bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on the interface structure between in-situ reaction products and the aluminum matrix of Al-Ti-C-CuO-La2O3 system
Authors: Nie Baoxian , Huimin Liu , Qu Yuan , Hu Qilong
Published: September 2019

The in situ particle reinforced Aluminum Matrix Composites were manufactured by using the contact reaction method in Al-Ti-C-CuO-La2O3 system and 6063 aluminum alloy. The morphology and size of the in situ reaction products and the interface structures between in situ reaction products and the Al matrix were observed by TEM and HRTEM. The results show that the in situ reaction products are TiC, Al2O3 and Ti2Al20La. The shape of TiC is quadrangular and the size is nanosacle. TiC (200) // Al (111) and TiC forms a semi-coherent interface with the Al matrix. The shape of Al2O3 is elliptical and the size is submicron. It is found that Al2O3 (112̄0) // Al (111) and the interface between Al2O3 (112̄0) and Al (111) is in a coherent relationship. Al2O3 (011̄2) and (101̄2̄) form a non-coherent interface with the Al matrix. The shape of Ti2Al20La is square and the size is micron. It is also found that the Ti2Al20La (440) // Al (111) and its interface is in a semi-coherent relationship. The Ti2Al20La (311) // Al (111) and its interface is in a non-coherent interface relationship. Comparing with 6063 aluminum alloy, the hardness value of the Al-Ti-C-CuO-La2O3 system aluminum matrix composites increase from 16.8HB to 36.8HB.
BCS-BEC crossover and superconductor-insulator transition in Hopf-linked Graphene layers: Hopfene
Authors: Saito Shinichi , Tomita Isao
Published: September 2019

We have proposed a topological carbon allotrope, named Hopfene, which has three-dimensional (3D) arrays of Hopf-links to bind 2D Graphene layers both horizontally and vertically without forming strong σ bonds between layers. Tight-binding calculations show unique band structures of this crystal, which predicts semi-metal characteristics with the existence of both Weyl and Dirac Fermions depending on the Fermi energy. Here, we have theoretically examined superconductivity of Hopfene based on the attractive Hubbard model. Regardless of its simplicity of the model, we found non-trivial competitions between Hartree–Fock mean-field contributions and Cooper-paring interactions to open semiconductor and superconducting energy gaps, respectively. Consequently, the superconducting order parameters are significantly reduced at every quarterly doping concentration, where the system is in the close vicinity of the quantum critical point, and we found superconductor-insulator transition in the strong coupling limit. Upon doping, we confirmed a classical scenario of a smooth crossover from weak coupling Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) superconductivity to strong coupling Bose–Einstein Condensation (BEC) of preformed pairs by increasing the interaction strength. We think the proposed Hopfene is a useful platform to investigate the impacts of the topological nature of the Fermi surfaces on the superconductivity and other orders, including charge-density-waves and magnetic orders, and possible quantum phase transitions among them.
DIRA-3D—a model-based iterative algorithm for accurate dual-energy dual-source 3D helical CT
Authors: Magnusson Maria , Björnfot Magnus , Tedgren Åsa Carlsson , Carlsson Gudrun Alm , Sandborg Michael , Malusek Alexandr
Published: September 2019

Quantitative dual-energy computed tomography may improve the accuracy of treatment planning in radiation therapy. Of special interest are algorithms that can estimate material composition of the imaged object. One example of such an algorithm is the 2D model-based iterative reconstruction algorithm DIRA. The aim of this work is to extend this algorithm to 3D so that it can be used with cone-beams and helical scanning. In the new algorithm, the parallel FBP method was replaced with the approximate 3D FBP-based PI-method. Its performance was tested using a mathematical phantom consisting of six ellipsoids. The algorithm substantially reduced the beam-hardening artefact and the artefacts caused by approximate reconstruction after six iterations. Compared to Alvarez-Macovski’s base material decomposition, DIRA-3D does not require geometrically consistent projections and hence can be used in dual-source CT scanners. Also, it can use several tissue-specific material bases at the same time to represent the imaged object.
On the space of 𝐾-finite solutions to intertwining differential operators
Authors: Kubo Toshihisa , Ørsted Bent
Published: September 2019

In this paper we give Peter–Weyl-type decomposition theorems for the space of

K
K

-finite solutions to intertwining differential operators between parabolically induced representations. Our results generalize a result of Kable for conformally invariant systems. The main idea is based on the duality theorem between intertwining differential operators and homomorphisms between generalized Verma modules. As an application we uniformly realize on the solution spaces of intertwining differential operators all small representations of

S
L

~

(
3
,

R

)

\widetilde {\mathrm {SL}}(3,\mathbb {R})

attached to the minimal nilpotent orbit.
Economics and American Literary Studies in the New Gilded Age, or Why Study the History of Bad Predictions and Worse Rationalizations?
Authors: Seybold Matt
Published: September 2019

This introduction to the special issue on Economics and American Literary Studies in The New Gilded Age traces an underexplored history of dissent within the discipline of economics through presidential addresses to the American Economic Association and writings by John Maynard Keynes. It acknowledges the “vexed history” of interdisciplinary engagement between economists and literature scholars, including a recent, halfhearted call for “narrative economics” from 2013 Nobel Laureate Robert Shiller. Seybold suggests that new brands of econo-literary criticism have risen to promise in the last decade and that contributors to this special issue demonstrate the importance of historicism to this subfield, despite its apparent presentist tendencies.
Discriminability of Mild Cognitive Impairment Subtypes Based on Neuropsychological Test Outcomes from a Memory Clinic in Puerto Rico
Authors: Bengoa-de la Mota A , Colón-Díaz K , Rosado-Bruno M , Negrón-Otero A , Medina-Sustache E , Meléndez-Cabrero J
Published: September 2019

Objective

The aim of the study was to research test outcomes in Dementia Rating Scale-2 (DRS-2; Spanish adapted version), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE), and Geriatric Depression Scale short form (GDS-SF), as predictors of the different Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) subtypes.

Participants and Method

Our sample constituted of 169 total participants (113 females and 56 males), with ages ranging from 44 to 88 (M = 68.20, SD = 9.59). Educational level presented by sample included 67.5% with professional degrees, 21.9% with a high school diploma, and 10.1% with less than a high school education. We conducted hierarchical logistic regression analysis to generate predicted probabilities of the cognitive tests’ total scores in identifying MCI subtypes. We tested four individual models- each utilized a different MCI subtype (amnestic MCI, single; amnestic MCI, multiple; non-amnestic MCI, single; non-amnestic MCI, multiple) as the dependent variable. The MoCA, DRS-2, MMSE, and the GDS-SF total scores were used as predictors in each analysis.

Results

We found statistical significance in our four regression models: χ2(1) = 46.26, p < .05 for the model with amnestic MCI, multiple; χ2 (1) = 17.62, p < .05 for the model with amnestic MCI, single; χ2(1) = 15.35, p < .05 for the model with non-amnestic MCI, multiple; and χ2(1) = 18.74, p < .05 for the model with non-amnestic MCI, single.

Conclusions

Overall, the results in this study suggest that the DRS-2 and the MoCA, two relatively brief and comprehensive screening instruments, are able to discriminate between individuals with varying forms of cognitive impairment. Participants in the amnestic subtypes of MCI performed significantly lower on both of these tests. Our results also suggest that MMSE better discriminates for non-amnestic subtypes. Finally, the GDS-SF suggests better discriminability between memory related cognitive impairment and emotionally related cognitive impairment.
Neurocognitive Function in Persons with HIV and Healthy Controls from Tijuana, a Border Region in Mexico
Authors: Garcia Gomar M L , Negrete Cortes A J , Chavez Mendez R , Castillo Martinez N , Morlett Paredes A , Marquine M J
Published: September 2019

Objective

To examine neurocognitive impairment (NCI) in vulnerable HIV infected (HIV+) adults in Mexico.

Participants and Method

Twenty-eight adults (15 HIV+ and 13 HIV-) living in Tijuana (Mexico) participated in the study (Age: M = 40.5, SD = 11.1; 54% female; Education: M = 8.6, SD = 4.7). Participants with HIV were recruited from the board-and-care home “Las Memorias” (100% AIDS; 93% on ART; Years since HIV diagnosis: Median = 11, IQR = 5,16). Healthy controls, matched in age and education to HIV+ participants, were recruited from the same city. Participants completed a neuropsychological test battery which was comprised of the Modified Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, letter and animal fluency, Trail Making Test Parts A and B, Stroop Color-Word Test, and Symbol-Digit Test. Raw scores garnered from these tests were transformed to percentiles using norms for a Mexican population, and averaged to calculate scores on global cognition and on three cognitive domains (verbal fluency, processing speed and executive function). Wilcoxon rank sum tests were conducted to investigate group differences. NCI was defined as global percentile scores < 16.

Results

HIV+ participants showed significantly lower scores in global cognition (p = .04, Cohen’s d = 0.86), as well as the domains of processing speed (p = .03, Cohen’s d = 0.87) and executive function (p = .04, Cohen’s d = 0.84), with no significant differences (but medium effect sizes) on verbal fluency (p = .10, Cohen’s d = 0.60). NCI was evident in 53% of HIV+ persons and 15% of healthy controls.

Conclusions

Approximately half of the persons living with HIV showed notable NCI, which is consistent with findings of prior studies of Latinos in the US with HIV. This pattern of neurocognitive function was also similar to those of prior studies in HIV. Future studies might examine key predictors of HIV-associated NCI in this vulnerable Mexican population, including biological and culturally relevant factors: such as deportation, and discrimination for sexual preference or HIV status.
C-14 Socially Responsible Neuropsychology (SRN) in Action: Assessment of a Highly Educated Bilingual Latina Older Adult
Authors: Yañez J , Diaz-Santos M , Rodes E , Cavanagh L , Suarez P , Miranda A , Cagigas X
Published: September 2019

Objective

Early identification of cognitive symptoms pathognomonic of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in highly educated bilingual adults remains challenging. We present a clinical case illustrating the application of an SRN model in a 70-year-old highly educated, balanced bilingual Latina eventually diagnosed with moderate-severe stages of AD following an event of severe confusion and disorientation.

Method

An SRN model was applied to promote equitable care through evidence-based consideration of cognitive aging-reserve and its putative manifestation in neurodegenerative disorders. The patient underwent a neuropsychological assessment and structural/functional neuroimaging. Her educational background, linguistic proficiencies, acculturation level, social/behavioral comportment, and limitations in available neuropsychological tools/norms were integrated to reflect the complexity in conducting a reliable bilingual assessment and formulating differential diagnoses.

Results

The SRN model guided clinical decision-making to determine the appropriate target language for bilingual assessment, and to identify reliable normative anchors of impairment relative to premorbid estimates, resulting in incorporation of validated Spanish measures/norms. Neuroimaging revealed bilateral parietal-temporal hypometabolism, which was generally consistent with neuropsychological findings, and the patient was diagnosed with major neurocognitive disorder due to AD.

Conclusions

Given the advanced nature of this patient’s cognitive decline by the time of assessment, it was hypothesized that the combination of bilingualism and high education further masked the precipitous decline atypically observed in AD individuals with high cognitive reserve. Cognitive reserve theories, nonetheless, continue to be anchored strictly within a monocultural-monolingual framework. This complex case, therefore, highlights the urgent need to incorporate bilingualism in current models of cognitive reserve to boost sensitivity in detecting early expression of bilingual AD.
Drivers of variation in migration behavior for a linked population of long-distance migratory passerine
Authors: Bennett Ruth E , Rodewald Amanda D , Rosenberg Kenneth V , Chandler Richard , Chavarria-Duriaux Liliana , Gerwin John A , King David I , Larkin Jeffery L
Published: September 2019

Despite advances in tracking technologies, migration strategies remain poorly studied for many small-bodied passerines. Understanding variation within a migration strategy is important as variation impacts a population’s resilience to environmental change. Timing, pathway, and stopovers vary based on intrinsic and extrinsic factors that impact individual migration decisions and capacity. Here, we studied drivers of variation in migration across a linked population of Golden-winged Warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera) using data from 37 light-level geolocators. We tested if behaviors vary in response to extrinsic factors: season, year, and proximity to a large geographic barrier—the Gulf of Mexico—and intrinsic factors: age and wing chord. Spring migration was nearly twice as fast as fall migration, with tightly correlated arrival and departure dates that were consistent among years, in contrast to no correlation or consistency in fall. This aligns with predictions for selection to minimize time spent migrating in spring and a relaxation of that pressure in fall. Twenty-nine birds staged for multiple days (mean: 7.5, SE: 0.6) in stopover habitats before crossing the Gulf of Mexico in spring, but 6 individuals overwintering closer to the Gulf coast forewent the stopover and completed migration 8 days faster. These findings suggest birds capable of crossing the Gulf without a stopover may experience a selective advantage by minimizing total migration time. After crossing the Gulf, individuals reduced travel speed and stopover duration, indicating constraints on movement differ before and after the barrier. Wing chord, but not age, positively predicted the total distance and duration of migration, and neither varied with timing, suggesting migration distance impacts morphology, but strategies do not vary with age. Ultimately, we find undescribed stopover locations south of the Gulf are important for most of the population, while high variation in migration behaviors suggest potential resilience to changing environmental conditions.

Causantes de variación en el comportamiento migratorio para una población vinculada de un paseriforme migratorio de larga distancia
Genital coupling, morphology and evolution of male holding structures in Cicadinae (Hemiptera: Cicadidae)
Authors: Ruschel Tatiana Petersen , Bianchi Filipe Michels , Campos Luiz Alexandre
Published: September 2019

Male and female genitalia include some of the most complex and morphologically diverse structures in Metazoa. Ornamentations in genitalia have been studied in several groups, and a variety of functional roles have been proposed. Although complex features of the genitalia have been observed in internal genitalia in cicadas, their functions have not yet been elucidated. These ornamentations, together with precopulatory sexual selection, make cicadas good models for evolutionary studies on genital coupling. We explore the structural interaction of male and female genitalia in Guyalna bonaerensis (Berg) (Cicadinae) and the morphology of male ornamentations in Cicadinae generally. We group these ornamentations into two traits according to their inferred function: anchoring or gripping. We analyse the theca and vesica of 24 species and perform ancestral trait reconstruction under maximum likelihood and stochastic mapping on a Bayesian tree. Ornamentations of the male vesica and the female seminal ampoule possibly ensure male attachment by working as an active lock to avoid the premature termination of intercourse. These ornamentations emerged independently in different lineages in Cicadinae, reinforcing the suggestion that they are important adaptations to achieve complete copulation. Our results foster questions for the field of sexual selection and associated mechanisms shaping the evolution of male and female genitalia.
Enteral feeding is associated with longer survival in the advanced stages of prion disease
Authors: McNiven Kirsty , Nihat Akin , Mok Tze How , Tesfamichael Selam , O’Donnell Veronica , Rudge Peter , Collinge John , Mead Simon
Published: September 2019

To report the frequency, complications, survival and motivations for enteral feeding in UK patients with prion diseases. We analysed data from an ongoing prospective observational cohort study of UK patients with prion diseases (n = 635). Gastrostomy-treated cases were matched by age, gender, disease aetiology, severity, duration and a genetic predictor of survival (ratio 1:3.1). The main outcome was survival (unadjusted log-rank test); secondary outcomes were future functional impairments, complications and retrospective carer interviews to determine qualitative benefits and motivations. Enteral feeding is uncommon in UK patients with prion diseases (n = 26/635; 4.1%), but more frequent in acquired (7/41, 17.1%) and inherited (7/128, 5.5%) compared with sporadic disease (12/466, 2.6%; P = 3 × 10−5 chi-squared), and used mostly at advanced stages. Enteral feeding was complicated by infection and the need for reinsertions, but associated with markedly longer survival at advanced neurodisability (median 287 days, range 41–3877 versus 17 days, range 0–2356; log-rank test in three aetiologies each P < 0.01). Interviews revealed different motivations for enteral feeding, including perceived quality of life benefits. We provide Class II evidence that enteral feeding prolongs the akinetic-mute phase of all aetiological types of prion disease. These data may help support decision making in palliative care. Enteral feeding is an important potential confounder in prion disease clinical trials that use survival as an endpoint.
AIN’t got no easy answers: recent advances and ongoing controversies around acute interstitial nephritis
Authors: Storrar Joshua , Woywodt Alexander , Arunachalam Cheralathan
Published: September 2019

Acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) is a common cause of acute kidney injury that was first described in 1898. It is most commonly caused by drugs and infections, although other aetiologies are implicated. Here we review two papers published in this issue of Clinical Kidney Journal and provide an update on current advances and controversies relating to AIN. Nussbaum and Perazella describe the diagnostic tools (namely urinary and serum biomarkers) available for AIN and highlight that there is no single test that can accurately predict the diagnosis. As such, renal biopsy remains the gold standard. Wendt et al. present findings from a 20-year retrospective study of biopsy-proven AIN. They found that a high degree of inflammation was associated with a greater chance of renal recovery, in contrast to the presence of cortical scars, which were associated with a worse outcome. There was also a significant number who required renal replacement therapy. They advocate the use of a scoring system for AIN to help direct management. We also discuss new drugs associated with AIN (in particular new anticancer drugs) and unusual forms including granulomatous AIN. Finally, we discuss the opportunities for future research and how this may impact clinical practice.
Random-graph models and characterization of granular networks
Authors: Nauer Silvia , Böttcher Lucas , Porter Mason A
Published: September 2019

Various approaches and measures from network analysis have been applied to granular and particulate networks to gain insights into their structural, transport, failure-propagation and other systems-level properties. In this article, we examine a variety of common network measures and study their ability to characterize various two-dimensional and three-dimensional spatial random-graph models and empirical two-dimensional granular networks. We identify network measures that are able to distinguish between physically plausible and unphysical spatial network models. Our results also suggest that there are significant differences in the distributions of certain network measures in two and three dimensions, hinting at important differences that we also expect to arise in experimental granular networks.
Distance assessment of detours by jumping spiders
Authors: Aguilar-Arguello Samuel , Gerhard Daniel , Nelson Ximena J
Published: September 2019

To take an indirect route (detour) in order to reach a specific target requires complex cognitive processes. Yet more demanding, from the cognitive point of view, is when the goal is only visible at the beginning of the detour. In spiders from the family Salticidae, vision is a key sensory modality mediating navigation and prey search. Their acute vision allows them to perform complicated detours, possibly as a consequence of the multitude of potential routes in their typically complex 3-dimensional habitats. We used a 4-route choice test, in which routes differed in being either short or long and in the presence or absence of a lure of a prey item, to investigate route assessment in 2 salticid species, Trite planiceps and Marpissa marina. Although both species showed evidence of motivation to follow lured-routes, judging by the number of times they re-oriented toward them while detouring, we found that Trite chose short routes in preference to long routes, but did not prefer the lured-routes. In contrast, Marpissa exhibited random route choice, although it oriented toward lured-routes more often than control routes (lure absent). Our results suggest that decision-making processes about which route to take occurs before embarking on a route, but this is cognitively challenging. Spiders exhibited cognitive limitations in which the lack of visibility of the goal affected success. However, the severity of cognitive limitations depended on species. We suggest that variability in spatial ability across the Salticidae may be related to the habitat complexity inhabited by each species.
Impact of Aphthous Colitis at Diagnosis on Crohn’s Disease Outcomes
Authors: Delattre Charlotte , Lewis Ayanna , Kirchgesner Julien , Nion-Larmurier Isabelle , Bourrier Anne , Landman Cécilia , Le Gall Guillaume , Sokol Harry , Beaugerie Laurent , Seksik Philippe
Published: September 2019

Background

The natural history of intestinal lesions in Crohn’s disease [CD] is not fully understood. Although the extent of lesions at diagnosis usually defines the extent of the disease, some lesions seen at diagnosis, particularly aphthous ulcers [AUs], may resolve before follow-up. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of CD patients with colonic AUs seen at diagnosis.

Methods

CD patients with aphthous colitis at diagnosis who had been followed since 2001 were included in a case control study matched with two groups of controls: one without colonic involvement at diagnosis and a second group with colonic lesions more severe than AUs at diagnosis.

Results

Seventy-five patients were included, with a median follow-up of 7.3 years [interquartile range 2.7–9.8]. Seventy-one per cent of those having a second colonoscopy at least 6 months after diagnosis were stable or healed. Medical treatments were similar between the three groups. The AU group’s rate of ileal surgery was similar to those without colitis. In multivariate analysis, the independent factors associated with ileal resection were ileal involvement (odds ratio [OR]: 8.8; 95% confidence interval [CI] [7.68–33.75]; p = 0.002) and the presence of severe colitis (OR = 0.5; 95% CI [0.32–0.79], p = 0.003). The risk of ileal surgery was not influenced by the presence of aphthous colitis (OR: 0.63; 95% CI [0.37–1.1]; p = 0.1).

Conclusion

Aphthous colitis at diagnosis seems to resolve in most patients. This suggests that these lesions are of little clinical significance and may not need to be considered prior to ileal resection in CD or when making other important therapeutic decisions.
Epigenetic, transcriptional and phenotypic responses in two generations of Daphnia magna exposed to the DNA methylation inhibitor 5-azacytidine
Authors: Lindeman Leif Christopher , Thaulow Jens , Song You , Kamstra Jorke H , Xie Li , Asselman Jana , Aleström Peter , Tollefsen Knut Erik
Published: September 2019

The water flea Daphnia magna is a keystone species in freshwater ecosystems and has been widely used as a model organism in environmental ecotoxicology. This aquatic crustacean is sensitive to environmental stressors and displays considerable plasticity in adapting to changing environmental conditions. Part of this plasticity may be due to epigenetic regulation of gene expression, including changes to DNA methylation and histone modifications. Because of the generally hypomethylated genome of this species, we hypothesized that the histone code may have an essential role in the epigenetic control and that histone modifications might be an early marker for stress. This study aims to characterize the epigenetic, transcriptional and phenotypic responses and their causal linkages in directly exposed adult (F0) Daphnia and peritoneal exposed neonates (F1) after a chronic (7-day) exposure to a sublethal concentration (10 mg/l) of 5-azacytidine, a well-studied vertebrate DNA methylation inhibitor. Exposure of the F0 generation significantly reduced the cumulative fecundity, accompanied with differential expression of genes in the one-carbon-cycle metabolic pathway. In the epigenome of the F0 generation, a decrease in global DNA methylation, but no significant changes on H3K4me3 or H3K27me3, were observed. In the F1 offspring generation, changes in gene expression, a significant reduction in global DNA methylation and changes in histone modifications were identified. The results indicate that exposure during adulthood may result in more pronounced effects on early development in the offspring generation, though interpretation of the data should be carefully done since both the exposure regime and developmental period is different in the two generations examined. The obtained results improve our understanding of crustacean epigenetics and the tools developed may promote use of epigenetic markers in hazard assessment of environmental stressors.
Longitudinal patterns of N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide, troponin T, and C-reactive protein in relation to the dynamics of echocardiographic parameters in heart failure patients
Authors: Klimczak-Tomaniak Dominika , van den Berg Victor J , Strachinaru Mihai , Akkerhuis K Martijn , Baart Sara , Caliskan Kadir , Manintveld Olivier C , Umans Victor , Geleijnse Marcel , Boersma Eric , van Dalen Bas M , Kardys Isabella
Published: September 2019

Aims

To further elucidate the nature of the association between N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-TnT), C-reactive protein (CRP), and clinical outcome, we examined the relationship between serial simultaneous measurements of echocardiographic parameters and these biomarkers in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients.

Methods and results

In 117 CHF patients with ejection fraction ≤50%, NT-proBNP, hs-TnT, and CRP were measured simultaneously with echocardiographic evaluation at 6-month intervals until the end of 30 months follow-up or until an adverse clinical event occurred. Linear mixed effects models were used for data-analysis. Median follow-up was 2.2 years (interquartile range 1.5–2.6). We performed up to six follow-up evaluations with 55% of patients having at least three evaluations performed. A model containing all three biomarkers revealed that doubling of NT-proBNP was associated with a decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction by 1.83 (95% confidence interval −2.63 to −1.03)%, P < 0.0001; relative increase in mitral E/e′ ratio by 12 (6–18)%, P < 0.0001; relative increase in mitral E/A ratio by 16 (9–23)%, P < 0.0001; decrease in tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion by 0.66 (−1.27 to −0.05) mm, P = 0.03; rise in tricuspid regurgitation peak systolic gradient by 2.74 (1.43–4.05) mmHg, P = 0.001; and increase in left ventricular and atrial dimensions, P < 0.05. Hs-TnT and CRP showed significant associations with some echocardiographic parameters after adjustment for clinical covariates, but after adjustment for the other biomarkers the associations were not significant.

Conclusion

Serum NT-proBNP independently reflects changes in echocardiographic parameters of systolic function, left ventricular filling pressures, estimated pulmonary pressure, and chamber dimensions. Our results support further studies on NT-proBNP as a surrogate marker for haemodynamic congestion and herewith support its potential value for therapy guidance.
Ocular hypotonia following pulmonary endarterectomy
Authors: Rafiq Muhammad U , Kovzel Maksym , Ali Jason M
Published: September 2019

Significant fluid removal and negative fluid balance is typical of the management of patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension undergoing pulmonary endarterectomy. In this study, we describe severe ocular hypotonia as an unusual clinical sign in a 72-year-old man immediately following pulmonary endarterectomy. Complete resolution occurred with fluid resuscitation overnight and no residual visual disturbance was reported.
Predictors of return to work after open triple-branched stent graft placement for acute type A aortic dissection
Authors: Lin Yanjuan , Chen Yiping , Zhang Haoruo , Peng Yanchun , Li Sailan , Huang Xizhen , Chen Qiong
Published: September 2019

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the rate of returning to work within 12 months after open triple-branched stent graft placement in acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD) patients and the reasons why patients did not return to work.

METHODS

We conducted this cohort study of AAAD patients who were discharged alive from the hospital at Fujian Cardiac Center during the period 2013–2018. The collected data included the patients’ baseline characteristics, employment status at 12 months after AAAD and variables classifying the potential reasons for those who did not return to work at 12 months. We applied logistic regression to estimate the factors associated with returning to work at 12 months.

RESULTS

One year after AAAD hospitalization, of the 326 AAAD patients, 81 (24.8%) returned to work, 231 (70.9%) did not and 14 (4.3%) died. Among the 231 patients who did not return to work, 105 (45.5%) were unable to work because of AAAD and 36 (15.6%) lost job owing to AAAD. After adjustment for other risk factors, age, female sex, type of work, operating time, aortic cross-clamp time and length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay were still significantly associated with a lower chance of returning to work.

CONCLUSIONS

Less than 25% of the previously employed patients returned to work at 12 months after AAAD. Older age, female sex, manual or semi-skilled professional work, a longer operating time, a longer aortic cross-clamp time and a longer length of ICU stay were associated with a lower likelihood of returning to work.
Disease correlation network: a computational package for identifying temporal correlations between disease states from Large-Scale longitudinal medical records
Authors: Lin Huaiying , Rong Ruichen , Gao Xiang , Revanna Kashi , Zhao Michael , Bajic Petar , Jin David , Hu Chengjun , Dong Qunfeng
Published: September 2019

Objective

To provide an open-source software package for determining temporal correlations between disease states using longitudinal electronic medical records (EMR).

Materials and Methods

We have developed an R-based package, Disease Correlation Network (DCN), which builds retrospective matched cohorts from longitudinal medical records to assess for significant temporal correlations between diseases using two independent methodologies: Cox proportional hazards regression and random forest survival analysis. This optimizable package has the potential to control for relevant confounding factors such as age, gender, and other demographic and medical characteristics. Output is presented as a DCN which may be analyzed using a JavaScript-based interactive visualization tool for users to explore statistically significant correlations between disease states of interest using graph-theory-based network topology.

Results

We have applied this package to a longitudinal dataset at Loyola University Chicago Medical Center with 654 084 distinct initial diagnoses of 51 conditions in 175 539 patients. Over 90% of disease correlations identified are supported by literature review. DCN is available for download at https://github.com/qunfengdong/DCN.

Conclusions

DCN allows screening of EMR data to identify potential relationships between chronic disease states. This data may then be used to formulate novel research hypotheses for further characterization of these relationships.
Quantification and Stereochemical Composition of R-(−) and S-(+)-Clenbuterol Enantiomers in Bovine Urine by Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Velasco-Bejarano Benjamín , Bautista Jahir , Rodríguez Martha E , López-Arellano Raquel , Arreguín-Espinosa Roberto , Carrillo Ricardo Velasco
Published: September 2019

Clenbuterol (4-amino-α-[(tert-butylamino)methyl]-3,5-dichlorobenzylalcohol) is a β2-adrenergic agonist. The consumption of meat contaminated with clenbuterol can lead to increased heart rate, blood pressure, anxiety, palpitations and skeletal muscle tremors. Several analytical methods have been developed to identify and quantify clenbuterol in different biological matrices. In this report, we have developed a specific and sensitive analytical method for quantifying clenbuterol and performed an in-depth enantiomeric analysis in bovine urine. The method was evaluated in accordance with international guidelines, and we used an isotopically labeled analog as an internal standard. The extraction efficiency for clenbuterol in bovine urine was > 98%, the limit of detection was 0.05 ng/mL and the limit of quantification was 0.10 ng/mL. Our assay showed high specificity, no carryover was observed and the assay was linear in the range 0.10–8.0 ng/mL. Fifteen bovine urine samples were analyzed (containing clenbuterol), and an enantiomeric analysis was performed. The clenbuterol concentration range was 0.10–10.56 ng/mL across these samples. The levorotatory enantiomer was detected at greater concentrations than the dextrorotatory enantiomer, the ratio being 1.7 ± 0.6 (n = 15), and a statistical difference was observed (P < 0.05) using the Wilcoxon test.
Non-orthogonal beam coordinate system wave propagation and reverse time migration
Authors: Zhu Zhaolin , Cao Danping , Wu Bangyu , Yin Xingyao , Wang Ying
Published: September 2019

Grid size has a significant influence on the computation efficiency and accuracy of finite-difference seismic modeling and can change the workload of reverse time migration (RTM) remarkably. This paper proposes a non-orthogonal analytical coordinate system, beam coordinate system (BCS), for the solution of seismic wave propagation and RTM. Starting with an optical Gaussian beam width equation, we expand the representation on vertically variable velocity media, which is the most common scenario in seismic exploration. The BCS based on this representation can be used to implement an irregular-grid increment finite-difference that improves the efficiency of RTM. Based on the Laplacian expression in Riemannian space, we derive the wave equation in the BCS. The new coordinate system can generate an irregular grid with increment increasing vertically along depth. Through paraxial ray tracing, it can be extended to non-analytical beam coordinate system (NBCS). Experiments for the RTM on the Marmousi model with the BCS demonstrate that the proposed method improves the efficiency about 52% while maintaining good image quality.
Italian court finds Ferrari GTO 250 supercar to be a copyright artwork
Authors: Giannino Michele
Published: September 2019

Court of First Instance of Bologna, Commercial Chamber, Order of 20 June 2019, Case No 3973/2019, Ferrari Spa v Ares Design Modena Srl

In the context of interim proceedings, the Court of First Instance (Tribunale) of Bologna found that the Ferrari GTO 250 supercar is protectable because it meets the statutory conditions of artistic and creative value for copyright to subsist in works of industrial design and, accordingly, awarded the Prancing Horse house an interlocutory injunction blocking the marketing of an imitation.
Isoform-specific involvement of Brpf1 in expansion of adult hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells
Authors: He Qiuping , Hong Mengzhi , He Jincan , Chen Weixin , Zhao Meng , Zhao Wei
Published: September 2019

Bromodomain-containing proteins are known readers of histone acetylation that regulate chromatin structure and transcription. Although the functions of bromodomain-containing proteins in development, homeostasis, and disease states have been well studied, their role in self-renewal of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) remains poorly understood. Here, we performed a chemical screen using nine bromodomain inhibitors and found that the bromodomain and PHD finger-containing protein 1 (Brpf1) inhibitor OF-1 enhanced the expansion of Lin−Sca-1+c-Kit+ HSPCs ex vivo without skewing their lineage differentiation potential. Importantly, our results also revealed distinct functions of Brpf1 isoforms in HSPCs. Brpf1b promoted the expansion of HSPCs. By contrast, Brpf1a is the most abundant isoform in adult HSPCs but enhanced HSPC quiescence and decreased the HSPC expansion. Furthermore, inhibition of Brpf1a by OF-1 promoted histone acetylation and chromatin accessibility leading to increased expression of self-renewal-related genes (e.g. Mn1). The phenotypes produced by OF-1 treatment can be rescued by suppression of Mn1 in HSPCs. Our findings demonstrate that this novel bromodomain inhibitor OF-1 can promote the clinical application of HSPCs in transplantation.
Perceptual awareness and active inference
Authors: Parr Thomas , Corcoran Andrew W , Friston Karl J , Hohwy Jakob
Published: September 2019

Perceptual awareness depends upon the way in which we engage with our sensorium. This notion is central to active inference, a theoretical framework that treats perception and action as inferential processes. This variational perspective on cognition formalizes the notion of perception as hypothesis testing and treats actions as experiments that are designed (in part) to gather evidence for or against alternative hypotheses. The common treatment of perception and action affords a useful interpretation of certain perceptual phenomena whose active component is often not acknowledged. In this article, we start by considering Troxler fading – the dissipation of a peripheral percept during maintenance of fixation, and its recovery during free (saccadic) exploration. This offers an important example of the failure to maintain a percept without actively interrogating a visual scene. We argue that this may be understood in terms of the accumulation of uncertainty about a hypothesized stimulus when free exploration is disrupted by experimental instructions or pathology. Once we take this view, we can generalize the idea of using bodily (oculomotor) action to resolve uncertainty to include the use of mental (attentional) actions for the same purpose. This affords a useful way to think about binocular rivalry paradigms, in which perceptual changes need not be associated with an overt movement.
Whole exome sequencing reveals the maintained polyclonal nature from primary to metastatic malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor in two patients with NF1
Authors: Godec Abigail , Jayasinghe Reyka , Chrisinger John S A , Prudner Bethany , Ball Tyler , Wang Yuxi , Srihari Divya , Kaushal Madhurima , Dietz Hilary , Zhang Xiaochun , Pekmezci Melike , Dahiya Sonika , Tao Yu , Luo Jinqin , Van Tine Brian A , Ding Li , Gutmann David H , Hirbe Angela C
Published: September 2019

Background

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are aggressive soft tissue sarcomas with high metastatic rates and poor overall patient survival. There are currently no effective therapies, underscoring the pressing need to define the molecular etiologies that underlie MPNST progression. The aim of this study was to examine clonal progression and identify the molecular events critical for MPNST spread.

Methods

In two patients with temporally and spatially distinct metastatic lesions, we employed whole exome sequencing (WES) to elucidate the genetic events of clonal progression, thus identifying the molecular events critical for MPNST spread.

Results

First, we demonstrated shared clonal origins for the metastatic lesions relative to the primary tumors, which were maintained throughout the course of MPNST progression, supporting the conclusion that cancer cells with metastatic potential already exist in the primary neoplasm. Second, we discovered TRIM23, a member of the Tripartite Motif family of proteins, as a regulator of MPNST lung metastatic spread in vivo.

Conclusions

The ability to track the genomic evolution from primary to metastatic MPNST offers new insights into the sequence of genetic events required for tumor progression and has identified TRIM23 as a novel target for future study in this rare cancer.
Are We Now Well Prepared for Another Major Visceral Leishmaniasis Epidemic in Sudan?
Authors: el Harith Abdallah , Mahamoud Abdelhafeiz , Awad Yousif , Mansour Durria , Abass Elfadil Mustafa , el Agib Atif , Riscala Madi Rubens , Semiao-Santos Saul J , Osman Hussam Ali
Published: September 2019

To minimize the chance for future visceral leishmaniasis (VL) epidemics such as the 1988–1991 epidemic in Sudan, several VL detection tools have been introduced. There are many VL diagnostics with excellent sensitivities, specificities, and ease of use reported. However, additional test characteristics should be considered for use in the detection of future VL epidemics. The potential for local production or uninterrupted availability, low production and application costs, and stability at ≥45°C are of the utmost importance. Of the antibody-, antigen-, or DNA-based methods introduced, only a liquid direct agglutination test (LQ-DAT) remains in routine use. The LQ-DAT test may be the ideal diagnostic for detection of VL epidemics due to its low cost ($0.50/patient), stability under frequent and long-duration electric failures, and high level of reproducibility. The improved reliability for VL detection achieved locally through incorporating autochthonous L. donovani strains in antigen processing and precluding toxicants in test execution provides optimal sensitivity and safety for routine and mass application.
Biportal Endoscopic Excision of Facetal Cyst in the Far Lateral Region of L5S1: 2-Dimensional Operative Video
Authors: Sharma Sagar B , Lin Guang-Xun , Jabri Hussam , Siddappa Naveen Davangere , Kim Jin-Sung
Published: September 2019

Unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) is a recently introduced technique that utilizes 2 portals, one for endoscopy and one as a working portal, in contrast to full endoscopy, which utilizes a single portal. The advantages are a favorable learning curve and free mobility of instruments in the operative field. UBE is successful in addressing cervical and lumbar disc herniations, lumbar stenosis, and foraminal/extraforaminal pathologies, such as herniations and foraminal stenosis. However, there is no report of UBE for a far-lateral L5S1 facet cyst. The patient was an 85-yr-old female with a left lower limb radicular pain with magnetic resonance imaging evidence of the facet cyst compressing the L5 nerve root. Conventional treatment of such a condition would either be an L5S1 fusion procedure or a standalone decompression via the Wiltse paramedian approach. Because the patient had no instability, we decided to do a standalone decompression using the UBE technique. The UBE technique has the advantages of any minimal access procedure, including small incisions, minimal tissue dissection, good magnification, and preservation of anatomic structures. A written informed consent was obtained from the patient before the procedure. The procedure was done under general anesthesia using a 30° endoscope, a radiofrequency probe, and standard lumbar spine surgery instruments. The initial landing point of the endoscope and instruments is via triangulation at the lateral border of the isthmus of L5. The postoperative clinical and radiological outcomes were satisfactory (VAS Back and Leg, 0; Oswestry disability index, 15 at 3 mo).
Characterization of diffuse X-ray emission from IGR J17448–3232: an implication of a line-of-sight merging activity
Authors: Watanabe Shoko , Yamauchi Shigeo , Nobukawa Kumiko K , Akamatsu Hiroki
Published: September 2019

The results of spectral analysis for the galaxy cluster IGR J17448$-$3232 are presented. The intracluster medium (ICM) in the central region ($r\lt 300^{\prime \prime }$, $320\:$kpc) has a high electron temperature plasma of $kT_{\rm e} \sim 13$–$15\:$keV, and an ionization temperature estimated from an intensity ratio of Fe xxvi Ly$\alpha /$Fe xxv He$\alpha$ lines is lower than the electron temperature, which suggests that the ICM is in the non-ionization equilibrium (NEI) state. The spectrum in the central region can be also fitted with a two-component model: a two-temperature plasma model in a collisional ionization equilibrium (CIE) with temperatures of $7.9\:$keV and $\gt 34\:$keV, or a CIE$+$power-law model with a temperature of $9.4\:$keV and a photon index of 1.1. The two-component models can represent the intensity ratio of Fe xxvi Ly$\alpha /$Fe xxv He$\alpha$ lines. On the other hand, the spectrum in the outer region ($r\gt 300^{\prime \prime }$) can be explained by a single CIE plasma model with a temperature of 5–$8\:$keV. Based on the spectral feature and its circular structure, we propose that the NEI plasma was produced by merging along the line-of-sight direction.