bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decreasing transmission and initiation of countrywide vaccination: Key challenges for future management of COVID‐19 pandemic in Bangladesh
Authors: Molla Md. Maruf Ahmed , Disha Jannat Ara , Yeasmin Mahmuda , Ghosh Asish Kumar , Nafisa Tasnim
Published: March 2021

With a fragile healthcare system, Bangladesh, much like other countries in South East Asia, struggled during the early days of COVID‐19 pandemic. In following months several encouraging initiatives were undertaken including nationwide lockdown, maintaining social distancing and setting up COVID‐19 dedicated laboratories and hospitals. Despite fear of an escalation in COVID‐19 transmission during the winter months like their European counterparts, fortunately infection rates subsided and Bangladesh came out largely unharmed. But the next phase of COVID‐19 pandemic management that includes viral transmission suppression and conduction of nationwide immunization program require several urgent steps from government of Bangladesh (GoB) and relevant stakeholders. This qualitative research piece discussed about issues including an urgent need to enhance critical care facilities around the country, especially in peripheral districts; ramping up COVID‐19 testing at existing laboratories in view of diagnosing each case, and ensuring vaccines for the vulnerable populations in the country. Furthermore, the researchers shed light on other issues including a need to reinforce a struggling healthcare workforce, encouraging people to take vaccine, proper maintenance of social distancing regulations, routine epidemiological surveillance, management of environment and biomedical waste and undertaking a holistic approach to combat the pandemic and its environmental and financial consequences.
Analyzing the connectedness between crude oil and petroleum products: Evidence from USA
Authors: Tiwari Aviral Kumar , Suleman Muhammad Tahir , Ullah Subhan , Shahbaz Muhammad
Published: March 2021

This paper investigates the connectedness, in time and frequency domain, between daily returns series of crude oil and petroleum products for the period January 11, 2003 to March 12, 2018. In doing so, we have applied DY (2012) and BK (2018) spillover method. The overall spillover index value obtained from DY (2012) method is 62.29% and from BK method index value fluctuates with frequency. Further empirical evidence shows that the total connectedness, in the time and frequency domain, as measured by a rolling‐window approach, has dynamic and volatile characteristics. Our overall results show that there is a high level of partial contemporaneous relationship between jet fuel, heating oil, US gasoline as well as diesel. Furthermore, results from the wavelet multiple correlations (WMCs) and cross‐correlation show that heating oil acts as a leader for a short time horizon, whereas gasoline at medium and longer time scale. The results from the DY spillover analysis suggest that among the series analyzed heating oil has the highest contribution to others, which is confirmed across frequencies by the BK spillover method (and the Brent contributes least to others at all frequency bands). These findings have important implications for a wide range of market participants, including investors, hedge funds, speculators, as well as for energy policy, with different temporal horizons.
Front Cover Image
Authors: Liu Yajuan , Chen Muqing , Yang Shangfeng
Published: March 2021

Chemical functionalization has been demonstrated as an effective method for improving the ambient stability of black phosphorus (BP). Authors present a comprehensive review of the chemical functionalization of BP, focusing on covalent and non‐covalent functionalization and surface coordination. (DOI: 10.1002/inf2.12171)

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Osseointegration and antibacterial effect of an antimicrobial peptide releasing mesoporous titania implant
Authors: Pihl Maria , Galli Silvia , Jimbo Ryo , Andersson Martin
Published: March 2021

Medical devices such as orthopedic and dental implants may get infected by bacteria, which results in treatment using antibiotics. Since antibiotic resistance is increasing in society there is a need of finding alternative strategies for infection control. One potential strategy is the use of antimicrobial peptides, AMPs. In this study, we investigated the antibiofilm effect of the AMP, RRP9W4N, using a local drug‐delivery system based on mesoporous titania covered titanium implants. Biofilm formation was studied in vitro using a safranine biofilm assay and LIVE/DEAD staining. Moreover, we investigated what effect the AMP had on osseointegration of commercially available titanium implants in vivo, using a rabbit tibia model. The results showed a sustained release of AMP with equal or even better antibiofilm properties than the traditionally used antibiotic Cloxacillin. In addition, no negative effects on osseointegration in vivo was observed. These combined results demonstrate the potential of using mesoporous titania as an AMP delivery system and the potential use of the AMP RRP9W4N for infection control of osseointegrating implants.
Serum insulin‐like growth factor binding protein 2 levels as biomarker for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma‐associated malnutrition and muscle wasting
Authors: Dong Jie , Yu Jie , Li Zekun , Gao Song , Wang Hongwei , Yang Shengyu , Wu Liangliang , Lan Chungen , Zhao Tiansuo , Gao Chuntao , Liu Zhe , Wang Xiuchao , Hao Jihui
Published: March 2021

Background

Malnutrition and muscle wasting are common features frequently observed in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients with cancer cachexia. They are associated with reduced survival and quality of life. Nutrition therapy is an important part of multimodal cancer care in PDAC. However, due to the complexity of nutrition assessment, only 30–60% of patients with nutritional risks receive nutritional treatment at present. It is important to identify biomarkers that may be used to improve management of PDAC‐associated malnutrition. Serum insulin‐like growth factor binding protein 2 (IGFBP2) has emerged as a potential serum biomarker in a variety of tumours. However, its association with malnutrition and muscle wasting in PDAC is unclear.

Methods

We evaluated the tumour IGFBP2 expression and serum IGFBP2 level in 98 PDAC patients using immunohistochemistry and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and analysed the correlation between them. Furthermore, we explored the relationship between IGFBP2 of both tumour and serum and nutritional status (Patient‐Generated Subjective Global Assessment and skeletal muscle index). Pan02 IGFBP2 stable transfection cell lines, Pan02 PLV‐IGFBP2 cells, and PLKO‐IGFBP2 cells were injected subcutaneously into the flank of C57BL/6 mouse. Serum IGFBP2 levels, food intake, and body weight of these mice were measured. The degree of muscle atrophy is characterized by haematoxylin and eosin, Oil Red O, and Masson's trichrome staining. The mRNA and protein expression of several essential muscle‐related signal proteins such as atrogin‐1 and muscle RING finger 1 was measured.

Results

Among 98 patients, we found that tumour IGFBP2 expression is related to plasma IGFBP2 levels (rs = 0.562, P < 0.001), and they significantly increased among patients with Patient‐Generated Subjective Global Assessment ≥9 and correlated with overall survival. Moreover, serum IGFBP2 level is negatively correlated with skeletal muscle index (rs = −0.600, P < 0.001) and Hounsfield units (rs = −0.532, P < 0.001). In mice injected with Pan02 PLV‐IGFBP2 cell, circulating IGFBP2 was elevated while body weight and food intake were decreased when compared with Pan02 PLV‐Control group. These mice also exhibited significantly aggravated muscle fibre atrophy, lipid deposition, and increased collagen tissue, and the expression of mRNA and protein of atrogin‐1 and muscle RING finger 1 in the gastrocnemius muscle is increased. Conversely, these symptoms were alleviated in the PLKO‐IGFBP2 group.

Conclusions

In the current study, there is a significant correlation between serum IGFBP2 levels, malnutrition, and muscle atrophy in PDAC. Our results suggested that serum IGFBP2 level might be a promising biomarker and intervention targets for PDAC‐associated severe malnutrition and muscle wasting.
Association of diagnostic delay with medical cost for patients with Crohn's disease: A Japanese claims‐based cohort study
Authors: Takeyama Eisuke , Wada Hiroo , Sato Setsuko , Tomooka Kiyohide , Ikeda Ai , Tanigawa Takeshi
Published: March 2021

Background and Aim

Longer diagnostic delay (DD) in Crohn's disease (CD) is associated with complications and related surgeries. However, the impact of DD on medical cost after CD diagnosis remains uncertain.

Methods

This was a claims‐based cohort study. Our analysis used data from 2005 to 2018 from the Japanese Claims Database. We enrolled a total of 528 newly diagnosed CD patients (76.9% male) aged 31.5 ± 13.6 years. High medical cost was defined as the highest quartile of the average monthly medical cost. DD was defined as the interval between the first visit to a gastroenterologist and diagnosis with CD. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, patients were stratified by the use of anti‐tumor necrosis factor alpha (anti‐TNFα) agents to exclude their influence on the observed effects. This study was approved by the ethics review board of the Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine (No. 2019178).

Results

The multivariable‐adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals of high medical cost were 1.41 (0.81–2.43) and 0.91 (0.57–1.46), respectively, for a DD of >12 months and 1 to ≤12 months compared to <1 month. In patients receiving anti‐TNFα agents, the multivariable‐adjusted odds ratios for high medical cost were 2.63 (1.34–5.16) and 1.35 (0.79–2.28) for a DD of >12 months and 1 to ≤12 months, respectively, compared to <1 month. In patients without anti‐TNFα, multivariable logistic regression analyses were not presented because of a small number of patients categorized into the high medical cost group.

Conclusion

A delayed diagnosis of CD may incur high medical cost in patients who develop aggressive disease that requires treatment with anti‐TNFα agents.
Climate shifts vs. edaphic humidity and the difficulty of palaeoreconstructions – a malacological study on stable isotopes in Quaternary dune sequences of Fuerteventura
Authors: Richter Christiane , Roettig Christopher‐Bastian , Wolf Daniel , Gärtner Andreas , Kolb Thomas , Faust Dominik
Published: March 2021

Dune palaeosurface sequences on the Eastern Canary Islands were investigated for stable isotope records in gastropod shells of the genus Theba. Due to the ecology of the taxon and the special oceanic insularity of the study site, we assume that δ18Oshell signals in our case mainly reflect shifts in δ18O signals of sea surface water. We found that a rapid decrease in δ18Oshell signals is associated with significant changes in gastropod associations. We suggest that these faunal changes were caused by strong (hot) winds at the end of glacial phases, that were described previously by Moreno et al. In addition, we assume that rapid declines in δ18Oshell signals due to marine transgressions were followed by geomorphologically stable phases, dominated by dust enrichment. Such palaeosurfaces correlate with maxima of gastropod biodiversity and with more negative δ13Cshell signals indicating a higher proportion of C3 plants. Based on our results, we also assume that these silty palaeosurfaces were associated with increased soil moisture conditions due to a higher water storage capacity of the finer substrate, independent of climatic moisture conditions.
Fluorescence‐guided cancer surgery—A new paradigm
Authors: Thammineedi Subramanyeshwar Rao , Saksena Ajesh Raj , Nusrath Syed , Iyer R. Rajagopalan , Shukla Srijan , Patnaik Sujit Chyau , Reddy R. Pratap , Boleneni Naren , Sharma Rakesh M. , Smith Lynette , Are Chandrakanth
Published: March 2021

Fluorescence‐guided surgery is an emerging and promising operative adjunct to assist the surgeon in various aspects of oncosurgery, ranging from assessing perfusion, identification, and characterization of tumors and peritoneal metastases, mapping of lymph nodes/leaks, and assistance for fluorescence‐guided surgery (FGS). This study aims to provide an overview of principles, currently available dyes, platforms, and surgical applications and summarizes the available literature on the utility of FGS with a focus on abdomino‐thoracic malignancies.
Characterization of a novel COL10A1 variant associated with Schmid‐type metaphyseal chondrodysplasia and a literature review
Authors: Wu Huixiao , Wang Shuping , Li Guimei , Yao Yangyang , Wang Ning , Sun Xiaoqing , Fang Li , Jiang Xiuyun , Zhao Jiajun , Wang Yanzhou , Xu Chao
Published: March 2021

Background

Schmid‐type metaphyseal chondrodysplasia (SMCD) is a rare autosomal dominant skeletal dysplasia caused by heterozygous mutations in COL10A1, the gene which encodes collagen type X alpha 1 chain. However, its genotype–phenotype relationship has not been fully determined.

Subjects and Methods

The proband is a 2‐year‐old boy, born of non‐consanguineous Chinese parents. We conducted a systematic analysis of the clinical and radiological characteristics and a follow‐up study of the proband. Whole‐exome sequencing was applied for the genetic analysis, together with bioinformatic analysis of predicted consequences of the identified variant. A homotrimer model was built to visualize the affected region and predict possible outcomes of this variant. Furthermore, a literature review and genotype–phenotype analysis were performed by online searching all cases with SMCD.

Results

A novel heterozygous variant (NM_000493.4: c.1863_1866delAATG, NP_000484.2: p.(Met622 Thrfs*54)) was identified in COL10A1 gene in the affected child. And it was predicted to be pathogenic by in silico analysis. Protein modeling revealed that the variant was located in the NC1 domain, which was predicted to produce truncated collagen and impair the trimerization of collagen type X alpha 1 chain and combination with molecules in the matrix. Moreover, genotype–phenotype correlation analysis demonstrated that patients with truncating variants or variants in NC1 domain often presented earlier onset and severer symptoms compared with those with non‐truncating or variants in non‐NC1 domains.

Conclusion

The NC1 domain of COL10A1 was proved to be the hotspot region underlying SMCD, patients with variants in NC1 domain were more likely to present severer manifestations at an earlier age.
A 2D Gaussian beam launcher applied in parallel plate waveguide field mapping systems
Authors: Xu Ke , Zhu Bo O.
Published: March 2021

3D Gaussian beam generation techniques have been studied by many researchers, while the problem of 2D Gaussian beam generations have not been addressed fully. However, 2D Gaussian beams are still useful in research and applications. This article presents the mechanism, design, simulation, and measurement of a 2D Gaussian beam launcher, which allows the easy control of the width and the location of Gaussian beam waist. The proposed Gaussian beam launcher consists of a radiator array fed with the designable excitation phase and magnitude to each radiator, so as to generate the necessary boundary condition that the Gaussian beam can be excited and propagate. Both simulation and measurement results are nearly identical with the profile of the lowest order 2D Gaussian beam mode. The proposed 2D Gaussian beam launcher is suitable as the excitation source of parallel plate waveguide measurement systems. By integrating tunable components, it can be easily extended in the future to control Gaussian beam parameters dynamically.
A multi‐inversion multi‐echo spin and gradient echo echo planar imaging sequence with low image distortion for rapid quantitative parameter mapping and synthetic image contrasts
Authors: Manhard Mary Kate , Stockmann Jason , Liao Congyu , Park Daniel , Han Sohyun , Fair Merlin , van den Boomen Maaike , Polimeni Jon , Bilgic Berkin , Setsompop Kawin
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Brain imaging exams typically take 10‐20 min and involve multiple sequential acquisitions. A low‐distortion whole‐brain echo planar imaging (EPI)‐based approach was developed to efficiently encode multiple contrasts in one acquisition, allowing for calculation of quantitative parameter maps and synthetic contrast‐weighted images.

Methods

Inversion prepared spin‐ and gradient‐echo EPI was developed with slice‐order shuffling across measurements for efficient acquisition with T1, T2, and weighting. A dictionary‐matching approach was used to fit the images to quantitative parameter maps, which in turn were used to create synthetic weighted images with typical clinical contrasts. Dynamic slice‐optimized multi‐coil shimming with a B0 shim array was used to reduce B0 inhomogeneity and, therefore, image distortion by >50%. Multi‐shot EPI was also implemented to minimize distortion and blurring while enabling high in‐plane resolution. A low‐rank reconstruction approach was used to mitigate errors from shot‐to‐shot phase variation.

Results

The slice‐optimized shimming approach was combined with in‐plane parallel‐imaging acceleration of 4× to enable single‐shot EPI with more than eight‐fold distortion reduction. The proposed sequence efficiently obtained 40 contrasts across the whole‐brain in just over 1 min at 1.2 × 1.2 × 3 mm resolution. The multi‐shot variant of the sequence achieved higher in‐plane resolution of 1 × 1 × 4 mm with good image quality in 4 min. Derived quantitative maps showed comparable values to conventional mapping methods.

Conclusion

The approach allows fast whole‐brain imaging with quantitative parameter maps and synthetic weighted contrasts. The slice‐optimized multi‐coil shimming and multi‐shot reconstruction approaches result in minimal EPI distortion, giving the sequence the potential to be used in rapid screening applications.
Suitability of an Upper Mississippi River Tributary for Invasive Carp Reproduction
Authors: Camacho Carlos A. , Sullivan Christopher J. , Weber Michael J. , Pierce Clay L.
Published: March 2021

Invasive carp are expanding throughout the upper Mississippi River basin and are of great concern due to their potential economic and ecological impacts. Identification of spawning locations provides critical information on recruitment sources to evaluate potential management strategies. Our objective was to create and validate a spawning habitat suitability model of the Des Moines River, Iowa, during low-, average-, and high-water-level conditions. Backwater availability, abundance of hardpoints (structures that create turbulence), river gradient and sinuosity, water temperature, and continuously free-flowing river lengths were used as model parameters. The model was compared to back-calculated spawning locations from invasive carp eggs collected in 2014–2015. Turbulent hardpoints, river sinuosity, and gradient were not significant predictors of invasive carp spawning locations, and backwater availability in the 25 river kilometers downstream of each reach was inversely correlated with invasive carp spawning locations. Invasive carp eggs were not caught in 2014 despite optimal spawning conditions, revealing that spawning may have high interannual variation. This study suggests that predicting invasive carp reproduction may require variables in addition to those currently proposed.
Convergence of the fixed‐point iteration for multilinear PageRank
Authors: Huang Jun , Wu Gang
Published: March 2021

Fixed‐point iteration is a popular method for the multilinear PageRank problem. In [B. Meini, F. Poloni, Perron‐based algorithms for the multilinear PageRank, Numer. Linear Algebra Appl., 25: e2177, 2018], a theorem was proved to determine the behavior of the fixed‐point iteration as the parameter . In this work, we point out that this theorem is incomplete, and revisit the convergence of the fixed‐point iteration for multilinear PageRank as .
How does innovative technology impact nursing in infectious diseases and infection control? A scoping review
Authors: Huang Fanyu , Brouqui Philippe , Boudjema Sophia
Published: March 2021

Aim

Considering the increasing number of emerging infectious diseases, innovative approaches are strongly in demand. Additionally, research in this field has expanded exponentially. Thus, faced with this diverse information, we aim to clarify key concepts and knowledge gaps of technology in nursing and the field of infectious diseases.

Design

This scoping review followed the methodology of scoping review guidance from Arksey and O’Malley.

Methods

Six databases were searched systematically (PubMed, Web of Science, IEEE Explore, EBSCOhost, Cochrane Library and Summon). After the removal of duplicates, 532 citations were retrieved and 77 were included in the analysis.

Results

We identified five major trends in technology for nursing and infectious diseases: artificial intelligence, the Internet of things, information and communications technology, simulation technology and e‐learning. Our findings indicate that the most promising trend is the IoT because of the many positive effects validated in most of the reviewed studies.
Predicting consumer intention to use electronic health service: An empirical structural equation modeling approach
Authors: Bondzie‐Micah Victor , Qigui Sun , Arkorful Vincent Ekow , Lugu Benjamin Kweku , Bentum‐Micah Geoffrey , Ayi‐Bonte Aurelia Naa Ayikaikor
Published: March 2021

The enormous potential inherent in the use of technological enhancements has subsequently informed the deployment of technologies into mainstream health service and delivery. However, a larger population of health technology consumers, specifically patients, are touted to be significantly constrained in its usage. Against this backdrop, our study employs an integrated model anchored on the technology acceptance model and the theory of planned behavior to investigate patients' electronic health use. Our study elicited data from 360 respondents, of which 311 were deemed feasible for the study. Structural equation modeling analysis of data revealed perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use has a relevant positive effect on attitude. Furthermore, the authors found; attitude, internet dependency, perceived behavioral control and the subjective norm also have a relevant positive impact on intention to use electronic health service. Premised on the findings, recommendations about enhancing consumer electronic health use and areas for further studies are successively delineated.
Multiscale simulation and theoretical prediction for the elastic properties of unidirectional fiber‐reinforced polymer containing random void defects
Authors: Chu Yantao , Sun Lingyu , Yang Xudong , Wang Jinxi , Huang Wei
Published: March 2021

Polymer‐matrix composites are widely used in various industries due to their high specific strength and specific stiffness. However, the void formation is inevitable as a by‐product during manufacturing processes, which may have negative effects on its mechanical properties. The purposes of this paper are to quantitatively evaluate the influence of voids on the anisotropic elastic properties of composites and to provide corresponding theoretical prediction models. Firstly, three‐dimensional representative volume elements (RVE) of fiber‐reinforced composite materials with different fiber contents (36.37%, 45.47%, 50.92%) and different void contents (1%, 3%, 5%, 7%) are established. To obtain the elastic properties in different directions, various periodic boundary conditions are applied to the RVE models and corresponding subroutines are developed by ABAQUS‐PYTHON. Secondly, a series of theoretical models are proposed to quickly predict the anisotropic elastic properties of unidirectional fiber/epoxy composites containing random‐sized void defects, which agree well with the finite element simulation results. Especially, the proposed models have concise expressions, which require only a few parameters to be input, and hence they are convenient for engineering application. Both theoretical and numerical results show that void defects have an obvious influence on the transverse modulus, major Poisson's ratio, and the out‐of‐plane shear modulus. When the void volume reaches 7%, all of the properties mentioned above decrease by more than 10% for the FRPs studied.
Study on mechanical and tribological properties of ternary fluororubber filled with four needles of zinc oxide
Authors: Ning Mengyao , Li Kangshuai , Yan Chengqi , Wang Guangfei , Xu Zehua , He Qiang
Published: March 2021

This article deals with study of the influence of four‐needle zinc oxide (T‐ZnOw) on the basic mechanical properties of ternary fluororubber (FKM) and the frictional properties of FKM improved by four‐needle zinc oxide under different temperatures. T‐ZnOw/FKM composites were prepared by mechanical blending and hot molding after pretreatment with silane coupling agent. The hardness, tensile, tearing, rotating friction at normal temperature, and reciprocating friction at high temperature of FKM and T‐ZnOw/FKM were studied. The results showed that T‐ZnOw with needle‐like three‐dimensional (3D) structure can effectively decompose the point stress generated in the tensile process of the composite, and the uniform distribution of tensile force improves the fracture base point and final mechanical properties of the composite. Its unique 3D structure can reduce fatigue wear caused by extrusion plastic deformation of the matrix during the friction process. The friction coefficient and wear rate of materials were effectively reduced by the reduction of plastic deformation resistance and fatigue wear area in the process of friction. Especially at 200°C, the friction coefficient and wear rate of T‐ZnOw/FKM were reduced by 30% and 55.32%, respectively, by T‐ZNOW/FKM doping.
Synergy evaluation of non‐normalizable dose–response data: Generalization of combination index for the linear effect of drugs
Authors: Novotný Branislav , Nagy Milan , Kurin Elena
Published: March 2021

The study of drug synergy plays a prominent role in the search for drug combinations with beneficial interactions. Firstly, in this process, the drug‐effect response of individual parts and the mixture needs to be derived. This function is usually well described by Hill (or other logistic or sigmoid) curve. Due to its boundedness, it allows the measured data to be normalized. The normalized data can then be processed by interaction analysis using the Loewe, Bliss, or other models to evaluate possible synergy or antagonism of two or more drugs. However, sometimes, the drug‐effect responses observed in pharmaceutical research do not appear to be bounded. Theoretically, the drug‐effect curve cannot grow to infinity, but it may be impossible to determine its upper bound within the observed region. In this case, standard models cannot be used, since they assume that data are normalized. The approach of this article bypasses the need to normalize the data, allowing its broader application and usefulness in finding potential synergies in pharmaceutical research.
Informative array testing with multiplex assays
Authors: Bilder Christopher R. , Tebbs Joshua M. , McMahan Christopher S.
Published: March 2021

High‐volume testing of clinical specimens for sexually transmitted diseases is performed frequently by a process known as group testing. This algorithmic process involves testing portions of specimens from separate individuals together as one unit (or “group”) to detect diseases. Retesting is performed on groups that test positively in order to differentiate between positive and negative individual specimens. The overall goal is to use the least number of tests possible across all individuals without sacrificing diagnostic accuracy. One of the most efficient group testing algorithms is array testing. In its simplest form, specimens are arranged into a grid‐like structure so that row and column groups can be formed. Positive‐testing rows/columns indicate which specimens to retest. With the growing use of multiplex assays, the increasing number of diseases tested by these assays, and the availability of subject‐specific risk information, opportunities exist to make this testing process even more efficient. We propose specific specimen arrangements within an array that can reduce the number of retests needed when compared with other array testing algorithms. We examine how to calculate operating characteristics, including the expected number of tests and the SD for the number of tests, and then subsequently find a best arrangement. Our methods are illustrated for chlamydia and gonorrhea detection with the Aptima Combo 2 Assay. We also provide R functions to make our research accessible to laboratories.
A New Type of Composite Coke Prepared from Steel Slag and Mixed Coal: Preparation Process and Microstructure
Authors: Liu Zhenggen , Cao Laigeng , Chu Mansheng , Bao Jiwei , Han Dong , Wang Mingyu , Tang Jue
Published: March 2021

High‐reactivity coke is a kind of burden for a low‐carbon blast furnace. Herein, a new method of preparing steel slag composite coke (SCC) from steel slag and mixed coal is proposed. The effects of the raw material ratio and carbonization parameters on the compressive strength, coke reactivity index (CRI), and coke strength after reaction (CSR) are investigated, and also the phase structure and functional group are analyzed. In addition, because the main chemical composition of steel slag is CaO, the effects of the CaO component on the phase structure and functional groups are studied. The results show that with increasing steel slag ratio, the compressive strength of SCC tends to decrease. When increasing the steel slag ratio from 5% to 15%, the CRI tends to increase from 53.7% to 61.0%, and the CSR decreases from 38.6% to 6.2%. With increasing anthracite ratio, the compressive strength of SCC first increases and then decreases. With the carbonization temperature increasing, the Ca2SiO4 gradually fades away, Fe3O4 is gradually reduced to Fe, and the aromatic CC and stretching OH absorption zone is decreased. With the increasing of CaO content, Ca2Al2SiO7 tends to increase, and the intensity of the peak band (002) and peak band (100) is lowered.
Effect of Microstructures on the Mechanical Behavior of Fire‐Resistant Dual‐Phase Steels at Elevated Temperature
Authors: Cong Jinghua , Li Xiucheng , Zhao Jingxiao , Liu Pengcheng , Fan Jiajie , Misra Raja Devesh Kumar , Wang Xuemin
Published: March 2021

Herein, the start laminar cooling temperature to obtain different volume fractions of ferrite and bainite/martensite is optimized. Lower start laminar cooling temperature yields a higher volume fraction of ferrite and also decreases the transformation temperature of bainite/martensite. The yield strength of the experimental dual‐phase steel at 600 °C increases from ≈484.8 to ≈526.2 MPa by decreasing the start laminar cooling temperature from 650 to 600 °C. To understand the effect of microstructure, the dislocation density, volume fraction of precipitates, and Young's modulus at elevated temperature are statistically analyzed. A machine learning method, known as gradient boosting decision tree, is used to classify the grain boundaries. The statistical results suggest that the steel subject to lower start laminar cooling temperature shows higher Young's modulus and larger volume fraction of precipitates at elevated temperature. Furthermore, at elevated temperature, the boundary is stable and the proportion of Σ3 boundary is greater, when lower start laminar cooling temperature is adopted. Theoretical calculations results suggest that the lower transformation temperature of bainite/martensite improves the fire resistance of dual‐phase steels.
Curative effects of sophorolipid on physical wounds: In vitro and in vivo studies
Authors: Kwak Min‐Jin , Park Min‐Young , Kim Jonggun , Lee Hanbae , Whang Kwang‐Youn
Published: March 2021

Early‐weaning syndrome is harmful to animals because an effect on growth in the early‐stage of life generally determines the overall growth rate. Sophorolipid (SPL), a surface‐active glycolipid compound, has been shown to exhibit antimicrobial activity and stimulate cell proliferation. Thus, in vitro and in vivo studies were conducted to evaluate the potential of SPL on the gut turnover after the wound. The in vitro experiment with HT‐29 cells showed the increased proliferation with increasing gene levels of collagenase‐1 and matrilysin‐1. Next, the 16‐day in vivo experiment was conducted with thirty rats (14‐day‐old), and the allocation was performed according to their body weight (BW) into three treatments: control diet (CON), 48 ppm of oxytetracycline‐supplemented diet (OTC) and 10 ppm of SPL‐supplemented diet (SPL). Dietary SPL accelerates the growth of rats in overall periods, and intestinal permeability was lower in SPL at day 16. Villus:crypt ratio and the goblet cell count were also higher in SPL than in CON at day 8. Caecal Streptococcus spp. were significantly reduced with dietary SPL and OTC at day 8 and 16, and total short‐chain fatty acid, acetate and butyrate levels were increased in the SPL at day 8. In conclusion, these data demonstrated that SPL could improve gut remodelling potential and modulate the gut environments, resulted in acceleration of post‐weaning growth. Therefore, SPL could have a potential as a feed additive aimed at promoting repair system after wound in animal's gut.
Bottomonium suppression and elliptic flow using Heavy Quarkonium Quantum Dynamics
Authors: Islam Ajaharul , Strickland Michael
Published: March 2021

Abstract

We introduce a framework called Heavy Quarkonium Quantum Dynamics (HQQD) which can be used to compute the dynamical suppression of heavy quarkonia propagating in the quark-gluon plasma using real-time in-medium quantum evolution. Using HQQD we compute large sets of real-time solutions to the Schrödinger equation using a realistic in-medium complex-valued potential. We sample 2 million quarkonia wave packet trajectories and evolve them through the QGP using HQQD to obtain their survival probabilities. The computation is performed using three different HQQD model parameter sets in order to estimate our systematic uncertainty. After taking into account final state feed down we compare our results to existing experimental data for the suppression and elliptic flow of bottomonium states and find that HQQD predictions are good agreement with available data forRAAas a function ofNpartandpTcollected at$$ \sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}} $$sNN= 5.02 TeV. In the case ofv2for the various states, we find that the path-length dependence of ϒ(1s) suppression results in quite smallv2for ϒ(1s). Our prediction for the integrated elliptic flow for ϒ(1s) in the 10−90% centrality class, which now includes an estimate of the systematic error, isv2[ϒ(1s)] = 0.003±0.0007±$$ {}_{0.0013}^{0.0006} $$0.00130.0006. We also find that, due to their increased suppression, excited bottomonium states have a larger elliptic flow. Based on this observation we make predictions forv2[ϒ(2s)] andv2[ϒ(3s)] as a function of centrality and transverse momentum.
Combinatorics of Nahm sums, quiver resultants and the K-theoretic condition
Authors: Noshchenko Dmitry
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Algebraic Nahm equations, considered in the paper, are polynomial equations, governing the q → 1 limit of the q-hypergeometric Nahm sums. They make an appearance in various fields: hyperbolic geometry, knot theory, quiver representation theory, topological strings and conformal field theory. In this paper we focus primarily on Nahm sums and Nahm equations that arise in relation with symmetric quivers. For a large class of them, we prove that quiver A-polynomials — specialized resultants of the Nahm equations, are tempered (the so-called K-theoretic condition). This implies that they are quantizable. Moreover, we find that their face polynomials obey a remarkable combinatorial pattern. We use the machinery of initial forms and mixed polyhedral decompositions to investigate the edges of the Newton polytope. We show that this condition holds for the diagonal quivers with adjacency matrix C = diag(α, α, . . . , α), α ≥ 2, and provide several checks for non-diagonal quivers. Our conjecture is that the K-theoretic condition holds for all symmetric quivers.
Optimal estimates from below for Green functions of higher order elliptic operators with variable leading coefficients
Authors: Grunau Hans-Christoph
Published: March 2021

Estimates from above and below by the same positive prototype function for suitably modified Green functions in bounded smooth domains under Dirichlet boundary conditions for elliptic operators L of higher order $$2m\ge 4$$

2
m
≥
4

have been shown so far only when the principal part of L is the polyharmonic operator $$(-\Delta )^m$$

(
-
Δ
)

m

. In the present note, it is shown that such kind of result still holds when the Laplacian is replaced by any second order uniformly elliptic operator in divergence form with smooth variable coefficients. For general higher order elliptic operators, whose principal part cannot be written as a power of second order operators, it was recently proved that such kind of result becomes false in general.
Somatosensory network functional connectivity differentiates clinical pain phenotypes in diabetic neuropathy
Authors: Teh Kevin , Wilkinson Iain D. , Heiberg-Gibbons Francesca , Awadh Mohammed , Kelsall Alan , Pallai Shillo , Sloan Gordon , Tesfaye Solomon , Selvarajah Dinesh
Published: March 2021

Aims/hypothesis

The aim of this work was to investigate whether different clinical pain phenotypes of diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) are distinguished by functional connectivity at rest.

Methods

This was an observational, cohort study of 43 individuals with painful DPN, divided into irritable (IR, n = 10) and non-irritable (NIR, n = 33) nociceptor phenotypes using the German Research Network of Neuropathic Pain quantitative sensory testing protocol. In-situ brain MRI included 3D T1-weighted anatomical and 6 min resting-state functional MRI scans. Subgroup differences in resting-state functional connectivity in brain regions involved with somatic (thalamus, primary somatosensory cortex, motor cortex) and non-somatic (insular and anterior cingulate cortices) pain processing were examined. Multidimensional reduction of MRI datasets was performed using a machine-learning approach to classify individuals into each clinical pain phenotype.

Results

Individuals with the IR nociceptor phenotype had significantly greater thalamic–insular cortex (p false discovery rate [FDR] = 0.03) and reduced thalamus–somatosensory cortex functional connectivity (p-FDR = 0.03). We observed a double dissociation such that self-reported neuropathic pain score was more associated with greater thalamus–insular cortex functional connectivity (r = 0.41; p = 0.01) whereas more severe nerve function deficits were more related to lower thalamus–somatosensory cortex functional connectivity (r = −0.35; p = 0.03). Machine-learning group classification performance to identify individuals with the NIR nociceptor phenotype achieved an accuracy of 0.92 (95% CI 0.08) and sensitivity of 90%.

Conclusions/interpretation

This study demonstrates differences in functional connectivity in nociceptive processing brain regions between IR and NIR phenotypes in painful DPN. We also establish proof of concept for the utility of multimodal MRI as a biomarker for painful DPN by using a machine-learning approach to classify individuals into sensory phenotypes.

Graphical abstract
Recurrence of Non‐functional Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors After Curative Resection: A Tumor Burden‐Based Prediction Model
Authors: Dong Ding‐Hui , Zhang Xu‐Feng , Lopez‐Aguiar Alexandra G. , Poultsides George , Rocha Flavio , Weber Sharon , Fields Ryan , Idrees Kamran , Cho Cliff , Maithel Shishir K. , Pawlik Timothy M.
Published: March 2021

Background

Patients can experience recurrence following curative‐intent resection of non‐functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NF‐pNETs). We sought to develop a nomogram to risk stratify patients relative to recurrence following resection of NF‐pNETs.

Methods

Patients who underwent curative‐intent resection for NF‐pNETs between 1997 and 2016 were identified from a multi‐institutional database. The impact of clinicopathologic factors, including tumor burden score (TBS) (TBS2 = (maximum tumor diameter)2 + (number of tumors)2), was assessed relative to recurrence‐free survival (RFS), and a nomogram was developed and internally validated.

Results

With a median follow‐up of 31.0 months (IQR 11.3–56.6 months), 66 (15.8%) out of 416 patients in the cohort experienced tumor recurrence. Overall, 3‐, 5‐, and 10‐year RFS following curative‐intent resection was 83.2%, 74.0%, and 44.7%, respectively. Several factors were associated with risk of recurrence including tumor grade (referent G1: G2, HR 4.07, 95% CI 2.29–7.26, p < 0.001; G3, HR 10.83, 95% CI 3.72–31.53, p < 0.001), lymph node metastasis (LNM) (HR 4.71, 95% CI 2.69–8.26, p < 0.001), as well as TBS (referent low: medium, HR 4.36, 95% CI 2.06–9.24, p < 0.001; high, HR 6.04, 95% CI 2.96–12.31, p < 0.001). A weighted nomogram including tumor grade (G1 0, G2 54.19, G3 100), LNM (N0 0, N1 42.06), and TBS (low 0, medium 44.07, high 56.48) was developed. The discriminatory power of the nomogram was very good with a C‐index of 0.75 (95% CI, 0.66–0.79) in the training cohort and 0.71 (95% CI, 0.65–0.75) in the validation cohort. In addition, the nomogram performed better than the current 8th edition of AJCC TNM staging system, which had a C‐index of 0.67 (95% CI, 0.60–0.73).

Conclusions

A nomogram that incorporated tumor grade, LNM, and TBS was established that had good discrimination and calibration. The nomogram may be an effective tool to stratify patients relative to recurrence risk following resection of NF‐pNETs.
Appetite-regulating hormone trajectories and relationships with fat mass development in term-born infants during the first 6 months of life
Authors: de Fluiter Kirsten S. , Kerkhof Gerthe F. , van Beijsterveldt Inge A. L. P. , Breij Laura M. , van Vark-van der Zee Leonie C. , Mulder Monique T. , Abrahamse-Berkeveld Marieke , Hokken-Koelega Anita C. S.
Published: March 2021

Background

The first 6 months of life are a critical window for adiposity programming. Appetite-regulating hormones (ARH) are involved in food intake regulation and might, therefore, play a role in adiposity programming. Studies examining ARH in early life are limited.

Purpose

To investigate ghrelin, peptide YY (PYY) and leptin until 6 months and associations with fat mass percentage (FM%), infant feeding and human milk macronutrients.

Procedures

In 297 term-born infants (Sophia Pluto Cohort), ghrelin (acylated), PYY and leptin were determined at 3 and 6 months, with FM% measurement by PEAPOD. Exclusive breastfeeding (BF) was classified as BF ≥ 3 months. Human milk macronutrients were analyzed (MIRIS Human Milk Analyzer).

Main findings

Ghrelin increased from 3 to 6 months (p < 0.001), while PYY decreased (p < 0.001), resulting in increasing ghrelin/PYY ratio. Leptin decreased. Leptin at 3 months was higher in girls, other ARH were similar between sexes. Leptin at 3 and 6 months correlated with FM% at both ages(R ≥ 0.321, p ≤ 0.001) and gain in FM% from 1 to 6 months(R ≥ 0.204, p = 0.001). In BF infants, also ghrelin and ghrelin/PYY ratio correlated with this gain in FM%. Exclusively BF infants had lower ghrelin and higher PYY compared to formula fed infants at 3 months (p ≤ 0.039). ARH did not correlate with macronutrients.

Conclusions

Increasing ghrelin and decreasing PYY, thus increasing ghrelin/PYY ratio, suggests an increasing orexigenic drive until 6 months. ARH were different between BF and FF infants at 3 months, but did not correlate with human milk macronutrients. Ghrelin and leptin, but not PYY, correlated with more FM development during the first 6 months, suggesting that they might be involved in adiposity programming.
Describing a new food group classification system for UK biobank: analysis of food groups and sources of macro- and micronutrients in 208,200 participants
Authors: Piernas Carmen , Perez-Cornago Aurora , Gao Min , Young Heather , Pollard Zoe , Mulligan Angela , Lentjes Marleen , Carter Jennifer , Bradbury Kathryn , Key Tim J. , Jebb Susan A.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The UK Biobank study collected detailed dietary data using a web-based self-administered 24 h assessment tool, the Oxford WebQ. We aimed to describe a comprehensive food grouping system for this questionnaire and to report dietary intakes and key sources of selected nutrients by sex and education.

Methods

Participants with at least one valid 24-h questionnaire were included (n = 208,200). Dietary data were grouped based on the presence of nutrients as well as culinary use, processing, and plant/animal origin. For each food group, we calculated the contribution to energy intake, key macronutrients, and micronutrients. We also identified the top contributors to energy intake, free sugars and saturated fat by sex and education.

Results

From the 93 food groups, the top five contributors to energy intake (in descending order) were: desserts/cakes/pastries; white bread; white pasta/rice; bananas/other fruit; semi-skimmed milk. Wine, beer, and fruit juices were the top beverage contributors to overall energy intake. Biscuits, and desserts/cakes/pastries were the highest contributors to free sugars, total fat, and saturated fat intakes, but also contributed to the calcium and iron intakes. Top contributors to energy, saturated fat, and free sugars were broadly similar by sex and education category, with small differences in average nutrient intakes across the population.

Conclusion

This new food classification system will support the growing interest in the associations between food groups and health outcomes and the development of food-based dietary guidelines. Food group variables will be available to all users of the UK Biobank WebQ questionnaire.
Galactorrhea during antipsychotic treatment: results from AMSP, a drug surveillance program, between 1993 and 2015
Authors: Glocker C. , Grohmann R. , Engel R. , Seifert J. , Bleich S. , Stübner S. , Toto S. , Schüle C.
Published: March 2021

Galactorrhea is a well-known adverse drug reaction (ADR) of numerous antipsychotic drugs (APD) and is often distressing for those affected. Methodological problems in the existing literature make it difficult to determine the prevalence of symptomatic hyperprolactinemia in persons treated with APDs. Consequently, a large sample of patients exposed to APDs is needed for more extensive evaluation. Data on APD utilization and reports of galactorrhea caused by APDs were analyzed using data from an observational pharmacovigilance program in German-speaking countries—Arzneimittelsicherheit in der Psychiatrie (AMSP)—from 1993 to 2015. 320,383 patients (175,884 female inpatients) under surveillance were treated with APDs for schizophrenia and other indications. A total of 170 events of galactorrhea caused by APDs were identified (0.97 cases in 1000 female inpatient admissions). Most cases occurred during the reproductive age with the highest incidence among patients between 16 and 30 years (3.81 cases in 1000 inpatients). The APDs that were most frequently imputed alone for inducing galactorrhea were risperidone (52 cases and 0.19% of all exposed inpatients), amisulpride (30 resp. 0.48%), and olanzapine (13 resp. 0.05%). In three cases, quetiapine had a prominent role as a probable cause for galactorrhea. High dosages of the imputed APDs correlated with higher rates of galactorrhea. Galactorrhea is a severe and underestimated condition in psychopharmacology. While some APDs are more likely to cause galactorrhea, we identified a few unusual cases. This highlights the importance of alertness in clinical practice and of taking a patient’s individual situation into consideration.