bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Safety and efficacy of sorafenib followed by regorafenib or lenvatinib in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Terashima Takeshi , Yamashita Tatsuya , Takata Noboru , Takeda Yasuhito , Kido Hidenori , Iida Noriho , Kitahara Masaaki , Shimakami Tetsuro , Takatori Hajime , Arai Kuniaki , Kawaguchi Kazunori , Kitamura Kazuya , Yamashita Taro , Sakai Yoshio , Mizukoshi Eishiro , Honda Masao , Kaneko Shuichi
Published: November 2020

Aim

Sequential administration of sorafenib followed by regorafenib or lenvatinib is effective against advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we compared the safety profiles and anti‐tumor effects of sequential sorafenib and regorafenib or lenvatinib therapy in patients with HCC.

Methods

We investigated adverse events, treatment responses and dose intensities in patients with HCC who were consecutively treated with sorafenib followed by regorafenib or lenvatinib at the individual level.

Results

Each group included 20 patients. The safety profiles of regorafenib and sorafenib were similar. The severity of hypophosphatemia, palmar‐plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome, and decreased neutrophil counts associated with regorafenib or sorafenib was similar in 12 patients. Conversely, the incidences and grades of adverse events differed between sorafenib and lenvatinib treatment. The anti‐tumor effects of regorafenib and lenvatinib compared with sorafenib were significantly different for each patient. The response to treatment and progression‐free survival were comparable for regorafenib and lenvatinib. The median relative dose intensities during the first 56 days of regorafenib and lenvatinib treatment were 83.6 and 80.0%, respectively.

Conclusions

Similar adverse events were experienced by patients during consecutive treatment with sorafenib and regorafenib, which was not observed during treatment with sorafenib and lenvatinib. The obtained safety profile of sorafenib provided meaningful insights for selecting sequential therapy for patients with advanced HCC.
Adhesion molecule immunophenotype of bone marrow multiple myeloma plasma cells impacts the presence of malignant circulating plasma cells in peripheral blood
Authors: Klimienė Indrė , Radzevičius Mantas , Matuzevičienė Rėda , Sinkevič‐Belliot Katažina , Kučinskienė Zita Aušrelė , Pečeliūnas Valdas
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Multiple myeloma (MM) patients with malignant plasma cells (MMPCs) in their bone marrow (BM) and malignant circulating plasma cells (MMCPCs) in the peripheral blood (PB) are an independent marker of a clinically aggressive disease, and it reflects a poor prognosis defined by a short time to progression and overall survival. We hypothesized that changes in ADM expression on BM MMPCs might contribute to MMCPC presence in the PB of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) patients.

Methods

We assessed the difference in expression of adhesion molecules and receptors related to cell‐cell interaction: integrins, hyaluronic acid receptors, chemokine receptors and other proteins on healthy donor PCs, RRMM BM and PB MMPCs.

Results

Adhesion immunophenotype showed a significant loss of many adhesion molecules when comparing BM MMPCs of MMCPC− and MMCPC+ MM patients (CD49d, CD49e, CD56, CD138). Further decrease of adhesion molecules was shown in MMCPCs (CD49d, CD49e, CD56, CD138, CD58), suggesting that loss of these molecules may allow cells to leave the BM.

Conclusions

Loss of adhesion molecule expression enables MMPCs to leave the BM milieu and enter the PB. These changes can be seen in both the PB and BM of MMCPC+ MM patient.
Mental health nurses' perspectives of people who self‐harm
Authors: McGough Shirley , Wynaden Dianne , Ngune Irene , Janerka Carrie , Hasking Penelope , Rees Clare
Published: November 2020

Self‐harm is a significant health issue, a leading cause of serious injury and is an indicator of psychological distress. Nurses play an important role in providing therapeutic care to people who self‐harm. The aim of this study was to explore mental health nurses’ (MHNs) experience of working with people who self‐harm. Data were collected using semi‐structured interviews and transcribed verbatim from 14 MHNs across Australia. Elo and Kyngäs’ inductive content analysis was used to extract meaning from the data which is reported in accordance with the consolidated criteria for qualitative research guidelines (COREQ). Two categories were identified which captured the MHNs’ experiences of working with people who self‐harm: (i) Nurses’ level of preparedness to work with people who self‐harm; and (ii) The healthcare system. Several sub‐categories were identified. Attitudes, knowledge, skills, and support from others influenced their experience of working with people who self‐harm. Clinical and life experience, undergraduate programme preparation and ongoing education all contributed towards developing therapeutic care with this group of patients. Nurses are vital in the care of people who self‐harm and an accurate understanding of the functions of self‐harm focuses therapeutic interactions to manage psychological distress and reduce further self‐harm and lessen the risk of suicide.
Treating in Place: Acute Care for Long‐Stay Residents in Nursing Facilities Under a CMS Initiative
Authors: Segelman Micah , Ingber Melvin J. , Feng Zhanlian , Khatutsky Galina , Bercaw Lawren , Gasdaska Angela , Huber Benjamin , Voltmer Helena
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Nursing facility (NF) residents are commonly hospitalized, and many of these hospitalizations may be avoidable. A Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) initiative enables participating NFs to bill Medicare for providing on‐site acute care to long‐stay residents diagnosed with one of six ambulatory care sensitive conditions (pneumonia, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, dehydration, skin infection, and urinary tract infection) that account for many avoidable hospitalizations. This study describes the frequency of initiative‐related treatment for the six conditions, both on site and in the hospital, and the health status of residents who were treated.

DESIGN

We used the Minimum Data Set V3.0 and Medicare data to identify eligible residents, detect on‐site treatment under the initiative as well as in‐hospital treatment both before and during the initiative, and measure health status.

SETTING

Participating NFs during fiscal years 2017 to 2018.

PARTICIPANTS

There were 47,202 long‐stay NF residents from 260 facilities in seven states.

INTERVENTION

CMS initiative to reduce avoidable hospitalizations among NF residents—payment reform.

MEASUREMENTS

Percentage per year who received on‐site treatment (2017–2018), and who received in‐hospital treatment (2014–2018), for the six conditions.

RESULTS

Each year, approximately 20% of residents received treatment on site during 2017 to 2018, and under 10% received treatment in the hospital during 2014 to 2018, with little change over these years. Residents treated on site had less chronic illness than those treated in the hospital.

CONCLUSION

Although the initiative sought to reduce hospitalizations, in‐hospital treatment for the six conditions did not substantially change after initiative implementation, despite substantial new billing for on‐site treatment for those conditions. These findings suggest that many residents treated on site would likely not have been hospitalized even absent the initiative. The residents treated on site tended to have fewer chronic conditions than those treated in the hospital.
Comment on: Revascularization Versus Medical Therapy in Patients Aged 80 Years and Older with Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Putot Alain , Hacquin Arthur , Barben Jeremy , Putot Sophie , Chagué Frédéric , Zeller Marianne , Cottin Yves , Jouanny Pierre , Manckoundia Patrick
Published: November 2020

See the Reply by Phan et al.
Para rubber seed oil: The safe and efficient bio‐material for hair loss treatment
Authors: Lourith Nattaya , Kanlayavattanakul Mayuree , Chaikul Puxvadee
Published: November 2020

Objectives

Para rubber (Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex A. Juss.) Müll. Arg.)) is the important crop of the word. It has been vastly used in biomedical products. However, its pharmacologically application besides the latex is sparely to be explored especially the seed. Cellular biological activities of the standardized para rubber seed oil for hair loss treatment were therefore assessed.

Methods

Para rubber seed oil was prepared and standardized using GC/MS on the basis of its pharmacologically active fatty acids. The oil was safety assessed in human dermal papilla and DU‐145 human prostate carcinoma. Cellular antioxidant activity was determined as well as proliferation stimulating efficacy and inhibitory effect against 5α‐reductase.

Results

Oleic acid, fatty acid of cutaneous benefits, was majorly detected in the oil and followed by linoleic, palmitic, and stearic acids. The standardized para rubber seed oil was proved to be safe on human follicle dermal papilla and DU‐145 human prostate carcinoma at the concentration of 0.1‐50 and 0.1‐100 µg/mL, respectively. The standardized para rubber seed oil stimulated the cell proliferation and posed cellular antioxidant activity in human dermal papilla at a comparable potency to minoxidil, dutasteride and vitamin C at the same tested concentration. In addition, the standardized para rubber seed oil inhibited 5α‐reductase as examined in DU‐145 human prostate carcinoma, although at a lesser degree than the standards at the same tested concentration.

Conclusions

The standardized para rubber seed oil is evidenced as the safe and efficient bio‐oil to be used for hair growth stimulating or reduce/suppress hair loss treatment.
The effect of anticoagulants on oral squamous cell carcinoma: A systematic review
Authors: Lin Zichen , Ling Li‐Qiao R. , Ng Mabel , Matlub Laith , Mehta Kunal , Linus Roshine A. , Looker Mitchell J. , Melia Yovita , Loong Junhan , Paolini Rita , Farah Camile S. , Celentano Antonio
Published: November 2020

Tumour progression allows for aberrant angiogenesis. Consequently, cancer‐associated thrombosis is a prevalent complication that is coupled with poor prognosis. Anticoagulants have therefore been prescribed with chemotherapeutic agents to target potential thrombo‐embolic risk. A systematic review was carried out to summarise existing evidence on the interactions between anticoagulants and oral cancer. This treatment paradigm has demonstrated beneficial results in some oncology patients, thus associating anticoagulants with anticancer effects. Increasing prevalence of oral cancer presents a need to source alternative therapeutic means to prevent disease progression, and thus the use of anticoagulants in these patients may provide an avenue for this to occur. The paucity of evidence regarding the interactions between oral squamous cell carcinoma and anticoagulants emphasises the urgency with which further research should be conducted.
Assessing the analytical efficacy of TEX in diagnosing oral cancer using a systematic review approach
Authors: Sahu Suchanda , Routray Samapika
Published: November 2020

The 5‐year survival rates in OSCC depend on the stage at diagnosis. Patients have better survival and favourable outcomes if detected early, as compared to those diagnosed in advanced stages. Apart from biopsy and mucosal scraping examinations, exosomes from saliva and blood are emerging as an accessible source for diagnosis and providing additional information about the tumour's characteristics. Hence, the study of tumour‐derived exosomal (TEX) biomarkers obtained from a liquid biopsy is emerging as a promising diagnostic tool. In this systematic review, our effort is to assess the role of TEX as a biomarker.
Utilizing public health data to geotarget hepatitis C virus elimination approaches in urban and rural Michigan
Authors: Weinheimer‐Haus Eileen M. , Yu Xianshi , Singal Amit G. , Naylor Keith B. , Ammori Candice , Coyle Joseph , Nallamothu Brahmajee K. , Witala Wyndy , Zhu Ji , Waljee Akbar K.
Published: November 2020

Using Michigan public health data, we assessed geographical access to specialist providers for hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment in urban and rural areas in Michigan and explored correlates of HCV in these areas to help inform HCV elimination planning and resource allocations. We found higher HCV incidence in urban areas, lower treatment specialist access in rural areas, but few correlates of HCV across adult populations in both areas. State and local HCV elimination planning should include population‐based screening among all adults and address geographical barriers to care.
Evaluation of the prognostic potential of EGFL7 in pilocytic astrocytomas
Authors: Brunhara Bruno B. , Becker Aline P. , Neder Luciano , Gonçalves Paola G. , de Oliveira Cristiane , Clara Carlos A. , Reis Rui M. , Bidinotto Lucas T.
Published: November 2020

Pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) is the most frequent solid neoplasm in childhood. It has a good 5‐year overall survival (90% in childhood and 52% in adults). However, up to 20% of patients experience residual tumor growth, recurrence, and death. Although the main genetic alteration of PAs, including KIAA1549:BRAF fusion, involves chromosome 7q34, we previously found frequent loss in chr9q34.3 locus in a small subset of these tumors. Among the genes present in this locus, EGFL7 is related to poor prognosis in several tumor types. In this study, we aimed to assess EGFL7 expression through immunohistochemistry, and to evaluate its prognostic value in a series of 64 clinically and molecularly well‐characterized pilocytic astrocytomas. We found high expression of EGFL7 in 71.9% of patients. Low EGFL7 expression was associated with older patients, the mean age mainly older than 11 years (P = 0.027). EGFL7 expression was not associated with presence of KIAA1549:BRAF fusion, BRAF mutation, FGFR1 mutation, nor FGFR1 duplication. Moreover, high EGFL7 expression was associated with high FGFR1 (P = 0.037) and 5′‐deoxy‐5′‐methyltioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) (P = 0.005) expression, and with unfavorable outcome of patients (P = 0.047). Multivariate analysis revealed low EGFL7 expression related to older patients and high EGFL7 expression related to retained expression of MTAP. In addition, we found a borderline significance of unfavorable outcome and high EGFL7 expression. Finally, EGFL7 expression was not associated with overall or event‐free survival of PA patients. Our findings point to EGFL7 expression as a novel candidate prognostic marker in PA, which should be further investigated.
Esophageal hypercontractility is abolished by cholinergic blockade
Authors: Babaei Arash , Shad Sadaf , Massey Benson T.
Published: November 2020

Background

Esophageal hypercontractility (EHC) is considered a major esophageal motor disorder of unclear etiology. Different mechanisms have been proposed, including an imbalance in inhibitory and excitatory esophageal innervation. We hypothesized that patients with EHC suffer from cholinergic hyperactivity.

Aim

To interrogate the excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission in EHC by assessing the esophageal motor response to atropine (ATR) and cholecystokinin (CCK), respectively, in EHC patients.

Method

We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent high‐resolution manometry (HRM) with pharmacologic challenge in a tertiary referral center between 2007 and 2017. We identified 49 EHC patients who were categorized based on frequency of hypercontractile peristaltic sequence into “frequent” and “infrequent” and motility diagnosis groups. Deglutitive pressure metrics and esophageal motor responses to ATR (12 mcg/kg iv) and CCK (40 ng/kg iv) were analyzed across groups.

Results

Atropine abolished hypercontractility across all groups studied, converting nearly half of patients to a motor pattern of ineffective esophageal motility. Abnormal CCK responses primarily occurred in the patient groups with concomitant outflow obstruction.

Conclusions

Hypercontractility is cholinergically mediated in all esophageal motor disorders. Most patients with isolated EHC appear to have excessive cholinergic drive, rather than loss of inhibitory innervation, and might be candidates for treatment with anticholinergic agents.
Frontiers in cancer immunotherapy—a symposium report
Authors: Cable Jennifer , Greenbaum Benjamin , Pe'er Dana , Bollard Catherine M. , Bruni Sofia , Griffin Matthew E. , Allison James P. , Wu Catherine J. , Subudhi Sumit K. , Mardis Elaine R. , Brentjens Renier , Sosman Jeffry A. , Cemerski Saso , Zavitsanou Anastasia‐Maria , Proia Theresa , Egeblad Mikala , Nolan Garry , Goswami Sangeeta , Spranger Stefani , Mackall Crystal L.
Published: November 2020

Cancer immunotherapy has dramatically changed the approach to cancer treatment. The aim of targeting the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells has afforded many patients the prospect of achieving deep, long‐term remission and potential cures. However, many challenges remain for achieving the goal of effective immunotherapy for all cancer patients. Checkpoint inhibitors have been able to achieve long‐term responses in a minority of patients, yet improving response rates with combination therapies increases the possibility of toxicity. Chimeric antigen receptor T cells have demonstrated high response rates in hematological cancers, although most patients experience relapse. In addition, some cancers are notoriously immunologically “cold” and typically are not effective targets for immunotherapy. Overcoming these obstacles will require new strategies to improve upon the efficacy of current agents, identify biomarkers to select appropriate therapies, and discover new modalities to expand the accessibility of immunotherapy to additional tumor types and patient populations.
Environmental controls on African herbivore responses to landscapes of fear
Authors: Davies Andrew B. , Cromsigt Joris P. G. M. , Tambling Craig J. , le Roux Elizabeth , Vaughn Nicholas , Druce Dave J. , Marneweck David G. , Asner Gregory P.
Published: November 2020

Herbivores balance forage acquisition with the need to avoid predation, often leading to tradeoffs between forgoing resources to avoid areas of high predation risk, or tolerating increased risk in exchange for improved forage. The outcome of these decisions is likely to change with varying resource levels, with herbivores altering their response to predation risk across heterogeneous landscapes. Such contrasting responses will alter the strength of non‐consumptive predation effects, but are poorly understood in multiple‐predator/multiple‐prey systems. We combined fine‐scaled spatial information on two predator and 11 herbivore species with remotely‐sensed measurements of forage quantity and vegetation structure to assess variation in herbivore response to predation risk with changing environmental context, herbivore body size, herbivore foraging strategy (browsers versus grazers), predator type (ambush versus coursing hunters) and group size across a South African savanna landscape. Medium‐sized herbivore species were more likely to adjust their response to risk with a changing resource landscape: warthog, nyala and wildebeest tolerated increased long‐term predator encounter risk in exchange for abundant (warthog and nyala) or preferred (wildebeest) forage, and nyala selected areas with higher visibility only in landscapes where food was abundant. Impala were more likely to be observed in areas of high visibility where wild dog risk was high. In addition, although buffalo did not avoid areas of high lion encounter risk, large buffalo groups were more frequently observed in open areas where lion encounter risk was high, whereas small groups did not alter their space use across varying levels of risk. Our findings suggest that risk effects are not uniform across landscapes for medium‐sized herbivores and large buffalo groups, instead varying with environmental context and leading to a dynamic landscape of fear. However, responses among these and other prey species were variable and not consistent, highlighting the complexities inherent to multi‐predator/multi‐prey systems.
The impact of parental health mindset on postoperative recovery in children
Authors: Kain Alexandra , Mueller Claudia , Golianu Brenda J. , Jenkins Brooke N. , Fortier Michelle A.
Published: November 2020

Background

Mindset, or one's beliefs about the ability to change one's outcomes, has been studied in the educational domain but not in surgical settings. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of parental health mindset on children's recovery.

Methods

Participants were part of a larger National Institutes of Health‐funded trial that included 1470 children undergoing outpatient tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. We used measures of parental coping style (Monitor Blunter Style Scale; MBSS) and medication attitudes (Medication Attitudes Questionnaire; MAQ) to validate the Health Beliefs Scale (HBS; Criterion validity, Cohen's kappa). HBS categorizes parents as having a growth mindset, or the belief that health can be changed, or a fixed mindset, which reflects the belief that individuals cannot change their health. Next, we identified demographic and personality variables (eg, temperament, anxiety) as predictors for the HBS. Finally, we examined the relationship between the HBS with postoperative outcomes.

Results

Findings supported criterion validity of the HBS. Parents with a growth mindset reported seeking out more medical information (MBSS, 7.15 ± 3.32 vs 6.22 ± 3.38, P < .001, CI = −1.387 to −0.471) and reported fewer misconceptions regarding analgesic use (MAQ, 22.11 ± 4.09 vs 21.41 ± 4.25, P = .035, CI = 0.046 to 1.229). In assessing outcomes, we found that fixed‐mindset parents rated their children's postoperative pain as more severe on days 1 (9.22 ± 3.82 vs 8.37 ± 3.71, P = .007, CI = 0.234 to 1.459) and 3 (8.13 ± 4.28 vs 7.27 ± 4.28, P = .007, CI = 0.094 to 1.638) and reported that their children received more doses of ibuprofen on postoperative day 1 (2.91 ± 1.24 vs 2.44 ± 1.44, P = .041, CI = 0.089 to 0.848). There was no difference in children's self‐reported pain scores between groups (P = .585).

Conclusions

These findings, coupled with recent mindset intervention studies in the educational space, suggest that parent mindset is an important target for clinical intervention in the context of children's surgical recovery.
Memoir and the Sociological Imagination1
Authors: Simko Christina
Published: November 2020

This essay responds to Peter J. Stein’s 2019 memoir, A Boy’s Journey: From Nazi‐Occupied Prague to Freedom in America, and his December 2020 essay in The Forum, “Biography, Trauma, Holocaust, and the Sociological Eye” (Stein 2020). Underscoring the resonance between sociology and literature, I use Stein’s work as a springboard for identifying four parallels between memoir’s capacities and sociology’s: (1) capturing the role and weight of contingency in human life, (2) offering audiences a window onto worlds they cannot experience firsthand, (3) cultivating “humane sympathy” (Abbott 2007), especially by probing “meta‐feelings” (Pugh 2013), and (4) fueling the imagination.
One Group, Two Worlds? Latino Perceptions of Policy Salience Among Mainstream and Spanish‐Language News Consumers
Authors: Gomez‐Aguinaga Barbara
Published: November 2020

Objective

To examine whether the consumption of Spanish‐language news influences perceptions of issue salience among Latinos, the largest ethnoracial group in the United States.

Methods

This mixed‐methods analysis incorporates conceptual content analyses of English and Spanish‐language online newspapers from major Latino metropolitan areas, logistic regressions, and robustness checks to predict the salience of Latino issues.

Results

Spanish‐language news media covers immigration to a much greater extent than mainstream media, even within the same geographical locations; as a result, Latinos who consume Spanish‐language news are more likely to report immigration as a salient issue, even after accounting for important predispositions such as nativity and in‐group linked fate.

Conclusion

This study highlights the importance of Spanish‐language and ethnic media in a growingly diverse country, where ethnoracial groups will soon make up the majority of the country.
Which quality is a route? A methodology for assessing route quality using spatio‐temporal metrics
Authors: Rehrl Karl , Kranzinger Stefan , Gröchenig Simon
Published: November 2020

In the context of intelligent transport systems, dynamic route planning is an eagerly researched topic. While the research community during the last decade has focused on performance and scalability of dynamic route planning algorithms, the question concerning route qualities has been widely neglected. The current work contributes to this question by proposing a methodology to assess the quality of arbitrary routes based on seven spatio‐temporal route quality metrics (five spatial and two temporal ones). The methodology is evaluated by calculating quality metrics for 45 routes being derived from three dynamic route planning systems for three selected origin–destination pairs during one day. For objectively assessing route qualities, the approach matches the route planning results to a reference digital road network and uses reference travel times for calculating quality metrics. A spatio‐temporal cross‐evaluation illustrates different quality aspects in the context of both quality dimensions and demonstrates the usefulness of the proposed approach.
Osseous lesions in the distal extremities of dogs with strangulating hair mats
Authors: Watson Elizabeth , Niestat Laura
Published: November 2020

Strangulating hair mats in dogs are characterized as soft tissue injury secondary to chronically matted hair, which can encircle the extremities and constrict lymphatic tissue and local vasculature. As the tissue swells, the hair constriction tightens and may result in tissue necrosis and osseous changes secondary to ischemic necrosis. The objectives of this retrospective case series were to describe the radiographic characteristics of persistent hair mat strangulation in dogs, to identify clinical features that would distinguish between dogs with soft tissue lesions only and dogs with osseous changes and to describe the clinical outcome in these dogs. All dogs with clinically identified strangulating hair matting had radiographically identified soft tissues defects and over half of the limbs evaluated had osseous lesions including focal periostitis, bone remodeling, bone atrophy, lysis of bone, and occasionally subluxation of joints. Chronically matted hair and strangulating hair mats in dogs are recognized by veterinarians as a medical finding in animal neglect. The osseous features of strangulating hair mats have not been described in the veterinary medical literature. This study describes the clinical features and radiographic characteristics of strangulating hair mats.
Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF): A Panacea for Public Expenditure Management (PEM) In Nigeria?
Authors: Nwiado Deebii , PhD Leelee N. Deekor
Published: November 2020

This paper investigated the outcome of the adoption and implementation of Medium-term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) in the Nigeria budgeting process. MTEF is eulogized by the World Bank, and even donor organization DFR as the panacea to the poor public expenditure management (PEM) prevalent in most of sub – Sahara African Countries. MTEF was first adopted in Nigeria, following the passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 Act 30 to guide her national annual budgeting process. Using simply statistical methods, we collated data from sixteen national budgets (2003 - 2016), and constructed statistical tables to investigate the MTEF in the Nigeria annual budgets. Using correlation coefficient, we examined the behaviour of three key fiscal and expenditure items in Nigeria annual budgets.Our findings showed strong positive correlation between the budgeted and actual figures in all three fiscal items. Oil production was negatively corrected with the actual. We concluded, following our findings that the adoption and implementation of MTEF has to a large degree improved fiscal discipline in the Nigeria budgeting process.
Failure of I-statements for Mitigating Interpersonal Conflict in Arguments Between Young Adult Couples
Authors: Korobov Neill
Published: November 2020

This study examines how young adult romantic couples use I-language (talk about one’s own feelings or thoughts) in arguments that emerge in the couple’s natural contexts. A discourse analytic approach is used to examine how I-language is used in conflict among young adult intimates. Focus is given to the role that evaluations and assessments play in managing talk about one’s feelings during arguments. One of the central findings is that arguments tend to be intiated with I-language feelings talk. However, rather than stymieing conflict, I-language use was met with deflection that utilized objective rejoinders. However, when I-language was built not simply as a way of showing how one felt, but rather to show an awareness of the other’s feelings or the overall dynamic in general (a kind of meta-subjective awareness), I-language did tend to promote alignment and/or affiliation. This study thus offers a helpful window into not only the lived everyday texture of young adult couples argumentative interactions, but also a micro-analytic look at how those interactions both falter and at times succeed in circumventing conflict.
Failure Modes of a Laminated Composite With Complaint Interlayers
Authors: O’Masta M. R. , Deshpande V. S.
Published: November 2020

Composites comprising a high-volume fraction of stiff reinforcements within a compliant matrix are commonly found in natural materials. The disparate properties of the constituent materials endow resilience to the composite, and here we report an investigation into some of the mechanisms at play. We report experiments and simulations of a prototype laminated composite system comprising silicon layers separated by polymer interlayers, where the only failure mechanism is the tensile fracture of the brittle silicon. Two failure modes are observed for such composites loaded in three-point bending: failure under the central roller in (i) the top ply (in contact with the roller) or (ii) the bottom ply (free surface). The former mode is benign with the beam retaining load carrying capacity, whereas the latter leads to catastrophic beam failure. Finite element (FE) simulations confirm this transition in failure mode and inform the development of a reduced order model. Good agreement is shown between measurements, FE simulations, and reduced order predictions, capturing the effects of material and geometric properties on the flexural rigidity, first ply failure mode, and failure load. A failure mechanism map for this system is reported that can be used to inform the design of such laminated composites.
Geometric Accuracy Prediction and Improvement for Additive Manufacturing Using Triangular Mesh Shape Data
Authors: Decker Nathan , Lyu Mingdong , Wang Yuanxiang , Huang Qiang
Published: November 2020

One major impediment to wider adoption of additive manufacturing (AM) is the presence of larger-than-expected shape deviations between an actual print and the intended design. Since large shape deviations/deformations lead to costly scrap and rework, effective learning from previous prints is critical to improve build accuracy of new products for cost reduction. However, products to be built often differ from the past, posing a significant challenge to achieving learning efficacy. The fundamental issue is how to learn a predictive model from a small set of training shapes to predict the accuracy of a new object. Recently an emerging body of work has attempted to generate parametric models through statistical learning to predict and compensate for shape deviations in AM. However, generating such models for 3D freeform shapes currently requires extensive human intervention. This work takes a completely different path by establishing a random forest model through learning from a small training set. One novelty of this approach is to extract features from training shapes/products represented by triangular meshes, as opposed to point cloud forms. This facilitates fast generation of predictive models for 3D freeform shapes with little human intervention in model specification. A real case study for a fused deposition modeling (FDM) process is conducted to validate model predictions. A practical compensation procedure based on the learned random forest model is also tested for a new part. The overall shape deviation is reduced by 44%, which shows a promising prospect for improving AM print accuracy.
Effect of Turbulence on the Wavefront of an Ultrahigh Intensity Laser Beam
Authors: Bellec Morgane , Girard Alain , Balarac Guillaume , Bieder Ulrich , Millet François , Luchier Nicolas
Published: November 2020

Ultrahigh intensity lasers face thermal management issues that limit their repetition rates. The key challenge is to efficiently evacuate the heat deposited in the amplifier by the optical pumping without impacting the output laser beam quality. The amplifier can have a multislab geometry where the laser beam crosses successive amplifying slabs and the cooling channels that separate them. This work investigates numerically how a cryogenic cooling of the amplifier by turbulent channel flows may affect the wavefront of the laser beam. To this end, large eddy simulations (LESs) representative of the amplifier cooling are performed using TrioCFD, a code developed by the CEA. First, validation simulations are carried out for heated channel flows, allowing comparisons to direct numerical simulation (DNS) results from the literature. Then, LESs of an open turbulent channel flow cooling two slabs are conducted using conjugated heat transfer between the solid and the fluid. The phase distortions, mean and fluctuations, induced by the inhomogeneous and turbulent temperature field are computed directly from the LES. A moderate although non-negligible effect of the turbulence on the laser wavefront was found. This optical effect increases when the slab heating increases. A comparison to the Sutton model, widely used in aero-optic studies, was performed, and its applicability was found limited for this problem. For the first time, TrioCFD is used to address the question of the beam impact of the cooling of laser amplifiers, and it has proven to be a valuable tool for such application.
Numerical and Experimental Investigation on Nonlinear Cyclic Collapse Response of Ship Model in Regular Waves
Authors: Liu Weiqin , Huang Yu , Li Ye , Song Xuemin , Wei Fangyi , Wu Xiaoni
Published: November 2020

Large ocean waves with large wave height may destroy the ship’s structure, whereas it is difficult to predict the nonlinear dynamic strength in the large waves. In this study, we used a nonlinear simulation based on boundary element method (BEM)-finite element method (FEM) and a collapse experiment of ship model to study dynamic ultimate strength and dynamic course of collapse of ship structure, the collapse test was performed in regular tank wave. Besides, a simulation method for nonlinear dynamic ship strength was proposed to predict and compare the results of collapse test. A collapsed model consisting of a plastic hinge and two ship strips is designed. Subsequently, we performed the nonlinear simulation of the ultimate strength of ship model induced by tank wave. Wave loads were calculated following potential theory and BEM. Next, ship structural FEM model was modeled, the ship pressure was transferred to ship wet surface elements, and inertia force was exerted as well. Finally, the nonlinear dynamic strength calculation of ship model was performed in accordance with nonlinear FEM. A four-point-bending test adopted displacement controlling method was designed to obtain the hysteresis characteristic of the elastoplastic hinge. Hysteretic test and simulation analysis was performed to determine post-ultimate bending moment. Time-domain computational results including rotation angle history and vertical bending moment are close to collapse test results so that the two methods are verified. This study verifies that structural nonlinearities of ship structure induced by wave loads could be predicted.
Fabrication of Six Degrees-of-Freedom Hexflex Positioner With Integrated Strain Sensing Using Nonlithographically Based Microfabrication
Authors: Panas Robert M. , Culpepper Martin L.
Published: November 2020

A process flow is described for the low cost, flexible fabrication of metal micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) with high performance integrated sensing. The process is capable of producing new designs in ≈1 week at an average unit cost of <$1 k/device even at batch sizes of ≈1–10, with expected sensing performance limits of about 135 dB over a 10 kHz sensor bandwidth. This is a ≈20× reduction in cost, ≈25× reduction in time, and potentially >30× increase in sensing dynamic range over comparable state-of-the-art compliant nanopositioners. The nonlithographically based microfabrication (NLBM) process is uniquely suited to create high performance nanopositioning architectures which are customizable to the positioning requirements of a range of nanoscale applications. These can significantly reduce the cost of nanomanufacturing research and development, as well as accelerate the development of new processes and the testing of fabrication process chains without excess capital investment. A six degrees-of-freedom (6DOF) flexural nanopositioner with integrated sensing for all 6DOF was fabricated using the newly developed process chain. The fabrication process was measured to have ≈30 μm alignment. Sensor arm, flexure, and trace widths of 150 μm, 150 μm, and 800 μm, respectively, were demonstrated. Process capabilities suggest lower bounds of 25 μm, 50 μm, and 100 μm, respectively. Dynamic range sensing of 52 dB was demonstrated for the nanopositioner over a 10 kHz sensor bandwidth. Improvements are proposed to approach sensor performance of about 135 dB over a 10 kHz sensor bandwidth.
Electrically Activated Reaction Synthesis of Ni-CNT/Al Hierarchical Composite Powders
Authors: Modi P. , Chauhan M. , Bundy V. , Morsi K.
Published: November 2020

The present study investigates the fabrication of Ni3Al-carbon nanotube (CNT) nanocomposite using electrically activated reaction synthesis (EARS) and its effects on the mechanical properties of the nanocomposite. The effect of initial nickel (Ni) particle size and mechanical milling time of Ni-CNT/Al hierarchical composite powder on reaction characteristics, product microstructure and properties was investigated for the first time. An increase in mechanical milling time was found to result in a decline in ignition temperature and time to ignition for the two investigated initial nickel particle sizes (4–8 µm and 45–90 µm). The smaller initial nickel particle size and longer milling times had a major influence on the homogeneity, decreasing porosity, and increasing hardness of the reacted compacts.
Fabrication and Reliability Assessment of Cu Pillar Microbumps With Printed Polymer Cores
Authors: Qiu Xing , Lo Jeffery C. C. , Cheng Yuanjie , Ricky Lee S. W. , Tseng Yong Jhe , Chiu Peter
Published: November 2020

Cu pillar microbumps with polymer cores have been demonstrated to effectively reduce thermomechanical stress and improve joint reliability. Fabricating polymer cores by a printing approach was proposed to overcome the limitations in conventional fabrication process. Cylindrical polymer cores with diameter of 20 μm and height of 30 μm were successfully printed. Surface metallization was subsequently applied on the printed polymer cores and Cu pillar microbumps with printed polymer cores with diameter of 35 μm and height of 35 μm were eventually achieved. To study the reliability performance of the interconnect joints made of Cu pillar microbumps with printed polymer cores, flip-chip bonding technology was successfully introduced and the interconnect joints between a designed bismaleimide triazine (BT) substrate and a silicon chip were formed. The interconnect joints made of conventional Cu pillars with identical dimensions were prepared for comparison. The reliability performance of the joints was investigated under temperature cycling condition and drop condition, respectively. Printed polymer cores increased the characteristic life by 32% in a temperature cycling test (0–100 °C), while the drop test showed that printed polymer cores increased the characteristic life by four times due to the extra compliance provided by the printed polymer cores. It can be concluded that Cu pillar microbumps with printed polymer cores can effectively reduce stress and improve joint reliability.
Detection of a Rickettsia sp. and an Ehrlichia chaffeensis-like organism in ticks parasitizing the endangered Florida Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum floridanus)

Authors: Hewett Ragheb Erin L. , Miller Karl E. , Sayler Katherine A. , Robbins Richard G.
Published: November 2020

Between 2013 and 2015, 163 resident endangered Florida Grasshopper Sparrows (Ammodramus savannarum floridanus) and four migratory Eastern Grasshopper Sparrows (A. savannarum pratensis) were examined for the presence of ticks in peninsular Florida. Thirteen Amblyomma maculatum and seven Haemaphysalis chordeilis ticks were removed from 13 Florida Grasshopper Sparrows. Two A. maculatum were discovered on two Eastern Grasshopper Sparrows. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing of resultant amplicons of some of the tick specimens were performed to determine if ticks were infected with pathogenic bacteria. Salivary gland and midgut contents of five of six (83%) of the H. chordeilis tested positive for a novel Rickettsia closely related to, but distinct from, Rickettsia aeschlimannii (causative agent of Mediterranean spotted fever-like illness), an infectious zoonotic bacterium that has not been previously reported in the United States. Four of 14 (29%) of the A. maculatum tested positive for an agent most closely related to an uncultured Ehrlichia previously isolated from Oriental house rats (Rattus tanezumi; 97.5% identity to GenBank KM817187), which is genetically similar to Ehrlichia chaffeensis (causative agent of human monocytic ehrlichiosis), another infectious zoonotic bacterium. Blood from 16 Florida Grasshopper Sparrows and one Eastern Grasshopper Sparrow tested negative for spotted fever group rickettsiae, Anaplasma spp. and Ehrlichia spp. We recommend that additional collections and screening of ticks and blood from Florida Grasshopper Sparrows be undertaken to determine the rates of infection with rickettsiae and ehrlichiae in these imperiled songbirds.
Design, characterization, and intracellular trafficking of biofunctionalized chitosan nanomicelles
Authors: Li Weiyi , Suarato Giulia , Cathcart Jillian M. , Sargunas Paul R. , Meng Yizhi
Published: November 2020

The hydrophobically modified glycol chitosan (HGC) nanomicelle has received increasing attention as a promising platform for the delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs. To improve the tumor selectivity of HGC, here an avidin and biotin functionalization strategy was applied. The hydrodynamic diameter of the biotin-avidin-functionalized HGC (cy5.5-HGC-B4F) was observed to be 104.7 nm, and the surface charge was +3.1 mV. Confocal and structured illumination microscopy showed that at 0.1 mg/ml, cy5.5-HGC-B4F nanomicelles were distributed throughout the cytoplasm of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells after 2 h of exposure without significant cytotoxicity. To better understand the intracellular fate of the nanomicelles, entrapment studies were performed and demonstrated that some cy5.5-HGC-B4F nanomicelles were capable of escaping endocytic vesicles, likely via the proton sponge effect. Quantitative analysis of the movements of endosomes in living cells revealed that the addition of HGC greatly enhanced the motility of endosomal compartments, and the nanomicelles were transported by early and late endosomes from cell periphery to the perinuclear region. Our results validate the importance of using live-cell imaging to quantitatively assess the dynamics and mechanisms underlying the complex endocytic pathways of nanosized drug carriers.
Dust storms on Mars propel water's escape to space
Authors: Voosen Paul
Published: November 2020

Orbiters spy potential ongoing planetary "death spiral."
Nano-acoustic resonator with ultralong phonon lifetime
Authors: MacCabe Gregory S. , Ren Hengjiang , Luo Jie , Cohen Justin D. , Zhou Hengyun , Sipahigil Alp , Mirhosseini Mohammad , Painter Oskar
Published: November 2020

Getting phonons to hang around

The ideal platform for quantum-computing and quantum-sensing applications is likely to be a hybrid system that combines the best features of different components. Superconducting circuits are relatively advanced, and finding components that can control and manipulate the microwaves will be essential. MacCabe
et al.
explored the use of high-quality microresonators in which the acoustic environment could be engineered such that the phonon lifetime could be extended to more than 1 second. Operating at microwave frequencies of 5 gigahertz, these quantum acoustic-dynamic devices could be coupled with superconducting circuits.

Science
, this issue p.
840
Organohalide-Respiring Bacteria at the Heart of Anaerobic Metabolism in Arctic Wet Tundra Soils
Authors: Lipson David A. , Raab Theodore K. , Pérez Castro Sherlynette , Powell Alexander
Published: November 2020

Once considered relevant only in contaminated sites, it is now recognized that biological chlorine cycling is widespread in natural environments. However, linkages between chlorine cycling and other ecosystem processes are not well established.
Symbiotic Bacterium-Derived Organic Acids Protect
Delia antiqua
Larvae from Entomopathogenic Fungal Infection
Authors: Zhou Fangyuan , Xu Letian , Wu Xiaoqing , Zhao Xiaoyan , Liu Mei , Zhang Xinjian
Published: November 2020

The protection of associated microbiota for their animal hosts against pathogen infection has been studied widely over the last 100 years. However, how those microbes protect the animal host remains unclear. In former studies, body surface microbes of one insect,
Delia antiqua
, protected the insect larvae from infection with the entomopathogen
Beauveria bassiana
. By comparing the metabolites produced by microbes that protect the insect and microbes that cannot protect the insect, the question of how the microbes protect the insect is answered. It turns out that body surface bacteria produce a metabolite cocktail that inhibits colonization of
B.
bassiana
and consequently protects the insect. This work reveals novel molecules with antifungal activity, which may aid in discovery and expansion of new prophylactic and therapeutic natural chemicals for treating infectious diseases.
Insights into the Metabolism and Evolution of the Genus
Acidiphilium
, a Typical Acidophile in Acid Mine Drainage
Authors: Li Liangzhi , Liu Zhenghua , Zhang Min , Meng Delong , Liu Xueduan , Wang Pei , Li Xiutong , Jiang Zhen , Zhong Shuiping , Jiang Chengying , Yin Huaqun
Published: November 2020

Extremophiles, organisms that thrive in extreme environments, are key models for research on biological adaption. They can provide hints for the origin and evolution of life, as well as improve the understanding of biogeochemical cycling of elements. Extremely acidophilic bacteria such as
Acidiphilium
are widespread in acid mine drainage (AMD) systems, but the metabolic potential, ecological functions, and evolutionary history of this genus are still ambiguous. Here, we sequenced the genomes of three new
Acidiphilium
strains and performed comparative genomic analysis on this extremely acidophilic bacterial genus. We found in the genomes of
Acidiphilium
an abundant repertoire of horizontally transferred genes (HTGs) contributing to environmental adaption and metabolic ability expansion, as indicated by phylogenetic reconstruction and gene context comparison. This study has advanced our understanding of microbial evolution and biogeochemical cycling in extreme niches.