bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A prospective observational trial evaluating factors predictive of accurate endotracheal tube positioning in neonates and small infants
Authors: Ebenebe Chinedu Ulrich , Deindl Philipp , Wolf Monika , Jahn Matthias , Singer Dominique , Blohm Martin Ernst
Published: July 2020

Background

There is a high incidence of endotracheal tube malposition in neonates and small infants. Yet, verification of accurate endotracheal tube location via radiographic imaging involves radiation exposure.

Aims

This study aimed to identify demographic and clinical parameters associated with accurate endotracheal tube positioning.

Methods

We conducted a prospective single‐center study with term and preterm neonates and small infants between January 2018 and November 2019. We investigated correlations between ten variables and accurate endotracheal tube position.

Results

One hundred and sixty eight nasal intubations in 139 patients (weight 390‐5000 g) were analyzed. An accurate tube position was confirmed by radiographic imaging in 71.4% of the intubations. The endotracheal tube was high in 8.3% and low in 20.2% of the cases. Male gender was the only variable that significantly correlated with an accurate endotracheal tube position (OR 2.5; 95% CI: 1.3, 5.0; P = .010).

Conclusion

So far, no parameter has proven to be able to predict accurate endotracheal tube position in neonates reliably. These findings emphasize the indispensability of postintubation imaging in neonates and small infants.
Coupled plant traits adapted to wetting/drying cycles of substrates co‐define niche multidimensionality
Authors: Rodríguez‐Robles Ulises , Arredondo J. Tulio , Huber‐Sannwald Elisabeth , Yépez Enrico A. , Ramos‐Leal José Alfreso
Published: July 2020

Theories attempting to explain species coexistence in plant communities have argued in favour of species' capacities to occupy a multidimensional niche with spatial, temporal and biotic axes. We used the concept of hydrological niche segregation to learn how ecological niches are structured both spatially and temporally and whether small scale humidity gradients between adjacent niches are the main factor explaining water partitioning among tree species in a highly water‐limited semiarid forest ecosystem. By combining geophysical methods, isotopic ecology, plant ecophysiology and anatomical measurements, we show how coexisting pine and oak species share, use and temporally switch between diverse spatially distinct niches by employing a set of functionally coupled plant traits in response to changing environmental signals. We identified four geospatial niches that turned into nine, when considering the temporal dynamics of the wetting/drying cycles in the substrate and the particular plant species adaptations to garner, transfer, store and use water. Under water scarcity, pine and oak exhibited water use segregation from different niches, yet under maximum drought when oak trees crossed physiological thresholds, niche overlap occurred. The identification of niches and mechanistic understanding of when and how species use them will help unify theories of plant coexistence and competition.
How entrepreneurial orientation can leverage innovation project portfolio management
Authors: Kock Alexander , Gemünden Hans Georg
Published: July 2020

Innovation project portfolio management (IPPM) is a key task in R&D management because this decision‐making process determines which R&D projects should be undertaken and how R&D resources are allocated. Previous research has developed a good understanding of the role of IPPM in R&D strategy implementation and of successful IPPM practices. But the fundamental orientations that drive the strategy formation and implementation process have never been investigated in the context of IPPM, and it is unclear whether successful practices are equally valid for different strategic orientations. This study, therefore, investigates the moderating impact of a firm’s entrepreneurial orientation on the relationship between strategic portfolio management practices and portfolio success. An empirical analysis of 257 firms shows that both innovativeness and risk taking as entrepreneurial orientation’s dimensions positively moderate the relationship between managerial practices and performance. Specifically, we find that firms high in innovativeness profit more from stakeholder engagement compared to firms low in innovativeness. Firms high in risk‐taking profit more from a clearly formulated strategy. With increasing innovativeness and risk‐taking propensity, firms also profit more from business case monitoring and agility in portfolio steering. The results suggest that a firm’s entrepreneurial orientation can leverage the effect of IPPM practices. Vice versa, a lacking entrepreneurial orientation can render these practices ineffective. Strategic orientation and IPPM practices should, therefore, be aligned with each other to enable firms to better implement their strategy and generate competitive advantage.
The algorithmic regulation of security: An infrastructural perspective
Authors: Bellanova Rocco , de Goede Marieke
Published: July 2020

This article contributes to debates on algorithmic regulation by focusing on the domain of security. It develops aninfrastructuralperspective, by analyzing how algorithmic regulation is enacted through the custom‐built transatlantic data infrastructures of the EU‐U.S. Passenger Name Records and Terrorism Financing Tracking Program programs. Concerning regulationthroughalgorithms, this approach analyzes how specific, commercial data are rendered transferable and meaningful in a security context. Concerning the regulationofalgorithms, an infrastructural perspective examines how public values like privacy and accountability are built into international data infrastructures. The creation of data infrastructures affects existing modes of governance and fosters novel power relations among public and private actors. We highlightemergentmodes of standard setting, thus enriching Yeung's (2018) taxonomy, and question the practical effects of operationalizing public values through infrastructural choices. Ultimately, the article offers a critical reading of algorithmic security, and how it materially, legally, and politically supports specific ways of doing security.
Risk Science Contributions: Three Illustrating Examples
Authors: Aven Terje
Published: July 2020

This article aims to demonstrate that risk science is important for society, industry and all of us. Rather few people today, including scientists and managers, are familiar with what this science is about—its foundation and main features—and how it is used to gain knowledge and improve communication and decision making in real‐life situations. The article seeks to meet this challenge, by presenting three examples, showing how risk science works to gain new generic, fundamental knowledge on risk concepts, principles, and methods, as well as supporting the practical tackling of actual risk problems.
Are social movements truly social? The prosocial and antisocial outcomes of social movements
Authors: Coley Jonathan S. , Raynes Dakota K. T. , Das Dhruba
Published: July 2020

A growing body of research demonstrates that U.S. politics has become increasingly polarized over the past few decades. In these polarized times, what potential roles might social movements play in bridging divides between, or perhaps further dividing, people across a variety of political and social groups? In this article, we propose a research agenda for social movement studies focused on the prosocial and antisocial outcomes of social movements. Although scholars commonly frame their work on the consequences of social movements in terms of social movements' political, economic, cultural, and biographical outcomes, we suggest a focus on two categories of social movement outcomes (prosocial and antisocial outcomes) that cut across prior theoretical categories, and we show how an emerging body of scholarship has documented such outcomes at micro, meso, and macro levels of analysis. We also consider how emerging scholarship has addressed the sociological question about the conditions under which social movements produce prosocial versus antisocial outcomes. As we argue, attention to prosocial and antisocial outcomes of social movements holds both theoretical implications for social movement research and practical implications for social movements navigating the United States' political and social divides.
The comparative safety of bacterial risk control strategies for platelet components: a simulation study
Authors: Walker Brandon S. , Schmidt Robert L. , Fisher Mark A. , White Sandra K. , Blaylock Robert C. , Metcalf Ryan A.
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND

Bacterial contamination of platelets is a problem that can lead to harmful septic transfusion reactions. The US Food and Drug Administration published a guidance in September 2019 detailing several permissible risk control strategies. Our objective was to compare the safety of each bacterial testing strategy for apheresis platelets.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

We used simulation to compare safety of the nine risk control strategies involving apheresis platelet testing. The primary outcome was the risk of exposure. An exposure event occurred if a patient received platelets exceeding a specific contamination threshold (>0, 103, and 105 colony‐forming units (CFU/mL). We generated a range of bacterial contamination scenarios (inoculum size, doubling time, lag time) and compared risk of exposure for each policy in each contamination scenario. We then computed the average risk difference over all scenarios.

RESULTS

At the 0 CFU/mL exposure threshold, two‐step policies that used secondary culture ranked best (all top three), while single‐step 24‐hour culture with 3‐day expiration ranked last (ninth). This latter policy performed well (median rank of 1) at both the 103 and 105 CFU/mL thresholds, but 48‐hour culture with 7‐day expiration performed relatively poorly. At these higher thresholds, median ranks of two‐step policies that used secondary culture were again top three. Two‐step policies that used rapid testing improved at the higher (105 CFU/mL) harm threshold, with median rankings between 1 and 5.

CONCLUSION

Two‐step policies that used secondary culture were generally safer than single‐step policies. Performance of two‐step policies that used rapid testing depended on the CFU per milliter threshold of exposure used.
Introduction of principles of blood management to healthy donor bone marrow harvesting
Authors: Kim‐Wanner Soo‐Zin , Luxembourg Beate , Schmidt Alexander H. , Schäfer Richard , Möller Nadine , Herbert Eva , Poppe Carolin , Hümmer Christiane , Bunos Milica , Seifried Erhard , Bonig Halvard
Published: July 2020

Background and Objectives

Patient blood (more accurately: haemoglobin, Hb) management (PBM) aims to optimize endogenous Hb production and to minimize iatrogenic Hb loss while maintaining patient safety and optimal effectiveness of medical interventions. PBM was adopted as policy for patients by the World Health Organization (WHO), and, all the more, should be applied to healthy donors.

Materials and Methods

Observational data from 489 bone marrow (BM) donors were retrospectively analysed, and principles of patient blood management were applied to healthy volunteer BM donations.

Results and Conclusion

We managed to render BM aspiration safe for donors, notably completely avoiding the collection of autologous blood units and blood transfusions through iron management, establishment and curation of high‐yield aspiration technique, limitation of collection volume to 1·5% of donor body weight and development of volume prediction algorithms for the requested cell dose.
Dietary education programs for adults with neurological diseases: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Russell Rebecca D. , Black Lucinda J. , Begley Andrea
Published: July 2020

Objective:

The objective of this review is to identify and map the evidence on the types of dietary education programs that have been implemented and evaluated in any setting for adults with neurological diseases. This review will also examine program characteristics, including program duration, length, and number of sessions, and common behavior change techniques used.

Introduction:

Up to 1 billion people are affected by neurological diseases, most commonly Alzheimer's disease and dementias, epilepsy, Huntington's disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and stroke. Dietary recommendations for most of these diseases follow national dietary guidelines. Dietary education programs are recommended by the World Health Organization to promote adherence to a healthy diet, but it is not clear which dietary education programs have been conducted for adults with neurological diseases or the characteristics of such programs.

Inclusion criteria:

This review will consider qualitative and intervention studies (randomized controlled trials, non-randomized controlled trials, and pre-post studies) evaluating dietary education programs for adults with neurological diseases. Programs can be any format in any setting, and may include a comparator group (waitlist control, treatment as usual, or another intervention) or have no comparator group.

Methods:

CINAHL, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Emcare, MEDLINE, ProQuest (ProQuest Central and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses), PsycINFO, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Google Scholar will be searched for publications in English. Neurological organizations will be contacted for unpublished literature. Titles and abstracts will be screened, and full texts accessed for final inclusion. Intervention details, study outcomes, behavior change techniques, and findings will be extracted. Results will be presented in a table with accompanying description.
Enhanced Spray Cooling Using Micropillar Arrays: A Systematic Study
Authors: Muthukrishnan Sankar , Srinivasan Vinod
Published: July 2020

The role of contact-line evaporation on spray impingement heat transfer is systematically studied by spraying de-ionized water on silicon substrates with micropillar arrays. The height, the pillar diameter, and the spacing of the micropillar array were varied from 5 to 50 μm while keeping the porosity constant at 0.75. An air-assisted nozzle was used to create a liquid spray with a Sauter mean diameter (SMD) of ∼22 to 42 μm depending on flow conditions. Most test runs were conducted at a water flow rate of 30 ml/min and an air-liquid mass flow rate ratio of ∼0.57. The results show a continuous increase in the critical heat flux (CHF) as the pillar diameter is decreased. The effects of pillar height are nonmonotonic, with CHF and peak heat transfer coefficient attaining a maximum as the height-to-diameter ratio approaches unity. Values of CHF as high as 830 W/cm2 were achieved, along with cooling efficiencies of 49%. The effect of liquid flow rates and air-flow rates were also investigated independently using textured surfaces.
Shape Memory Alloy Actuators in an Active Needle—Modeling, Precise Assembly, and Performance Evaluation
Authors: Padasdao Blayton , Konh Bardia
Published: July 2020

Today, several medical diagnosis and therapeutic cancer interventions are performed using needles via percutaneous surgical procedures. The success of these procedures highly depends on accurate placement of the needle tip at target positions. Improving targeting accuracy necessitates improvements in medical imaging and needle steering techniques. The former provides an improved vision on the target (i.e., cancerous tissue) and the needle, while the latter enables an enhanced interventional tool. In spite of considerable advancements in the medical imaging field, structure of the needle itself has remained unchanged. In the past decade, research works have suggested passive or active navigation of the needle inside the tissue to improve targeting accuracy. In addition, to provide actuation and control for needle steering, an active needle has been introduced activated by shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators. However, actuation of SMAs is complex due to their nonlinear and hysteresis behavior that depends on stress, strain, and temperature during operation. This work studies rapid manufacturing (via 3D printing), precise assembly, and performance evaluation of multiple distributed SMA actuators in an active flexible needle. The interactive response of the SMA actuators was investigated using experimental tests, constitutive material model, and kinematics of the active needle. It was shown that with proper installation of SMA actuators on the active needle, an effective manipulation can be realized in three dimensions.
Numerical Investigation of Transitional Characteristics for Natural-Convection Flow in Open-Ended Inclined Channel Heated From Below
Authors: Talukdar D. , Li C. G. , Kurose R. , Tsubokura M.
Published: July 2020

This report presents an investigation of the characteristics for transitional natural-convection flow in an open-ended inclined channel heated from below in the air under uniform heat flux intensity and non-Boussinesq condition. The investigated range of modified Rayleigh number and inclination is from 5.93 × 106  to 1.45 × 109  and 30–90 deg to the horizontal, respectively. Fine-resolution implicit large Eddy simulation is performed to solve the compressible governing equations using the modified preconditioned all-speed Roe scheme, hybrid boundary condition, and dual-time-stepping technique. The Nusselt number based on the maximum wall-temperature differs significantly while based on averaged wall-temperature is closer to the previously proposed laminar correlations. Transition is found to be pronounced at a lower angle of inclination (30 deg) for the considered heat flux intensity. The absolute magnitude of the critical length for the start and end of the transition when converted to nondimensional parameters is found to be higher compared to similar data for natural convection flow over a flat plate in water but the ratio of the end to start of the transition is found to be comparable. Single-roll longitudinal vortices periodically placed in spanwise direction exists in the transition region whose wavelength is found to be higher than those reported for channel flow under the isothermal condition and flow over a flat plate in water. Correlations for Nusselt number, critical aspect ratio, and vortex wavelength to the modified Rayleigh number are presented.
A coupled mode model for omnidirectional three-dimensional underwater sound propagation
Authors: DeCourcy Brendan J. , Duda Timothy F.
Published: July 2020

A fully three-dimensional (3D) omnidirectional numerical coupled mode model of acoustic propagation is detailed. A combination of normal mode and finite element computational methods is applied to produce the numerical results. The technique is tested in a strongly range-dependent ocean environment modeled after the Hudson Canyon. Modeled sound from three source locations selected over different bathymetric depths is examined to determine capabilities and difficulties associated with varying numbers of propagating vertical modes across the horizontal domain, and variable amounts of mode coupling. Model results are compared to those from a unidirectional Cartesian 3D parabolic equation simulation, and from adiabatic (uncoupled) simulations to illustrate the capabilities of the techniques to study the influences of coupling, strong refraction, and reflection.
The Streptomyces filipinensis Gamma-Butyrolactone System Reveals Novel Clues for Understanding the Control of Secondary Metabolism
Authors: Barreales Eva G. , Payero Tamara D. , Jambrina Ester , Aparicio Jesús F.
Published: July 2020

Streptomyces
GBLs are important signaling molecules that trigger antibiotic production in a quorum sensing-dependent manner. We have characterized the GBL system from
S. filipinensis
, finding that two key players of this system, the GBL receptor and the pseudo-receptor, each counteracts the transcription of the other for the modulation of filipin production and that such control over antifungal production involves an indirect effect on the transcription of filipin biosynthetic genes. Additionally, the two regulators bind the same sites, are self-regulated, and repress the transcription of three other genes of the GBL cluster, including that encoding the GBL synthase. In contrast to all the GBL receptors known, SfbR activates its own synthesis. Moreover, the pseudo-receptor was identified as the receptor of antimycin A, thus extending the range of examples supporting the idea of signaling effects of antibiotics in
Streptomyces
. The intricate regulatory network depicted here should provide important clues for understanding the regulatory mechanism governing secondary metabolism.
Genomic Characteristics of a Novel Species of Ammonia-Oxidizing Archaea from the Jiulong River Estuary
Authors: Zou Dayu , Wan Ru , Han Lili , Xu Min Nina , Liu Yang , Liu Hongbin , Kao Shuh-Ji , Li Meng
Published: July 2020

In this study, AOA communities along a river in southern China were characterized, and metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) of a novel AOA clade were also obtained. Based on the characterization of AOA genomes, the study suggests adaptation of the novel AOAs to estuarine environments, providing new information on the ecology of estuarine AOA and the nitrogen cycle in contaminated estuarine environments.
Reconstitution of an RNA Virus Replicase in Artificial Giant Unilamellar Vesicles Supports Full Replication and Provides Protection for the Double-Stranded RNA Replication Intermediate
Authors: Kovalev Nikolay , Pogany Judit , Nagy Peter D.
Published: July 2020

Understanding the mechanism of replication of positive-strand RNA viruses, which are major pathogens of plants, animals, and humans, can lead to new targets for antiviral interventions. These viruses subvert intracellular membranes for virus replication and coopt numerous host proteins, whose functions during virus replication are not yet completely defined. To dissect the roles of various host factors in
Tomato bushy stunt virus
(TBSV) replication, we have developed an artificial giant unilamellar vesicle (GUV)-based replication assay. The GUV-based
in vitro
approach recapitulates critical steps of the TBSV replication process. GUV-based reconstitution of the TBSV replicase revealed the need for a complex mixture of phospholipids, especially phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine, in TBSV replication. The GUV-based approach will be useful to dissect the functions of essential coopted cellular factors.
Supplemental Material: The geochemical and geochronological implications of nanoscale trace-element clusters in rutile
Authors: Verberne Rick , al. et
Published: July 2020

Additional information on results, acquisition conditions and visualization of the APT mass spectrum, and 3D digital reconstructions.
Efficacy and safety of patient-led versus physician-led titration of basal insulin in patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Castellana Marco , Procino Filippo , Sardone Rodolfo , Trimboli Pierpaolo , Giannelli Gianluigi
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Insulin is the most effective antihyperglycemic treatment and basal insulin is the preferred initial formulation in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, its effects are dose-dependent, so adequate titration is necessary to reach targets. We performed a meta-analysis to compare the efficacy and safety of patient-led versus physician-led titration of basal insulin in patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes.

Research design and methods

Four databases were searched from database inception through March 2020. Randomized controlled studies with at least 12 weeks of follow-up of patients with type 2 diabetes allocated to patient-led versus physician-led titration of basal insulin were selected. Data on glycemic endpoints (hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), hypoglycemia) and other outcomes (insulin dose, body weight, patient-reported outcomes, adverse events, rescue medication, discontinuation) were extracted. Data were pooled using a random-effects model.

Results

Six studies evaluating 12 409 patients were finally included. Compared with the physician-led performance, patient-led titration was associated with a statistically significant higher basal insulin dose (+6 IU/day), leading to benefits on HbA1c (−0.1%) and FPG (−5 mg/dL), despite a higher risk of any level hypoglycemia (relative risk=1.1) and a slight increase in body weight (+0.2 kg). No difference was found for the other outcomes.

Conclusions

The present study showed that patient-led titration of basal insulin was not inferior to physician-led titration in patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes. Therefore, diabetes self-management education and support programs on basal insulin should be widely adopted in clinical practice and patients provided with tools to self-adjust their dose when necessary.
Increased plasma neurofilament light chain levels in patients with type-1 diabetes with impaired awareness of hypoglycemia
Authors: Sampedro Frederic , Stantonyonge Nicole , Martínez-Horta Saül , Alcolea Daniel , Lleó Alberto , Muñoz Laia , Pérez-González Rocío , Marín-Lahoz Juan , Gómez-Ansón Beatriz , Chico Ana
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Impaired awareness of hypoglycemia (IAH) is a common complication in patients with type-1 diabetes (T1D). IAH is a major risk factor for severe hypoglycemic events, leading to adverse clinical consequences and cerebral damage. Non-invasive, cost-effective, and logistically efficient biomarkers for this condition have not been validated. Here, we propose plasma neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels as a biomarker of neuroaxonal damage in patients with T1D-IAH.

Research design and methods

54 patients were included into the study (18 T1D-IAH, 18 T1D with normal awareness of hypoglycemia (NAH) and 18 healthy controls). We measured plasma NfL levels and studied cerebral gray matter alterations on MRI.

Results

We found that NfL levels were increased in patients with T1D-IAH compared with patients with T1D-NAH and healthy controls. Importantly, increased NfL levels correlated with reduced cerebral gray matter volume and increased IAH severity in patients with T1D-IAH.

Conclusion

Overall, our findings identify plasma NfL levels as a potential biomarker of cerebral damage in this population, motivating further confirmatory studies with potential implications in clinical trials.
Estimating the yield of tuberculosis from key populations to inform targeted interventions in South Africa: a scoping review
Authors: Chimoyi Lucy Andere , Lienhardt Christian , Moodley Nishila , Shete Priya , Churchyard Gavin J , Charalambous Salome
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Tuberculosis (TB) case finding strategies are recommended to increase yield for TB in key populations. Several key populations are identified in the literature, but techniques for estimating yield and prioritising interventions are needed.

Methods

We conducted a scoping review of existing evidence on TB burden to assess contribution of key populations to the TB epidemic in South Africa. Reports, articles and conference abstracts from January 2000 to December 2016 were reviewed to determine TB incidence, prevalence and size of key populations in South Africa. Meta-analysis summarised prevalence and incidence rates of TB in selected key populations assessed for heterogeneity. TB risk was calculated for each key population. Number needed to screen (NNS) to diagnose one case of TB disease was computed. Population attributable fraction estimated the potential impact of interventions on TB cases per population.

Results

The search yielded 140 citations, of which 49 were included in the review and a final 32 were included in the meta-analysis. A high prevalence of TB disease was observed in HIV-infected patients with an estimated effect size (ES=0.25, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.30). Heterogeneity was high in this population (I2=94.8%, p value=0.000). The highest incidence rate of TB disease was observed in the HIV-infected population (ES=6.07, 95% CI 4.90 to 7.51). The risk of TB disease in South Africa was high in informal settlements (RR=5.8), HIV-infected (RR=5.4) and inmates (RR=5.0). Most cases of TB would be found in inmates (NNS=26) and household contacts of patients with TB (NNS=25). A larger impact would be observed if interventions are directed towards inmates (31%), people living with HIV (PLHIV (37%) and informal settlements (43%).

Conclusions

Our findings illustrate the of value using available epidemiological evidence to inform targeted TB interventions. This review suggests that targeting interventions towards inmates, PLHIV and informal settlements would have a bigger impact on TB burden in South Africa.
Risk factors of hyperprolactinemia induced by risperidone and olanzapine and their correlations with plasma glucose and lipids
Authors: He Sidi , Yu Wen Juan , Wang Xiaoliang , Zhang Lei , Zhao Nan , Li Guanjun , Shen Yi Feng , Li Huafang
Published: July 2020

Background

Hyperprolactinemia is a common adverse reaction in patients with schizophrenia who take antipsychotic drugs; it often leads to treatment non-compliance in patients and has an adverse effect on their prognosis.

Aims

This study aimed to explore the risk factors of elevated prolactin (PRL) caused by risperidone (RIS) and olanzapine (OLZ) and the relationship between PRL and fasting plasma glucose and lipids.

Methods

Patients with schizophrenia were divided into two groups: 264 patients who were taking RIS and 175 patients who were taking OLZ. These two groups were further divided according to serum PRL levels: an elevated PRL group (>30 ng/mL) and a normal PRL group (PRL ≤30 ng/mL). The demographics, medication dosage, fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol and triglycerides were compared in the two groups. Logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the risk factors of elevated PRL levels.

Results

Compared with the OLZ group, the RIS group had a greater number of patients with elevated PRL (155/264 vs 58/175). Either the RIS or the OLZ group, the proportion of elevated PRL was greater in female patients (RIS: χ2=6.76, p=0.009; OLZ: χ2=12.98, p<0.001) and with higher doses of the related drugs (RIS: U=−3.73, p<0.001; OLZ: U=−2.31, p=0.021). In patients taking RIS, the elevated PRL subgroup took the drug for a longer period (U=−2.76, p=0.006) and had lower triglyceride levels (U=2.76, p=0.006). In patients taking OLZ, the elevated PRL subgroup had lower fasting plasma glucose levels (U=2.29, p=0.022). Logistic regression analysis showed that gender, dose and fasting glucose levels were significantly associated with elevated PRL levels (RIS: p=0.001, OLZ: p<0.001; RIS: p<0.001; OLZ: p=0.003; RIS: p=0.020, OLZ: p=0.001, respectively).

Conclusion

Compared with OLZ, RIS had a greater effect on PRL in patients with schizophrenia, and in patients with schizophrenia taking RIS or OLZ, gender and dose were significantly correlated with the PRL value. Moreover, the plasma glucose level of the group with elevated PRL was lower than that of the group with normal PRL. The results also showed that high serum PRL may be associated with a favourable glucose metabolic profile in patients with schizophrenia taking RIS or OLZ. Further studies are warranted to confirm this association.

Trial registration number

NCT02640911
Predicting response to immunotherapy in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer using tumor mutational burden radiomic biomarker
Authors: He Bingxi , Dong Di , She Yunlang , Zhou Caicun , Fang Mengjie , Zhu Yongbei , Zhang Henghui , Huang Zhipei , Jiang Tao , Tian Jie , Chen Chang
Published: July 2020

Background

Tumor mutational burden (TMB) is a significant predictor of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) efficacy. This study investigated the correlation between deep learning radiomic biomarker and TMB, including its predictive value for ICIs treatment response in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

CT images from 327 patients with TMB data (TMB median=6.067 mutations per megabase (range: 0 to 42.151)) were retrospectively collected and randomly divided into a training (n=236), validation (n=26), and test cohort (n=65). We used 3D-densenet to estimate the target tumor area, which used 1020 deep learning features to distinguish High-TMB from Low-TMB patients and establish the TMB radiomic biomarker (TMBRB). The TMBRB was developed in the training cohort combined with validation cohort and evaluated in the test cohort. The predictive value of TMBRB was assessed in a cohort of 123 NSCLC patients who had received ICIs (survival median=462 days (range: 16 to 1128)).

Results

TMBRB discriminated between High-TMB and Low-TMB patients in the training cohort (area under the curve (AUC): 0.85, 95% CI: 0.84 to 0.87))and test cohort (AUC: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.77 to 0.85). In this study, the predictive value of TMBRB was better than that of a histological subtype (AUC of training cohort: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.72 to 0.77; AUC of test cohort: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.66 to 0.76) or Radiomic model (AUC of training cohort: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.72 to 0.77; AUC of test cohort: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.69 to 0.79). When predicting immunotherapy efficacy, TMBRB divided patients into a high- and low-risk group with distinctly different overall survival (OS; HR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.31 to 0.95; p=0.030) and progression-free survival (PFS; HR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.07 to 2.95; p=0.023). Moreover, TMBRB had a better predictive ability when combined with the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (OS: p=0.007; PFS: p=0.003). Visual analysis revealed that tumor microenvironment was important for predicting TMB.

Conclusion

By combining deep learning technology and CT images, we developed an individual non-invasive biomarker that could distinguish High-TMB from Low-TMB, which might inform decisions on the use of ICIs in patients with advanced NSCLC.
Environmental exposure to phthalates and dementia with Lewy bodies: contribution of metabolomics
Authors: Agin Arnaud , Blanc Frédéric , Bousiges Olivier , Villette Claire , Philippi Nathalie , Demuynck Catherine , Martin-Hunyadi Catherine , Cretin Benjamin , Lang Sabine , Zumsteg Julie , Namer Izzie Jacques , Heintz Dimitri
Published: July 2020

Background

In neurodegenerative diseases, alongside genetic factors, the possible intervention of environmental factors in the pathogenesis is increasingly being considered. In particular, recent evidence suggests the intervention of a pesticide-like xenobiotic in the initiation of disease with Lewy bodies (DLB).

Objectives

To test for the presence of pesticides or other xenobiotics in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with DLB.

Methods

A total of 45 patients were included in this study: 16 patients with DLB at the prodromal stage, 8 patients with DLB at the demented stage, 8 patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) at the prodromal stage and 13 patients with AD at the demented stage. CSF was obtained by lumbar puncture and analysed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry.

Results

Among the compounds detected in greater abundance in the CSF of patients with DLB compared with patients with AD, only one had a xenobiotic profile potentially related to the pathophysiology of DLB. After normalisation and scaling, bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate was more abundant in the CSF of patients with DLB (whole cohort: 2.7-fold abundant in DLB, p=0.031; patients with dementia: 3.8-fold abundant in DLB, p=0.001).

Conclusions

This study is the first reported presence of a phthalate in the CSF of patients with DLB. This molecule, which is widely distributed in the environment and enters the body orally, nasally and transdermally, was first introduced in the 1920s as a plasticizer. Thereafter, the first cases of DLB were described in the 1960s and 1970s. These observations suggest that phthalates may be involved in the pathophysiology of DLB.
Factors associated with early opioid dispensing compared with NSAID and muscle relaxant dispensing after a work-related low back injury
Authors: Carnide Nancy , Hogg-Johnson Sheilah , Côté Pierre , Koehoorn Mieke , Furlan Andrea D
Published: July 2020

Objectives

The objective of this historical cohort study was to determine the claimant and prescriber factors associated with receiving opioids at first postinjury dispense compared with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and skeletal muscle relaxants (SMRs) in a sample of workers’ compensation claimants with low back pain (LBP) claims between 1998 and 2009 in British Columbia, Canada.

Methods

Administrative workers’ compensation, prescription and healthcare data were linked. The association between claimant factors (sociodemographics, occupation, diagnosis, comorbidities, pre-injury prescriptions and healthcare) and prescriber factors (sex, birth year, specialty) with drug class(es) at first dispense (opioids vs NSAIDs/SMRs) was examined with multilevel multinomial logistic regression.

Results

Increasing days supplied with opioids in the previous year was associated with increased odds of receiving opioids only (1–14 days OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.51 to 1.75; ≥15 days OR 5.12, 95% CI 4.65 to 5.64) and opioids with NSAIDs/SMRs (1–14 days OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.39 to 1.60; ≥15 days OR 2.82, 95% CI 2.56 to 3.12). Other significant claimant factors included: pre-injury dispenses for NSAIDs, SMRs, antidepressants, anticonvulsants and sedative-hypnotics/anxiolytics; International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 9th Revision diagnosis; various pre-existing comorbidities; prior physician visits and hospitalisations; and year of injury, age, sex, health authority and occupation. Prescribers accounted for 25%–36% of the variability in the drug class(es) received, but prescriber sex, specialty and birth year did not explain observed between-prescriber variation.

Conclusions

During this period in the opioid crisis, early postinjury dispensing was multifactorial, with several claimant factors associated with receiving opioids at first prescription. Prescriber variation in drug class choice appears particularly important, but was not explained by basic prescriber characteristics.
Pd/APN-Mn(BTC) as novel, highly efficient, and recyclable catalyst for Suzuki–Miyaura cross coupling reaction
Authors: Aliyan Hamid , Fazaeli Razieh
Published: July 2020

A novel, heterogeneous, and bifunctional metal organic framework containing palladium and manganese, Pd/APN-Mn(BTC), has been prepared and completely characterized using FTIR, XRD, SEM-EDS, N2 adsorption–desorption, TG-DTG, NH3-TPD, and ICP analytical techniques. The APN-Mn(BTC) framework has been shown to be a useful platform for the stabilization and support of palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs). Very effective catalytic activity has been exhibited by the highly dispersed Pd particles, Pd-NPs/APN-Mn(BTC), in the Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction with reasonable to excellent reaction yields under mild conditions in H2O–ethanol solvent.
Two-dimensional titanium carbide (Ti3C2) MXene towards enhancing thermal catalysis decomposition of dihydroxylammonium 5,5′-bistetrazole-1,1′-diolate (TKX-50)
Authors: Zhu Shuaida , Feng Yuqi , Li Xiaoxia , Xie Zhaobian , Zhao Haixia , Hu Lishuang , Cao Xiong
Published: July 2020

In this study, we demonstrated that two-dimensional (2D) MXene materials (Ti3C2) were creatively introduced into the thermal catalysis fields of high energy density salts dihydroxylammonium 5,5′-bistetrazole-1,1′-diolate (TKX-50) and Ti3C2 MXene materials play a significant catalytic role in the thermal decomposition of TKX-50. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the morphology and structure of the Ti3C2 MXene nanosheets. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to evaluate the thermal decomposition properties of pure TKX-50 with and without 2D Ti3C2 added. The results showed that with adding 5 wt% MXene, the peak temperature of TKX-50 was reduced from 250.5 to 233.3 °C, which is a reduction of 17.2 °C. The reaction heat release increased from 2197 to 2907 J g−1, which is an increase of 710 J g−1. The Ea was decreased by 44.8 kJ mol−1, from 220.0 to 175.2 kJ mol−1. Moreover, a synergistic catalytic mechanism for the thermal decomposition of TKX-50 was proposed.
Sterile neutrino oscillometry with Jinping
Authors: Smirnov M. V. , Hu Zh. J. , Ling J. J. , Novikov Yu. N. , Wang Z. , Yang G.
Published: July 2020

The existence of sterile neutrino is an open question in neutrino physics up to now. The method of neutrino oscillometry provides a powerful tool to test the common 3 + 1 sterile neutrino hypothesis, i.e. three active flavors and one sterile flavor. There are several antineutrino sources which can be used for this method. One of them is the well known isotope chain of $$^{144}\mathrm{Ce}$$144Ce–$$^{144}{\mathrm{Pr}}$$144Pr with initial activity around 50–100 kCi. It has compact size and might be installed either outside or inside the detector. Another one is the short-lived isotope $$^8{\mathrm{Li}}$$8Li, which can be produced in nuclear reaction of a proton beam hitting a beryllium target. The lithium source has only the out-of-detector option due to its large size. The proposed Jinping water-based liquid scintillator detector will be used as a detection volume. Above experimental setups will allow us to cover the current best fit values of oscillation parameters with 90% C.L. At the same time, it is sensitive to the region of the Neutrino-4 result.
Quantum test of the Universality of Free Fall using rubidium and potassium
Authors: Albers Henning , Herbst Alexander , Richardson Logan L. , Heine Hendrik , Nath Dipankar , Hartwig Jonas , Schubert Christian , Vogt Christian , Woltmann Marian , Lämmerzahl Claus , Herrmann Sven , Ertmer Wolfgang , Rasel Ernst M. , Schlippert Dennis
Published: July 2020

We report on an improved test of the Universality of Free Fall using a rubidium-potassium dual-species matter wave interferometer. We describe our apparatus and detail challenges and solutions relevant when operating a potassium interferometer, as well as systematic effects affecting our measurement. Our determination of the Eötvös ratio yields ηRb,K = −1.9 × 10−7 with a combined standard uncertainty of ση = 3.2 × 10−7.

Graphical abstract
Homogeneous 8-manifolds admitting invariant Spin(7)-structures
Authors: Alekseevsky Dmitri , Chrysikos Ioannis , Fino Anna , Raffero Alberto
Published: July 2020

We study compact, simply connected, homogeneous 8-manifolds admitting invariant [Formula: see text]-structures, classifying all canonical presentations [Formula: see text] of such spaces, with [Formula: see text] simply connected. For each presentation, we exhibit explicit examples of invariant [Formula: see text]-structures and we describe their type, according to Fernández classification. Finally, we analyze the associated [Formula: see text]-connection with torsion.
Ihara Zeta function, coefficients of Maclaurin series and Ramanujan graphs
Authors: Huang Hau-Wen
Published: July 2020

Let [Formula: see text] denote a connected [Formula: see text]-regular undirected graph of finite order [Formula: see text]. The graph [Formula: see text] is called Ramanujan whenever [Formula: see text] for all nontrivial eigenvalues [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text]. We consider the variant [Formula: see text] of the Ihara Zeta function [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] defined by [Formula: see text] The function [Formula: see text] satisfies the functional equation [Formula: see text]. Let [Formula: see text] denote the number sequence given by [Formula: see text] In this paper, we establish the equivalence of the following statements: (i) [Formula: see text] is Ramanujan; (ii) [Formula: see text] for all [Formula: see text]; (iii) [Formula: see text] for infinitely many even [Formula: see text]. Furthermore, we derive the Hasse–Weil bound for the Ramanujan graphs.
Optimal Staffing for Online-to-Offline On-Demand Delivery Systems: In-House or Crowd-Sourcing Drivers?
Authors: Dai Hongyan , Liu Yali , Yan Nina , Zhou Weihua
Published: July 2020

Online-to-offline (O2O) on-demand services require one-hour delivery and the demands vary substantially within one day. The capacity plans in the O2O industry evolve into three main modes: (i) in-house drivers only; (ii) full-time and part-time crowd-sourcing drivers; (iii) a mix of in-house and crowd-sourcing drivers. For current capacity plans, two issues remain unclear for both academia and industry. First, what is the optimal staffing decision when considering the behaviors of crowd-sourcing drivers. Second, how to choose from different capacity plans to match different operation strategies and market environments. To address these questions, we build an M/M/n queueing model to optimize the staffing decision with the aim of minimizing the total operation costs. Incentive mechanisms for both customers and crowd-sourcing drivers are crafted to improve their loyalty towards the O2O platform, in order to better manage capacity. Moreover, we apply a real dataset from one of the largest O2O platforms in China to verify our model. Our analyses show that adding flexibility — capacity-type flexibility and agent flexibility — to the O2O on-demand logistics system can help control costs and maintain a high service level. Furthermore, conditions in which different capacity plans match with different operation strategies and market environments are proposed.
On virtual cabling and a structure of 4-strand virtual pure braid group
Authors: Bardakov Valeriy G. , Wu Jie
Published: July 2020

This paper is dedicated to cabling on virtual braids. This construction gives a new generating set for the virtual pure braid group [Formula: see text]. We define simplicial group [Formula: see text] and its simplicial subgroup [Formula: see text] which is generated by [Formula: see text]. Consequently, we describe [Formula: see text] as HNN-extension and find presentation of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. As an application to classical braids, we find a new presentation of the Artin pure braid group [Formula: see text] in terms of the cabled generators.
An equivalent description of the lens space L(p,q) with p prime
Authors: Li Fengling , Wang Dongxu , Liang Liang , Lei Fengchun
Published: July 2020

In the paper, we give an equivalent description of the lens space [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] prime in terms of any corresponding Heegaard diagrams as follows: Let [Formula: see text] be a closed orientable 3-manifold with [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] a Heegaard splitting of genus [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text] with an associated Heegaard diagram [Formula: see text]. Assume [Formula: see text] is a prime integer. Then [Formula: see text] is homeomorphic to the lens space [Formula: see text] if and only if there exists an embedding [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] bounds a complete system of surfaces for [Formula: see text].