bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Soft sensor development based on improved just‐in‐time learning and relevant vector machine for batch processes
Authors: Wang Jianlin , Qiu Kepeng , Guo Yongqi , Wang Rutong , Zhou Xinjie
Published: July 2020

The online measurement of key quality variables based on soft sensors plays a critical role in ensuring the safety and stability of batch processes. Recently, the relevant vector machine (RVM) was introduced into soft sensors for batch processes. However, the RVM‐based soft sensor has limitations in addressing the time‐varying, high‐dimensional, and dynamic data of batch processes. To address these issues, based on improved just‐in‐time learning and the relevant vector machine, an adaptive soft sensor, termed IJITL‐RVM, is proposed in this paper. The IJITL‐RVM integrates the IJITL algorithm and the RVM algorithm into a unified online modelling framework with the ability to perform adaptive updating and dynamic modelling. First, to enhance the performance of online prediction, an IJITL is designed to select modelling data based on the support vector data description (SVDD) algorithm and the kernel trick. Based on the comprehensive consideration of the strong nonlinearity and high dimensionality of process data, the IJITL can adaptively and accurately select the modelling data. Afterward, a local model is established by using the RVM for online prediction. Three applications, including a numerical simulation example, some UCI datasets, and a penicillin fermentation process, are provided to illustrate the superiority of the IJITL‐RVM‐based soft sensor.
Mid‐infrared spectroscopy as a tool for real‐time monitoring of ethanol absorption in glycols
Authors: Rodrigues Kaio C. S. , Veloso Ivan I. K. , Ribeiro Marcelo P. A. , Cruz Antonio J. G. , Badino Alberto C.
Published: July 2020

Fast, simple, accurate, and inexpensive methods for obtaining analyte concentration data are desirable in the industrial sector. In the present study, the use of Fourier transform mid‐infrared (FT‐MIR) spectroscopy, combined with partial least squares (PLS) regression, was investigated as a tool for real‐time monitoring of processes of ethanol absorption in glycols. Calibration was performed using simple synthetic samples containing ethanol, water, and monoethylene glycol (MEG) or diethylene glycol (DEG). The PLS models presented excellent performance, with correlation coefficients (R2) close to unity and root‐mean‐square errors of cross‐validation (RMSECV) and prediction (RMSEP) lower than 2% of the calibration data ranges for both analytes (ethanol and water) in both absorbents (MEG and DEG). The monitoring technique developed has potential to be applied in absorption processes and could also be used in other large‐scale unit operations, providing information in real time and enhancing process control.
Modelling study of emulsion latex coagulation processes in coagulators
Authors: Cheng Dang , Sheibat‐Othman Nida , McKenna Timothy F. L.
Published: July 2020

This paper presents a numerical study of emulsion latex coagulation processes in continuous coagulators based on the full computational fluid dynamics approach. The RANS approach together with the k‐ε turbulence model was used to describe the detailed flow field in the coagulators. The coagulant mixing process was modelled by the convection‐diffusion equation and the emulsion latex coagulation process was formulated by the population balance equation of the particle size with a coagulation kernel including a perikinetic and orthokinetic combined mechanism. The flow and coagulation models were independently validated by means of comparing simulated results to the relevant experimental data from the literature. A series of simulations were carried out to study the effects of coagulator bottom shape, salt solution feeding location, residence time and agitation speed, as well as the influence of four typical scale‐up criteria on the latex particle coagulation process. The presented results would be helpful for the relevant process design, development, and scale‐up of continuous latex coagulators.
Outcomes of ST‐elevation myocardial infarction by age and sex in a low‐income urban community: The Montefiore STEMI Registry
Authors: Bortnick Anna E. , Shahid Muhammad , Shitole Sanyog G. , Park Michael , Broder Anna , Rodriguez Carlos J. , Scheuer James , Faillace Robert , Kizer Jorge R.
Published: July 2020

Objectives

To compare outcomes by age and sex in race/ethnic minorities presenting with ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), as studies are limited.

Methods

We studied sociodemographics, management, and outcomes in 1208 STEMI patients evaluated for primary percutaneous coronary intervention between 2008 and 2014 at Montefiore Health System (Bronx, NY). A majority of patients self‐identified as nonwhite, and nearly two‐thirds were young (<45 years) or middle‐aged (45‐64 years).

Results

Risk factors varied significantly across age groups; with more women and non‐Hispanic whites, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, prior cardiovascular disease, non‐sinus rhythm, and collagen vascular disease in the older age group (≥65 years); and higher body mass index, smoking, cocaine use, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and family history of heart disease in the young. Younger women had lower summary socioeconomic scores than younger men. Middle‐aged women had more obesity and dysmetabolism, while men had more heavy alcohol use. There was greater disease severity with increasing age; with higher cardiac biomarkers, 3‐vessel disease, cardiogenic shock, and coronary artery bypass grafting. Older patients had higher rates of death and death or readmission over 4.3 (interquartile range 2.4, 6.0) years of follow‐up. Middle‐aged women had higher rates of death or any readmission than men, but these differences were not significant after adjustment.

Conclusions

These findings indicate a high burden of risk factors in younger adults with STEMI from an inner‐city community. Programs to target sociobehavioral factors in disadvantaged settings, including substance abuse, obesity, and risk of HIV, are necessary to more effectively address health disparities in STEMI and its adverse consequences.
Birthweight predicts adult cardiovascular disorders: Population based cross sectional survey
Authors: Salmi Issa , Hannawi Suad
Published: July 2020

Background

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the primary cause of death in the developed‐countries and mostly in the poorer areas of the country, and in lower income‐groups.

Hypothesis

Birthweight predicts adult development of angina, coronary heart disease, stroke, and combination of all CVD.

Methods

The AusDiab is a cross‐sectional study of Australians aged 25 years or over. Data on age, sex, previous‐CVD, smoking‐status, alcohol‐intake, time‐spent on watching television and physical‐activity, total house‐income, dwelling‐type and education‐level were collected by interviewer‐ administered‐questionnaires.

Results

Four thousand five hundred and two had birthweights (mean (SD) of 3.4(0.7) kg). Females in the lowest birthweight‐quintile were at least 1.23, 1.48, 1.65, and 1.23 times more likely to have angina, CAD, stroke, and CVS compared to the referent group ≥3.72 kg with P = .123, .09, .099, and 0.176, respectively. Similarly, males in the lowest‐birthweight‐quintile were 1.23, 1.30, 1.39, and 1.26 times more likely to have angina, CAD, stroke, and CVS compared to the referent‐group ≥4.05 kg with P = .231, .087, .102, and .123, respectively.

Females with low birth weight (LBW) were at least 1.39, 1.40, 2.30, and 1.47 times more likely to have angina, CAD, stroke and CVS compared to those ≥2.5 kg with P = .06, .19, .03, and .13, respectively. Similarly, males with LBW were 1.76, 1.48, 3.34, and 1.70 times more likely to have angina, CAD, stroke, and CVS compared to those ≥2.5 kg with P = .14, .13, .03, and .08, respectively.

Conclusion

there was a negative relationship between birth weight and angina, CAD, stroke, and the overall CVS. It would be prudent, to adopt policies of intensified whole of life surveillance of lower‐birthweight people, anticipating this risk.
Diagnostic performances of the Afirma Gene Sequencing Classifier in comparison with the Gene Expression Classifier: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Vuong Huy Gia , Nguyen Truong Phan Xuan , Hassell Lewis A. , Jung Chan Kwon
Published: July 2020

The Afirma microarray‐based Gene Expression Classifier (GEC) with its high negative predictive value (NPV) and sensitivity has been used to rule out cancer from thyroid nodules with an indeterminate cytology but not to rule in cancer because of its low positive predictive value (PPV) and specificity. The Gene Sequencing Classifier (GSC) has been reported to improve on the weakness of GEC. In this study, a meta‐analysis was performed to compare the clinical impact and diagnostic performance of GEC and GSC. Relevant data were searched in PubMed and Web of Science. Meta‐analyses for proportion and dichotomous outcomes were performed to compare the benign call rates (BCRs), resection rates (RRs), risks of malignancy (ROMs), sensitivities, specificities, PPVs, and NPVs of GSC and GEC. Seven studies were included for the meta‐analyses. Compared with GEC, GSC had a higher BCR (65.3% vs 43.8%; P < .001), a lower RR (26.8% vs 50.1%; P < .001), and a higher ROM (60.1% vs 37.6%; P < .001). The BCR of Hürthle cell–predominant nodules was significantly elevated (73.7% vs 21.4%; P < .001). In addition, the specificity (43.0% vs 25.1%; P = .003) and PPV (63.1% vs 41.6%; P = .004) of Afirma GSC were significantly improved while it still maintained a high sensitivity (94.3%) and a high NPV (90.0%). In conclusion, this study confirms and highlighted the clinical and diagnostic significance of GSC. With an increased BCR and improved diagnostic performance, GSC could reduce the rate of unnecessary surgical interventions and better tailor the clinical decisions of patients with indeterminate thyroid fine‐needle aspiration results.
Crosslinked Polyimide and Reduced Graphene Oxide Composites as Long Cycle Life Positive Electrode for Lithium‐Ion Cells
Authors: Gao Hui , Tian Bingbing , Yang Haofan , Neale Alex R. , Little Marc A. , Sprick Reiner Sebastian , Hardwick Laurence J. , Cooper Andrew I.
Published: July 2020

Conjugated polymers with electrochemically active redox groups are a promising class of positive electrode material for lithium‐ion batteries. However, most polymers, such as polyimides, possess low intrinsic conductivity, which results in low utilization of redox‐active sites during charge cycling and, consequently, poor electrochemical performance. Here, it was shown that this limitation can be overcome by synthesizing polyimide composites (PIX) with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) using an in situ polycondensation reaction. The polyimide composites showed increased charge‐transfer performance and much larger specific capacities, with PI50, which contains 50 wt % of rGO, showing the largest specific capacity of 172 mAh g−1 at 500 mA g−1. This corresponds to a high utilization of the redox active sites in the active polyimide (86 %), and this composite retained 80 % of its initial capacity (125 mAh g−1) after 9000 cycles at 2000 mA g−1.
Automatic detection of squamous cell carcinoma metastasis in esophageal lymph nodes using semantic segmentation
Authors: Pan Yi , Sun Zhuo , Wang Wenmiao , Yang Zhaoyang , Jia Jia , Feng Xiaolong , Wang Yaxi , Fang Qing , Li Jiangtao , Dai Hongtian , Ku Calvin , Wang Shuhao , Liu Cancheng , Xue Liyan , Lyu Ning , Zou Shuangmei
Published: July 2020

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is more prevalent than esophageal adenocarcinoma in Asia, especially in China, where more than half of ESCC cases occur worldwide. Many studies have reported that the automatic detection of lymph node metastasis using semantic segmentation shows good performance in breast cancer and other adenocarcinomas. However, the detection of squamous cell carcinoma metastasis in hematoxylin‐eosin (H&E)‐stained slides has never been reported. We collected a training set of 110 esophageal lymph node slides with metastasis and 132 lymph node slides without metastasis. An iPad‐based annotation system was used to draw the contours of the cancer metastasis region. A DeepLab v3 model was trained to achieve the best fit with the training data. The learned model could estimate the probability of metastasis. To evaluate the effectiveness of the detection model of learned metastasis, we used another large cohort of clinical H&E‐stained esophageal lymph node slides containing 795 esophageal lymph nodes from 154 esophageal cancer patients. The basic authenticity label for each slide was confirmed by experienced pathologists. After filtering isolated noise in the prediction, we obtained an accuracy of 94%. Furthermore, we applied the learned model to throat and lung lymph node squamous cell carcinoma metastases and achieved the following promising results: an accuracy of 96.7% in throat cancer and an accuracy of 90% in lung cancer. In this work, we organized an annotated dataset of H&E‐stained esophageal lymph node and trained a deep neural network to detect lymph node metastasis in H&E‐stained slides of squamous cell carcinoma automatically. Moreover, it is possible to use this model to detect lymph nodes metastasis in squamous cell carcinoma from other organs. This study directly demonstrates the potential for determining the localization of squamous cell carcinoma metastases in lymph node and assisting in pathological diagnosis.
Predator–prey interactions in the canopy
Authors: Linnell Mark A. , Lesmeister Damon B.
Published: July 2020

Small mammal abundances are frequently limited by resource availability, but predators can exert strong lethal (mortality) and nonlethal (e.g., nest abandonment) limitations. Artificially increasing resource availability for uncommon small mammals provides a unique opportunity to examine predator–prey interactions. We used remote cameras to monitor 168 nest platforms placed in the live tree canopy (n = 23 young forest stands), primarily for arboreal red tree voles (tree voles; Arborimus longicaudus), over 3 years (n = 15,510 monitoring‐weeks). Tree voles frequently built nests and were detected 37% of monitoring‐weeks, whereas flying squirrels (Glaucomys oregonensis) built nests infrequently but were detected 45% of monitoring‐weeks. Most nest predators were detected infrequently (<1% of monitoring‐weeks) and were positively correlated with tree vole presence. Weasels (Mustela spp.) were highly effective predators of tree voles (n = 8 mortalities; 10% of detections) compared to owls (n = 1), flying squirrels (n = 2), and Steller's jays (n = 1). Tree vole activity decreased from 84.1 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 56.2, 111.9) detections/week 1‐week prior to a weasel detection to 4.7 detections/week (95% CI: 1.7, 7.8) 1‐week postdetection and remained low for at least 12 weeks. Interpretations of predator–prey interactions were highly sensitive to how we binned continuously collected data and model results from our finest bin width were biologically counter‐intuitive. Average annual survival of female tree voles was consistent with a previous study (0.14; 95% CI: −0.04 [0.01], 0.32) and high compared to many terrestrial voles. The relative infrequency of weasel detections and inefficiency of other predators did not provide strong support for the hypothesis that predation per se limited populations. Rather, predation pressure, by reducing occupancy of already scarce nest sites through mortality and nest abandonment, may contribute to long‐term local instability of tree vole populations in young forests. Additional monitoring would be needed to assess this hypothesis.
Inkjet‐Printed Compact TiO2 Electron Transport Layer for Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Buffiere Marie , Ali Kamran , Fares Enas , Samara Ayman , Shetty Akshath Raghu , Al Hassan Omar , Belaidi Abdelhak
Published: July 2020

Drop‐on‐demand inkjet printing is an easily upscalable, rapid, and digital deposition technique that allows thin film formation with a high material utilization rate as ideally needed for solar cell production. Herein, a method is reported to prepare inkjet‐printed compact TiO2 thin films that are further assessed as an electron transport layer (ETL) for perovskite solar cells and compared to reference dip‐coated TiO2 layers. Through ink formula engineering and adjustment of the printing parameters, reliable process control is achieved, leading to a homogeneous TiO2 coating of the fluorine‐doped tin oxide substrate. Perovskite solar cells with an inkjet‐printed TiO2 ETL yields efficiencies of up to 13.7%, outperforming the efficiency and the process repeatability of devices prepared with the dip‐coated TiO2 reference. Together with other recent contributions on inkjet‐printed perovskite solar cells, this work contributes to highlight the processability of thin film solar cells using digital inkjet printing for next‐generation photovoltaic applications.
High‐Level Pyridinic‐N‐Doped Carbon Nanosheets with Promising Performances Severed as Li‐Ion Battery Anodes
Authors: Tang Yihua , Wang Xinxin , Chen Jingjing , Wang Xiao , Wang Dajian , Mao Zhiyong
Published: July 2020

Defects engineering is recognized as one promising strategy to enhance the electrochemical performance of carbon materials applied in energy storage field. Different from the commonly used methods, high‐level N‐doped carbon nanosheets are synthesized in this work via controllable removal of nitrogen atoms from nitrogen‐rich graphite carbon nitride (g‐C3N4). The nitrogen doping levels and the relative amount of variable nitrogen types, including pyridinic‐, pyrrolic‐, and graphitic‐N, are easily engineered for the obtained carbon nanosheets. Ultrahigh pyridinic‐N content as high as 19.1 at% is achieved, closing to the highest values among the reported nitrogen‐doped carbon materials. Extraordinary initial discharging capacity of 5190 mAh g−1 at a current density of 50 mA g−1 and excellent cycling stability (1639 mAh g−1 after 200 cycles) as well as promising rate performance (517 mAh g−1 at 2 A g−1) are demonstrated when serving as Li‐ion battery anodes. The high nitrogen doping level, especially for the high pyridinic‐N doping content in materials, is responsible for these outstanding electrochemical Li‐ion storage performances. This work opens a new gateway to develop promising nitrogen‐doped carbon materials for the practical application in energy storage devices.
Chirality of the biomolecules enhanced its stereospecific action of dihydromyricetin enantiomers
Authors: Umair Muhammad , Jabbar Saqib , Sultana Tayyaba , Ayub Zubaria , Abdelgader Sheikheldin A. , Xiaoyu Zhu , Chong Zhang , Fengxia Lu , Xiaomei Bie , Zhaoxin Lu
Published: July 2020

The present study explores the effect of chirality of the biological macromolecules, its functional aspects, and its interaction with other food components. Dihydromyricetin (DHM) is a natural novel flavonol isolated from the vine tea (Ampelopsis grossedentata) leaves. However, limited progress in enantiopure separation methods of such compounds hinder in the development of enantiopure functional studies. This study is an attempt to develop a simple, accurate, and sensitive extraction method for the separation of the enantiopure DHM from vine tea leaves. In addition, the identification and purity of the extracted enantiopure (−)‐DHM were further determined by the proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H‐NMR) and the carbon nuclear magnetic resonance (13C‐NMR). The study further evaluates the antimicrobial activity of isolated (‐)‐DHM in comparison with racemate (+)‐DHM, against selected foodborne pathogens, whereas the action mode of enantiopure (−)‐DHM to increase the integrity and permeability of the bacterial cell membrane was visualized by confocal laser scanning microscopy using green fluorescence nucleic acid dye (SYTO‐9) and propidium iodide (PI). Moreover, the morphological changes in the bacterial cell structure were observed through field emission scanning electron microscope. During analyzing the cell morphology of B. cereus (AS11846), it was confirmed that enantiopure (−)‐DHM could increase the cell permeability that leads to the released of internal cell constituents and, thus, causes cell death. Therefore, the present study provides an insight into the advancement of enantiopure isolation along with its antimicrobial effect which could be served as an effective approach of biosafety.
Therapeutic Targeting of Myeloperoxidase Attenuates NASH in Mice
Authors: Koop Anja Christina , Thiele Nina Doreen , Steins David , Michaëlsson Erik , Wehmeyer Malte , Scheja Ludger , Steglich Babett , Huber Samuel , Schulze zur Wiesch Julian , Lohse Ansgar W. , Heeren Jörg , Kluwe Johannes
Published: July 2020

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity has been associated with the metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular and liver disease. Here, we evaluate the therapeutic potential of MPO inhibition on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and NASH‐induced fibrosis, the main determinant of outcomes. MPO plasma levels were elevated in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) compared with healthy controls. In a second cohort, hepatic MPO messenger RNA expression correlated with higher body mass index and hemoglobin A1c, both being risk factors for NAFLD. We could establish by immunohistochemistry that MPO‐positive cells were recruited to the liver in various mouse models of fibrogenic liver injury, including bile duct ligation, carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) treatment, spontaneous liver fibrogenesis in multidrug resistance 2 knockout (MDR2 KO) mice, and NASH‐inducing diet. Comparison of MPO‐deficient mice and their wild‐type littermates exposed to a high‐caloric diet revealed that MPO deficiency protects against NASH‐related liver injury and fibrosis. In line with this, hepatic gene expression analysis demonstrated a MPO‐dependent activation of pathways relevant for wound healing, inflammation, and cell death in NASH. MPO deficiency did not affect NAFLD‐independent liver injury and fibrosis in MDR2 KO or CCl4‐treated mice. Finally, we treated wild‐type mice exposed to NASH‐inducing diet with an oral MPO inhibitor. Pharmacological MPO inhibition not only reduced markers of MPO‐mediated liver damage, serum alanine aminotransferase levels, and hepatic steatosis, but also significantly decreased NASH‐induced liver fibrosis. MPO inhibitor treatment, but not MPO deficiency, significantly altered gut microbiota including a significant expansion of Akkermansia muciniphila. Conclusions: MPO specifically promotes NASH‐induced liver fibrosis. Pharmacological MPO inhibition attenuates NASH progression and NASH‐induced liver fibrosis in mice and is associated with beneficial changes of intestinal microbiota.
A qualitative study exploring what it means to be healthy for young Indigenous Australians and the role of social media in influencing health behaviour
Authors: Walker Troy , Molenaar Annika , Palermo Claire
Published: July 2020

Issue addressed

This study explored what it means to young Indigenous people to be healthy and how social media influences health behaviours.

Methods

Indigenous people (17‐24 years) participated in face‐to‐face interviews or online Facebook conversations. Discussions were informed by the Integrated Model of Behaviour Change exploring perceptions of self, health and wellbeing, social media use, decision making around health and environmental influences on their health. Interviews and online conversations were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Eighteen young Indigenous Australians participated. Three themes were identified (a) Family and community connection in constructing health beliefs; (b) Individual health‐seeking behaviours, mental health status and the importance of physical activity; and (c) peers and others were key influencers of health behaviour on social media.

Conclusions

Social connection and social media may provide platforms for young Indigenous people to facilitate exchange of culturally relevant information and encourage behaviour change alongside family, peer and community support.

So what?

Unless accompanied with environmental changes, young adults may struggle to assert their individual agency and realise healthful behaviours, therefore strategies to change the environment are urgently required.
Using co‐design to develop a culturally responsive reproductive health learning resource for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth
Authors: Gilbert Emily , Collins Raelene , Webster Vanya , Boyd Nicole , Maple‐Brown Louise , Boyle Jacqueline , Smith‐Vaughan Heidi
Published: July 2020

Issue addressed

Healthy behaviours prior to conception can improve pregnancy outcomes and intergenerational health. Adolescence is an important period to promote preconception health, but education resources need to be age and culturally appropriate. Few studies have addressed preconception awareness and knowledge among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth, and few culturally appropriate resources exist.

Methods

A mixed methods, co‐design process engaging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth and an Indigenous Reference Group (IRG). Additionally, a survey was carried out to identify preconception health awareness and interest among a broader youth audience.

Results

Several main themes emerged from consultation meetings with youth reflecting an awareness of preconception health, but limited understanding. Youth revealed an interest in fertility, and a need for more information on lifestyle factors associated with infertility. Preconception information related to the opposite sex was seen as important as well as information incorporating current local knowledge and world views. Among the survey respondents, 46% (11/24) had a pre‐existing understanding of preconception health. Optimising lifestyle behaviours prior to pregnancy was perceived as important for women (21/24; 88%), but less so for men (16/24; 67%), highlighting a gap in knowledge regarding the importance of preconception health for men.

Conclusion

The co‐designed resource “Getting healthy before pregnancy” is available in print and electronically, with illustrations and synchronised audio overlay in Aboriginal English or East‐side Kriol. The resource includes information on preconception health and behavioural risk factors.

So what

We present a co‐designed preconception health resource for evaluation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth.
Government health expenditure, out‐of‐pocket payment and social inequality: A cross‐national analysis of China and OECD countries
Authors: Zhang Dunfu , Rahman K. M. Atikur
Published: July 2020

This study aims to assess the association between Chinese out‐of‐pocket payments and government health spending, investigating their variation ratio in the context of OECD countries. Aggregated time‐series data of 37 countries (from China and official OECD members) were collected from the World Bank Open Data source and analyzed using the multiple linear regression models. Benchmarking approach was applied to evaluate the causes of healthcare expenditure rise per capita. The results showed that China's government health expenditure was positively associated with out‐of‐pocket payment rise, with a higher variation score of 42.70%. The association was statistically significant at 5%. Likewise, the association between government expenditure and out‐of‐pocket payment in the OECD countries was positively significant at 1%, and their variation score was 2.41%. Health financing in OECD countries showed higher stability and equity than that in China. Policy implications for China is to reduce the distributional disparity of government health funds by tax adjustments in health services, universal health coverage, the removal of social health insurance disparities, and a single health payment method.
Going universal? The problem of the uninsured in Europe and in OECD countries
Authors: Toth Federico
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The aim of this article is to address the following questions: (1) Which OECD (The Organization for Economic Co‐operation and Development) and EU countries guarantee health insurance coverage to the entire population and which, conversely, leave part of the resident population without coverage?, (2) How many people do not have health coverage, and what are their characteristics? and (3) Within the OECD and the EU, is there actually a trend toward universal population coverage?

Findings

Approximately one third of OECD and European Union countries do not ensure health insurance coverage to the entire population. At present, the uninsured in European Union countries totals more than seven million people. Considering all 36 OECD countries, the uninsured reach almost 48 million.

Conclusion

The diachronic analysis shows that, from the 1970s to present day, the percentage of the uninsured in OECD member countries has gradually decreased. Conversely, in EU countries, the tendency toward universalism shows a fluctuating trend. Until the mid‐90s, the number of uninsured decreased. However, a trend reversal took place and the number of uninsured started to rise again from the second half of the 1990s. The number of individuals without insurance coverage is currently 2‐fold higher than the figure recorded before the outbreak of the great financial crisis.
The interaction of risk management tools: Financial hedging, corporate diversification and liquidity
Authors: Jiang Jiaqi , Feng Yun
Published: July 2020

What kind of firm benefits more from financial hedging, the focused or diversified? In fact, the benefit of financial hedging depends on diversification policies. By analyzing the interaction between financial hedging and corporate diversification in a theoretical model for a financially constrained firm, we find that focused firms have relatively higher marginal value of hedging in general static environment. However, dynamic analysis results show that an important synergy between financial hedging and diversification would reverse this result. Exercising corporate diversification policies has direct negative effect on liquidity and operating risk, thereby increasing the marginal value of financial hedging. As a result, it is possible that their relationship is complementary in a dynamic environment since these tools increase firm value in different channels. This suggests that firms could use financial hedging in the process of diversification if it is possible. Our findings also emphasize the importance of risk management capabilities which is hardly observable but contributes much to firm value.
Femoral nerve palsy following kidney transplantation: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Yamada Shuhei , Hotta Kiyohiko , Takahata Masahiko , Iwami Daiki , Sugito Yuki , Tanabe Tatsu , Iwahara Naoya , Shinohara Nobuo
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Femoral nerve palsy is a rare but serious complication of kidney transplantation. We report a case of femoral nerve palsy following kidney transplantation and conduct a review of the literature on this complication.

Case presentation

A 35‐year‐old woman with end‐stage kidney disease, underwent kidney transplantation in the right iliac fossa. The day after the transplantation, she could not straighten her right leg. Physical examination revealed a paresis of her right quadriceps muscle. The patient’s sensation of her right thigh was also impaired. We diagnosed her with femoral nerve palsy caused by inappropriate compression from a self‐retaining retractor. Rehabilitation was started immediately. The patient’s motor weakness gradually improved, and the patient became able to walk independently 4 weeks later. However, the patient’s neuropathic pain sustained 6 months after her kidney transplantation.

Conclusion

The improper use of self‐retaining retractors can lead to femoral nerve palsy in patients undergoing kidney transplantation.
Long non‐coding RNA LINC01207 promotes prostate cancer progression by downregulating microRNA‐1972 and upregulating LIM and SH3 protein 1
Authors: Wang Sugui , Qiu Jianguo , Wang Liping , Wu Ziyu , Zhang Xianyun , Li Qiang , Jiang Fujin
Published: July 2020

Prostate cancer is a heritable and clinically heterogeneous cancer. Both long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis and development of prostate cancer. Analysis of microarray data indicated that the lncRNA LINC01207 was differentially expressed in prostate cancer. In silico analysis predicted the interaction between LINC01207 and miR‐1972 as well as the interaction between miR‐1972 and the mRNAs LIM and SH3 protein 1 (LASP1). Thus, we explored the role of LINC01207 and miR‐1972 in the growth and progression of prostate cancer. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction revealed that LINC01207 and LASP1 were highly expressed in prostate cancer, while miR‐1972 expression was lower. The interaction among LINC01207, miR‐1972, and LASP1 was confirmed by RNA‐fluorescence in situ hybridization, RNA immunoprecipitation, and dual luciferase reporter assay, which verified that LINC01207 could bind to miR‐1972 and downregulate miR‐1972, and miR‐1972 targeted LASP1 and negatively regulated its expression. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments found that silencing LINC01207 inhibited cell proliferation, migration, invasion and tumor formation and enhanced apoptosis in prostate cancer cells, suggesting that LINC01207 functioned as a tumor promoter in prostate cancer and that it may represent a novel therapeutic target.
Energy landscape study of water splitting and H2 evolution at a ruthenium(II) pincer complex
Authors: Yoshida Yuichiro , Yokoi Hayato , Sato Hirofumi
Published: July 2020

A bird's‐eye view of the water splitting and H2 generation at a ruthenium(II) pincer complex is presented. Using a combination of density functional theory and efficient algorithms for exploration of potential energy hypersurface (PES), a total of 197 local minima and 186 transition states are identified, and a new mechanism for water splitting and H2 evolution via hydroxycarbonyl intermediates is presented. Furthermore, a global feature of the reaction PES, so‐called potential energy landscape, is discussed on analyzing the obtained structures. As a result, the landscape is characterized by hierarchical structure, namely, PES consists of many “superbasins (SBs)” that are separated by relatively high energy barriers corresponding to bond breaking around Ru(II) center. Each SB involves a set of conformational isomers that can be interchanged with each other through relatively small barriers. To the best of our best knowledge, this is the first report on the quantum chemical computation of the hierarchical structure of PES for a realistic, catalytic reaction system.
Communication‐based Attribute Inference
Authors: Zhang Y. Charles
Published: July 2020

Consumers often make inferences about an unknown attribute of a target (e.g., product quality) from a known attribute (e.g., product price). Prior research suggests that such inferences are based on consumers' beliefs of interattribute correlations—the higher the value is on attribute A, the higher or lower the value will be on attribute B. The present research demonstrates that attribute inference can be made in the absence of such interattribute correlations if the information of the known attribute is acquired through communication. Across three studies, I find that information receivers can infer the communicator's overall attitude toward a target from her act of conveying her judgment of a key attribute of the target, from which they further infer about the other attributes, even if these attributes are believed to be uncorrelated with the communicated attribute. Supporting this inference process, I show that receivers' attribute judgments are mediated by their inferred overall attitude of the communicator (Study 1) and are unaffected when the communication does not possibly reflect the communicator's overall attitude (Studies 2 & 3). These findings highlight the unique role of communicated information, as compared to consumer's prior knowledge, in consumer inference and word of mouth.
Associations between muscle measures, survival, and toxicity in patients with limited stage small cell lung cancer
Authors: Halvorsen Tarje Onsøien , Valan Christine Damgaard , Slaaen Marit , Grønberg Bjørn Henning
Published: July 2020

Background

Standard treatment for patients with limited stage small cell lung cancer (LS SCLC) is concurrent platinum–etoposide chemotherapy and thoracic radiotherapy (TRT). Up to 30% of patients are cured, but severe toxicity is common, and we are not able to identify those who are cured or those who experience severe toxicity before chemoradiotherapy commences. Studies of other cancer patients show that low muscle mass and muscle radiodensity are associated with inferior survival and that a high drug dose per kilogram lean body mass (LBM) is associated with more toxicity, but this has not been investigated in LS SCLC. We analysed patients from a randomized trial comparing two schedules of TRT (n = 157) to investigate the prognostic and predictive role of these muscle measures in LS SCLC.

Methods

Patients from a trial comparing once daily hypofractionated with twice daily hyperfractionated TRT were analysed. The skeletal muscle index (SMI), skeletal muscle radiodensity (SMD), and LBM were assessed from baseline computed tomography scans at the L3 level using the SliceOMatic software.

Results

Images at the L3 level were available for 122 patients (77.7%). Median age was 64 years, 18% had performance status 2, and 38% had stage III. Grade 3–4 toxicity was observed in 89%, and 5% died from treatment‐related side effects. Overall, the median overall survival was 23 months, and the 5 year survival was 25%. Median LBM was 45.2 (range: 16–65) kg, the median SMI 44.8 (range: 29–77) cm2/m2, and the median SMD 39.3 (range 16–62) HU. There were no significant associations between survival and any of the muscle measures in the univariable analyses (SMI: P = 0.906, SMD: P = 0.829) or in multivariable analyses adjusting for baseline characteristics (SMI: P = 0.836, SMD: P = 0.260). A higher cisplatin dose per kilogram LBM in the first course significantly increased the risk of grade 3–4 haematological toxicity (P = 0.011) and neutropenic infections (P = 0.012).

Conclusions

Patients who received a high dose of cisplatin per kilogram LBM had more haematological toxicity and neutropenic infections than other patients. None of the muscle measures were independent prognostic factors for survival in our cohort of LS SCLC patients who underwent standard chemoradiotherapy.
Investigating Dental Aptitude Test (DAT) results as predictors for preclinical and clinical scores in dental school
Authors: Novack Rachel , Turgeon Daniel P.
Published: July 2020

Objective

The aim of the present study is to determine whether 2 current admission criteria, the perceptual ability test (PAT) and the manual dexterity test (MDT) can predict success in dental school within the Université de Montréal population.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the records of 854 students who graduated between 2005 and 2015. For each student, PAT and MDT scores were compared to 5 preclinical and 3 clinical classes using the Pearson correlation coefficient and regression models. T‐tests were used to compare students above and below a 5‐point increase in cut‐off scores (PAT = 15, MDT = 10).

Results

The strongest relationship was found to be between PAT and preclinical scores (r = 0.329, P < 0.01). The regression analysis determined that gender, PAT and MDT predicted more of the variability of preclinical (12.7%) than of clinical scores (2.7%). Students scoring ≥10 on the MDT performed better in preclinical and clinical courses, and those scoring ≥15 on the PAT performed better in preclinical courses. However, when comparing these students to the entire group, only those scoring ≥15 on PAT differed from the group's average for preclinical scores (P = 0.029).

Conclusion

These findings suggest the PAT and MDT have some power in predicting success in preclinical, and to a lesser extent clinical courses, and supports their use as criteria in the admissions process. There is some evidence that suggests that increasing the cut‐off score may decrease the number of students with difficulties in preclinical courses.
A putative novel role for Eip74EF in male reproduction in promoting sperm elongation at the cost of male fecundity
Authors: Chebbo Sharif , Josway Sarah , Belote John M. , Manier Mollie K.
Published: July 2020

Spermatozoa are the most morphologically variable cell type, yet little is known about genes controlling natural variation in sperm shape. Drosophila fruit flies have the longest sperm known, which are evolving under postcopulatory sexual selection, driven by sperm competition and cryptic female choice. Long sperm outcompete short sperm but primarily when females have a long seminal receptacle (SR), the primary sperm storage organ. Thus, the selection on sperm length is mediated by SR length, and the two traits are coevolving across the Drosophila lineage, driven by a genetic correlation and fitness advantage of long sperm and long SR genotypes in both males and females. Ecdysone‐induced protein 74EF (Eip74EF) is expressed during postmeiotic stages of spermatogenesis when spermatid elongation occurs, and we found that it is rapidly evolving under positive selection in Drosophila. Hypomorphic knockout of the E74A isoform leads to shorter sperm but does not affect SR length, suggesting that E74A may be involved in promoting spermatid elongation but is not a genetic driver of male–female coevolution. We also found that E74A knockout has opposing effects on fecundity in males and females, with an increase in fecundity for males but a decrease in females, consistent with its documented role in oocyte maturation. Our results suggest a novel function of Eip74EF in spermatogenesis and demonstrates that this gene influences both male and female reproductive success. We speculate on possible roles for E74A in spermatogenesis and male reproductive success.
Inhibitory effect of sinomenine on lung cancer cells via negative regulation of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor
Authors: Bai Shasha , Wen Wenhao , Hou Xuenan , Wu Jiexiu , Yi Lang , Zhi Yingkun , Lv Yanjun , Tan Xiaoqin , Liu Liang , Wang Peixun , Zhou Hua , Dong Yan
Published: July 2020

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, with a high morbidity and less than 20% survival rate. Therefore, new treatment strategies and drugs are needed to reduce the mortality of patients with lung cancer. α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR), as a receptor of nicotine and its metabolites, is a potential target for lung cancer treatment. Our previous studies revealed that sinomenine plays anti-inflammation roles via α7 nAChR and down-regulates the expression of this receptor, thus increasing the inflammatory response. Hence, sinomenine is possibly a natural ligand of this receptor. In the present study, the effects of sinomenine on lung cancer A549 cells and tumor-bearing mice were determined to investigate whether this alkaloid has an inhibitory effect on lung cancer via α7 nAChR. CCK-8 assay, wound-healing test, and flow cytometry were performed for cell proliferation, cell migration, and apoptosis analysis in vitro, respectively. Xenograft mice were used to evaluate the effects of sinomenine in vivo. Results showed that sinomenine decreased cell proliferation and migration abilities but increased the percentage of apoptotic cells. Tumor volume in tumor-bearing mice was significantly reduced after sinomenine treatment compared with that in the vehicle group mice (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the effects of sinomenine were abolished by the α7 nAChR antagonist mecamylamine and the allosteric modulator PNU-120596, but no change occurred when the mice were pretreated with the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist atropine. Meanwhile, sinomenine suppressed α7 nAChR expression in vitro and in vivo, as well as the related signaling molecules pERK1/2 and ERK1/2 and the transcription factors TTF-1 and SP-1. By contrast, sinomenine up-regulated the expression of another transcription factor, Egr-1. These effects were restricted by mecamylamine and PNU but not by atropine. Results suggested that sinomenine can inhibit lung cancer via α7 nAChR in a negative feedback mode.
Mechanistic examination of Cα–Cβ tyrosyl bond cleavage: Spectroscopic investigation of the generation of α‐glycyl radical cations from tyrosyl (glycyl/alanyl)tryptophan
Authors: Li Yinan , Li Mengzhu , Spencer Daniel M. , Martens Jonathan , Berden Giel , Oomens Jos , Siu Chi‐Kit , Chu Ivan K.
Published: July 2020

In this study, dissociative one‐electron transfer dissociation of [CuII (dien)Y(G/A)W]•2+ [dien = diethylenetriamine; Y(G/A)W = tyrosyl (glycyl/alanyl)tryptophan] was used to generate the tripeptide radical cations [Y(G/A)W]•+; subsequent loss of the Tyr side chain formed [Gα•(G/A)W]+. The π‐centered species [YGWπ•]+ generated the α‐centered species [Gα•GW]+ through Cα–Cβ bond cleavage, as revealed using infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) measurements and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Comparisons of experimental and theoretical IR spectra confirmed that both the charge and spin densities of [Y(G/A)Wπ•]+ were delocalized initially at the tryptophan indolyl ring; subsequent formation of the final [Gα•(G/A)W]+ structure gave the highest spin density at the α‐carbon atom of the N‐terminal glycine residue, with a proton solvated by the first amide oxygen atom. The IRMPD mass spectra and action spectra of the [Gα•(G/A)W]+ species were all distinctly different from those of their isomeric [G(G/A)Wπ•]+ species. The mechanism of formation of the captodative [Gα•(G/A)W]+ species—with the charge site separated from the radical site—from [Y(G/A)Wπ•]+ has been elucidated. DFT calculations suggested that the Cα–Cβ bond cleavage of the tyrosine residue in the radical cationic [Y(G/A)Wπ•]+ precursor involves (a) through‐space electron transfer between the indolyl and phenolic groups; (b) formation of proton‐bound dimers through Cα–Cβ cleavage of the tyrosine residue; and (c) a concerted proton rearrangement from the phenolic OH group to the carboxyl group and formation of the α‐carbon‐centered product [Gα•(G/A)W]+ through hydrogen bond cleavage. The barriers for the electron transfer (a), the Cα–Cβ cleavage (b), and the protonation rearrangement (c) were 12.8, 26.5, and 10.3 kcal mol−1, respectively.
Risk factors for the COVID‐19 severity and its correlation with viral shedding: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Zheng Xinchun , Chen Jiehua , Deng Lisi , Fang Zhaoxiong , Chen Gongqi , Ye Di , Xia Jinyu , Hong Zhongsi
Published: July 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) have become a pandemic in the world. This study is aim to explore risk factors for COVID‐19 severity in the early stage and the correlation between the viral shedding and COVID‐19 severity. We included inpatient with laboratory confirmed COVID‐19 who had been discharged by 9 March 2020. The medical record data and dynamic change of biochemical indicators in‐hospital were compared between common and severe patients. Eighty patients were included in this study. Multivariable regression demonstrated increasing odds of severity associated with the duration of fever (odds ratio [OR], 1.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10‐1.82, per day increase; P = .007), C‐reactive protein (CRP) (OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.04‐1.52; P = .02), and PO2 < 80 mm Hg (28.07, 95% CI, 1.50‐524.12; P = .026) on admission. We found severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 viral RNA could be long‐term presence in respiratory tract and fecal sample, up to 43 and 46 days, respectively. However, the duration of viral shedding have no correlation with the COVID‐19 severity. The duration of fever, elevated CRP and PO2 < 80 mm Hg on admission were associated with the COVID‐19 severity in the early stage and there is no correlation between the viral shedding and COVID‐19 severity.