bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transportation Electrification: Required Energy System Investment Needs
Authors: DeCotis Paul A.
Published: March 2020

Public and regulatory policies, coupled with government support through legislation and financial incentives including tax breaks, provide the impetus for transforming the energy industry in the United States. The transition from an industrial era closed‐loop one‐way power flow system to a flexible multipronged open system is going to require time and money. The flexible multipronged system is characterized as one in which communications and energy flows are two‐way, with multiple buyers and sellers competing in markets unconstrained by geography. Contracts for differences (in the form of energy credits, e.g., zero‐energy credits for nuclear power, renewable energy credits, carbon allowances, etc.) play a large role in defining the market.
On the geoarchaeology of Limyra (SW Anatolia)—new insights into the famous Lycian city and its environs
Authors: Stock Friederike , Seyer Martin , Symanczyk Anika , Uncu Levent , Brückner Helmut
Published: March 2020

Geoarchives in ancient settlement sites and their environs bear valuable information about Holocene landscape evolution and human–environment interactions. During the last six millennia, sea‐level and coastline changes have had a significant impact on coastal settlements, some of which even had to be relocated. This paper reveals new insights into the spatio‐temporal development of the Lycian city of Limyra. Selected sediment cores were analyzed using a multiproxy approach, combining sedimentology, geochemistry, micropaleontology, and 14C dating. When the postglacial sea‐level rise decelerated, a coastal barrier and a deep lake, presumably a lagoon, evolved after the mid‐Holocene. The siltation history of the lake is complex: three coastal peat layers (mid‐4th millennium BC, end of 3rd/beginning of 2nd millennium BC, beginning of 1st millennium BC), indicate periods of semiterrestrial conditions. That they are sandwiched by lake sediments is consistent with new expansion phases of the lake, most likely triggered by coseismic subsidence. There is evidence of a former lakeshore, dated to between 1400 and 1100 BC, with an intentionally deposited layer of anthropogenic remains, now at 5.5 m below the surface. In the mid‐1st millennium BC, the lake silted up, river channels evolved, and people started to settle the area of the later city of Limyra.
Epigenetic regulation of oligodendrocyte differentiation: From development to demyelinating disorders
Authors: Samudyata  , Castelo‐Branco Gonçalo , Liu Jia
Published: March 2020

The maintenance of progenitor states or the differentiation of progenitors into specific lineages requires epigenetic remodeling of the gene expression program. In the central nervous system, oligodendrocyte progenitors (OPCs) give rise to oligodendrocytes (OLs), whose main function has been thought to be to produce myelin, a lipid‐rich structure insulating the axons. However, recent findings suggest diverse OL transcriptional states, which might imply additional functions. The differentiation of OPCs into postmitotic OLs is a highly regulated and sensitive process and requires temporal waves of gene expression through epigenetic remodeling of the genome. In this review, we will discuss recent advances in understanding the events shaping the chromatin landscape through histone modifications and long noncoding RNAs during OPC differentiation, in physiological and pathological conditions. We suggest that epigenetic regulation plays a fundamental role in governing the accessibility of transcriptional machinery to DNA sequences, which ultimately determines functional outcomes in OLs.
One‐pot porogen free method fabricated porous microsphere‐aggregated 3D PCL scaffolds for bone tissue engineering
Authors: Yao Qingqing , Liu Yu , Pan Yining , Miszuk Jacob M. , Sun Hongli
Published: March 2020

Three‐dimensional (3D) scaffolds with interconnected, hierarchically structured pores, and biomimetic nanostructures are desirable for tissue engineering, where preparation with a facile and biocompatible strategy remains challenging. In the present work, an innovative porous microspheres‐aggregated 3D PCL scaffold with macropores, micropores, and nanofibrous‐like structures was fabricated through a one‐pot thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) method without the use of any porogen or specific instruments. Importantly, the porosity, pore size, and mechanical properties of our scaffolds were tailorable through tuning of the polymer concentration. Interestingly, the bioactivity of our 3D PCL scaffolds was significantly improved, as abundant apatite‐like layers were formed on the 3D porous scaffolds, while no obvious apatite was observed on the 2D flat PCL film. Moreover, the high surface area attributed to the hierarchical macro/micro/nanostructure enabled our 3D porous scaffold to serve as a drug delivery depot for sustained release of both small molecule drug (phenamil) and protein (BMP2). In addition to sustained drug release, the hierarchical structure and high mechanical properties also contribute to significantly improving BMP2‐induced osteogenic differentiation. In summary, we developed a novel PCL porous scaffold through a facile, one‐pot TIPS method and demonstrated its promising potential application in large bone defect repair.
Fabrication and cellular interactions of nanoporous tantalum oxide
Authors: Uslu Ece , Öztatlı Hayriye , Garipcan Bora , Ercan Batur
Published: March 2020

Tantalum possesses remarkable chemical and mechanical properties, and thus it is considered to be one of the next generation implant materials. However, the biological properties of tantalum remain to be improved for its use in tissue engineering applications. To enhance its cellular interactions, implants made of tantalum could be modified to obtain nanofeatured surfaces via the electrochemical anodization process. In this study, anodization parameters were adjusted to obtain a nanoporous surface morphology on tantalum surfaces and systematically altered to control the pore sizes from 25 to 65 nm using an aqueous HF:H2SO4 electrolyte. Results indicated the formation of Ta2O5‐based nanoporous surface layers, which had up to 28% more surface area and increased nanophase roughness (more than twofolds) compared to nonporous tantalum upon the anodization. It was observed that the nanoporous tantalum oxide surfaces promoted nearly 25% more fibroblast proliferation at 5 days in vitro and 15.5% more cellular spreading. Thus, nanoporous tantalum oxide surfaces can be used to increase biological interactions of the cells and provide a means of improving bioactivity of tantalum for biomaterial applications.
Automation of Harboe method for the measurement of plasma free hemoglobin
Authors: Chung Hee‐Jung , Chung Jae‐Woo , Yi Joowon , Hur Mina , Lee Tae Hwan , Hwang Sang‐Hyun , Song Yoon Kyung , Lee Do Hoon
Published: March 2020

Background

Although plasma free hemoglobin (fHb) test is important for assessing intravascular hemolysis, it is still dependent on the gold standard Harboe method using manual and labor‐intensive spectrometric measurements at the wavelength of 380‐415‐450 nm. We established an automated fHb assay using a routine chemistry autoanalyzer that can be tuned to a wavelength of 380‐416‐450 nm.

Methods

The linearity, precision, accuracy, correlation, and sample carryover of fHb measurement using TBA200FRneo method and manual Harboe method were evaluated, respectively. fHb values measured by manual Harboe method were compared with those measured by our new automated TBA200FRneo method.

Results

fHb measurements were linear in the range of 0.05~38.75 µmol/L by TBA200FRneo and 0.05~9.69 µmol/L by manual Harboe method. Imprecision analysis (%CV) revealed 0.9~2.8% for TBA200FRneo method and 5.3~13.6% for the manual Harboe method. Comparison analysis showed 0.9986 of correlation coefficient (TBA200FRneo = 0.970 × Harboe + 0.12). In analytical accuracy analysis, the manual Harboe method revealed about 4 times higher average total error % (12.2%) than the TBA200FRneo automated method (2.8%). The sample carryover was −0.0016% in TBA200FRneo method and 0.0038% in Harboe method.

Conclusions

In the measurement of fHb, the automated TBA200FRneo method showed better performance than the conventional Harboe method. It is expected that the automated fHb assay using the routine chemistry analyzer can replace the gold standard Harboe method which is labor‐intensive and need an independent spectrophotometry equipment.
Editorial for “Texture Analysis of High b‐value Diffusion‐Weighted Imaging for Evaluating Consistency of Pituitary Macroadenomas”
Authors: van Staalduinen Eric K. , Bangiyev Lev
Published: March 2020

Level of Evidence

5

Technical Efficacy

Stage 3

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;51:1514–1515.
Using Experiential Learning Theory to Train Career Practitioners
Authors: Hayden Seth C. W. , Osborn Debra S.
Published: March 2020

Effective instructional strategies are needed for career practitioner training. Experiential learning theory (ELT; A. Y. Kolb & Kolb, 2009) provides an instructional foundation from which awareness of the various components of career development can be enhanced. Support for ELT as an effective method of instruction exists in various fields (Hoover, Giambatista, Sorenson, & Bommer, 2010; Ti et al., 2009). ELT integrates 6 shared propositions derived from John Dewey, Jean Piaget, William James, Carl Jung, and Carl Rogers (A. Y. Kolb & Kolb, 2009). This article outlines components of ELT and their application in training career service practitioners.
Adjuvant therapy following resection of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors provides no recurrence or survival benefit
Authors: Barrett James R. , Rendell Victoria , Pokrzywa Courtney , Lopez‐Aguiar Alexandra G. , Cannon John , Poultsides George A. , Rocha Flavio , Crown Angelena , Beal Eliza , Michael Pawlik Timothy , Fields Ryan , Panni Roheena Z. , Smith Paula , Idrees Kamran , Cho Clifford , Beems Megan , Maithel Shishir , Weber Sharon , Erik Abbott Daniel
Published: March 2020

Background and Objectives

Lack of high‐level evidence supporting adjuvant therapy for patients with resected gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP NETs) warrants an evaluation of its non‐standard of care use.

Methods

Patients with primary GEP NETs who underwent curative‐intent resection at eight institutions between 2000 and 2016 were identified; 91 patients received adjuvant therapy. Recurrence‐free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared between adjuvant cytotoxic chemotherapy and somatostatin analog cohorts.

Results

In resected patients, 33 received cytotoxic chemotherapy, and 58 received somatostatin analogs. Five‐year RFS/OS was 49% and 83%, respectively. Cytotoxic chemotherapy RFS/OS was 36% and 61%, respectively, lower than the no therapy cohort (P < .01). RFS with somatostatin analog therapy (compared to none) was lower (P < .01), as was OS (P = .01). On multivariable analysis, adjuvant cytotoxic therapy was negatively associated with RFS but not OS controlling for patient/tumor‐specific characteristics (RFS P < .01).

Conclusions

Our data, reflecting the largest reported experience to date, demonstrate that adjuvant therapy for resected GEP NETs is negatively associated with RFS and confers no OS benefit. Selection bias enriching our treatment cohort for individuals with unmeasured high‐risk characteristics likely explains some of these results; future studies should focus on patient subsets who may benefit from adjuvant therapy.
Response of soil environment factors and microbial communities to phytoremediation with Robinia pseudoacacia in an open‐cut magnesite mine
Authors: Deng Jiaojiao , Yin You , Zhu Wenxu , Zhou Yongbin
Published: March 2020

Overexploitation of magnesium has caused serious environmental pollution, and the ecological restoration of magnesite mines has attracted increasing attention in China. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of phytoremediation with Robinia pseudoacacia (RP) on soil quality and microbial communities in magnesite mines. Here, soil samples were collected from restored areas (R. pseudoacacia), natural forest (NF), and unrestored areas (CK), and the soil microbial communities were assessed by Illumina high‐throughput sequencing. Phytoremediation with R. pseudoacacia could alleviate soil alkalization and contribute to the accumulation of soil nutrients. A total of 531,329 effective 16S rRNA and 596,344 valid Internal Transcribed Spacer rRNA gene sequences were obtained, which were classified into 30 bacterial and 12 fungal phyla. The predominant bacterial and fungal phyla were Proteobacteria and Ascomycota, respectively. Bacterial diversity indices of RP were higher than those of the CK, both of which were lower than those in the NF site. While, fungal Chao1 and ACE (abundance‐based coverage estimator) indices of RP were higher than those of the CK and even surpassed those in the NF site. Soil microbial communities significantly differed among different treatments, and the effects of soil factors on microbial communities were comprehensive and not determined by a single factor. Generally, these results indicated that phytoremediation with R. pseudoacacia could effectively improve the soil environment of the abandoned magnesium mine, which provide useful insights and practical references for the suitable species that would be planted on magnesite mine for restoration.
Impact of a learning health system on acute care and medical complications after intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Matsumoto Koutarou , Nohara Yasunobu , Wakata Yoshifumi , Yamashita Takanori , Kozuma Yukio , Sugeta Rui , Yamakawa Miki , Yamauchi Fumiko , Miyashita Eri , Takezaki Tatsuya , Yamashiro Shigeo , Nishi Toru , Machida Jiro , Soejima Hidehisa , Kamouchi Masahiro , Nakashima Naoki
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Patients with stroke often experience pneumonia during the acute stage after stroke onset. Oral care may be effective in reducing the risk of stroke‐associated pneumonia (SAP). We aimed to determine the changes in oral care, as well as the incidence of SAP, in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage, following implementation of a learning health system in our hospital.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the data of 1716 patients with intracerebral hemorrhage who were hospitalized at a single stroke center in Japan between January 2012 and December 2018. Data were stratified on the basis of three periods of evolving oral care: period A, during which conventional, empirically driven oral care was provided (n = 725); period B, during which standardized oral care was introduced, with SAP prophylaxis based on known risk factors (n = 469); and period C, during which oral care was risk‐appropriate based on learning health system data (n = 522). Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate associations between each of the three treatment approaches and the risk of SAP.

Results

Among the included patients, the mean age was 71.3 ± 13.6 years; 52.6% of patients were men. During the course of each period, the frequency of oral care within 24 hours of admission increased (P < .001), as did the adherence rate to oral care ≥3 times per day (P < .001). After adjustment for confounding factors, a change in the risk of SAP was not observed in period B; however, the risk significantly decreased in period C (odds ratio 0.61; 95% confidence interval 0.43‐0.87) compared with period A. These associations were maintained for SAP diagnosed using strict clinical criteria or after exclusion of 174 patients who underwent neurosurgical treatment.

Conclusions

Risk‐appropriate care informed by the use of learning health system data could improve care and potentially reduce the risk of SAP in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage in the acute stage.
Alternative Dispute Resolution: What Employers Need to Know
Authors: Wich Scott
Published: March 2020

Invariably, some employees will have work‐related concerns and issues. Ideally, an employer will have mechanisms in place—such as open‐door policies, educated front‐line supervisors, and proactive human resources personnel—to address those concerns. Most times, an employer will be able to resolve concerns with these resources. However, there are occasions when such concerns cannot be resolved through these informal means. A disgruntled employee can turn to outsiders, such as government agencies, lawyers, or unions, for assistance.
Diagnostic value of whole‐exome sequencing in Chinese pediatric‐onset neuromuscular patients
Authors: Tsang Mandy H. Y. , Chiu Annie T. G. , Kwong Bernard M. H. , Liang Rui , Yu Mullin H. C. , Yeung Kit‐San , Ho Wetor H. L. , Mak Christopher C. Y. , Leung Gordon K. C. , Pei Steven L. C. , Fung Jasmine L. F. , Wong Virginia C. N. , Muntoni Francesco , Chung Brian H. Y. , Chan Sophelia H. S.
Published: March 2020

Background

Neuromuscular disorders (NMDs) comprise a group of heterogeneous genetic diseases with a broad spectrum of overlapping the clinical presentations that makes diagnosis challenging. Notably, the recent introduction of whole‐exome sequencing (WES) is introducing rapid changes on the genetic diagnosis of NMDs. We aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of WES for pediatric‐onset NMDs.

Methods

We applied integrated diagnostic approach and performed WES in 50 Chinese subjects (30 males, 20 females) with undiagnosed pediatric‐onset NMDs despite previous specific tests. The patients were categorized in four subgroups according to phenotyping and investigation findings. Variants on NMDs gene list and open exome analysis for those with initial negative findings were identified.

Results

WES identified causative variants in ACTA1 (n = 2), POMT1, COL6A1 (n = 2), MTMR2, LMNA, SELENON, DNM2, TGFB1, MPZ, IGHMBP2, and LAMA2 in 13 patients. Two subjects have variants of uncertain significance (VUSs) in TTN and SCN11A, unlikely to be pathogenic due to incompatible phenotypes. The mean interval time from symptom onset to genetic diagnosis was 10.4 years (range from 1 month to 33 years). The overall diagnostic yield of WES in our cohort was 26%. Open exome analysis was necessary to identify the pathogenic variant in TGFB1 that caused skeletal dysplasia with neuromuscular presentation.

Conclusion

Our study shows a clear role of WES in the pathway of integrated diagnostic approach to shorten the diagnostic odyssey in patients with rare NMDs.
Novel compound heterozygous stop‐gain mutations of LRBA in a Vietnamese patient with Common Variable Immune Deficiency
Authors: Phan Anh N. L. , Pham Thuy T. T. , Huynh Nghia , Nguyen Tuan M. , Cao Cuc T. T. , Nguyen Duong T. , Le Duc T. , Bui Chi‐Bao
Published: March 2020

Background

Lipopolysaccharide‐responsive and beige‐like anchor (LRBA) deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), affecting 1:25,000–1:50,000 people worldwide. Biallelic mutations in the gene LRBA have been implicated in affected individuals.

Methods

We report a 16‐year‐old Vietnamese, male patient with recurrent CVID symptoms including chronic diarrhea, interstitial pneumonia, cutaneous granulomatous lesions, hepatosplenomegaly, and finger clubbing. Immunological analyses and whole exome sequencing (WES) were performed to investigate phenotypic and genotypic features.

Results

Immunological analyses revealed hypogammaglobulinemia and low ratios of CD4+/CD8+ T cells. Two novel compound heterozygous stop‐gain mutation in LRBA were identified: c.1933C > T (p.R645X) and c.949C > T (p.R317X). Sanger sequencing confirmed the segregation of these variants from the intact parents. The abolished LRBA protein expression was shown by immunoblot analysis. Subsequent treatment potentially saves the child from the same immune thrombocytopenia which led to his brother's untimely death; likely caused by the same LRBA mutations.

Conclusion

This first report of LRBA deficiency in Vietnam expands our knowledge of the diverse phenotypes and genotypes driving CVID. Finally, the utilization of WES shows great promise as an effective diagnostic for CVID in our setting.
A 28 GHz CMOS Butler matrix for 5G mm‐wave beamforming systems
Authors: Park Jeongsoo , Kim Jeong‐Geun
Published: March 2020

This paper presents 28 GHz CMOS 8×8 Butler matrix which can improve the beamforming capability in 5G mm‐wave communication systems. The proposed 28 GHz N×N Butler matrix can increase the number of the antenna beam pattern from N to 2N − 1 beams with DP8T switch network including a lumped 180° coupler, 22.5° phase shifter, and switches. The beamformer is fabricated using 65 nm CMOS process and the size is 1.8 × 2.5 mm2. The DC current consumption is 145 mA (Rx) and 180 mA (Tx) at 2.5 V supply voltage. The proposed 28 GHz CMOS 8×8 Butler Matrix is able to make 15 beam patterns with ±63° beam scan and low sidelobe level, which is suitable in low cost 5G mm‐wave beamforming system.
Accelerated robust optimization algorithm for proton therapy treatment planning
Authors: Buti Gregory , Souris Kevin , Barragán Montero Ana M. , Cohilis Marie , Lee John A. , Sterpin Edmond
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Robust optimization is a computational expensive process resulting in long plan computation times. This issue is especially critical for moving targets as these cases need a large number of uncertainty scenarios to robustly optimize their treatment plans. In this study, we propose a novel worst‐case robust optimization algorithm, called dynamic minimax, that accelerates the conventional minimax optimization. Dynamic minimax optimization aims at speeding up the plan optimization process by decreasing the number of evaluated scenarios in the optimization.

Methods

For a given pool of scenarios (e.g., 63 = 7 setup  × 3 range  × 3 breathing phases), the proposed dynamic minimax algorithm only considers a reduced number of candidate‐worst scenarios, selected from the full 63 scenario set. These scenarios are updated throughout the optimization by randomly sampling new scenarios according to a hidden variable P, called the “probability acceptance function,” which associates with each scenario the probability of it being selected as the worst case. By doing so, the algorithm favors scenarios that are mostly “active,” that is, frequently evaluated as the worst case. Additionally, unconsidered scenarios have the possibility to be re‐considered, later on in the optimization, depending on the convergence towards a particular solution. The proposed algorithm was implemented in the open‐source robust optimizer MIROpt and tested for six four‐dimensional (4D) IMPT lung tumor patients with various tumor sizes and motions. Treatment plans were evaluated by performing comprehensive robustness tests (simulating range errors, systematic setup errors, and breathing motion) using the open‐source Monte Carlo dose engine MCsquare.

Results

The dynamic minimax algorithm achieved an optimization time gain of 84%, on average. The dynamic minimax optimization results in a significantly noisier optimization process due to the fact that more scenarios are accessed in the optimization. However, the increased noise level does not harm the final quality of the plan. In fact, the plan quality is similar between dynamic and conventional minimax optimization with regard to target coverage and normal tissue sparing: on average, the difference in worst‐case D95 is 0.2 Gy and the difference in mean lung dose and mean heart dose is 0.4 and 0.1 Gy, respectively (evaluated in the nominal scenario).

Conclusions

The proposed worst‐case 4D robust optimization algorithm achieves a significant optimization time gain of 84%, without compromising target coverage or normal tissue sparing.
Dynamic 2D and 3D mapping of hyperpolarized pyruvate to lactate conversion in vivo with efficient multi‐echo balanced steady‐state free precession at 3 T
Authors: Müller Christoph A. , Hundshammer Christian , Braeuer Miriam , Skinner Jason G. , Berner Stephan , Leupold Jochen , Düwel Stephan , Nekolla Stephan G. , Månsson Sven , Hansen Adam E. , von Elverfeldt Dominik , Ardenkjaer‐Larsen Jan H. , Schilling Franz , Schwaiger Markus , Hennig Jürgen , Hövener Jan‐Bernd
Published: March 2020

The aim of this study was to acquire the transient MRI signal of hyperpolarized tracers and their metabolites efficiently, for which specialized imaging sequences are required. In this work, a multi‐echo balanced steady‐state free precession (me‐bSSFP) sequence with Iterative Decomposition with Echo Asymmetry and Least squares estimation (IDEAL) reconstruction was implemented on a clinical 3 T positron‐emission tomography/MRI system for fast 2D and 3D metabolic imaging. Simulations were conducted to obtain signal‐efficient sequence protocols for the metabolic imaging of hyperpolarized biomolecules. The sequence was applied in vitro and in vivo for probing the enzymatic exchange of hyperpolarized [1–13C]pyruvate and [1–13C]lactate. Chemical shift resolution was achieved using a least‐square, iterative chemical species separation algorithm in the reconstruction. In vitro, metabolic conversion rate measurements from me‐bSSFP were compared with NMR spectroscopy and free induction decay‐chemical shift imaging (FID‐CSI). In vivo, a rat MAT‐B‐III tumor model was imaged with me‐bSSFP and FID‐CSI. 2D metabolite maps of [1–13C]pyruvate and [1–13C]lactate acquired with me‐bSSFP showed the same spatial distributions as FID‐CSI. The pyruvate‐lactate conversion kinetics measured with me‐bSSFP and NMR corresponded well. Dynamic 2D metabolite mapping with me‐bSSFP enabled the acquisition of up to 420 time frames (scan time: 180‐350 ms/frame) before the hyperpolarized [1–13C]pyruvate was relaxed below noise level. 3D metabolite mapping with a large field of view (180 × 180 × 48 mm3) and high spatial resolution (5.6 × 5.6 × 2 mm3) was conducted with me‐bSSFP in a scan time of 8.2 seconds. It was concluded that Me‐bSSFP improves the spatial and temporal resolution for metabolic imaging of hyperpolarized [1–13C]pyruvate and [1–13C]lactate compared with either of the FID‐CSI or EPSI methods reported at 3 T, providing new possibilities for clinical and preclinical applications.
Cognitive function prior to systemic therapy and subsequent well‐being in older breast cancer survivors: Longitudinal findings from the Thinking and Living with Cancer Study
Authors: Kobayashi Lindsay C. , Cohen Harvey Jay , Zhai Wanting , Zhou Xingtao , Small Brent J. , Luta George , Hurria Arti , Carroll Judith , Tometich Danielle , McDonald Brenna C. , Graham Deena , Jim Heather S.L. , Jacobsen Paul , Root James C. , Saykin Andrew J. , Ahles Tim A. , Mandelblatt Jeanne
Published: March 2020

Objective

To investigate the relationships between self‐reported and objectively measured cognitive function prior to systemic therapy and subsequent well‐being outcomes over 24 months in older breast cancer survivors.

Methods

Data were from 397 women aged 60 to 98 diagnosed with non‐metastatic breast cancer in the Thinking and Living with Cancer Study recruited from 2010‐2016. Cognitive function was measured at baseline (following surgery, prior to systemic therapy) using neuropsychological assessments of attention, processing speed, and executive function (APE), learning and memory (LM), and the self‐reported FACT‐Cog scale. Well‐being was measured using the FACT‐G functional, physical, social, and emotional well‐being domain scales at baseline and 12 and 24 months later, scaled from 0 (low) to 100 (high). Linear mixed‐effects models assessed the relationships between each of baseline APE, LM, and FACT‐Cog quartiles with well‐being scores over 24 months, adjusted for confounding variables.

Results

At baseline, older survivors in the lowest APE, LM, and FACT‐Cog score quartiles experienced poorer global well‐being than those in the highest quartiles. At 24 months, older survivors tended to improve in well‐being, and there were no differences according to baseline APE or LM scores. At 24 months, mean global well‐being was 80.3 (95% CI: 76.2‐84.3) among those in the lowest vs 86.6 (95% CI: 83.1‐90.1) in the highest FACT‐cog quartile, a clinically meaningful difference of 6.3 points (95% CI: 1.5‐11.1).

Conclusions

Among older breast cancer survivors, self‐reported, but not objective cognitive impairments, were associated with lower global well‐being over the first 2 years of survivorship.
Weighted predictor‐feedback formation control in local frames under time‐varying delays and switching topology
Authors: González Antonio , Aragüés Rosario , López‐Nicolás Gonzalo , Sagüés Carlos
Published: March 2020

This article presents a novel control strategy based on predictor‐feedback delay compensation for multiagent systems to reach a prescribed target formation under unknown but bounded communication delays and switching communication topology. Both communication delays and network topology can be subjected to arbitrarily‐fast time variations. The key idea is to implement predictor‐feedback strategies using only relative measurements between agents expressed in each local agent's frame, with the aim to counteract the negative effect of time delays. Nevertheless, due to the decentralized nature of the control, the presence of time‐varying delays and switching communication topology, only partial delay compensation is possible. Despite this, we show that better performance can be achieved with our proposal with respect to nonpredictor control schemes by introducing a weighting factor for predictor‐feedback terms in the control law. Sufficient conditions based on Linear Matrix Inequalities for robust stability are also provided, which allow to easily design the controller parameters in order to maximize the speed of convergence. Finally, simulation results are provided to show the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
The antioxygen radiation properties of the nanocomposite film consisted of hydrogenated amorphous carbon (a‐C:H) and MoS2
Authors: Zheng Ke , Liu Yunlin , Li Hongxuan , Liu Ying , Yu Shengwang , Zhou Bing , Wu Yanxia , Tang Bin
Published: March 2020

MoS2/a‐C:H multilayer film and MoS2/a‐C:H composite film exhibit excellent tribological properties in vacuum, which can be used as the potential space lubricant. The radiation‐protective properties of these two films in atomic oxygen (AO) are evaluated. The influences of AO radiation on structure, morphology, and tribological properties of the films were investigated. The results show that AO radiation mainly causes oxidation and increases sp2 C content in both of the films. Furthermore, the MoS2 sublayer on the surface of the multilayer film is oxidized heavily, whereas both the MoS2 and the a‐C:H matrix on the surface were oxidized in the composite film. As a result of this, the multilayer film exhibits high friction coefficient and short sliding lifetime in vacuum after AO radiation. Compared with that, the composite film exhibits lower friction and longer sliding time more than 3600 seconds in vacuum, which illustrates it has a good AO radiation protection. This indicates that MoS2/a‐C:H composite film is more likely to be used as a potential space lubricant.
Investigation on the interaction mechanism between nanocellulose and adhesion RH
Authors: Xu Yingni , Gu Ju
Published: March 2020

A complex of resorcinol and hexamethylenetetramine (RH) was utilized to modify nanocellulose (NCC) using in‐suit solution method, where NCC was extracted from eucalyptus pulp paper with ultrasonic oxidation steps. The modified NCC was then put into vulcanized condition to simulate vulcanization process of rubber; the product was called vulcanized RH‐NCC model compound. In this paper, we study whether vulcanized conditions have influence on the interaction between RH and NCC by comparing changes of RH‐NCC model compounds before and after vulcanization. The analysis of thermogravimetry (TG), X‐Ray Diffraction (XRD), and water contact angle shows that addition of RH can improve some properties of NCC, which demonstrates well interaction between them. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) test shows that there are no big changes before vulcanization; however, after simulated vulcanization, characteristic peaks of compound have changed a lot, illustrating that some chemical reactions have occurred. Further research on data from fitting peaks of hydrogen bonds and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis found that before vulcanization, mechanism between RH and NCC was mainly physical hydrogen interaction, and chemical interaction mechanism was also put forward after vulcanization.
Neubau der Kanalbrücke Ems
Authors: Erbing Verena , Schneider Norbert , Bölling Dirk
Published: March 2020

Der Dortmund‐Ems‐Kanal (DEK) als eine der wichtigsten künstlichen Wasserstraßenverbindungen Deutschlands wird – wie alle übrigen Wasserstraßen des westdeutschen Kanalnetzes – seit den 1980er‐Jahren für die Begegnungen von Großmotorgüterschiffen und Schubverband ausgebaut. Im Zuge des Ausbaus müssen sämtliche kreuzenden Bauwerke wie Tunnel, Durchlässe oder Brücken an die neuen Abmessungen des Kanals angepasst werden. In vielen Losabschnitten ist das Kanalbett des DEK im Bereich der Südstrecke zwischen Dortmund und Bergeshövede bereits verbreitert und vertieft, Brücken und Düker sind dem Ausbauziel angepasst worden.

Das Wasserstraßen‐Neubauamt Datteln (WNA) wird die in den 1930er‐Jahren errichtete Kanalbrücke (KBr) Ems bei DEK‐km 78,806N im Rahmen dieses Ausbauziels erneuern. Für den Neubau ist die Erstellung eines Doppeltrogs unter laufender Schifffahrt geplant. Der erste Trog sollte ursprünglich direkt neben der bestehenden KBr gebaut werden. Aufgrund des schlechten baulichen Zustands der KBr Ems wurde nach einer Variantenuntersuchung eine Umfahrungsstrecke als wirtschaftlichste, bautechnisch sinnvollste Lösung festgelegt. Derzeit befindet sich diese Umfahrungsstrecke in der Ausführungsphase; im Herbst 2019 wurde der Stahltrog der Umfahrungsstrecke horizontal über die Ems verschoben.
Provenance identification of ancient pottery from Hachijojima Island, part of Izu Islands (Tokyo, Japan), using X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry
Authors: Ichikawa Shintaro , Matsumoto Takehaya , Nakamura Toshihiro , Kurisaki Tsutomu
Published: March 2020

A total of 47 pottery fragments were unearthed in Hachijojima Island, part of the Izu Islands (Tokyo, Japan). Among these samples, 36 found in the Kurawa site had designs resembling pottery dating back to the Jomon period (14,000–300 BC) distributed throughout Japan's main island, Honshu; five samples from the Jomon period found in the Yubama site were “undesigned”; the rest, found in the Yaene site, were undesigned Haji pottery samples dating back to the beginning of the late Kofun period (490–549 AD). X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) was used to determine the chemical composition (in terms of 10 major oxides and 12 minor elements) of the samples to identify their provenance, that is, local versus nonlocal. For this purpose, a portion of each pottery fragment was processed to obtain a glass bead specimen. The pottery samples were classified by multivariate statistical approaches, including principal component analysis and cluster analysis, on the basis of their chemical composition. Additionally, the XRF results were compared to geochemical data from Hachijojima Island using scatter diagrams. The data thus collected allowed the provenance of the pottery samples to be inferred. In particular, the 36 samples from the Kurawa site were concluded to have been brought to Hachijojima Island from Honshu in prehistoric times, whereas the other samples were concluded to have been manufactured locally.
Correction to: Educating Adult Learners: Bridging Learners’ Characteristics and the Learning Sciences
Authors: Ho Yan Yin , Lim Wei Ying Rebekah
Published: March 2020

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Supersymmetric Yang-Mills, spherical branes, and precision holography
Authors: Bobev Nikolay , Bomans Pieter , Gautason Friðrik Freyr , Minahan Joseph A. , Nedelin Anton
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Using supersymmetric localization we compute the free energy and BPS Wilson loop vacuum expectation values for planar maximally supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory on Sd in the strong coupling limit for 2 ≤ d < 6. The same calculation can also be performed in supergravity using the recently found spherical brane solutions. We find excellent agreement between the two sets of results. This constitutes a non-trivial precision test of holography in a non-conformal setting. The free energy of maximal SYM on S6 diverges in the strong coupling limit which might signify the onset of little string theory. We show how this divergence can be regularized both in QFT and in supergravity. We also consider d = 7 with a small negative ’t Hooft coupling and show that the free energy and Wilson loop vacuum expectation value agree with the results from supergravity after addressing some subtleties.
Erfassung selbst berichteter kardiovaskulärer und metabolischer Erkrankungen in der NAKO Gesundheitsstudie: Methoden und erste Ergebnisse
Authors: Jaeschke Lina , Steinbrecher Astrid , Greiser Karin Halina , Dörr Marcus , Buck Thomas , Linseisen Jakob , Meisinger Christa , Ahrens Wolfgang , Becher Heiko , Berger Klaus , Braun Bettina , Brenner Hermann , Castell Stefanie , Fischer Beate , Franzke Claus-Werner , Gastell Sylvia , Günther Kathrin , Hoffmann Wolfgang , Holleczek Bernd , Jagodzinski Annika , Kaaks Rudolf , Kluttig Alexander , Krause Gérard , Krist Lilian , Kuß Oliver , Lehnich Anna-Therese , Leitzmann Michael , Lieb Wolfgang , Löffler Markus , Michels Karin B. , Mikolajczyk Rafael , Peters Annette , Schikowski Tamara , Schipf Sabine , Schmidt Börge , Schulze Matthias , Völzke Henry , Willich Stefan N. , Pischon Tobias
Published: March 2020

Hintergrund

Aus der NAKO Gesundheitsstudie, der größten deutschen bevölkerungsbasierten Studie zur Gesundheit, liegen die Daten zu selbst berichteten kardiovaskulären und metabolischen Erkrankungen der ersten ca. 100.000 Teilnehmenden vor.

Ziel

Beschreibung der Methoden zur Erhebung sowie Berechnung der Häufigkeit kardiovaskulärer und metabolischer Erkrankungen in der NAKO.

Material und Methoden

101.806 Teilnehmende (20–75 Jahre, 46 % Männer) aus 18 bundesweiten Studienzentren wurden in einem computergestützten, standardisierten persönlichen Interview gebeten, anhand einer vorgegebenen Liste anzugeben, welche Erkrankungen bei ihnen jemals ärztlich diagnostiziert wurden, darunter auch kardiovaskuläre und metabolische Erkrankungen. Für Letztere wurden deren geschlechtsspezifische relative Häufigkeiten berechnet und diese mit Referenzzahlen verglichen.

Ergebnisse

Bezogen auf die kardiovaskulären Erkrankungen berichteten 3,5 % der Männer und 0,8 % der Frauen, jemals einen Herzinfarkt diagnostiziert bekommen zu haben, 4,8 % bzw. 1,5 % eine Angina pectoris, 3,5 % bzw. 2,5 % eine Herzinsuffizienz, 10,1 % bzw. 10,4 % Herzrhythmusstörungen, 2,7 % bzw. 1,8 % eine Claudicatio intermittens und 34,6 % bzw. 27,0 % eine arterielle Hypertonie. Die Häufigkeit berichteter diagnostizierter metabolischer Erkrankungen lag bei 8,1 % bzw. 5,8 % für Diabetes mellitus, bei 28,6 % bzw. 24,5 % für Hyperlipidämie, bei 7,9 % bzw. 2,4 % für Gicht und bei 10,1 % bzw. 34,3 % für Schilddrüsenerkrankungen. Die beobachteten Häufigkeiten lagen insgesamt etwas niedriger als Vergleichsdaten für Deutschland.

Diskussion

Die NAKO erhebt von allen Teilnehmenden selbst berichtete, ärztlich diagnostizierte kardiovaskuläre und metabolische Erkrankungen und stellt damit eine Datenressource für weitergehende kardiometabolische Forschungsfragestellungen dar.
Die Hybridstabilisierung und geriatrische Komplexbehandlung in der Therapie von A-Frakturen der Wirbelsäule
Authors: Homagk L. , Hellweger A. , Hofmann G. O.
Published: March 2020

In Deutschland ereignen sich ca. 200.000 geriatrische Wirbelfrakturen pro Jahr. Die dezimierte Stabilität des Wirbelkörpers führt häufig zu A‑Frakturen mit einem wesentlichen Einfluss bei der begleitenden Osteoporose. Eine mobilitätserhaltende und schonende Therapie hat gegenüber der konservativen Behandlung deutliche Vorteile. Dabei hat sich die Hybridstabilisierung als Kombination der minimal-invasiven dorsalen Stabilisierung und einer Wirbelkörperaugmentation etabliert. Im Zeitraum vom 01.07.2014 bis 30.06.2015 wurden 205 Wirbelsäulenoperationen erfasst. In der Gruppe der hochbetagten Patienten wurden über 80 % aufgrund einer geriatrischen Wirbelkörperfraktur Typ A behandelt und 24 mittels Hybridstabilisierung (77,1 Jahre, ±6,8), 5 perkutan-bisegmental (75,9 Jahre), 22 per Kyphoplastiestabilisierung (75,7 Jahre) und 13 perkutan-polysegmental versorgt (72,4 Jahre). Diese vier Gruppen wurden ferner auch bezüglich der Behandlung im alterstraumatologischen Zentrum (ATZ) betrachtet. Die operative und perioperative Versorgung bei der Hybridstabilisierung war 36 min länger. Die vier Versorgungsformen erzielten eine durchschnittliche Vergütung von 11.238,77 €. Für die Versorgungsform Kyphoplastie zeigt sich bei ähnlichem Patientengut eine Steigerung in der Vergütung von 4276,54 €, wenn die Patienten der geriatrischen Komplexbehandlung zugeführt werden und dabei die DRG „I34Z“ abgerechnet wird. Im Bereich der operativen Versorgung geriatrischer Wirbelkörperfrakturen gelten die augmentiven Verfahren der Kypho- oder Vertebroplastie als etabliert, aber es zeigt sich häufig eine verletzungsbedingte Mitbeteiligung benachbarter Wirbelsäulensegmente und Anschlussfrakturen, sodass eine bisegmentale Hybridstabilisierung Vorteile zeigt. Da diese Wirbelsäulenpatienten durchschnittlich 15 Jahre älter sind, wird in der geriatrischen Wirbelsäulenchirurgie der goldene Weg zwischen schonender Operationsmethode und frühzeitigster Mobilisierung verfolgt. Zudem ist der perioperative Stress bei der Hybridstabilisierung nur unwesentlich länger, sodass die Hybridstabilisierung und die geriatrische Komplexbehandlung als neuer wirbelsäulenchirurgischer Versorgungsstandard für die Versorgung der A‑Frakturen hochbetagter Patienten empfohlen werden können.
Primär- und Sekundärprävention von Hautkrebs in ländlichen Regionen
Authors: Ziehfreund Stefanie , Krause Julia , Rotter Markus , Biedermann Tilo , Zink Alexander
Published: March 2020

Hintergrund

Hautkrebs ist weltweit die häufigste Malignität der hellhäutigen Bevölkerung. Primär- und Sekundärprävention sind entscheidend, um die Krankheitslast von Hautkrebs zu senken. Verschiedene Studien deuten allerdings auf ein unzureichendes Präventionsverhalten insbesondere der Landbevölkerung hin.

Ziel der Arbeit

Ziel war, das Risiko- und Präventionsverhalten von ländlichen Bevölkerungen zu untersuchen und Subgruppen mit hohem Handlungsbedarf bezüglich Präventionsmaßnahmen zu identifizieren.

Material und Methoden

In einer Querschnittstudie wurden im ersten Quartal 2017 in nichtdermatologischen Arztpraxen im Bayerischen Wald (Deutschland) Patienten und deren Begleitpersonen (≥18 Jahre) in den Wartezimmern zum Thema Primär- und Sekundärprävention befragt. Die Daten wurden mittels anonymisierter Papierfragebögen erhoben. Assoziationen wurden mittels logistischer Regression berechnet.

Ergebnisse

Insgesamt wurden 880 Personen (57,7 % weibliche, mittleres Alter 49,5 Jahre) eingeschlossen, von denen 53,6 % bisher mindestens 1‑mal ein Hautkrebsscreening in Anspruch genommen hatten. Sonnencreme war die am häufigsten verwendete Sonnenschutzmaßnahme. Das männliche Geschlecht und die Altersgruppen 18 bis 34 Jahre hatten ein signifikant höheres Risiko für die Nichtverwendung von fast allen Präventionsmaßnahmen (abhängig von der Maßnahme: OR [Odds Ratio]: 1,4–2,4 bzw. 1,8–3,7). Keine Inanspruchnahme von Hautkrebsscreening war zudem mit einer solaren UV-Exposition von über 6 h pro Tag assoziiert (OR: 1,8, 95 %-KI [Konfidenzintervall]: 1,14–2,97).

Schlussfolgerung

Zukünftige Präventionsstrategien sollten vermehrt auf junge Erwachsene, insbesondere auf Männer und Personen mit einer hohen UV-Exposition ausgerichtet werden, um der Krankheitslast von Hautkrebs in der ländlichen Region langfristig gerecht werden zu können.
Three-dimensional templating in hip arthroplasty: the basis for template-directed instrumentation?
Authors: Savov P. , Budde S. , Tsamassiotis S. , Windhagen H. , Klintschar M. , Ettinger M.
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Computed tomography-based three-dimensional models may allow the accurate determination of the center of rotation, lateral and anterior femoral offsets, and the required implant size in total hip arthroplasty. In this cadaver study, the accuracy of anatomical reconstruction was evaluated using a three-dimensional planning tool.

Materials and methods

A total of eight hip arthroplasties were performed on four bilateral specimens. Based on a computed tomography scan, the position and size of the prosthesis were templated with respect to the anatomical conditions.

Results

On average, all parameters were reconstructed to an accuracy of 4.5 mm and lie within the limits recommended in the literature. All prostheses were implanted with the templated size.

Conclusions

The exact anatomy of the patient and the required size and position of the prosthesis were precisely analyzed using a templating software. Based on the present findings, the development of template-directed instrumentation is conceivable using this method. However, further technical features (e.g., navigation or robot-assisted surgery) are required for improved precision for implant positioning.
Wilkinson’s Bus: Weak Condition Numbers, with an Application to Singular Polynomial Eigenproblems
Authors: Lotz Martin , Noferini Vanni
Published: March 2020

We propose a new approach to the theory of conditioning for numerical analysis problems for which both classical and stochastic perturbation theories fail to predict the observed accuracy of computed solutions. To motivate our ideas, we present examples of problems that are discontinuous at a given input and even have infinite stochastic condition number, but where the solution is still computed to machine precision without relying on structured algorithms. Stimulated by the failure of classical and stochastic perturbation theory in capturing such phenomena, we define and analyse a weak worst-case and a weak stochastic condition number. This new theory is a more powerful predictor of the accuracy of computations than existing tools, especially when the worst-case and the expected sensitivity of a problem to perturbations of the input is not finite. We apply our analysis to the computation of simple eigenvalues of matrix polynomials, including the more difficult case of singular matrix polynomials. In addition, we show how the weak condition numbers can be estimated in practice.
Orthogonality Spaces Arising from Infinite-Dimensional Complex Hilbert Spaces
Authors: Vetterlein Thomas
Published: March 2020

The collection of one-dimensional subspaces of an anisotropic Hermitian space is naturally endowed with an orthogonality relation and represents the typical example of what is called an orthogonality space: a set endowed with a symmetric, irreflexive binary relation. We investigate in this paper symmetry properties of orthogonality spaces. We show that two conditions concerning the existence of automorphisms of orthogonality spaces are essentially sufficient to characterise the basic model of quantum physics, the countably infinite dimensional complex Hilbert space.