bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diverse approaches to predicting drug-induced liver injury using gene-expression profiles
Authors: Sumsion G. Rex , Bradshaw Michael S. , Beales Jeremy T. , Ford Emi , Caryotakis Griffin R. G. , Garrett Daniel J. , LeBaron Emily D. , Nwosu Ifeanyichukwu O. , Piccolo Stephen R.
Published: January 2020

Background

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a serious concern during drug development and the treatment of human disease. The ability to accurately predict DILI risk could yield significant improvements in drug attrition rates during drug development, in drug withdrawal rates, and in treatment outcomes. In this paper, we outline our approach to predicting DILI risk using gene-expression data from Build 02 of the Connectivity Map (CMap) as part of the 2018 Critical Assessment of Massive Data Analysis CMap Drug Safety Challenge.

Results

First, we used seven classification algorithms independently to predict DILI based on gene-expression values for two cell lines. Similar to what other challenge participants observed, none of these algorithms predicted liver injury on a consistent basis with high accuracy. In an attempt to improve accuracy, we aggregated predictions for six of the algorithms (excluding one that had performed exceptionally poorly) using a soft-voting method. This approach also failed to generalize well to the test set. We investigated alternative approaches—including a multi-sample normalization method, dimensionality-reduction techniques, a class-weighting scheme, and expanding the number of hyperparameter combinations used as inputs to the soft-voting method. We met limited success with each of these solutions.

Conclusions

We conclude that alternative methods and/or datasets will be necessary to effectively predict DILI in patients based on RNA expression levels in cell lines.

Reviewers

This article was reviewed by Paweł P Labaj and Aleksandra Gruca (both nominated by David P Kreil).
De novo variants in exomes of congenital heart disease patients identify risk genes and pathways
Authors: Sevim Bayrak Cigdem , Zhang Peng , Tristani-Firouzi Martin , Gelb Bruce D. , Itan Yuval
Published: January 2020

Background

Congenital heart disease (CHD) affects ~ 1% of live births and is the most common birth defect. Although the genetic contribution to the CHD has been long suspected, it has only been well established recently. De novo variants are estimated to contribute to approximately 8% of sporadic CHD.

Methods

CHD is genetically heterogeneous, making pathway enrichment analysis an effective approach to explore and statistically validate CHD-associated genes. In this study, we performed novel gene and pathway enrichment analyses of high-impact de novo variants in the recently published whole-exome sequencing (WES) data generated from a cohort of CHD 2645 parent-offspring trios to identify new CHD-causing candidate genes and mutations. We performed rigorous variant- and gene-level filtrations to identify potentially damaging variants, followed by enrichment analyses and gene prioritization.

Results

Our analyses revealed 23 novel genes that are likely to cause CHD, including HSP90AA1, ROCK2, IQGAP1, and CHD4, and sharing biological functions, pathways, molecular interactions, and properties with known CHD-causing genes.

Conclusions

Ultimately, these findings suggest novel genes that are likely to be contributing to CHD pathogenesis.
Transcriptomic profiling disclosed the role of DNA methylation and histone modifications in tumor-infiltrating myeloid-derived suppressor cell subsets in colorectal cancer
Authors: Sasidharan Nair Varun , Saleh Reem , Toor Salman M. , Taha Rowaida Z. , Ahmed Ayman A. , Kurer Mohamed A. , Murshed Khaled , Alajez Nehad M. , Abu Nada Mohamed , Elkord Eyad
Published: January 2020

Background

Increased numbers of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are positively correlated with poor prognosis and reduced survivals of cancer patients. They play central roles in tumor immune evasion and tumor metastasis. However, limited data are available on phenotypic/transcriptomic characteristics of the different MDSCs subsets in cancer. These cells include immature (I-MDSCs), monocytic (M-MDSCs), and polymorphonuclear/granulocytic (PMN-MDSCs).

Methods

Phenotypic characterization of myeloid subsets from 27 colorectal cancer (CRC) patients was assessed by flow cytometric analyses. RNA-sequencing of sorted I-MDSCs, PMN-MDSCs, and antigen-presenting cells (APCs) was also performed.

Results

We found that the levels of I-MDSCs and PMN-MDSCs were increased in tumor tissues (TT), compared with normal tissues (NT) in colorectal cancer. Our functional annotation analyses showed that genes associated with histone deacetylase (HDAC) activation- and DNA methylation-mediated transcriptional silencing were upregulated, and histone acetyl transferase (HAT)-related genes were downregulated in tumor-infiltrating I-MDSCs. Moreover, pathways implicated in cell trafficking and immune suppression, including Wnt, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, were upregulated in I-MDSCs. Notably, PMN-MDSCs showed downregulation in genes related to DNA methylation and HDAC binding. Using an ex vivo model, we found that inhibition of HDAC activation or neutralization of IL-6 in CRC tumor tissues downregulates the expression of genes associated with immunosuppression and myeloid cell chemotaxis, confirming the importance of HDAC activation and IL-6 signaling pathway in MDSC function and chemotaxis.

Conclusions

This study provides novel insights into the epigenetic regulations and other molecular pathways in different myeloid cell subsets within the CRC tumor microenvironment (TME), giving opportunities to potential targets for therapeutic benefits.
The challenge of combining variable retention and prescribed burning in Finland
Authors: Lindberg Henrik , Punttila Pekka , Vanha-Majamaa Ilkka
Published: January 2020

Historically, wildfires have played an important role in forest dynamics in Fennoscandia. In Finland, the annually burned area has diminished in recent decades. This has led to a decline of fire-adapted habitat types and species, many of which have become red-listed. In Fennoscandia, there is a long tradition of silvicultural burnings to enhance tree regeneration. Recently, prescribed burnings have been modified for biodiversity goals following the recommendations that have emerged from ecological research. Prominent biodiversity gains can be obtained by combining sufficient retention levels with burnings. Consequently, burning and retention have been recommended by recent national red-list assessments, strategies, and forest-management guidelines, and they have been adopted in forest-certification standards in Finland. Contrary to these recommendations, the opposite development has taken place: (1) the ecological efficiency of the criterion concerning prescribed burning in the PEFC forest-certification standard has been impaired, (2) state funding to encourage private forest owners to apply prescribed burning was reduced significantly, and (3) prescribed burnings have been abandoned altogether in commercial state-owned forests. Traditional burnings with variable retention have also been partially replaced with burning of small retention-tree groups. This new method is less risky and cheaper, but its ecological benefits are questionable because small-sized fires produce much smaller areas of burned forest soil with less fire-affected wood than traditional silvicultural burnings. Generally, the widely accepted goal to increase burnings with retention appears difficult to achieve and would require stronger political will and economic support from the government. We identified several actions that could improve the weakened situation of fire-dependent biodiversity and recommend the following: (1) setting a clear goal and ensuring sufficient funding for the burnings—including restoration burnings in conservation areas—and targeting these to specific fire-continuum areas with sufficient retention to ensure the continuity of fire-affected habitats at landscape level; (2) renewing the current subsidizing policies to encourage private landowners to perform prescribed burnings in regeneration areas after final fellings, and to safeguard accidental forest-fire areas as set-asides; (3) renewing the current prescribed-burning criterion of the Finnish PEFC forest-certification standard with more ambitious ecological goals; and (4) re-introducing prescribed burnings in commercial state forests where management targets are under political steering.
Effects of bio-loggers on behaviour and corticosterone metabolites of Northern Bald Ibises (Geronticus eremita) in the field and in captivity
Authors: Puehringer-Sturmayr Verena , Loretto Matthias-Claudio A. , Hemetsberger Josef , Czerny Tanja , Gschwandegger Johannes , Leitsberger Madelaine , Kotrschal Kurt , Frigerio Didone
Published: January 2020

Background

During the past decades, avian studies have profited from the development of miniature electronic devices that allow long-term and long-range monitoring. To ensure data quality and to inform understanding of possible impacts, it is necessary to test the effects of tagging. We investigated the influence of GPS-transmitters on the behaviour and physiology (levels of excreted corticosterone metabolites, CM) of an endangered bird species, the Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita). We considered effects of GPS-tags in two contexts: (1) aviary (i.e. in captivity), focussing on short-term effects of transmitters on locomotion, foraging and maintenance behaviour (20 individuals that differed in sex and age observed for 10 days) and (2) field, focussing on intermediate-term effects of transmitters on locomotion, foraging, maintenance behaviour, dorsal feather preening, social interactions and physiology (CM) (24 individuals observed for 79 days). In both contexts, focal animals were equipped with bio-logger backpacks mounted with a harness.

Results

In the aviary, behavioural observations were limited to the first days after tagging: no differences were found between individuals with GPS-tags and their controls with respect to the behavioural parameters considered. In the field, no behavioural differences were found between the GPS-tagged individuals and their controls; however, 1 month after tagging, individuals with GPS-tags excreted significantly more CM than their controls before returning to baseline levels.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that GPS-transmitters did not affect foraging, locomotion and maintenance behaviour in the Northern Bald Ibis in the short- or intermediate-term. However, they did affect the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal reactivity in the intermediate-term for 1 month before returning to baseline levels the next month. As the Northern Bald Ibis is listed as endangered, evaluating possible adverse effects of bio-logging is also relevant for potential conservation and reintroduction research.
Single-drill implant induces bone corticalization during submerged healing: an in vivo pilot study
Authors: Trisi Paolo , Falco Antonello , Berardini Marco
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The aim of the present paper is to evaluate a simplified implant site preparation technique to preserve bone bulk and enhance osseointegration using a new conical self-tapping implant in cancellous bone.

Materials and methods

Ten Expander® 3.8 × 10 mm implants (NoDrill®, Milano, Italy) were inserted in the right side (test group) of sheep’s iliac crest using only the pilot drill 1.8 mm in diameter. Ten 3.8 × 10 mm Dynamix® implants (Cortex, Shlomi, Israel) were inserted in the right side (control group) of the same animals following the drilling protocol provided by the manufacturer. Histological, histomorphometric, and biomechanical analyses were performed after 2 months.

Results

Implants that belonged to the test group showed a %BIC of 70.91 ± 7.95 while the control group implants had a %BIC value of 49.33 ± 10.73. The %BV was 41.83 ± 6.30 in the test group and 29.61 ± 5.05 in the control group. These differences were statistically significant. A phenomenon of osseocorticalization, characterized by more bone volume percentage around implant area than in the neighboring areas, caused by implant threads geometry, was evident in the test group.

Conclusion

This surgical protocol allows to insert an innovative fixture geometry in low-density bone using only a pilot drill. This technique demonstrated many clinical and histological advantages with respect to standard implant drilling procedures and classical implant geometry.
Group status, geographic location, and the tone of media coverage: Jews and Muslims in New York Times and Guardian Headlines, 1985–2014
Authors: Nisar Hasher , Bleich Erik
Published: January 2020

Studies demonstrate that both group status and geographic location influence media coverage of immigrants, ethnic groups, and marginalized communities. We examine a systematic sample of headlines about Muslims and Jews from The New York Times and The Guardian between 1985 and 2014 to understand these two factors. We find that headlines about Jews have a more positive tone than those about Muslims, and that headlines about each group situated within the newspaper’s country—such as American Jews or British Muslims—have a more positive tone than those set in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region—such as MENA Jews or MENA Muslims. These findings provide independent confirmation of prevailing research on group status and on the differences between coverage of domestic and foreign events. We expand this research agenda by intersecting these two strands of scholarship to examine the interaction between group status and geographic location, comparing the tone of headlines about lower-status domestic groups—such as Muslims in the United States or Great Britain—to that of the higher-status foreign group of Jews in the MENA region. We find that there is no meaningful difference between the portrayal of American Muslims and MENA Jews in The New York Times, but that Guardian headlines are significantly more positive toward British Muslims compared to MENA Jews. We explore these cross-national differences to show how the relationship between group status and geography is context specific.
Live birth rate after IVF/ICSI in women with low and extremely low AMH: an age-matched controlled study
Authors: Zaghloul Yomna I. , Amin Yahia M. , Mansour Ragaa T. , Serour Ahmed , Aboulghar Mona M. , Aboulghar Mohamed A. , Serour Gamal I.
Published: January 2020

Background

An age-matched controlled study, to assess the outcome of IVF/ICSI in low and extremely low AMH levels in different age groups by comparing the live birth rate

Materials and methods

An age-matched controlled study was done at the Egyptian IVF center, Cairo, Egypt, including 306 infertile women with low AMH levels undergoing IVF/ICSI and an age-matched number of women with normal AMH. The live birth rate in the different age groups according to the AMH level was compared.

Results

There was no significant difference between LBR in the extremely low AMH arm (11.43%) and low AMH (16.4%) (P = 0.24). The LBR was 30.4% in women with normal AMH as compared to 14.7% in all women with AMH below 1 pg/ml (P = 0.002).

The LBR was significantly higher in women below the age of 35 years and women of 35-40 years with normal AMH (33.2% and 31.7%) as compared to LBR in the corresponding age groups with low AMH (18.6% and 13.3%).

Conclusions

There was no difference in the outcome of IVF between patients with low and extremely low AMH levels. Women with normal AMH level resulted in a higher pregnancy rate as compared to women with low AMH level in the same age group. Age is important in determining prognosis of IVF in patients with low levels of AMH.
Helical tomotherapy with a complete-directional-complete block technique effectively reduces cardiac and lung dose for left-sided breast cancer
Authors: Yeh Hsin-Pei , Huang Yu-Chuen , Wang Li-Ying , Shueng Pei-Wei , Tien Hui-Ju , Chang Chiu-Han , Chou San-Fang , Hsieh Chen-Hsi
Published: January 2020

Objectives:

To evaluate the feasibility and optimal restricted angle of the complete-directional-complete block (CDCB) technique in helical tomotherapy (HT) by including regional nodal irradiation (RNI) with the internal mammary node (IMN) in left-sided breast cancer.

Methods:

Ten left-sided breast cancer patients treated with 50 Gy in 25 fractions were compared with five-field intensity-modulated radiation therapy (5F-IMRT) and six types of HT plans. In the HT plans, complete block (CB), organ-based directional block (OBDB) and CDCB with different restricted angles were used.

Results:

The conformity index (CI) between the CDCB0,10,15,20 and 5F-IMRT groups was similar. Compared to CB, OBDB and 5F-IMRT, CDCB20 resulted in a decreased ipsilateral mean lung dose. The low-dose region (V5) of the ipsilateral lung in OBDB (84.0%) was the highest among all techniques (p < 0.001). The mean dose of the heart in CB was significantly reduced (by 11.5–22.4%) compared with other techniques. The V30 of the heart in CDCB20 (1.9%) was significantly lower than that of CB, OBDB and 5F-IMRT. Compared to the mean dose of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery of 5F-IMRT (27.0 Gy), CDCB0, CDCB10, CDCB15, CDCB20 and OBDB reduced the mean dose effectively by 31.7%, 38.3%, 39.6%, 42.0 and 56.2%, respectively. Considering the parameters of the organs-at-risk (OARs), CDCB10,15,20 had higher expectative values than the other techniques (p = 0.01).

Conclusions:

HT with the CDCB technique is feasible for treating left-sided breast cancer patients. The CDCB10-20 techniques not only achieved similar planning target volume coverage, homogeneity and dose conformity but also allowed better sparing of the heart and bilateral lungs.

Advances in knowledge:

For left-sided breast cancer patients whose RNI field includes the IMN, heart avoidance is an important issue. The CDCB technique achieved good PTV coverage, homogeneity and dose conformity and allowed better sparing of the mean dose of the lung, the LAD artery, and the heart and reduced the V30 of the heart.
A comparative analysis of ADAR mutant mice reveals site-specific regulation of RNA editing
Authors: Costa Cruz Pedro Henrique , Kato Yuki , Nakahama Taisuke , Shibuya Toshiharu , Kawahara Yukio
Published: January 2020

Adenosine-to-inosine RNA editing is an essential post-transcriptional modification catalyzed by adenosine deaminase acting on RNA (ADAR)1 and ADAR2 in mammals. For numerous sites in coding sequences (CDS) and microRNAs, editing is highly conserved and has significant biological consequences, for example, by altering amino acid residues and target recognition. However, no comprehensive and quantitative studies have been undertaken to determine how specific ADARs contribute to conserved sites in vivo. Here, we amplified each RNA region with editing site(s) separately and combined these for deep sequencing. Then, we compared the editing ratios of all sites that were conserved in CDS and microRNAs in the cerebral cortex and spleen of wild-type mice, Adar1E861A/E861AIfih−/− mice expressing inactive ADAR1 (Adar1 KI) and Adar2−/−Gria2R/R (Adar2 KO) mice. We found that most of the sites showed a preference for one ADAR. In contrast, some sites, such as miR-3099-3p, showed no ADAR preference. In addition, we found that the editing ratio for several sites, such as DACT3 R/G, was up-regulated in either Adar mutant mouse strain, whereas a coordinated interplay between ADAR1 and ADAR2 was required for the efficient editing of specific sites, such as the 5-HT2CR B site. We further created double mutant Adar1 KI Adar2 KO mice and observed viable and fertile animals with the complete absence of editing, demonstrating that ADAR1 and ADAR2 are the sole enzymes responsible for all editing sites in vivo. Collectively, these findings indicate that editing is regulated in a site-specific manner by the different interplay between ADAR1 and ADAR2.
Soviet Colonial Modernity and the Everyday in Twenty-First Century Latvian Literature
Authors: Kalnačs Benedikts
Published: January 2020

This paper intends to discuss the case of Latvia in comparison with other European postcolonial situations and to trace the problems which determine the complexity of self-consciousness of the inhabitants of the country from postcolonial and post-Soviet perspective. The focus of this investigation is on the series of novels which deal with twentieth-century history and memory in Latvia. Due to the fact that the chosen texts attempt an evaluation of the Soviet past, an attention is paid to those aspects of representation of the everyday which considerably distinguish contemporary fiction from literary works created during the period of socialist realist dominance. The importance of history and of different everyday practices in forming specific features of national identity is also seen in the context of the attempts of contemporary authors to discover and define themselves as part of today’s global community as they try to position themselves within world literature. In this perspective, the contemporary as well as the historical experience of the Baltic nations testifies to the common roots of European society helping to build bridges between different ethnic and social groups and their members.
The Two Cultures Revisited. Stanisław Lem’s His Master’s Voice
Authors: Oramus Dominika
Published: January 2020

I would like to take, as my starting point, the famous 1959 lecture of C. P. Snow, The Two Cultures, where science fiction is by and large ignored, and see how the consecutive points Snow is making are also discussed in the following decades of the 20th century by other philosophers of science, among them Stanisław Lem, Steven Weinberg, and Jonathan Gottschall. In 1959 Snow postulated re-uniting the two cultures through the reform of education. In the 1960s and 1970s Lem did not believe in any reform, but prophesied that science left alone would procure the final war and, probably, the self-inflicted technological death of the West. I am then going to juxtapose Snow’s argument with a science fiction novel concerned with the same civilizational crisis: Stanis law Lem’s His Master’s Voice.
In the Shadow of Mnemosyne: The Poetics of Debt in Fiction and Testimony
Authors: Rrahmani Kujtim
Published: January 2020

Th is essay aims to thematize the poetic and cultural-historical image of debt, embodied as memorial discourse in both fi ctional and nonfi ctional literature. Th e poetics of debt are forged within the melting pot of mythic and historical images, political and cultural aspects, and poetic and testimonial temporalities – but always sheltered in the shadow of Mnemosyne. Th us, memory remains a permanent umbrella for the diff erent faces of debt. Debt is interrogated within the arc of authors Danilo Kiš and Zef Pllumi, two leading literary and cultural personalities in 20th-century south-eastern Europe. Th eir views provide a geopoetic and cultural background for a theoretical discussion of literary and cultural facets of debt. It is argued that because debt entails memory, obligation, and care for others, it is a distinguishing mark of the human psyche. Th e theorizing prelude will be followed by literary and confessional pieces of authors but, in the end, a theorizing observation on the subject will take place.
Reveal the Supplier List? A Trade-off in Capacity vs. Responsibility
Authors: Kalkanci Basak , Plambeck Erica L.
Published: January 2020

Problem definition: Under what conditions and how can a buying firm, by committing to publish a list of its suppliers and/or the identities and violations of terminated suppliers, increase its expected profit and supplier responsibility? Academic/practical relevance: This paper contributes to a recent thrust in the operations-management literature on how various sorts of transparency influence social and environmental responsibility in a supply chain. In practice, companies are under pressure to publish their supplier lists and suppliers’ violations, and some are beginning to do so. This paper could help guide their decisions. Methodology: The methodology is game theory. Results: This paper shows how a buying firm can use transparency to reward a supplier for responsibility effort to eliminate social or environmental violations. By publishing its supplier list, the buying firm can signal that a supplier is responsible and generate profitable new business for the supplier. However, the resulting competition for the supplier’s scarce capacity could cause the buying firm to obtain fewer units or pay a higher price. We identify the conditions under which a buying firm should commit to publish its supplier list and conditions under which the buying firm should also help a supplier with cost reduction or capacity expansion. In addition, the paper shows how a buying firm can use transparency to punish a supplier for a responsibility violation—by warning other buying firms not to source from that supplier. Commitment to do so increases the supplier’s responsibility effort and can screen out a supplier with a known responsibility violation, thereby increasing a buying firm’s expected profit. If the supplier is uncertain whether it has a violation (e.g., faulty electrical wiring likely to cause a fire), then the two forms of transparency can be complementary. Managerial implications: Buying firms should consider transparency as a potentially profitable approach to mitigating social and environmental violations in their supply chains.
The Interpretive Turn: It's Our Turn
Authors: Hagen Peter L.
Published: January 2020

This is the text of the keynote address for the 2018 NACADA Annual Conference in Phoenix, Arizonia. The author discusses two main epistemologies in academic advising research and practice, and argues that both positivist epistemologies and constructivist epistemologies should be available to practitioners and researchers.
AS IMAGENS-CINEMATOGRÁFICAS COMO FORÇA QUE IMPULSIONA O DEVIR-PENSAMENTO NO COTIDIANO ESCOLAR
Authors: Silva Sandra Kretli
Published: January 2020

Este artigo problematiza o que pode a imagem?, questionando se o “uso” das imagens cinematográficas provoca rupturas no pensamento dogmático e favorece a passagem para o pensamento nômade habitar o “plano de imanência” do corpoescola. Apresenta resultados de uma pesquisa que produziu uma cartografia das forças que se engendram em redes de conversação provocadas nos encontros das professoras com as imagens cinematográficas. Em diálogo com Deleuze e Spinoza, o artigo argumenta que o encontro com as imagens cinematográficas em redes de conversações com as professoras provoca afecções e afetos que possibilitam o movimento de pensamentos, expandindo, assim, as forças ativas, a potência de ação coletiva, os processos de formação inventiva e os movimentos curriculares.Palavras-chave: Imagens cinematográficas. Redes de conversações. Movimentos curriculares.
ASSIM COMO VIVER, RESISTIR NÃO É PRECISO? PÓS-UTOPIA E CURRÍCULO EM TEMPOS SOMBRIOS
Authors: Carvalho Maria Inez Da Silva de Souza , Santos Junior Julio Bispo dos
Published: January 2020

RESUMO Este artigo apresenta o movimento teórico de uma pesquisa que tensiona, com pretensão de exaustão, produções de sentido, ao longo da geo-história humana, para o termo utopia, perseguindo pontos de fuga, descentração e desconstrução. A partir de estudo bibliográfico, intentou-se conhecer os caminhos do significante e atribuições de sentido contemporânea para a interface currículo e utopia. Para tal, o texto traz interrogações, remissivas a Fernando Pessoa, sobre a “precisão” de resistir em tempos de um conservadorismo que já atinge as proposições curriculares. Ante os aparentes paradoxos, propõe-se uma resistência atualizada que potencialize outra fixação de sentido, ao menos em currículos com pretensões não iluministas, a pós-utopia.
CORPO-TERRITÓRIO COMO ARGUMENTO CURRICULAR DE RESISTÊNCIA
Authors: Da Rocha Ana Angelita
Published: January 2020

Este texto objetiva narrar as minhas lembranças docentes, com foco na concepção corpo-território como um dispositivo curricular que se alicerça numa interpretação política e estética. Para tanto, procuro fazer com que as geografias feministas (MASSEY, 2004, 2008; ZARAGOCÍN, 2018) conversem com a reflexão curricular. Tais articulações teóricas têm o intuito de potencializar a concepção corpo-território (HERNÁNDEZ, 2016) como ferramenta de teorizações curriculares (MILLER, 2014). A aposta deste texto na relação corpo-território, em especial na geopolítica do útero, está na concepção de um currículo de resistência.
Not to be confused with colic
Authors: Watson Rebecca
Published: January 2020

Rebecca Watson MSc RVN discusses the symptoms and treatment of equine shock
Improving post-resuscitation care after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
Authors: Fisher Ruth Moira
Published: January 2020

Introduction:

The average rate of survival following an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in the UK was 7–8% at the start of 2019. An estimated 60 000 OHCAs are attended by UK ambulance services annually and, despite developments in prehospital and post-resuscitation care, there are significant variations in survival between regions and countries.

Aims:

This study aims to identify the potential for care pathways, evaluate UK practices and review the evidence for direct referral of OHCA patients to dedicated cardiac arrest centres.

Methods:

Evidence was gathered from 20 articles identified through a systematic search of articles related to OHCA and post-resuscitation care, as well as from NHS England in relation to performance and outcomes.

Results:

Between April 2018 and January 2019, 30.6% of patients experiencing an OHCA had a recorded ROSC (return of spontaneous circulation), and 10.2% survived. However, the 58.7% compliance with the post-ROSC care bundle by ambulance services suggests variations in the delivery of post-resuscitation care. At present, UK ambulance services stabilise and transfer OHCA patients with ROSC to the nearest emergency department, which may not provide specialist services. Holland and Norway report survival rates of 21% and 25% respectively, and operate a centralised approach to post-resuscitation care through designated cardiac arrest centres, which provide specialist care that helps to improve the likelihood of survival. While no randomised controlled trials have been carried out in relation to cardiac arrest centres, it is recognised that the quality of care in the post-resuscitation phase is important, as this is when the highest proportion of deaths occur.

Conclusion:

Further research into specific care pathways and centralised care should be carried out, and an OHCA post-resuscitation care pathway should be developed to improve the delivery of care and survival.
Clinical exam: an introduction
Authors: Kirk Andrew
Published: January 2020

The clinical examination is an important part of any patient consultation. After the primary survey and patient history, a more in-depth examination of the patient is required in order to aid the working diagnosis and help negate other differential diagnoses. The extent of this depends on the stability of the patient condition and may not be possible in time-critical circumstances. However, it is becoming an increasing part of paramedic practice due to continued expansion of the scope of the paramedic role, both in urgent and emergency care. Educational delivery of clinical examinations of each of the main body systems is now an integral part of undergraduate paramedic curricula.

The forthcoming Clinical Examination series will provide a step-by-step overview for each of the main body systems. Continuing professional development (CPD) is an essential requirement for all clinicians in order to maintain and demonstrate currency and advancement within their roles (Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) 2018). This series will therefore provide an overview of each examination to support students, newly qualified paramedics, and paramedics wishing to utilise these as a CPD development activity and an aide-memoire for clinical practice. This article will provide an introduction to the series, a guide to the intended use and an overview of initial examination considerations, including first impressions.
Easily Applicable Methods for Measuring the Mental Load on Tractor Operators
Authors: Arvidsson Hans , Larsson Gunnar , Larsolle Anders , Neely Gregory , Hansson Per-Anders
Published: January 2020

Abstract.

Agriculture technology is moving toward automation, placing operators in a supervisory role. This change in operator workload may lead to increased stress and higher mental load, resulting in reduced attention and hence greater risk of illness or injury to humans and damage to equipment. This study investigated the use of easily applicable equipment to measure mental load.Three methods were used to measure the mental load on machine operators: heart rate monitoring, two types of electroencephalograph (EEG) evaluation, and an assessment protocol. Three driving exercises (general driving, slalom driving, and loading) and a counting exercise were used in a driving simulator to create different levels of mental load. Due to the number of exercises, a single-scale assessment protocol was used to save time. We found that only the assessment protocol gave clear results and would work well as an evaluation tool. The heart rate and EEG measurements did not provide clear data for mental load assessment. Keywords: Agriculture, Awareness, Continuous measurement, EEG, Heart rate, Mental load, Simulator, Single-scale assessment, Tractor operator, Work machinery.
Agricultural Work-Related Fatalities to Non-Working Youth: Implications for Intervention Development
Authors: Pate Michael Lynn , Görücü Serap
Published: January 2020

Highlights Keywords: Agriculture, Bystander, Child, Fatality, Passenger, Safety, Workplace.

A total of 69 fatalities were recorded, with the largest proportion of fatalities (74%) involving children <5 years old. Keywords: Agriculture, Bystander, Child, Fatality, Passenger, Safety, Workplace.

Most victims (75%, n = 52) were male. Keywords: Agriculture, Bystander, Child, Fatality, Passenger, Safety, Workplace.

The process of identifying different injury patterns associated with non-work-related child activity has increased our understanding of how safety professionals and community members may help prevent these fatalities. Keywords: Agriculture, Bystander, Child, Fatality, Passenger, Safety, Workplace.

The cases presented warrant investigation and commitment to environment modifications as well as parental enforcement to limit child exposure to worksite hazards. Keywords: Agriculture, Bystander, Child, Fatality, Passenger, Safety, Workplace.

Abstract. This article presents data for agricultural work-related fatal injuries to non-working youth (<18 years old) in Pennsylvania. Cases were identified from the Pennsylvania Farm Fatality (PA-FF) database for the period 2000-2018. The circumstances of the death in each incident were reviewed from news clippings, death certificates, and other reports available to determine the victim’s status as a bystander, passenger, or other non-working child. The study identified 69 agricultural work-related fatalities to non-working youth in Pennsylvania. Incidents were coded as non-working accomplice (26), non-working accomplice extra rider (14), non-working attendant (25), and ambiguous (4). Fatalities to children <5 years old accounted for 74% of the non-working youth fatalities, and most (75%) of the victims were male. Plain Sect community members (Anabaptists) comprised 78% of the cases. Children contribute significantly to the overall burden of agricultural work-related fatal injuries in Pennsylvania, especially as bystanders. From the review of the data, we conclude that fatal injuries to non-working children on farms are preventable. The process of identifying different injury patterns associated with non-work-related child activity has increased our understanding of how safety professionals and community members may help prevent these fatalities. Many researchers have noted a variety of intervention efforts that show potential for providing safer farm and home environments but will need long-term commitments in various capacities. Keywords: Agriculture, Bystander, Child, Fatality, Passenger, Safety, Workplace.
When poverty becomes detrimental to life satisfaction in the transition to adulthood
Authors: Schels Brigitte
Published: January 2020

This study examines whether poverty becomes more meaningful for young people as they move from youth to adulthood; therefore, the main hypothesis is that poverty becomes increasingly detrimental to individual life satisfaction as young people grow older and – at the same time – enter working life and establish their own households or families. The empirical analysis uses German household panel data and applies indicators for income poverty and material deprivation for a sample of 15- to 29-year-old young men and women. Results show that few facets of poverty impair life satisfaction in youth, and indicators increasingly show significant negative effects as people age. Changes in employment status and household context in the transition to adulthood cannot explain the age differences. Findings indicate that age is an independent reference point for young people in the transition to adulthood. Results also suggest that a more critical discussion is required on the significance of poverty and its measurement during the transition from youth to adulthood.
Nanopatterned sapphire substrates in deep-UV LEDs: is there an optical benefit?
Authors: Manley Phillip , Walde Sebastian , Hagedorn Sylvia , Hammerschmidt Martin , Burger Sven , Becker Christiane
Published: January 2020

Light emitting diodes (LEDs) in the deep ultra-violet (DUV) offer new perspectives for multiple applications ranging from 3D printing to sterilization. However, insufficient light extraction severely limits their efficiency. Nanostructured sapphire substrates in aluminum nitride based LED devices have recently shown to improve crystal growth properties, while their impact on light extraction has not been fully verified. We present a model for understanding the impact of nanostructures on the light extraction capability of DUV-LEDs. The model assumes an isotropic light source in the semiconductor layer stack and combines rigorously computed scattering matrices with a multilayer solver. We find that the optical benefit of using a nanopatterned as opposed to a planar sapphire substrate to be negligible, if parasitic absorption in the p-side of the LED is dominant. If losses in the p-side are reduced to 20%, then for a wavelength of 265 nm an increase of light extraction efficiency from 7.8% to 25.0% is possible due to nanostructuring. We introduce a concept using a diffuse (’Lambertian’) reflector as p-contact, further increasing the light extraction efficiency to 34.2%. The results underline that transparent p-sides and reflective p-contacts in DUV-LEDs are indispensable for enhanced light extraction regardless of the interface texture between semiconductor and sapphire substrate. The optical design guidelines presented in this study will accelerate the development of high-efficiency DUV-LEDs. The model can be extended to other multilayer opto-electronic nanostructured devices such as photovoltaics or photodetectors.
Polarization and direction-controlled asymmetric multifunctional metadevice for focusing, vortex and Bessel beam generation
Authors: Luan Jing , Yang Sikang , Liu Deming , Zhang Minming
Published: January 2020

Integrating multiple independent functionalities into one single photonic device has been an important part in optoelectronic system. In this paper, we here propose a kind of asymmetric multifunctional metadevice operating at 1550 nm (in optical communication band), which can manipulate the light with four different functions, depending on the polarization and illumination direction of incident light. As a proof of our concept, we design this metadevice composed of the upper metasurface layer, middle grating layer and lower metasurface layer. For x-polarized incident light, the metadevice under forward illumination works as transmissive focusing lens and vortex beam generator of y-polarized light, while under backward illumination it acts as a reflective vortex beam generator. In contrast, for y-polarized incident light, the metadevice under forward illumination behaves as a reflective Bessel beam generator, while a combination of transmissive vortex beam generator and focusing lens of x-polarized light under backward illumination. Our findings may motivate the realization of high-performance multifunctional metadevices and extend the application in complex integrated optical system.
Anomalous photocurrent in wide InGaN quantum wells
Authors: Bercha Artem , Trzeciakowski Witold , Muzioł Grzegorz , Siekacz Marcin , Skierbiszewski Czesław
Published: January 2020

We show that in a wide In0.17Ga0.83N quantum well, placed within an undoped region of the pin diode, a photocurrent in the forward direction is observed. The photocurrent switches to reverse direction when the light intensity is increased and/or photon energy is above the bandgap of the quantum barrier. We propose a model showing that the anomalous photocurrent is due to the fact that when the carriers are pumped into the wide quantum well they cannot recombine until the built-in field is screened. For low-intensity light it takes a long time (milliseconds) for the screening to occur and during that time we observe current flowing in the forward direction. This current originates from the reorganization of carriers forming the depletion regions, rather than directly from the photogenerated carriers. The observed effects lead to the dependence of PC spectra on chopper frequency and on light power. They may also affect the operation of laser diodes and solar cells with wide InGaN quantum wells.
Terahertz tag identifiable through shielding materials using machine learning
Authors: Mitsuhashi Ryoya , Murate Kosuke , Niijima Seiji , Horiuchi Toshinari , Kawase Kodo
Published: January 2020

In recent years, there has been great interest in chipless radio-frequency identification (RFID) devices that work in the terahertz (THz) frequency range. Despite advances in RFID technology, its practical use in the THz range has yet to be realized, due to cost and detection accuracy issues associated with shielding materials. In this study, we propose two types of low-cost THz-tags; one is based on the thickness variation of coated polyethylene and the other on the fingerprint spectra of reagents. In the proposed approach, machine learning, specifically a deep-learning method, is used for high-precision tag identification even with weak signals, or when the spectrum is disturbed by passing through shielding materials. We achieved almost 100% identification accuracy despite using an inexpensive tag placed under thick shielding materials with an attenuation rate of about −50 dB. Furthermore, real-time tag identification was demonstrated by combining a multiwavelength injection-seeded THz parametric generator and a convolutional neural network.
Detecting WDM visible light signals by a single multi-color photodiode with MIMO processing
Authors: Messa Alessandro , Cossu Giulio , Presi Marco , Schidl Stefan , Schneider-Hornstein Kerstin , Zimmermann Horst , Ciaramella Ernesto
Published: January 2020

For the first time, to the best of our knowledge, we experimentally demonstrate that multiple-input–multiple-output (MIMO) processing allows using a single photodiode to detect simultaneously a wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) visible light communications (VLC) signal. The photodiode has a triple junction, and when it is illuminated by a WDM signal, the junctions produce inherently three photocurrents that are unusable for detecting any of the WDM signals. However, by means of linear MIMO processing, we are able to recover the transmitted signals exactly. Bit error rate measurements confirm the effectiveness of the proposed solution. This opens a new scenario for practical WDM-VLC systems.
Influence of process parameters on the incorporation of phosphorus into silica soot material during MCVD process
Authors: Lindner F. , Kriltz A. , Scheffel A. , Dellith A. , Dellith J. , Wondraczek K. , Bartelt H.
Published: January 2020

The incorporation of phosphorus into silica soot material strongly changes during the multistep preparation process of the MCVD technology in combination with solution doping for Al and rare earths. We report on the influence of various process parameters on the phosphorus concentration, the bond types of phosphorus atoms and the relative density of the soot material. By optimization of the process the phosphorus concentration of the presintered soot could be increased by around 10% in comparison to the conventional treatment. The understanding of the interdependencies allows an improvement of the preparation process of phosphorus co-doped RE doped silica laser fibers with MCVD technology.
Evaluation of adenosine deaminase activity in serum of cattle and buffaloes in the diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis
Authors: Dhaliwal Navdeep Kaur , Narang Deepti , Chandra Mudit , Filia Gursimran , Singh Sikh Tejinder
Published: January 2020

Background and Aim: Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a chronic bacterial disease of cattle caused by Mycobacterium bovis. bTB causes severe economic losses resulting from livestock deaths, chronic disease, and trade restrictions. Determination of serum levels of adenosine deaminase (ADA), an enzyme produced by monocytes/macrophages and lymphocytes, has been used in the diagnosis of human TB. This study aimed to evaluate the role of ADA enzyme activity in the diagnosis of bTB.

Materials and Methods: In this study, a total of 100 animals (cattle and buffaloes) were screened for bTB by comparative intradermal tuberculin test (CITT) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) test and in serum samples obtained from 100 screened animals, ADA seric activity was evaluated using ADA-MTB kit procured from Tulip Diagnostics.

Results: A total of 18 animals were positive TB reactors by CITT, 8 were positive by IFN-γ, and 4 animals were positive by both CITT and IFN-γ. The average ADA value of bTB-positive animals either by CITT, IFN-γ, or both CITT and IFN-γ was 12.55 U/L, 14.8 U/L, and 18.36 U/L, respectively, in CID negative, it was 10.57 U/L and in IFN-γ negative, it was 10.59 U/L.

Conclusion: The average ADA value of bTB-positive animals positive either by CITT, IFN-γ, or both CITT and IFN-γ was more than the average ADA value in animals negative for bTB by either of the tests.