bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interventions for reducing violence against children in low‐ and middle‐income countries: An evidence and gap map
Authors: Pundir Prachi , Saran Ashrita , White Howard , Subrahmanian Ramya , Adona Jill 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundMore than half of the children in the world experience some form of interpersonal violence every year. As compared with high‐income countries, policy responses in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) are limited due to resource constraints and paucity of evidence for effective interventions to reduce violence against children in their own contexts, amongst other factors.ObjectivesThe aim of this evidence and gap map (EGM) is to provide an overview of the existing evidence available and to identify gaps in the evidence base on the effectiveness of interventions to reduce violence against children in LMICs. This report covers evidence published in English; a follow‐up study is under preparation focusing on evidence in five additional languages—Arabic, Chinese, French, Portuguese and Spanish.MethodsThe intervention‐outcome framework for this EGM is based on INSPIRE—Seven Strategies for Ending Violence against Children, published by WHO and other partners in 2016. The seven strategies include implementation and enforcement of laws; norms and values, safe environment; parent–child and caregiver support; income and economic strengthening; response and support services; education and life skills. The search included both academic and grey literature available online. We included impact evaluations and systematic reviews that assessed the effectiveness of interventions to reduce interpersonal violence against children (0–18 years) in LMICs (World Bank, 2018b). Interventions targeting subpopulation of parents, teachers and caregivers of 0–18 years’ age group were also included. A critical appraisal of all included studies was carried out using standardised tools.ResultsThe map includes 152 studies published in English of which 55 are systematic reviews and 97 are impact evaluations. Most studies in the map are from Sub‐Saharan Africa. Education and life skills are the most widely populated intervention area of the map followed by income and economic strengthening interventions. Very few studies measure impact on economic and social outcomes, and few conduct cost‐analysis.ConclusionMore studies focusing on low‐income and fragile and conflict‐affected settings (FCS) and studying and reporting on cost‐analysis are required to address gaps in the evidence. Most interventions covered in the literature focused on addressing a wide range of forms of violence and harm, which limited understanding of how and for whom the interventions work in a given context, for specific forms of violence. More impact evaluation studies are required that assess specific forms of violence, gendered effects of interventions and on diverse social groups in a given context, utilising mixed methods.
Assessment of ventricular mechanical synchronization after left bundle branch pacing using 2‐D speckle tracking echocardiography
Authors: Sun Zhijun , Di Beibing , Gao Huikuan , Lan Dihui , Peng Hui 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) makes the ventricular depolarization closer to the physiological state and shortens QRS duration. The purpose of this study is to explore the ventricular systolic mechanical synchronization after LBBP in comparison with traditional right ventricular pacing (RVP) using two‐dimensional strain echocardiography (2D‐STE).MethodsThirty‐two patients who received LBBP (n = 16) or RVP (n = 16) from October 2018 to October 2019 and met the inclusion criteria were included in this retrospective study. Electrocardiogram (ECG) characteristics, pacing parameters, pacing sites, and safety events were assessed before and after implantation. Acquisition and analysis of ventricular systolic synchronization were implemented using 2D‐STE.ResultsIn RVP group, ECG showed left bundle branch block patterns. At LBBP, QRS morphology was in the form of right bundle branch block, and QRS durations were significantly shorter than that of the RVP QRS (109.38 ± 12.89 vs 149.38 \± 19.40 ms, P < .001). Both the maximum time differences (TD) and SDs of the 18‐segments systolic time to peak systolic strain were significantly shorter under LBBP than under RVP (TD, 66.62 ± 37.2 vs 148.62 ± 43.67 ms, P < .01; SD, 21.80 ± 12.13 vs 52.70 ± 17.72 ms, P < .01), indicating that LBBP could provide better left ventricular mechanical synchronization. Left and right ventricular pre‐ejection period difference was significantly longer in RVP group than in LBBP group (10.23 ± 3.07 vs 39.94 ± 14.81 ms, P < .05), indicating left and right ventricular contraction synchronization in LBBP group being better than in RVP group.ConclusionLBBP is able to provide a physiologic ventricular activation pattern, which results in ventricular mechanical contraction synchronization.
Structural change and degradation of cytoskeleton due to the acrolein conjugation with vimentin and actin during brain infarction
Authors: Uemura Takeshi , Suzuki Takehiro , Ko Kenta , Nakamura Mizuho , Dohmae Naoshi , Sakamoto Akihiko , Terui Yusuke , Toida Toshihiko , Kashiwagi Keiko , Igarashi Kazuei 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWe have found recently that dendritic spine extension is inhibited through acrolein conjugation with α‐ and β‐tubulin proteins during brain infarction. In this current study, we looked for other acrolein‐conjugated proteins in the 100,000g precipitate fraction, to clarify how cytoskeleton structure is modified by acrolein. Acrolein‐conjugated proteins were sought from acrolein‐treated mouse FM3A and Neuro2a cells and from tissues isolated from mouse brain infarction. It was found that vimentin was conjugated with acrolein, and the conjugated amino acid residue was Cys328, which is the only Cys residue in vimentin. It was also found that Cys207, 257, 285, and Lys118 in actin, another cytoskeleton protein, were conjugated with acrolein. The structure and localization of vimentin and actin filaments were changed greatly in infarct brain in photochemically induced thrombosis model mice and in acrolein‐treated Neuro2a cells. In addition, degradation of cytoskeleton proteins was accelerated in the order vimentin > tubulin > actin in mouse brain infarction. These findings indicate that a dysfunction of the cytoskeleton by acrolein is strongly involved in the tissue damage during brain infarction, together with the apoptosis caused by glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase and protein degradation by matrix metalloproteinase‐9.
Access denied: The relationship between patient insurance status and access to high‐volume hospitals
Authors: Nabi Junaid , Tully Karl H. , Cole Alexander P. , Marchese Maya , Cone Eugene B. , Melnitchouk Nelya , Kibel Adam S. , Trinh Quoc‐Dien 
Published: October 2020

BackgroundUnderinsured patients face significant barriers in accessing high‐quality care. Evidence of whether access to high‐volume surgical care is mediated by disparities in health insurance coverage remains wanting.MethodsThe authors used the National Cancer Data Base to identify all adult patients who had a confirmed diagnosis of breast, prostate, lung, or colorectal cancer during 2004 through 2016. The odds of receiving surgical care at a high‐volume hospital were estimated according to the type of insurance using multivariable logistic regression analyses for each malignancy. Then, the interactions between study period and insurance status were assessed.ResultsIn total, 1,279,738 patients were included in the study. Of these, patients with breast cancer who were insured by Medicare (odds ratio [OR], 0.75; P < .001), Medicaid (OR, 0.55; P < .001), or uninsured (OR, 0.50; P < .001); patients with prostate cancer who were insured by Medicare (OR, 0.87; P = .003), Medicaid (OR, 0.58; P = .001), or uninsured (OR, 0.36; P < .001); and patients with lung cancer who were insured by Medicare (OR, 0.84; P = .020), Medicaid (OR, 0.74; P = .001), or uninsured (OR, 0.48; P < .001) were less likely to receive surgical care at high‐volume hospitals compared with patients who had private insurance. For patients with colorectal cancer, the effect of insurance differed by study period, and improved since 2011. For those on Medicaid, the odds of receiving care at a high‐volume hospital were 0.51 during 2004 through 2007 and 0.99 during 2014 through 2016 (P for interaction = .001); for uninsured patients, the odds were 0.45 during 2004 through 2007 and 1.19 during 2014 through 2016 (P for interaction < .001) compared with patients who had private insurance.ConclusionsUninsured, Medicare‐insured, and Medicaid‐insured patients are less likely to receive surgical care at high‐volume hospitals. For uninsured and Medicaid‐insured patients with colorectal cancer, the odds of receiving care at high‐volume hospitals have improved since implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010.
Morphological diversity of acoustic and electric communication systems of mochokid catfish
Authors: Kéver Loïc , Parmentier Eric , Bass Andrew H. , Chagnaud Boris P. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractMochokid catfish offer a distinct opportunity to study a communication system transitioning to a new signaling channel because some produce sounds and others electric discharges. Both signals are generated using an elastic spring system (ESS), which includes a protractor muscle innervated by motoneurons within the protractor nucleus that also has a motoneuron afferent population. Synodontis grandiops and S. nigriventris produce sounds and electric discharges, respectively, and their ESSs show several morphological and physiological differences. The extent to which these differences explain different signal types remains unclear. Here, we compare ESS morphologies and behavioral phenotypes among five mochokids. S. grandiops and S. nigriventris were compared with Synodontis eupterus that is known to produce both signal types, and representative members of two sister genera, Microsynodontis cf. batesii and Mochokiella paynei, for which no data were available. We provide support for the hypothesis that peripheral and central components of the ESS are conserved among mochokids. We also show that the two nonsynodontids are only sonic, consistent with sound production being an ancestral character for mochokids. Even though the three sound producing‐only species differ in some ESS characters, several are similar and likely associated with only sound production. We propose that the ability of S. eupterus to generate both electric discharges and sounds may depend on a protractor muscle intermediate in morphology between sound producing‐only and electric discharge‐only species, and two separate populations of protractor motoneurons. Our results further suggest that an electrogenic ESS in synodontids is an exaptation of a sound producing ESS.
Leader election and local identifiers for three‐dimensional programmable matter
Authors: Gastineau Nicolas , Abdou Wahabou , Mbarek Nader , Togni Olivier 
Published: October 2020

SummaryIn this article, we present two deterministic leader election algorithms for programmable matter on the face‐centered cubic grid. The face‐centered cubic grid is a three‐dimensional 12‐regular infinite grid that represents an optimal way to pack spheres (i.e., spherical particles or modules in the context of the programmable matter) in the three‐dimensional space. While the first leader election algorithm requires a strong hypothesis about the initial configuration of the particles and no hypothesis on the system configurations that the particles are forming, the second one requires fewer hypothesis about the initial configuration of the particles but does not work for all possible particles' arrangement. We also describe a way to compute and assign ℓ‐local identifiers to the particles in this grid with a memory space not dependent on the number of particles. A ℓ‐local identifier is a variable assigned to each particle in such a way that particles at distance at most ℓ each have a different identifier.
Heterogeneous Ternary Metal Oxide Nanocomposites for Improved Advanced Oxidation Process under Visible Light
Authors: Upadhyay Gaurav K. , Pathak Trilok K. , Purohit Lakshami P. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractHere, heterogeneous ternary metal oxide CdO:TiO2:ZnO (coded as CTZ0, CTZ1, CTZ2, CTZ3, CTZ4) nanocomposites are synthesized by a sol–gel precipitation method for the advanced oxidation process (AOP) under visible light. The structure, texture, and surface morphology of heterogeneous nanocomposites are identified by X‐ray diffraction, high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy, respectively, while the optical property is investigated by UV–vis spectrophotometry. Furthermore, mixed phases such as anatase and rutile TiO2, cubic CdO and hexagonal ZnO, as well as a mixture of morphology, viz., nanorod, nanoflakes, cluster, and aggregation of particles are observed concurrently for sample CTZ3. The reflectance of heterogeneous CdO:TiO2:ZnO nanocomposites is recorded in the visible wavelength range from 400 to 800 nm and optical bandgap is varied from 1.91 to 2.20 eV for samples CTZ1–CTZ4. The effect of weight load 5 g L−1 of heterogeneous nanocomposites is evaluated for degradation of organic dyes at neutral pH and obtains the highest efficiency for sample CTZ3 as 99.6% and 99.4% in methyl orange and methylene blue, respectively. Both biological oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand values are reduced followed by AOP increasing the number of pollutant molecules for absorption in the mixture.
Genetics of extra‐early‐maturing yellow and orange quality protein maize inbreds and derived hybrids under low soil nitrogen and Striga infestation
Authors: Abu P. , Badu‐Apraku B. , Ifie B. E. , Tongoona P. , Ribeiro P. F. , Obeng‐Bio E. , Offei S. K. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe development and commercialization of extra‐early quality protein maize (QPM)–provitamin A (PVA) hybrids that are tolerant of low soil N (LN) and Striga resistant are essential for addressing the food insecurity and undernourishment challenges currently faced by sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). This study was designed (a) to determine the genetic effects regulating grain yield (GY) and important secondary traits of extra‐early yellow and orange QPM–PVA inbred lines under LN, Striga‐infested, and high‐N (HN) conditions, (b) to investigate whether maternal genes influenced the inheritance of GY and other secondary traits, (c) to assess the GY and stability of the hybrids across the three management conditions, and (d) to examine the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) marker‐based genetic distances and GY. Twenty‐four inbred lines were used to produce ninety‐six single cross hybrids using the North Carolina Design II. The performance of the hybrids plus four checks was assessed across LN, Striga‐infested, and HN management conditions in Ghana and Nigeria in 2018. Additive genetic variances were preponderant over nonadditive genetic variances for GY and most secondary traits in each and across environments. TZEEQI 358 exhibited significant and positive male and female GCA effects for GY under LN, Striga infestation, HN, and across management conditions indicating that favorable alleles for GY could be donated by TZEEQI 358. Maternal effects regulated the inheritance of plant height under the Striga‐infested conditions. Genetic distances were associated with GY under LN, Striga infestation, and HN conditions. TZEEIORQ 58 × TZEEQI 397 demonstrated high GY and stability of performance; therefore, it should be further tested under multiple environments for commercialization.
Corporate social reporting—Shareholder perception and its determinants
Authors: Talha Mohammad , Christopher Samuel Benjamin , Jaganathan Karthikeyani 
Published: October 2020

AbstractCorporate Social Report brings out how ethically the surplus fund is utilized for the betterment of the society. Perception on the importance of this report may not be homogenous among shareholders. A study has been taken up to examine the perception of shareholders on corporate social reporting, under Indian context. Using a structured questionnaire, data have been collected from 300 shareholders, adopting convenience sampling method. Friedman's Rank Test, used to examine the importance attached to items disclosed in Corporate Social Reports, shows that shareholders give greater importance to employee health and safety‐related information. They are equally concerned about details on product quality control. Therefore, companies, while drafting the reports, should focus more on these elements. Determinants of shareholder perception, examined through regression analysis, shows that perception is highly influenced by the importance shareholders attach to Corporate Social Report.
Functionalization of Carbon Nanotubes with Nickel Cyclam for the Electrochemical Reduction of CO2
Authors: Pugliese Silvia , Huan Ngoc Tran , Forte Jérémy , Grammatico Domenico , Zanna Sandrine , Su Bao‐Lian , Li Yun , Fontecave Marc 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe exploitation of molecular catalysts for CO2 electrolysis requires their immobilization on the cathode of the electrolyzer. As an illustration of this approach, a Ni‐cyclam complex with a cyclam derivative functionalized with a pyrene moiety is synthesized, found to be a selective catalyst for CO2 electroreduction to CO, and immobilized on a carbon nanotube‐coated gas diffusion electrode by using a noncovalent binding strategy. The as‐prepared electrode is efficient, selective, and robust for electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to CO. Very high turnover numbers (ca. 61460) and turnover frequencies (ca. 4.27 s−1) are enabled by the novel electrode material in organic solvent‐water mixtures saturated with CO2. This material provides an interesting platform for further improvement.
Low‐glucose‐sensitive TRPC6 dysfunction drives hypoglycemia‐induced cognitive impairment in diabetes
Authors: He Chengkang , Gao Peng , Cui Yuanting , Li Qiang , Li Yingsha , Lu Zongshi , Ma Huan , Zhao Yu , Li Li , Sun Fang , Chen Xiaowei , Jia Hongbo , Liu Daoyan , Yang Gangyi , Zheng Hongting , Zhu Zhiming 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundRecurrent moderate hypoglycemia (RH), a major adverse effect of hypoglycemic therapy in diabetic patients, is one of the main risk factors for cognitive impairment and dementia. Transient receptor potential canonical channel 6 (TRPC6) is a potential therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and its expression is highly regulated by glucose concentration.ObjectiveTo investigate whether RH regulates the expression of TRPC6 in brain and whether TRPC6 dysfunction can drive hypoglycemia‐associated cognitive impairment in diabetes, and reveal the underlying mechanism.MethodsHistological staining, in vivo two‐photon Ca2+ imaging, and behavioral tests were used to measure neuronal death, brain network activity, and cognitive function in mice, respectively. High‐resolution respirometry and transmission electron microscope were used to assess mitochondrial structure and function. Intracellular calcium measurement and molecular biology techniques were conducted to uncover the underlying mechanism.ResultsHere, we report that the expression of TRPC6 in hippocampus was specifically repressed by RH in streptozocin‐induced type 1 diabetic mice, but not in nondiabetic mice. TRPC6 knockout directly leads to neuron loss, neuronal activity, and cognitive function impairment under diabetic condition, the degree of which is similar to that of RH. Activation of TRPC6 with hyperforin substantially improved RH‐induced cognitive impairment. Mechanistically, TRPC6 inhibited mitochondrial fission in the hippocampus of diabetic mice undergoing RH episodes by activating adenosine 5‘‐monophosphate‐activated protein kinase, and TRPC6‐mediated cytosolic calcium influx was required for this process. Clinically, dysfunction of TRPC6 was closely associated with cognitive impairment in type 2 diabetic patients with RH.ConclusionsOur results indicate that TRPC6 is a critical sensitive cation channel to hypoglycemia and is a promising target to prevent RH‐induced cognitive impairment by properly orchestrating the mitochondrial dynamics in diabetic patients.
Detection of STRN‐ALK fusion in thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytopathology facilitates papillary thyroid cancer diagnosis
Authors: Jurkiewicz Magdalena , Cimic Adela , Murty Vundavalli V. , Kuo Jennifer H. , Hsiao Susan , Fazlollahi Ladan , Fernandes Helen 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy. Approximately 70% of cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma and 50% of poorly differentiated and anaplastic thyroid carcinoma harbor well‐characterized driver mutations and chromosomal rearrangements that drive tumorigenesis. Molecular profiling has been helpful in identifying and informing follow‐up strategies in tumors with more aggressive trajectories. Here, we report a case of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) discovered in a patient with thyroid nodules with relatively benign ultrasound and fine needle aspiration (FNA) findings. Molecular testing in this patient identified a rare STRN‐ALK fusion in two thyroid nodules with indeterminate and/or benign cytology. This led to the patient undergoing a thyroid lobectomy and a subsequent confirmation of papillary thyroid carcinoma upon resection. The report highlights the role of comprehensive molecular testing in thyroid lesions of indeterminate cytology.
Species integrity, introgression, and genetic variation across a coral reef fish hybrid zone
Authors: Gainsford Ashton , Jones Geoffrey P. , Hobbs Jean‐Paul A. , Heindler Franz Maximilian , van Herwerden Lynne 
Published: October 2020

AbstractHybridization and introgression are evolutionarily significant phenomena breaking down species boundaries. “Hybrid zones” (regions of species overlap and hybridization) enable quantification of hybridization frequency and examination of mechanisms driving and maintaining gene flow. The hybrid anemonefishAmphiprion leucokranosis found where parent species (A. chrysopterus; A. sandaracinos) distributions overlap. Here, we examine geographic variation in hybridization and introgression, and potential impacts on parent species integrity through assessing relative abundance, social group composition, and genetic structure (mtDNA cytochromeb, 21 microsatellite loci) of taxa at three hybrid zone locations: Kimbe Bay (KB) and Kavieng (KA), Papua New Guinea; the Solomon Islands (SO). Relative abundances of and size disparities between parent species apparently drive hybridization frequency, introgression patterns, and genetic composition of taxa. Conspecific groups are most common in KB (65%) where parent species are similarly abundant. Conversely, mixed species groups dominate SO (82%), whereA. chrysopterusis more abundant. Hybrids most commonly cohabit withA. sandaracinosin KB (17%), but withA. chrysopterusin KA (22%) and SO (50%). Genetic differentiation (nDNA) analyses indicate that parent species remain distinct, despite ongoing hybridization and hybrids are genetically similar toA. sandaracinos—resulting from persistent backcrossing with this smallest species. This study shows that hybridization outcomes may depend on the social and ecological context in which taxa hybridize, where relative abundance and disparate size of parent species explain the frequency and patterns of hybridization and introgression in theA. leucokranoshybrid zone, reflecting size‐based dominance behaviors of anemonefish social groups.