cerap KUSZA (BCK) during dry and wet season. Solar radiation one of meteoparameters that measured simultaneously using a weather station. This data was analysed and compared to power level (radio signal) in dBm during wet and dry seasons. Findings show that telecommunication services occupy the UHF band. Hence, it can be concluded that, there are still some frequencies available for radio astronomical sources including that below 400 MHz. This allocation is suitable for solar observation, Jupiter observation, continuum observation, solar wind observation, as well as pulsar and deuterium observation and VLBI application. Statistical analysis indicate that solar radiation was significantly prominent during peaks of 382.5 MHz, 1800.0 MHz and 2160.0 MHz. It is largely related with a correlation of 0.6252, 0.6769, 0.5965 during the wet season and only small and moderate correlation at all peaks during the dry season. This important information could be a significant contribution for radio astronomers when trying to identify the best allocation for observing radio astronomical sources in the future.
A Study of Magnetic Induction Tomography (MIT) for Calcium Oxalate Renal Screening
Authors: Paulus Thompson , Zulkiflli Nur Amira , Abdullah Fatin Aliah Phang , Yahya Azli , Abdul Muji Siti Zarina , Pusppanathan Jaysuman
Published: August 2021

Nephrolithiasis is a process of stone formation in the kidney by crystallization. The increasing prevalence of nephrolithiasis from time to time had sought an alternative from the conventional imaging techniques that is invasive, radiative, and non-rapid usage. This paper enclosed a design simulation study of Magnetic Induction Tomography (MIT) system using COMSOL Multiphysics for renal imaging. MIT is a soft field tomography and non-contact imaging modality which can project the passive electromagnetic properties (conductivity, permittivity and permeability) under the principle of electromagnetic induction. In this research also, 8 copper trans-receiver coils were employed in the MIT system and fixed by the insulation belt. Meanwhile, geometric set-up of renal organ was set to imitate the transverse section of human renal. In the methodology, sensor performance analyses were done using frequency ranging from 50 kHz to 2 MHz of the MIT system on radii of calcium oxalate in renal. The sensor response and pattern is discussed in this paper.
Stock Market Reactions to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership’s Approval: Evidence from Vietnam
Authors: Ha Son Tung , Pham Thi Hong Hanh , Nguyen Thi Nguyet Anh
Published: August 2021

We examine the stock market performance of Vietnam’s listed firms in response to the country’s approval of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Employing an event study methodology, we first calculate the abnormal returns of all listed Vietnamese firms around the CPTPP’s approval date. Then, we attempt to link these abnormal returns to firms’ characteristics. We find evidence that the announcement of the CPTPP’s approval is associated with positive abnormal returns for Vietnam’s listed firms. We also find considerable heterogeneity in the magnitude and pace of the impacts of the CPTPP’s approval on market returns across Vietnam’s two stock exchanges. However, we fail to reject the null hypothesis that the market did not react to the CPTPP’s approval at the sectoral level.
Intra-Ramanome Correlation Analysis Unveils Metabolite Conversion Network from an Isogenic Population of Cells
Authors: He Yuehui , Huang Shi , Zhang Peng , Ji Yuetong , Xu Jian
Published: August 2021

Each isogenic population of cells is characterized by many phenotypes, which change with time and condition. Correlations among such phenotypes are fundamental to system function, yet revelation of such links typically requires multiple samples.
Supplemental Material: Identification of ca. 520 Ma mid-ocean-ridge–type ophiolite suite in the inner Cathaysia block, South China: Evidence from shearing-type oceanic plagiogranite
Authors: Li Longming
Published: August 2021

Table S1: Zircon SIMS U-Pb data and d18O values for the meta-felsic rocks from Shitun area, Cathaysia block, South China; Table S2: LA-ICP-MS analysis of trace elements in zircon from the meta-felsic rocks, Shitun area, Cathaysia block, South China; Table S3: Zircon Hf isotope compositions of the meta-felsic rocks from Shitun area, Cathaysia block, South China; Table S4: Major- and trace-element compositions of the serpentinites, meta-ultramafic rocks, and meta-felsic rocks from Shitun area, Cathaysia block, South China; Table S5: Whole-rock Re-Os isotope compositions of the serpentinites from Shitun area, Cathaysia block, South China; and Table S6: Sr-Nd isotope compositions of the meta-ultramafic and meta-felsic rocks from Shitun area, Cathaysia block, South China.
Supplemental Material: The Mesozoic magmatic, metamorphic, and tectonic evolution of the eastern Gangdese magmatic arc, southern Tibet
Authors: Zhang Zeming
Published: August 2021

Table S1: Major features of the reported Jurassic magmatic rocks of the eastern Gangdese arc; Table S2: Zircon U-Pb dating and trace element (in ppm) data of the studied Jurassic magmatic rocks of the eastern Gangdese arc; Table S3: Zircon Hf isotopic data of the studied Jurassic magmatic rocks of the eastern Gangdese arc; Table S4: Whole-rock chemical compositions of the studied Jurassic magmatic rocks of the eastern Gangdese arc; Table S5: Whole-rock chemical compositions of the Mesozoic magmatic rocks of the eastern Gangdese arc; Table S6: Whole-rock SiO2 and Cu concentrations of the Late Cretaceous magmatic rocks of the eastern Gangdese arc.
Inversion of Nitrogen Redistribution in Austenitic Steel by Severe Plastic Deformation
Authors: Shabashov V. A. , Lyashkov K. A. , Kataeva N. V. , Korshunov L. G. , Sagaradze V. V. , Zamatovskii A. E.
Published: August 2021

Using the Mössbauer spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) methods, the temperature boundary of a strain-induced transformation with the inversion of the direction of nitrogen redistribution is determined in the structure of the FeMn22Cr18N0.83 austenitic steel. Deformation by high pressure torsion in Bridgman anvils below the temperature limit (298 K) leads to an increase in the amount of nitrogen in the interstitial solid solution and deformation above the limit (373 K) leads to a decrease in this value. An increase in the deformation temperature leads to the complete dissolution of the products of cellular decomposition and the formation of submicrocrystalline austenite with secondary nanocrystalline nitrides. Changes in the direction of nitrogen redistribution are explained by the competition between the mechanisms of relaxation of the structure along the paths of dispersion, dissolution of nitrides by dislocation, and decomposition of a solid solution supersaturated with nitrogen.
Similarity solutions for early-time constant boundary flux imbibition in foams and soils
Authors: Boakye-Ansah Yaw Akyampon , Grassia Paul
Published: August 2021

The foam drainage equation and Richards equation are transport equations for foams and soils, respectively. Each reduces to a nonlinear diffusion equation in the early stage of infiltration during which time, flow is predominantly capillary driven, hence is effectively capillary imbibition. Indeed such equations arise quite generally during imbibition processes in porous media. New early-time solutions based on the van Genuchten relative diffusivity function for soils are found and compared with the same for drainage in foams. The moisture profiles which develop when delivering a known flux into these various porous materials are sought. Solutions are found using the principle of self-similarity. Singular profiles that terminate abruptly are obtained for soils, a contrast with solutions obtained for node-dominated foam drainage which are known from the literature (the governing equation being now linear is analogous to the linear equation for heat transfer). As time evolves, the moisture that develops at the top boundary when a known flux is delivered is greater in soils than in foams and is greater still in loamy soils than in sandstones. Similarities and differences between the various solutions for nonlinear and linear diffusion are highlighted.

Graphic abstract
Scalar Casimir effect for a conducting cylinder in a Lorentz-violating background
Authors: Escobar-Ruiz A. M. , Martín-Ruiz A. , Escobar C. A. , Linares Román
Published: August 2021

Following a field-theoretical approach, we study the scalar Casimir effect upon a perfectly conducting cylindrical shell in the presence of spontaneous Lorentz symmetry breaking. The scalar field is modeled by a Lorentz-breaking extension of the theory for a real scalar quantum field in the bulk regions. The corresponding Green’s functions satisfying Dirichlet boundary conditions on the cylindrical shell are derived explicitly. We express the Casimir pressure (i.e. the vacuum expectation value of the normal–normal component of the stress–energy tensor) as a suitable second-order differential operator acting on the corresponding Green’s functions at coincident arguments. The divergences are regulated by making use of zeta function techniques, and our results are successfully compared with the Lorentz invariant case. Numerical calculations are carried out for the Casimir pressure as a function of the Lorentz-violating coefficient, and an approximate analytical expression for the force is presented as well. It turns out that the Casimir pressure strongly depends on the Lorentz-violating coefficient and it tends to diminish the force.
Reliability as Key Software Quality Metric: A Multi-Criterion Intuitionistic Fuzzy-Topsis-Based Analysis
Authors: Gupta Priyanka , Anand Adarsh , Ram Mangey
Published: August 2021

Software Quality has many parameters that govern its value. Of them, usually, Reliability has gained much attention of researchers and practitioners. However, today’s ever-demanding environment poses severe challenges in front of software creators as to continue treating Reliability as one of the most important attributes for governing software quality when other important parameters like re-usability, security and resilience to name a few are also available. Evaluating, ranking and selecting the most approximate attribute to govern the software quality is a complex concern, which technically requires a multi-criteria decision-making environment. Through this paper, we have proposed an Intuitionistic Fuzzy Set-based TOPSIS approach to showcase why reliability is one of the most preferable parameters for governing software quality. In order to collate individual opinions of decision makers; software developers of various firms were administered for rating the importance of various criteria and alternatives.
Non-Communicable Diseases and Social Media: A Heart Disease Symptoms Application
Authors: Kumarasamy Ashwin Kumar Thandapani , Asamoah Daniel Adomako , Sharda Ramesh
Published: August 2021

Social media platforms have become ubiquitous and allow users to share information in real-time. Our study uses data analytics as an approach to explore non-communicable diseases on social media platforms and to identify trends and patterns of related disease symptoms. Exploring epidemiological patterns of non-communicable diseases is vital given that they have become prevalent in low-income communities, accounting for about 38 million deaths worldwide. We collected data related to multiple disease conditions from the Twitter microblogging platform and zoomed into symptoms related to heart diseases. As part of our analyses, we focussed on the mechanism and trends of disease occurrences. Our results show that specific symptoms may be attributed to multiple disease conditions and it is viable to identify trends and patterns of their occurrences using a structured analytics approach. This can then act as a supplementary tool to support epidemiological initiatives that monitor non-communicable diseases. Based on the study’s results, we identify that non-communicable disease surveillance approach using social media analytics could support the design of effective health intervention strategies.
Sourav Bhowmick Speaks Out on Drawing Your Queries, Ethics, and Drawing for Ethics
Authors: Winslett Marianne , Braganholo Vanessa
Published: August 2021

Welcome to ACM SIGMOD Record's series of interviews with distinguished members of the database community. I'm Marianne Winslett, and today I have here with me Sourav Bhowmick, who is a professor at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, better known as NTU. Sourav is an ACM Distinguished Member. He received the VLDB Service Award, and a Lecturer of the Year Award from NTU. Sourav is also a member of the Initiative on Diversity and Inclusion in Database Conference Venues. His PhD is from NTU. So, Sourav, welcome!
Dynamics of Ecological Communities Following Current Retreat of Glaciers
Authors: Ficetola Gentile Francesco , Marta Silvio , Guerrieri Alessia , Gobbi Mauro , Ambrosini Roberto , Fontaneto Diego , Zerboni Andrea , Poulenard Jerome , Caccianiga Marco , Thuiller Wilfried
Published: August 2021

Glaciers are retreating globally, and the resulting ice-free areas provide an experimental system for understanding species colonization patterns, community formation, and dynamics. The last several years have seen crucial advances in our understanding of biotic colonization after glacier retreats, resulting from the integration of methodological innovations and ecological theories. Recent empirical studies have demonstrated how multiple factors can speed up or slow down the velocity of colonization and have helped scientists develop theoretical models that describe spatiotemporalchanges in community structure. There is a growing awareness of how different processes (e.g., time since glacier retreat, onset or interruption of surface processes, abiotic factors, dispersal, biotic interactions) interact to shape community formation and, ultimately, their functional structure through succession. Here, we examine how these studies address key theoretical questions about community dynamics and show how classical approaches are increasingly being combined with environmental DNA metabarcoding and functional trait analysis to document the formation of multitrophic communities, revolutionizing our understanding of the biotic processes that occur following glacier retreat.
Image Features of Magnetic Resonance Imaging under the Deep Learning Algorithm in the Diagnosis and Nursing of Malignant Tumors
Authors: Sun Lifang , Hu Xi , Liu Yutao , Cai Hengyu
Published: August 2021

In order to explore the effect of convolutional neural network (CNN) algorithm based on deep learning on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images of brain tumor patients and evaluate the practical value of MRI image features based on deep learning algorithm in the clinical diagnosis and nursing of malignant tumors, in this study, a brain tumor MRI image model based on the CNN algorithm was constructed, and 80 patients with brain tumors were selected as the research objects. They were divided into an experimental group (CNN algorithm) and a control group (traditional algorithm). The patients were nursed in the whole process. The macroscopic characteristics and imaging index of the MRI image and anxiety of patients in two groups were compared and analyzed. In addition, the image quality after nursing was checked. The results of the study revealed that the MRI characteristics of brain tumors based on CNN algorithm were clearer and more accurate in the fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), MRI T1, T1c, and T2; in terms of accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity, the mean value was 0.83, 0.84, and 0.83, which had obvious advantages compared with the traditional algorithm (

P
<
0.05

). The patients in the nursing group showed lower depression scores and better MRI images in contrast to the control group (

P
<
0.05

). Therefore, the deep learning algorithm can further accurately analyze the MRI image characteristics of brain tumor patients on the basis of conventional algorithms, showing high sensitivity and specificity, which improved the application value of MRI image characteristics in the diagnosis of malignant tumors. In addition, effective nursing for patients undergoing analysis and diagnosis on brain tumor MRI image characteristics can alleviate the patient’s anxiety and ensure that high-quality MRI images were obtained after the examination.
Pedestrian Heading Estimation Methods Based on Multiple Phone Carrying Modes
Authors: Guo Ying , Liu Hanshuo , Ye Jin , Wang Shengli , Duan Chenxi
Published: August 2021

The development of smartphone Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) inertial sensors has provided opportunities to improve indoor navigation and positioning for location-based services. One area of indoor navigation research uses pedestrian dead reckoning (PDR) technology, in which the mobile phone must typically be held to the pedestrian’s chest. In this paper, we consider navigation in three other mobile phone carrying modes: “calling,” “pocket,” and “swinging.” For the calling mode, in which the pedestrian holds the phone to their face, the rotation matrix method is used to convert the phone’s gyroscope data from the calling state to the holding state, allowing calculation of the stable pedestrian forward direction. For a phone carried in a pedestrian’s trouser pocket, a heading complementary equation is established based on principal component analysis and rotation approach methods. In this case, the pedestrian heading is calculated by determining a subset of data that avoid 180° directional ambiguity and improve the heading accuracy. For the swinging mode, a heading capture method is used to obtain the heading of the lowest point of the pedestrian’s arm swing as they hold the phone. The direction of travel is then determined by successively adding the heading offsets each time the arm droops. Experimental analysis shows that 95% of the heading errors of the above three methods are less than 5.81°, 10.73°, and 9.22°, respectively. These results present better heading accuracy and reliability.
Randomization-Based Dynamic Programming Offloading Algorithm for Mobile Fog Computing
Authors: Bai Wenle , Yang Zhongjun , Zhang Jianhong , Kumar Rajiv
Published: August 2021

Offloading to fog servers makes it possible to process heavy computational load tasks in local devices. However, since the generation problem of offloading decisions is an N-P problem, it cannot be solved optimally or traditionally, especially in multitask offloading scenarios. Hence, this paper has proposed a randomization-based dynamic programming offloading algorithm, based on genetic optimization theory, to solve the offloading decision generation problem in mobile fog computing. The algorithm innovatively designs a dynamic programming table-filling approach, i.e., iteratively generates a set of randomized offloading decisions. If some in these sets improve the decisions in the DP table, then they will be merged into the table. The iterated DP table is also used to improve the set of decisions generated in the iteration to obtain the optimal offloading approximate solution. Extensive simulations show that the proposed DPOA can generate decisions within 3 ms and the benefit is especially significant when users are in multitask offloading scenarios.
The Behavior of Patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Dental Clinics
Authors: Elkamash Hala M. , Abuohashish Hatem M.
Published: August 2021

Objectives. This review documents published obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) cases with dental and oral conditions with potential impact on the dental procedure. The research question was, what are the psychiatric and behavioral features of people with OCD that might affect dental sessions? Methods. This review followed the PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO registration No. CRD42020212371). Six databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS, Cochrane Library, and PsycINFO) were screened for published clinical studies that report dental patients with obsessions or compulsions behaviors as identified by National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Inclusion of the studies was performed according to the eligibility criteria. The quality evaluation was carried out using the Joanna Briggs Institute’s (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist. The results were qualitatively assessed for synthesis. Results. After elimination of duplication, 530 articles were screened, and 35 articles were evaluated for eligibility. 17 studies met the inclusion criteria (8 case reports, 5 cross-sectional studies, 1 longitudinal cohort study, and 3 case-control studies) and were included in the review. All case reports demonstrated symptoms of obsessions or compulsions such as fear of germs and contamination, aggressive thoughts, having things symmetric in perfect order, excessive cleaning or handwashing, repeatedly checking things, and compulsive counting. OCD-related behavior was assessed in the included clinical investigations using standardized protocols such as Florida Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory, Symptom Checklist-90-Revised, 4-item Corah Dental Anxiety Scale, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, and the Crown Crisp Experimental Index. Quality assessment of the 17 included articles revealed 14 articles with low risk of bias and 3 articles with moderate risk of bias. Conclusion. The reported OCD symptoms may implement psychological difficulties during dental procedures without affecting the outcome. Although there was no contraindication for planning or performing dental treatments for a patient with OCD, dental-related procedures and protocols might be modified for successful dental appointments.
An Enhanced Visual Attention Siamese Network That Updates Template Features Online
Authors: Zhu Wenqiu , Zou Guang , Liu Qiang , Zeng Zhigao
Published: August 2021

Recently, Siamese trackers have attracted extensive attention because of their simplicity and low computational cost. However, for most Siamese trackers, only a frame of the video sequence is used as the template, and the template is not updated in inference process, which makes the tracking success rate inferior to the trackers that can update the template online. In the current study, we introduce an enhanced visual attention Siamese network (ESA-Siam). The method is based on a deep convolutional neural network, which integrates channel attention and spatial self-attention to improve the discriminative ability of the tracker for positive and negative samples. Channel attention reflects different targets according to the response value of different channels to achieve better target representation. Spatial self-attention captures the correlation between two arbitrary positions to help locate the target. At the same time, a template search attention module is designed to implicitly update the template features online, which can effectively improve the success rate of the tracker when the target is interfered by the background. The proposed ESA-Siam tracker shows superior performance compared with 18 existing state-of-the-art trackers on five benchmark datasets including OTB50, OTB100, VOT2016, VOT2018, and LaSOT.
Study on Seismic Coefficient Calculation Method of Slope Seismic Stability Analysis
Authors: Lifang Pai , Honggang Wu , Tao Yang , Feifei Zhong
Published: August 2021

In this paper, a pseudostatic seismic coefficient evaluation method for slope dynamic stability analysis was explored with Yushu Airport Road 3# landslide as a typical engineering case, and the shaking table test and numerical calculation were performed during the exploration. The loading waveform was selected as Yushu wave, and the acceleration time‐history of seismic waves was measured and analyzed, revealing the failure mode of slopes. Based on the rigid‐body limit equilibrium theory, the instantaneous additional seismic forces of each block and the time‐history landslide stability coefficient were calculated. According to the time‐history of the landslide, dynamic stability coefficients were calculated. Subsequently, we proposed a pseudostatic seismic coefficient evaluation method and discussed the seismic coefficient slope dynamic stability analysis. The results showed that as the vibration frequency rose, the average acceleration and the residual displacement of the slope decreased, but the slope grew more dynamically stable. With the proposed method, we calculated the period of slope seismic action to be 0.126 s and the average maximum acceleration to be 0.156 g, which was close to the designed ground motion acceleration of 0.15 g. Besides, we calculated the safety factor of landslides under earthquake to be 0.93∼0.97, which was close to that obtained from the building code method and in accordance with the present seismic deformation and failure mode of landslides. Moreover, the results obtained from the method of nuclear power plant specification were relatively small compared to other specification methods. The research is significant because it provides a new idea for the evaluation of seismic landslide stability in practical engineering.
EpiPanGI Dx: A Cell-free DNA Methylation Fingerprint for the Early Detection of Gastrointestinal Cancers
Authors: Kandimalla Raju , Xu Jianfeng , Link Alexander , Matsuyama Takatoshi , Yamamura Kensuke , Parker M. Iqbal , Uetake Hiroyuki , Balaguer Francesc , Borazanci Erkut , Tsai Susan , Evans Douglas , Meltzer Stephen J. , Baba Hideo , Brand Randall , Von Hoff Daniel , Li Wei , Goel Ajay
Published: August 2021

Purpose:

DNA methylation alterations have emerged as front-runners in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) biomarker development. However, much effort to date has focused on single cancers. In this context, gastrointestinal (GI) cancers constitute the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide; yet there is no blood-based assay for the early detection and population screening of GI cancers.

Experimental Design:

Herein, we performed a genome-wide DNA methylation analysis of multiple GI cancers to develop a pan-GI diagnostic assay. By analyzing DNA methylation data from 1,781 tumor and adjacent normal tissues, we first identified differentially methylated regions (DMR) between individual GI cancers and adjacent normal, as well as across GI cancers. We next prioritized a list of 67,832 tissue DMRs by incorporating all significant DMRs across various GI cancers to design a custom, targeted bisulfite sequencing platform. We subsequently validated these tissue-specific DMRs in 300 cfDNA specimens and applied machine learning algorithms to develop three distinct categories of DMR panels

Results:

We identified three distinct DMR panels: (i) cancer-specific biomarker panels with AUC values of 0.98 (colorectal cancer), 0.98 (hepatocellular carcinoma), 0.94 (esophageal squamous cell carcinoma), 0.90 (gastric cancer), 0.90 (esophageal adenocarcinoma), and 0.85 (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma); (ii) a pan-GI panel that detected all GI cancers with an AUC of 0.88; and (iii) a multi-cancer (tissue of origin) prediction panel, EpiPanGI Dx, with a prediction accuracy of 0.85–0.95 for most GI cancers.

Conclusions:

Using a novel biomarker discovery approach, we provide the first evidence for a cfDNA methylation assay that offers robust diagnostic accuracy for GI cancers.
Genome-wide Sequencing of Cell-free DNA Enables Detection of Copy-number Alterations in Patients with Cancer Where Tissue Biopsy is Not Feasible
Authors: Jensen Taylor J. , Goodman Aaron M. , Ellison Christopher K. , Holden Kimberly A. , Kato Shumei , Kim Lisa , Daniels Gregory A. , Fitzgerald Kerry , McCarthy Erin , Nakashe Prachi , Mazloom Amin R. , Almasri Eyad , McLennan Graham , Grosu Daniel S. , Eisenberg Marcia , Kurzrock Razelle
Published: August 2021

When tissue biopsy is not medically prudent or tissue is insufficient for molecular testing, alternative methods are needed. Because cell-free DNA (cfDNA) has been shown to provide a representative surrogate for tumor tissue, we sought to evaluate its utility in this clinical scenario. cfDNA was isolated from the plasma of patients and assayed with low-coverage (∼0.3×), genome-wide sequencing. Copy-number alterations (CNA) were identified and characterized using analytic methods originally developed for noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) and quantified using the genomic instability number (GIN), a metric that reflects the quantity and magnitude of CNAs across the genome. The technical variability of the GIN was first evaluated in an independent cohort comprising genome-wide sequencing results from 27,754 women who consented to have their samples used for research and whose NIPT results yielded no detected CNAs to establish a detection threshold. Subsequently, cfDNA sequencing data from 96 patients with known cancers but for whom a tissue biopsy could not be obtained are presented. An elevated GIN was detected in 35% of patients and detection rates varied by tumor origin. Collectively, CNAs covered 96.6% of all autosomes. Survival was significantly reduced in patients with an elevated GIN relative to those without. Overall, these data provide a proof of concept for the use of low-coverage, genome-wide sequencing of cfDNA from patients with cancer to obtain relevant molecular information in instances where tissue is difficult to access. These data may ultimately serve as an informative complement to other molecular tests.
Melanotan II User Experience: A Qualitative Study of Online Discussion Forums
Authors: Gilhooley Eimear , Daly Selene , McKenna Dermot
Published: August 2021

Background: Melanotan II (MT II) is a synthetic analogue of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone that, via interaction with the melanocortin 1 receptor, induces skin hyperpigmentation. The unregulated acquisition of MT II injections via the internet and other outlets has become popular over the last decades in order to exploit its properties for use as a tanning agent. Due to the covert nature of MT II use, it is difficult to assess the extent of its use among the general population and to characterise any associated side effects. Objectives: The aim of this study was to qualitatively examine MT II use, as portrayed on online forums, and to explore the motivations for its use and side effect profile. Methods: Data were extracted retrospectively from UK and Ireland online chatrooms and forums from January 2016 to October 2017. Inclusion criteria were active MT II chatrooms and forums considered to be within the public domain. An inductive thematic analysis identified themes within discussion threads. Results: A total of 623 discussion entries were extracted; 205 participants contributed to these entries. Emergent themes included motivation for MT II use, misinformation in the context of using an unregulated product, product preparation and administration, dosing regimens, sunbed use, side effects and concerning practices associated with MT II use. Conclusion: Motivations for MT II use included the pursuit of a tanned appearance, often in anticipation of sun holidays and fitness/body building competitions. Clinicians should be aware not only of the potential risks in relation to pigmented skin lesions, but also remain cognisant of the other medical hazards associated with the use of this substance, namely transmission of infectious diseases, use of potentially contaminated products, polypharmacy, and sunbed exposure.
Patient Activation for Self-Management in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis or Sarcoidosis
Authors: Bloem Ada E.M. , Mostard Rémy L.M. , Stoot Naomi , Custers Jan W.H. , Vooijs Martijn , Janssen Daisy J.A. , van ‘t Hul Alex J. , Spruit Martijn A.
Published: August 2021

Background: Self-management is considered important in the management of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) or sarcoidosis. However, data about the degree of activation for self-management is lacking. Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the degree of activation for self-management in patients with IPF or sarcoidosis using the Patient Activation Measure (PAM) and to evaluate the association between PAM scores, clinical characteristics, and health-related outcomes. Study Design and Methods: This cross-sectional prospective study assessed besides the PAM also demographics, lung function, dyspnea (modified Medical Research Council [mMRC]), fatigue (Checklist Individual Strength-Fatigue [CIS-Fatigue]), anxiety/depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS-A/HADS-D]), and generic health status (EuroQol five-dimensional-five-level [EQ-5D-5L]). Results: Mean PAM was 55.0 (9.1) points in patients with IPF (n = 59) and low levels of patient activation for self-management (PAM ≤55.1 points) were present in 56% of the patients. PAM Scores correlated significantly (p < 0.05) with mMRC (ρ = −0.476), HADS-A (ρ = −0.326), HADS-D (ρ = −0.459), and EQ-5D-5L (ρ = 0.393). In patients with sarcoidosis (n = 59), the mean PAM score was 55.7 (11.0) points, and 46% of the patients reported low PAM levels. Significant correlations were found with mMRC (ρ = -0.356), HADS-A (ρ = −0.394), HADS-D (ρ = −0.478), and EQ-5D-5L (ρ = 0.313). Conclusion: About half of the outpatients with IPF or sarcoidosis have a low degree of activation for self-management, and these patients generally report more dyspnea, anxiety, depression, and a lower health status. Whether patients with a low degree of activation can be successful in self-managing their disease remains to be determined.
Detection of NDM-1 and VIM Genes in Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolates from a Tertiary Health-Care Center in Kathmandu, Nepal
Authors: Thapa Sabita , Adhikari Nabaraj , Shah Anil Kumar , Lamichhane Ishworiya , Dhungel Binod , Shrestha Upendra Thapa , Adhikari Bipin , Banjara Megha Raj , Ghimire Prakash , Rijal Komal Raj
Published: August 2021

Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae is one of the leading causes of nosocomial infections. Carbapenems are used as the last resort for the treatment of multidrug resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections. In recent years, resistance to these lifesaving drugs has been increasingly reported due to the production of carbapenemase. The main objective of this study was to detect the carbapenem-resistant genes blaNDM-1 and blaVIM in K. pneumoniae isolated from different clinical specimens. Methods: A total of 585 clinical specimens (urine, pus, sputum, blood, catheter tips, and others) from human subjects attended at Annapurna Neurological Institute and Allied Sciences, Kathmandu were obtained in the period between July 2018 and January 2019. The specimens were isolated and identified for K. pneumoniae. All K. pneumoniae isolates were processed for antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) using the disk diffusion method. The isolates were further phenotypically confirmed for carbapenemase production by the modified Hodge test (MHT) using imipenem (10 μg) and meropenem (10 μg) discs. Thus, confirmed carbapenemase-producing isolates were further screened for the production of blaNDM-1 and blaVIM using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: Among the clinical isolates tested, culture positivity was 38.29% (224/585), and the prevalence of K. pneumoniae was 25.89% (58/224). On AST, K. pneumoniae exhibited resistance toward carbapenems including ertapenem, meropenem, and imipenem, while it showed the highest susceptibility rate against to tigecycline (93.1%; 54/58). Overall, AST detected 60.34% (35/58) carbapenem-resistant isolates, while the MHT phenotypically confirmed 51.72% (30/58) isolates as carbapenemase-producers and 48.28% (28/58) as carbapenemase nonproducers. On subsequent screening for resistant genes among carbapenemase-producers by PCR assay, 80% (24/30) and 3.33% (1/30) isolates were found to be positive for blaNDM-1 and blaVIM, respectively. In the same assay among 28 carbapenem nonproducing isolates, 9 (32.14%) isolates were positive for blaNDM-1 gene while none of them were tested positive for blaVIM gene. Conclusions: Molecular detection of resistant genes provides greater specificity and sensitivity than those with conventional techniques, thus aiding in accurate identification of antimicrobial resistance and clinical management of the disease.
AMH and AMHR2 Involvement in Congenital Disorders of Sex Development
Authors: Brunello Franco G. , Rey Rodolfo A.
Published: August 2021

Anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) is 1 of the 2 testicular hormones involved in male development of the genitalia during fetal life. When the testes differentiate, AMH is secreted by Sertoli cells and binds to its specific receptor type II (AMHR2) on the müllerian ducts, inducing their regression. In the female fetus, the lack of AMH allows the müllerian ducts to form the fallopian tubes, the uterus, and the upper part of the vagina. The human AMH gene maps to 19p13.3 and consists of 5 exons and 4 introns spanning 2,764 bp. The AMHR2 gene maps to 12q13.13, consists of 11 exons, and is 7,817 bp long. Defects in the AMH pathway are the underlying etiology of a subgroup of disorders of sex development (DSD) in 46,XY patients. The condition is known as the persistent müllerian duct syndrome (PMDS), characterized by the existence of a uterus and fallopian tubes in a boy with normally virilized external genitalia. Approximately 200 cases of patients with PMDS have been reported to date with clinical, biochemical, and molecular genetic characterization. An updated review is provided in this paper. With highly sensitive techniques, AMH and AMHR2 expression has also been detected in other tissues, and massive sequencing technologies have unveiled variants in AMH and AMHR2 genes in hitherto unsuspected conditions.
Memória e ditadura militar: lembrando as violações de direitos humanos
Authors: Santos Myrian Sepúlveda dos
Published: August 2021

Este artigo tem por objetivo analisar a formação de arquivos, a preservação de sítios da memória e a criação de museus relacionados à construção da memória das violações de direitos humanos no período da ditadura civil-militar. Em sociedades contemporâneas, em que o ritmo da vida e as novas tecnologias dificultam os encontros e permanências, já não falamos tanto de memória comunitária ou do grupo, mas, sim, de memória culturais, que são exteriorizadas e armazenadas a partir de meios ou suportes. Embora o trabalho da memória nem sempre tenha a capacidade de evitar a repetição de atrocidades, a necessidade que temos dele se impõe quando ameaças de negacionismo e falsificações históricas se fortalecem. As fontes de dados utilizadas estão presentes em documentos produzidos por organizações governamentais e da sociedade civil, meios de comunicação, sítios eletrônicos, instituições visitadas, bem como em algumas entrevistas realizadas.
O Movimento Sindical Internacional como um agente da mudança: trabalhadores estrangeiros temporários e renovação sindical na Ásia
Authors: Ford Michele
Published: August 2021

Este artigo analisa o papel das Federações Sindicais Globais (GUFs) e Organizações de Apoio e Solidariedade (SSOs) nas tentativas dos sindicatos sudeste-asiáticos de alcançarem trabalhadores estrangeiros temporários em sete países da região. Baseia-se em dez anos de trabalho de campo qualitativo com as GUFs, seja em suas sedes, seja em nível regional – fortemente dependente da migração laboral temporária –, e com seus afiliados nos respectivos países. A renovação e a revitalização do sindicalismo são vistas como efeitos colaterais desse enfoque, na medida em que novos membros são capazes de fortalecer a adesão e trazer novas ideias e perspectivas para o movimento.
A sedição pela arte
Authors: Bagolin Luiz Armando
Published: August 2021

Resenha de Impressos subversivos: arte, cultura e política no Brasil 1924-1964. São Paulo, Intermeios, 2020, de Maria Luiza Tucci Carneiro.
Two forms of transnational organizing: Mapping the strategies of Global Union Federations
Authors: Schmalz Stefan , Conrow Teresa , Feller Dina , Rombaldi Maurício
Published: August 2021

It has become a commonplace belief among academics and trade union officials that globalization has weakened trade unions. However, the expansion of global capital has also led to a rise of transnational labor organizing. Since the 2000s, Global Union Federations have developed different strategies to tackle the challenges of globalization. In this article, we analyze two such forms of transnational organizing: A network-based and an event-based form of organizing. While the network-based approach brings together unions from different countries in a company or industry-wide cross-border network, the event-based strategy is built on the engagement of the GUFs at large international events to wage local struggles with a lasting impact on labor relations. By drawing on a power resource approach and labor geography and by using empirical data from two case studies, the Building and Woodworkers International’s Fifa World Cup campaign of 2014 and the International Transport Workers Union’s Latam Union network, we demonstrate how GUFs are using different pathways of transnational activism to link the global with the local and why local trade union action is crucial for success in transnational organizing.
Política e resistência em espinosa
Authors: Augusto Victor Fiori
Published: August 2021

O objetivo deste artigo é refletir sobre o papel que o conceito de resistência desempenha na filosofia política de Espinosa. Diferentemente da tradição constitucionalista que concebe o direito de resistência como evento de exceção que visa o reestabelecimento da ordem jurídica, Espinosa nos ajuda a pensar a resistência como algo constantemente presente na vida política, como uma potência de afirmação da vida contra a opressão.
Desobediência civil e direito de resistência política
Authors: Barros Alberto Ribeiro G. de
Published: August 2021

Na segunda metade do século XVI, em razão do aumento das perseguições aos protestantes por parte de governos católicos, a questão da desobediência civil e da resistência política ocupou um lugar de destaque no debate jurídico, teológico e político europeu. As discussões sobre a justificativa, os agentes e os meios lícitos de resistência à autoridade civil estabelecida continuaram acirradas na primeira metade do século XVII, em particular no decorrer das guerras civis ocorridas na Inglaterra. O objetivo deste texto é mostrar o surgimento e o fundamento dos argumentos em favor da desobediência civil e do direito de resistência política, no interior do pensamento reformado, que foram posteriormente utilizados durante as revoluções americana e francesa no século XVIII.
Dimensão econômica da justiça igualitária: a democracia de cidadãos-proprietários na teoria da justiça de Rawls
Authors: Alarcon Sylvio
Published: August 2021

Este artigo apresenta e discute a democracia de cidadãos-proprietários como o sistema socioeconômico mais adequado à realização dos princípios da teoria da justiça de John Rawls.
Lei antiterrorismo e restrição da ação política: dissidência e resistência em tempos de crise da republica
Authors: Rubiano Mariana de Mattos
Published: August 2021

Este artigo visa discutir a lei nº 13.260 de 2016, mais conhecida como lei antiterrorismo, levando em consideração o pensamento de Hannah Arendt. Especificamente, procuraremos refletir sobre as consequências desta lei nas atividades públicas no Brasil por meio das categorias arendtianas, tais como política, ação, desobediência civil, dissidência, pluralidade e poder.
La espiritualidad y la religión en la narcocultura. Una aproximación desde la semiótica
Authors: Solís Zepeda María Luisa
Published: August 2021

El trabajo tiene como objeto de reflexión y análisis el narcotráfico en México. Desde la semiótica de la cultura propuesta por I. Lotman y la semiótica de corte estructural iniciada por A. J. Greimas, consideramos el narcotráfico como una práctica que obedece a sus propias reglas y cuyo sentido está regido por ciertos códigos, normas, así como por un sistema de valores específico. Esta práctica remite a una forma de vida (que incluye signos, expresiones, textos, significaciones); una subestructura que se opone, pero permea, a una semiosfera que es la cultura mexicana contemporánea. A partir de esos niveles integradores, nos aproximamos a la dimensión religiosa ​​–de carácter ambiguo y a veces francamente marginal– dentro del narcotráfico.
Os novos movimentos de direita no Brasil e o discurso anti-partidário: ambivalências e contradições
Authors: Baron Letícia
Published: August 2021

Valendo-se das ferramentas da teoria do discurso de Laclau e Mouffe, o objetivo do presente trabalho é analisar os sentidos discursivos presentes nas postagens dos movimentos Revoltados Online, Movimento Brasil Livre, Vem pra Rua e Endireita Brasil que explicitem as visões dos movimentos sobre os partidos políticos no Brasil no período do impeachment da ex-Presidente Dilma Rousseff. Nesse sentido, em um primeiro momento, o artigo se propôs a fazer uma revisão na literatura sobre a identificação partidária no Brasil pós-redemocratização para, posteriormente, identificar a crítica dos movimentos sobre a capacidade de representação dos partidos políticos. Considerando que a rede social facebook assume centralidade para a difusão do discurso da direita, foram analisadas as 5.266 postagens dos quatro movimentos na rede social no período em que tramitou o processo de impeachment. Dessas, 1.858 versam sobre o papel dos partidos políticos na democracia. O artigo conclui que os movimentos consideram os partidos políticos indispensáveis a democracia, salvo pelos partidos de esquerda – em especial o Partido dos Trabalhadores – que devem ser desalojados do protagonismo que exercem na vida pública.