bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acute recurrent and chronic pancreatitis in children
Authors: Suzuki Mitsuyoshi , Minowa Kei , Isayama Hiroyuki , Shimizu Toshiaki
Published: August 2020

Acute recurrent pancreatitis (ARP) is defined as two distinct episodes of acute pancreatitis (AP), whereas chronic pancreatitis (CP) is caused by persistent inflammation of the pancreas. In children they are caused by genetic mutations, autoimmune pancreatitis, congenital pancreatic abnormalities, and other conditions. Acute recurrent pancreatitis is frequently a precursor to CP, and both are thought to be on the same disease continuum. In particular, genetic factors are associated with early progression of ARP to CP. The diagnosis of CP, as in AP, is based on clinical findings, biochemical tests, and imaging studies. Findings of exocrine pancreatic dysfunction are also important in the diagnosis of CP. A step‐up strategy has become increasingly standard for the treatment of patients with CP. This strategy starts with endoscopic treatment, such as pancreatic sphincterotomy and stenting, and progresses to surgery should endoscopic therapy fail or prove technically impossible. Non‐opioid (e.g. ibuprofen / naproxen) and opioid (e.g. oxycodone) forms of analgesia are widely used in pediatric patients with AP or CP, whereas pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy may be beneficial for patients with abdominal pain, steatorrhea, and malnutrition. Despite the disparity in the age of onset, pediatric CP patients display some similarities to adults in terms of disease progress. To reduce the risk of developing pancreatic exocrine inefficiency, diabetes and pancreatic cancer in the future, clinicians need to be aware of the current diagnostic approach and treatment methods for ARP and CP and refer them to a pediatric gastroenterologist in a timely manner.
Assessing the EU’s 2030 Climate and Energy Policy Framework: Incremental change toward radical transformation?
Authors: Kulovesi Kati , Oberthür Sebastian
Published: August 2020

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the changes to European Union (EU) climate and energy law brought about by the 2030 Climate and Energy Policy Framework. It explains the Framework’s background and objectives, and analyses its main legal instruments. It argues that the 2030 Framework incrementally develops and enhances EU climate law without revolutionizing it, advancing in particular its proceduralization. The article also explores the prospects for future change of the 2030 Framework towards more radical transformation in light of the European Green Deal and the ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic.
Effectiveness of an ACT‐based rehabilitation program for the treatment of chronic fatigue: Results from a 12‐months longitudinal study
Authors: Brugnera Agostino , Nordstrand Jacobsen Trym , Woodhouse Astrid , Compare Angelo , Børsting Jacobsen Henrik
Published: August 2020

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is potentially effective for treating chronic fatigue. Given the paucity of studies on this topic, we aimed to assess long‐term trajectories of primary (fatigue, quality of life and functional abilities) and secondary outcomes (anxious and depressive symptoms) of an ACT‐based rehabilitation program for patients with chronic fatigue. Further, we examined if changes in potential process variables (psychological inflexibility, metacognitive beliefs, and cognitive and behavioral responses to symptoms) during ACT predicted change in all outcomes across follow‐up. One‐hundred ninety‐five workers on sick leave (mean age: 43.61 ± 9.33 years; 80.5% females) with a diagnosis of chronic fatigue were enrolled in a manualized, 3.5‐week intensive return‐to‐work rehabilitation program based on ACT. All completed a battery of questionnaires at pre‐, post‐treatment, 6 and 12 months follow‐up. We found significant longitudinal changes in most primary and secondary outcomes from pre‐ up to 12 months follow‐up. All process variables significantly decreased from pre‐ up to 12 months follow‐up, and pre‐to‐post changes in fear avoidance beliefs were most often associated with a greater change in outcomes across follow‐up. Depressive symptomatology showed a similar trajectory of change to fatigue, meaning that scores were correlated at each time point and tended to converge over time. This suggests that both symptoms influence each other substantially over a year following the treatment. Concluding, results lend support to the effectiveness of an ACT‐based rehabilitation program for patients with chronic fatigue and provide preliminary evidence for the role of process variables and depressive symptomatology on subsequent change in outcomes.
Questions of faith: Religious affiliations and suicidal ideation among sexual minority young adults
Authors: Blosnich John R. , De Luca Susan , Lytle Megan C. , Brownson Chris
Published: August 2020

Objective

To examine how the associations of specific religious affiliations with recent suicidal ideation vary by sexual orientation among young adults.

Method

This project was a cross‐sectional secondary analysis of data from the 2006 and 2011 surveys of the National Research Consortium of Counseling Centers in Higher Education. The analytic sample was restricted to persons between the ages of 18–29 (n = 40,150). Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to examine associations of religious affiliations with recent suicidal ideation between heterosexual and sexual minority (e.g., gay, lesbian, bisexual, questioning) young adults.

Results

Approximately 6.7% of the sample self‐identified as sexual minority. Compared to heterosexuals, sexual minorities were more likely to report recent suicidal ideation (aOR = 4.52, 95% CI = 3.97–5.16). Among heterosexuals, Unspecified Christian and Catholic denominations were associated with 24% and 37% reduced odds of recent suicidal ideation compared to agnostic/atheist heterosexuals. However, among sexual minorities, Unspecified Christian and Catholic denominations were associated with 68% and 77% increased odds of recent suicidal ideation compared to agnostic/atheist sexual minorities. Unspecified Christian and Catholic sexual minorities had 184% and 198% increased odds of recent suicidal ideation compared to Unitarian/Universalist sexual minorities.

Conclusions

Although protective for heterosexuals, religious affiliation may not be globally protective against suicidal ideation among sexual minorities.
Bipartite Agentivity Expression in Chinese Passives
Authors: Chen Zhe , Li Yafei
Published: August 2020

It is now widely accepted that the Agent argument is introduced by a headF(e.g., v or Voice) separate from V/VP. What is not yet explicitly established is whether or notFalone constitutes the source for agentivity. Merging two facts in Chinese—(i) the unique three‐way division between the long passive, the short passive, and the unaccusative and (ii) the two kinds of subject‐related adjuncts that can occur in a clause—this article demonstrates that there exists a syntactic projection, which we take to beVP, that supports subject‐oriented adverbs but not subject depictives. This suggests clearly that agentivity is in the semantics of V, while the instantiation of the Agent argument depends onF. A structural and semantic analysis based on the bipartite expression of agentivity is given to passives, unaccusatives, and middles.
Fluoroquinolones for BK viral complication after transplantation: Meta‐analysis
Authors: Ito Yusuke , Hino Toshiya , Honda Akira , Kurokawa Mineo
Published: August 2020

Objectives

BK polyomavirus (BKV) causes two distinct complications after transplantation, hemorrhagic cystitis (BKV‐HC) after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), and BKV‐associated nephropathy (BKVAN) after kidney transplantation (KT). Although fluoroquinolones show efficacy against BKV proliferation in vitro, the clinical effect remains uncertain; thus, we performed meta‐analysis to assess its efficacy in the prophylaxis.

Methods

Articles published before March 2020 were searched from PubMed, the Cochrane Library, ISRCTN registry, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Primary outcomes were BKV‐HC after HSCT and BKVAN after KT. Secondary outcomes were BK viremia, viruria after KT, and fluoroquinolone‐related adverse events.

Results

Three trials with 281 patients post‐HSCT and 11 trials with 1882 patients post KT were included as for prophylaxis. Fluoroquinolone prophylaxis did not show effects on BKV‐HC (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.13‐2.25), BKVAN (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.35‐1.55), and BK viremia (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.49‐1.28), but significantly decreased BK viruria (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.45‐0.91). Fluoroquinolone prophylaxis was associated with the higher percentage of fluoroquinolone‐resistant infection among identified bacteria (OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.16‐4.88), but the incidence of fluoroquinolone‐resistant infection was similar (OR 1.15, 95% CI 0.71‐1.86), due to the decrease of infection itself (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.34‐0.81).

Conclusions

This meta‐analysis showed that fluoroquinolones did not prevent BKV‐HC after HSCT or BKVAN after KT, although the effect against BKV‐HC should be further investigated by randomized controlled trials. Fluoroquinolones could reduce the rate of BK viruria to some extent but may not have clinically sufficient effects.
Red blood cell and platelet transfusion support in the first 30 and 100 days after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant
Authors: Yuan Shan , Yang Dongyun , Nakamura Ryotaro , Zhuang Lefan , Al Malki Monzr M. , Karanes Chatchada , Wang Shirong
Published: August 2020

Background

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo‐HSCT) recipients often require substantial but variable transfusion support.

Study Design and Methods

This single‐center, retrospective study evaluated the red blood cell (RBC) and platelet (PLT) transfusion data of first‐time allo‐HSCT recipients transplanted in 2011 to 2017. Multivariate analyses were performed to assess the associations between patient and transplant‐related factors and transfusion requirements.

Results

The study included 1762 patients who received peripheral blood stem cells (88.2%), marrow (7.0%), or umbilical cord (4.8%) from matched related (38.3%), unrelated (49.2%), or haploidentical (7.8%) donors. Almost all patients required RBCs (88.3%) or PLTs (97.4%) during the first 30 days, with medians of 3 (range, 1‐37) RBC and 6 (range, 1‐144) PLT units transfused. Fewer patients required RBC (43.8%) or PLT (27.3%) transfusions during Days 31 to 100, but the median (range) numbers of RBC and PLT units remained high at 3 (1‐36) and 6 (1‐116) among transfused patients. RBC and PLT transfusion independence was reached in medians of 24 (95% confidence interval [CI], 22‐26) and 12 (95% CI, 11‐12) days, respectively. Haploidentical donor, cord graft, and requiring RBC transfusions in the 10 days before HSCT were the most significant independent factors predictive of increased transfusion requirements. Advanced disease, diagnosis, ABO incompatibility, conditioning intensity, CD34+ cell dose, presence of severe acute graft‐vs‐host disease, and changes in recommended transfusion triggers were also shown to independently impact transfusion requirements.

Conclusions

This study provided for the first time quantitative and comparative transfusion data on a large contemporary cohort of HSCT recipients, including haploidentical and cord graft recipients, and identified factors predictive of increased transfusions.
Escherichia coli Resistance to Fluoroquinolones in Community-Acquired Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infection in Women: a Systematic Review
Authors: Stapleton Ann E. , Wagenlehner Florian M. E. , Mulgirigama Aruni , Twynholm Monique
Published: August 2020

Antibiotic resistance is a threat to public health, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections (uUTIs) are an example of this concern. This systematic review (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews [PROSPERO] ID: CRD42020156674) is the first to determine the prevalence of
Escherichia coli
resistance to fluoroquinolones in women with community-acquired uUTI. PubMed and Embase searches were conducted; 38 studies fulfilled eligibility criteria and were included in the systematic review.
A Hybrid Extracellular Electron Transfer Pathway Enhances the Survival of Vibrio natriegens
Authors: Conley Bridget E. , Weinstock Matthew T. , Bond Daniel R. , Gralnick Jeffrey A.
Published: August 2020

Bacteria from the genusVibriooccupy a variety of marine and brackish niches with fluctuating nutrient and energy sources. When oxygen is limited, fermentation or alternative respiration pathways must be used to conserve energy. In sedimentary environments, insoluble oxide minerals (primarily iron and manganese) are able to serve as electron acceptors for anaerobic respiration by microorganisms capable of extracellular electron transfer, a metabolism that enables the use of these insoluble substrates. Here, we identify the mechanism for extracellular electron transfer inVibrio natriegens, which uses a combination of strategies previously identified inShewanellaandAeromonas. We show that extracellular electron transfer enhanced survival ofV. natriegensunder fermentative conditions, which may be a generalized strategy amongVibriospp. predicted to have this metabolism.
Methylglyoxal Detoxification Revisited: Role of Glutathione Transferase in Model Cyanobacterium
Synechocystis
sp. Strain PCC 6803
Authors: Kammerscheit Xavier , Hecker Arnaud , Rouhier Nicolas , Chauvat Franck , Cassier-Chauvat Corinne
Published: August 2020

In most organisms, methylglyoxal (MG), a toxic metabolite by-product that causes diabetes in humans, is predominantly detoxified by the glyoxalase enzymes. This process begins with the so-called “spontaneous” conjugation of MG with the cytoprotectant metabolite glutathione (GSH). In this study, we unravel a logical, but as yet unsuspected, link between MG detoxification and a (prokaryotic) representative of the ubiquitous glutathione transferase (GST) enzymes. We show that a GST of a model cyanobacterium plays a prominent role in the detoxification of MG in catalyzing its conjugation with GSH. This finding is important because this reaction, always regarded as nonenzymatic, could exist in plants and/or human and thus have an impact on agriculture and/or human health.
HIV Vpr Modulates the Host DNA Damage Response at Two Independent Steps to Damage DNA and Repress Double-Strand DNA Break Repair
Authors: Li Donna , Lopez Andrew , Sandoval Carina , Nichols Doyle Randilea , Fregoso Oliver I.
Published: August 2020

The DNA damage response (DDR) is a signaling cascade that safeguards the genome from genotoxic agents, including human pathogens. However, the DDR has also been utilized by many pathogens, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), to enhance infection. To properly treat HIV-positive individuals, we must understand how the virus usurps our own cellular processes. Here, we have found that an important yet poorly understood gene in HIV, Vpr, targets the DDR at two unique steps: it causes damage and activates DDR signaling, and it represses the ability of cells to repair this damage, which we hypothesize is central to the primary function of Vpr. In clarifying these important functions of Vpr, our work highlights the multiple ways human pathogens engage the DDR and further suggests that modulation of the DDR is a novel way to help in the fight against HIV.
Zika Virus Infection Promotes Local Inflammation, Cell Adhesion Molecule Upregulation, and Leukocyte Recruitment at the Blood-Brain Barrier
Authors: Clé Marion , Desmetz Caroline , Barthelemy Jonathan , Martin Marie-France , Constant Orianne , Maarifi Ghizlane , Foulongne Vincent , Bolloré Karine , Glasson Yaël , De Bock Frédéric , Blaquiere Marine , Dehouck Lucie , Pirot Nelly , Tuaillon Edouard , Nisole Sébastien , Najioullah Fatiha , Van de Perre Philippe , Cabié André , Marchi Nicola , Gosselet Fabien , Simonin Yannick , Salinas Sara
Published: August 2020

Zika virus (ZIKV) can be associated with neurological impairment in children and adults. To reach the central nervous system, viruses have to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a multicellular system allowing a tight separation between the bloodstream and the brain. Here, we show that ZIKV infects cells of the BBB and triggers a subtle change in its permeability. Moreover, ZIKV infection leads to the production of inflammatory molecules known to modulate BBB integrity and participate in immune cell attraction. The virus also led to the upregulation of cellular adhesion molecules (CAMs), which in turn favored immune cell binding to the BBB and potentially increased infiltration into the brain. These results were also observed in a mouse model of ZIKV infection. Furthermore, plasma samples from ZIKV-infected patients displayed an increase in CAMs, suggesting that this mechanism could be involved in neuroinflammation triggered by ZIKV.
Phage-Antibiotic Synergy Is Driven by a Unique Combination of Antibacterial Mechanism of Action and Stoichiometry
Authors: Gu Liu Carmen , Green Sabrina I. , Min Lorna , Clark Justin R. , Salazar Keiko C. , Terwilliger Austen L. , Kaplan Heidi B. , Trautner Barbara W. , Ramig Robert F. , Maresso Anthony W.
Published: August 2020

Bacteriophage (phage) therapy is a promising approach to combat the rise of multidrug-resistant bacteria. Currently, the preferred clinical modality is to pair phage with an antibiotic, a practice thought to improve efficacy. However, antagonism between phage and antibiotics has been reported, the choice of phage and antibiotic is not often empirically determined, and the effect of the host factors on the effectiveness is unknown. Here, we interrogate phage-antibiotic interactions across antibiotics with different mechanisms of action. Our results suggest that phage can lower the working MIC for bacterial strains already resistant to the antibiotic, is dependent on the antibiotic class and stoichiometry of the pairing, and is dramatically influenced by the host microenvironment.
Novel Antimicrobials from Uncultured Bacteria Acting against Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Quigley Jeffrey , Peoples Aaron , Sarybaeva Asel , Hughes Dallas , Ghiglieri Meghan , Achorn Catherine , Desrosiers Alysha , Felix Cintia , Liang Libang , Malveira Stephanie , Millett William , Nitti Anthony , Tran Baldwin , Zullo Ashley , Anklin Clemens , Spoering Amy , Ling Losee Lucy , Lewis Kim
Published: August 2020

Decreasing discovery rates and increasing resistance have underscored the need for novel therapeutic options to treat
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
infection. Here, we screen extracts from previously uncultured soil microbes for specific activity against
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
, identifying three novel compounds. We further define the mechanism of action of one compound, amycobactin, and demonstrate that it inhibits protein secretion through the Sec translocation machinery.
Genome-Wide Analysis of RNA Decay in the Cyanobacterium
Synechococcus
sp. Strain PCC 7002
Authors: Gordon Gina C. , Cameron Jeffrey C. , Gupta Sanjan T. P. , Engstrom Michael D. , Reed Jennifer L. , Pfleger Brian F.
Published: August 2020

RNA degradation is an important process that affects the final concentration of individual mRNAs, affecting protein expression and cellular physiology. Studies of how RNA is degraded increase our knowledge of this fundamental process as well as enable the creation of genetic tools to manipulate RNA stability. By studying global transcript turnover, we searched for sequence elements that correlated with transcript (in)stability and used these sequences to guide tool design. This study probes global RNA turnover in a cyanobacterium,
Synechococcus
sp. strain PCC 7002, that both has a unique array of RNases that facilitate RNA degradation and is an industrially relevant strain that could be used to convert CO
2
and sunlight into useful products.
Characterization of the renal cortical transcriptome following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery in experimental diabetic kidney disease
Authors: Nair Meera , Martin William P , Zhernovkov Vadim , Elliott Jessie A , Fearon Naomi , Eckhardt Hans , McCormack Janet , Godson Catherine , Brennan Eoin Patrick , Marai Mariam , Fandriks Lars , Docherty Neil G , le Roux Carel W
Published: August 2020

Introduction

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGB) reduces albuminuria and the long-term incidence of end-stage renal disease in patients with obesity and diabetes. Preclinical modeling in experimental diabetic kidney disease demonstrates that improvements in glomerular structure likely underpin these findings.

Research design and methods

In adult male Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats, we profiled the effect of RYGB on weight and metabolic control as well biochemical, structural and ultrastructural indices of diabetic renal injury. Furthermore, we sequenced the renal cortical transcriptome in these rats and used bioinformatic pathway analyses to characterize the transcriptional alterations governing the renal reparative response to RYGB.

Results

In parallel with improvements in weight and metabolic control, RYGB reduced albuminuria, glomerulomegaly, podocyte stress and podocyte foot process effacement. Pathway analysis of RYGB-induced transcriptomic changes in the renal cortex highlighted correction of disease-associated alterations in fibrosis, inflammation and biological oxidation pathways. RYGB reversed disease-associated changes in the expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β superfamily genes that strongly correlated with improvements in structural measures of glomerulopathy.

Conclusions

Improved glomerular structure in ZDF rats following RYGB is underpinned by pathway level changes, including interruption of the TGF-β-driven early profibrotic programme. Our data provide an important layer of experimental support for clinical evidence demonstrating that RYGB arrests renal damage in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Time course of conjunctival hyperemia induced by omidenepag isopropyl ophthalmic solution 0.002%: a pilot, comparative study versus ripasudil 0.4%
Authors: Terao Etsuko , Nakakura Shunsuke , Fujisawa Yasuko , Nagata Yuki , Ueda Kanae , Kobayashi Yui , Oogi Satomi , Dote Saki , Shiraishi Miku , Tabuchi Hitoshi , Yoneda Tsuyoshi , Fukushima Atsuki , Asaoka Ryo , Kiuchi Yoshiaki
Published: August 2020

Objective

We investigated the detailed time course of conjunctival hyperemia induced by omidenepag isopropyl ophthalmic solution 0.002% (omidenepag), a selective prostaglandin E2 receptor 2 agonist.

Methods and analysis

We recruited 34 healthy subjects and administered omidenepag in the right eye and ripasudil 0.4% in the left eye. We evaluated conjunctival hyperemia using slit-lamp photography at baseline and after 15, 30, 60, 120, 180 and 360 min. The conjunctival hyperemia score was graded by three independent observers using a scale from 0 (none) to 3 (severe). We also evaluated conjunctival hyperemia by the pixel coverage of conjunctival blood vessels (per cent coverage) determined using a conjunctival hyperemia-analysing software.

Results

In omidenepag, the conjunctival hyperemia score and per cent coverage peaked at both 30 min (mean score±SD: 1.57±0.67 and 11.90%±3.66%, respectively) and then gradually decreased at 60 min (10.79%±3.32%) and 120 min (1.10±0.52) when they reached a level that was not significantly different from the baseline values. For ripasudil 0.4%, the peak time of the conjunctival hyperemia score and per cent coverage were both at 15 min (score: 2.42±0.54 and 15.26%±3.38%). The degree of conjunctival hyperemia was significantly higher for ripasudil 0.4% than that for omidenepag from 15 to 30 min in both the conjunctival hyperemia score and per cent coverage (p<0.007 by Bonferroni correction).

Conclusion

Conjunctival hyperemia induced by omidenepag gradually peaks to moderate severity, though weaker compared with that induced by ripasudil 0.4%, and subsides relatively quickly.
Paediatric cholestatic liver disorders for the adult gastroenterologist: a practical guide
Authors: Kelly Claire , Nayagam Jeremy Shanika , Vogli Stamatina , Samyn Marianne , Joshi Deepak
Published: August 2020

With improvements in the outcomes for cholestatic liver diseases that present in childhood, increasing numbers of patients will require ongoing care as adults. The recent advances in management options coupled with the fact that each adult physician will have a limited number of patients with these conditions means there is a need for those in adult services to develop expertise in these conditions that were historically the domain of paediatrics. This review provides an overview of the most common paediatric cholestatic liver diseases and outlines the clinical manifestations and potential complications, and identifies key management issues unique to each condition for effective ongoing care of these patients.
Major GI bleeding in older persons using aspirin: incidence and risk factors in the ASPREE randomised controlled trial
Authors: Mahady Suzanne E , Margolis Karen L , Chan Andrew , Polekhina Galina , Woods Robyn L , Wolfe Rory , Nelson Mark R , Lockery Jessica E , Wood Erica M , Reid Christopher , Ernst Michael E , Murray Anne , Thao LTP , McNeil John J
Published: August 2020

Objective

There is a lack of robust data on significant gastrointestinal bleeding in older people using aspirin. We calculated the incidence, risk factors and absolute risk using data from a large randomised, controlled trial.

Design

Data were extracted from an aspirin versus placebo primary prevention trial conducted throughout 2010–2017 (‘ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE)’, n=19 114) in community-dwelling persons aged ≥70 years. Clinical characteristics were collected at baseline and annually. The endpoint was major GI bleeding that resulted in transfusion, hospitalisation, surgery or death, adjudicated independently by two physicians blinded to trial arm.

Results

Over a median follow-up of 4.7 years (88 389 person years), there were 137 upper GI bleeds (89 in aspirin arm and 48 in placebo arm, HR 1.87, 95% CI 1.32 to 2.66, p<0.01) and 127 lower GI bleeds (73 in aspirin and 54 in placebo arm, HR 1.36, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.94, p=0.08) reflecting a 60% increase in bleeding overall. There were two fatal bleeds in the placebo arm. Multivariable analyses indicated age, smoking, hypertension, chronic kidney disease and obesity increased bleeding risk. The absolute 5-year risk of bleeding was 0.25% (95% CI 0.16% to 0.37%) for a 70 year old not on aspirin and up to 5.03% (2.56% to 8.73%) for an 80 year old taking aspirin with additional risk factors.

Conclusion

Aspirin increases overall GI bleeding risk by 60%; however, the 5-year absolute risk of serious bleeding is modest in younger, well individuals. These data may assist patients and their clinicians to make informed decisions about prophylactic use of aspirin.

Trial registration number

ASPREE. NCT01038583.
The ‘wait for symptoms’ strategy in asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis
Authors: San Román José Alberto , Vilacosta Isidre , Antunes Manuel J , Iung Bernard , Lopez Javier , Schäfers Hans-Joachim
Published: August 2020

Calcific aortic stenosis is a prevalent and worrisome healthcare problem. The therapeutic approach in asymptomatic aortic stenosis is not well established. We argue that the natural history of this disease is based on old incomplete studies with many limitations. Likewise, studies suggesting that replacement, either surgical or percutaneous, improves prognosis in asymptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis have important drawbacks and do not support this strategy as the treatment of choice. Despite the lack of evidence, some groups recommend early valve replacement in patients with severe asymptomatic aortic stenosis. There are five ongoing randomised trials which will shed light on this topic. Our conclusion is that unless a randomised study changes the evidence, valve replacement cannot be recommended in asymptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis.
The haunted heart and the Holy Ghost: on retrieval, donation and death
Authors: Hordern Joshua
Published: August 2020

This enquiry examines problems which haunt the ‘heart’ and its donation. It begins by examining the heart’s enduring significance for culturally mediated self-understanding, its vulnerability to misunderstanding and abuse and its relevance to challenging the determination of death by neurological criteria. Despite turns to brain-centred self-conceptions, the heart remains haunted by the hybrid experiences of identity accompanying organ transplant, the relational significance attached to dead hearts witnessed in the Alder Hey scandal and claims that heart transplants commonly constitute the legitimate killing of a person. To explore these phenomena, traditions are retrieved in which the heart-as-organ was construed in terms of a person’s core identity. Influential Abrahamic beliefs about ‘the heart’ are considered in order to explore explanations for why the heart remains culturally pre-eminent, to make intelligible our haunted hearts and to examine possible violations of solidarity in organ donation practice. Jewish and Christian Scriptures are exegeted to illumine the sources of our haunting and address the desire for holistic bodily life. In these sources, the heart is the seat of affections, intelligence and agency but requires healing, conceived via the surgical metaphors of heart transplant and circumcision, if people are to join the insightful, solidary path of pilgrimage. Absent healing, the heart experiences a judgement of the whole person—organ-and-core—at the moment of death. Through such exegesis, the doctrine of the Holy Ghost emerges as a way to make intelligible, though not dispel, the heart’s haunting. The doctrine’s practical significance concerns the possibility of social unity among hearts, ‘intercordiality’, which construes people within a covenantal life of pilgrimage which encourages heart donation in certain circumstances, makes intelligible the Alder Hey parents’ experience of social misunderstanding and rejects ascribing any legitimacy in medical culture to the consensual killing of patients for the sake of retrieving their organs.
Postrelease exploration and diel activity of hatchery, wild, and hybrid strain brown trout in seminatural streams
Authors: Alioravainen Nico , Prokkola Jenni M. , Lemopoulos Alexandre , Härkönen Laura , Hyvärinen Pekka , Vainikka Anssi
Published: August 2020

Behaviour that is adaptive in captivity may be maladaptive in the wild and compromise postrelease survival of hatchery fish. The understanding of behavioural variation displayed immediately after release could help to improve hatchery protocols and development of behavioural tests for assessing the fitness of fish reared for releases. We characterized the postrelease behaviour of common-garden-raised offspring of wild resident, captive-bred migratory, and hybrid brown trout (Salmo trutta) in two experiments: in small artificial channels and in high and low densities in seminatural streams. The results from seminatural streams showed that hatchery fish were more likely to disperse downstream from the initial stocking site compared with hybrid and wild strain fish. The small-scale experiment did not reveal this ecologically pivotal difference in postrelease performance among strains, and individual responses were inconsistent between the experiments. Circadian activity patterns did not differ among strains. These detailed observations of postrelease behaviour reveal important intrinsic differences in dispersal traits among brown trout strains and suggest that selective breeding and crossbreeding can substantially affect these traits.
Nonlinear effect of cold Cs2 molecular conversion from ultracold atoms in a tunneling four-level structure
Authors: Liu Yuan , Lan JunPing , Li JinHong , Feng ZhiFang , Li WeiDong
Published: August 2020

Due to the inevitability of nonlinear collisions between particles in ultracold atomic condensate experiments, it is of great significance to study the nonlinear effect for producing ultracold molecules from atomic condensates. In this work, we investigate theoretically the nonlinear effect induced by the two-body collision for producing ultracold Cs2 molecules from ultracold atoms by the stimulated Raman adiabatic passage in a tunneling four-level structure. Under the two-photon resonance condition and the coherent population trapping state, the conversion efficiency is influenced significantly by the nonlinear parameter. Meanwhile, the optimized parameter ranges of the resonance tunneling strength at the unstable excited molecular states, the effective Rabi frequencies of the two-laser fields, and the detuning of the pump field for different nonlinear parameters are suggested to obtain the high conversion efficiency of Cs2 molecules at the ground state. Finally, a maximum conversion efficiency of up to 88.56% can be realized in the optimized parameter ranges.
Characterisation of Haemodynamic Activity in Resting State Networks by Fractal Analysis
Authors: Porcaro Camillo , Mayhew Stephen D. , Marino Marco , Mantini Dante , Bagshaw Andrew P.
Published: August 2020

Intrinsic brain activity is organized into large-scale networks displaying specific structural–functional architecture, known as resting-state networks (RSNs). RSNs reflect complex neurophysiological processes and interactions, and have a central role in distinct sensory and cognitive functions, making it crucial to understand and quantify their anatomical and functional properties. Fractal dimension (FD) provides a parsimonious way of summarizing self-similarity over different spatial and temporal scales but despite its suitability for functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) signal analysis its ability to characterize and investigate RSNs is poorly understood. We used FD in a large sample of healthy participants to differentiate fMRI RSNs and examine how the FD property of RSNs is linked with their functional roles. We identified two clusters of RSNs, one mainly consisting of sensory networks (C1, including auditory, sensorimotor and visual networks) and the other more related to higher cognitive (HCN) functions (C2, including dorsal default mode network and fronto-parietal networks). These clusters were defined in a completely data-driven manner using hierarchical clustering, suggesting that quantification of Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) signal complexity with FD is able to characterize meaningful physiological and functional variability. Understanding the mechanisms underlying functional RSNs, and developing tools to study their signal properties, is essential for assessing specific brain alterations and FD could potentially be used for the early detection and treatment of neurological disorders.
An Efficient Approach to Define the Input Stimuli to Suppress Epileptic Seizures Described by the Epileptor Model
Authors: Brogin João Angelo Ferres , Faber Jean , Bueno Douglas Domingues
Published: August 2020

Epilepsy affects about 70 million people in the world. Every year, approximately 2.4 million people are diagnosed with epilepsy, two-thirds of them will not know the etiology of their disease, and 1% of these individuals will decease as a consequence of it. Due to the inherent complexity of predicting and explaining it, the mathematical model Epileptor was recently developed to reproduce seizure-like events, also providing insights to improve the understanding of the neural dynamics in the interictal and ictal periods, although the physics behind each parameter and variable of the model is not fully established in the literature. This paper introduces an approach to design a feedback-based controller for suppressing epileptic seizures described by Epileptor. Our work establishes how the nonlinear dynamics of this disorder can be written in terms of a combination of linear sub-models employing an exact solution. Additionally, we show how a feedback control gain can be computed to suppress seizures, as well as how specific shapes applied as input stimuli for this purpose can be obtained. The practical application of the approach is discussed and the results show that the proposed technique is promising for developing controllers in this field.
Adsorption of alkali metals on graphitic carbon nitride: A first-principles study
Authors: Bai Kaifei , Cui Zhen , Li Enling , Ding Yingchun , Zheng Jiangshan , Zheng Yanpeng , Liu Chang
Published: August 2020

The electronic and optical properties of the adsorption of alkali metals (Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs) on graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N[Formula: see text] were calculated and studied based on the first principles of density functional theory. The results investigate that alkali metals adsorbed g-C3N4 has metallic properties, while intrinsic g-C3N4 was semiconducting. Importantly, the charge density differential investigated the charge transfer discovered between the alkali metal and the g-C3N4 monolayer. Meanwhile, the charges (electrons) transfer from the alkali metals to the g-C3N4 system leading to the increase of most carriers in the g-C3N4 system, reducing the resistance of sensors, which is conducive to sensor detection applications. The work function of g-C3N4 decreased from 4.82 eV to 4.09 eV. Especially, the work function of Cs-adsorbed g-C3N4 is the lowest at 4.09 eV, and the reduction rate is 15.15 %, indicating it easier to emit electrons from an external electric field. Moreover, the absorption spectrum of the alkali metal adsorbed on g-C3N4 in the visible light range shows absorption peaks at 380 nm, 412 nm, 420 nm and 476 nm, which cover the visible light area. Thus, the alkali metals adsorbed g-C3N4 system can be used for visible light catalytic. Adsorption of alkali metals can expand the application of g-C3N4 in optoelectronic devices.
Density-induced consensus protocol
Authors: Minakowski Piotr , Mucha Piotr B. , Peszek Jan
Published: August 2020

The paper introduces a model of collective behavior where agents receive information only from sufficiently dense crowds in their immediate vicinity. The system is an asymmetric, density-induced version of the Cucker–Smale model with short-range interactions. We prove the basic mathematical properties of the system and concentrate on the presentation of interesting behaviors of the solutions. The results are illustrated by numerical simulations.
An interacting holographic dark energy model within an induced gravity brane
Authors: Belkacemi Moulay-Hicham , Bouabdallaoui Zahra , Bouhmadi-López Mariam , Errahmani Ahmed , Ouali Taoufik
Published: August 2020

In this paper, we present a model for the late-time evolution of the universe where a dark energy-dark matter interaction is invoked. Dark energy is modeled through an holographic Ricci dark energy component. The model is embedded within an induced gravity braneworld model. For suitable choices of the interaction coupling, the big rip and little rip induced by the holographic Ricci dark energy, in a relativistic model and in an induced gravity braneworld model, are removed. In this scenario, the holographic dark energy will have a phantom like behavior even though the brane is asymptotically de Sitter.
Transverse momentum dependent decorrelation in Pb–Pb collisions at LHC
Authors: Wei De-Xian
Published: August 2020

Based on A Multi-Phase Transport (AMPT) model simulations, the transverse momentum dependent decorrelation has been studied in Pb–Pb collisions at [Formula: see text] and 5.02 TeV, respectively. It has been found that the mix-order factorization ratio [Formula: see text] value deviates significantly from unity in noncentral collisions. Such effect becomes stronger with an increase in the [Formula: see text] difference [Formula: see text]. These decorrelations are not only between the same order harmonic but also between the different order harmonic, which as a result of the initial fluctuations appear between the different phase spaces. It has also been found that the correlations involving higher powers of the flow vector yield stronger decorrelation, [Formula: see text], except for the weighted factorization ratio [Formula: see text]. The breaking phenomenon of these factorization ratios indicated that it provides a possible observation for studying the initial fluctuation properties of heavy-ion collisions.
A NOVEL FABRICATION METHOD OF TWO-DIMENSIONAL NANO-MOLD BY COMBINING ULTRAVIOLET LITHOGRAPHY WITH WET ETCHING TECHNOLOGY
Authors: CHENG E , TANG SUZHOU , LIU LINGPENG , ZOU HELIN , ZHANG ZHENGYAN
Published: August 2020

Nano-fluidic devices have great potential in the applications of biology, chemistry, and medicine. However, their applications have been hampered by their expensive or complicated fabrication methods. We present a new and simple approach to fabricate low-cost two-dimensional (2D) nano-mold based on ultraviolet (UV) lithography and wet etching. The influence of UV lithography parameters on the width dimension of AZ5214 photoresist was investigated. With the optimized parameters of UV lithography, the width dimension of photoresist patterns had sharply decreased from microscale to nano-scale. At the same time, the influences of etching time on the over-etching amount of SiO2 film and nano-mold depth were also analyzed for further reducing the width of nano-mold. In addition, the effect of photoresist mesas deformation on the nano-mold fabrication was also studied for improving the quality of nano-mold. By the proposed method, trapezoid cross-sectional 2D nano-mold with different dimensions can be obtained for supporting varied applications. The minimum nano-mold arrays we fabricated are the ones with the dimensions of 115[Formula: see text]nm in top edge, 284[Formula: see text]nm in bottom edge, and 136[Formula: see text]nm in depth. This method provides a low-cost way to fabricate high-quality and high-throughput 2D nano-mold.
Model-theoretic Elekes–Szabó in the strongly minimal case
Authors: Chernikov Artem , Starchenko Sergei
Published: August 2020

We prove a generalization of the Elekes–Szabó theorem [G. Elekes and E. Szabó, How to find groups? (and how to use them in Erdos geometry?), Combinatorica 32(5) 537–571 (2012)] for relations definable in strongly minimal structures that are interpretable in distal structures.
Corporate Social Responsibility: A Study on Consumer Awareness in Vietnam
Authors: Van Loan Thi Hong , Nguyen Hoang Huy , Vo Duc Hong
Published: August 2020

This paper explores how consumers’ perceptions of corporate social responsibility (CSR) influence their attitude and purchase intention in Vietnam. The study used a quantitative approach in which a survey was conducted. Among many respondents, the final 222 responses from various respondents across Vietnam were utilized in this paper. Key findings from this study are as follows. First, consumers (one stakeholder) are one key motive for organizations to become engaged in CSR. Second, consumers have a strong interest in an organization that they perceive to be responsible for its workers and community. Third, the concept of CSR in Vietnam is rooted in business and ethics, reflecting that Vietnamese consumers want business organizations to behave responsibly. On balance, the findings imply that CSR is influenced by the context in which it is practiced. Consumers expect business organizations to take their social responsibilities seriously, in line with the expectations of Vietnamese society.
Nonlinear Static and Dynamic Buckling Analyses of Imperfect FGP Cylindrical Shells Resting on Nonlinear Elastic Foundation Under Axial Compression
Authors: Foroutan Kamran , Ahmadi Habib
Published: August 2020

In this paper, semi-analytical and analytical methods for the nonlinear static and dynamic buckling analyses of imperfect functionally graded porous (FGP) cylindrical shells subjected to axial compression are presented. The structure is embedded within a generalized nonlinear elastic foundation, treated as a two-parameter Winkler–Pasternak foundation augmented by a nonlinear cubic stiffness. The material property of the shell changes continuously through the thickness. Two types of FGP distributions, i.e. uniform porosity distribution (UPD) and nonuniform porosity distribution (NPD), are considered. By applying the Galerkin’s method to the von Kármán equations, the buckling of the shells was solved. The fourth-order Runge–Kutta method is utilized to obtain the responses of nonlinear dynamic buckling (NDB). The results obtained for some special cases are compared with those available elsewhere. The effects of various geometrical properties, material parameters and elastic foundation coefficients are investigated on the nonlinear static buckling (NSB) and dynamic buckling (DB) analyses of the shells. It was shown that various types of porosity, imperfection and the elastic foundation parameters have a strong effect on the buckling behaviors of the FGP cylindrical shells.
An Ultrasound Image Despeckling Method Based on Weighted Adaptive Bilateral Filter
Authors: Salehi Hadi , Vahidi Javad
Published: August 2020

Images are widely used in engineering. Unfortunately, ultrasound images are mainly degraded by an intrinsic noise called speckle. Therefore, de-speckling is a critical preprocessing step. Therefore, a robust despeckling method and accurate evaluation of images are suggested. We suggest three phases and a three-step denoising filter. In the first phase, the coefficients of variation are computed from the noisy image. The second phase is a three-step denoising filter. The first step is denoising of extreme levels of homogeneous regions, based on fuzzy homogeneous regions. The second step is a proposed adaptive bilateral filter (ABF). The ABF helps for better denoising based on the three regions which are edge, detail and homogeneous regions. The next step, a weight, is applied to the ABF. This step is for isolated noise denoising. Next, in the third phase, the output image is evaluated by the fuzzy logic approach. The proposed method is compared with other filters in the literature. The experimental outcomes show that the proposed method has better performance than the other filters. That proposed denoising algorithm is able to preserve image details and edges when compared with other denoising methods.
Directional Vector-Based Skin Lesion Segmentation — A Novel Approach to Skin Segmentation
Authors: Nikesh P. , Raju G.
Published: August 2020

Efficient skin lesion segmentation algorithms are required for computer aided diagnosis of skin cancer. Several algorithms were proposed for skin lesion segmentation. The existing algorithms are short of achieving ideal performance. In this paper, a novel semi-automatic segmentation algorithm is proposed. The fare concept of the proposed is 8-directional search based on threshold for lesion pixel, starting from a user provided seed point. The proposed approach is tested on 200 images from PH2 and 900 images from ISBI 2016 datasets. In comparison to a chosen set of algorithms, the proposed approach gives high accuracy and specificity values. A significant advantage of the proposed method is the ability to deal with discontinuities in the lesion.