bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of the WHO-INTEGRATE evidence-to-decision framework: an overview of systematic reviews of decision criteria for health decision-making
Authors: Stratil J. M. , Baltussen R. , Scheel I. , Nacken A. , Rehfuess E. A.
Published: February 2020

Background

Decision-making in public health and health policy is complex and requires careful deliberation of many and sometimes conflicting normative and technical criteria. Several approaches and tools, such as multi-criteria decision analysis, health technology assessments and evidence-to-decision (EtD) frameworks, have been proposed to guide decision-makers in selecting the criteria most relevant and appropriate for a transparent decision-making process. This study forms part of the development of the WHO-INTEGRATE EtD framework, a framework rooted in global health norms and values as reflected in key documents of the World Health Organization and the United Nations system. The objective of this study was to provide a comprehensive overview of criteria used in or proposed for real-world decision-making processes, including guideline development, health technology assessment, resource allocation and others.

Methods

We conducted an overview of systematic reviews through a combination of systematic literature searches and extensive reference searches. Systematic reviews reporting criteria used for real-world health decision-making by governmental or non-governmental organization on a supranational, national, or programme level were included and their quality assessed through a bespoke critical appraisal tool. The criteria reported in the reviews were extracted, de-duplicated and sorted into first-level (i.e.criteria), second-level (i.e.sub-criteria) and third-level (i.e.decision aspects) categories. First-level categories were developed a priori using a normative approach; second- and third-level categories were developed inductively.

Results

We included 36 systematic reviews providing criteria, of which one met all and another eleven met at least five of the items of our critical appraisal tool. The criteria were subsumed into 8criteria,45sub-criteriaand 200decision aspects. The first-level of the category system comprised the following seven substantive criteria: “Health-related balance of benefits and harms”; “Human and individual rights”; “Acceptability considerations”; “Societal considerations”; “Considerations of equity, equality and fairness”; “Cost and financial considerations”; and “Feasibility and health system considerations”. In addition, we identified an eight criterion “Evidence”.

Conclusion

This overview of systematic reviews provides a comprehensive overview of criteria used or suggested for real-world health decision-making. It also discusses key challenges in the selection of the most appropriate criteria and in seeking to implement a fair decision-making process.
An antibiotic cement-coated locking plate as a temporary fixation for treatment of infected bone defects: a new method of stabilization
Authors: Jia Chao , Wang Xiaohua , Yu Shengpeng , Wu Hongri , Shen Jie , Huang Qiang , Xie Zhao
Published: February 2020

Background

The induced membrane technique has achieved good clinical results in the treatment of infected bone defects, and external fixation is the main method, but it causes inconvenience and complications in patients. In this study, our objective was to investigate the outcomes of using an antibiotic cement-coated locking plate as a temporary internal fixation in the first stage of the surgical induced membrane technique for treating extremities with infected bone defects.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed patients with lower extremity infected bone defects in our department between January 2013 and December 2017. All patients were treated with the induced membrane technique. In the first stage, the defects were stabilized with an antibiotic cement-coated locking plate as a temporary fixation after debridement, and polymethyl methacrylate cement was implanted to induce the formation of a membrane. In the second stage, bone grafting rebuilt the bone defects after infection control, and the temporary fixation was changed to a stronger fixation.

Results

A total of 183 patients were enrolled, with an average follow-up duration of 32.0 (12–66) months. There were 154 males and 29 females with an average age of 42.8 (10–68) years. The infection sites included 81 femurs, 100 tibias and 2 fibulas. After the first stage of treatment (infection control), 16 (8.7%) patients had recurrence of infection. In terms of the incidence of complications, 4 patients had poor wound healing, 2 patients had fixation failure and 1 patient had femoral fracture due to a fall. After the second stage of treatment (bone reconstruction), there were 24 (13.1%) recurrences of infection, with a mean time of 9.9 months (range 0.5 to 36). Among them, 18 patients underwent bone grafting after re-debridement, 6 received permanent placement of antibiotic bone cement after debridement and 2 patients refused further treatment and chose amputation. Bone healing was achieved in 175 (95.9%) patients at the last follow-up, and the average time to bone union was 5.4 (4–12) months.

Conclusions

Antibiotic cement-coated locking plates have good clinical effects in the control of bone infection, but attention must be paid to the possible difficulty of skin coverage when applied in calves.
Integrative analysis of transcription factors and microRNAs in ovarian cancer cell spheroids
Authors: Park Hyun , Hwang Sohyun , Jeong Ju-Yeon , Jung Sang Geun , Choi Min Chul , Joo Won Duk , Song Seung Hun , Lee Chan , An Hee Jung
Published: February 2020

Background

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) can self-renew, proliferate into differentiated cells, or enter a quiescent state and are regarded to cause chemoresistance and recurrence. An integrative analysis of transcription factors (TF) and miRNAs was performed in ovarian CSC-enriched spheroid-forming cells (SFCs) to identify factors relevant to ovarian CSCs.

Methods

Fresh tumor cells from three ovarian cancer patients were cultured in standard and in selective medium. The mRNAs and miRNAs that exhibited significant differential expression between SFCs and adherent cells were identified using mRNA and miRNAs microarrays. Target genes of miRNAs were further selected if predicted with TargetScan by half of the miRNAs or more. Gene enrichment analysis was performed on over- or under-expressed mRNAs and target genes of miRNAs using DAVID tools. Complex regulatory networks were combined from TF-genes and miRNA-genes interactions using the MAGIA webtool.

Results

A total of 1245 mRNA and 55 miRNAs were differentially expressed (p-value< 0.05, paired t-test). Elevation of transcription-related processes and suppression of focal adhesion pathway were noted in SFCs, according to the enrichment analyses. Transcriptional hyperactivity is a known characteristic of the stem cell transcriptome. The integrative network suggested that cell cycle was arrested in SFCs where over-expressed EGR1 and under-expressed MYC and miR-130a-3p had multiple connections with target genes.

Conclusions

MYC, EGR1, and miR-130a-3p were hubs in our integrative analysis of ovarian CSC-enriched SFCs, suggesting that ovarian cancer SFCs display a stem cell identity with the quiescent phenotype where adhesion- and cell cycle-related genes were suppressed.
Anticipatory care planning intervention for older adults at risk of functional decline: study protocol for a primary care cluster feasibility randomised trial
Authors: Brazil Kevin , Scott David , Wallace Emma , Clarke Mike , Fahey Tom , Gillespie Patrick , O’Halloran Peter , Cardwell Christopher , Carter Gillian , McGlade Kieran , Doyle Frank
Published: February 2020

Background

The treatment and management of long-term health conditions is the greatest challenge facing health systems around the world today. Innovative approaches to patient care in the community such as Anticipatory Care Planning (ACP), which seek to help with the provision of high-quality comprehensive care to older adults at risk of functional decline, require evaluation. This study will evaluate one approach that will include primary care as the setting for ACP.

Methods/design

This study will help to determine the feasibility for a definitive randomised trial to evaluate the implementation and outcomes of an ACP intervention. The intervention will be delivered by specially trained registered nurses in a primary care setting with older adults identified as at risk of functional decline. The intervention will comprise: (a) information collection via patient assessment; (b) facilitated informed dialogue between the patient, family carer, general practitioner and other healthcare practitioners; and, (c) documentation of the agreed support plan and follow-up review dates. Through a structured consultation with patients and their family carers, the nurses will complete a mutually agreed personalised support plan.

Discussion

This study will determine the feasibility for a full trial protocol to evaluate the implementation and outcomes of an (ACP) intervention in primary care to assist older adults aged 70 years of age or older and assessed as being at risk of functional decline. The study will be implemented in two jurisdictions on the island of Ireland which employ different health systems but which face similar health challenges. This study will allow us to examine important issues, such as the impact of two different healthcare systems on the health of older people and the influence of different legislative interpretations on undertaking cross jurisdictional research in Ireland.

Protocol version

Version 1, 17 September 2019.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov, ID: NCT03902743. Registered on 4 April 2019.
Dissection of the cecal microbial community in chickens after Eimeria tenella infection
Authors: Chen Hong-Liang , Zhao Xin-Yu , Zhao Guang-Xun , Huang Hai-Bin , Li Hao-Rui , Shi Chun-Wei , Yang Wen-Tao , Jiang Yan-Long , Wang Jian-Zhong , Ye Li-Ping , Zhao Quan , Wang Chun-Feng , Yang Gui-Lian
Published: February 2020

Background

Eimeriaspp. are responsible for chicken coccidiosis which is the most important enteric protozoan disease resulting in tremendous economic losses in the poultry industry. Understanding the interaction between the avian cecal microbiota and coccidia is of interest in the development of alternative treatments that do not rely on chemotherapeutics and do not lead to drug resistance.

Methods

We utilized16SrRNA gene sequencing to detect the dynamics of the cecal microbial community in AA broilers challenged withEimeria tenella. Histopathological analysis of the cecum was also conducted.

Results

We found that microbial shifts occur during the infection.Lactobacillus,Faecalibacterium,RuminococcaceaeUCG-013,RomboutsiaandShuttleworthiadecreased in abundance. However, the opportunistic pathogensEnterococcusandStreptococcusincreased in abundance over time in response to the infection.

Conclusions

Eimeria tenelladisrupts the integrity of the cecal microbiota and could promote the establishment and growth of potentially pathogenic bacteria. Defining bacterial populations affected by coccidial infection might help identify bacterial markers for intestinal disease as well as populations or species that could be beneficial in maintaining and restoring gut homeostasis during and after infection withE. tenella.
Campylobacter jejuni genes Cj1492c and Cj1507c are involved in host cell adhesion and invasion
Authors: Xi De , Alter Thomas , Einspanier Ralf , Sharbati Soroush , Gölz Greta
Published: February 2020

Background

Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) has been assigned as an important food-borne pathogen for human health but many pathogenicity factors of C. jejuni and human host cell responses related to the infection have not yet been adequately clarified. This study aimed to determine further C. jejuni pathogenicity factors and virulence genes based on a random mutagenesis approach. A transposon mutant library of C. jejuni NCTC 11168 was constructed and the ability of individual mutants to adhere to and invade human intestinal epithelial cells was evaluated compared to the wild type. We identified two mutants of C. jejuni possessing altered phenotypes with transposon insertions in the genes Cj1492c and Cj1507c. Cj1492c is annotated as a two-component sensor and Cj1507c is described as a regulatory protein. However, functions of both mutated genes are not clarified so far.

Results

In comparison to the wild type, Cj::1492c and Cj::1507c showed around 70–80% relative motility and Cj::1492c had around 3-times enhanced adhesion and invasion rates whereas Cj::1507c had significantly impaired adhesive and invasive capability. Moreover, Cj::1492c had a longer lag phase and slower growth rate while Cj::1507c showed similar growth compared to the wild type. Between 5 and 24 h post infection, more than 60% of the intracellular wild type C. jejuni were eliminated in HT-29/B6 cells, however, significantly fewer mutants were able to survive intracellularly. Nevertheless, no difference in host cell viability and induction of the pro-inflammatory chemokine IL-8 were determined between both mutants and the wild type.

Conclusion

We conclude that genes regulated by Cj1507c have an impact on efficient adhesion, invasion and intracellular survival of C. jejuni in HT-29/B6 cells. Furthermore, potential signal sensing by Cj1492c seems to lead to limiting attachment and hence internalisation of C. jejuni. However, as the intracellular survival capacities are reduced, we suggest that signal sensing by Cj1492c impacts several processes related to pathogenicity of C. jejuni.
Comparison of methacholine and mannitol challenges: importance of method of methacholine inhalation
Authors: Cockcroft Donald W. , Davis Beth E. , Blais Christianne M.
Published: February 2020

Background

Direct inhalation challenges (e.g. methacholine) are stated to be more sensitive and less specific for a diagnosis of asthma than are indirect challenges (e.g. exercise, non-isotonic aerosols, mannitol, etc.). However, data surrounding comparative sensitivity and specificity for methacholine compared to mannitol challenges are conflicting. When methacholine is inhaled by deep total lung capacity (TLC) inhalations, deep inhalation inhibition of bronchoconstriction leads to a marked loss of diagnostic sensitivity when compared to tidal breathing (TB) inhalation methods. We hypothesized that deep inhalation methacholine methods with resulting bronchoprotection may be the explanation for conflicting sensitivity/specificity data.

Methods

We reviewed 27 studies in which methacholine and mannitol challenges were performed in largely the same individuals. Methacholine was inhaled by dosimeter TLC methods in 13 studies and by tidal breathing in 14 studies. We compared the rates of positive methacholine (stratified by inhalation method) and mannitol challenges in both asthmatics and non-asthmatics.

Results

When methacholine was inhaled by TLC inhalations the prevalence of positive tests in asthmatics, 60.2% (548/910), was similar to mannitol, 58.9% (537/912). By contrast, when methacholine was inhaled by tidal breathing the prevalence of positive tests in asthmatics 83.1% (343/413) was more than double that of mannitol, 41.5% (146/351). In non-asthmatics, the two methacholine methods resulted in positive tests in 18.8% (142/756) and 16.2% (27/166) by TLC and TB inhalations respectively. This compares to an overall 8.3% (n = 76) positive rate for mannitol in 913 non-asthmatics.

Conclusion

These data support the hypothesis that the conflicting data comparing methacholine and mannitol sensitivity and specificity are due to the method of methacholine inhalation. Tidal breathing methacholine methods have a substantially greater sensitivity for a diagnosis of asthma than either TLC dosimeter methacholine challenge methods or mannitol challenge. Methacholine challenges should be performed by tidal breathing as per recent guideline recommendations. Methacholine (more sensitive) and mannitol (more specific) will thus have complementary diagnostic features.
Turtle remains from the late Miocene of the Cessaniti area, southern Italy—insights for a probable Tortonian chelonian dispersal from Europe to Africa
Authors: Georgalis Georgios L. , Insacco Gianni , Rook Lorenzo , Spadola Filippo , Delfino Massimo
Published: February 2020

We here describe turtle remains from the late Miocene (Tortonian) of Cessaniti (Calabria, southern Italy), an area that recently has been palaeogeographically reconstructed as being, at that time of the Neogene, directly connected (or at least rather proximate) to northern Africa, instead of Europe. The material pertains to three different turtle clades, i.e., pan-trionychids, pan-cheloniids, and pan-geoemydids. Although the material is incomplete, it nevertheless permits a more precise identification for the pan-trionychid specimens, which are referred to the speciesTrionyx pliocenicus, as well as the pan-geoemydid, which is attributed to the genusMauremys. Especially for the case ofT. pliocenicus, the new Cessaniti specimens expand its geographic and stratigraphic distribution and further comprise the sole existing material known for this species, considering that its holotype and so far only known material is currently lost. Overall, besides its taxonomic significance, the Cessaniti chelonian assemblage affords the potential for important biogeographic implications, attesting that the lineages ofTrionyxandMauremyscould have potentially used the Sicily–Calabria arch for their dispersal from Europe to Africa during the Tortonian. The new turtle specimens further complement the associated mammal remains in envisaging the Cessaniti assemblage as a mosaic of both African and Eurasian (Pikermian) faunal elements.
Apoptotic functions of microRNAs in pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of endometriosis
Authors: Taghavipour Mona , Sadoughi Fatemeh , Mirzaei Hamed , Yousefi Bahman , Moazzami Bahram , Chaichian Shahla , Mansournia Mohammad Ali , Asemi Zatollah
Published: February 2020

MicroRNAs or miRNAs are a component of the non-coding RNAs family which is engaged in many cellular functions such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, gene expression, signaling pathways, angiogenesis, and etc. Endometriosis is a malignant gynecologic disorder occurring in women before menopausal age. Pathogenesis of this illness is still a discussion subject between the scientists but in our knowledge, microRNAs can be one of the possible involved factors. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of apoptotic activities of miRNAs in endometriosis. Accumulative evidence has demonstrated the role of cell proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion in the progression of these diseases. In this review, we looked into the specific role of apoptosis and its related genes and pathways in endometriosis and tied to present an explanation of how miRNAs can affect endometriosis by their apoptotic activities. What we found is that a great extent of miRNAs is involved in this illness and they are responsible for repressing apoptosis and progression of the disease. As a result, miRNAs have two different usages in endometriosis: biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets. In this review we gathered a great amount of evidence to inquire into the role of micro RNAs in inducing apoptosis and how this mechanism can be exerted for therapeutic purposes for endometriosis.
Positive solutions for some discrete semipositone problems via bifurcation theory
Authors: Xu Man , Ma Ruyun
Published: February 2020

Let $T > 1$T>1 be an integer, and let $\mathbb{T}=\{1, 2,\ldots ,T\}$T={1,2,…,T}. We show the existence of positive solutions of the Dirichlet boundary value problem with second-order difference operator
$$ \textstyle\begin{cases} -\triangle ^{2} u(j-1)=\lambda f(j, u(j)), \quad j\in \mathbb{T},\\ u(0)=u(T + 1)=0, \end{cases} $${−△2u(j−1)=λf(j,u(j)),j∈T,u(0)=u(T+1)=0, where $\lambda >0$λ>0 is a parameter, and $f:\mathbb{T}\times \mathbb{R} ^{+}\to \mathbb{R}$f:T×R+→R is a continuous function satisfying $f(j, 0)<0$f(j,0)<0 for all $j\in \mathbb{T}$j∈T. The proofs of the main results are based upon topological degree and global bifurcation techniques.
Inappropriate direct oral anticoagulant dosing in atrial fibrillation patients is associated with prescriptions for outpatients rather than inpatients: a single-center retrospective cohort study
Authors: Miyazaki Motoyasu , Matsuo Koichi , Uchiyama Masanobu , Nakamura Yoshihiko , Sakamoto Yuya , Misaki Momoko , Tokura Kaoko , Jimi Shiro , Okamura Keisuke , Adachi Sen , Yamamoto Tomohiko , Shirai Kazuyuki , Urata Hidenori , Imakyure Osamu
Published: February 2020

Background

Inappropriate dosing of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) has been associated with clinical safety and efficacy; however, little is known about clinical data associated with an inappropriate DOAC dosing in Japan. In addition, there is no report in which the appropriateness of DOAC dosing between prescription for inpatients and for outpatients was examined. In this study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence and factors associated in the inappropriate dosing of DOACs in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods

The retrospective cohort study was conducted at a single Japanese university hospital. Both inpatients and outpatients, who were diagnosed with AF and for whom treatment with either dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, or edoxaban was initiated between April 1, 2014 and March 31, 2018, were enrolled in the study. Appropriateness of DOAC dosing was assessed according to the manufacturer’s labeling recommendations (dose reduction criteria) of each DOAC. Inappropriate reduced dose, namely, underdosing, was defined as prescription of a reduced dose of DOAC despite the patient not meeting the dose reduction criteria. Inappropriate standard dose, namely, overdosing, was defined as prescription of a standard dose of DOAC despite the patient meeting the dose reduction criteria. Inappropriate DOAC dosing was defined as a deviation of the recommended dose (both underdosing and overdosing).

Results

A total of 316 patients (dabigatran, 28; rivaroxaban, 107; apixaban, 116; and edoxaban, 65) were included, with a median (interquartile range) age of 75 (66–81) years and 62.3% male. DOACs were prescribed at an appropriate standard dose in 39.2% of patients, an appropriate reduced dose in 36.7%, an inappropriate standard dose in 2.5%, and an inappropriate reduced dose in 19.3%. Multivariate analysis revealed that the inappropriate dosing of DOACs was significantly associated with prescriptions for outpatients (vs. inpatients; odds ratio [OR] 2.87, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.53–5.62, p < 0.001) and those with higher HAS-BLED scores (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.42–2.51, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Our results demonstrated that the inappropriate dosing of DOACs occurred in approximately 20% of AF patients, and was more frequent in outpatients (vs. inpatients) and in those with a higher risk of bleeding. It is recommended that pharmacists play a greater role in assisting in the prescription process to help physicians make better decisions.
Predicting oil saturation of shale-oil reservoirs using nuclear magnetic resonance logs
Authors: Kuang Lichun , Wang Zhenlin , Feng Cheng , Zhao Peiqiang , Mao Rui , Yu Jing
Published: February 2020

Oil saturation is an important parameter in shale-oil reservoir evaluation. However, due to complex wettability and pore construction, we find that conventional resistivity and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods do not perform well in calculating oil saturation in shale-oil reservoirs. Hence, we have developed a practical NMR-based method to calculate the oil saturation of the Lucaogou shale-oil Formation, Permian, in Jimusar Sag, Junggar Basin, China. First, we analyze the relationships among the wettability, oil saturation, and [Formula: see text] distribution based on the theoretical formula and core analysis data. Results indicate that the ratio of the surface area wetted by water and oil is approximately equal to the ratio of water saturation and oil saturation. So we conclude that oil is mainly stored in relatively bigger pores and the surface relaxivity of the oil-wet surface is lower than that of the water-wet surface, resulting in long relaxation signals, that is, the long relaxation signals of NMR [Formula: see text] spectra of shale-oil reservoirs are primarily attributed to oil signals. We have made a series of NMR measurements of as-received samples and confirm this point. Thus, we propose a [Formula: see text] cutoff for water and oil to calculate the oil saturation, and we determine 6 ms as the [Formula: see text] cutoff based on the oil saturation analysis of cores and NMR logs. Finally, we verify and make application of our method and acquire good results.
Assessing and Reducing Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Radiotracer Infiltrations: Lessons in Quality Improvement and Sustainability
Authors: Kiser Jackson W. , Benefield Thad , Lattanze Ronald K. , Ryan Kelley A. , Crowley James
Published: February 2020

PURPOSE:

Accurate administration of radiotracer dose is essential to positron emission tomography (PET) image quality and quantification. Misadministration (infiltration) of the dose can affect PET/computed tomography results and lead to unnecessary or inappropriate treatments and procedures. Quality control efforts ensure accuracy of the administered dose; however, they fail to ensure complete delivery of the dose into the patient’s circulation. We used new technology to assess and improve infiltration rates and evaluate sustainability.

METHODS:

Injection quality was measured, improved, and sustained during our participation in a multicenter quality improvement project using Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control methodology. Five technologists monitored injection quality in the Measure and Improve phases. After seven new technologists joined the team in the Control phase, infiltration rates were recalculated, controlling for technologist- and patient-level correlations, and comparisons were made between these two groups of technologists.

RESULTS:

In the Measure phase, five technologists monitored 263 injections (13.3% infiltration rate). Nonantecubital fossa injections had a higher probability of infiltration than antecubital fossa injections. After implementing a quality improvement plan (QIP), the same technologists monitored 278 injections in the Improve phase (2.9% infiltration rate). The 78% decrease in infiltration rate was significant ( P < .001) as was the decrease in nonantecubital fossa infiltrations ( P = .0025). In the Control phase, 12 technologists monitored 1,240 injections (3.1% infiltration rate). The seven new technologists had significantly higher rates of infiltration ( P = .017).

CONCLUSION:

A QIP can significantly improve and sustain injection quality; however, ongoing monitoring is needed as new technologists join the team.
Biopharmaceutical Understanding of Excipient Variability on Drug Apparent Solubility Based on Drug Physicochemical Properties. Case Study: Superdisintegrants
Authors: Zarmpi Panagiota , Flanagan Talia , Meehan Elizabeth , Mann James , Fotaki Nikoletta
Published: February 2020

The presence of different excipient types/brands in solid oral dosage forms may affect product performance and drug bioavailability. Understanding the biopharmaceutical implications of superdisintegrant variability (changes in material properties), variation (changes in excipient amount) and interchangeability (use of different excipient types with the same intended functionality) in oral drug performance would be beneficial for the development of robust final dosage forms. The current study investigated the impact of superdisintegrants (sodium starch glycolate, croscarmellose sodium, crospovidone) on the apparent solubility of drugs with different physicochemical properties (drug ionisation, drug lipophilicity, drug aqueous solubility). Compendial and biorelevant media were used to assess the impact of gastrointestinal conditions on the effects of excipient on drug apparent solubility. For the majority of compounds, changes in drug apparent solubility were not observed in superdisintegrant presence, apart from the cases of highly ionised compounds (significant decrease in drug solubility) and/or compounds that aggregate/precipitate in solution (significant increase in drug solubility). Excipient variability did not greatly affect the impact of excipients on drug apparent solubility. The use of multivariate data analysis identified the biopharmaceutical factors affecting excipient performance. The construction of roadmaps revealed that superdisintegrants may be of low risk for the impact of excipients on oral drug performance based on drug solubility alone; superdisintegrants activity could still be a risk for oral bioavailability due to their effects on tablet disintegration.
Supplementary Material and List of Participants
Authors: And List of Participants Supplementary Material
Published: February 2020

N/A
Nuclear responses to astrophysical neutrinos through the neutral Gamow-Teller strength
Authors: Tsakstara V. , Kosmas T. S.
Published: February 2020

We study nuclear responses to low-energy neutrinos through the neutral Gamow- Teller strength B(GT0). As a concrete example we adopt the 56Fe isotope which plays important role in core collapse supernova. By using the quasi-particle RPA method we found that this strength is mainly concentrated on the resonance at around ~10 MeV. Within the QRPA, we may also examine the changes in B(GT0) induced by non-zero values of the momentum transfer in astrophysical neutrino scattering on nuclei.
Coherent neutrino scattering off the 48Ti nucleus
Authors: Papoulias D. K. , Kosmas T. S.
Published: February 2020

The method of fractional occupation probabilities of the orbits is adopted in order to obtain nuclear form factors to be used for reliable cross sections calculations of the dominant coherent neutrino-nucleus reaction channel. To this purpose, the multipole decomposition method of Donnelly-Walecka is employed. The response of the 48Ti nucleus in solar and Supernova neutrino detection is investigated through our realistic nuclear structure cross sections calculations, based on the solution of the BCS equations. The present results indicate that the momentum dependence of the nuclear form factors cannot be neglected from the cross section, especially in the energy region of Supernova neutrinos (or for neutrinos having higher energies), because differences of even orders of magnitude may occur.
Induced Radioactivity in Medical Accelerators
Authors: Kalef-Ezra J.
Published: February 2020

Radiation-induced activation of patients and materials in radiotherapy treatment rooms may result in occupational radiation hazards due to in-room induced activity. Induced activation following 18 MV X-ray irradiations was assessed during commissioning and use of a medical linear accelerator at Ioannina University Hospital. Measurements were carried out using hand-held instruments at twenty locations in the accelerator bunker (three portable dose rate meters, a contamination meter were used). Temporal ambient dose rate data fitted with exponential functions and coupled with in situ spectroscopic data were used to characterize the post-irradiation field and develop detailed and practical site-specific work-plans to keep personnel doses secondary to radiotherapy as low as reasonably practical. The application of the suggested work-plans kept occupational exposure at very low levels during the first 2 y of clinical use of such beams.
β− -Decay Half-lives Using the ANN Model: Input for the R-Process
Authors: Costiris N. J. , Mavrommatis E.
Published: February 2020

Full understanding of nucleosynthesis via the r-process continues to be a major challenge for nuclear astrophysics. Apart from issues within astrophysical modeling, there remain significant uncertainties in the nuclear physics input, notably involving the β- decay halflives of neutron-rich nuclei. Both the element distribution on the r-process path and the time scale of the r-process are highly sensitive to β− lifetimes. Since the majority of nuclides that lie on the r-process path will not be experimentally accessible in the foreseeable future, it is important to provide accurate predictions from reliable models. Toward this end, a statistical global model of the β−-decay halflife systema- tics has been developed to estimate the lifetimes of nuclides relevant to the r-process, in the form of a fully-connected, multilayer feedforward Artificial Neural Network (ANN) trained to predict the halflives of ground states that decay 100% by the β− mode. In predictive performance, the model can match or even surpass that of conventional models of β-decay systematics. Results are presented for nuclides situated on the r-ladders N=50, 82 and 126 where abundances peak, as well as for others that affect abundances between peaks. Also reported are results for halflives of interesting neutron-rich nuclides on or towards the r-process path that have been recently measured. Comparison with results from experiment and conventional models is favorable.
Nuclear muon capture rates by using relativistic muon wavefunctions
Authors: Kardaras I. S. , Stavrou V. N. , Tsoulos I. G. , Kosmas T. S.
Published: February 2020

N/A
Search for E(5) Symmetry in 102Pd
Authors: Ashley S. F. , Et al. ...
Published: February 2020

Lifetimes of the excited states in the yrast band of 102Pd have been deter- mined using the Recoil-Distance Doppler Shift experiment at INFN, Labo- ratori Nazionali di Legnaro. Excited states in 102Pd were populated by the 92Zr(13C,3n)102Pd fusion-evaporation reaction. Lifetimes were deduced using the Differential Decay Curve method and the corresponding B(E2) values were compared to the E(5) critical-point symmetry, and also the U(5) and O(6) limits of the Interacting Boson Model-1. It is evident that 102Pd agrees poorly with the predicted E(5) symmetry but has a very good (and somewhat surprising) agreement with the O(6) limit.
Electron Capture in Nuclear Structure and Astrophysics
Authors: Giannaka P. , Kosmas T. S. , Tsakstara V.
Published: February 2020

Electron capture on nucleons and nuclei, is one of the most important weak interaction processes in the dynamics and evolution of massive stars. Especially on nuclei of the Fe mass region the role of e− capture is crucial in the phase of stellar core collapse. Furthermore, a realistic treatment of electron capture on heavy nuclei provides signi cant information in the hydrodynamics of core collapse and bounce. In this work, we exploit the advantages of a recently published numerical approach to perform nuclear structure calculations of the electron capture in F e group nuclear isotopes. As a rst concrete example, which is simultaneously o ering a good test of ourmethod,wechoosethereaction56Fe(e−,νe)56Mn* that plays a decisive role in core collapse supernovae. We also improve the previous formalism by constructing compact analytical expressions for the required reduced matrix elements of all basic multipole operators in isospin representation. Such a compact formalism o ers the advantage of performing state-by-state calculations of the transition rates for semi- leptonic nuclear processes through advantageous computer codes written in isospin representation.
Application of RBS and NRA for the Investigation of Corrosion Resistance of Nitrogen‐Implanted Steel.
Authors: Noli F. , Misaelides P. , Lagoyannis A. , Riviere J.-P.
Published: February 2020

Austenitic stainless steel AISI 304L was implanted with low energy, high current nitrogen iοns at moderate temperatures extracted from a Kaufman type iοn source (Extraction voltage: 1.2 keV; Extracted current: 1 mA/cm2; Ion dose: about 4x1019 ions /cm2). The temperature during the implantation (duration 1 hour) was 400 and 500 oC respectively for the two series of samples prepared. The characterization of the samples by X‐Ray Diffraction, Transmission Electron Microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy showed that a metastable fcc solid solution with a high nitrogen content (about wt. 30%) was formed resulting in an increase of its Vickers hardness. Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (Ed: 1.75 MeV) was applied in combination with Nuclear Reaction Analysis (NRA) in order to obtain information about the N‐, O‐ and C‐ depth distribution in the near‐surface layers of the samples. The nitrogen depth distribution was determined using the 14N(d,α)12C and the 14N(d,p)15N nuclear reactions whereas the oxygen and carbon ones by the 16O(d,p)17O and 12C(d,p)13C (Ed: 1.35 MeV). Investigation of the corrosion behaviour of the samples was performed under strong aggressive conditions (hydrochloric acid 2% at 50 oC) using electrochemical techniques (potentiodynamic polarization and cyclic voltammetry). The samples implanted at 400 oC exhibited remarkable resistance to corrosion compared to those implanted at 500 oC and the untreated material. This could be attributed to the modified surface region and its high nitrogen content.
A Review on Recent Developments in Deuteron Induced Reactions Enhancing NRA Capabilities
Authors: Kokkoris M. , Misaelides P. , Lagoyannis A. , Vlastou R. , Papadopoulos C. T. , Harissopulos S.
Published: February 2020

Nuclear Reaction Analysis (NRA) is well established as one of the principal IBA methods nowadays. Among the most important NRA characteristics are its high iso- topic selectivity, its enhanced sensitivity for many nuclides, the capability of least destructive depth profiling and the possibility of simultaneous analysis of more than one light element in near–surface layers of materials. Moreover, in the particular case when deuterium is used as probing beam, critical advantages for NRA studies emerge. As NRA quantifies individual light isotopes absolutely, and can depth pro- file with nanometer resolution, it is the most suitable ion beam technique for the determination of the concentration and depth profiling of light elements in complex matrices. However, as already pointed out in the recent literature, the application of NRA to the determination of the concentration and the depth profiling of light elements is frequently impeded by the lack of adequate and/or reliable experimental differential cross section data. It is the ambition of the present work to contribute in the fields of differential cross section measurements, as well as of data evaluation and general theoretical analysis.
A Large Volume (1m3) Spherical Proportional Counter for Atmospheric Neutron Measurements
Authors: Savvidis I. , Et al. .
Published: February 2020

A large volume (1m3) spherical proportional counter has been developed at CEA/Saclay, for low flux neutron measurements. Neutrons can be measured successfully, with high sensitivity, using 3He gas in the detector. The proton and tritium energy deposition in the drift gaseous volume, from the reaction 3He(n,p)3H, can provide the neutron spectra from thermal neutrons up to several MeV. The α resolution of the detector has been measured using 222Rn gas, in order to have the response of the total active volume of the detector. The three α peaks from 222Rn decay and 222Rn daughters decay have been measured with FWHM less then 2%, with gas mixture Ar 98% and CH4 2% at a pressure of 200 mbar. The neutron sensitivity has been tested inserting in the sphere 100mgr of 3He. The 0.765 MeV peak of p and 3H is well separated form the cosmic ray background after irradiation with 252Cf neutron source. The ground level atmospheric thermal neutrons have been also measured after several hours of exposure. The very low noise, the limited wall effect, the high resolution and the high sensitivity are some of the advantages of the detector.
A new Λ- nucleus potential for the Λ- particle energies in hypernuclei
Authors: Efthimiou C. A. , Grypeos M. E. , Koutroulos C. G. , Petridou Th.
Published: February 2020

A new single particle Λ− nucleus potential is considered for the study of the Λ−particle energies in hypernuclei. This potential belongs to the class of potentials for which the formalism of the s−power series expansions of the Hypervirial Theorems technique is applicable. The numbers d_k (k = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4) related to the derivatives of the potential form factor f , determining the potential shape, are obtained and therefore the approximate analytic expression of the energy level Enl (including third-order terms in the small parameter s). Preliminary numerical results are also given and a discussion is made.
234U(n,f) cross section with the FIC detector at CERN (n TOF)
Authors: Karadimos D. , Et al. ...
Published: February 2020

The analysis technique applied to the data and the reaction cross section 234U(n,f) from the FIC (Fission Ionization Chamber) detector at the n TOF facility is pre- sented here. A comparison of the measured neutron induced fission cross section of 234U nucleus is given with the available data from the bibliography. The measure- ments took place at the installation of CERN in Geneva. The detector was placed in front of the neutron beam for the determination of the neutron induced fission cross section of various isotopes of the Th cycle. For the data acquisition, several flash Analog to Digital Converter (fADC) channels were used. This facilitated the detailed off-line analysis of data since all information was stored in the computer. The automation of the process was required because the high amount of stored data. The data analysis aimed at the discrimination of fission events. For this end we had to deal with three main issues: i) The subtraction of the background, ii) the fitting of the pulses and iii) the automation of the process.
Covariant density functional NL3, ten years after
Authors: Karatzikos S. , Lalazissis G. A. , Fossion R. , Peña-Arteaga D. , Ring P.
Published: February 2020

We propose a modification of the effective force NL3, which presents the very succesful parameterization for the Lagrangian of the Relativistic Mean Field (RMF) theory. The new effective force with the name NL3* has phenomenological para- meters. It improves the ground state properties of many nuclei and simultaneously provides an excellent description of excited states with collective character in sphe- rical and axially deformed nuclei.
Probing the Tz=−3/2 nuclei via magnetic moment measurements
Authors: Mertzimekis T. J.
Published: February 2020

The neutron-deficient region of the nuclear chart provides unique opportunities to study several important effects near the proton-drip line pertaining to nuclear structure and nuclear astrophysics.The present article focuses on nuclei with isospin Tz=−3/2 in terms of the spin polarization and the ground state magnetic moment. An experiment on measuring the ground state moment pf 35K by employing the β-NMR technique leads to several interesting results that pose challenging questions to theory.
The challenges and mental health issues of academic trainees
Authors: Eleftheriades Renee , Fiala Clare , Pasic Maria D.
Published: February 2020

In the last decade, mental health issues have come to the foreground in academia. Literature surrounding student mental health continues to grow as universities try to implement wellness services and study the mental health of their students. Studies vary greatly in terms of measurement tools, timeframe, sample demographics, as well as the chosen threshold of symptom severity for diagnosis. This review attempts to summarize, contextualize and synthesize papers that pertain to the challenges faced by academic trainees at the undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate level.

The evidence for, and against, the common claim of increasing prevalence of mental health issues among students in recent years is discussed. While some studies support this claim, it is difficult to reach a definitive conclusion due to numerous confounding factors such as increased help-seeking behaviour, greater awareness of mental health issues and weak methodology. The prevalence of depression, anxiety, suicidal and self-injurious behaviour, distress and general mental illness diagnoses are discussed. Other issues known to influence mental health, such as sexual assault and bullying, are briefly addressed.

Finally, select studies on a few wellness strategies that may improve mental health of trainees, such as mindfulness, are summarised, along with diverse recommendations for individual students, universities, and academia as a whole.
Case Report: Late onset of generalized isomorphic morphea in a postmenopausal woman
Authors: Lazo-Betetta Marie Angelique , Perez-Vasquez Renzo , Sanchez-Boluarte Arantxa , Inga-Berrospi Fiorella , Grandez-Urbina J. Antonio
Published: February 2020

Morphea is an inflammatory, sclerosing skin condition of unknown cause that generally does not present systemic manifestations. A 66-year-old Caucasian Peruvian female patient, who was previously a nurse, presented with a prior history of 4 years of indurated dermal plaque lesions with constant progression. Diagnosis of morphea was made by clinical examination and skin biopsy. The patient started topical treatment with methoxsalen and phototherapy. When no improvement was seen, it was switched to methotrexate. However, due to changes in liver profile, phototherapy was restarted with progressive clinical improvement. It is essential to differentiate all morphea subtypes for proper management.
A pneumococcal controlled human infection model in Malawi: Transfer of an established pneumococcal carriage model from Liverpool, UK to Blantyre, Malawi – A feasibility study
Authors: Morton Ben , Burr Sarah , Jambo Kondwani , Rylance Jamie , Henrion Marc Y.R. , Banda Ndaziona Peter , Nsomba Edna , Kapumba Blessings , Manda-Taylor Lucinda , Masesa Clemens , Ferrreira Daniela , Gordon Stephen B. ,   MARVELS Consortium
Published: February 2020

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality due to community acquired pneumonia, bacterial meningitis and bacteraemia worldwide. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines protect against invasive disease, but are expensive to manufacture, limited in serotype coverage, associated with serotype replacement and demonstrate reduced effectiveness against mucosal colonisation.  As asymptomatic colonisation of the human nasopharynx is a prerequisite for pneumococcal disease, this is proposed as a marker for novel vaccine efficacy. Our team established a safe and reproducible pneumococcal controlled human infection model at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM). This has been used to test vaccine induced protection against nasopharyngeal carriage for ten years in over 1000 participants.

We will transfer established standardised operating procedures from LSTM to Malawi and test in up to 36 healthy participants. Primary endpoint: detection of the inoculated pneumococci by classical culture from nasal wash recovered from the participants after pneumococcal challenge. Secondary endpoints: confirmation of robust clinical and laboratory methods for sample capture and processing. Tertiary endpoints: participant acceptability of study and methods. We will test three doses of pneumococcal inoculation (20,000, 80,000 and 160,000 colony forming units [CFUs] per naris) using a parsimonious study design intended to reduce unnecessary exposure to participants. We hypothesise that 80,000 CFUs will induce nasal colonisation in approximately half of participants per established LSTM practice.

The aims of the feasibility study are: 1) Establish Streptococcus pneumoniae experimental human pneumococcal carriage in Malawi; 2) Confirm optimal nasopharyngeal pneumococcal challenge dose; 3) Confirm safety and measure potential symptoms; 4) Confirm sampling protocols and laboratory assays; 5) Assess feasibility and acceptability of consent and study procedures. Confirmation of pneumococcal controlled human infection model feasibility in Malawi will enable us to target pneumococcal vaccine candidates for an at-risk population who stand the most to gain from new and improved vaccine strategies.