bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RRAS2 shapes the TCR repertoire by setting the threshold for negative selection
Authors: Martínez-Riaño Ana , Bovolenta Elena R. , Boccasavia Viola L. , Ponomarenko Julia , Abia David , Oeste Clara L. , Fresno Manuel , van Santen Hisse M. , Alarcon Balbino
Published: July 2019

Signal strength controls the outcome of αβ T cell selection in the thymus, resulting in death if the affinity of the rearranged TCR is below the threshold for positive selection, or if the affinity of the TCR is above the threshold for negative selection. Here we show that deletion of the GTPase RRAS2 results in exacerbated negative selection and above-normal expression of positive selection markers. Furthermore, Rras2−/− mice are resistant to autoimmunity both in a model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and in a model of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)–induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). We show that MOG-specific T cells in Rras2−/− mice have reduced affinity for MOG/I-Ab tetramers, suggesting that enhanced negative selection leads to selection of TCRs with lower affinity for the self-MOG peptide. An analysis of the TCR repertoire shows alterations that mostly affect the TCRα variable (TRAV) locus with specific VJ combinations and CDR3α sequences that are absent in Rras2−/− mice, suggesting their involvement in autoimmunity.
GSMA: an approach to identify robust global and test Gene Signatures using Meta-Analysis
Authors: Shafi Adib , Nguyen Tin , Peyvandipour Azam , Draghici Sorin
Published: July 2019

Motivation

Recent advances in biomedical research have made massive amount of transcriptomic data available in public repositories from different sources. Due to the heterogeneity present in the individual experiments, identifying reproducible biomarkers for a given disease from multiple independent studies has become a major challenge. The widely used meta-analysis approaches, such as Fisher’s method, Stouffer’s method, minP and maxP, have at least two major limitations: (i) they are sensitive to outliers, and (ii) they perform only one statistical test for each individual study, and hence do not fully utilize the potential sample size to gain statistical power.

Results

Here, we propose a gene-level meta-analysis framework that overcomes these limitations and identifies a gene signature that is reliable and reproducible across multiple independent studies of a given disease. The approach provides a comprehensive global signature that can be used to understand the underlying biological phenomena, and a smaller test signature that can be used to classify future samples of a given disease. We demonstrate the utility of the framework by constructing disease signatures for influenza and Alzheimer’s disease using nine datasets including 1108 individuals. These signatures are then validated on 12 independent datasets including 912 individuals. The results indicate that the proposed approach performs better than the majority of the existing meta-analysis approaches in terms of both sensitivity as well as specificity. The proposed signatures could be further used in diagnosis, prognosis and identification of therapeutic targets.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Estimating and testing the microbial causal mediation effect with high-dimensional and compositional microbiome data
Authors: Wang Chan , Hu Jiyuan , Blaser Martin J , Li Huilin
Published: July 2019

Motivation

Recent microbiome association studies have revealed important associations between microbiome and disease/health status. Such findings encourage scientists to dive deeper to uncover the causal role of microbiome in the underlying biological mechanism, and have led to applying statistical models to quantify causal microbiome effects and to identify the specific microbial agents. However, there are no existing causal mediation methods specifically designed to handle high dimensional and compositional microbiome data.

Results

We propose a rigorous Sparse Microbial Causal Mediation Model (SparseMCMM) specifically designed for the high dimensional and compositional microbiome data in a typical three-factor (treatment, microbiome and outcome) causal study design. In particular, linear log-contrast regression model and Dirichlet regression model are proposed to estimate the causal direct effect of treatment and the causal mediation effects of microbiome at both the community and individual taxon levels. Regularization techniques are used to perform the variable selection in the proposed model framework to identify signature causal microbes. Two hypothesis tests on the overall mediation effect are proposed and their statistical significance is estimated by permutation procedures. Extensive simulated scenarios show that SparseMCMM has excellent performance in estimation and hypothesis testing. Finally, we showcase the utility of the proposed SparseMCMM method in a study which the murine microbiome has been manipulated by providing a clear and sensible causal path among antibiotic treatment, microbiome composition and mouse weight.

Availability and implementation

https://sites.google.com/site/huilinli09/software and https://github.com/chanw0/SparseMCMM.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
How sequence alignment scores correspond to probability models
Authors: Frith Martin C
Published: July 2019

Motivation

Sequence alignment remains fundamental in bioinformatics. Pair-wise alignment is traditionally based on ad hoc scores for substitutions, insertions and deletions, but can also be based on probability models (pair hidden Markov models: PHMMs). PHMMs enable us to: fit the parameters to each kind of data, calculate the reliability of alignment parts and measure sequence similarity integrated over possible alignments.

Results

This study shows how multiple models correspond to one set of scores. Scores can be converted to probabilities by partition functions with a ‘temperature’ parameter: for any temperature, this corresponds to some PHMM. There is a special class of models with balanced length probability, i.e. no bias toward either longer or shorter alignments. The best way to score alignments and assess their significance depends on the aim: judging whether whole sequences are related versus finding related parts. This clarifies the statistical basis of sequence alignment.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
diSTruct v1.0: generating biomolecular structures from distance constraints
Authors: Taubert Oskar , Reinartz Ines , Meyerhenke Henning , Schug Alexander
Published: July 2019

The distance geometry problem is often encountered in molecular biology and the life sciences at large, as a host of experimental methods produce ambiguous and noisy distance data. In this note, we present diSTruct; an adaptation of the generic MaxEnt-Stress graph drawing algorithm to the domain of biological macromolecules. diSTruct is fast, provides reliable structural models even from incomplete or noisy distance data and integrates access to graph analysis tools.

Availability and implementation

diSTruct is written in C++, Cython and Python 3. It is available from https://github.com/KIT-MBS/distruct.git or in the Python package index under the MIT license.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Patients With Severe Fever With Thrombocytopenia Syndrome
Authors: Bae Seongman , Hwang Hye Jeon , Kim Mi Young , Kim Min Jae , Chong Yong Pil , Lee Sang-Oh , Choi Sang-Ho , Kim Yang Soo , Woo Jun Hee , Kim Sung-Han
Published: July 2019

Sixteen of 45 patients with severe fever with thrombocytopenia (36%) were admitted to an intensive care unit; 9 (56%) developed invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) within a median of 8 days (range, 2–11). Mortality was higher in the IPA vs non-IPA patients and in those without vs with antifungal therapy.
Alq mutation increases fruit set rate and allows the maintenance of fruit yield under moderate saline conditions
Authors: Ribelles Carlos , García-Sogo Begoña , Yuste-Lisbona Fernando J , Atarés Alejandro , Castañeda Laura , Capel Carmen , Lozano Rafael , Moreno Vicente , Pineda Benito
Published: July 2019

The enhanced expression of the ALQ-TAGL1 gene in the Alq mutant increases the concentration of endogenous cytokinins, fruit set, and salt tolerance in tomato.
Fast identification of mineral inclusions in diamond at GSECARS using synchrotron X-ray microtomography, radiography and diffraction
Authors: Wenz Michelle D. , Jacobsen Steven D. , Zhang Dongzhou , Regier Margo , Bausch Hannah J. , Dera Przemyslaw K. , Rivers Mark , Eng Peter , Shirey Steven B. , Pearson D. Graham
Published: July 2019

Mineral inclusions in natural diamond are widely studied for the insight that they provide into the geochemistry and dynamics of the Earth's interior. A major challenge in achieving thorough yet high rates of analysis of mineral inclusions in diamond derives from the micrometre-scale of most inclusions, often requiring synchrotron radiation sources for diffraction. Centering microinclusions for diffraction with a highly focused synchrotron beam cannot be achieved optically because of the very high index of refraction of diamond. A fast, high-throughput method for identification of micromineral inclusions in diamond has been developed at the GeoSoilEnviro Center for Advanced Radiation Sources (GSECARS), Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, USA. Diamonds and their inclusions are imaged using synchrotron 3D computed X-ray microtomography on beamline 13-BM-D of GSECARS. The location of every inclusion is then pinpointed onto the coordinate system of the six-circle goniometer of the single-crystal diffractometer on beamline 13-BM-C. Because the bending magnet branch 13-BM is divided and delivered into 13-BM-C and 13-BM-D stations simultaneously, numerous diamonds can be examined during coordinated runs. The fast, high-throughput capability of the methodology is demonstrated by collecting 3D diffraction data on 53 diamond inclusions from Juína, Brazil, within a total of about 72 h of beam time.
Pressure-dependent X-ray diffraction of the multiferroics RMn2O5
Authors: Peng Wei , Balédent Victor , Lepetit Marie-Bernadette , Vaunat Antoine , Rebolini Elisa , Greenblatt Martha , Foury-Leylekian Pascale
Published: July 2019

The room-temperature structural properties of the RMn2O5 multiferroics have been investigated under pressure, using powder X-ray scattering and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. It was possible to determine the lattice parameters and the main atomic positions as a function of pressure. Good agreement was observed between the X-ray and DFT results for most of the determined crystallographic data. From the DFT calculations, it was possible to infer the pressure evolution of the exchange interactions, and this analysis led to the conclusion that the onset of the q = (½, 0, ½) magnetic structure under pressure is related to the increase in the J
1 super-exchange terms (due to the reduction in the Mn—O distances) compared with the Mn—R exchange interactions. In addition, the 1D antiferromagnetic character of the compounds should be reinforced under pressure.
trans-Bis(dimethyl sulfoxide-κO)bis(3-nitrobenzohydroxamato-κ2
O,O′)zinc(II)
Authors: Lisboa Gonçalves Bruna , Oliveira Monteiro Samantha , Cargnelutti Roberta , Rosa de Menezes Vicenti Juliano
Published: July 2019

Single crystals of the title complex, [Zn(C7H5N2O4)2(C2H6OS)2] or [Zn(NBZH)2(DMSO)2], were isolated from a dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solution containing [Zn(NBZH)2]·2H2O (NBZH = 3-nitrobenzohydroxamate anion). The asymmetric unit comprises of one O,O′-chelating NBZH anion, one O-bound DMSO ligand and one zinc(II) cation localized on an inversion centre. The three-dimensional crystal packing includes N—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonding, as well as O...H and H...H contacts identified by Hirshfeld isosurface analysis.
Influence of tribofilms on failures and friction of gears with particular focus on running-in
Authors: Ziegltrum Andreas , Emrich Stefan , Lohner Thomas , Michaelis Klaus , Brodyanski Alexander , Merz Rolf , Kopnarski Michael , Hoehn Bernd-Robert , Stahl Karsten
Published: July 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to address the influence of tribofilms and running-in on failures and friction of gears. The operation regime of gears is increasingly shifted to mixed and boundary lubrication, where high local pressures and temperatures occur at solid interactions in the gear contact. This results in strong tribofilm formation due to interactions of lubricant and its additives with the gear flanks and is related to changes of surface topography especially pronounced during running-in.

Design/methodology/approach

Experiments at a twin-disk and gear test rig were combined with chemical, structural and mechanical tribofilm characterization by surface analysis. Pitting lifetime, scuffing load carrying capacity and friction of ground spur gears were investigated for a mineral oil with different additives.

Findings

Experimental investigations showed a superordinate influence of tribofilms over surface roughness changes on damage and friction behavior of gears. Surface analysis of tribofilms provides explanatory approaches for friction behavior and load carrying capacity. A recommendation for the running-in of spur gears was derived.

Originality/value

Experimental methods and modern surface analysis were combined to study the influence of running-in and tribofilms on different failures and friction of spur gears.
Panel modeling of z-score: evidence from Islamic and conventional Saudi banks
Authors: Ghassan Hassan Belkacem , Guendouz Abdelkrim Ahmed
Published: July 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to measure the stability extent of the banking sector in Saudi Arabia, including Islamic and conventional banks (CBs), using quarterly data.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses seemingly unrelated regressions to estimate the determinants of the z-score.

Findings

The panel data model shows that Islamic banks (IBs) reduce the financial stability index relatively; meanwhile, they contribute efficiently to enhance the financial stability through the diversification of their assets. The Saudi banking sector exhibits strong concentration affecting the financial stability negatively.

Research limitations/implications

The paper’s topic can be extended to cover the recent period.

Practical implications

The limited presence of IBs in the Saudi banking sector jeopardizes any effort to improve the financial stability.

Social implications

By attracting more clients, IBs would contribute more to the financial stability in the Saudi economy. Also, the monetary authority has to expand the share of IBs in the financial system at least 50-50 compared to CBs.

Originality/value

The z-score is mostly analyzed with yearly data; in this paper we use quarterly data to describe at infra-annual frequency the variability of the z-score index. Also, we consider in detail the statistical properties of the banks’ data.
Mobile app communication aid for Cypriot deaf people
Authors: Pieri Katerina , Cobb Sue Valerie Gray
Published: July 2019

Purpose

People with severe or profound hearing loss face daily communication problems mainly due to the language barrier between themselves and the hearing community. Their hearing deficiency, as well as their use of sign language, often makes it difficult for them to use and understand spoken language. Cyprus is amongst the top 5 European countries with a relatively high proportion of registered deaf people (0.12 per cent of the population: GUL, 2010). However, lack of technological and financial support to the Deaf Community of Cyprus leaves the Cypriot deaf people unsupported and marginalised. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

This study implemented user-centred design methods to explore the communication needs and requirements of Cypriot deaf people and develop a functional prototype of a mobile app to help them to communicate more effectively with hearing people. A total of 76 deaf adults were involved in various stages of the research. This paper presents the participatory design activities (N=8) and results of usability testing (N=8).

Findings

The study found that users were completely satisfied with the mobile app and, in particular, they liked the use of Cypriot Sign Language (CSL) videos of a real person interpreting hearing people’s speech in real time and the custom onscreen keyboard to allow faster selection of text input.

Originality/value

Despite advances in communication aid technologies, there is currently no technology available that supports CSL or real-time speech to sign language conversion for the deaf people of Cyprus.
Cortical development in fetuses with congenital heart defects using an automated brain‐age prediction algorithm
Authors: Everwijn Sheila M. P. , Namburete Ana I. L. , van Geloven Nan , Jansen Fenna A. R. , Papageorghiou Aris T. , Noble Alison J. , Teunissen Aalbertine K. K. , Rozendaal Lieke , Blom Nico A. , van Lith Jan M. M. , Haak Monique C.
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Congenital heart defects are associated with neurodevelopmental delay. It is hypothesized that fetuses affected by congenital heart defect have altered cerebral oxygen perfusion and are therefore prone to delay in cortical maturation. The aim of this study was to determine the difference in fetal brain age between consecutive congenital heart defect cases and controls in the second and third trimester using ultrasound.

Material and methods

Since 2014, we have included 90 isolated severe congenital heart defect cases in the Heart And Neurodevelopment (HAND)‐study. Every 4 weeks, detailed neurosonography was performed in these fetuses, including the recording of a 3D volume of the fetal brain, from 20 weeks onwards. In all, 75 healthy fetuses underwent the same protocol to serve as a control group. The volumes were analyzed by automated age prediction software which determines gestational age by the assessment of cortical maturation.

Results

In total, 477 volumes were analyzed using the age prediction software (199 volumes of 90 congenital heart defect cases; 278 volumes of 75 controls). Of these, 16 (3.2%) volume recordings were excluded because of imaging quality. The age distribution was 19‐33 weeks. Mixed model analysis showed that the age predicted by brain maturation was 3 days delayed compared with the control group (P = .002).

Conclusions

This study shows that fetuses with isolated cases of congenital heart defects show some delay in cortical maturation as compared with healthy control cases. The clinical relevance of this small difference is debatable. This finding was consistent throughout pregnancy and did not progress during the third trimester.
Supporting Children and Parents in Sweden through Collaboration Teams
Authors: Eriksson Maria , Gabrielsson Marianne
Published: July 2019

Coordinated, multidisciplinary collaboration teams have been developed in Sweden with the purpose of preventing or mitigating conflicts between parents and promoting effective parental cooperation. The screening and assessment tool, known as the Family Law Detection of Overall Risk Screen (FL‐DOORS), was used to assess the children's and parents’ situation and need for support or protection. The overall results based on the children's and the parents’ situations and experiences demonstrate that a collaboration team is a promising model. The development project (2014–2017) has demonstrated the importance of offering children and families preventative support at an early stage in order to avoid prolonged and conflict‐ridden separations.
“Experts by Experience”: The Involvement of Service Users and Families in Designing and Implementing Innovations in Family Justice
Authors: Misca Gabriela , Walker Janet , Kaplan Carole
Published: July 2019

Drawing on international research, policy, and practice, this article explores what is meant by service user involvement, how it has developed, and how it has been implemented across different areas of practice. Using examples from across the health and social care fields, it reflects on how the learning from other areas of practice in which service user involvement has been successful may be applied to the family justice field. The arguments presented highlight the value of taking a bottom‐up approach in designing and implementing innovations in family justice, which would embrace the views of family members, including children, as ‘service users.’ It is important, however, to balance both the challenges and the opportunities offered by involving those who are ‘experts by experience’ in the family justice processes, in order to lead to improved services and experiences.
Anti‐AGE activity of poplar‐type propolis: mechanism of action of main phenolic compounds
Authors: Boisard Séverine , Shahali Youcef , Aumond Marie‐Christine , Derbré Séverine , Blanchard Patricia , Dadar Maryam , Le Ray Anne‐Marie , Richomme Pascal
Published: July 2019

This study aimed to compare the protective effect of two geographically distinct propolis against the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). The polyphenol content of propolis extracts (EEPs) was analysed using HPLC‐DAD‐MS profiling and evaluated for their protective effects against pentosidine‐like AGEs. Dicarbonyl trapping capacities of major EEP compounds were determined using a methylglyoxal scavenging in vitro assay. Both propolis samples were characterised with high levels of pinobanksin derivatives exhibiting strong anti‐AGE properties. EEPs reduced AGE formation more effectively than well‐known natural AGE inhibitors such as quercetin or chlorogenic acid. Individual evaluations of the five major compounds in EEPs showed that flavonoids strongly inhibit the formation of AGEs by trapping dicarbonyl intermediates, whereas compounds such as caffeic acid derivatives only act as antioxidant agents. Propolis is thus a promising candidate for the prevention and control of AGE‐related chronic diseases.
Technology and characterisation of whole hemp seed beverages prepared from ultrasonicated and fermented whole seed paste
Authors: Bartkiene Elena , Zokaityte Egle , Lele Vita , Sakiene Vytaute , Zavistanaviciute Paulina , Klupsaite Dovile , Bendoraitiene Joana , Navikaite‐Snipaitiene Vesta , Ruzauskas Modestas
Published: July 2019

The aim of this study was to apply fermentation with Pediococcus acidilactici LUHS29, P. pentosaceus LUHS183, Lactobacillus casei LUHS210 and L. uvarum LUHS245 strains, as well as ultrasonication (US) for whole hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seed paste (HSP) treatment and preparation of emulsions (HSE). Additionally, the biogenic amine (BA) content and antimicrobial properties of the prepared products were evaluated. It was found that US and fermentation reduced total bacteria count in HSP. The highest BA content was found in US‐treated HSP (639.87 mg kg−1). HSEUS, HSELUHS29, HSELUHS183, HSELUHS210 and HSELUHS245 samples showed lower ζ‐potential. The highest overall acceptability (OA) was established for HSELUHS245, and correlations were established between the emotions induced by the different HSE products and OA. Pure LAB showed a broad variety of pathogen inhibition; however, the antimicrobial activity of HSP was very low, and HSE did not show any antimicrobial properties. Finally, treatment with selected LAB can be recommended for preparation of stable emulsions, and the most acceptable beverages can be obtained by using LUHS245 strain.
Labour Market and Human Capital Behaviour of Immigrant Couples: Evidence from Australia
Authors: Derby Sarah‐Jane , Islam Asad , Smyth Russell
Published: July 2019

We examine the labour market and human capital investment behaviour of immigrant couples in Australia. The family investment hypothesis (FIH) states that immigrant husbands, whom the FIH assumes to be the primary earners in the family, will invest more in their human capital than immigrant wives, whom the FIH assumes to be secondary earners. Using longitudinal data from Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) for the period 2001 to 2014, we do not find support for the FIH. Instead, we find that foreign‐born husbands and wives share similar labour market assimilation patterns with respect to hours of work and wages. Our estimates suggest that immigrant wives' labour market behaviour can be better explained by their own long‐term career progression and labour market assimilation, than through supporting their husbands' labour market assimilation.
Texture‐modified 3D printed dark chocolate: Sensory evaluation and consumer perception study
Authors: Mantihal Sylvester , Prakash Sangeeta , Bhandari Bhesh
Published: July 2019

This study aimed to assess the preferences and perceptions of texture‐modified three‐dimensional (3D) printed chocolate through three measures: two tasting tests and one survey. In the first test, 30 semitrained panelists ranked their overall preference from among the three samples of chocolate printed in a honeycomb pattern with infill percentages (IPs) of 25, 50, and 100%. The panelists ranked the samples based on appearance and hardness. In the second test, the same panelists nominated one preference between a 3D printed sample (100% IP) and a cast commercial chocolate sample. Friedman test indicated that there was no significant difference in overall preferences for hardness although the panelists significantly preferred the appearance of samples with 25 and 50% over the 100% infill. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in preference between the cast and 100% infill samples. The texture data of the chocolate samples showed that a higher force was required to break the chocolate samples as the IP increased from 25% (20.4 ± 1.1 N) to 100% (54.4 ± 1.5 N). Also, the 3D printed chocolate (printed in 100% IP) was found to be less hard than that of casted chocolate. In the survey of consumer perceptions, a total of 244 participated and assessed the samples for their intricate design and novel technology concept through a questionnaire. While there was a general awareness of 3D printing technology among these participants, many were impressed with the application of 3D printing to chocolate, as this was the first time they had seen this. The results obtained from the sensory tests and consumer survey provided a useful insight into consumers' perception of 3D food printing and the 3D products design. This awareness will be beneficial to promote this technology in the food industry.
Origin of lunar fragmental matrix breccias—Highly siderophile element constraints
Authors: Gleißner Philipp , Becker Harry
Published: July 2019

Ejecta at North Ray crater (Apollo 16) sampled a unique section of the lunar highlands not accessible at most other landing sites and provide important constraints on the composition of late accreted materials. New data on multiple aliquots of four fragmental matrix breccias and a fragment‐laden melt breccia from this site display a variety of highly siderophile element patterns which may represent the signatures of volatile element‐depleted carbonaceous chondrite‐like material, primitive achondrite, differentiated metal, and an impactor component that cannot be related to known meteoritic material. The latter component is prevalent in these rocks besides characterized by depletions in Re and Os compared to Ir, Ru and Pt, chondritic Re/Os, and a gradual depletion of Pd and Au. The observed characteristics are more consistent with fractionations by nebular processes, like incomplete condensation or evaporation, than with lunar crustal processes, like partial melting or volatilization. The impactor signature preserved in these breccias may stem from primitive meteorites with a refractory element composition moderately different from known chondrites. The presence of distinct impactor components within the North Ray crater breccias together with observed correlations of characteristic element ratios (e.g., Re/Os, Ru/Pt, Pd/Ir) in different impact lithologies of four Apollo landing sites constrains physical mixing processes ranging from the scale of gram‐sized samples to the area covered by the Apollo missions.
Osteoporotic Fracture Guidelines and Medical Education Related to the Clinical Practices: A Nationwide Survey in China
Authors: Lu Jin , Ren Zhong , Liu Xun , Xu You‐jia , Liu Qiang
Published: July 2019

Objectives

To investigate the knowledge and practices of Chinese doctors in the management of osteoporotic fractures after the Chinese osteoporotic fracture guidelines update and aseries of medical education in 2017.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional survey of doctors in 71 cities across Mainland China. Based on the 2017 Chinese guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporotic fractures, a questionnaire was designed and pre‐tested for reliability and validity. Doctors were surveyed with the questionnaire after scientific meetings during February 2017 to January 2018 through WeChat or conference digital platforms or in paper form. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the responses to the questionnaire.

Results

Overall, 314 valid questionnaires were confirmed. Regarding diagnosis, 77% agreed that osteoporosis could be diagnosed once an osteoporotic fracture occurred; 83% believed that the bone mineral density criteria for osteoporosis diagnosis would be T ≤ −2.5 SD. For treatment, almost all (99.7%) agreed with anti‐osteoporosis treatment being one of the basic principles of osteoporotic fracture treatment; 71.6% considered bisphosphonates as the most commonly used anti‐osteoporosis drug; 97% believed that patients who have used anti‐osteoporosis drugs should reassess osteoporosis after osteoporotic fractures instead of discontinue; 95% thought that the patients who did not use anti‐osteoporosis medications before osteoporotic fracture should be treated with anti‐osteoporosis drugs after fracture treatment as early as possible; 89% agreed that the standard use of bisphosphonates after osteoporotic fracture would not affect bone healing adversely; 59% believed the course of bisphosphonates treatment for osteoporosis would be 3–5 years, and 27% considered it to be 1–3 years. The patient follow‐up rate was poor: 46% selected follow‐up rate <30%; only 20% selected follow‐up rate >50%. Only 31% of the hospitals had long‐term management programs for osteoporotic fractures.

Conclusions

Doctors generally adhered to the updated Chinese guidelines for osteoporotic fractures; frequent participation in medical education can help doctors to increase their awareness of osteoporosis as well as their acceptance and practice of the guidelines.
Use of osseointegrated implants in the intermaxillary suture in a patient with microstomia: Case report with a 2‐year follow‐up
Authors: Poluha Rodrigo Lorenzi , Eidt João Matheus Scherbaum , Danieletto‐Zanna Carolina Ferrairo , Ferreira Gustavo Zanna , Takizawa Osmar Kenji , Farah Gustavo Jacobucci
Published: July 2019

Aim

To report the rehabilitation of a female patient, 40 years old, with a microstomia.

Case Report

The Z‐plasty surgery was performed in the region of the labial commissure to increase the mouth opening. In the mandible, two implants were installed in the interforaminal region and an overdenture with bar/clip attachment system was made. The maxilla was atrophic, with the presence of two bone sites in the intermaxillary suture region: the first one anterior to the incisive foramen and the second one in the middle of the hard palate. Two implants were placed without a graft in those sites. The conventional maxillary denture was converted into an overdenture with ball attachments system.

Conclusion

Based on the presented case, with a 2‐year follow‐up, it can be concluded the validity of the use of the techniques of surgeries to increase the mouth opening, implants in intermaxillary suture and overdentures as rehabilitation therapy for patients with microstomia.
Teaching in contexts: Designing a competency‐based religious studies program
Authors: Gray‐Hildenbrand Jenna , King Rebekka
Published: July 2019

Over the last decade, the discipline of religious studies has promoted religious literacy as both an invaluable contribution to curriculum and an indispensable social good. While much has been written on the importance of the study of religion for the development of religious literacy, little attention has been given to the identification of the disciplinary skills and content knowledge (or what we refer to as religious studies competencies) a student develops through extended study of religion. In this essay, we present an example of how to integrate a religious studies competency‐based model into program design and implementation. We argue that the transition to a competency‐based religious studies program has two potential benefits. First, competency program design provides an opportunity to redesign and update religious studies programs in a more responsible manner that aligns with our students, institution, discipline, and profession. Second, competency program design facilitates the conditions where we can better avoid duplicating the much criticized world religions paradigm.
Molecular phylogeny and timing of evolution ofAnthomyzaand related genera (Diptera: Anthomyzidae)
Authors: Roháček Jindřich , Petráková Lenka , Tóthová Andrea
Published: July 2019

Phylogenetic hypotheses of the relationships of Diptera: Anthomyzidae (61 taxa) are discussed with special reference to the generaFungomyzaRoháček, 1999,AnthomyzaFallén, 1810,EpischnomyiaRoháček, 2006 andArganthomyzaRoháček, 2009 based on the analysis of 7 combined mitochondrial + nuclear gene markers in comparison with results of the most recent cladistic analysis of morphological characters. The majority of revealed inter‐ and intrageneric relationships of these genera in both analyses were largely congruent except for the topology ofFungomyzaandArganthomyzabeing equivocal because of different topologies in phylograms generated by alternative molecular methods andEpischnomyiaforming a branch withinAnthomyzain the molecular data hypothesis. The formerly unsettledAnthomyza drachmaproved to be the sister species of theA. umbrosagroup while the affinity ofA. flavosternato theA. bellatrixgroup has not been confirmed. The first phylogenetic hypothesis of Anthomyzinae to include timing of the nodes of divergence is presented. The origin of the subfamily is dated into the Eocene, ca 37.5 (30.6–45.3) MYA, and agrees with the age of the oldest known fossils from Baltic amber. The analysed members of theAnthomyzagroup of genera were found to have already evolved in the upper Oligocene. The divergences of the Palaearctic and Nearctic sister species inArganthomyzaandAnthomyzawere found to occur at several different times during the Neogene (upper Miocene) to lower Quaternary (Pleistocene), from about 7 to 0.7 MYA. These were likely the result of fragmentation of widespread (Holarctic or Sino‐Japanese–Nearctic) ranges of ancestral taxa by vicariance events that were, in turn, caused by multiple interruptions of Beringia Land Bridges or cooling of climate and seem to be consistent with the times of multiple disjunctions of the flora.
Model-Based System, Safety and Security Co-Engineering Method and Toolchain for Medical Devices Design
Authors: Sango Marc , Godot Jean , Gonzalez Antonio , Ruiz Nolasco Ricardo
Published: July 2019

The increasing complexity of the medical regulatory environment and the inherent complexity of medical devices, especially due to the increased use of connected devices and embedded control software, impose adoption of new methods and tools for the system design, safety and security analyses. In this paper, we propose a method and an associated toolchain to couple model-based system engineering and safety/security analyses at the design phase of medical devices. The method is compliant with ANSI/AAMI/ISO TIR57 safety and security guidance, and compatible with INCOSE Biomedical-Healthcare Model-Based Systems Engineering works. The toolchain is based on a system architecture modelling tool and supports medical device domain specific reference architecture, as well as tools for safety and security risk analyses. The proposed method and toolchain are illustrated by considering a RGB’s TOF-CUFF monitor device analyzed in the scope of the AQUAS project as a medical device use case.
A Deployable Multi-Tine Endoscopic Radiofrequency Ablation Electrode: Simulation Validation in a Thermochromic Tissue Phantom
Authors: Hanks Bradley , Azhar Fariha , Frecker Mary , Clement Ryan , Greaser Jenna , Snook Kevin
Published: July 2019

Endoscopic radiofrequency ablation has gained interest for treating abdominal tumors. The radiofrequency ablation electrode geometry largely determines the size and shape of the ablation zone. Mismatch between the ablation zone and tumor shapes leads to reoccurrence of the cancer. Recently, work has been published regarding a novel deployable multi-tine electrode for endoscopic radiofrequency ablation. The prior work developed a thermal ablation model to predict the ablation zone surrounding an electrode and a systematic optimization of the electrode shape to treat a specific tumor shape. The purpose of this work is to validate the thermal ablation model through experiments in a tissue phantom that changes color at ablation temperatures. The experiments highlight the importance of thermal tissue damage in finite element modeling. Thermal induced changes in tissue properties, if not accounted for in finite element modeling, can lead to significant overprediction of the expected ablation zone surrounding an electrode.
Bonding Dissimilar Substrates Using Novel Adhesive and Surface Treatment Methods
Authors: Bales Elizabeth , Gaither Phyl , Kihara Matthew
Published: July 2019

Three hurdles that exist in selecting materials for the development of new medical devices for neurological treatment are creating a bond between substrates, developing a simple and feasible manufacturing process, and selecting materials that follow regulatory trends to meet possible future requirements. The Elkem team has assessed the adhesion and ideal surface preparation of various grades of thermoplastic polyurethane, metals, and silicone susbstrates with a novel, monocomponent, tin free adhesive that cures in ambient conditions. The surfaces of the substrates were treated via plasma, primer, or a combination of the two. Adhesion was evaluated by determining if the failure mode was adhesive or cohesive. Each of the substrates were successfully bonded using a surface preparation method that yielded cohesive failure. Manufactures now have an option for a fast and relatively simple processing set up that requires less energy than using silicone adhesives currently on the market which opens the door to a wider range of material options.
Modular Self-Reconfigurable Robot for Autonomous Rehabilitation Assistance in Daily Living Tasks for Spinal Cord Injury Patients
Authors: Nelson Carl A. , Bruckner Mitchell A. , Chae Jay S. , Burnfield Judith M. , Buster Thad W. , Cesar Guilherme M. , Pfeifer Chase M. , Dasgupta Prithviraj
Published: July 2019

This paper presents a modular robot for assisting individuals with spinal cord injury with everyday tasks. The basic premise of modularity for task-variable environments is laid out, and the modular robot design is detailed including needs assessment, kinematics, and hardware. Early pilot testing of the robot is also described.
Soft Physiology Sensors and Machine Learning to Enhance Spinal Cord Injury and Stroke Rehabilitation Outcomes in Home Settings
Authors: Huang Tzu-Hao , Yang Jianfu , Pushaj Eljona , Silvanov Viktor , Yu Shuangyue , Yang Xiaolong , Su Hao , Chang Shuo-Hsiu , Francisco Gerard
Published: July 2019

This paper presents the design and fabrication of a textile-based soft Electromyography (EMG) sensor and machine-learning-based methods to detect muscle spasticity. The textile EMG sensor is flexible, foldable, stretchable, washable for multiple times, and easily customizable to meet the heterogeneous needs of SCI individuals. The machine learning algorithms that can estimate the muscle status and the performance of functional ADLs by classification of function ADLs and the detection of muscle spasticity. The soft textronic sensors, its intelligent machine learning algorithms, and biofeedback-based rehabilitation has the potential to enable home-based rehabilitation and encourage more manipulation for function ADLs and independence in SCI and stroke individuals.
Investigation of Subjective User Experiences of Applied Passive Compression on Varying Upper Body Locations
Authors: Lee J. Walter , Foo Esther , Ozbek Simon , Holschuh Brad
Published: July 2019

Strategically-applied compression on the body has been shown to elicit positive affect by creating feelings of calmness/relaxation. Although compression-based therapies are widely used in Occupational Therapy as a clinical intervention, current compression garment solutions suffer from various functional and usability issues and the spatial distribution between different commercially-available solutions vary widely. Currently, little is known about the specific location(s), intensity, and duration of pressure on the body that should be targeted in order to improve physical or mental well-being. With the hopes of contributing to more empirically-based compression garment designs in the future, this work reports a pilot investigation of the subjective user experiences when compression is applied on varying body locations.
3D Anthropometric Assessment of Functional Hand Grasps for Surgeons and Medical Professionals
Authors: Seifert Emily , Curry Christopher , Griffin Linsey
Published: July 2019

Fine and gross motor skills of the hand are essential to complete the work of surgery. During examinations and surgery, the hand becomes a surgeon and a medical professional’s first point of contact with a patient, as they use their hands to perform tasks with various tools while wearing gloves. The anthropometry of hands and the interaction of the tool can affect the probability of developing a musculoskeletal injury [3]. Tools for healthcare professionals are typically designed using male anthropometric data taken from only one position using tape measures and calipers. The problem with this approach is that humans are rarely in these positions when carrying out everyday tasks and hand measurements and form change with movement. This paper discusses a new method of capturing dynamic hand anthropometry through the use of 3D scanners, to address traditional anthropometric hand data’s limitation. Based on an initial assessment of surgical instruments, six functional hand grasps were selected and compared to traditional hand anthropometric poses. Using these poses, a pilot study with one male was conducted. In total 65 measurements were gathered through 8 poses. The positions with the largest range of measurement change were: Total Hand Length-Palmar with 48 mm, Total Hand Length-Dorsal with 39 mm, and the tip of the first digit through webspace to the tip of digit 2 (Web) with 26 mm. Understanding dimensional change in select areas of the hand is essential to developing more ergonomic, better fitting products for surgeons and medical professionals. A 26–48 mm dimensional change can have a significant impact on the positioning of surgical tool properties, as well as the functionality of the tool and precision of work for surgeons and medical professionals with different hand sizes. This pilot study demonstrated the feasibility of using functional hand grasps as a basis for collecting hand anthropometric data using a 3D scanner.
Nonlinear ultrasonic phased array with fixed-voltage fundamental wave amplitude difference for high-selectivity imaging of closed cracks
Authors: Ohara Yoshikazu , Nakajima Hiromichi , Haupert Sylvain , Tsuji Toshihiro , Mihara Tsuyoshi
Published: July 2019

The nondestructive evaluation of closed cracks is a challenging subject in ultrasonic testing. Recently, nonlinear ultrasonic phased array with fixed-voltage fundamental wave amplitude difference (fixed-voltage FAD) has been proposed as a practical approach. In this study, the maximum incident wave amplitude, which is one of the most critical parameters in closed-crack imaging, was investigated. First, a theoretical model was formulated to explicitly show the essence of the fundamental principle of FAD and the advantage of fixed-voltage FAD over different-voltage FAD. In experiments, the authors imaged a closed fatigue crack using a nonlinear ultrasonic phased array with fixed-voltage FAD while varying the incident wave amplitude. It was found that when the incident wave amplitude was sufficiently high, the nonlinear image visualized the closed crack tip, which could not be visualized in linear images. In addition, the incident-wave-amplitude dependence of the nonlinear responses was quantified. It was found that different parts within a single fatigue crack showed different nonlinear behaviors. This suggests that fixed-voltage FAD is useful not only for practical application of closed crack imaging but also for examining the nonlinear dynamics at various parts of closed cracks with a high spatial resolution.
Programmable dynamic steady states in ATP-driven nonequilibrium DNA systems
Authors: Heinen Laura , Walther Andreas
Published: July 2019

Chemical fuel and reaction networks program nonequilibrium steady-state structural dynamics in dynamic covalent DNA systems.
Direct and indirect costs of families with a child with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in an academic hospital in China: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Ren Yijiong , Li Xin
Published: July 2019

Objectives

To estimate the direct and indirect costs in families with a child with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in China.

Design

A single-site, cross-sectional survey of primary caregiver of a child with ALL was performed.

Setting and participants

We analysed the total costs incurred on the completion of the first three-phase treatment (induction, consolidation and intensification), which requires intensive hospitalisation. Eligible patients were (1) diagnosed with ALL between 2010 and 2012 at Shanghai Children’s Medical Center (SCMC), (2) aged 0–14 years at diagnosis and (3) completed the first three-phase treatment at SCMC. The data were collected between October 2014 and December 2014.

Outcome measures

We decomposed the total costs into three categories: (1) direct medical costs, which were further divided into outpatient and inpatient costs; (2) direct non-medical costs, which referred to expenses incurred in relation to the illness; and (3) indirect costs due to productivity loss.

Results

A total of 161 patients were included in the study. Direct medical costs accounted for about 51.7% of the overall costs, and the rest of 48.3% of the total costs were attributed to direct non-medical costs and indirect costs. Regarding families with different household registration type (rural vs urban), the total costs were significantly different between the two groups (US$36 125 vs US$25 593; p=0.021). Specifically, urban families incurred significantly larger indirect costs than rural families (US$12 343 vs US$4157; p=0.018). Although the direct non-medical costs were not significantly different, urban families spent more money on hygiene cleaning products and auxiliary treatment equipment (p=0.041) and gifts and treats (p=0.034) than rural families.

Conclusions

The financial burden faced by the Chinese families with a child with ALL was tremendous, and the distributions of costs among the three categories were different between urban and rural families.
Gaussian Padovan and Gaussian Perrin numbers and properties of them
Authors: Kartal Meral Yaşar
Published: July 2019

In this paper, the Gaussian Padovan and Gaussian Perrin numbers are defined. Then Binet formula and generating functions of these numbers are given. Also, some summation identities for Gaussian Padovan and Gaussian Perrin numbers are obtained by using the recurrence relation satisfied by them. Then two relations are given between Gaussian Padovan and Gaussian Perrin numbers.