bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementation of a mobile team to provide normothermic regional perfusion in controlled donation after circulatory death: Pilot study and first results
Authors: Pérez Redondo Marina , Alcántara Carmona Sara , Fernández Simón Inmaculada , Villanueva Fernández Héctor , Ortega López Alfonso , Pardo Rey Cándido , Duerto Álvarez Jorge , Lipperheide Vallhonrat Inés , González Romero Manuel , Ballesteros Ortega Daniel , del Río Gallegos Francisco , Rubio Muñoz Juan José
Published: May 2020

Normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) in controlled donation after circulatory death is becoming a popular method due to the favorable results of the grafts procured under this technique. This procedure requires experience, and, sometimes, the availability of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) machines to implement NRP is limited to tertiary hospitals. In order to provide support with NRP in controlled donation after circulatory death across the different hospitals of the Autonomous Community of Madrid, a mobile NRP team was created. In the first 18 months since its creation, the mobile NRP team participated in 33 procurements across nine different hospitals, representing 72% of all controlled donations after circulatory death in the Autonomous Community of Madrid. NRP was successfully performed in 29 (88%) cases, with a mean duration of 69 ± 27 minutes. A total of 39 kidneys, 12 livers, and 5 bilateral lungs were recovered and transplanted. None of the livers were discarded due to an elevation in transaminases during NRP. A mobile NRP team is a feasible option and, in our series, aided in the optimization and recovery of organs from donors after controlled circulatory death in centers where ECMO technology was not available.
Digital conversations about suicide among teenagers and adults with epilepsy: A big‐data, machine learning analysis
Authors: Falcone Tatiana , Dagar Anjali , Castilla-Puentes Ruby C. , Anand Amit , Brethenoux Caroline , Valleta Liliana G. , Furey Patrick , Timmons-Mitchell Jane , Pestana-Knight Elia
Published: May 2020

Objective

Digital media conversations can provide important insight into the concerns and struggles of people with epilepsy (PWE) outside of formal clinical settings and help generate useful information for treatment planning. Our study aimed to explore the big data from open‐source digital conversations among PWE with regard to suicidality, specifically comparing teenagers and adults, using machine learning technology.

Methods

Advanced machine‐learning empowered methodology was used to mine and structure open‐source digital conversations of self‐identifying teenagers and adults who endorsed suffering from epilepsy and engaged in conversation about suicide. The search was limited to 12 months and included only conversations originating from US internet protocol (IP) addresses. Natural language processing and text analytics were employed to develop a thematic analysis.

Results

A total of 222 000 unique conversations about epilepsy, including 9000 (4%) related to suicide, were posted during the study period. The suicide‐related conversations were posted by 7.8% of teenagers and 3.2% of adults in the study. Several critical differences were noted between teenagers and adults. A higher percentage of teenagers are: fearful of “the unknown” due to seizures (63% vs 12% adults), concerned about social consequences of seizures (30% vs 21%), and seek emotional support (29% vs 19%). In contrast, a significantly higher percentage of adults show a defeatist (“given up”) attitude compared to teenagers (42% vs 4%). There were important differences in the author's determined sentiments behind the conversations among teenagers and adults.

Significance

In this first of its kind big data analysis of nearly a quarter‐million digital conversations about epilepsy using machine learning, we found that teenagers engage in an online conversation about suicide more often than adults. There are some key differences in the attitudes and concerns, which may have implications for the treatment of younger patients with epilepsy.
From evaluation to auditing and from programs to institutions: Causes and consequences of the decline of the program approach
Authors: Peters B. Guy , Pierre Jon
Published: May 2020

In the wake of the “audit revolution” during the 1980s and 1990s, administrative systems across the western world have tended to gradually downplay evaluation as a component of the policy process. At the same time, auditing has dramatically increased in scope and depth, and has also, to some extent, come to fill the role in policymaking previously played by evaluation studies. This article reviews this development from the perspective of policymaking and institutional change or “drift.” Specifically, we look at the types of information and knowledge that are lost and gained as a result of these developments. We apply a cross‐national approach, drawing on the examples from the European and North American contexts.
Can economic policy uncertainty reduce a firm's trade credit?
Authors: Su Kun , Kong Dongmin , Wu Ji
Published: May 2020

We examine how economic policy uncertainty (EPU) impacts on Chinese firm's trade credit. We find a significant negative relationship between EPU and both firm's account payable (receiving) and account receivable (offering). These results were more pronounced for non‐state‐owned enterprises, firms located in high marketization and high trust regions, and survived after the endogeneity tests.
The efficacy and safety of a 577‐nm high‐power optically pumped semiconductor laser in the treatment of postacne erythema
Authors: Wanitphakdeedecha Rungsima , Cembrano Kathryn Anne G. , Ungaksornpairote Chanida , Kobwanthanakun Waritch , Phothong Weeranut , Eimpunth Sasima , Manuskiatti Woraphong , Fritz Klaus , Salavastru Carmen
Published: May 2020

Background

Postacne erythema (PAE) is a common sequela of inflammatory acne vulgaris, treatment of which has been challenging due to limited options available and the variability of results for each modality. Recently, a 577‐nm high‐power optically pumped semiconductor laser (HOPSL) initially developed for vascular lesions has shown promising results for the treatment of PAE.

Aims

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of 577‐nm HOPSL in the treatment of postacne erythema.

Methods

This was a split‐face, randomized controlled trial pilot study. Twenty‐one patients with PAE on both sides of their face were enrolled. Each subject's face sides were randomly assigned to either receive 577‐nm HOPSL treatment (QuadroStar PRO™, Asclepion Laser Technologies) using the scanner handpiece, 1mm spot size, 80% coverage, 12‐15 J/cm2, 30 ms, 2 passes for 3 sessions at 1‐month intervals, or no treatment at all. Outcome measures such as overall improvement, the Erythema Index (EI), and Melanin Index (MI) from 3 different areas on both treatment and control sides were assessed at baseline, and 1‐month follow‐up after each treatment session. Side effects including pain, erythema, swelling, and crusting were also recorded.

Results

Upon completion of the treatment period, the mean EI was significantly decreased in both treated and nontreated sides of the face (P < .001 and P = .001, respectively). The laser‐treated sides already demonstrated significant reduction in the mean EI compared with nontreated sides at 1 month after the 2nd treatment (P = .007). The mean MI of both sides, however, did not show any statistically significant differences from baseline, and likewise when comparing between sides. Patients reported more improvement on laser‐treated sides compared with nontreated sides. Reported side effects were limited to mild discomfort during treatment and transient facial erythema lasting approximately 30 minutes.

Conclusion

Patients who received treatment with the 577‐nm HOPSL had better outcomes with minimal side effects at 1 month after 2 treatments as compared to those who did not receive any treatment. Therefore, the 577‐nm HOPSL may be considered as an effective adjuvant treatment for PAE and early erythematous atrophic scars.
IMPACT OF FINANCIAL INCLUSION IN LOW‐ AND MIDDLE‐INCOME COUNTRIES: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF REVIEWS
Authors: Duvendack Maren , Mader Philip
Published: May 2020

Financial inclusion programmes seek to increase access to financial services such as credit, savings, insurance and money transfers. Despite a wealth of systematic review evidence, the impacts of financial inclusion are inconclusive. Hence, the first systematic review of systematic reviews was undertaken to synthesize the impacts of financial inclusion interventions on economic, social, gender and behavioural outcomes. Thirty‐two systematic reviews were identified. The headline finding is that impacts are more likely to be positive than negative, but the effects vary, and appear not to be transformative in scope or scale, as they largely occur in the early stages of the causal chain. The effects of financial services on core economic and social poverty indicators are small and inconsistent. There is no evidence for meaningful behaviour‐change outcomes. The effects on women's empowerment appear generally positive, but they depend upon programme features that are often peripheral to the financial service, and cultural and geographical context. Accessing savings opportunities has small but more consistently positive effects for poor people, and bears fewer downside risks for clients than credit. The inconsistent quality of the primary evidence base that formed the basis of their syntheses raises concerns about the reliability of the overall findings.
In the Hands of Women: Conditional Cash Transfers and Household Dynamics
Authors: Urbina Daniela R.
Published: May 2020

Objective

This study examines the effect of welfare payments provided to women on intra‐household decision‐making, female autonomy, and perceptions of responsibility for housework, by exploiting the case of Mexico's Progresa conditional cash transfer program.

Background

Although past scholarship has extensively studied the relationship between wives' labor market earnings and household dynamics, fewer studies have analyzed the causal impact of women's welfare payments on these outcomes. These resources have become increasingly important as policy initiatives, especially in developing countries, have focused on implementing targeted programs promoting women's economic empowerment.

Method

A sample of married and cohabiting couples participating in Progresa was constructed using the National Survey of Household Characteristics (N = 9,751 unions). Random assignment to the program allowed to estimate the causal effects of Progresa payments after 1.5 years, controlling for unobserved factors.

Results

Progresa cash transfers had a positive effect on attitudinal measures of housework and female autonomy, while they did not change household decision‐making. Progresa payments did not generate a gender backlash response among treated families—such as pushing women further into unpaid labor, as some critics expected.

Conclusion

In the short‐run, Progresa cash transfers improved women's position in the household. These findings are consistent with both resource‐based and time constraints perspectives.

Implications

This study illustrates how can we exploit field experiments to answer sociological questions concerning the family.
Effects of reducing crude protein concentration in starter feed containing constant rumen undegradable protein on dairy calves performance
Authors: Boorboor Mohammad , Alamouti Ali A. , Karimi Nasser , Sahraei Belverdy Mohsen
Published: May 2020

This study aimed at investigating the effects of decreasing crude protein (CP) in diets with constant rumen undegradable protein (RUP) content on dry matter (DM) intake, growth, feed efficiency (FE) and blood parameters in calves in a randomized complete block design. Dietary treatments included: (a) a calf starter containing 200 g/kg CP (62 g/kg RUP, based on DM), (b) a starter containing 180 g/kg CP (65 g/kg RUP, based on DM) and (c) a starter containing 160 g/kg CP (65 g/kg RUP, based on DM). A total 42 newborn male and female Holstein calves were fed 8 L milk/day until day 45, after which they were weaned and continued the experiment until day 75. Solid feed intake and total DM intake were measured daily, and body weight and skeletal growth parameters including withers height and heart girth were recorded weekly. Blood samples were collected on days 45 and 75. Solid feed intake, total DM intake, weaning weight, average daily gain from birth to weaning and from birth to 75 days, final weight and FE were not affected by the experimental treatments. In addition, skeletal growth parameters were similar among groups. Glucose concentration was similar among treatments; however, calves fed the starter containing 160 g/kg CP had significantly lower plasma concentrations of albumin and urea nitrogen compared with those fed starters containing 180 and 200 g/kg CP. These results indicate that CP level in the calf starter could be decreased to 160 g/kg DM if RUP levels stay at 65 g/kg DM, without negatively affecting feed intake and calf performance.
Genomic data reveal two distinct species from the widespread alpine ginger Roscoea tibetica Batalin (Zingiberaceae)
Authors: Li Li , Zhang Jie , Lu Zhi‐Qiang , Zhao Jian‐Li , Li Qing‐Jun
Published: May 2020

Species delimitation is a key foundation for exploring biodiversity. However, the existence of continuous phenotypic variation in widespread species challenges accurate species delimitation based on classical taxonomy. In this study, we investigated the cryptic diversity of a widespread herb (Roscoea tibetica Batalin) in a biodiversity hotspot (the Hengduan Mountains, China) using genotyping by sequencing, examining morphological traits, developing species distribution models, and simulating demographic history. Phylogenomic reconstruction, principal component analysis, and genetic structure inferences indicated that previously reported R. tibetica comprised two monophyletic lineages with a deep divergence. Several morphological diagnostic characteristics were discovered from field and common garden that corresponded to these independent evolutionary lineages. Species distribution models illustrated significant ecological divergence between both lineages. All evidence strongly supported that R. tibetica, as described in previous taxonomy, actually comprises two distinct species. Model test of gene flow and effective population size changes in fastsimcoal2, and a negative Tajima's D‐value suggested that recent contact likely occurred between the two lineages. Our results proposed that cryptic diversity in previously reported R. tibetica was possibly associated with phenotypic plasticity in heterogeneous environments and morphological convergence in similar habitats. This study suggests that caution should be exercised when attempting to gain biological insight into species with large‐scale morphological variation, and species delimitation should be done in advance.
HBV variants are common in the ‘immune‐tolerant’ phase of chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Yuen Lilly , Revill Peter A. , Rosenberg Gillian , Wagner Josef , Littlejohn Margaret , Bayliss Julianne , Jackson Kathy , Tan Susanna K. , Gaggar Anuj , Kitrinos Kathryn , Subramanian Mani , Gane Ed , Chan Henry L. Y. , Li Xin , Bowden Scott , Locarnini Stephen , Thompson Alexander
Published: May 2020

Nucleos(t)ide analogues (NUC) treatment prevents progression of liver fibrosis in subjects with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). However, risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) persists despite viral suppression. Specific HBV variants have been associated with adverse outcomes, including HCC; however, the frequency of these variants during the seemingly benign immunotolerant (IT) phase is unknown. Next‐generation sequencing and detailed virological characterization on a cohort of treatment‐naïve IT subjects were performed to determine the frequency of clinically relevant viral variants. Samples from 97 subjects (genotype B/C 55%/45%, median HBV‐DNA 8.5 log10 IU/mL, median HBsAg 4.8 log10 IU/mL, median HBeAg 3.6 log10 PEIU/mL) were analysed. Despite subjects being in the IT phase, clinically relevant HBV variants were common at baseline, particularly in the basal core promoter (BCP, overlaps the hepatitis B X (HBx) gene), precore and PreS regions. BCP/HBx variants were independently associated with lower baseline HBeAg, HBsAg and HBV‐DNA titres. Precore variants were independently associated with higher baseline ALT. Increased viral diversity was associated with increased age and lower HBV‐DNA, HBsAg and HBeAg levels. Low‐level (<5%) drug resistance–associated amino acid substitutions in the HBV reverse transcriptase were detected in 9 (9%) subjects at pre‐treatment but were not associated with reduced antiviral activity. Future studies should evaluate whether the detection of HBV variant during IT CHB is predictive of progression to immune clearance and poor prognosis, and whether early initiation of antiviral therapy during IT CHB to prevent the selection of HBV variants is clinically beneficial.
Suppression of complement component 2 expression by hepatitis B virus contributes to the viral persistence in chronic hepatitis B patients
Authors: Ning Gang , Zhen Li‐Min , Xu Wen‐Xiong , Li Xue‐Jun , Wu Li‐Na , Liu Ying , Xie Chan , Peng Liang
Published: May 2020

Previously, we identified rare missense mutations of complement component 2 (C2) to be associated with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) by exome sequencing. However, up to now, little is known about the role of C2 in CHB. In the present study, we aimed to perform preliminary exploration about the underlying role of C2 in CHB. Serum samples from 113 CHB patients and 30 healthy controls, and liver biopsy samples from 5 CHB patients and 3 healthy controls were obtained from the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‐sen University between January 2018 and January 2020. HepG2.2.15 and HepG2‐NTCP cells infected with HBV were used to examine the influence of HBV infection on C2 expression. IFN‐treated HepG2.2.15 cells were used to assess the effect of IFN on C2 expression. C2‐overexpressing or C2‐silencing HepG2.2.15 cells were constructed to evaluate the effect of C2 on HBV infection. Western blot and RT‐qPCR were used to measure C2 expression in biopsy samples. HBeAg and HBsAg in culture medium and C2 of serum samples were measured by ELISA. HBV‐DNA was measured by RT‐qPCR. GSE84044, GSE54747 and GSE27555 were downloaded from GEO. C2 expression in liver tissue and serum was significantly lower in CHB patients compared to healthy controls, and significantly higher C2 expression was found in CHB patients with lower ALT, AST, Scheuer grade and stages compared to CHB patients with higher ALT, AST, Scheuer grades and Scheuer stage. Besides, HBV infection could decrease C2 expression by increasing expression of Sp1 and reducing expression of HDAC4. Moreover, C2 could enhance the anti‐virus effect of IFN on HepG2.2.15 cells and also inhibit HBV replication in HepG2.2.15 cells by inhibition of p38‐MAPK signalling pathway. In conclusion, HBV may promote viral persistence in CHB patients by inhibiting C2 expression.
Effects of solar activity on production rates of short‐lived cosmogenic radionuclides
Authors: Beno Juraj , Breier Robert , Masarik Jozef
Published: May 2020

The solar activity can be quantified by solar modulation parameter Φ that affects the heliospheric magnetic field. This activity influences the intensity of the galactic cosmic ray (GCR) particle flux within the solar system, and consequently, the differential primary particle spectra depend on the solar modulation parameter Φ (MeV). The modulation parameter Φ shows spatial and temporal variations (Leya and Masarik 2009). Some of the solar activity variations are cyclic and result in measurable effects as for example the 11‐year solar cycle. Variations in solar activity only induce small effects on the production of long‐lived cosmogenic radionuclides. This is due to the fact that activities measured in meteorites usually correspond to saturation values and represent long‐term average values. Long‐lived radionuclides often require millions of years of irradiation by GCR to reach saturation and therefore activity cycles average out. In contrast, one can expect strongly pronounced variations for saturation values caused by primary flux intensity variations, if short‐lived radionuclides with half‐lives ranging from days to a few years are investigated. Short‐lived cosmogenic nuclides were the subject of many experimental and theoretical investigations (e.g., Evans et al. 1982; Spergel et al. 1986; Neumann et al. 1997; Komura et al. 2002; Laubenstein et al. 2012). The aim of this work is to develop formulae for calculating production rates of radionuclides with short half‐life, taking into account temporal variations in the primary cosmic ray intensity. The developed formulae were applied to the Kosice and Chelyabinsk meteorites. The results for the Košice meteorite were already published (Povinec et al. 2015). Here, we give a full explanation of underlying model.
A comparison between reclamation stockpile and boreal forest seed banks and plant communities
Authors: Buss Jennifer , Pinno Bradley D. , Quideau Sylvie
Published: May 2020

Soil stockpiles are essential to the reclamation of large‐ and small‐scale mining and other industrial sites. However, stockpiling soils can lead to the degradation of seed banks. This study examines the diversity, composition, depth of seed storage, and relationships between the aboveground and seed bank plant communities in stockpiles and compares them to the nearby boreal forest. The seed bank and aboveground vegetation sampled at eight stockpiles and six mature forest sites were near Fort McMurray (57.337°N, 111.755°W) and Cold Lake (54.695°N, 110.730°W), Alberta, Canada. Seed bank samples were taken from the forest floor (LFH) and depths of 0–5, 5–10, 10–20, 20–30, >50 cm. Aboveground vegetation cover was also estimated at these locations. The seed bank composition was determined using the seedling emergence method in a greenhouse. Stockpile seed banks had higher seedling abundance and species richness than nearby forested sites but were dominated by grasses and non‐native forbs. Most seeds germinated from the surface layer, with 92% of seeds germinating from the LFH layers in the forested sites, and 68% from the 0 to 5 cm layer in the stockpiles. Mature forest sites had more similar aboveground and seed bank communities than the stockpiles. Overall, integrating information on seed bank and aboveground plant communities would improve reclamation decisions, rather than relying on aboveground vegetation alone.
Latinos por Trump? Latinos and the 2016 Presidential Election
Authors: Corral Álvaro J. , Leal David L.
Published: May 2020

Objective

This article examines the unresolved puzzle of the Latino vote in the 2016 presidential election. The National Election Pool (NEP) estimated that Trump received 28 percent, which surprised many given Trump's rhetoric, but it was just one of several estimates (ranging from 18 to over 30 percent).

Methods

We analyze the 2016 and 2012 American National Election Study, Pew's 2016 and 2012 National Survey of Latinos, the 2016 Cooperative Congressional Election Study, and various media polls.

Results

The data indicate that (1) Trump improved on Romney among key groups of Latinos (Protestants, low income, and the third generation) but lost ground among others; (2) Clinton underperformed Obama across multiple dimensions; and (3) many Latino undecided voters and third‐party supporters broke late for Trump.

Conclusion

Trump did better than expected among Latinos. This highlights an increasingly diverse Latino electorate and complicates our understanding of the political implications of demographic change.
The global challenge of field crop production with limited herbicides: An Australian perspective
Authors: Beckie Hugh J. , Ashworth Michael B. , Flower Ken C.
Published: May 2020

Legislated pesticide‐use restrictions or bans in a growing number of countries worldwide are forcing growers and land managers to reactively plan, develop or implement alternative pest management practices and even entire farming systems. While the rapidly rising incidence of multiple resistance in weed populations had already begun this transition in many agroregions, the future pace of change will undoubtedly accelerate. We outline possible weed management alternatives, based on workshop discussions among Australian weed scientists or practitioners and agronomists, of grain cropping scenarios in a herbicide‐limited world. Further, we conducted bioeconomic model scenarios of grain crop production in southern Australia without the use of non‐selective burndown or pre‐harvest herbicides. Effectively and profitably managing troublesome weeds in major agronomic field crops in a restricted herbicide environment will be challenging, but can be considered as an opportunity for significantly greater adoption of ecologically based weed management tactics, strategies and systems.
Challenge Theory: The Structure and Measurement of Risky Binary Choice Behavior
Authors: Shye Samuel , Haber Ido
Published: May 2020

Challenge Theory (Shye & Haber 2015; 2020) has demonstrated that a newly devised challenge index (CI) attributable to every binary choice problem predicts the popularity of the bold option, the one of lower probability to gain a higher monetary outcome (in a gain problem); and the one of higher probability to lose a lower monetary outcome (in a loss problem).  In this paper we show how Facet Theory structures the choice-behavior concept-space and yields rationalized measurements of gambling behavior. The data of this study consist of responses obtained from 126 student, specifying their preferences in 44 risky decision problems. A Faceted Smallest Space Analysis (SSA) of the 44 problems confirmed the hypothesis that the space of binary risky choice problems is partitionable by two binary axial facets: (a) Type of Problem (gain vs. loss); and (b) CI (Low vs. High). Four composite variables, representing the validated constructs: Gain, Loss, High-CI and Low-CI, were processed using Multiple Scaling by Partial Order Scalogram Analysis with base Coordinates (POSAC), leading to a meaningful and intuitively appealing interpretation of two necessary and sufficient gambling-behavior measurement scales.
Drag Reduction Performance of Mechanically Degraded Dilute Polyethylene Oxide Solutions
Authors: Farsiani Yasaman , Saeed Zeeshan , Elbing Brian R.
Published: May 2020

Mechanical degradation of dilute solutions of polyethylene oxide (PEO) via chain scission was investigated within a turbulent pipe flow. Comparisons of the drag reduction performance with and without degradation were made by matching the onset of drag reduction conditions, which has been shown for PEO to be related to the mean molecular weight. The bulk flow behavior of both the degraded and nondegraded samples were generally consistent with trends observed in the literature, but a subset of conditions showed significant deviation in the slope increment (drag reduction performance) between the degraded and nondegraded samples. When they deviated, the degraded samples were consistently more efficient than the nondegraded samples even though they had the same mean molecular weight. The deviations were shown to scale with the normalized difference between the initial and final molecular weights. The current data and analysis as well as the literature suggest that the deviations in the polymer performance (slope increment) are related to changes in the molecular weight distribution. More specifically, the improved performance of the degraded samples relative to the nondegraded ones at the mean molecular weight of the degraded sample indicates an excess of longer polymer chains since the higher chain fractions in a degraded solution more effectively control the flow properties when within a certain degree of degradation and Reynolds number.
Instability of a Radially Moving Cylindrical Surface: A Viscous Potential Flow Approach
Authors: Awasthi Mukesh Kumar , Agarwal Shivam
Published: May 2020

The effect of viscosity on the unstable interface of the cylindrical jet is analyzed through viscous potential flow approach. The jet is moving radially and jet interface is experiencing Rayleigh–Taylor type instability. Previous studies have completely ignored the viscosity effect while considering the instability of a radially moving cylindrical jet. The fluids inside and outside jet are incompressible as well as viscous. The theoretical analysis provides us a second-order ordinary differential equation to establish the instability/stability criterion. The radial velocity and acceleration both have significant impact on the stability of the jet. We found that as viscosity enters to the analysis, perturbations grow rapidly. In addition, the acquired stability criterion is applied to the cylindrical jets in HYLIFE-II which is basically an inertial confinement fusion reactor.
Uniform and Gaussian Ultraviolet Light Intensity Distribution on Droplet for Selective Area Deposition of Particles
Authors: Li Tianyi , Kar Aravinda , Kumar Ranganathan
Published: May 2020

Particle transport through Marangoni convection inside a sessile droplet can be controlled by the ultraviolet (UV) light distribution on the surface. The photosensitive solution changes the surface tension gradient on the droplet surface and can induce clockwise and counterclockwise circulations depending on the incident light distribution. In this paper, the stream function in the sessile drop has been evaluated in toroidal coordinates by solving the biharmonic equation. Multiple primary clockwise and counterclockwise circulations are observed in the droplet under various concentric UV light profiles. The downward dividing streamlines are expected to deposit the particles on the substrate, thus matching the number of deposited rings on the substrate with the number of UV light rings. Moffatt eddies appear near the contact line or centerline of the droplet depending on the UV light profile and its distance from the contact line.
Application of FEFF analyses to actinide 5f systems
Authors: Tobin J. G. , Sokaras D.
Published: May 2020

The strengths and limitations of FEFF simulations, as applied to actinide systems, are discussed. While the impact of total angular momentum coupling in the 5f manifold is not addressed within the usual FEFF approach, the utility of FEFF is demonstrated.
Enhancing hydrogenation activity of Ni-Mo sulfide hydrodesulfurization catalysts
Authors: Wagenhofer Manuel F. , Shi Hui , Gutiérrez Oliver Y. , Jentys Andreas , Lercher Johannes A.
Published: May 2020

Simple acid treatment enhances catalytic activities and enables robust structure-function relations for transition metal sulfides.
Rapid COVID-19 vaccine development
Authors: Graham Barney S.
Published: May 2020

Finding the fastest pathway to vaccine availability includes the avoidance of safety pitfalls
Divergent T follicular helper cell requirement for IgA and IgE production to peanut during allergic sensitization
Authors: Zhang Biyan , Liu Elise , Gertie Jake A. , Joseph Julie , Xu Lan , Pinker Elisha Y. , Waizman Daniel A. , Catanzaro Jason , Hamza Kedir Hussen , Lahl Katharina , Gowthaman Uthaman , Eisenbarth Stephanie C.
Published: May 2020

Generation of peanut-specific gut immunoglobulin A antibodies is independent of T follicular helper cells.
HiJAKing SARS-CoV-2? The potential role of JAK inhibitors in the management of COVID-19
Authors: Spinelli Francesca Romana , Conti Fabrizio , Gadina Massimo
Published: May 2020

JAK kinase inhibitors are being investigated as a way of managing cytokine storm in patients with severe COVID-19.
Performance Characteristics of the Abbott Architect SARS-CoV-2 IgG Assay and Seroprevalence in Boise, Idaho
Authors: Bryan Andrew , Pepper Gregory , Wener Mark H. , Fink Susan L. , Morishima Chihiro , Chaudhary Anu , Jerome Keith R. , Mathias Patrick C. , Greninger Alexander L.
Published: May 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the novel respiratory illness caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is associated with severe morbidity and mortality. The rollout of diagnostic testing in the United States was slow, leading to numerous cases that were not tested for SARS-CoV-2 in February and March 2020 and necessitating the use of serological testing to determine past infections. Here, we evaluated the Abbott SARS-CoV-2 IgG test for detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies by testing 3 distinct patient populations.
Supplemental Material: Investigating the formation of the Cretaceous Western Interior Seaway using landscape evolution simulations
Authors: Chang Ching , Liu Lijun
Published: May 2020

Five additional figures to support some arguments in the main text and to aid readers’ understandings.
Eight-and-a-half syndrome: video evidence and updated literature review
Authors: Cárdenas-Rodríguez Marco A , Castillo-Torres Sergio A , Chávez-Luévanos Beatriz , De León-Flores Laura
Published: May 2020

The eight-and-a-half syndrome (EHS)—defined by the combination of a seventh cranial nerve palsy and an ipsilateral one-and-a-half syndrome—is a rare brainstem syndrome, which localises to the caudal tegmental region of the pons. We present a case of the EHS secondary to an inflammatory lesion on a previously healthy 26-year-old woman, with a literature review emphasising the relevance of aetiological assessment.
Development of Rehabilitation of Eclectic Cognitive Functioning Post-Traumatic Brain Injury to Retrain and Restore Attention, Concentration, Memory and Executive Functions (RETRACE)
Authors: Chopra Sakshi , Sinha Sumit , Kumaran Senthil S , Kaur Harsimarpreet , Pandey Ravindra Mohan , Nehra Ashima
Published: May 2020

Background

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) incapacitates nearly 3.5 million Indians and can result in a host of physical, cognitive, social, emotional and behavioural problems. Neuropsychological rehabilitation (NR) aids in amelioration of these deficits. As people with low literacy levels represent a significant proportion of the world, specific cognitive rehabilitation modules for such populations are indispensable. A standardised, economical NR intervention may assist in faster recovery.

Methods

The study was initiated after obtaining institute ethics approval and the Clinical Trials Registry – India clearance. A 6-week indigenised literacy-free NR interventionRehabilitation of Eclectic Cognitive Functioning post Traumatic Brain Injury to Retrain and Restore Attention, Concentration, Memory and Executive Functions (RETRACE)was developed. This intervention targeted areas of memory, attention and concentration, executive functioning, and response inhibition. It was standardised on 50 healthy controls and 18 patients. Prior to recruitment, a written informed consent was obtained from each patient, their primary caregiver and the healthy controls.

Results

Individuals were divided into four groups based on their education levels: illiterates; 1–9 years, 10–14 years; and >15 years. All the outcomes for each of the four cognitive domains in the intervention did not have any significant difference for errors committed among the healthy controls with respect to different levels of education. The performance of patients with the healthy controls on all the four cognitive domains revealed a significant difference in each.

Conclusions

RETRACE covers major areas of cognitive impairment that affects an individual’s social, vocational and personal quality of life after brain injury. This intervention is feasible to administer and may help alleviating cognitive complaints after brain injury in low literate or mixed cultural populations. RETRACE is simple to score and can be done easily at the patient’s home under the supervision of the patient’s caregiver. Further study of its efficacy in a randomised trial is already underway.
Chest radiograph findings in children aged 2–59 months hospitalised with community-acquired pneumonia, prior to the introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in India: a prospective multisite observational study
Authors: Awasthi Shally , Rastogi Tuhina , Mishra Neha , Chauhan Abhishek , Mohindra Namita , Shukla Ram Chandra , Agarwal Monika , Pandey Chandra Mani , Kohli Neera , Study Group CAP
Published: May 2020

Objectives

The current study was a hospital-based surveillance of cases hospitalised with WHO-defined community-acquired pneumonia in children aged 2–59 months, to assess the radiological abnormalities in chest X-rays and to identify the demographic and clinical correlates of specific radiological abnormalities, in residents of prespecified districts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, India.

Design

Prospective, active, hospital-based surveillance.

Setting

Multisite study conducted in a network of 117 secondary/tertiary care hospitals in four districts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, India.

Participants

Included were children aged 2–59 months, hospitalised with community-acquired pneumonia, residing in the project district, with duration of illness <14 days and who had not been hospitalised elsewhere for this episode nor had been recruited previously.

Main outcome measure

Concordant radiological abnormalities in the chest X-rays.

Results

From January 2015 to April 2017, 3214 cases were recruited and in 99.40% (3195/3214) chest X-rays were available, among which 88.54% (2829/3195) were interpretable. Relevant radiological abnormalities were found in 34.53% (977/2829, 95% CI 32.78 to 36.28). These were primary end point pneumonia alone or with other infiltrates in 22.44% (635/2829, 95% CI 20.90% to 23.98%) and other infiltrates in 12.09% (342/2829; 95% CI 10.88% to 13.29%). There was a statistically significant interdistrict variation in radiological abnormalities. Statistically significantly higher proportion of abnormal chest X-rays were found in girls, those with weight-for-age z-score ≤−3SD, longer duration of fever, pallor and with exposure to biomass fuel.

Conclusions

Among hospitalised cases of community-acquired pneumonia, almost one-third children had abnormal chest radiographs, which were higher in females, malnourished children and those with longer illnesses; and an intra-district variation was observed.
Nutritional Outcomes of patients Undergoing Resection for upper gastroIntestinal cancer in AuStralian Hospitals (NOURISH): protocol for a multicentre point prevalence study
Authors: Deftereos Irene , Yeung Justin M C , Carter Vanessa M , Isenring Elizabeth , Kiss Nicole K
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Nutritional intervention and prevention of malnutrition is significantly important for patients with upper gastrointestinal oesophageal, pancreatic and gastric cancer. However, there is limited information regarding nutritional status, and perioperative nutritional interventions that patients receive when undergoing curative surgery.

Methods and analysis

Patients diagnosed with upper gastrointestinal cancer, planned for curative intent resection across 27 Australian hospitals will be eligible to participate in this point prevalence study. The primary aim is to determine the prevalence of malnutrition in patients with upper gastrointestinal cancer at the time of surgery using subjective global assessment. Secondary aims are to determine the type and frequency of perioperative nutritional intervention received, the prevalence of clinically important weight loss and low muscle strength, and to investigate associations between the use of an evidence-based nutrition care pathway or protocol for the nutritional management of upper gastrointestinal surgical oncology patients and malnutrition prevalence. Data collection will be completed using a purpose-built data collection tool.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was granted in May 2019 (LNR/51107/PMCC-2019). The design and reporting of this study comply with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology checklist for reporting of observational cohort studies. Findings will be published in peer-reviewed scholarly journals and presented at relevant conferences. Results will assist in defining priority areas for research to improve patient outcomes.
Calf immunology and the role of vaccinations in dairy calves
Authors: Sherwin Ginny , Down Peter
Published: May 2020

The risk of mortality and morbidity in calves is highest during the first few weeks of life. The main causes of mortality change throughout the preweaning period: septicaemia is most likely to occur in neonatal calves (up to 28 days of age); diarrhoea in calves less than 30 days old, and bovine respiratory disease in dairy calves more than 30 days old (McGuirk 2008). During this critical period, many producers look to vaccination and other preventive interventions to minimise the risk of disease. This article discusses the role of vaccinations in the rearing of dairy calves, alongside other preventive measures, and considers the immunological changes that occur during the first few weeks of a calf's life that are intrinsically linked with risk of morbidity and subsequent mortality in calves.
Relationship between socioeconomic status and incidence of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is dependent on age
Authors: Jonsson Martin , Ljungman Petter , Härkönen Juho , Van Nieuwenhuizen Ben , Møller Sidsel , Ringh Mattias , Nordberg Per
Published: May 2020

Background

The association between socioeconomic status (SES) and incidence of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is not fully understood. The aim of this study was to see if area-level socioeconomic differences, measured in terms of area-level income and education, are associated with the incidence of OHCA, and if this relationship is dependent on age.

Methods

We included OHCAs that occurred in Stockholm County between the 1st of January 2006 and the 31st of December 2017, the victims being confirmed residents (n=10 574). We linked the home address to a matching neighbourhood (base unit) via available socioeconomic and demographic information. Socioeconomic variables and incidence rates were assessed by using cross-sectional values at the end of each year. We used zero-inflated negative binomial regression to calculate incidence rate ratios (IRRs).

Results

Among 1349 areas with complete SES information, 10 503 OHCAs occurred between 2006 and 2017. The IRR in the highest versus the lowest SES area was 0.61 (0.50–0.75) among persons in the 0–44 age group. Among patients in the 45–64 age group, the corresponding IRR was 0.55 (0.47–0.65). The highest SES areas versus the lowest showed an IRR of 0.59 (0.50–0.70) in the 65–74 age group. In the two highest age groups, no significant association was seen (75–84 age group: 0.93 (0.80–1.08); 85+ age group: 1.05 (0.84–1.23)). Similar crude patterns were seen among both men and women.

Conclusions

Areas characterised by high SES showed a significantly lower incidence of OHCA. This relationship was seen up to the age of 75, after which the relationship disappeared, suggesting a levelling effect.
How bad are life expectancy trends across the UK, and what would it take to get back to previous trends?
Authors: Minton Jon , Fletcher Eilidh , Ramsay Julie , Little Kirsty , McCartney Gerry
Published: May 2020

Background

Within the UK, there has been debate on whether life expectancy is increasing or decreasing in particular single or 3-year periods, but there has been less thinking whether overall trends have changed. This paper considers the extent to which the trends in life expectancy for the UK and its nations have changed before and after 2011.

Methods

We used the Office for National Statistics period life expectancy data for the UK and its nations. We used Lee’s approach to project life expectancy based on repeated sampling of year-to-year change in the baseline periods (1990–2011 and 1980–2011) and applied that to 2012 onwards.

Findings

Improvements in period life expectancy were substantially and consistently lower between 2012 and 2018 than predicted from the trends from 1980 and, especially, from 1990. By 2018, life expectancy was lower than projected for females and males, respectively, by 1.22 and 1.52 years (England), 1.44 and 0.95 years (Northern Ireland), 1.30 and 1.44 years (Scotland), 1.53 and 1.63 years (Wales) and 1.24 and 1.49 years (UK overall), based on the 1990–2011 baseline period. Using a longer baseline period, which includes the slower rates of improvement during the 1980s, slightly reduces the gap between the current life expectancies and the projected medians.

Interpretation

Future academic and policy focus should be on the deviation of the life expectancy trends from the baseline projection rather than on year-to-year variation. Concerted policy focus to return life expectancy to the projected trends is now urgently required.
Avoiding hypersensitive reluctance to address parental responsibility in childhood obesity
Authors: Feiring Eli , Traina Gloria , Fystro Joar Røkke , Hofmann Bjorn
Published: May 2020

Childhood obesity is an increasing health problem. Prior empirical research suggests that, although discussing lifestyle behaviours with parents could help prevent childhood obesity and its health-related consequences, physicians are reluctant to address parental responsibility in the clinical setting. Therefore, this paper questions whether parents might be (or might be held) responsible for their children’s obesity, and if so, whether parental responsibility ought to be addressed in the physician–patient/parent encounter. We illustrate how different ideal-typical models of the physician–patient/parent interaction emphasise different understandings of patient autonomy and parental responsibility and argue that these models advocate different responses to an appeal for discussing parents’ role in childhood obesity. We suggest that responsibility should be attributed to parents because of their parental roles in providing for their children’s welfare. We also argue that whether, and how, this responsibility gives rise to a requirement to act depends on the parents’ capacities. A deliberative-oriented physician–patient/parent interaction best captures the current ideals of antipaternalism, patient autonomy, and shared and evidence-informed decision-making, and might facilitate parental role development. We conclude that, while not discussing parental responsibility for childhood obesity in the clinical setting can be warranted in particular cases, this cannot be justified as a general rule.