bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of feasibility and utility of universal referral to specialty palliative care in a multidisciplinary amyotrophic lateral sclerosis clinic: A cohort study
Authors: Hafer Julia , Jensen Sarah , Wiedau‐Pazos Martina , Mehta Ambereen K.
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Although the value of palliative care integration in multidisciplinary amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) clinics has been increasingly recognized, limited data are available demonstrating the feasibility and utility of a palliative care specialist embedded in an ALS clinic. The purpose of this study is to describe the feasibility and utility of a universal outpatient referral model for specialty palliative care for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study of initial patient visits with a palliative care physician in a multidisciplinary ALS clinic at an academic institution. All patients were referred to an embedded palliative care physician from January to December 2019.

Results

Within the study period, 52 of 69 (75%) patients with a confirmed diagnosis of ALS were seen by the palliative care physician. The most common reason patients were not seen by palliative care was a lack of insurance authorization (n = 5). At the visit, 94% of patients discussed at least one advance care planning or goals of care topic. The most common advance care planning topic discussed was code status (40%). The most common goals of care topic discussed was meaning and values (57%). Symptom management was discussed with 40 patients (77%). The most common symptom addressed was pain and/or muscle spasms (33%).

Discussion

These data support the feasibility and utility of universal, outpatient palliative care referral for patients with ALS. Further research is necessary to determine the long‐term effect on outcomes for this population.
Assessment of small fiber neuropathy in patients carrying the non‐classical Fabry variant p.D313Y
Authors: von Cossel Katharina , Muschol Nicole , Friedrich Reinhard E. , Glatzel Markus , Ammer Luise , Lohmöller Benjamin , Bendszus Martin , Mautner Victor‐Felix , Godel Tim
Published: February 2021

Introduction

The pathophysiological significance of the Fabry‐related, non‐classical variant p.D313Y still remains to be solved. This study assesses the involvement of the peripheral nervous system with respect to small fiber neuropathy and neuropathic pain in female patients carrying p.D313Y.

Methods

This study examined nine females carrying the Fabry‐related p.D313Y variant by obtaining skin punch biopsies above the right lateral malleolus. Intraepidermal nerve fiber density was determined for each patient and compared to reference values matched for the patientʼs decade of life and sex. Moreover, each patient was characterized by a detailed neurological examination and by pain assessment via questionnaire.

Results

Compared to sex‐matched lower fifth percentile reference values per decade, intraepidermal nerve fiber density was decreased in seven out of nine patients. Four patients reported acral paresthesias and neuropathic pain with an average visual analogue scale score of 7 out of 10 points. Two patients experienced acute pain crises. Six out of seven patients diagnosed with small fiber neuropathy had a their medical history of hypo‐ and/or hyperhidrosis.

Discussion

The diagnosis of small fiber neuropathy was made in seven out of nine females carrying the non‐classical variant p.D313Y. Moreover, neuropathic pain and symptoms indicative of autonomic nervous system dysfunction seem to be common findings that may be of clinical significance and may warrant therapeutic intervention.
ATP shows more potential as a urinary biomarker than acetylcholine and PGE2, but its concentration in urine is not a simple function of dilution
Authors: McLatchie Linda , Sahai Arun , Caldwell Anna , Dasgupta Prokar , Fry Chris
Published: February 2021

Aims

To determine whether the amount of ATP, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and acetylcholine (ACh) in voided urine are influenced enough by that released within the lower urinary tract (LUT) for them to be useful biomarkers of bladder function.

Methods

Participants without LUT symptoms collected total urine voids at 15, 30, 60, and 120 min (20 males/23 females) and 240 min (18 males/26 females) following the previous void. Aliquots of urine were immediately frozen at −20°C and later used to measure ATP (luciferin‐luciferase), PGE2 (enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay), ACh (mass spectrometry), creatinine (colorimetric), and lactose dehydrogenase (colorimetric).

Results

The amount of ATP in voided urine correlated strongly with the rate of urine production, suggesting that the majority, if not all, the ATP in voided urine has an LUT, and likely bladder, origin. In contrast, there appeared to be no significant net LUTs release of creatinine or ACh into the urine. PGE2 was intermediate with an LUT component that increased with urine production rate and contributed about 25% of the total at 1 ml/min in women but a smaller fraction in men.

Conclusion

Whereas the majority of the ATP measured within the voided urine originates in the LUT, ACh reflects that extracted from the plasma in the kidneys and PGE2 is a mixture of both sources. ATP has the most potential as a biomarker of benign bladder disorders. Expressing urinary ATP concentration relative to creatinine concentration is questioned in light of these results.
A hierarchy of manganese competition and entry in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures
Authors: Petrus Emily , Saar Galit , Daoust Alexia , Dodd Steve , Koretsky Alan P.
Published: February 2021

Contrast agents improve clinical and basic research MRI. The manganese ion (Mn2+) is an essential, endogenous metal found in cells and it enhances MRI contrast because of its paramagnetic properties. Manganese‐enhanced MRI (MEMRI) has been widely used to image healthy and diseased states of the body and the brain in a variety of animal models. There has also been some work in translating the useful properties of MEMRI to humans. Mn2+ accumulates in brain regions with high neural activity and enters cells via voltage‐dependent channels that flux calcium (Ca2+). In addition, metal transporters for zinc (Zn2+) and iron (Fe2+) can also transport Mn2+. There is also transfer through channels specific for Mn2+. Although Mn2+ accumulates in many tissues including brain, the mechanisms and preferences of its mode of entry into cells are not well characterized. The current study used MRI on living organotypic hippocampal slice cultures to detect which transport mechanisms are preferentially used by Mn2+ to enter cells. The use of slice culture overcomes the presence of the blood brain barrier, which limits inferences made with studies of the intact brain in vivo. A range of Mn2+ concentrations were used and their effects on neural activity were assessed to avoid using interfering doses of Mn2+. Zn2+ and Fe2+ were the most efficient competitors for Mn2+ uptake into the cultured slices, while the presence of Ca2+ or Ca2+ channel antagonists had a more moderate effect. Reducing slice activity via excitatory receptor antagonists was also effective at lowering Mn2+ uptake. In conclusion, a hierarchy of those agents which influence Mn2+ uptake was established to enhance understanding of how Mn2+ enters cells in a cultured slice preparation.
A new method for optimizing the topology of hinge‐free and fully decoupled compliant mechanisms with multiple inputs and multiple outputs
Authors: Rong Jianhua , Rong Xuanpei , Peng Luo , Yi Jijun , Zhou Quan
Published: February 2021

Compliant mechanisms with multiple inputs and multiple outputs have a wide range of applications in precision mechanics, for example, cell manipulations, electronic microscopes, and so on. The movement uncoupling and maximum desired output displacements among these devices all become critical because many inputs and outputs are involved. The topology optimization design of compliant mechanisms, which can solve output coupling and input coupling problems, hinge and gray region problems, and the multiple‐objective optimal problem, is an important topic of researches for achieving fully decoupled motion. It is also a challenge area of research due to serious conflicts of between the four of output and input uncoupling constraints, volume constraint, the hinge‐free requirement, and the good black/white solution requirement. In order to comprehensively solve these problems, a simple optimization model overcoming these serious conflicts is posed, which includes small change rate constraints of structural compliances corresponding to the driving input loads and output point virtual loads. Then, the multiple output displacement functions of the model are equivalently converted into non‐negative functions. The multiple‐objective model is converted into a single‐objective optimization model by using a bound variable. The method of moving asymptotes (MMA) algorithm is adopted to solve it. Several examples are presented to demonstrate the validity of the proposed method.
Acoustic scattering in nonhomogeneous media and the problem of discontinuous gradients: Analysis and inf‐sup stability in the method of finite spheres
Authors: Nicomedes Williams L. , Bathe Klaus‐Jürgen , Moreira Fernando J. S. , Mesquita Renato C.
Published: February 2021

In this paper we focus on a meshfree formulation for the solution of time‐harmonic acoustic scattering problems and verify the stability of the procedure. The sound waves propagate in nonhomogeneous media, giving rise to discontinuities in the gradients of the pressure field across the interfaces between regions of different material properties. Meshfree methods usually do not reproduce accurately the discontinuities in a numerical solution. We overcome this issue by introducing Lagrange multiplier fields defined at the interfaces in order to treat the discontinuities in the gradients of the pressure field. The method does not depend on any kind of adjustable parameter. We show by a numerical study of the applicable inf‐sup conditions that the resulting mixed formulation leads to well‐posed problems. The use of the proposed method is illustrated in the solution of a number of problems of wave propagation through nonhomogeneous media.
Implementation of hybridizable discontinuous Galerkin method for time‐harmonic anisotropic poroelasticity in two dimensions
Authors: Barucq Hélène , Diaz Julien , Meyer Rose‐Cloé , Pham Ha
Published: February 2021

We apply a hybridizable discontinuous Galerkin (HDG) method to numerically solve two‐dimensional anisotropic poroelastic wave equations in the frequency domain given by Biot theory. The motivation for choosing HDG method comes from the complexity of the considered equations and the high number of unknowns. The HDG method possesses all the advantages of discontinuous Galerkin method (hp‐adaptivity, accuracy, ability to model complex tectonics, etc.) without a drastic increase in the number of degrees of freedom. After a description of its implementation, we illustrate the accuracy of the proposed method by comparisons with analytical solutions. We then perform a sensitivity analysis of the method as a function of stabilization parameters and frequency, and show in particular that there exists optimal values of these parameters in order to obtain a very good level of accuracy. We also show the ability of the method to reproduce the different types of poroelastic waves including the slow Biot wave.
Cigarette Use and Adolescent Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
Authors: Zeller Meg H. , Kidwell Katherine M. , Reiter‐Purtill Jennifer , Jenkins Todd M. , Michalsky Marc P. , Mitchell James E. , Courcoulas Anita P. , Inge Thomas H.
Published: February 2021

Objective

This study aimed to track conventional cigarette smoking behaviors and associated correlates in adolescents with severe obesity who did or did not undergo metabolic and bariatric surgery to 4 years after surgery/baseline.

Methods

Utilizing a prospective controlled design, surgical (n = 153; mean BMI = 52) and nonsurgical (n = 70; mean BMI = 47) groups that completed assessments before surgery/at baseline and at Years 2 and 4 post surgery (Year 4: n = 117 surgical [mean BMI = 38]; n = 56 nonsurgical [mean BMI = 48]) were compared. Separate logistic regression models tested correlates of Year 4 current smoking.

Results

More than half of participants (surgical: 55%; nonsurgical: 60%) had ever smoked a cigarette, with current smoking increasing with time. Groups did not differ in Year 4 current smoking (surgical: 23%; nonsurgical: 33%), with ≈ 50% meeting criteria for “heavy” smoking (≥ half pack/day) and ≈ 40% smoking their first cigarette before ninth grade. Factors associated with higher odds of Year 4 current smoking included dysregulation (P < 0.001), internalizing symptoms (P = 0.01), alcohol use (P = 0.04), caregiver smoking (P < 0.001), friend smoking (P = 0.001), and perceiving low harm (P = 0.02), plus greater percent weight loss (P = 0.03) in the surgical group.

Conclusions

Smoking is a clinical health challenge for adolescents and young adults with severe obesity, including those who have undergone metabolic and bariatric surgery. Upstream identification, monitoring, and intervention to prevent smoking uptake and escalation in youth with obesity across settings should be prioritized.
Association Between Liver Fat and Bone Density is Confounded by General and Visceral Adiposity in a Community‐Based Cohort
Authors: Li Belinda T. , Simon Tracey G. , Wang Na , Chung Raymond T. , Corey Kathleen E. , Dichtel Laura E. , Samelson Elizabeth J. , Kiel Douglas P. , Long Michelle T.
Published: February 2021

Objective

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with low bone mineral density (BMD); however, it is not known whether early‐stage NAFLD may be associated with BMD after accounting for BMI or visceral adipose tissue (VAT).

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional study of 3,462 Framingham Heart Study participants who underwent computed tomographic measurement of liver fat, VAT volume, volumetric spine BMD, vertebral cross‐sectional area (CSA), and vertebral compressive strength. This study excluded heavy alcohol consumers. Multivariable linear regression models were used to assess the association between NAFLD and volumetric BMD, CSA, and vertebral compressive strength after accounting for covariates, including BMI or VAT.

Results

A total of 2,253 participants (mean age, 51.2  [SD 10.7] years; 51.1% women) were included. In multivariable‐adjusted models, positive associations between NAFLD and integral BMD, trabecular BMD, and vertebral compressive strength were observed. However, results were attenuated and no longer significant after additionally adjusting for BMI or VAT. NAFLD was observed to be weakly associated with a lower vertebral CSA in adjusted models.

Conclusions

In a community‐based cohort, the associations between NAFLD and BMD and vertebral strength were confounded by BMI and VAT. However, NAFLD was associated with a reduced vertebral CSA in adjusted models.
POLICIES TO REDUCE AND PREVENT HOMELESSNESS: WHAT WE KNOW AND GAPS IN THE RESEARCH
Authors: Evans William N. , Phillips David C. , Ruffini Krista
Published: February 2021

Homelessness may be both a cause of and one of the more extreme outcomes of poverty. Governments at all levels and private organizations have a variety of tools to combat homelessness, and these strategies have changed dramatically over the past quarter century. In this paper, we catalog the policy responses and the existing literature on the effectiveness of these strategies, focusing on studies of individual‐level effects from randomized controlled trial evaluations and the best quasi‐experimental designs. We conclude by discussing outstanding questions that can be addressed with these same methods.
pH‐sensitive polymers: Classification and some fine potential applications
Authors: Ofridam Fabrice , Tarhini Mohamad , Lebaz Noureddine , Gagnière Émilie , Mangin Denis , Elaissari Abdelhamid
Published: February 2021

Stimuli‐responsive materials in general and pH‐responsive polymers in particular have gained increasing interest during the last two decades. Their unique properties, which arise from their ability to exhibit sharp and reversible changes in response to environmental pH conditions, have made them suitable for various applications such as drug delivery and specific body‐site targeting, sensing and actuation, membrane functionalization, separation techniques, as well as in agriculture and food industry and even chemical industries. In the present review, the focus is on the general characteristics of pH‐responsive polymers in terms of their origin, chemical composition, and preparation. Moreover, some of the important and recent applications are reported and discussed.
Neuroblastoma: The basis for cure in limited‐resource settings
Authors: van Heerden Jaques , Kruger Mariana , Esterhuizen Tonya Marianne , Pinxten Wim
Published: February 2021

Background

Neuroblastoma (NB) contributes the most to the mortality of childhood malignancies worldwide. The disease spectrum is heterogenous and the management complex and costly, especially in advanced disease or disease with adverse biology. In low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) the majority of NB presents in advanced stages. Therefore, with limited resources and poor prognosis the treatment of NB is often not a priority. The aim of the study was to evaluate the research activities and perceptions of the management of NB that determine the research and treatment approaches in LMICs.

Methods

Data were sourced from https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ identifying NB trials open to LMIC. Abstracts on NB research presented at the International Society for Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) Congresses between 2014 and 2020 were evaluated according to income status. An online survey evaluating medical views on NB in LMICs and the effect on the management was conducted. Descriptive analysis was done. Where appropriate categorical association between covariates was assessed using the Pearson chi‐square (χ2) test or Fishers exact test.

Results

There were 15/562 (2.7%) trials open to LMIC. Only six of 138 (4.3%) LMIC participated in NB trials. Of the 688 abstracts presented between 2014 and 2020 at the SIOP International Congress on NB as primary subject, 297 (42.7%) were from LMICs. Only two were from low‐income countries (LICs). Sixty‐one countries responded to the NB survey. Positive views towards NB management were present when treatment was based on a national protocol, the availability of trimodal or advanced treatment options were present, and when a balance of metastatic or local disease were treated.

Conclusion

Management of NB in LMICs should include increased advocacy and research as well as implementation of national management strategies.
Safety and efficacy of concurrent carboplatin during full‐dose craniospinal irradiation for high‐risk/metastatic medulloblastoma in a resource‐limited setting
Authors: Gupta Tejpal , Sinha Shwetabh , Chinnaswamy Girish , Vora Tushar , Prasad Maya , Bhat Vasudev , Goda Jayant Sastri , Krishnatry Rahul , Chatterjee Abhishek , Epari Sridhar , Sahay Ayushi , Moiyadi Aliasgar , Shetty Prakash , Patil Vijay , Khatua Soumen , Jalali Rakesh , Kurkure Purna
Published: February 2021

Purpose

To assess the safety and efficacy of concurrent carboplatin during craniospinal irradiation (CSI) in high‐risk/metastatic medulloblastoma defined as either residual tumor >1.5 cm2 or leptomeningeal metastases.

Methods

This single‐arm combined prospective (2005–2011) and retrospective (2011–2019) study was undertaken at a tertiary care cancer center in India. Following surgery, patients with newly diagnosed high‐risk/metastatic medulloblastoma received concurrent carboplatin (35 mg/m2) for 15 days (day 1 to day 15) during CSI plus posterior fossa/tumor bed boost, followed by six cycles of standard adjuvant chemotherapy.

Results

All 97 patients completed their planned course of radiotherapy without interruptions, except for two (2.1%) patients who had brief gaps due to treatment‐related toxicity. Grade 3–4 anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and febrile neutropenia were seen in four (4.1%), 41 (42.2%) 21 (21.6%), and 18 (18.6%) patients, necessitating packed cell transfusion, granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor, and platelet support in five (5.1%), 41 (42.2%), and five (5.1%) patients, respectively, during the concurrent phase. Following myelorecovery, 92 (94.9%) patients completed the planned six cycles of standard adjuvant systemic chemotherapy. There were no treatment‐related deaths during the concurrent chemo‐radiotherapy phase, while three (3.1%) toxic deaths were ascribed to adjuvant chemotherapy‐related complications. At a median follow‐up of 82 months, the 5‐year Kaplan–Meier estimates of progression‐free survival and overall survival were 60.2% and 62.1%, respectively. On univariate analysis, leptomeningeal metastases (M0/M1 vs. M2/M3) and histological subtype (large cell/anaplastic vs. others) emerged as significant prognostic factors for survival.

Conclusion

Addition of concurrent carboplatin to RT as radiosensitizing chemotherapy is a simple and effective way of treatment intensification in high‐risk/metastatic medulloblastoma.
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalopathy: A single‐center experience underscoring the multiple factors involved in the prognosis
Authors: Zaidman Irina , Elhasid Ronit , Gefen Aharon , Yahav Dovrat Anat , Mutaz Sultan , Shaoul Ron , Eshach Adiv Orly , Mandel Hanna , Tal Galit
Published: February 2021

Background

Mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy (MNGIE) is a progressive autosomal recessive disorder characterized by cachexia, gastrointestinal (GI) dysmotility, ptosis, peripheral neuropathy, and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) white matter changes. Bi‐allelic TYMP mutations lead to deficient thymidine phosphorylase (TP) activity, toxic accumulation of plasma nucleosides (thymidine and deoxyuridine), nucleotide pool imbalances, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) instability. Death is mainly due to GI complications: intestinal perforation, peritonitis, and/or liver failure. Based on our previous observations in three patients with MNGIE that platelet infusions resulted in a transient 40% reduction of plasma nucleoside levels, in 2005 we performed the first hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) worldwide as a life‐long source of TP in a patient with MNGIE.

Procedure

HSCT was performed in a total of six patients with MNGIE. The multiple factors involved in the prognosis of this cohort were analyzed and compared to the literature experience.

Results

Cell source was bone marrow in five patients and peripheral stem cells in one, all from fully human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐matched related donors, including four who were TYMP mutation carriers. Four of six (66%) survived compared to the 37% survival rate in the literature. Reduced intensity conditioning regimen contributed to secondary graft failure in two patients. Fifteen years post HSCT, the first transplanted patient is seemingly cured. Severe GI symptoms before transplantation were mostly irreversible and were poor prognostic factors.

Conclusions

Allogenic HSCT could constitute a curative therapeutic option for carefully selected, young, presymptomatic, or mildly affected patients. Timing, donor selection, and optimal conditioning protocol are major determinants of outcome. HSCT is inadvisable in patients with advanced MNGIE disease.
The impact of family violence incidents on personality changes: An examination of social media users’ messages in China
Authors: Li Sijia , Liu Mingming , Zhao Nan , Xue Jia , Wang Xuefei , Jiao Dongdong , Zhu Tingshao
Published: February 2021

Changes in personality tend to be intertwined with life events (e.g., family violence [FV]). This study aimed to examine the personality changes before and after an FV incident using Weibo data. Samples were selected from 1.16 million Weibo users in China who had posted their own FV experience as victims. We used Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) to extract the linguistic features of these unstructured texts as the scores of participants’ personality. We built prediction models to measure and compare personality differences between the victim group and control group in Sample 1; and personality changes between the victim group and control group before and after an FV incident in Sample 2. Results showed that the victims’ neuroticism increased and conscientiousness decreased after experiencing FV. At the same time, their agreeableness and openness levels were lower than those of the control group. Implications and limitations are also discussed.
Insights into the compatibility of vegetable‐based plasticizers on the performance of filled rubber vulcanizates
Authors: Fard‐Zolfaghari Golrokh , Abbasian Ali , Razzaghi‐Kashani Mehdi
Published: February 2021

Substitution of petroleum‐based processing oils with eco‐friendly sustainable plasticizers in rubber compounds has gained much global attention due to their toxicity. In this regard, so far, the major attempts have focused on substituting aromatic oils with fatty acid based vegetable oils. In this work, the chemical and physical effects of canola oil as a model of fatty acid based vegetable oils on the process‐ability, vulcanization kinetics, and final properties of carbon‐black filled styrene–butadiene rubbers are systematically investigated. In contrast to the previous studies, it was shown that although these types of vegetable oils have a plasticizing impact, they can indeed threaten the requirements of reinforcing criteria in rubber vulcanizates. The final properties of the vulcanizates were found to be deteriorated due to the incompatibility of canola oil fatty acids constituents with rubber matrix and especially as a result of chemical interference of their unsaturated bonds in sulfur vulcanization kinetics.
Pushing the Envelope
Authors: Romeo Jim
Published: February 2021

The selection of materials available for 3D printing continues to broaden, as innovative formulations, product applications and end‐user needs increasingly influence the extent of process capabilities.
Reconfiguring Machine Control
Authors: Toensmeier Pat
Published: February 2021

Futurists depict the process plant of tomorrow as entirely digital, with advanced software simulating every aspect of molding before machines are switched on and controlling them in real time when production begins. The vision is close to reality for processors who, through select machine suppliers, have access to enhanced digital process capabilities that keep molding error‐free, on spec and predictable.
Registration of ‘YT 09‐13’ sugarcane
Authors: Wang Qinnan , Chen Junlv , Hu Houxiang , Fu Cheng , Huang Zhongxing , Zhou Feng , Qiu Yongsheng , Zhang Chuiming , Chang Hailong , Liu Shaomou
Published: February 2021

‘Yuetang 09‐13’ (‘YT 09‐13’) (Reg. no. CV‐197, PI 695070) sugarcane (a complex hybrid of Saccharum spp.) was selected and evaluated by the researchers of Institute of Bioengineering, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, from the progenies of a cross between YT 93‐159 (female) and ROC 22 (male). It was released to the growers in Guangdong Province, China, in July 2017. Yield data from three crop cycles (plant cane, first ratoon, and second ratoon) of 15 regional trials during 2015–2017 showed that the average cane yield of YT 09‐13 was 100.66 Mg ha−1, about 3.41% higher than that of ROC 22 (the check cultivar); the average sugar yield was 14.88 Mg ha−1, about 6.82% higher than that of ROC 22 (the check cultivar); and the average fiber content was 10.41%. YT 09‐13 is tolerant to drought and resistant to smut, Sugarcane mosaic virus, and brown rust diseases. YT 09‐13 is a suitable cultivar for planting and distributing in the main sugarcane areas of Hainan, Guangdong, Guangxi, and Yunnan.
Cancer‐related help‐seeking in cancer survivors living in regional and remote Australia
Authors: Goodwin Belinda C. , Chambers Suzanne , Aitken Joanne , Ralph Nicholas , March Sonja , Ireland Michael , Rowe Arlen , Crawford‐Williams Fiona , Zajdlewicz Leah , Dunn Jeff
Published: February 2021

Objectives

To measure rates of detection via screening, perceived self‐imposed delays in seeking medical attention, and support seeking in a sample of regional and remote people with a cancer diagnosis and to test whether an association exists between these behaviours and minimising problems and resignation, a need for self‐control and reliance and fatalism. Correlations and binary logistic regressions were conducted to test the associations between demographic characteristics, attitudes and behaviours.

Results

Females were more likely to have had their cancer detected via screening (OR = 10.02, CI = 3.49–28.78). Younger participants (r = −0.103, p = 0.009) were slightly more likely to seek at least one form of support and online support was sought more often by younger patients (r = −0.269, p < 0.001), females (r = 0.152, p < 0.001), those from higher socio‐economic (SES) areas (r = 0.100, p = 0.012), and those with higher education levels (r = 0.247, p < 0.001). Younger (r = −0.161, p < 0.001), and female (r = 0.82, p = 0.013), participants were also slightly more likely to seek support specifically through cancer support groups. No significant relationships between minimising problems and resignation, needs for control and self‐reliance or fatalism and detection via screening, support seeking, or perceived self‐imposed delays to seeking medical attention were apparent, with the exception that those with higher fatalism (predetermined health) were slightly less likely to report seeking support or information online (OR = 0.79, CI = 0.65–0.95) and slightly more likely to report using Cancer Council's support services (OR = 1.24, CI = 1.02–1.52).

Conclusions

Strategies to improve the accessibility and appropriateness of support available for regional and remote cancer patients should consider interventions that remove barriers to access associated with age, gender, and education as opposed to those which address the attitudinal traits measured here.
Systematic review of self‐management interventions for older adults with cancer
Authors: Haase Kristen R. , Sattar Schroder , Hall Steven , McLean Bianca , Wills Aria , Gray Mikaela , Kenis Cindy , Donison Valentina , Howell Doris , Puts Martine
Published: February 2021

Aim

The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the effectiveness of self‐management interventions for older adults with cancer and to determine the effective components of said interventions.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of self‐management interventions for older adults (65+) with cancer guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis statement. We conducted an exhaustive search of the following databases: Ageline, AMED, ASSIA, CINAHL, Cochrane, Embase, Medline, PsychINFO, and Sociological Abstracts. We assessed for quality using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and Down & Black for quasi‐experimental studies, with data synthesized in a narrative and tabular format.

Results

Sixteen thousand nine hundred and eight‐five titles and abstracts were screened, subsequently 452 full‐text papers were reviewed by two independent reviewers, of which 13 full‐text papers were included in the final review. All self‐management interventions included in this review measured Quality of Life; other outcomes included mood, self‐care activity, supportive care needs, self‐advocacy, pain intensity, and analgesic intake; only one intervention measured frailty. Effective interventions were delivered by a multidisciplinary teams (n = 4), nurses (n = 3), and mental health professionals (n = 1). Self‐management core skills most commonly targeted included: problem solving; behavioural self‐monitoring and tailoring; and settings goals and action planning.

Conclusions

Global calls to action argue for increased emphasize on self‐management but presently, few interventions exist that explicitly target the self‐management needs of older adults with cancer. Future work should focus on explicit pathways to support older adults and their caregivers to prepare for and engage in cancer self‐management processes and behaviours.
Hard silicon carbonitride thin‐film coatings by remote hydrogen plasma chemical vapor deposition using aminosilane and silazane precursors. 2: Physical, optical, and mechanical properties of deposited films
Authors: Wrobel Aleksander M. , Uznanski Pawel
Published: February 2021

Physical, optical, and mechanical properties of silicon carbonitride (a‐SiCN) films produced by remote hydrogen plasma chemical vapor deposition (RP‐CVD) using aminosilane and disilazane precursors are examined in relation to their chemical structure. The films deposited at different temperatures (30–400°C) were characterized in terms of their density, refractive index, optical bandgap, photoluminescence, adhesion to a substrate, hardness, elastic modulus resistance to wear (predicted from the “plasticity index” values), and friction coefficient. Reasonable structural dependencies of film properties were determined using the relative integrated intensities of the infrared absorption bands from the Si−N and Si−C bonds, and the X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy Si2p band from the Si−C bonds (controlled by substrate temperature) evaluated in the first part of this study. In view of their good mechanical properties, a‐SiCN films seem to be useful coatings for improving surface mechanics of engineering materials for advanced technology.
Impact of HAN Ternary Propellant System Decomposition on Catalytic Sustainability
Authors: Agnihotri Ruchika , Oommen Charlie
Published: February 2021

Aqueous solution of Hydroxylammonium nitrate (HAN) in combination with a suitable fuel has been explored as a promising high performing green monopropellant in recent times. The current study primarily explores the effect of the addition of a fuel component into HAN solution on the sustainability of a recently developed catalyst which was examined for the only binary system consisting of HAN and water. The HAN ternary system examined was HAN: methanol: water in 70 : 15 : 15 (w/w) composition. The endurance of an ‘iridium over alumina’ catalyst and an indigenously developed cobalt doped ceria‐based catalyst was analysed using a batch reactor wherein a pressure rise during decomposition of propellant whilst a pulse mode operation was monitored. Catalysts were also characterized via SEM/EDS, XRD, and XPS to identify changes over the period of sequential injection in the batch reactor. Doped ceria catalyst was found to be far robust and resistant to any poisoning when compared to iridium catalyst at run time of the operation involving nearly 45 sequential injections of propellant over the catalyst.
Thermal Behavior and Micro Structure of TKX‐50
Authors: Herrmann Michael , Förter‐Barth Ulrich
Published: February 2021

The thermal behaviour of TKX‐50 was reinvestigated in an extended temperature range by means of temperature resolved X‐ray diffraction. TKX‐50, synthesized at the Fraunhofer ICT, was identified using Rietveld‐analysis and reference data from the CCDC. Monitoring the refined crystal data versus temperature verified a highly anisotropic expansion behavior connected to a layer structure. However, the coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs) were found at an order of magnitude higher than reported, and a slight bent of lattice parameter a was found near room temperature. At temperatures between 180 and 200 °C the decomposition of TKX‐50 started with the formation of 1 to 5 wt.% diammonium 5,5’‐bistetrazole‐1,1’‐diolate (ABTOX). Moreover, the micro structure was investigated by means of size/strain analysis and so called indexed Williamson‐Hall plot. The analysis revealed moderate micro strain and absence of size broadening. The results give rise to the hypothesis that the (010) layer structure supports a low sensitivity of TKX‐50 without impairment of the mechanical stability. The results provide a base for future quality assessment and the development of advanced products.
Combination of deep neural network with attention mechanism enhances the explainability of protein contact prediction
Authors: Chen Chen , Wu Tianqi , Guo Zhiye , Cheng Jianlin
Published: February 2021

Deep learning has emerged as a revolutionary technology for protein residue‐residue contact prediction since the 2012 CASP10 competition. Considerable advancements in the predictive power of the deep learning‐based contact predictions have been achieved since then. However, little effort has been put into interpreting the black‐box deep learning methods. Algorithms that can interpret the relationship between predicted contact maps and the internal mechanism of the deep learning architectures are needed to explore the essential components of contact inference and improve their explainability. In this study, we present an attention‐based convolutional neural network for protein contact prediction, which consists of two attention mechanism‐based modules: sequence attention and regional attention. Our benchmark results on the CASP13 free‐modeling targets demonstrate that the two attention modules added on top of existing typical deep learning models exhibit a complementary effect that contributes to prediction improvements. More importantly, the inclusion of the attention mechanism provides interpretable patterns that contain useful insights into the key fold‐determining residues in proteins. We expect the attention‐based model can provide a reliable and practically interpretable technique that helps break the current bottlenecks in explaining deep neural networks for contact prediction. The source code of our method is available at https://github.com/jianlin-cheng/InterpretContactMap.
Interactive effect of photoperiod and temperature on the induction and termination of embryonic diapause in the migratory locust
Authors: Wang Xiaoxiao , Fan Jiangling , Zhou Meng , Gao Ge , Wei Liya , Kang Le
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND

Diapause plays a vital role in the survival and population reproduction of the migratory locust in temperate regions. Although some studies have suggested that photoperiod and temperature are two important environmental factors involved in the induction and termination of embryonic diapause in locusts, the independent or synergetic roles of these two factors are still unclear.

RESULTS

We designed crossover experiments to investigate the effects of photoperiod, temperature and treatment time on the induction and termination of embryonic diapause in locusts by optical coherence tomography (OCT), which can track the entire embryonic developmental processvianoninvasive 3D real‐time imaging. Diapause induction experiments showed that a short photoperiod (in adults) and a low egg treatment temperature are the most important prerequisites for inducing egg diapause. The diapause rate reached 90.7% when the adults were reared under a short photoperiod (8 L:16 D) and the eggs were treated at 22 °C. However, the adult rearing temperature had no significant effect on diapause induction. Analysis of variance also confirmed that there was a significant interactive effect between parental photoperiod and egg treatment temperature. Moreover, diapause termination experiments showed that 13 °C (near the developmental threshold temperature of 15 °C) for 20 days is the most effective condition for terminating diapause.

CONCLUSION

Our study provides accurate photoperiod and temperature thresholds for inducing and terminating diapause in the migratory locust, suggesting potential applications in the prediction and control of locust plagues.

© 2021 Society of Chemical Industry
For better or for worse mental health? The role of family networks in exogamous unions
Authors: Eibich Peter , Liu Chia
Published: February 2021

This study tests whether being in an exogamous union affects older individual's family networks, and whether associations between exogamy and mental health reported in previous studies operate through changes in family ties and differ by gender. We focus on individuals aged 60 or above in the German Socio‐Economic Panel Study between 2002 and 2016. We describe demographic and family characteristics of individuals in different types of union and estimate correlated random effects models on the changes of mental health. Exogamous immigrants have larger family networks than endogamous immigrants due to a higher chance of having in‐laws nearby, while exogamous natives have smaller family networks than their endogamous counterparts. Native women in a union with immigrants exhibit worse mental health than endogamous native women, and the same disadvantage is held by immigrant men partnered with native women. Family networks influence mental health but contribute little to observed differences.
High‐Purity Er3N@C80 Films: Morphology, Spectroscopic Characterization, and Thermal Stability
Authors: Weippert Jürgen , Ulaş Seyithan , Meyer Patrick Per , Strelnikov Dmitry V. , Böttcher Artur
Published: February 2021

Films comprising the endohedral fullerene Er3N@C80 are deposited onto highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) substrates in high purity enabled by performing mass‐selected low‐energy deposition from a cation beam. In the initial stage, the growth on HOPG is dominated by spontaneous nucleation of small 2D islands both on intact terraces as well as the step edges. The island growth exhibits strong differences from films comprising other fullerenes grown by the same method. This behavior can be explained by the surface‐diffusion‐mediated nucleation model presented in previous work: Dominant components in the behavioural differences are a high intercage dispersion interaction and a lower kinetic energy of cages migrating on the surface in comparison with previously deposited materials. When annealed, the films undergo several competing processes: A small fraction desorbs in the temperature range 700–800 K, another fraction forms covalent intercage bonds instead of the previous purely dispersive bonding mode, and a third fraction probably decomposes to small fragments.
Treating schizophrenia, part 2: What we can (almost) do now
Authors: Price Lawrence H.
Published: February 2021

In my last commentary, for the January 2021 issue, I took a look at the American Psychiatric Association's new practice guideline for the treatment of schizophrenia and suggested that even the “truisms” contained in that committee‐generated pronouncement merited consideration by busy practicing clinicians. The bottom line of my assessment was that we should try to maximize, as best we can, the impact of what we currently know (or think we know) in the care of our patients. I guess that notion of doing the most we can with the tools currently available has stuck with me, because one of the papers we cover in this month's Update on page 1 seems to have tapped into that same motif.
Sulfur impurity level in the O‐rich ZnSxO1−x alloy obtained by first principle calculations
Authors: Zhao Chuan‐Zhen , Yu Huang , Zhu Min‐Min , Sun Si‐Yu , Guo Yu
Published: February 2021

The LDA + U method is employed to study the electronic properties of ZnSxO1−x (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.25). The calculated results are consistent with the experimental results. It is found that the substitution of oxygen atoms by sulfur atoms can bring a localized sulfur defect level into ZnO. The sulfur level appears at 0.398 eV above the Γ VBM of ZnO. It is also found that the strongly localized effect of the sulfur level in the composition range (0 < x ≤ 0.1875) can pin the Γ VBM of ZnSxO1−x in the vicinity of the initial sulfur level. If the sulfur fraction goes on increasing, the sharp peak of the S‐3p states cannot be observed, demonstrating that the localized effect weakens.
Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry glycoproteomic study of porcine IgG and detection of subtypes
Authors: Battellino Taylor , Bacala Raymond , Gigolyk Baylie , Ong Gideon , Teraiya Milan V. , Perreault Hélène
Published: February 2021

Rationale

While high‐throughput proteomic methods have been widely applied to monoclonal antibodies and human immunoglobulin gamma (IgG) samples, less information is available on porcine IgG. As pigs are considered one of the most suitable species for xenotransplantation, it is important to characterize IgG amino acid sequences and glycosylation profiles, which is the focus of this study.

Methods

Three different purified porcine IgG samples, including wild‐type and knockout species, were digested with trypsin and enriched for glycopeptides. Digestion mixtures were spiked with a mixture of six standard peptides. Analysis was performed using electrospray ionization liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) in standard MS/MS data‐dependent acquisition mode on a hybrid triple quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer.

Results

To facilitate the classification of subtypes detected experimentally, UniprotKB database entries were organized using comparative alignment scores. Sequences were grouped based on 11 different subtypes as translated from GenBank entries. Proteomic searches were accomplished automatically using specialized software, whereas glycoprotein searches were performed manually by monitoring the extracted chromatograms of diagnostic MS/MS glycan fragments and studying their corresponding mass spectra; 40–50 non‐glycosylated peptides and 4–5 glycosylated peptides were detected in each sample, with several glycoforms per sequence.

Conclusions

Proteomic analysis of porcine IgG is complicated by factors such as the presence of several subtypes, redundant heavy chain (HC) sequences in protein databases, and the lack of consistent cross‐referencing between databases. Aligning and comparing HC sequences were necessary to eliminate redundancy. This study highlights the complexity of pig IgG and shows the importance of MS in proteomics and glycoproteomics.
Minimally invasive ileal ureter replacement: Comparative analysis of robot‐assisted laparoscopic versus conventional laparoscopic surgery
Authors: Zhu Weijie , Xiong Shengwei , Fang Dong , Hao Han , Zhang Lei , Xiong Gengyan , Yang Kunlin , Zhang Peng , Zhu Hongjian , Cai Lin , Li Xuesong , Zhou Liqun
Published: February 2021

Background

This study is an initial comparative analysis of perioperative and intermediate‐term functional outcomes between patients who underwent robot‐assisted laparoscopic (RALS) or conventional laparoscopic surgery (LS).

Materials and Methods

A total of 25 patients who underwent ileal ureter replacement (10 RALS and 15 LS) were followed by functional cine magnetic resonance urography (MRU) combined with a modified Whitaker test. Also, the characteristics, perioperative data and functional outcomes of the patients were compared.

Results

The estimated blood loss, postoperative hospital stay and time to oral intake were significantly lower in the RALS group. At the median 14‐month follow‐up, all the patients showed improved renal function and were symptom‐free, with no signs of leakage or stenosis observed by cine MRU combined with a modified Whitaker test.

Conclusions

RALS with an extracorporeal bowel resection is feasible and appears to be safe, with quick postoperative recovery and encouraging outcomes.
Robust tracking control of quadrotor via on‐policy adaptive dynamic programming
Authors: Dou Liqian , Su Xiaotong , Zhao Xinyi , Zong Qun , He Lei
Published: February 2021

This article is concerned with the tracking control problem of quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with external disturbance. The aim of this article is to develop a robust control algorithm based on super‐twisting algorithm and adaptive dynamic programming (ADP), which drives the tracking errors of quadrotor UAV to zero. First, the adaptive terminal sliding mode disturbance observer is developed for estimating the external disturbance with unknown upper bound. Second, based on the estimation of disturbance, the super‐twisting compensation controller is constructed to eliminate the effect of the disturbance estimation error and obtain the nominal error dynamics. Then, nominal controller via ADP method is used to force the states of nominal system convergence to zero. Finally, the efficiency of the proposed method is illustrated by numerical simulations and experimental verification.