bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Scalp Ripples Can Predict Development of Epilepsy After First Unprovoked Seizure in Childhood
Authors: Klotz Kerstin A. , Sag Yusuf , Schönberger Jan , Jacobs Julia
Published: October 2020

Objective

Identification of children at risk of developing epilepsy after a first unprovoked seizure can be challenging. Interictal epileptiform discharges are associated with higher risk but have limited sensitivity and specificity. High frequency oscillations (HFOs) are newer biomarkers for epileptogenesis. We prospectively evaluated the predictive value of HFOs for developing epilepsy in scalp electroencephalogram (EEG) of children after a first unprovoked seizure.

Methods

After their first seizure, 56 children were followed prospectively over 12 months and then grouped in “epilepsy” or “no epilepsy.” Initial EEGs were visually analyzed for spikes, spike ripples, and ripples. Inter‐group comparisons of spike‐rates and HFO‐rates were done by Mann–Whitney U test. Predictive values and optimal thresholds were calculated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

Results

In the epilepsy group (n = 26, 46%), mean rates of ripples (0.3 vs 0.09 / minute, p < 0.0001) and spike ripples (0.6 vs 0.06 / minute, p < 0.05) were significantly higher, with no difference in spike rates (1.7 vs 3.0 / minute, p = 0.38). Of those 3 markers, ripples showed the best predictive value (area under the curve [AUC]ripples = 0.88). The optimal threshold for ripples was calculated to be ≥ 0.125 / minute with a sensitivity of 87% and specificity of 85%. Ripple rates were negatively correlated to days passing before epilepsy‐diagnosis (R = −0.59, p < 0.0001) and time to a second seizure (R = −0.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] = −0.77 to 0.43, p < 0.0001).

Interpretation

We could show that in a cohort of children with a first unprovoked seizure, ripples predict the development of epilepsy better than spikes or spike ripples and might be useful biomarkers in the estimation of prognosis and question of treatment. ANN NEUROL 2021;89:134–142
σ‐Conjugation and H‐Bond‐Directed Supramolecular Self‐Assembly: Key Features for Efficient Long‐Lived Room Temperature Phosphorescent Organic Molecular Crystals
Authors: Demangeat Catherine , Dou Yixuan , Hu Bin , Bretonnière Yann , Andraud Chantal , D'Aléo Anthony , Wu Jeong Weon , Kim Eunkyoung , Le Bahers Tangui , Attias André‐Jean
Published: October 2020

Long‐lived room temperature phosphorescence from organic molecular crystals attracts great attention. Persistent luminescence depends on the electronic properties of the molecular components, mainly π‐conjugated donor–acceptor (D‐A) chromophores, and their molecular packing. Here, a strategy is developed by designing two isomeric molecular phosphors incorporating and combining a bridge for σ‐conjugation between the D and A units and a structure‐directing unit for H‐bond‐directed supramolecular self‐assembly. Calculations highlight the critical role played by the two degrees of freedom of the σ‐conjugated bridge on the chromophore optical properties. The molecular crystals exhibit RTP quantum yields up to 20 % and lifetimes up to 520 ms. The crystal structures of the efficient phosphorescent materials establish the existence of an unprecedented well‐organization of the emitters into 2D rectangular columnar‐like supramolecular structure stabilized by intermolecular H‐bonding.
Functionalized graphene oxide/carboxymethyl chitosan composite aerogels with strong compressive strength for water purification
Authors: Luo Jingqi , Fan Chuanjie , Zhou Xiaodong
Published: October 2020

A new type of polydopamine functionalized graphene oxide/carboxymethyl chitosan (DGO/CMC) composite aerogels was synthesized via sol–gel once‐forming self‐assembly and lyophilization. Polydopamine (PDA) on the surface of GO nanosheets replaced those traditional crosslinking agents to connect CMC chains via hydrogen bonding for the establishment of 3D porous aerogels. With the increasing proportion of CMC, the microstructure of aerogels changed from small pores to large plate‐bridge‐like pores. In addition, their maximum compressive strengths were 6.767, 11.94, and 16.98 MPa under 90% compressions, respectively, which increased in accordance with CMC content. Furthermore, the adsorption system of the aerogels was simulated well by the pseudo second‐order kinetic model and the Langmuir isotherm model, with maximum mass adsorption capacities of 170.3, 186.8, and 312.8 mg/g for Cu2+, Ni2+, and Pb2+ ions, respectively. These composite materials have potential applications for water purification because of their simple and efficient synthesis and excellent recyclability and reusability.
Follow the leader: Documents on the leading edge of semantic change get more citations
Authors: Soni Sandeep , Lerman Kristina , Eisenstein Jacob
Published: October 2020

Diachronic word embeddings—vector representations of words over time—offer remarkable insights into the evolution of language and provide a tool for quantifying sociocultural change from text documents. Prior work has used such embeddings to identify shifts in the meaning of individual words. However, simply knowing that a word has changed in meaning is insufficient to identify the instances of word usage that convey the historical meaning or the newer meaning. In this study, we link diachronic word embeddings to documents, by situating those documents as leaders or laggards with respect to ongoing semantic changes. Specifically, we propose a novel method to quantify the degree of semantic progressiveness in each word usage, and then show how these usages can be aggregated to obtain scores for each document. We analyze two large collections of documents, representing legal opinions and scientific articles. Documents that are scored as semantically progressive receive a larger number of citations, indicating that they are especially influential. Our work thus provides a new technique for identifying lexical semantic leaders and demonstrates a new link between progressive use of language and influence in a citation network.
Illuminating the Regenerative Properties of Stem Cells In Vivo with Bioluminescence Imaging
Authors: Madsen Sean D. , Giler Margaret K. , Bunnell Bruce A. , O'Connor Kim C.
Published: October 2020

Preclinical animal studies are essential to the development of safe and effective stem cell therapies. Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) is a powerful tool in animal studies that enables the real‐time longitudinal monitoring of stem cells in vivo to elucidate their regenerative properties. This review describes the application of BLI in preclinical stem cell research to address critical challenges in producing successful stem cell therapeutics. These challenges include stem cell survival, proliferation, homing, stress response, and differentiation. The applications presented here utilize bioluminescence to investigate a variety of stem and progenitor cells in several different in vivo models of disease and implantation. An overview of luciferase reporters is provided, along with the advantages and disadvantages of BLI. Additionally, BLI is compared to other preclinical imaging modalities and potential future applications of this technology are discussed in emerging areas of stem cell research.
Shorter recovery times and better cognitive function—A comparative pilot study of magnetic seizure therapy and electroconvulsive therapy in patients with depressive episodes
Authors: Zhang Junyan , Ren Yanping , Jiang Wei , Luo Jiong , Yan Fang , Tang Yilang , Ma Xin
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Magnetic seizure therapy (MST) is a new convulsive therapy that is as effective as traditional electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in treating depression but with fewer cognitive side effects. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and cognitive effects between MST (100 Hz applied over the vertex) and bifrontal ECT for treating patients with depressive episodes.

Methods

Forty‐five patients with depressive episodes were enrolled, with 18 receiving MST and 27 receiving ECT. MST was administered over the vertex with 100 Hz frequency. Treatment consisted of six sessions. The 17‐item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD‐17) was used to assess the severity of depression. The Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) was used to assess cognition. Assessments were performed at baseline and after the third and sixth treatment sessions.

Results

Both MST and ECT improved the patients’ depressive symptoms significantly, yet no significant difference was found between the two groups (p > .05). The response rates and remission rates of MST and ECT were 72.2% versus 81.5% and 61.1% versus 63.0%, respectively. The MST group showed significant improvements in immediate memory (p < .001), delayed memory (p = .002), and attention (p < .001) than ECT. The recovery times for consciousness (p < .001), spontaneous breathing (p < .001), and orientation (p < .001) were shorter in MST group than ECT group. RBANS improvements were negatively correlated with the recovery time for orientation (r = .561, p < .001).

Conclusion

Magnetic seizure therapy showed similar efficacy to bifrontal ECT for treating depressive episodes. While MST may be an effective alternative to ECT, larger randomized trials are needed.
Altered third‐party punishment in Huntington's disease: A study using neuroeconomic games
Authors: Brüne Martin , von Hein Sarah Maria , Claassen Christian , Hoffmann Rainer , Saft Carsten
Published: October 2020

Background

Huntington's disease (HD) is a heritable degenerative brain disease caused by a mutation in the huntingtin gene with excessive repeats of the base triplet cytosine–adenine–guanine (CAG), which codes for the aminoacid glutamine. HD is associated with a broad spectrum of neurocognitive dysfunction, including deficits in social cognition. The appreciation of fairness rules and reciprocity has not been studied in HD. Based on theoretical considerations suggesting that brain regions known to be affected from HD are involved in economic decision‐making, the present study sought to examine HD patients' performance in two neuroeconomic games.

Methods

Twenty‐nine manifest HD mutation carriers (20 males, nine females) performed an Ultimatum Game (UG) and a Dictator Game (DG) where third‐party punishment of observed unfairness was required. In addition, patients were tested for neurocognition and the ability to understand other people's mental states (“theory of mind”). For comparison, a clinical control group of 30 patients with chronic schizophrenia, and 30 unaffected healthy controls matched for age and verbal intelligence took part in the study.

Results

Patients with HD had some appreciation of fairness rules, as they tended to reject unfair offers in the UG similar to controls. However, unlike the other two groups, individuals with HD did not punish observed unfairness from a third‐party perspective. This lack of “altruistic punishment” was associated with deficits in executive functioning including working memory, inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility, and to a lesser degree with poor “theory of mind.”

Conclusions

HD seems to be associated with impairments in understanding of more complex rules of social exchange. Aside from deficits in executive functioning, this behavior could, in part, be linked to an inability to experience third‐party punishment as rewarding.
Gas‐Phase Structures of Potassium Tetrakis(hexafluoro‐ acetylacetonato) Lanthanide(III) Complexes [KLn(C5HF6O2)4] (Ln=La, Gd, Lu)
Authors: Girichev Georgiy V. , Giricheva Nina I. , Khochenkov Alexey E. , Sliznev Valery V. , Belova Natalya V. , Mitzel Norbert W.
Published: October 2020

The molecular structures of potassium tetrakis(hexafluoroacetylacetonato)lanthanide(III) complexes [KLn(hfa)4] (Ln=La, Gd, Lu; hfa=C5HF6O2,) were studied by synchronous gas‐phase electron diffraction/mass spectrometry (GED/MS) supported by quantum‐chemical (DFT/PBE0) calculations. The compounds sublime congruently and the vapors contain a single molecular species: the heterobinuclear complex [KLn(hfa)4]. All molecules are ofC1symmetry with the lanthanide atom in the center of an LnO8coordination polyhedron, while the potassium atom is coordinated by three ligands with formation of three K−O and three K−F bonds. One hfa ligand is not bonded to the potassium atom. Topological analysis of the electron‐density distributions confirmed the existence of ionic‐type K−O and K−F bonding. The structures of the free [KLn(hfa)4] molecules are compared with those of the related compounds [KDy(hfa)4] and [KEr(hfa)4] in their crystalline state. The complex nature of the chemical bonding is discussed on the basis of electron‐density topology analyses.
The 2‐Amino Group of 8‐Aza‐7‐deaza‐7‐bromopurine‐2,6‐diamine and Purine‐2,6‐diamine as Stabilizer for the Adenine–Thymine Base Pair in Heterochiral DNA with Strands in Anomeric Configuration
Authors: Chai Yingying , Kondhare Dasharath , Zhang Aigui , Leonard Peter , Seela Frank
Published: October 2020

Stabilization of DNA is beneficial for many applications in the fields of DNA therapeutics, diagnostics, and materials science. Now, this phenomenon is studied on heterochiral DNA, an autonomous DNA recognition system with complementary strands in α‐D and β‐D configuration showing parallel strand orientation. The 12‐mer heterochiral duplexes were constructed from anomeric (α/β‐D) oligonucleotide single‐strands. Purine‐2,6‐diamine and 8‐aza‐7‐deaza‐7‐bromopurine‐2,6‐diamine 2′‐deoxyribonucleosides having the capability to form tridentate base pairs with dT were used to strengthen the stability of the dA–dT base pair. Tm data and thermodynamic values obtained from UV melting profiles indicated that the 8‐aza‐7‐deaza 2′‐deoxyribonucleoside decorated with a bromo substituent is so far the most efficient stabilizer for heterochiral DNA. Compared with that, the stabilizing effect of the purine‐2,6‐diamine 2′‐deoxyribonucleoside is low. Global changes of helix structures were identified by circular dichroism (CD) spectra during melting.
Hydrodynamics of a gas‐driven inverse liquid‐solid fluidized bed
Authors: Huang Jiaqi , Zhu Jesse
Published: October 2020

A novel reactor named gas‐driven inverse liquid‐solid fluidized bed (GDFB) was developed in this research. It adopts gas as the driving force to benefit chemical processes requiring minimum liquid flow. The column is divided into a riser section for upward gas flow and a downer section as the main fluidized bed for light particles. The inverse fluidization occurs in the downer, where hydrodynamics and their influencing factors were studied. In the solid‐baffle system, four fluidization regimes were observed, including the packed bed, semi‐fluidized bed, fully‐fluidized bed, and circulating bed. Moreover, the meshed‐baffle system possesses some distinct characteristics, and the shifted bed regime was found between the fully‐fluidized bed and the circulating bed.
Evaluating and analyzing the energy efficiency of CNN inference on high‐performance GPU
Authors: Yao Chunrong , Liu Wantao , Tang Weiqing , Guo Jinrong , Hu Songlin , Lu Yijun , Jiang Wei
Published: October 2020

Convolutional neural network (CNN) inference usually runs on high‐performance graphic processing units (GPUs). Since GPU is a high power consumption unit, that makes the energy consumption increases sharply due to the deep learning tasks. The energy efficiency of CNN inference is not only related to the software and hardware configurations, but also closely related to the application requirements of inference tasks. However, it is not clear on GPUs at present. In this paper, we conduct a comprehensive study on the model‐level and layer‐level energy efficiency of popular CNN models. The results point out several opportunities for further optimization. We also analyze the parameter settings (i.e., batch size, dynamic voltage and frequency scaling) and propose a revenue model to allow an optimal trade‐off between energy efficiency and latency. Compared with the default settings, the optimal settings can improve revenue by up to 15.31×. We obtain the following main findings: (i) GPUs do not exploit the parallelism from the model depth and small convolution kernels, resulting in low energy efficiency. (ii) Convolutional layers are the most energy‐consuming CNN layers. However, due to the cache, the power consumption of all layers is relatively balanced. (iii) The energy efficiency of TensorRT is 1.53× than that of TensorFlow.
Effect of electrode configuration on plasma spatial distribution and gas temperature in multi‐arc plasma generator with three pairs of electrodes
Authors: Zhao Y.J. , Lin Q.F. , Ni G.H. , Sui S.Y. , Jin X. Y. , Xie H.B. , Duan W.X. , Meng Y.D.
Published: October 2020

In this paper, a novel nonthermal multi‐arc plasma generator with three pairs of electrodes is presented to obtain large‐volume plasma. The discharge behaviour of multi‐arc is investigated through high‐speed photography. Statistical process of the photographic images of arc discharge is used for analysis of the effect of electrode configuration on arc spatial distribution and fluctuation of plasma flow. Besides, the gas temperature is diagnosed by diatomic molecular OH fitting method. Results show that the electrode configuration has vital effect on the spatial distribution of plasma in discharge area. A relatively stable region with high luminance is obtained in the centre of the discharge area by adjusting the electrode arrangements, in which the plasma gas temperature in swirl flow field is higher than that in straight flow field in multi‐arc generator. Furthermore, the fluctuation of plasma flow weakens in multi‐arc generator with electrode configurations capable of producing swirl flow field.
PD‐L1 expression in NSCLC: Role of cell blocks and concordance between samples
Authors: Ambrosini‐Spaltro Andrea , Dubini Alessandra , Pieri Federica , Ravaglia Claudia , Delmonte Angelo , Poletti Venerino
Published: October 2020

Background

PD‐L1 immunohistochemistry is currently performed in patients with advanced non‐small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) to identify responders to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Cell blocks from fine needle aspiration of NSCLC are frequently used for diagnostic purposes. The aims of the study are to analyze: (a) the distribution of PD‐L1 in cell blocks, in comparison to biopsies and surgical specimens; (b) the concordance of PD‐L1 in specimens of the same patients.

Methods

PD‐L1 analyses conducted in NSCLCs were retrieved. Cell blocks were prepared with the self‐clotting method. PD‐L1 was performed with Dako 22C3 on the Ventana BenchMark ULTRA platform. Results were divided by tumor proportion score (TPS) in 3 categories: <1%; 1% to 49%; ≥50%.

Results

A total of 483 samples from 456 patients was collected: 120 cell blocks (24.8%), 307 endoscopic or transthoracic biopsies (63.6%), 56 surgical specimens (11.6%). TPS was: <1% in 230 samples (47.8%), 1% to ‐49% in 136 (28.3%) and ≥ 50% in 115 (23.9%); in two samples material was insufficient. Statistics did not reveal significant differences in PD‐L1 expression among the various materials (χ2 = 2.905; P = .574). In 50 samples from 25 patients, PD‐L1 was carried out in two samples of the same patients, with moderate agreement (concordance rate: 68.0%, k = 0.469).

Conclusion

(a) PD‐L1 is similarly distributed in the different materials; (b) PD‐L1 shows moderate concordance in different samples of the same patients. PD‐L1 may be routinely tested in cell blocks, but interpreted with caution and repeated whenever possible.
Andean and California condors possess dissimilar genetic composition but exhibit similar demographic histories
Authors: Padró Julian , Lambertucci Sergio A. , Perrig Paula L. , Pauli Jonathan N.
Published: October 2020

While genetic diversity of threatened species is a major concern of conservation biologists, historic patterns of genetic variation are often unknown. A powerful approach to assess patterns and processes of genetic erosion is via ancient DNA techniques. Herein, we analyzed mtDNA from historical samples (1800s to present) of Andean Condors (Vultur gryphus) to investigate whether contemporary low genetic variability is the result of recent human expansion and persecution, and compared this genetic history to that of California condors (Gymnogyps californianus).We then explored historic demographies for both species via coalescent simulations. We found that Andean condors have lost at least 17% of their genetic variation in the early 20th century. Unlike California condors, however, low mtDNA diversity in the Andean condor was mostly ancient, before European arrival. However, we found that both condor species shared similar demographies in that population bottlenecks were recent and co‐occurred with the introduction of livestock to the Americas and the global collapse of marine mammals. Given the combined information on genetic and demographic processes, we suggest that the protection of key habitats should be targeted for conserving extant genetic diversity and facilitate the natural recolonization of lost territories, while nuclear genomic data should be used to inform translocation plans.
Allometric scaling of eDNA production in stream‐dwelling brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) inferred from population size structure
Authors: Yates Matthew C. , Wilcox Taylor M. , McKelvey Kevin S. , Young Michael K. , Schwartz Michael K. , Derry Alison M.
Published: October 2020

Environmental DNA (eDNA) concentration exhibits a positive correlation with organism abundance in nature, but modeling this relationship could be substantially improved by incorporating the biology of eDNA production. A recent model (Molecular Ecology, 10.1111/mec.15543) extended models of physiological allometric scaling to eDNA production, hypothesizing that brook trout eDNA production scales nonlinearly with mass as a power function with scaling coefficients <1 in lakes. To validate this hypothesis, we reanalyzed previously published data (Biological Conservation, 10.1016/j.biocon.2015.12.023) that examined the correlation between eDNA concentration and brook trout abundance in streams. We found that allometrically scaled mass (ASM) (e.g., ∑(individual mass0.36) best described patterns of eDNA concentration across streams (r2 = 0.43). ASM exhibited substantially improved model fit relative to biomass (r2 = 0.31, ∆AIC = 5.19), indicating that eDNA production did not scale linearly with biomass. However, the explanatory power of ASM was comparable to density (r2 = 0.40, ∆AIC = 1.25). Additionally, the optimal scaling coefficient estimated from the data (0.36) was substantially lower than that found in the previous study. Discrepancies between datasets could be attributable to ecological differences between study habitats (streams vs. lakes) or due to the exclusion of juveniles (i.e., individuals <75 mm) that can be abundant in stream environments. Nevertheless, this study adds to the growing body of literature demonstrating that individual eDNA production does not scale linearly with biomass.
Metabarcoding as a tool to enhance marine surveillance of nonindigenous species in tropical harbors: A case study in Tahiti
Authors: Pearman John K. , von Ammon Ulla , Laroche Olivier , Zaiko Anastasija , Wood Susanna A. , Zubia Mayalen , Planes Serge , Pochon Xavier
Published: October 2020

Globalization has increased connectivity between countries enhancing the spread of marine nonindigenous species (NIS). The establishment of marine NIS shows substantial negative effects on the structure and functioning of the natural ecosystems by competing for habitats and resources. Ports are often hubs for the spread of NIS via commercial and recreational vessels. Prevention, detection, and mitigation efforts are required to avoid and manage the establishment of NIS in new ecosystems. In this study, metabarcoding approaches targeting the nuclear small‐subunit ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) gene and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene were used to investigate planktonic and sessile (i.e., biofouling) communities and NIS at four locations in Tahiti, including two marinas and one port with varying anthropogenic impacts, and a relatively pristine site (Manava) used as a control. ASV richness values showed significant differences (18S rRNA gene: p = .023; COI: p < .001) between locations in the plankton samples, with the control site (low impact) having the highest diversity for both genes. ASV richness was also significantly different among locations for the biofouling samples in the COI dataset (p = .002). Community composition differed between locations with spatial patterns appearing stronger for the plankton samples compared with the biofouling samples. Detection of NIS based on selected lists of globally invasive species revealed a wide diversity of potentially invasive taxa especially in the more anthropogenically impacted regions. The use of a multigene approach improved the detection of NIS. This study demonstrates the utility of using a metabarcoding approach to routinely monitor areas most at risk from NIS establishment in Tahiti and other coastal nations. These coastal nations are vulnerable to shipping‐mediated incursions, and baseline information is required for both native diversity and nonindigenous diversity.
Upgrading Waste Heat from 90 to 110 °C: The Potential of Adsorption Heat Transformation
Authors: Engelpracht Mirko , Gibelhaus Andrej , Seiler Jan , Graf Stefan , Nasruddin Nasruddin , Bardow André
Published: October 2020

Low‐grade heat is abundantly available below 100 °C, whereas industry mainly needs heat above 100 °C. Thus, the industry cannot directly utilize low‐grade heat to save primary energy and emissions. Low‐grade heat can be utilized by adsorption heat transformers (AdHTs); however, closed AdHTs to upgrade heat above 100 °C are only investigated by idealized steady‐state analyses, which indicate the maximal theoretical performance. For evaluating the performance achievable in practice, this work studies a closed AdHT in a one‐bed configuration using dynamic simulation. For the working pair AQSOA‐Z02/H2O, the performance is optimized via the design of the adsorber heat exchanger and the control of the AdHT cycle. When heat is upgraded from 90 to 110 °C, releasing waste heat at 35 °C, the maximum exergetic coefficient of performance (COPexergetic) is 0.64, and the maximum specific heating power (SHP) is 590 W kg−1. The maximum SHP can increase by 35% when releasing waste heat at 25 °C. Both performance indicators strongly depend on design, control, and the available temperature of the waste heat. Overall, AdHTs with optimized design and control are promising to utilize low‐grade waste heat.
A Review of Modification Methods of Solid Electrolytes for All‐Solid‐State Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Dai Hanqing , Chen Yuanyuan , Xu Wenqian , Hu Zhe , Gu Jing , Wei Xian , Xie Fengxian , Zhang Wanlu , Wei Wei , Guo Ruiqian , Zhang Guoqi
Published: October 2020

All‐solid‐state sodium‐ion battery (ASSIB) is a promising new energy storage device due to the excellent thermal stability, low flammability, high impermeability and nonvolatility, as well as riskless fire and explosion properties. The solid electrolyte plays a core role in the ASSIBs to determine their electrochemical performance. Herein, close attention is paid to effective approaches to improve the performance of solid electrolytes, including ion doping and substitution, composite method, coating method, crystal transformation method, ceramization and vitrification, etc. In particular, electrochemical window, ionic conductivity, electrochemical stability, and structural stability are also reviewed. The future development of solid electrolytes and the possible directions for improving the properties of the ASSIBs in practical applications are also prospects. This review will guide the development of solid electrolytes for the ASSIBs in future.
Flood hazard assessment and characteristics of cement kiln dust in Ain Sukhna industrial area, north‐western part of the Gulf of Suez, Egypt
Authors: Redwan Mostafa , Mahran Tawfiq Mohamed , Mohamed Mostafa Tantawy , Mohamed Youssif Shaban
Published: October 2020

This study investigated the geochemical and mineralogical characteristics combined with heavy elements concentrations of Cement kiln dust (CKD) in Ain Sukhna industrial area, North‐western part of the Gulf of Suez, Egypt and the influence of flash floods in its stability. Flooding severity is moderate with several water erosional processes. The CKD characterized by very poorly sorted/very fine‐sands to silt. CaO and SiO2 are major components with enrichment of chloride/sulfate ions. High enrichment of Sr, Zn, Pb, Cd, Sb, and Se are related to variations in shale/limestone feeds during cement formation. The threshold effect level exceeds the standard value for Cd, Pb, and Zn at S3 that indicates adverse biological effects. Sylvite, calcite, and halite minerals were dominated. Three main principal components recognized the shale, calcium/magnesium carbonate dissolution, and the scavenging effect of sulfate for heavy elements. Monitoring the CKD leachability and proper management plans are prerequisite for environmental protection in the future.
Variance‐based sensitivity analyses and uncertainty quantification for FEMA P‐58 consequence predictions
Authors: Cremen Gemma , Baker Jack W.
Published: October 2020

Earthquake loss assessment procedures for individual buildings can be a useful tool for various stakeholders, including building owners, insurers, and lenders. However, it is often not possible to provide complete information for the required inputs to these procedures because there is substantial cost and effort associated with gathering necessary data. It is therefore important to understand how different inputs to these procedures (building information/ground shaking intensity) impact the loss predictions. This can be done via sensitivity analyses. We conduct variance‐based sensitivity analyses for the FEMA P‐58 methodology, a building‐specific seismic performance assessment procedure that is making its way into seismic design and risk analysis practice. We determine how variations in different input variables of the methodology affect predictions of building loss ratio and reoccupancy time, and benchmark calculated sensitivities using the HAZUS earthquake loss estimation methodology . We also quantify additional uncertainty in consequence predictions caused by uncertainty in input variables. We use an example site in downtown Los Angeles and consider a 7‐story and a 14‐story building. Of the six inputs considered in the analyses, building loss ratio predictions are most sensitive to shaking intensity and building age, while reoccupancy time predictions are most sensitive to shaking intensity and the type of lateral system/building period. The largest additional uncertainties in building loss ratio predictions are caused by the building's lateral system or age (or both) being unknown. The results of this study provide an enhanced understanding of the interaction between inputs and consequence predictions of the P‐58 methodology.
The active layer in gravel‐bed rivers: An empirical appraisal
Authors: Vázquez‐Tarrío D. , Piqué G. , Vericat D. , Batalla R.J.
Published: October 2020

The vertical position of the streambed–water boundary fluctuates during the course of sediment transport episodes, due to particle entrainment/deposition and bedform migration, amongst other hydraulic and bedload mechanisms. These vertical oscillations define a topmost stratum of the streambed (i.e. the ‘active layer or active depth’), which usually represents the main source of particles entrained during long and high‐magnitude bedload transport episodes. The vertical extent of this layer is hence a capital parameter for the quantification of bedload volumes and a major driver of stream ecology in gravel‐bed rivers. However, knowledge on how the active depth scales to flow strength and the nature of the different controls on the relation between the flow strength and the active depth is still scarce. In this paper we present a meta‐analysis over active depth data coming from ~130 transport episodes extracted from a series of published field studies. We also incorporate our own field data for the rivers Ebro and Muga (unpublished), both in the Iberian Peninsula. We explore the database searching for the influence of flow strength, grain size, streambed mobility and channel morphology on the vertical extent of the active layer. A multivariate statistical analysis (stepwise multiple regression) confirms that the set of selected variables explains a significant amount of variance in the compiled variables. The analysis shows a positive scaling between active depth and flow strength. We have also identified some links between the active depth and particle travel distances. However, these relations are also largely modulated by other fluvial drivers, such as the grain size of the bed surface and the dominant channel macro‐bedforms, with remarkable differences between plane‐bed, step‐pool and riffle‐pool channels. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proton extrusion during oxidative burst in microglia exacerbates pathological acidosis following traumatic brain injury
Authors: Ritzel Rodney M. , He Junyun , Li Yun , Cao Tuoxin , Khan Niaz , Shim Bosung , Sabirzhanov Boris , Aubrecht Taryn , Stoica Bogdan A. , Faden Alan I. , Wu Long‐Jun , Wu Junfang
Published: October 2020

Acidosis is among the least studied secondary injury mechanisms associated with neurotrauma. Acute decreases in brain pH correlate with poor long‐term outcome in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), however, the temporal dynamics and underlying mechanisms are unclear. As key drivers of neuroinflammation, we hypothesized that microglia directly regulate acidosis after TBI, and thereby, worsen neurological outcomes. Using a controlled cortical impact model in adult male mice we demonstrate that intracellular pH in microglia and extracellular pH surrounding the lesion site are significantly reduced for weeks after injury. Microglia proliferation and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were also increased during the first week, mirroring the increase in extracellular ROS levels seen around the lesion site. Microglia depletion by a colony stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) inhibitor, PLX5622, markedly decreased extracellular acidosis, ROS production, and inflammation in the brain after injury. Mechanistically, we identified that the voltage‐gated proton channel Hv1 promotes oxidative burst activity and acid extrusion in microglia. Compared to wildtype controls, microglia lacking Hv1 showed reduced ability to generate ROS and extrude protons. Importantly, Hv1‐deficient mice exhibited reduced pathological acidosis and inflammation after TBI, leading to long‐term neuroprotection and functional recovery. Our data therefore establish the microglial Hv1 proton channel as an important link that integrates inflammation and acidosis within the injury microenvironment during head injury.
Importance of loneliness in behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia
Authors: Sun Weiyi , Matsuoka Teruyuki , Oba Hikaru , Narumoto Jin
Published: October 2020

Objectives

Loneliness is considered to be a crucial factor in mental health of elderly people. However, the effects of loneliness on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) have not been fully examined. The aim of this study was to investigate whether loneliness in patients with dementia is related to BPSD.

Methods

A total of 152 patients with dementia were assessed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI‐12) and the revised University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) loneliness scale. Spearman correlation analysis and Mann–Whitney U‐tests were used to examine factors associated with the revised UCLA loneliness scale. Logistic regression analysis with a forced entry method was performed to identify risk factors for BPSD.

Results

The revised UCLA loneliness scale score was not significantly associated with age, years of education, mini‐mental state examination (MMSE) score, gender, living status, visual impairment, hearing impairment, and marital status. However, this score was a significant predictor of NPI delusion and hallucination subscale scores and Geriatric Depression Scale‐15 score. The MMSE score was a significant predictor of NPI anxiety and apathy subscale scores.

Conclusions

Loneliness is a risk factor for BPSD, especially for depressive symptoms and psychosis. Paying attention to loneliness in patients with dementia will help medical staff to intervene in psychiatric symptoms of these patients at an early stage.
Coagulopathy in Malnourished Mice Is Sexually Dimorphic and Regulated by Nutrient‐Sensing Nuclear Receptors
Authors: Preidis Geoffrey A. , Soni Krishnakant G. , Suh Ji Ho , Halder Tripti , Kim Kang Ho , Choi Jong Min , Li Feng , Devaraj Sridevi , Conner Margaret E. , Coarfa Cristian , Jung Sung Yun , Moore David D.
Published: October 2020

Liver dysfunction, including coagulopathy, is a prominent feature of protein‐energy malnutrition. To identify mechanisms underlying malnutrition‐associated coagulopathy, we administered a low‐protein low‐fat diet to lactating dams and examined hepatic transcription and plasma coagulation parameters in young adult weanlings. Malnutrition impacted body composition to a greater extent in male versus female mice. Transcriptional profiles suggested opposing effects of nutrient‐sensing nuclear receptors, namely induction of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor α (PPARα) targets and repression of farnesoid‐X‐receptor (FXR) targets. Coagulopathy with decreased synthesis of fibrinogen‐α (FGA) and factor 11 (F11) was observed in malnourished male animals but not female animals. In primary mouse hepatocytes, FXR agonist increased and PPARα agonist decreased Fga and F11 messenger RNA expression. Nuclear receptor DNA response elements were identified in the Fga and F11 gene regulatory regions, and opposing effects of FXR and PPARα were confirmed with luciferase assays. Unexpectedly, hepatic PPARα protein was markedly depleted in malnourished male liver and was not enriched on Fga or F11 response elements. Rather, there was loss of FXR binding at these response elements. Reduced PPARα protein was associated with loss of hepatocyte peroxisomes, which are necessary for bile acid biosynthesis, and with decreased concentrations of bile acids that function as FXR ligands, most notably the FXR agonist chenodeoxycholic acid. Conclusion: Malnutrition impairs growth and liver synthetic function more severely in male mice than in female mice. Malnourished male mice are coagulopathic and exhibit decreased hepatocyte peroxisomes, FXR agonist bile acids, FXR binding on Fga and F11 gene regulatory elements, and coagulation factor synthesis. These effects are absent in female mice, which have low baseline levels of PPARα, suggesting that nutrient‐sensing nuclear receptors regulate coagulation factor synthesis in response to host nutritional status in a sex‐specific manner.
Hypergastrinemia is associated with an increased risk of gastric adenocarcinoma with proximal location: A prospective population‐based nested case‐control study
Authors: Ness‐Jensen Eivind , Bringeland Erling Audun , Mattsson Fredrik , Mjønes Patricia , Lagergren Jesper , Grønbech Jon Erik , Waldum Helge Lyder , Fossmark Reidar
Published: October 2020

The incidence of proximal gastric adenocarcinoma is increasing among younger adults. Rodent models have shown that hypergastrinemia causes carcinogenesis in the proximal stomach. The aim of our study was therefore to assess if hypergastrinemia was associated with an increased risk of developing gastric adenocarcinoma also in humans. A prospective population‐based nested case‐control study within the Nord‐Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT) cohort, Norway, was used to assess this association. Serum was collected from 78 962 participants in 1995 to 1997 and 2006 to 2008. In the cohort, 181 incident gastric adenocarcinoma cases were identified from the Norwegian Cancer and Patient Registries through 2015 and matched with 359 controls. The risk of gastric adenocarcinoma was compared between participants with prediagnostic hypergastrinemia (>60 pmol/L) and normal serum gastrin (≤60 pmol/L). Logistic regression provided odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusted for body mass index, tobacco smoking and comorbidity. Hypergastrinemia was associated with increased risk of gastric adenocarcinoma overall (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.4‐3.4) and in particular for gastric adenocarcinoma with proximal location (OR 6.1, 95% CI 2.7‐13.8), but not with gastric adenocarcinoma with distal location (OR 1.7, 95% CI 0.9‐3.4). Moreover, hypergastrinemia was associated with an increased risk of gastric adenocarcinoma of intestinal histological type (OR 3.8, 95% CI 1.8‐7.9), but not for diffuse histological type (OR 1.6, 95% CI 0.7‐3.7). In conclusion, hypergastrinemia was associated with an increased risk of proximal and intestinal type gastric adenocarcinoma.
Understanding financial inclusion in East Africa: How does Tanzania compare?
Authors: Lotto Josephat
Published: October 2020

This paper primarily aimed at examining the level, and determinants of financial inclusion in Tanzania, comparing it with other East African Region member countries using the Global Findex (2017) database. The study reports some insightful findings. The results show that, financial inclusion is less developed in Tanzania than in other East African countries contrary to expectations. According to expectations from development finance theories financial inclusion directly relates to economic development. However, Tanzania having better GDP than its neighbour countries ranks behind other countries with lower GDPs. One may say that weak financial system, inappropriate policy and poor financial instruments hamper significant effect of finance on growth. The paper argues that regardless of a significant economic growth reported in Tanzania inability of the financial system to reach majority of the population may be considered as a major reason behind the unexpected link between economic growth and financial inclusion. Furthermore, the study shows that financial inclusion is positively related to the income level and education level of the households, and negatively relates to gender. Moreover, a non‐linear relationship between age and financial inclusion is reported‐ that is the relation is positive at a certain age level, and change to negative at a higher age level.Consequently, the study recommends promoting equal participation in both labor and financial markets, and that East African's Governments to fully capture the dynamics of markets and track informal as well as formal economic activities to attract inclusive economy which will, ultimately, match with financial inclusion agenda.
A preliminary study on the prenatal diagnosis of fetal conotruncal defects using intelligent navigation echocardiography
Authors: Chen Ran , Yang Liming , Wu Xia , Ma Mingming , Zhao Bowen
Published: October 2020

Objective

To compare the accuracy, efficiency, and consistency between experienced and less‐experienced professionals using intelligent navigation echocardiography.

Methods

In this prospective study, we enrolled 93 second‐ and third‐trimester fetuses with conotruncal defects (CTD) from July 2017 to February 2018. One or more spatiotemporal image correlation volume data sets were collected per case. The fetuses with CTD were diagnosed by the following two groups of professionals (n = 20 in each) with different experience levels using intelligent navigation echocardiography and two‐dimensional ultrasound: group A with 15 years of experience and group B with 1 year of experience. The diagnostic consistency and accuracy of the technologies between the two groups were analyzed.

Results

Satisfactory consistency was noted in the two groups (group A, τ = 0.855, P < 0.05, and group B, τ = 0.821, P < 0.05), and no significant difference in accuracy (χ2 = 3.218, P > 0.05) in using intelligent navigation echocardiography was reported between the two groups. However, there a significant difference in accuracy (χ2 = 0.021, P < 0.05) when using two‐dimensional ultrasound was observed between the two groups.

Conclusion

Intelligent navigation echocardiography was found to be efficient and accurate for the diagnosis of CTD and good consistency existed in the experienced and less‐experienced professionals.
Neopterin serum level does not reflect the disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Hejrati Alireza , Taghadosi Mahdi , Alizadeh‐Navaei Reza , Hosseinzadeh Shahnaz , Bashash Davood , Esmaili Mozhgan , Zafari Parisa
Published: October 2020

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease caused by established chronic inflammation. Neopterin levels have extensively been considered as a marker of immune activation during inflammation. In this study, we performed a systematic evaluation and meta‐analysis to elucidate the overall relationship between neopterin concentration and RA disease activity. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis guidelines, a systematic review was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Scopus from 2000 to August 2020. The Newcastle–Ottawa scale was used to assess the quality of eligible studies. The effect size (ES) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to evaluate this association. A total of 15 studies out of 98 met our inclusion criteria. The pooled analysis found that patients with RA had high level of neopterin; however, no statistically significant association was found between neopterin levels with high, intermediate, and low diseases activity score (DAS)‐28 (ES =11.18, 95% CI: 6.02 to 16.34, and I2 = 91.8%; and ES = 8.57, 95% CI: 6.41 to 10.37, and I2 = 99.5%; and ES =12.45, 95% CI: −1.68 to 26.58, and I2 = 99.0%, respectively). Our results indicated that the neopterin concentration does not seem to have any substantial impact on the RA disease activity.
Total dose defines the incidence of percutaneous IgE/IgG1 mediated immediate‐type hypersensitivity caused by papain
Authors: Yokozeki Kyosuke , Yuki Takuo , Ogasawara Akira , Katagiri Asuka , Takahashi Yutaka , Basketter David , Sakaguchi Hitoshi
Published: October 2020

Assessment of human health risk requires an understanding of antigen dose metrics associated with toxicity. Whereas assessment of the human health risk for delayed‐type hypersensitivity is understood, the metrics remain unclear for percutaneous immediate‐type hypersensitivity (ITH) mediated by IgE/IgG1. In this work, we aimed to investigate the dose metric for percutaneous ITH mediated by IgE/IgG1 responses. Papain, which causes ITH via percutaneous sensitization in humans, was used to sensitize guinea pigs and mice. The total dose per animal or dose per unit area was adjusted to understand the drivers of sensitization. Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for papain‐specific IgG1 enabled quantification of the response in guinea pigs. In mice, the number of antigen‐bearing B cells in the draining lymph nodes (DLN) was calculated using flow cytometry papain‐specific IgG1 and IgE levels were quantified by ELISA. PCA positive test rates and the amounts of antigen‐specific antibody corresponded with total dose per animal, not dose per unit area. Furthermore, the number of B cells taking up antigen within DLN also correlated with total dose. These findings indicate that the total antigen dose is the important metric for percutaneous IgE/IgG1‐mediated ITH.