bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validation of inducible basophil biomarkers: Time, temperature and transportation
Authors: Kim Theodore , Yu Jing , Li Henry , Scarupa Mark , Wasserman Richard L. , Economides Athena , White Martha , Ward Carla , Shah Atul , Jones Douglas , Rathkopf Melinda , Frye Kelly , Aybar Ahmet , Shayegan Shahrooz , Enav Benjamin , Ispas Laura , Loizou Denise , Fitzhugh David , Tracy James , Friedlander James , Jacobs Zachary , Matz Jonathan , Golden David , McNeil Donald , McCann William , Copenhaver Christopher , Factor Jeffrey , Gupta Raavi , Alpan Oral , Plassmeyer Matthew , Sønder Søren Ulrik
Published: February 2021

Background

The short stability window of several hours from blood collection to measuring basophil activation has limited the use of flow cytometry‐based basophil activation assays in clinical settings. We examine if it is possible to extend this window to 1 day allowing for shipment of samples between laboratories. Several options exist for reporting the results including reporting all the measured values directly, calculating ratios and reporting a single value covering all measured results. Each of these options have different stability and value to the physician.

Methods

Whole blood samples from peanut allergic patients were stimulated with four different peanut concentrations at Day 0, Day 1, and Day 2. Samples were stored under temperature‐controlled conditions. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the samples. The basophil activation and degranulation were measured as percentage of positive CD63 basophils and CD203c MFI fold change. Shipped samples were transported under ambient conditions.

Results

The results show that CD63 is a stable marker at Day 1. The CD203c ratio decreases significantly at Day 1. Calculating the CD63/IgE ratio proves to be more stable than CD63 alone. The most stable readouts are the semi‐quantitative results and the trajectory of the dose response curve. Finally, we confirmed that the stability can be extended to samples shipped overnight to the laboratory.

Conclusions

It is possible to extend the stability of the basophil activation assay to 1 day for samples stored at 18–25°C as well as samples shipped under ambient conditions as long as the temperature is within the 2–37°C range.
T‐MoCA: A valid phone screen for cognitive impairment in diverse community samples
Authors: Katz Mindy J. , Wang Cuiling , Nester Caroline O. , Derby Carol A. , Zimmerman Molly E. , Lipton Richard B. , Sliwinski Martin J. , Rabin Laura A.
Published: February 2021

Introduction

There is an urgent need to validate telephone versions of widely used general cognitive measures, such as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (T‐MoCA), for remote assessments.

Methods

In the Einstein Aging Study, a diverse community cohort (n = 428; mean age = 78.1; 66% female; 54% non‐White), equivalence testing was used to examine concordance between the T‐MoCA and the corresponding in‐person MoCA assessment. Receiver operating characteristic analyses examined the diagnostic ability to discriminate between mild cognitive impairment and normal cognition. Conversion methods from T‐MoCA to the MoCA are presented.

Results

Education, race/ethnicity, gender, age, self‐reported cognitive concerns, and telephone administration difficulties were associated with both modes of administration; however, when examining the difference between modalities, these factors were not significant. Sensitivity and specificity for the T‐MoCA (using Youden's index optimal cut) were 72% and 59%, respectively.

Discussion

The T‐MoCA demonstrated sufficient psychometric properties to be useful for screening of MCI, especially when clinic visits are not feasible.
Atypical protein kinase C is essential for embryonic vascular development in mice
Authors: Chen Zee , Duan Yaoyun , Wang Hong , Tang Huayuan , Wang Shijia , Wang Xinru , Liu Jie , Fang Xi , Ouyang Kunfu
Published: February 2021

The atypical PKC (aPKC) subfamily constitutes PKCζ and PKCλ in mice, and both aPKC isoforms have been proposed to be involved in regulating various endothelial cell (EC) functions. However, the physiological function of aPKC in ECs during embryonic development has not been well understood. To address this question, we utilized Tie2‐Cre to delete PKCλ alone (PKCλ‐SKO) or both PKCλ and PKCζ (DKO) in ECs, and found that all DKO mice died at around the embryonic day 11.5 (E11.5), whereas a small proportion of PKCλ‐SKO mice survived till birth. PKCλ‐SKO embryos also exhibited less phenotypic severity than DKO embryos at E10.5 and E11.5, suggesting a potential compensatory role of PKCζ for PKCλ in embryonic ECs. We then focused on DKO embryos and investigated the effects of aPKC deficiency on embryonic vascular development. At E9.5, deletion of both aPKC isoforms reduced the diameters of vitelline artery and vein, and decreased branching from both vitelline vessels in yolk sac. Ablation of both aPKC isoforms also disrupted embryonic angiogenesis in head and trunk at the same stage, increasing apoptosis of both ECs and non‐ECs. Taken together, our results demonstrated that aPKC in ECs plays an essential role in regulating cell apoptosis, angiogenesis, and embryonic survival.
Beta diversity of aquatic macroinvertebrate assemblages associated with leaf patches in neotropical montane streams
Authors: Callisto Marcos , Linares Marden S. , Kiffer Walace P. , Hughes Robert M. , Moretti Marcelo S. , Macedo Diego R. , Solar Ricardo
Published: February 2021

Over 70% of the total channel length in all river basins is formed by low order streams, many of which originate on mountaintops. Headwater streams play fundamental roles in processing and transporting terrestrial and aquatic organic matter, often harboring high biodiversity in bottom leaf patches deposited from riparian vegetation. The objective of this study was to assess the variation in taxonomic composition (measured by beta diversity of aquatic macroinvertebrates) among stream sites located in the Espinhaço Meridional Mountain Range, part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in eastern Brazil. We tested two hypotheses. (a) Taxa turnover is the main reason for differences in aquatic insect assemblages within stream sites; we predicted that turnover would be higher than nestedness in all stream sites. (b) Stream site altitude and catchment elevation range are the main explanatory variables for the differences in beta diversity; we predicted that local stream site variables would account for only minor amounts of variation. In both dry and wet seasons, we sampled twice in two habitat types (five leaf patches in pools and five in riffles) in each of nine stream sites distributed in three different river basins. We computed average pairwise beta diversity among sampling stations and seasons in each stream site by using Jaccard and Bray–Curtis indices, and calculated the percentages of diversity resulting from turnover and nestedness. Finally, we tested the degree that local‐ or catchment‐level predictor variables explained beta diversity. We found that turnover was the main component of beta diversity and that both dissolved oxygen and elevation range best explained Bray–Curtis beta diversity. These results reinforce the importance of leaf patches in montane (sky islands) Neotropical savanna streams as biodiversity hotbeds for macroinvertebrates, and that both local and landscape variables explained beta diversity.
Life‐history traits, geographical range, and conservation aspects of reef fishes from the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific
Authors: Quimbayo Juan Pablo , Silva Fernanda Carolina , Mendes Thiago Costa , Ferrari Débora Silva , Danielski Samara Leopoldino , Bender Mariana Gomes , Parravicini Valeriano , Kulbicki Michel , Floeter Sergio Ricardo
Published: February 2021

Reef fish represent one of the most diverse vertebrate groups on Earth, with over 7,000 species distributed around the globe. This richness is not evenly distributed geographically. The Atlantic (AT) and the Eastern Pacific (EP) encompass 30% of the global fish fauna. These areas have been considered the most isolated from the marine biodiversity hotspot in the Indo‐Pacific due to distinct physical barriers, such as the Tethyan closure and the distance between the EP and the western Pacific. Despite their comparatively lower species richness, these realms host unique fish assemblages characterized by a remarkable proportion of regional endemics and species with large body size. Here, we present the largest database of life‐history traits and biogeographical and conservation aspects presently available for the reef fish fauna of the AT and the EP realms. The database includes 21 traits distributed into behavioral (home range, diel activity, group size, level in the water column, three measures of preferred temperature), morphological (maximum body size, size class, body shape, aspect ratio, caudal fin, mouth position), and ecological (trophic level, diet, spawning strategy, depth of occurrence, two allometric constants, pelagic larval duration, and life span), as well as biogeographical (geographic range index, range extension, species distribution in 20 marine provinces, latitude north and south of occurrence, total number of provinces where species occur, occurrence in the AT and EP), and conservation aspects (IUCN status, vulnerability and global market price). We compiled these data through a careful review of 104 local checklists published between 1982 and 2020, online repositories, local reports, books, and monographs on specific families or genera. We limited our database to localities situated between latitudes 51°N and 45°S that including shallow and upper mesophotic biogenic and/or rocky reefs habitats. Our database covers 2,198 species belonging to 146 families and 655 reef fish genera distributed in two marine realms (1,458 in the AT, 829 in the EP, and 89 in both realms) and 20 marine provinces. This database of reef fish offers the opportunity to explore novel ecological and evolutionary questions at different scales and provides tools for species conservation based on these traits. There are no copyright or proprietary restrictions for research or teaching purposes.
Prognostic impact of elevated fatty acid‐binding protein 1 in patients with heart failure
Authors: Kagami Kazuki , Sunaga Hiroaki , Sorimachi Hidemi , Harada Tomonari , Yoshida Kuniko , Kato Toshimitsu , Kurosawa Koji , Kawakami Ryo , Koitabashi Norimichi , Iso Tatsuya , Adachi Takeshi , Kurabayashi Masahiko , Obokata Masaru
Published: February 2021

Aims

Few biomarkers to evaluate pathophysiological changes in extra‐cardiac tissues have been identified in patients with heart failure (HF). Fatty acid‐binding protein 1 (FABP), also known as liver FABP, is predominantly expressed in the liver. Circulating FABP1 has been proposed to be a sensitive biomarker for liver injury. However, little is known about the potential role of FABP1 as a biomarker for HF.

Methods and results

Measurements of serum FABP1 and echocardiography were performed in subjects with compensated HF (n = 162) and control subjects without HF (n = 20). Patients were prospectively followed‐up for a composite outcome of all‐cause mortality or HF hospitalization. Compared with control subjects, levels of FABP1 were elevated in HF patients [7.9 (6.4–11.7) vs. 17.6 (10.4–28.9) ng/mL, P < 0.0001]. There were significant correlations between FABP1 levels and estimated right ventricular systolic pressure and right atrial pressure. During a median follow‐up of 12.0 months, there were 55 primary composite endpoints in the HF cohort. The highest FABP1 tertile was associated with a three‐fold increased risk of the composite outcome compared with the lowest tertile [95% confidence interval (1.46–6.68), P = 0.003], but other conventional hepatobiliary markers did not predict the outcome. After adjusting for age, sex, atrial fibrillation, and N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide levels, serum FABP1 remained independently associated with the outcome. Adding FABP1 to the model based on clinical factors and N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide significantly improved the prognostic value (global χ2 20.8 vs. 15.5, P = 0.01).

Conclusion

Serum FABP1 levels are elevated in compensated HF patients, and the magnitude of elevation is independently associated with pulmonary hypertension, right atrial hypertension, and worse clinical outcomes. FABP1 may serve as a new potential biomarker for the assessment of hitherto unrecognized derangement of cardio‐hepatic interaction in HF.
Highly multiplexed tissue imaging using repeated oligonucleotide exchange reaction
Authors: Kennedy‐Darling Julia , Bhate Salil S. , Hickey John W. , Black Sarah , Barlow Graham L. , Vazquez Gustavo , Venkataraaman Vishal G. , Samusik Nikolay , Goltsev Yury , Schürch Christian M. , Nolan Garry P.
Published: February 2021

Multiparameter tissue imaging enables analysis of cell‐cell interactions in situ, the cellular basis for tissue structure, and novel cell types that are spatially restricted, giving clues to biological mechanisms behind tissue homeostasis and disease. Here, we streamlined and simplified the multiplexed imaging method CO‐Detection by indEXing (CODEX) by validating 58 unique oligonucleotide barcodes that can be conjugated to antibodies. We showed that barcoded antibodies retained their specificity for staining cognate targets in human tissue. Antibodies were visualized one at a time by adding a fluorescently labeled oligonucleotide complementary to oligonucleotide barcode, imaging, stripping, and repeating this cycle. With this we developed a panel of 46 antibodies that was used to stain five human lymphoid tissues: three tonsils, a spleen, and a LN. To analyze the data produced, an image processing and analysis pipeline was developed that enabled single‐cell analysis on the data, including unsupervised clustering, that revealed 31 cell types across all tissues. We compared cell‐type compositions within and directly surrounding follicles from the different lymphoid organs and evaluated cell‐cell density correlations. This sequential oligonucleotide exchange technique enables a facile imaging of tissues that leverages pre‐existing imaging infrastructure to decrease the barriers to broad use of multiplexed imaging.
A priori assessment of long‐term productivity of frac‐packed wells for producing natural gas from marine gas hydrate reservoirs
Authors: Guo Boyun , Fu Chunkai , Liu Ning
Published: February 2021

This work investigates the feasibility of using frac‐packing techniques to complete wells in marine gas hydrate fields. It focuses on the long‐term well productivity under pseudo‐steady state flow conditions after the gas hydrate reservoir pressure drops to below the hydrate dissociation pressure within the well drainage area. The analytical model proposed by Shan et al. (J Energy Sci Eng, 2020, 8, 1247) for cross‐flow in the fractured region was modified in this study to include the horizontal radial flow in the non‐fractured region of the well drainage area. Methods were developed to predict the fracture geometry and to design proppant size distribution for formation sand/particle control. Sensitivity analyses with the model identified the fracture radius and permeability being the key factors affecting the productivity of frac‐packed wells. Well productivity was found to increase non‐linearly with fracture radius and permeability. The benefit of increasing fracture size drops due to the choking effect near the wellbore and pressure loss inside the fracture. The benefit of increasing fracture permeability diminishes when the fracture permeability is large due to the bottleneck of low reservoir permeability. Gas hydrate wells in the Shenhu area, northern South China Sea, can be elevated to commercial levels of greater than 10 MMscf per day with a proppant injection volume of 110 cubic feet during frac‐packing. Well productivity can be further increased by injecting higher proppant volume to enlarge fracture. This work presents a simple method for assessment of frac‐packing design to improve well productivity in marine gas hydrate reservoirs.
A quantitative cross‐comparison of container networking technologies for virtualized service infrastructures in local computing environments
Authors: Aziz Shah Awais , Piro Giuseppe , Alfredo Grieco Luigi , Boggia Gennaro
Published: February 2021

Container networking is emerging as a game‐changer paradigm for the deployment of virtualized service infrastructures in a faster and reliable way. Nevertheless, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are still skeptical to revise their business in this direction because of the absence of deep studies showing its effectiveness in real deployments leveraging local computing environments. To bridge this gap, this article presents a quantitative cross‐comparison of cutting‐edge technologies for container networking (including Docker as a container engine, Docker Swarm and Kubernetes as orchestrators, bare‐metal and OpenStack cloud as deployment platform), properly integrated to realize a virtualized service infrastructure within a commercial workstation. Initial experimental tests are conducted to identify the most suitable combination of technologies for high‐load environments, where many clients contact the virtualized service infrastructure to download files of large size. Obtained results demonstrate that the combination of Docker and Kubernetes generally ensures better performance on the bare‐metal deployment platform, thus emerging as mature and effective solutions to be used by SMEs. Finally, the behavior of the identified virtualized service infrastructure is also evaluated in a smart farm use case, where containers are in charge of processing images provided by mobile drones for monitoring purposes. In addition, in this case, the conducted study highlights the promising capability offered by container networking in real deployments, exploiting local computing environments.
Multi‐scale simulations of the thermal degradation of thin wooden plates: Evaluation of two kinetic mechanisms
Authors: Gerandi Guillaume , Tihay‐Felicelli Virginie , Morandini Frederic , Santoni Paul‐Antoine
Published: February 2021

This study evaluates two kinetic mechanisms to predict, on matter‐level and material‐level scales, the thermal degradation of thin plates of oak and eucalyptus as representing vegetative fuel involved in wildfires. The lumped mechanism considers four successive steps, whereas the simplified one includes two steps. The kinetic parameters of these mechanisms were identified with thermogravimetric analysis in air for heating rates between 2 and 30 °C min−1. On the matter‐level scale, kinetic mechanisms were tested for heating rates inside and outside the parameters optimization range. The simulations of the mass loss were close to the experimental data. The lumped mechanism gave better results than the simplified one. On the material‐level scale, the mass loss and temperature recorded during thermal degradation of thin wooden plates, with a heating cone, were compared to simulations performed with GPYRO. When only the gasification stage occurred, both mechanisms predicted results close to the experimental data. When char oxidation occurred, the beginning of the gasification stage was well predicted, whereas some differences appeared during the transition between the gasification and char oxidation stages. The performance of both mechanisms indicates that a two‐step mechanism is capable of modeling the thermal degradation of thin wooden plates on a material scale.
Impact of petrographic characteristics on reservoir quality of tight sandstone reservoirs in coal‐bearing strata: A case study in Lower Permian Shihezi Formation in northern Ordos Basin, China
Authors: Liu Zihao , Wu Shenghe , Li Jinbu , Xu Zhenhua , Tian Miao , Zhang Tianyou , An Yang
Published: February 2021

The lower Shihezi Formation in the Sulige gas field is the main gas exploitation target in the Ordos Basin and is crucial in finding high‐quality reservoirs for further exploration. Using X‐ray diffraction, cathodoluminescence (CL), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques, the eighth member of lower Shihezi Formation (He8) sandstones are characterized as fine‐ to coarse‐grained quartzarenite and litharenite with good sorting, which are controlled by different sources and depositional faces. Four types of sandstones are recognized according to varied petrographic characteristics, among which fine‐grained sandstones (type I) has the poorest reservoir quality and coarse‐grained sandstones with chlorite coating (type II) are the best reservoirs. The complicated diagenetic process mainly includes intense compaction, two‐stage dissolution, quartz and calcite cementation, which is closely associated with the thermal evolution of coals. The increased ductile fragments account for low reservoir quality in type I sandstones. Due to the absence of feldspar, the influence of other detrital components on the reservoir quality has increased. Sandstones with abundant volcanic fragments (type II) usually formed grain‐coating chlorite, which inhibit tight compaction and quartz cementations. Quartz overgrowth originated from feldspar dissolution as well as pressure dissolution of detrital quartz are frequently observed in medium‐ to coarse‐grained quartzarenite (type III). The high‐quality reservoir exits when the ductile grains content is about 4%, according to the negative relationship between quartz cement and ductile content. Although there are a lot of dissolution pores in medium‐ to coarse‐grained litharenite (type IV), the reservoir quality did not improve much due to the diagenetic minerals filling in the secondary pores.
Permian–Triassic highly fractionated I‐type granites in the Baituyingzi Mo–Cu area, southeastern Inner Mongolia, NE China: Petrogenesis and tectonic implications
Authors: Sun Yan , Liu Jianming , Zeng Qingdong , Wang Jingbin , Gu Xuexiang
Published: February 2021

The Permian–Triassic plutons along the Chifeng‐Bayan Obo Fault, southeastern Inner Mongolia, help to provide important constraints on the craton–orogenic boundary of the North China Craton (NCC) and the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) and the regionally coeval Mo–Cu mineralization environment. New LA‐ICP‐MS zircon U–Pb data indicate that two granites from the Baituyingzi Mo–Cu area in Chifeng city were emplaced at ca. 274 Ma and ca. 242 Ma. They have high SiO2 (73.44–77.82 wt%) and Na2O + K2O (8.49–10.28 wt%) contents and are high‐K calc‐alkaline, with very high differentiation indexes (DI = 97.1–98.3) and low Zr saturation temperatures of whole rocks (703–738°C). They are also characterized by (La/Yb)N ratios of 4.09–9.30 and enrichments in Rb and Th relative to Nb and Ta, with pronounced negative Eu (Eu/Eu* = 0.14–0.50), Ba, Sr, P, and Ti anomalies. Comparatively, the Permian granite has slightly higher zircon εHf(t) values (+1.7 to +4.6) than those of the Triassic granite (εHf(t) = −3.4 to +0.1) and is less alkaline‐rich. These results, combined with petrographic data, indicate that they are highly fractionated I‐type granites. The granites were likely derived from Mesoproterozoic juvenile crust that had experienced subduction‐related fluid metasomatism, and the resulting magmas then underwent extensive fractional crystallization. In combination with regional geology, we propose that: (a) the granites have tectonic affinity with the CAOB and serve as spatial markers for monitoring the juxtaposition of the NCC and the CAOB, and (b) the studied granites and coeval porphyry deposits likely formed in a syn‐ to post‐collisional setting.
Personalized connectivity‐guided DLPFC‐TMS for depression: Advancing computational feasibility, precision and reproducibility
Authors: Cash Robin F.H. , Cocchi Luca , Lv Jinglei , Wu Yumeng , Fitzgerald Paul B. , Zalesky Andrew
Published: February 2021

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is an established treatment for refractory depression, however, therapeutic outcomes vary. Mounting evidence suggests that clinical response relates to functional connectivity with the subgenual cingulate cortex (SGC) at the precise DLPFC stimulation site. Critically, SGC‐related network architecture shows considerable interindividual variation across the spatial extent of the DLPFC, indicating that connectivity‐based target personalization could potentially be necessary to improve treatment outcomes. However, to date accurate personalization has not appeared feasible, with recent work indicating that the intraindividual reproducibility of optimal targets is limited to 3.5 cm. Here we developed reliable and accurate methodologies to compute individualized connectivity‐guided stimulation targets. In resting‐state functional MRI scans acquired across 1,000 healthy adults, we demonstrate that, using this approach, personalized targets can be reliably and robustly pinpointed, with a median accuracy of ~2 mm between scans repeated across separate days. These targets remained highly stable, even after 1 year, with a median intraindividual distance between coordinates of only 2.7 mm. Interindividual spatial variation in personalized targets exceeded intraindividual variation by a factor of up to 6.85, suggesting that personalized targets did not trivially converge to a group‐average site. Moreover, personalized targets were heritable, suggesting that connectivity‐guided rTMS personalization is stable over time and under genetic control. This computational framework provides capacity for personalized connectivity‐guided TMS targets to be robustly computed with high precision and has the flexibly to advance research in other basic research and clinical applications.
Neural changes following equine‐assisted therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder: A longitudinal multimodal imaging study
Authors: Zhu Xi , Suarez‐Jimenez Benjamin , Zilcha‐Mano Sigal , Lazarov Amit , Arnon Shay , Lowell Ari L. , Bergman Maja , Ryba Matthew , Hamilton Allan J. , Hamilton Jane F. , Turner J. Blake , Markowitz John C. , Fisher Prudence W. , Neria Yuval
Published: February 2021

Background

While effective treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) exist, many individuals, including military personnel and veterans fail to respond to them. Equine‐assisted therapy (EAT), a novel PTSD treatment, may complement existing PTSD interventions. This study employs longitudinal neuro‐imaging, including structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI), resting state‐fMRI (rs‐fMRI), and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), to determine mechanisms and predictors of EAT outcomes for PTSD.

Method

Nineteen veterans with PTSD completed eight weekly group sessions of EAT undergoing multimodal MRI assessments before and after treatment. Clinical assessments were conducted at baseline, post‐treatment and at 3‐month follow‐up.

Results

At post‐treatment patients showed a significant increase in caudate functional connectivity (FC) and reduction in the gray matter density of the thalamus and the caudate. The increase of caudate FC was positively associated with clinical improvement seen immediately at post‐treatment and at 3‐month follow‐up. In addition, higher baseline caudate FC was associated with greater PTSD symptom reduction post‐treatment.

Conclusions

This exploratory study is the first to demonstrate that EAT can affect functional and structural changes in the brains of patients with PTSD. The findings suggest that EAT may target reward circuitry responsiveness and produce a caudate pruning effect from pre‐ to post‐treatment.
Relationship of ELF and PIIINP With Liver Histology and Response to Vitamin E or Pioglitazone in the PIVENS Trial
Authors: Gawrieh Samer , Wilson Laura A. , Yates Katherine P. , Cummings Oscar W. , Vilar-Gomez Eduardo , Ajmera Veeral , Kowdley Kris V. , Rosenberg William M. , Tonascia James , Chalasani Naga
Published: February 2021

Enhanced liver fibrosis score (ELF) and one of its components, amino-terminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP) are promising noninvasive biomarkers of liver histology in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). We evaluated the association of ELF and PIIINP with fibrosis stages at baseline and end of treatment (EOT) with vitamin E or pioglitazone in the PIVENS trial (Pioglitazone vs. Vitamin E vs. Placebo for the Treatment of Nondiabetic Patients With NASH) and characterized ELF and PIIINP changes and their associations with changes in the histological endpoints. ELF and PIIINP were measured at baseline and weeks 16, 48, and 96 on sera from 243 PIVENS participants. Baseline and EOT ELF were significantly associated with fibrosis stage (P < 0.001). The area under the curve for ELF’s detection of clinically significant and advanced fibrosis in baseline biopsies was 0.74 and 0.79, respectively (P < 0.001). There was a significant drop in ELF score at weeks 48 and 96 in patients who achieved the NAFLD activity score (NAS)–based primary end point (P = 0.007) but not in those who experienced NASH resolution (P = 0.24) or fibrosis improvement (P = 0.50). Change in PIIINP was significantly associated with NASH resolution and improvement in NAS-based histological endpoint and fibrosis (P < 0.05 for all). Over the study period, both ELF and PIIINP significantly decreased with vitamin E (P < 0.05), but only PIIINP decreased with pioglitazone (P < 0.001). Conclusion: ELF is significantly associated with clinically significant and advanced fibrosis in patients with NASH, but its longitudinal changes were not associated with improvement in fibrosis or NASH resolution. PIIINP, one of its components, appears promising for identifying longitudinal histologic changes in patients with NASH and is worthy of further investigation.
Local thermal nonequilibrium effect on nanofluid filled porous cavity subject to mixed convection heat transfer
Authors: Rajarathinam M. , Chamkha A. J.
Published: February 2021

In this study, a numerical study is performed to determine the significance of local thermal nonequilibrium on mixed convection heat transfer of a copper water‐based nanofluid in an inclined porous cavity. By employing the nonequilibrium hypothesis, the governing equations for nanofluid flow in a porous medium are solved by the Semi‐Implicit Method for Pressure Linked Equation (SIMPLE) algorithm. From the obtained results, the nanofluid flow and thermal characteristics are analyzed through streamlines and isothermal plots whereas the heat‐transfer rate of the system is scrutinized via the average Nusselt number.
Mixed convection flow over a vertical cone with double dispersion and chemical reaction effects
Authors: Meena Om Prakash
Published: February 2021

This contribution brings mixed convection flow across a vertical cone in the presence of double dispersion and chemical reaction effects. The model of the problem is designed mathematically in the forms of governing equations; it is nondimensionalized for ease of numerical computations and the gained nonsimilarity equations are solved numerically throughout the detailed numerical technique. The outcomes are summarized in graphical and numerical forms to illustrate the impacts of governing parameters Prandtl number, Schmidt number, buoyancy ratio, thermal dispersion, chemical reaction, solutal dispersion, and buoyancy parameters at various streamwise spots of velocity, temperature, and concentration profiles. Moreover, skin friction, heat, and mass transfer rates are tabulated. To establish the exactness of the adopted numerical technique, residual analysis study also portrayed; we made a comparison with prior published outcomes and found them to be in great consent.
An explorative approach to understanding individual differences in driving performance and neurocognition in long‐term benzodiazepine users
Authors: Vinckenbosch Frederick R. J. , Vermeeren Annemiek , Vuurman Eric F. P. M. , van der Sluiszen Nick N. J. J. M. , Verster Joris C. , van de Loo Aurora J.A.E. , van Dijken Joke H. , Veldstra Janet L. , Brookhuis Karel A. , De Waard Dick , Ramaekers Johannes G.
Published: February 2021

Objective

Previous research reported cognitive and psychomotor impairments in long‐term users of benzodiazepine receptor agonists (BZRAs). This article explores the role of acute intoxication and clinical complaints.

Methods

Neurocognitive and on‐road driving performance of 19 long‐term (≥6 months) regular (≥twice weekly) BZRA users with estimated plasma concentrations, based on self‐reported use, exceeding the therapeutic threshold (CBZRA+), and 31 long‐term regular BZRA users below (CBZRA−), was compared to that of 76 controls.

Results

BZRA users performed worse on tasks of response speed, processing speed, and sustained attention. Age, but not CBZRA or self‐reported clinical complaints, was a significant covariate. Road‐tracking performance was explained by CBZRA only. The CBZRA + group exhibited increased mean standard deviation of lateral position comparable to that at blood‐alcohol concentrations of 0.5 g/L.

Conclusions

Functional impairments in long‐term BZRA users are not attributable to self‐reported clinical complaints or estimated BZRA concentrations, except for road‐tracking, which was impaired in CBZRA + users. Limitations to address are the lack of assessment of objective clinical complaints, acute task related stress, and actual BZRA plasma concentrations. In conclusion, the results confirm previous findings that demonstrate inferior performance across several psychomotor and neurocognitive domains in long‐term BZRA users.
The determinants of bank profitability of GCC: The role of bank liquidity as moderating variable—Further analysis
Authors: Al‐Matari Ebrahim Mohammed
Published: February 2021

The motivation of this study stems from the mixed views concerning the determinants of bank profitability and the moderating role of bank liquidity in the relationship. The study primarily aims to investigate the bank profitability determinants among GCC nations. Data are obtained from the GCC banks for the period from 2000 to 2018, and then data are analysed using ordinary least squares (OLS) regression. On the basis of the obtained findings, the size of the bank and the management of assets significantly impact the GCC banks' performance. In addition, bank liquidity has a moderating role in the relationship between capital adequacy and assets quality, and GCC banks' performance. Further analysis shows that the bank's profitability score has a positive association. In addition, bank liquidity has a positive moderate effect relationship between the bank's profitability score and the GCC bank's performance. This study provides implications for the bank profitability determinants in emerging economies, within which there is common profitability, and this is expected to assist policymakers, regulators and shareholders in discerning the banks' attractiveness towards investors.
Evaluation of risk adjusted performance of mutual funds in an emerging market
Authors: Ali Muhammad Asad , Aqil Muhammad , Alam Kazmi Syed Hasnain , Zaman Syed Imran
Published: February 2021

The objective of this study is to find the efficiency of an emerging‐market (Pakistan) mutual funds, with reference to different measures of risks that contradict each other. We have measured risk‐adjusted performance of open‐ended equity funds of mutual funds. The reason for selecting equity funds is that it is consistent with the proxy benchmark as 100‐index. As 100‐index is also tracked by equities and equity funds that also consist of equity investment, it will be more appropriate to select equity funds. So, this study is limited to equity funds traded in Pakistan. The novelty of this study is its introduction of the Martin or Ulcer ratio, which is rarely used in Pakistani literature. This study will also limit the period under consideration from 2011 to 2019 to exclude the years 2008 to 2011 due to the crisis faced by the financial market in 2008 after which it took about two to three years to get the market back to its normal course. The statistics and probability values did not provide sufficient evidence to reject the hypothesis of market efficiency. The values support the efficient market hypothesis that even experienced and qualified funds manager, having sound market insights, cannot earn returns above the market, that is, the average returns of market and the average returns of each fund are equal. On the other hand, the risk adjusted returns including Sharpe, Treynor, Jensen's and Ulcer measures, are all on average negative. There may be qualitative factors affecting the returns to be equal or less than the risk free and market returns. Further research can explore the qualitative factors, for example, managers' qualification, funds goodwill, political instability and macroeconomic factors affecting the returns of funds.
Corruption, business environment, and firm growth in Vietnam
Authors: Ha Phuoc Vu , Frömmel Michael
Published: February 2021

Corruption is fought by governments in both developing and developed countries because it can harm economic development. However, it has raised the question of why it still exists at a high level in emerging markets like Vietnam. With the data from surveys of the World Bank, Vietnam Competitive Initiative, and Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, this study provides details of the impact of corruption on firm growth and the effect of business environment on corruption at the firm‐perceived level across different firm ownership identities, namely state‐owned enterprise (SOE), shareholding enterprise (SHE), and foreign‐owned enterprise (FOE), in Vietnam. We demonstrate that corruption has a negative effect on the growth of firms with SHEs, FOEs, and non‐SOEs but a positive effect in SOEs. We also document that the difference in the levels of corruption across different provinces can be influenced by the quality of the local business environment, but again, those impacts are heterogeneous in firms with different ownership identities.
Are we moving towards decarbonisation of the global economy? Lessons from the distant past to the present
Authors: Shahbaz Muhammad , Papavassiliou Vassilios G. , Lahiani Amine , Roubaud David
Published: February 2021

This study adds to the literature on decarbonisation of the global energy system. We employ a detailed and long dataset that covers a period of nearly two centuries for the G7 countries. We link the scale of economic activity to the notion of environmental quality and employ nonlinear Autoregressive Distributed Lag Models that take into account the presence of structural breaks in our series. Moreover, we apply linear Granger causality tests as well as the Hatemi‐J nonlinear causality test to further gauge asymmetries between economic growth and CO2 emissions. Our results are encouraging and point to the significant progress that has been made toward sustainable development. Along these lines, we identify a number of policy implications following a low‐carbon transition that result in enhanced economic growth and competitiveness of energy‐intensive industries.
Abaloparatide Real‐World Patient Experience Study
Authors: Gold Deborah T , Weiss Richard , Beckett Tammy , Deal Chad , Epstein Robert S , James Andrew L , Kernaghan Jacqueline M , Mohseni Mahshid , Spiegel Michael , Vokes Tamara , Roberts Jenna , Bailey Tom , Wang Yamei , Williams Setareh A
Published: February 2021

Despite the availability of various osteoporosis treatments, adherence remains suboptimal. One contributing factor may be patient experience with therapy. This US, multicenter, combined retrospective chart review and patient questionnaire study included postmenopausal women at high risk for fracture and is the first study to describe real‐world patient experience with abaloparatide (ABL) injection. Eight geographically diverse secondary care sites in the United States participated (n = 193). Mean ± SD age was 67.4 ±8.62 years. Most patients (86%) were satisfied with the ABL regimen, especially with ease of preparation (82%), ease of storage (87%), and storage convenience (89%), an attribute 83% of the patients thought was important. The majority of patients reported complete satisfaction with the ABL regimen allowing for their ability to conduct daily activities (85%) and convenience to fit into their daily schedule (84%). All reported taking ABL as directed, by injection in the lower abdomen, and 83% of patients reported medium or high adherence. Patients were satisfied with the needle size (76% completely satisfied), and 93% reported never deliberately missing a dose. Although injecting medication (18%) and higher out‐of‐pocket costs (17%) were deemed the most bothersome attributes, the majority (69%) noted their healthcare team understands how osteoporosis impacts their lives. In multivariable analyses, ease of preparation (OR = 2.62; 95% CI, 1.01–6.81; p = 0.048) and fracture history (OR = 1.72; 95% CI, 1.03–2.86; p = 0.037) were significantly associated with overall satisfaction. Ease of preparation was a predictor of higher satisfaction with treatment convenience (coefficient = 13.60; 95% CI, 8.08–19.12; p = 0.00). Remembering to take the medication was a significant predictor of self‐reported adherence (OR = 16.66; 95% CI, 3.30–84.24; p = 0.001). In conclusion, the majority of patients were satisfied with ABL and found it convenient/easy to prepare and store. High self‐reported adherence may be associated with positive patient experience including ease of use and adequate support from healthcare providers. © 2020 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Thermoelectric properties of Cu‐Sb system compounds from density functional theory calculations
Authors: Yang Hailong , Record Marie‐Christine , Boulet Pascal
Published: February 2021

In this work, the thermoelectric properties of Cu‐Sb system compounds have been investigated to understand their relation with the electronic structures. The approach used is a theoretical one that combines the density functional theory, the Boltzmann transport theory, and the quantum theory of atoms in molecules. The results show that the Seebeck effect in metallic systems originates from the existence of various types of chemical bonds. However, this feature is not sufficient enough to generate effective thermoelectric effect. As in semi‐conducting compounds, the intrinsic driving force for thermoelectric effect remains the variation of the density of states near the Fermi level.
Changes in levels of coagulation parameters in different trimesters among Chinese pregnant women
Authors: Wang Wengong , Long Kai , Deng Fenglin , Ye Wei , Zhang Pingwei , Chen Xi , Dong Weiguo , Zheng Ping , Zhang Xinxin , Yang Tianyu , Chen Weihong , Yang Kai
Published: February 2021

Background

This article is to explore changes in levels of coagulation parameters in different trimesters among healthy pregnant women in China.

Methods

A total of 760 eligible women were enrolled (first‐trimester group: n = 183, second‐trimester group: n = 183, third‐trimester group: n = 263, non‐pregnant group: n = 131). Seven parameters including prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT), fibrinogen (FIB), D‐dimer (DD), fibrinogen degradation products (FDP), and antithrombin III (ATIII), of all participants were collected. The non‐parametric 2.5th–97.5th percentiles reference intervals were calculated for each parameter.

Results

The reference intervals for FIB, PT, APTT, TT, FDP, DD, and ATIII at first trimester were 2.11–4.32 g/L, 10.90–13.85 s, 24.60–39.28 s, 12.95–15.88 s, 0.04–2.55 μg/mL, 0.03–1.15 μg/mL, and 75.57%‐125.31%, respectively. The reference intervals at second trimester were 2.31–4.77 g/L, 9.70–12.64 s, 24.16–35.43 s, 12.95–15.88 s, 0.15–7.40 μg/mL, 0.08–2.13 μg/mL, and 74.35%‐119.28%, respectively. For the third‐trimester, the intervals were 2.39–4.96 g/L, 9.20–11.95 s, 23.90–35.51 s, 13.41–18.00 s, 0.55–13.43 μg/mL, 0.15–3.60 μg/mL, and 71.61%‐118.29%, respectively. The third‐trimester group showed decreased PT, APTT, and ATIII and increased FIB, TT, DD and FDP as compared with the other groups.

Conclusion

In this study, level changes of coagulation parameters in different trimesters were observed. And the ranges for coagulation parameters were presented, which may provide some reference for clinicians to more accurately monitor the coagulation and fibrinolytic system in pregnant women.
Prolonged oxygen exposure causes the mobilization and functional damage of stem or progenitor cells and exacerbates cardiac ischemia or reperfusion injury in healthy mice
Authors: Li Yu , Luo Na‐Chuan , Zhang Xu , Hara Tetsuya , Inadomi Chiaki , Li Tao‐Sheng
Published: February 2021

Oxygen is often administered to patients and occasionally to healthy individuals as well; however, the cellular toxicity of oxygen, especially following prolonged exposure, is widely known. To evaluate the potential effect of oxygen exposure on circulating stem/progenitor cells and cardiac ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, we exposed healthy adult mice to 100% oxygen for 20 or 60 min. We then examined the c‐kit‐positive stem/progenitor cells and colony‐forming cells and measured the cytokine/chemokine levels in peripheral blood. We also induced cardiac I/R injury in mice at 3 h after 60 min of oxygen exposure and examined the recruitment of inflammatory cells and the fibrotic area in the heart. The proportion of c‐kit‐positive stem/progenitor cells significantly increased in peripheral blood at 3 and 24 h after oxygen exposure for either 20 or 60 min (p < .01 vs. control). However, the abundance of colony‐forming cells in peripheral blood conversely decreased at 3 and 24 h after oxygen exposure for only 60 min (p < .05 vs. control). Oxygen exposure for either 20 or 60 min resulted in significantly decreased plasma vascular endothelial growth factor levels at 3 h, whereas oxygen exposure for only 60 min reduced plasma insulin‐like growth factor 1 levels at 24 h (p < .05 vs. control). Protein array indicated the increase in the levels of some cytokines/chemokines, such as CXCL6 (GCP‐2) at 24 h after 60 min of oxygen exposure. Moreover, oxygen exposure for 60 min enhanced the recruitment of Ly6g‐ and CD11c‐positive inflammatory cells at 3 days (p < .05 vs. control) and increased the fibrotic area at 14 days in the heart after I/R injury (p < .05 vs. control). Prolonged oxygen exposure induced the mobilization and functional impairment of stem/progenitor cells and likely enhanced inflammatory responses to exacerbate cardiac I/R injury in healthy mice.
Reversibility of digit loss revisited: Limb diversification in Bachia lizards (gymnophthalmidae)
Authors: Kohlsdorf Tiana
Published: February 2021

Strict interpretations of the Dollo's Law lead to postulation that trait loss is irreversible and organisms never recover ancestral phenotypes. Dollo, however, admitted the possibility of reversals in trait loss when predicted differences between reversed (derived) and ancestral forms. Phenotypic signatures from reversals are expected, as the historical context of a reversal in trait loss differs from the initial setting where the trait originally evolved. This article combines morphological and molecular information for Bachia scolecoides to discuss phenotypic and genetic patterns established during processes that reversed digit loss in Gymnophthalmidae (also termed microteiid lizards). Results suggest that pathways leading to the derived tetradactyl state of B. scolecoides comprise particularities in their origin and associated processes. Autopodial bones of B. scolecoides lack digit identity, and muscle anatomy is very similar between manus and pes. Gymnophthalmidae sequence patterns in the limb‐specific sonic hedgehog enhancer (ZRS) suggest that regulation of shh expression did not degenerate in Bachia, given the prediction of similar motifs despite mutations specific to Bachia. Persistence of developmental mechanisms might explain intermittent character expression leading to reversals of digit loss, as ZRS signaling pathways remain active during the development of at least one pair of appendices in Bachia, especially if some precursors persisted at early stages. Patterns of ZRS sequences suggest that irreversibility of trait loss might be lineage‐specific (restricted to Gymnophthalmini) and contingent to the type of signature established. These results provide insights regarding possible mechanisms that may allow reactivation of developmental programs in specific regions of the embryo.