bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do Postoperative Antibiotics Affect Outcomes in Mohs Reconstructive Surgery?
Authors: Miller Matthew Q. , Stevens Jacqueline S. , Park Stephen S. , Christophel J. Jared
Published: May 2020

Objectives/Hypothesis

The prescribing of postoperative antibiotics for patients undergoing Mohs reconstructive surgery has increased in the last decade, while antibiotic resistance has been increasing. We hypothesized that routine prescribing of postoperative antibiotics after Mohs reconstruction does not decrease the risk of surgical site infection.

Study Design

Retrospective, single‐institution cohort study.

Methods

This study assessed patients who underwent Mohs reconstructive surgery from January 1, 2012, to January 29, 2019. The main outcomes assessed included postoperative surgical site infections, partial or full flap/graft necrosis, hematoma, and dehiscence.

Results

A total of 900 defects in 800 patients (mean age [range] = 65.3 [21–96], 54.60% female) were identified over the 7‐year period. Patient‐specific variables reviewed included comorbidities, age, and smoking status. Surgery‐specific variables analyzed included defect characteristics, time interval between Mohs micrographic surgery and reconstruction, reconstructive modalities, and use of postoperative antibiotics. All patients received peri‐incisional antibiotics. On regression analysis, use of cartilage grafts (odds ratio [OR]: 6.53; 95% CI: 2.1‐20.6; P = .001), current smoking status (OR: 6.67; 95% CI: 2.09‐21.30; P = .001), full‐thickness defects (OR: 1.2; 95% CI: 1.0‐3.4; P = .045), and interpolated flap reconstruction (OR: 3.4; 95% CI: 1.0‐11.5; P = .049) were associated with an increased risk of postoperative infections. Smoking and cartilage grafting remained significant on bivariable regression modeling. Use of perioperative antibiotics was not associated with a decreased risk of infection (OR: 1.82; 95% CI: 0.23‐14.21; P = .568).

Conclusions

We found no association between postoperative infections after Mohs reconstructive surgery and the use of postoperative antibiotics. These data support a more targeted approach to antibiotic prescribing in Mohs reconstructive surgery.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 131:E434–E439, 2021
Rediscovering Surlyn: A Supramolecular Thermoset Capable of Healing and Recycling
Authors: Zhan Shengnan , Wang Xiaohan , Sun Junqi
Published: May 2020

Surlyn consists of ionomers of poly(ethylene‐co‐methacrylic acid) (PEMA) partially neutralized with metal ions. Considering its huge consumption every year, it is highly desirable to realize efficient healing and recycling of Surlyn through an easily available method. Herein, healable and recyclable Surlyn materials are fabricated by complexation of PEMA with Zn2+ ions followed by a hot‐pressing process. The PEMA/Zn composites exhibit a tensile strength of ≈37 MPa, Young's modulus of ≈343 MPa, and toughness of ≈95 MJ m−3. Structural analysis discloses that the PEMA/Zn composites are dynamically cross‐linked with coordination interactions and reinforced with polyethylene nanocrystals, and have the typical structure of supramolecular thermosets. As supramolecular thermosets, the reversibility of coordination interactions endows the PEMA/Zn composites with good healing and recycling capacities. The PEMA/Zn composites can fully heal mechanical damage to restore their original mechanical strength when heated at 90 °C. Under a pressure of 3 MPa at 100 °C, the PEMA/Zn composites can be recycled multiple times to regain their structural integrity and mechanical properties.
Antimicrobial Hyperbranched Polymer–Usnic Acid Complexes through a Combined ROP‐RAFT Strategy
Authors: Rauschenbach Moritz , Lawrenson Stefan B. , Taresco Vincenzo , Pearce Amanda K. , O'Reilly Rachel K.
Published: May 2020

Polymer–drug conjugates have received considerable attention over the last decades due to their potential for improving the clinical outcomes for a range of diseases. It is of importance to develop methods for their preparation that have simple synthesis and purification requirements but maintain high therapeutic efficacy and utilize macromolecules that can be cleared via natural excretory pathways upon breakdown. Herein, the combination of ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) and reversible addition−fragmentation chain‐transfer (RAFT) polymerization is described for the straightforward synthesis of amphiphilic, stimuli‐responsive, biodegradable, and highly functionalizable hyperbranched polymers. These unimolecular nanoparticles demonstrate a versatile platform for the synthesis of polymer–drug conjugates owing to the inclusion of a Boc‐protected polycarbonate moiety in either a block or random copolymer formation. A proof‐of‐concept study on the complexation of the poorly water‐soluble antimicrobial drug usnic acid results in polymer‐drug complexes with powerful antimicrobial properties against gram‐positive bacteria. Therefore, this work highlights the potential of amphiphilic and biodegradable hyperbranched polymers for antimicrobial applications.
On the influence of nanoparticles as addition to the A356 aluminum‐alloy: Is it acting as a refining or strengthening mechanism?
Authors: El‐Mahallawi I.S. , Mohamed O. , Shash A.Y.
Published: May 2020

The effect induced by adding nanoparticles to cast hypo‐eutectic aluminum 7 % silicon alloys (A356) is continually reported to show enhanced mechanical properties. The experimental results show a strengthening effect associated with an increase in ductility and/or toughness, induced by adding nanoparticles. The aim of this work is to add a contribution towards understanding the strengthening effect observed in the nanoparticles‐reinforced A356 alloy. This is done by calculating the conventional incremental summation of several strengthening mechanisms contributing to strengthening and reinforcement in composites. The results obtained by applying the mathematical calculations are compared with the experimental results reported in literature. Based on the mathematical approach, this work shows that the main strengthening mechanisms acting for metal matrix nano composites (MMNCs) are those contributing to the strengthening of the matrix. These result from contributions by Orowan strengthening and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and elastic modulus (EM) mismatch.
Ice stress‐strain curve prediction in uniaxial compression loading in the objective of atmospheric icing risk evaluation
Authors: Seifaddini M. , Saeidi A. , Farzaneh M.
Published: May 2020

Atmospheric icing is a major cause of damage to electric power networks. During ice storms, “ice shedding off” cables and conductors can lead to major damage to power systems, mostly by mechanical failure. The brittleness of ice might be its most important and critical property possibly leading to hazardous events in urban regions, and involving equipment such as electrical power lines. To avoid or reduce the risks from this phenomenon, it is necessary to understand the mechanical behavior of ice, including ice strain, as well as its maximal strength and residual strength. The behavior of ice depends mainly on the applied stress and strain rate, as well as temperature, salinity, porosity, and particle size. As a fundamental subject on the deformation behavior of ice, the simple case of polycrystalline isotropic ice was chosen in this study. A methodology is developed to determine the stress‐strain curve for ice as a function of temperature and several uniaxial compression loading conditions. Mathematical relations are developed for several loading conditions and temperature. The results of this research allow to predict the maximal and residual strength of ice, as functions of strain rate and temperature.
The Head Retraction Reflex in Niemann‐Pick Type C: A Novel Diagnostic Clue
Authors: Martin Andrew J. , Morales‐Briceño Hugo , Tchan Michel , Fung Victor S.C.
Published: May 2020

Background

The head retraction reflex (HRR) is characterized by the extension of the neck after percussion stimulation of the central facial region. It is either absent or habituates in normal individuals and can become exaggerated and persistent in certain pathological conditions, having been most commonly reported in hyperekplexia and stiff‐person syndrome disorders. It has not, however, been reported in Niemann‐Pick type C (NPC), a lipid storage disorder with a variety of neurologic and systemic manifestations. The diagnosis of NPC is often delayed because of the rarity of the condition and the subtlety of clinical signs.

Cases

We present 3 consecutive cases of genetically confirmed NPC with a pathological HRR, which was not present in controls. Neurophysiological analysis showed findings suggestive of myoclonus of brainstem origin.

Conclusion

We propose that the presence of a pathological HRR, an easily performed clinical test, may provide a clue to the diagnosis of NPC.
Pedunculopontine Nucleus Microstructure Predicts Postural and Gait Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Craig Chesney E. , Jenkinson Ned J. , Brittain John‐Stuart , Grothe Michel J. , Rochester Lynn , Silverdale Monty , Alho Ana T.D.L. , Alho Eduardo J.L. , Holmes Paul S. , Ray Nicola J.
Published: May 2020

Background

There is an urgent need to identify individuals at risk of postural instability and gait difficulties, and the resulting propensity for falls, in Parkinson's disease.

Objectives

Given known relationships between posture and gait and degeneration of the cholinergic pedunculopontine nucleus, we investigated whether metrics of pedunculopontine nucleus microstructural integrity hold independent utility for predicting future postural instability and gait difficulties and whether they could be combined with other candidate biomarkers to improve prognostication of these symptoms.

Methods

We used stereotactic mapping of the pedunculopontine nucleus and diffusion tensor imaging to extract baseline pedunculopontine nucleus diffusivity metrics in 147 participants with Parkinson's disease and 65 controls enrolled in the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative. We also recorded known candidate markers of posture and gait changes: loss of caudate dopamine and CSF β‐amyloid 1‐42 levels at baseline; as well as longitudinal progression motor symptoms over 72‐months.

Results

Survival analyses revealed that reduced dopamine in the caudate and increased axial diffusivity in the pedunculopontine nucleus incurred independent risk of postural instability and gait difficulties. Binary logistic regression and receiver operating characteristics analysis in 117 participants with complete follow‐up data at 60 months revealed that only pedunculopontine nucleus microstructure provided more accurate discriminative ability for predicting future postural instability and gait difficulties than clinical and demographic variables alone.

Conclusion

Dopaminergic and cholinergic loss incur independent risk for future postural instability and gait difficulties, and pedunculopontine nucleus microstructure can be used to prognosticate these symptoms from early Parkinson's disease stages. © 2020 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Novel mutations in the PITX2 gene in Pakistani and Mexican families with Axenfeld‐Rieger syndrome
Authors: Lo Faro Valeria , Siddiqui Sorath N. , Khan Muhammad I. , Villanueva‐Mendoza Cristina , Cortés‐González Vianney , Jansonius Nomdo , Bergen Arthur A. B. , Micheal Shazia
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Axenfeld‐Rieger syndrome (ARS) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder that affects the anterior segment of the eye. The aim of this study was to examine the PITX2 gene to identify possible novel mutations in Pakistani and Mexican families affected by the ARS phenotype.

Methods

Three unrelated probands with a diagnosis of ARS were recruited for this study. Genomic DNA was isolated from the peripheral blood of the probands and their family members. Polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing were used for the analysis of coding exons and the flanking intronic regions of the PITX2 gene. Bioinformatics tools and database (VarSome, Provean, and MutationTaster, SIFT, PolyPhen‐2, and HOPE) were evaluated to explore missense variants.

Results

We identified novel heterozygous variations in the PITX2 gene that segregated with the ARS phenotype within the families. The variant NM_153426.2(PITX2):c.226G > T or p.(Ala76Ser) and the mutation NM_153426.2(PITX2):c.455G > A or p.(Cys152Tyr) were identified in two Pakistani pedigrees, and the mutation NM_153426.2(PITX2):c.242_265del or p.(Lys81_Gln88del), segregated in a Mexican family.

Conclusion

Our study extends the spectrum of PITX2 mutations in individuals with ARS, enabling an improved diagnosis of this rare but serious syndrome.
A family of high order iterations for calculating the sign of a matrix
Authors: Soleymani Fazlollah , Khdhr Fuad W. , Saeed Rostam K. , Golzarpoor Javad
Published: May 2020

For the computation of a matrix sign function, a family of iterative methods is proposed. for some cases of the accelerator parameters, this method is proven to converge globally with higher rates of convergence. Its stability is discussed analytically as well. to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed methods from the family, several tests of various matrix sizes are considered to worked out.
Stability and bifurcation of a nutrient‐autotroph‐herbivore model with nutrient recycling under two delays
Authors: Maiti Atasi Patra , Chakraborty Arun
Published: May 2020

In this article, a nutrient‐autotroph‐herbivore model with nutrient recycling is constructed. Holling type‐II functional response for the relation between nutrient and autotroph while Beddington‐DeAngelis‐type functional response for autotroph and herbivore relation are considered here. It is plausible that the conversion of nutrient from dead biomass (autotroph and herbivore) by decomposers (i.e., bacteria and fungi) are not instantaneous, which takes times. Hereby, two different discrete time delays for the decomposition process are introduced. The local and global stability behaviours of both nondelayed and delayed models are analysed around the equilibrium points. The stability and direction of Hopf‐bifurcation using normal form theory and centre manifold theorem by taking one delay as a bifurcation parameter while keeping the other one fixed in the stable interval are discussed. It is observed that if the delay increases, the system loses its stability and hence becomes unstable. It is analysed how autotroph‐herbivore ecosystem can be affected by the quantity of input nutrient and the properties of delays. The quantity of nutrient and the length of delays play significant roles in determining the stability of the system since a sufficiently small amount of nutrients or a long enough delay leads to the extinction of a species.
A 0.5 to 6 GHz wideband cascode LNA with enhanced linearity by employing resistive shunt‐shuntfeedback and derivative superposition
Authors: Li Zhenrong , Wang Simin , Li Zhen , Tang Hualian , Zhuang Yiqi
Published: May 2020

A wideband bipolar low‐noise amplifier (LNA) with enhanced linearity operating in 0.5 to 6 GHz frequency range is proposed in this letter. The LNA design is based on a cascode amplifier with an emitter degeneration RC parallel network and a resistive shunt‐shunt feedback which can improve linearity. The cascode topology in conjunction with the preceding series inductor L is utilized to achieve good wideband input impedance matching, while the wideband output impedance matching is realized by using an emitter follower as a buffer. And the third‐order input intercept point (IIP3) has been improved due to the derivative superposition technique. The wideband LNA presented in this letter was designed and implemented in a JAZZ 0.18 μm SiGe BiCMOS process. The measured results show that from 500 MHz to 6 GHz, the power gain (S21) is 16.5 to 17.1 dB, the noise factor (NF) is 2.7 to 3.3 dB, the current consumption without buffer stage is 12.4 mA at a 3.3 V supply voltage, and the IIP3 is −0.834 dBm at 2 GHz. The chip size is 1.06 × 0.64 mm2.
Adult Sockeye Salmon Assessment in a Tidal, Turbid River: A Comparison of Sonar and Test Fishing Methods
Authors: Faulkner April V. , Maxwell Suzanne L.
Published: May 2020

The feasibility of using sonar in Alaska's lower Kvichak River, a region with a 3.8 m tidal flux, to assess the abundance of adult Sockeye Salmon Oncorhynchus nerka was evaluated as a replacement for an in-river gill-net test fishery. Test fish indices are one tool that is used to manage commercial and subsistence fisheries in Bristol Bay. On this river, an observation tower project near the clear headwaters provides accurate abundance estimates for this species, but fishery managers require timelier estimates for in-season daily management. The lower-river test fish index is timelier, but it is less precise than tower estimates are. We had to determine whether to replace the test fish project with sonar based on how well each compared with tower estimates and an assessment of their cost and effort. Two dual-frequency identification sonars (DIDSONs) were deployed along one bank of the lower river (one pointed toward shore and one away from shore) to assess salmon passage across all tidal stages in an attempt to produce an index with higher precision. Compared with the tower estimates, the test fish index showed a slightly stronger correlation in each of the three study years than the sonar index did, despite the stronger sampling power of the sonar. The test fish and sonar indices were strongly correlated. In the lower river, upriver salmon migration (85–98%) occurred primarily during ebb tides and downriver passage (97–100%) during flood tides, indicating that salmon do not use selective tidal stream transport to minimize their energy expenditures in this river. We were able to successfully use fixed-location sonar in a tidal nearshore region to produce an index of fish abundance. Our recommendation was to continue the test fishing project rather than to replace it with sonar because of the similarity between their indices and the higher cost of the sonar project.
Accelerated MR spectroscopic imaging—a review of current and emerging techniques
Authors: Bogner Wolfgang , Otazo Ricardo , Henning Anke
Published: May 2020

Over more than 30 years in vivo MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) has undergone an enormous evolution from theoretical concepts in the early 1980s to the robust imaging technique that it is today. The development of both fast and efficient sampling and reconstruction techniques has played a fundamental role in this process. State‐of‐the‐art MRSI has grown from a slow purely phase‐encoded acquisition technique to a method that today combines the benefits of different acceleration techniques. These include shortening of repetition times, spatial‐spectral encoding, undersampling of k‐space and time domain, and use of spatial‐spectral prior knowledge in the reconstruction. In this way in vivo MRSI has considerably advanced in terms of spatial coverage, spatial resolution, acquisition speed, artifact suppression, number of detectable metabolites and quantification precision. Acceleration not only has been the enabling factor in high‐resolution whole‐brain 1H‐MRSI, but today is also common in non‐proton MRSI (31P, 2H and 13C) and applied in many different organs. In this process, MRSI techniques had to constantly adapt, but have also benefitted from the significant increase of magnetic field strength boosting the signal‐to‐noise ratio along with high gradient fidelity and high‐density receive arrays. In combination with recent trends in image reconstruction and much improved computation power, these advances led to a number of novel developments with respect to MRSI acceleration. Today MRSI allows for non‐invasive and non‐ionizing mapping of the spatial distribution of various metabolites’ tissue concentrations in animals or humans, is applied for clinical diagnostics and has been established as an important tool for neuro‐scientific and metabolism research. This review highlights the developments of the last five years and puts them into the context of earlier MRSI acceleration techniques. In addition to 1H‐MRSI it also includes other relevant nuclei and is not limited to certain body regions or specific applications.
A spatially varying robin interface condition for fluid‐structure coupled simulations
Authors: Cao Shunxiang , Wang Guangyao , Wang Kevin G.
Published: May 2020

We present a spatially varying Robin interface condition for solving fluid‐structure interaction problems involving incompressible fluid flows and nonuniform flexible structures. Recent studies have shown that for uniform structures with constant material and geometric properties, a constant one‐parameter Robin interface condition can improve the stability and accuracy of partitioned numerical solution procedures. In this work, we generalize the parameter to a spatially varying function that depends on the structure's local material and geometric properties, without varying the exact solution of the coupled fluid‐structure system. We present an algorithm to implement the Robin interface condition in an embedded boundary method for coupling a projection‐based incompressible viscous flow solver with a nonlinear finite element structural solver. We demonstrate the numerical effects of the spatially varying Robin interface condition using two example problems: a simplified model problem featuring a nonuniform Euler‐Bernoulli beam interacting with an inviscid flow and a generalized Turek‐Hron problem featuring a nonuniform, highly flexible beam interacting with a viscous laminar flow. Both cases show that a spatially varying Robin interface condition can clearly improve numerical accuracy (by up to two orders of magnitude in one instance) for the same computational cost. Using the second example problem, we also demonstrate and compare two models for determining the local value of the combination function in the Robin interface condition.
Robust topology optimization of optical cloaks under uncertainties in wave number and angle of incident wave
Authors: Sato Yuki , Izui Kazuhiro , Yamada Takayuki , Nishiwaki Shinji
Published: May 2020

This article presents a robust topology optimization method for optical cloaks under uncertainties in the wave number and angle in the incident wave. We first discuss the governing equation derived from Maxwell's equation, and extend it to the entire domain including the dielectric material and air, based on the level set‐based topology optimization method. Next, a robust optimization problem is formulated as a minimization problem of the weighted sum of the scattered wave norm and its standard deviation with respect to the wave number and angle of the incident wave. The standard deviation is mathematically expressed by the Taylor series approximation and the use of the adjoint variable method. The design sensitivity of the objective functional is also derived by the adjoint variable method. An optimization algorithm is then constructed, based on the proposed formulation for robust designs of optical cloaks. Several numerical examples are finally provided to demonstrate the validity and utility of the proposed method.
Investigating fine motor deficits during maintenance therapy in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Hanna Silvia , Elshennawy Shorouk , El‐Ayadi Moatasem , Abdelazeim Faten
Published: May 2020

Objectives

Children diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in their early childhood are more susceptible to neuromuscular and musculoskeletal impairments. This cross‐sectional study was designed to address different types of fine motor impairments in Egyptian children diagnosed with ALL.

Methods

Fifty‐four children treated for ALL in maintenance phase aged from four to seven years were compared with an age‐ and sex‐matched control group. Fine motor performance was assessed using the total fine motor form of the Bruininks‐Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency‐second edition (BOT‐2). Sex‐ and age‐specific norms of BOT‐2 were used to calculate scale and standard scores in both groups.

Results

Children with ALL had significantly impaired fine motor skills in all subtests and composites of BOT‐2 compared with the typically developing group (P < 0.00001). Cumulative doses of vincristine, methotrexate, and dexamethasone revealed no significant correlation with any BOT‐2 measure. Males performed significantly better than females in all BOT‐2 scores except for the fine motor integration subtest and the total fine motor control composite as no significant differences were observed. The protocol risk stratum, duration of maintenance treatment, and the age at assessment did not significantly affect the BOT‐2 measures.

Conclusion

About 67% of children with ALL on maintenance treatment experienced fine motor difficulties. Periodic evaluation along the course of chemotherapy could identify specific impaired fine motor domains providing the base for a successful rehabilitation program.
Solitary serum methotrexate level 36 hours post high‐dose methotrexate: A safe, efficacious, and cost‐effective strategy to monitor methotrexate toxicities in childhood leukemia in resource‐limited centers
Authors: Khera Sanjeev , Kapoor Rajan , Pramanik Suman Kumar
Published: May 2020

Background

The standard practice during high‐dose methotrexate (HD‐MTX) in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) to mitigate toxicity is to serially monitor levels till serum MTX < 0.01 μmol/L. Most resource‐limited centers lack in‐house access to MTX levels, and therefore repeated monitoring is costly and cumbersome. We studied the efficacy and safety of “solitary 36 hours post HD‐MTX levels (MTX36).”

Procedure

This prospective observational study consecutively enrolled children with ALL receiving HD‐MTX. Cycles with unavailable MTX36 and MTX36 > 10 μmol/L were excluded. HD‐MTX was administered over 24 hours (BFM‐2009 protocol) with 12 hours of prehydration. MTX36 were performed at other centers. Leucovorin was given in six hourly doses 36 hours post HD‐MTX. Hydration was continued until the last dose of leucovorin. MTX toxicities, including change of creatinine from baseline at 36 hours (∆Cr36), were noted. Two groups depending on MTX36(≤1 μmol/L vs > 1 μmol/L) received six versus eight doses of leucovorin, and toxicities were compared.

Results

Twenty‐nine children with median age five years (1‐11) who received 100 HD‐MTX cycles with a median MTX dose of 3 g/m2 (2‐5) were analyzed. The median MTX36 level was 1.165 μmol/L (0.1‐7.32). Toxicities of HD‐MTX (CTCAE‐4.0): transaminitis‐22%; creatinine elevation ≥ 1.25 times baseline‐24%; cytopenias‐16%; mucositis‐17%; acute kidney injury (AKI)‐6%. All toxicities were ≤CTCAE grade 3. Creatinine elevation, AKI, and mucositis were significantly higher in the group with higher MTX36. There was no correlation (r = 0.3) between ∆Cr36 and MTX36. MTX36 was thrice more economical than the standard protocol.

Conclusion

MTX36 is a potential cost‐effective, efficacious, and safe limited sample strategy to monitor HD‐MTX, particularly in centers where in‐house MTX levels are unavailable.
Larvicidal and histopathological efficacy of inhabitant pathogenic bacterial strains to reduce the dengue vector competence
Authors: Rajagopal Gopalan , Jeyavani Jeyaraj , Ilango Sakkanan
Published: May 2020

BACKGROUND

Aedes aegyptiis a primary vector of dengue virus, and the causative agent of dengue is emerging globally as one of the most important arboviral diseases currently threatening human populations. Therefore, vector control is presently the primary intervention method of population reduction, in which naturalA. aegyptipopulations would be reduced with inhabitant bacterial strains that are unable to transmit dengue virus.

RESULT

Based on the pathogenicity of strains, only four isolates effectively show larvicidal activity. The 16S rRNA gene sequences and the phylogeny depicted that the potential isolates wereBacillus firmus(MK791255),Bacillus paramycoides(MK788268),Bacillus siamensis(MK788212), andBacillus licheniformis(MK791256). After 24 and 48 hours exposure, theB. licheniformisstrain (cell mass of 2.2 × 107CFU mL–1) showed potent larvicidal activity with LC50of 16.22 μg mL–1and 9.57 μg mL–1and theB. paramycoides(cell mass of 3.1 × 107CFU mL–1) strain inhibits the larval and pupal development with LC50of 42.62 μg mL–1and 26.97 μg mL–1. Intermittent stages and causes of abscess in the gut and siphon regions were observed through histopathological studies. These two bacterial strains extend larval duration up to 15–16 days as well as reduce development.

CONCLUSION

These studies demonstrate the challenge for dengue vector in reducing developmental and reproduction competence. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Observer normal forms for a class of nonlinear systems by means of coupled auxiliary dynamics
Authors: Wang Li‐Fei , Boutat Driss , Liu Da‐Yan
Published: May 2020

This work aims at developing a class of nonlinear dynamical systems that can be converted into nonlinear observer normal forms, which support the well‐known high gain observer. This will be performed by means of the so‐called dynamics extension method, which explicitly supplies a set of auxiliary dynamics and changes of coordinates. In this work, the target nonlinear observer normal forms depend on both the output of the studied dynamical systems and the auxiliary variables involved in the definition of the extended dynamics. The method is proposed in a comprehensible way because it does not use differential geometry techniques, such as the Lie brackets calculations of some vector fields. The proposed class of dynamical systems has many practical applications such as epidemic systems, social networks, and so on. To highlight the effectiveness of this algorithm, it supplies an example based on the Maternal Immune Susceptible Exposed Infected and Recovered model.
Understanding Nanomaterial Biotransformation: An Unmet Challenge to Achieving Predictive Nanotoxicology
Authors: Milosevic Ana , Romeo Daina , Wick Peter
Published: May 2020

More than a decade has passed since the first concepts of predictive nanotoxicology were formulated. During this time, many advancements have been achieved in multiple disciplines, including the success stories of the fiber paradigm and the oxidative stress paradigm. However, important knowledge gaps are slowing down the development of predictive nanotoxicology and require a mutidisciplinary effort to be overcome. Among these gaps, understanding, reproducing, and modeling of nanomaterial biotransformation in biological environments is a central challenge, both in vitro and in silico. This dynamic and complex process is still a challenge for today's bioanalytics. This work explores and discusses selected approaches of the multidisciplinary efforts taken in the last decade and the challenges that remain unmet, in particular concerning nanomaterial biotransformation. It highlights some future advancements that, together, can help to understand such complex processes and accelerate the development of predictive nanotoxicology.
Cerebral blood flow and cognitive functioning in patients with disorders along the heart–brain axis
Authors: Leeuwis Anna E. , Hooghiemstra Astrid M. , Bron Esther E. , Kuipers Sanne , Oudeman Eline A. , Kalay Tugba , Brunner‐La Rocca Hans‐Peter , Kappelle L. Jaap , van Oostenbrugge Robert J. , Greving Jacoba P. , Niessen Wiro J. , van Buchem Mark A. , van Osch Matthias J.P. , van Rossum Albert C. , Prins Niels D. , Biessels Geert‐Jan , Barkhof Frederik ,   Heart–Brain Connection consortium, van der Flier Wiesje M.
Published: May 2020

Introduction

We examined the role of hemodynamic dysfunction in cognition by relating cerebral blood flow (CBF), measured with arterial spin labeling (ASL), to cognitive functioning, in patients with heart failure (HF), carotid occlusive disease (COD), and patients with cognitive complaints and vascular brain injury on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; ie, possible vascular cognitive impairment [VCI]).

Methods

We included 439 participants (124 HF; 75 COD; 127 possible VCI; 113 reference participants) from the Dutch multi‐center Heart–Brain Study. We used pseudo‐continuous ASL to estimate whole‐brain and regional partial volume‐corrected CBF. Neuropsychological tests covered global cognition and four cognitive domains.

Results

CBF values were lowest in COD, followed by VCI and HF, compared to reference participants. This did not explain cognitive impairment, as we did not find an association between CBF and cognitive functioning.

Discussion

We found that reduced CBF is not the major explanatory factor underlying cognitive impairment in patients with hemodynamic dysfunction along the heart–brain axis.
Expression of yeast homolog of the mammal BCRP gene coding for riboflavin efflux protein activates vitamin B2 production in the flavinogenic yeast Candida famata
Authors: Tsyrulnyk Andriy O. , Andreieva Yuliia A. , Ruchala Justyna , Fayura Lyubov R. , Dmytruk Kostyantyn V. , Fedorovych Daria V. , Sibirny Andriy A.
Published: May 2020

Candida famata is a representative of a group of so‐called flavinogenic yeast species that overproduce riboflavin (vitamin B2) in response to iron limitation. Overproduced riboflavin accumulates in the cultural medium rather than in the cells suggesting existence of the special mechanisms involved in riboflavin excretion. The corresponding protein and gene have not been identified in yeasts. At the same time, the corresponding gene BCRP has been identified in mammal mammary glands. Several homologs of the mammal BCRP gene encoding putative riboflavin efflux protein (excretase) were identified in Debaryomyces hansenii. The closest homolog was expressed under the control of D. hansenii TEF1 promoter in the riboflavin overproducing strain of C. famata. Resulted transformants overexpressed the corresponding gene and produced 1.4‐ to 1.8‐fold more riboflavin as compared with the parental strain. They also were characterized by overexpression of RIB1 and RIB6 genes of riboflavin synthesis and exhibited elevated specific activity of GTP‐cyclohydrolase II. Membrane localization of the riboflavin excretase was confirmed by fluorescent microscopy.
Chirality and Magnetic Properties of One‐dimensional Ln (Ln = Gd, Dy) Polymers
Authors: Li Ning‐Fang , Ji Jiuyang , Jiang Wei , Cao Jia‐Peng , Han Ye‐Min , Yuan Peng , Xu Yan
Published: May 2020

The usage of the achiral ligand, in lanthanide chemistry, successfully obtained two series of chiral lanthanide complexes, formulated d‐ and l‐{Gd[IN][HIN][CH2OCH2O]}n (abbreviated as Gd) and d‐ and l‐{Dy[IN][HIN][CH2OCH2O]}n (abbreviated as Dy, HIN = isonicotinic acid). Crystallographic researches determined that four compounds are all one‐dimensional (1D) chain structures and crystallized in a chiral space group. In addition, CH2OHCH2OH acts as not only solvent but also the bridge ligand. Besides, single crystal circular dichroism (CD) spectra conformed compounds Gd‐L and Gd‐D, Dy‐L and Dy‐D are enantiomers respectively. Magnetically, compound Gd showed predominant magnetocaloric effect (MCE) of 26.20 J·kg–1·K–1 at 2.5 K for ΔH = 7 T, while there is ferromagnetic interactions in compound Dy.
Simulation and Design of Quantum Circuits
Authors: Zulehner Alwin , Wille Robert
Published: May 2020

Currently, there is an ongoing “race” to build the first practically useful quantum computer that provides substantial speed-ups for certain problems compared to conventional computers. In addition to the development of such devices, this also requires the development of automated tools and methods that provide assistance in the simulation and design of corresponding applications. Otherwise, a situation might be reached where we have powerful quantum computers but hardly any proper means to actually use them. This work provides an overview of corresponding solutions for the task of quantum circuit simulation, the task of quantum circuit design, as well as corresponding mapping tasks. The covered solutions utilise expertise on efficient data structures and algorithms gained in the design of conventional circuits and systems over the last decades. While the respective descriptions are kept brief and mainly convey the general ideas, references to further readings are provided for a more detailed treatment.
Reversible Languages and Incremental State Saving in Optimistic Parallel Discrete Event Simulation
Authors: Schordan Markus , Oppelstrup Tomas , Thomsen Michael Kirkedal , Glück Robert
Published: May 2020

Optimistic parallel discrete event simulation (PDES) requires to do a distributed rollback if conflicts are detected during a simulation due to the massively parallel optimistic execution approach. When a rollback of a simulation is performed each node that is determined to be in a wrong state must be restored to one of its previous states. This can be achieved through reverse computation or by restoring a previous checkpoint. In this paper we investigate and compare both approaches, reverse computation and a variant of checkpointing, incremental state saving (also called incremental checkpointing), to restore a previous program state as part of an optimistic parallel discrete event simulation. We present a benchmark model that is specifically designed for evaluating the performance of approaches to reversibility in PDES. Our benchmarking model has mathematical properties that allow to tune the amount of arithmetic operations relative to the amount of memory operations. These tuning opportunities are the basis for our systematic performance evaluation.
Mind your step: learning to walk in complex environments
Authors: Mowbray Rachel , Cowie Dorothy
Published: May 2020

In everyday contexts, children must respond to both self-related constraints (their own skills and abilities) and environmental constraints (external obstacles and goals). How do young children simultaneously accommodate these to support skilled and flexible behaviour? We used walking in a complex environment as a testbed for two hypotheses. Hypothesis 1: children will accommodate the self-related constraint of high foot placement variability via dynamic scaling. Hypothesis 2: children will plan ahead, even in complex environments. In our task, 3- to 5-year-olds and adults walked over obstacle sequences of varying complexity. We measured foot placement around the first obstacle in the sequence. Hypothesis 1 was partially supported. In simple, single obstacle environments, children engaged in dynamic scaling like adults. Those with more variable foot placement left greater margins of error between the feet and the obstacle. However, in complex, multiple obstacle settings, children employed large, un-tailored margins of error. This parallels other multisensory tasks in which children do not rely on the relative variability of sensory inputs. Hypothesis 2 was supported. Like adults, children planned ahead for environmental constraints. Children adjusted foot placement around the first obstacle depending on the upcoming obstacle sequence. In doing so, they demonstrate surprisingly sophisticated planning. We, therefore, show that in the motor domain, even very young children simultaneously control both self-related and environmental constraints. This allows flexible, safe and efficient behaviour.
Using Blue Intensity from drought-sensitive Pinus sylvestris in Fennoscandia to improve reconstruction of past hydroclimate variability
Authors: Seftigen Kristina , Fuentes Mauricio , Ljungqvist Fredrik Charpentier , Björklund Jesper
Published: May 2020

High-resolution hydroclimate proxy records are essential for distinguishing natural hydroclimate variability from possible anthropogenically-forced changes, since instrumental precipitation observations are too short to represent the whole spectrum of natural variability. In Northern Europe, progress in this field has been hampered by a relative lack of long and truly moisture-sensitive proxy records. In this study, we provide the first assessment of the dendroclimatic potential of Blue Intensity (BI) and partial ring-width measurements (latewood and earlywood width series) from a network of cold and drought-prone Pinus sylvestris L. sites in Sweden. Our results show that all tree-ring parameters and sites share a clear and strong sensitivity to warm-season precipitation. The ΔBI parameter, in particular, shows considerable potential for hydroclimate reconstructions, here permitting a cross-validated precipitation reconstruction capable of explaining 56% (1901–2010 period) of regional-scale warm-season high-frequency precipitation variance. Using ΔBI as an alternative to ring-width improves the predictive skill with nearly a 20 percentage points increase in explained variance, reduces signal instability over time as well as allows a broader seasonal window (May–July) to be reconstructed. Additionally, we found that earlywood BI also reflect a positive late winter through early summer temperature signal. These findings emphasize that tree-rings, and in particular wood density parameters such as from BI, are capable of providing fundamental information to advance our understanding of hydroclimate variability in regions with a cool and rather humid climate regime that traditionally has been overlooked in studies of past droughts. Increasing the spatio-temporal coverage of hydroclimate records in northern Europe, and taking full advantage of the opportunities offered by the wood densitometric properties should be considered a research priority.
Patient interactive digital support for women with adjuvant endocrine therapy in order to increase compliance and quality of life
Authors: Bergqvist Jenny , Lundström Staffan , Wengström Yvonne
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The primary aim of the study was to develop and investigate a patient interactive digital support (an app) for patients on adjuvant endocrine breast cancer treatment. Patient’s interactive digital applications are a fast-growing area for research and development. In general, patients want more information and support with regard to their diagnosis, treatment and self-care. At the same time, the health care system has limited resources for follow-up. Our primary endpoints were usability of the app and if it added any value to the patients.

Methods

We designed and constructed a prototype, in dialogue with patients, containing four main modules for registration of drug compliance, performed physical exercise, self-care activities, and questions on health and quality of life. The app was then tested by patients and improved further before we completed a pilot study in which 15 patients used the app for 3 months.

Results

Patients perceived the app easy to use with a very high median system usability score of 88.8, range 30–100. The 15 women registered in total 4251 times, range 118 to 372. The majority of registrations concerned compliance (adherence to treatment) and physical exercise.

Conclusion

The app was perceived easy to use and of support in every-day life of breast cancer survivors. How to best integrate electronically collected patient reported outcome measures in clinical routine needs to be further studied, and future research will show if it will be cost-effective in terms of better health outcome and less resource use.
„Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional“: Fallkonzeption in der Kognitiven Verhaltenstherapie
Authors: Mitmansgruber Horst , Fahlböck Andrea , Fink Alexander , Mäni Kogler Liselotte , Müller Ilse , Painold Annamaria , Streicher-Pehböck Christa , Gatterer Gerald
Published: May 2020

Anhand eines praktischen Beispiels werden der diagnostische Prozess und die Fallkonzeption in der Kognitiven Verhaltenstherapie präsentiert. Die Diagnose stellt einen wichtigen Ausgangspunkt für die theoretische Konzeptualisierung und praktische Behandlung mit evidenz-basierten therapeutischen Methoden dar. Die Unterschiede zwischen Patient*innen und ihre idiosynkratische Beziehungsgestaltung in der Therapie erfordern allerdings eine individuelle Fallkonzeption. In einem Diathese-Stress-Modell werden als „Arbeitshypothese“ (1) lebensgeschichtliche Ereignisse und Bedingungen (Stressoren, Traumata etc.) identifiziert und beschrieben, die (2) langjährige (auch interaktionelle) Denk- und Verhaltensmuster als Vulnerabilität nach sich gezogen haben. Zusammen mit (3) Auslösern (aktuellen schema-aktivierenden Situationen) bringen sie (4) die Symptomatik als Muster von Gedanken, Gefühlen und Verhalten hervor. Diese wird (5) durch dysfunktionale Bewältigungsversuche aufrechterhalten und in „Teufelskreisen“ stabilisiert. Kernstück der Diagnostik sind sog. horizontale und vertikale Verhaltensanalysen, die in ein „hypothetisches Bedingungsmodell“ münden. Dieses Modell stellt ein Gesamtbild der Problematik und der interaktionellen Muster auch unter Berücksichtigung der Stärken und Ressourcen einer Person dar. Klinisch nützlich ist ein Fallkonzept, wenn es kollaborativ (in aktiver Mitarbeit von Patient*innen) erstellt und diskutiert wurde und die unmittelbare Ableitung von gemeinsamen therapeutischen Ansatzpunkten und Zielen erlaubt. Gleichzeitig weist es auf mögliche Schwierigkeiten von Patient*innen im therapeutischen Prozess hin (d. h. eventuelle motivationale Barrieren und „Widerstände“). Zentrale Elemente unseres Vorgehens im Entwickeln einer kognitiv-verhaltenstherapeutischen Fallkonzeption illustrieren wir mit dem Fall einer 34-jährigen depressiven Patientin.
Bullying victimization and stress sensitivity in help-seeking youth: findings from an experience sampling study
Authors: Rauschenberg Christian , van Os Jim , Goedhart Matthieu , Schieveld Jan N. M. , Reininghaus Ulrich
Published: May 2020

Bullying victimization confers the risk for developing various mental disorders, but studies investigating candidate mechanisms remain scarce, especially in the realm of youth mental health. Elevated stress sensitivity may constitute a mechanism linking bullying victimization and mental health problems. In the current study, we aimed to investigate whether exposure to bullying victimization amplifies stress sensitivity in youth’s daily life. The Experience Sampling Method (ESM) was used to measure stress sensitivity [i.e. the association of momentary stress with (i) negative affect and (ii) psychotic experiences] in 42 help-seeking youths (service users), 17 siblings, and 40 comparison subjects (mean age 15 years). Before ESM assessments, bullying victimization at school as well as various psychopathological domains (i.e. depression, anxiety, psychosis) were assessed. Service users exposed to high levels of overall (primary hypotheses) as well as specific types (secondary hypotheses; physical and indirect, but not verbal) of bullying victimization experienced more intense negative affect and psychotic experiences in response to stress compared to those with low exposure levels (all p < 0.05), whereas, in contrast, controls showed either less intense negative affect or no marked differences in stress sensitivity by exposure levels. In siblings, a less consistent pattern of findings was observed. Findings suggest that stress sensitivity may constitute a potential risk and resilience mechanism linking bullying victimization and youth mental health. Interventions that directly target individuals’ reactivity to stress by providing treatment components in real-life using mHealth tools may be a promising novel therapeutic approach.