bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing semantic belief function to handle decision conflicts in SoS using k-means clustering
Authors: Elsayed Eman K. , Ahmed Ahmed Sharaf Eldin , Younes Hebatullah Rashed
Published: April 2021

Background

The endeavouring to offer complex special functions from individual systems gave rise to what is known as the System of Systems (SoS). SoS co-integrating systems together while allowing for absorbing more systems in the future. SoS as an integrated system simplifies operations, reduces costs, and ensures efficiency. However, conflict may result while co-integrating systems, violating the main benefits of SoS. This paper is concerned with enhancing the time required to detect and solve such conflicts.

Methods

We adopted the k-means clustering technique to enhance the detection and solving of conflict resulting while co-integrating new systems into an existing SoS. Instead of dealing with SoS as a single entity, we partition it into clusters. Each cluster contains nearby systems according to pre-specified criteria. We can consider each cluster a Sub SoS (S-SoS). By doing so, the conflict that may arise while co-integrating new systems can be detected and solved in a shorter time. We propose the Smart Semantic Belief Function Clustered System of Systems (SSBFCSoS), which is an enhancement of the Ontology Belief Function System of Systems (OBFSoS).

Results

The proposed method proved the ability to rapidly detect and resolve conflicts. It showed the ability to accommodate more systems as well, therefore achieving the objectives of SoS. In order to test the applicability of the SSBFCSoS and compare its performance with other approaches, two datasets were employed. They are (Glest & StarCraft Brood War). With each dataset, 15 test cases were examined. We achieved, on average, 89% in solving the conflict compared to 77% for other approaches. Moreover, it showed an acceleration of up to proportionality over previous approaches for about 16% in solving conflicts as well. Besides, it reduced the frequency of the same conflicts by approximately 23% better than the other method, not only in the same cluster but even while combining different clusters.
Depicting the mating system and patterns of contemporary pollen flow in trees of the genus Anadenanthera (Fabaceae)
Authors: Feres Juliana Massimino , G. Nazareno Alison , Borges Leonardo M. , Corbo Guidugli Marcela , Bonifacio-Anacleto Fernando , Alzate-Marin Ana Lilia
Published: April 2021

Anadenanthera (Fabaceae) is endemic to the Neotropics and consists of two tree species: A. colubrina (Vell.) Brenan and A. peregrina (L.) Speg. This study examined the mating system and contemporary gene flow of A. colubrina (Acol) and A. peregrina (Aper) in a highly fragmented area of the Atlantic Forest to provide valuable information that informs conservation strategies. Reproductive adults from forest remnants [nA. colubrina = 30 (2.7 ha), nA. peregrina = 55 (4.0 ha)] and progeny-arrays (nA. colubrina = 322, nA. peregrina = 300) were genotyped for seven nuclear microsatellite markers. Mating system analyses revealed that A. colubrina is a mixed mating species (tm = 0.619) while A. peregrina is a predominantly outcrossing species (tm = 0.905). For both Anadenanthera species, high indices of biparental inbreeding were observed (Acol = 0.159, Aper = 0.216), resulting in low effective pollination neighborhood sizes. Categorical paternity analysis revealed different scales of pollen dispersal distance: the majority of crossings occurring locally (i.e., between nearby trees within the same population), with moderate pollen dispersal coming from outside the forest fragments boundaries (Acolmp = 30%, Apermp = 35%). Nevertheless, pollen immigration from trees outside the populations for both species suggests that the populations are not reproductively isolated. This study highlights the importance of evaluating both mating system and contemporary gene flow for a better understanding of the biology of Anadenanthera species. This information should be considered to ensure the effective conservation and management practices of these plant species.
Effect of leaf position and days post-infiltration on transient expression of colorectal cancer vaccine candidate proteins GA733-Fc and GA733-FcK in Nicotiana benthamiana plant
Authors: Kim Kibum , Kang Yang Joo , Park Se Ra , Kim Do-Sun , Lee Seung-Won , Ko Kinarm , Ponndorf Daniel , Ko Kisung
Published: April 2021

Immunization with thetumor-associated antigen GA733 glycoprotein, which is highly expressed in colorectal cancer, is considered to be a promising strategy for cancer prevention and treatment. We cloned a fusion gene of GA733 and immunoglobulin Fc fragment (GA733-Fc), and that of GA733-Fc and an endoplasmic reticulum retention motif (GA733-FcK) into the Cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV)-based transient plant expression vector, pEAQ-HT. Agrobacterium tumefaciens (LBA4404) transformed with the vectors pEAQ-HT-GA733-Fc and pEAQ-HT-GA733-FcK was infiltrated into the leaves of Nicotiana benthamiana plants. To optimize harvesting of leaf to express therapeutic glycoproteins both spatially and temporally, protein expression levels at various leaf positions (top, middle, and base) and days post-infiltration (dpi) were investigated. The GA733-Fc and GA733-FcK genes were detected in leaves at 1–10 dpi using PCR. As assessed by western blot, GA733-Fc and GA733-FcK were expressed at the highest levels in the top leaf position at 5 dpi, and GA733-FcK was expressed more than GA733-Fc. The proteins were successfully purified from infiltrated N. benthamiana leaves using protein A affinity chromatography. ELISA verified that an anti-GA733 antibody recognized both purified proteins. Thus, a functional GA733-Fc colorectal cancer vaccine protein can be transiently expressed using a CPMV virus-based vector, with an optimized expression time and leaf position post-infiltration.
Limited influence of marine sediment lyophilization on prokaryotic community structure assessed via amplicon sequencing: an example from environmentally contrasted sediment layers in Toulon harbor (France)
Authors: Misson Benjamin , Garnier Cédric , Poulain Alexandre J.
Published: April 2021

Sediment lyophilization is a common process that allows for long-term conservation and sharing of marine sediments for multiple downstream analyses. Although it is often used for geochemical studies, the effects of lyophilization on prokaryotic taxonomic diversity assessment remained to be assessed. Here, we tested the effect of lyophilization on microbial diversity assessment using three sediment layers corresponding to various sediment ages and chemical contamination levels sampled from a marine Mediterranean harbor. Duplicate DNA samples were extracted from wet frozen or lyophilized sediments, and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequence variants were analyzed. We detected changes in community structure over depth linked to both dominant and less abundant taxa whether sediments were lyophilized or not. Data from both wet frozen and lyophilized sediments led us to conclude that historical chemical contamination of the sediment of Toulon Bay did not appear to be the main environmental variable shaping prokaryotic community structure on the vertical dimension, but that sediment diagenesis was. We conclude that sediment lyophilization is compatible with marine biogeochemical and ecotoxicological studies but that caution should be used when discussing small variations among samples.
A Randomised Control Trial on the Effects of Fentanyl vs Subanaesthetic Dose of Ketamine given along with Propofol on Anaesthetic Profile and Recovery Characteristics
Authors: Hemanth Natham , Prasad I Swami Devi , Samantaray Aloka , Rao M Hanumantha
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Total Intravenous Anaesthesia (TIVA) has been a subject of interest for all anaesthesiologists. TIVA was initially attempted with a single drug but no drug was found to give complete anaesthesia. So, the technique of co-induction using two or more agents to induce anaesthesia has been studied. With the invention of newer induction agents, opioids and amnestic agents having shorter half-life, with advents of infusion pumps and depth of anaesthesia monitors like Bispectral Index (BIS), TIVA is gaining popularity day by day. Aim: To compare the effects of fentanyl or subanaesthetic dose of ketamine given along with propofol in TIVA. Materials and Methods: A randomised double blind study was conducted in patients who underwent elective laparotomy under TIVA. Sixty-two ASA grade I and II patients were randomised to receive either subanaesthetic dose of ketamine or fentanyl along with propofol for induction. Infusion of one of the study drugs was continued during maintenance along with propofol infusion which was titrated to maintain BIS of 40-60. Vecuronium was used to provide muscle relaxation and bolus doses of fentanyl were given whenever additional analgesia was needed. Intraoperative propofol, vecuronium and additional fentanyl requirement, time for tracheal extubation and time for first postoperative analgesic request were recorded. Continuous data was analysed with Student’s t-test and categorical data was analysed with Chi-square test. A p-value less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Immediately after induction, haemodynamics were more stable in the ketamine group when compared to the fentanyl group. There was also a significant decrease in propofol requirement (6.501±0.24 Vs 6.672±0.26 mg/kg/hr) and a delay in the request for first postoperative analgesia in ketamine group (57.50±38.20 vs 40.50±22.68 minutes). Conclusion: Pre-incisional bolus of subanaesthetic ketamine followed by an infusion intraoperatively maintains haemodynamic stability, provides analgesia, decreases propofol requirement and delays request for first postoperative analgesia.
Effect of Music Distraction in Managing Anxious Paediatric Dental Patients- A Review
Authors: Meharwade Priya , Chindak Shreya , Kajjari Shweta , Uppin Chaitanya , Hugar Shivayogi M , Badakar Chandrashekar
Published: April 2021

Dental anxiety is one of the most commonly encountered problems seen in the dental clinic. Anxiety begins at a very young age, if not addressed at that point; it will result in more drastic consequences. As a dental clinician, there are various methods of behaviour management; one of them is music therapy. Music has always been one of the most commonly used methods to relieve anxiety. A lilting melody from a mother calms down the child in a few minutes. So, this review was performed to know the effect of music distraction in management of anxious dental patients. Music therapy is one of the most efficient forms of non-invasive therapy as the equipment used are musical instrument headsets, audio player among others. Various studies have shown that audio distraction causes a noticeable reduction in the anxiety level of the patient. While it may not have reduced the amount of pain the patient undergoes, it has been recorded that the music therapy shows a positive response in patients. Hence, music distraction proves to be an effective behaviour management tool in children during dental procedures and thus, instils a positive dental attitude.
Non-surgical Approach to Improve Prognosis of Ocular Prostheses for Grade III and IV Contracted Sockets
Authors: Solanki Neeti , Singh Saumyendra , Arya Deeksha
Published: April 2021

Patients with Grade III or IV contracted ocular sockets, most often due to Post Enucleation Socket Syndrome (PESS), suffer from loss of ocular volume along with a lax lower eyelid, which complicates prosthetic rehabilitation in terms of fit as well as aesthetics. Surgical correction is preferable, though not always feasible. A non-invasive approach for prosthetic rehabilitation of such difficult cases, using bandaging and progressively larger conformers is described here.
Development of a Reliable and Valid Questionnaire to Identify Factors Affecting Health of Postmenopausal Women in Selected Areas of Gurugram, India
Authors: Kalra Sheetal , Ajmera Puneeta , Yadav Joginder , Sindhu Bijender , Pawaria Sonia , Pal Sajjan
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Postmenopause is the period when a woman misses her menstrual cycles for the entire year. A host of issues involving health, fitness and psychological problems come up in this phase which effect quality of a life of a woman significantly therefore a substantial degree of care is needed for them. There are various factors that affect the physical and psychological health of postmenopausal women. Aim: To develop a self-structured questionnaire that would identify and address various factors that affect health of postmenopausal women in Gurugram India. Materials and Methods: A thorough literature search related to the subject matter was done along with the interview of researchers working on the health status of postmenopausal women to arrive at a questionnaire, and a pilot study was conducted on 60 postmenopausal women (average age 52±3.44 years) from September 2019 to March 2020. Expert opinion was taken twice before preparing first draft of questionnaire. Questionnaire had 4 sections with questions related to demographic details, medical history, physical activity status and psychological health status. The scores were evaluated and subjected to reliability and validity tests. SPSS software version 20 was used to calculate Cronbach’s alpha value for ensuring reliability of the questionnaire. Results: The questionnaire possesses good content and face validity. Cronbach’s alpha value was 0.772 which indicated acceptable degree of correlation between different items of questionnaire. The final questionnaire consists of 24 questions. Numerical coding of responses was done from 0-2. A score of 0-10, 11-20 and >21 indicated mild, moderate and severe effect respectively on health of postmenopausal women. Conclusion: The questionnaire can be utilised to evaluate factors affecting physical and mental health issues of postmenopausal women.
Exposure of 4-Nonylphenol: Effect on Physiology and Reproductivity of Male Mice
Authors: Kusum Kusum , Ashish Ashish , Singh Royana , Chaube Radha
Published: April 2021

Introduction: The number and accumulation of hazardous chemicals are increasing gradually in the environment. These chemicals directly or indirectly affect the human health, and now-a-day’s these mostly include Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs). These EDC’s interfere with the normal hormonal signaling, leading to reproductive or physiological imbalance causing different diseases. Studies suggest that in these EDCs, 4-Nonylphenol (4-NP) is most commonly used after industrialisation and it is hazardous for all of us. But the complete or detailed studies regarding its effects on reproduction and physiology, mode of action, pathway followed and other related causative factors are yet to be studied. Aim: To examine the multigenerational effects of environmental EDC 4-NP on reproductive, histological and hormonal fitness of male mice exposed for 21 days. Materials and Methods: Male mice were given oral doses 21.25 and 85.0 mg/kg Body Weight (BW) of 4-NP for 21 days. After 21 days BW, organ weight, sperm viability tests were done to analyse the difference with respect to control group. Further histopathological [via Haematoxylin-Eosin (H&E), Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) stain and Immunohistochemistry (IHC) techniques]and stress parameters (Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Lipid Peroxidation (LPO)) examinations were done in different organ tissue samples for detailed study. Results: The results showed that in male mice, 4-NP had a significant negative effect on the weight of its body organs. It further has an adverse effect on spermatogenesis and sperm quality with a resultant impact on male mice fertility with hormonal imbalance. Histopathological examination of the liver and testes biopsy samples illustrates that exposure to 4-NP at high doses induces occurrence of anomalies. 4-NP also causes decrease in SOD and increase in LPO, a parameter for increasing toxicity in the organs. Conclusion: Exposure to 4-NP induces reproductive and physiological toxic effects on male mice by causing hormonal imbalance.
Role of Early Childhood Adversity, Behaviour Problems and Academic Performance among Adolescents with ADHD: A Systematic Review
Authors: Sharma Apoorva , Khan Waheeda
Published: April 2021

Introduction: “Hyperactivity”, is characterised by difficulties related to task, oriented behaviour in children particularly hyperactive children also tends to be socially intrusive and immature. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) children have great difficulty in compatibility with their parents and their peer group. This disorder occurs majorly in boys than girls and some residual effects, such as attention difficulties may persist into adolescence. Aim: Understanding of behavioural concerns among ADHD adolescents with their parents. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive search in the international databases of academic search complete, Psych articles, J GATE, Psychology and behavioural sciences collection, Proquest, Science Direct, and Google scholar was conducted. Studies included in this review were prospective studies, retrospective study, case-control study, cohort study, descriptive study, and review studies. The study consisted of 15 studies from review journals. Psycho social correlates were investigated in ADHD patients. The studies published from 2000 to 2016 were included in this review. Results: The present review revealed that there is significant role of early Childhood Adversity (CA), poor scholastic performance and behaviour problems in the formulation of ADHD among adolescents. Conclusion: It was concluded that there is a problem in ADHD patients related to their poor academic performances which also reflects in their adolescence, and behavioural problems with parents also. Parents with ADHD children faced more stress in comparison to parents of Non-ADHD children. There is a need to develop specific parent’s intervention training and early identification of ADHD children.
Lymphangioma Circumscriptum of the Vulva- A Case Series
Authors: Mahajan Rashmi S , Marfatia Yogesh S , Shah Atmakalyani R , Ninama Kishan R
Published: April 2021

Vulval dermatoses pose a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for the dermatologists. Lymphangioma Circumscriptum (LC) is a form of lymphangioma affecting the skin and subcutaneous tissues that is characterised by benign dilation of lymphatic channels. This uncommon condition is known to occur over the chest, mouth, axilla, tongue, and rarely in the vulva. In this series, authors present three cases of LC of vulva in women between the age group of 45 to 60 years with late-onset fluid-filled lesions over the vulva. The first case had history of hysterectomy prior to onset of lesions, the second case had a spontaneous onset of lesions while the third was a suspected case of pelvic tuberculosis with secondary lymphangioma.
Anaesthetic Management of Patient with Atrial Septal Defect Posted for Abdominal Hysterectomy
Authors: Thomas Sara Mary , Kanabar Pranav , Chauhan Dinesh , Mehta Malini
Published: April 2021

Incidence of Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) in acyanotic congenital heart disease is about 10%. This condition is commonly diagnosed in childhood, although in some cases it is detected in later stages of life. Patients with ASD and Pulmonary Hypertension (PHT) pose a great challenge to anaesthetic management. Authors are presenting a case of general anaesthetic management of 39-year-old lady having ASD with mild to moderate PHT undergoing abdominal hysterectomy, a noncardiac surgery. The patient was induced with Inj. Propofol slow Intravenous (IV) and intubation was achieved with succinylcholine and maintenance was done with atracurium and isoflurane. The primary goal of general anaesthesia was to avoid increase in PHT and to maintain systemic vascular resistance.
The Gibbs Energy–Potential Energy Conundrum and Chemical Reactivity: Implications for Catalysis and Enzyme Action
Authors: Chandrasekhar Sosale
Published: April 2021

The interpretation of transition state theory via reaction energy profiles is problematical, as it remains unclear whether the energy being represented is the Gibbs energy or the potential energy. Although transition state theory is formally an extension of classical equilibrium theory, employing the Gibbs energy can lead to ambiguities in explaining reactivity trends and differences. Thus, the differential reactivity of the carbonyl group in carboxylic esters and carboxylic acid chlorides, when present in the same molecule, can only be explained by invoking transition state effects because of the common ground state. The said transition state effects, however, apparently need implausible assumptions.

It is argued herein that these ambiguities can be avoided by employing potential energy. In particular, by invoking the “localized” potential energy at a reactive center, ground state effects can be brought into play. This is likely to be largely vibrational potential energy, as this is closely involved in bond breaking and making. It appears, therefore, that transition state theory is best viewed in a qualitative sense for it to be practically meaningful.

These arguments, in fact, have intriguing implications for catalysis, particularly the theory of enzyme catalysis. Thus, enzymes apparently possess large negative Gibbs energies of formation, hence their reactivity cannot be explained by ground state effects. However, if the “localized” potential energy of the reactive groups in the active site is considered, the phenomenal reactivity of enzymes becomes comprehensible, in an alternative to the Pauling hypothesis of transition state stabilization. This generally implies that the action of catalysts needs to take into account the ground state potential energy of the catalyst, which is almost always ignored in current theoretical treatments.
Activation probability of a single naïve T cell upon TCR ligation is controlled by T cells interacting with the same antigen‐presenting cell
Authors: Machiyama Hiroaki , Yamaguchi Tomoyuki , Watanabe Tomonobu M. , Yanagida Toshio , Fujita Hideaki
Published: April 2021

Accurate recognition of antigens by specific T cells is crucial for adaptive immunity to work properly. The activation of a T‐cell antigen‐specific response by an antigen‐presenting cell (APC) has not been clearly measured at a single T‐cell level. It is also unknown whether the cell‐extrinsic environment alters antigen recognition by a T cell. To measure the activation probability of a single T cell by an APC, we performed a single‐cell live imaging assay and found that the activation probability changes depending not only on the antigens but also on the interactions of other T cells with the APC. We found that the specific reactivity of single naïve T cells was poor. However, their antigen‐specific reactivity increased drastically when attached to an APC interacting with activated T cells. Activation of T cells was suppressed when regulatory T cells interacted with the APC. These findings suggest that although the ability of APCs to activate an antigen‐specific naïve T cell is low at a single‐cell level, the surrounding environment of APCs improves the specificity of the bulk response.
Subcortical short‐term plasticity elicited by deep brain stimulation
Authors: Awad Mohammad Z. , Vaden Ryan J. , Irwin Zachary T. , Gonzalez Christopher L. , Black Sarah , Nakhmani Arie , Jaeger Byron C. , Bentley J. Nicole , Guthrie Barton L. , Walker Harrison C.
Published: April 2021

Objective

To investigate local short‐term neuroplasticity elicited by subthalamic, thalamic, and pallidal deep brain stimulation (DBS) for movement disorders.

Methods

During DBS surgery, we delivered pairs of stimulus pulses with both circular and directional leads across 90 interstimulus intervals in 17 participants and recorded local field potentials from unused contacts on the implanted electrode array. We removed the stimulus artifact, validated the neural origin of the underlying signals, and examined short‐term plasticity as a function of interstimulus interval and DBS target, using linear mixed effects models.

Results

DBS evokes short latency local field potentials that are readily detected with both circular and directional leads at all stimulation targets (0.31 ± 0.10 msec peak latency, mean ± SD). Peak amplitude, area, and latency are modified strongly by interstimulus interval (P < 0.001) and display absolute and relative refractory periods (0.56 ± 0.08 and 2.94 ± 1.05 msec, respectively). We also identified later oscillatory activity in the subthalamic‐pallidal circuit (4.50 ± 1.11 msec peak latency) that displays paired pulse facilitation (present in 5/8 subthalamic, 4/5 pallidal, and 0/6 thalamic trajectories, P = 0.018, Fisher’s exact test), and correlates with resting beta frequency power (P < 0.001), therapeutic DBS frequencies, and stimulation sites chosen later for therapy in the ambulatory setting (P = 0.031).

Interpretation

Paired DBS pulses synchronize local circuit electrophysiology and elicit short‐term neuroplasticity in the subthalamic‐pallidal circuit. Collectively, these responses likely represent the earliest detectable interaction between the DBS pulse and local neuronal tissue in humans. Evoked subcortical field potentials could serve as a predictive biomarker to guide the implementation of next‐generation directional and adaptive stimulation devices.
Impact of a Rheumatology Clinic Protocol on Tobacco Cessation Quit Line Referrals
Authors: Bartels Christie M. , Johnson Lauren , Ramly Edmond , Panyard Daniel J. , Gilmore‐Bykovskyi Andrea , Johnson Heather M. , McBride Patrick , Li Zhanhai , Sampene Emmanuel , Lauver Diane R. , Lewicki Kristin , Piper Megan E.
Published: April 2021

Objective

Smoking increases cardiopulmonary and rheumatic disease risk, yet tobacco cessation intervention is rare in rheumatology clinics. This study aimed to implement a rheumatology staff‐driven protocol, Quit Connect, to increase the rate of electronic referrals (e‐referrals) to free, state‐run tobacco quit lines.

Methods

We conducted a quasi‐experimental cohort study of Quit Connect at 3 rheumatology clinics comparing tobacco quit line referrals from 4 baseline years to referrals during a 6‐month intervention period. Nurses and medical assistants were trained to use 2 standardized electronic health record (EHR) prompts to check readiness to quit smoking within 30 days, advise cessation, and connect patients using tobacco quit line e‐referral orders. Our objective was to use EHR data to examine the primary outcome of tobacco quit line referrals using pre/post design.

Results

Across 54,090 pre‐ and post‐protocol rheumatology clinic visits, 4,601 were with current smokers. We compared outcomes between 4,078 eligible pre‐implementation visits and 523 intervention period visits. Post‐implementation, the odds of tobacco quit line referral were 26‐fold higher compared to our pre‐implementation rate (unadjusted odds ratio [OR] 26 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 6–106]). Adjusted odds of checking readiness to quit in the next 30 days increased over 100‐fold compared to pre‐implementation (adjusted OR 132 [95% CI 99–177]). Intervention led to e‐referrals for 71% of quit‐ready patients in <90 seconds; 24% of referred patients reported a quit attempt.

Conclusion

Implementing Quit Connect in rheumatology clinics was feasible and improved referrals to a state‐run tobacco quit line. Given the importance of smoking cessation to reduce cardiopulmonary and rheumatic disease risk, future studies should investigate disseminating cessation protocols like Quit Connect that leverage tobacco quit lines.
Subtle differences in autonomic symptoms in people diagnosed with hypermobile Ehlers–Danlos syndrome and hypermobility spectrum disorders
Authors: Martinez Kiana L. , Mauss Corina , Andrews Jennifer , Saboda Kathylynn , Huynh Julie M. , Sanoja Alejandro J. , Jesudas Rohith , Byers Peter H. , Laukaitis Christina M.
Published: April 2021

The hypermobile Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (hEDS) GENE study is a multicenter, cohort study with the goal to identify genes associated with hypermobile EDS. Of the 148 people enrolled in the hEDS GENE study, 98 meet the 2017 hEDS criteria, 27 have a hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD) and 23 are asymptomatic family members. More than 80% of participants are female with an average age of 41 years. Each participant has completed seven questionnaires to quantify disease‐related symptomatology. People with hypermobility experience a variety of physical and somatic symptoms, especially in the areas of fatigue, kinesiophobia, gastrointestinal, and autonomic function. These cause a significant decrease in health‐related quality of life. The frequency and severity of most symptoms were indistinguishable between participants with hEDS and HSD; however, there were significant differences in autonomic symptoms. Less than 20% of participants had autoantibodies known to be associated with dysautonomia. Subtle symptomatic differences in people meeting the 2017 diagnostic criteria suggest focusing further etiologic studies on autonomic pathways.
Genetic testing to restore the human right to identity in post‐dictatorship Argentina: Ethical, legal, and social issues
Authors: Penchaszadeh Victor B.
Published: April 2021

The last military dictatorship in Argentina (1976–1983), committed egregious violations of human rights, including torture assassinations and disappearance of 30,000 political dissidents as well as friends and relatives. This included hundreds of pregnant women who were kept in clandestine detention centers and killed after delivering their babies in abject conditions. The succeeding democratic governments applied forensic genetics at the Banco Nacional de Datos Genéticos to identify the estimated 500 children stolen at birth and being reared by military families with suppression of their identity. The first genetic identification was in 1984 of a 6 years old, while the latest was in 2019 of a 44 years old, completing so far 130 identifications along 35 years of post‐dictatorship. The ethical, legal, and psycho‐social complexities of restoration of genetic identity after years of appropriation and suppression of identity in the Argentine context, is discussed at length. Evidence indicates that after initial psychological distress, most individuals that had their true genetic identity restored experienced relief by learning the truth and reuniting with their biological families. Many “recovered grandchildren” are socially and politically involved in progressive causes and express pride for the social activism of their disappeared parents. The role played by genetics in support of the right to identity in Argentina has set an example of social responsibility of science in defense of human rights.
Preparation and tribological behavior of polytetrafluoroethylene/metal mesh composites with sandwich structure
Authors: Zhang Wenli , Li Xiaolei , Zhang Yan , Dong Yu , Yao Weigang , Liang Lei , Qi Xiaowen
Published: April 2021

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) owns an excellent self‐lubricating performance, but its wear rate is very high due to the large‐scale spalling of the matrix in the friction. In this paper, A new kind of PTFE composites with sandwich structure was prepared by layer‐press technology, whose middle layer is filled with metal mesh. The influence of the mesh structure and mesh density of middle metal layer on tribological properties of composites were researched in detail. The results revealled that the metal mesh located in the composites can efficiently prevent the large‐scale spalling of PTFE, which induces the sample of PTFE/500# plain woven dutch metal mesh (PTFE‐500#PWD) to have a lower wear rate (9 × 10−5 mm3/Nm) and COF (0.106) under the fixed experimental condition. The prepared PTFE/metal mesh composites reveal excellent anti‐friction and anti‐wear performance, which can be used to fabricate a new kind of self‐lubricating materials.
Improved dynamic properties of thermoplastic polyurethanes made fromco‐monomericpolyester polyol soft segments based on azelaic acid
Authors: Tuan Ismail Tuan Noor Maznee , Ibrahim Nor Azowa , Poo Palam Kosheela Devi , Sendijarevic Aisa , Sendijarevic Ibrahim , M. Schiffman Christi , Hoong Seng Soi , Mohd Noor Mohd Azmil , Yeong Shoot Kian , Abd. Malek Emilia , Zainuddin Norhazlin , Sendijarevic Vahid
Published: April 2021

Research and developmental work of bio‐based materials from both renewable resources and biotechnological processes have gained significant interest recently. In this study, bio‐based azelaic acid has been used in combination with succinic and adipic acids to synthesize co‐monomeric polyester polyol soft segments for thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs). Hysteresis of TPUs made from co‐monomeric polyester polyols were significantly lower in comparison to the reference TPUs made from monomeric polyester polyols, indicating significant improvement in dynamic properties. In addition, tensile sets of TPUs prepared with co‐monomeric polyester polyols were lower compared to TPUs prepared from monomeric polyester polyols, confirming excellent dynamic properties. Improved dynamic properties of TPUs based on co‐monomeric polyester polyols can be ascribed to a phase‐separated morphology which was quantified as the lowest fraction of bonded urethane from FTIR spectra, reduced crystallinity in differential scanning calorimetry thermograms, narrow tanδpeaks measured using dynamic mechanical analyses, and images from atomic force microscopy.
Model‐free finite‐time terminal sliding mode control with a novel adaptive sliding mode observer of uncertain robot systems
Authors: Song Tangzhong , Fang Lijin , Wang Huaizhen
Published: April 2021

This paper presents a model‐free finite‐time terminal sliding mode control scheme of uncertain robot systems. Time delay estimation (TDE) technique is employed to estimate mathematical model of system. However, TDE cannot achieve satisfactory performance when the system suffers from impactive disturbances. For this reason, a novel adaptive sliding mode observer is designed to compensate estimation errors. Moreover, the proposed observer is finite‐time stable and the design process does not depend on the upper bounds of uncertainties and its derivatives, and it can be also extended to other nonlinear systems with external disturbance. A nonsingular fast terminal sliding surface is designed to accelerate convergence rate and boundary layer technique is adopted to attenuate the chattering phenomenon. Finally, a finite‐time stable controller is constructed to stabilize the closed‐loop system. The proposed controller is model‐free and can be easily implemented in practice. The stability of both observer and controller is strictly proven in the Lyapunov framework. Simulations and experimental studies using Rethink Sawyer Robot are carried out to verify the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
Accelerated wound closure: Systematic evaluation of cellulose acetate effects on biologically active molecules release from amniotic fluid stem cells
Authors: Nuge Tamrin , Liu Xiaoling , Tshai Kim Yeow , Lim Siew Shee , Nordin Norshariza , Hoque Md. Enamul , Liu Ziqian
Published: April 2021

Despite a lot of intensive research on cell–scaffold interaction, the focus is mainly on the capacity of construct scaffolds to regulate cell mobility, migration, and cytotoxicity. The effect of the scaffold's topographical and material properties on the expression of biologically active compounds from stem cells is not well understood. In this study, the influence of cellulose acetate (CA) on the electrospinnability of gelatin and the roles of gelatin–cellulose acetate (Ge‐CA) on modulating the release of biologically active compounds from amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSCs) is emphasized. It was found that the presence of a small amount of CA could provide a better microenvironment that mimics AFSCs' niche. However, a large amount of CA exhibited no significant effect on AFSCs migration and infiltration. Further study on the effect of surface topography and mechanical properties on AFSCs showed that the tailored microenvironment provided by the Ge‐CA scaffolds had transduced physical cues to biomolecules released into the culture media. It was found that the AFSCs seeded on electrospun scaffolds with less CA proportions have profound effects on the secretion of metabolic compounds compared to those with higher CA contained and gelatin coating. The enhanced secretion of biologically active molecules by the AFSCs on the electrospun scaffolds was proven by the accelerated wound closure on the injured human dermal fibroblast (HDF) model. The rapid HDF cell migration could be anticipated due to a higher level of paracrine factors in AFSCs media. Our study demonstrates that the fibrous topography and mechanical properties of the scaffold are a key material property that modulates the high expression of biologically active compounds from the AFSCs. The discovery elucidates a new aspect of material functions and scaffolds material–AFSC interaction for regulating biomolecules release to promote tissue regeneration/repair. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing the scaffolds material–AFSC interaction and the efficacy of scratch assays on quantifying the cell migration in response to the AFSCs metabolic products.
Datenbank zum Durchstanzen stahlfaserverstärkter Flachdecken ohne Durchstanzbewehrung
Authors: Landler Josef , Fischer Oliver
Published: April 2021

Die Durchstanzbemessung stahlfaserverstärkter Flachdecken erfolgt derzeit in Deutschland anhand der bauaufsichtlich eingeführten Richtlinie „Stahlfaserbeton” des Deutschen Ausschuss für Stahlbeton (DAfStb). Die Zugabe von Stahlfasern in den Beton ermöglicht nach dem Eintreten der Rissbildung eine effektive Zugkraftübertragung über den Riss hinweg und begrenzt die fortschreitende Rissöffnung, was sich für die Durchstanztragfähigkeit von Flachdecken als besonders günstig erweist. Zahlreiche Untersuchungen seit Mitte der 1970er Jahre bestätigten dies und ermöglichten die Ableitung empirischer und teils mechanisch basierter Ansätze zur rechnerischen Erfassung der Fasertragwirkung beim Nachweis einer ausreichenden Durchstanztragfähigkeit ohne Durchstanzbewehrung.

Zur Bewertung und Weiterentwicklung dieser Ansätze wurde eine Datenbank zu Durchstanzversuchen an stahlfaserverstärkten Flachdecken ohne Durchstanzbewehrung aufgebaut. Unter Beachtung der zugrunde gelegten baupraktischen Anforderungen in Bezug auf die Plattendicke, den Längsbewehrungsgrad sowie die Betondruck‐ und die Nachrisszugfestigkeit konnten etwa 116 Versuche in die Durchstanz‐Datenbank „Stahlfaserbeton” aufgenommen werden. Dieser Beitrag stellt die Datenbank vor und diskutiert deren Auswertung hinsichtlich der Vorhersagegenauigkeit und des Sicherheitsniveaus der Bemessungsansätze nach der DAfStb‐Richtlinie „Stahlfaserbeton” sowie nach Model Code 2010.
Human posture tracking with flexible sensors for motion recognition
Authors: Chen Zhiyong , Chen Xiaowei , Ma Yong , Guo Shihui , Qin Yipeng , Liao Minghong
Published: April 2021

The integration of conventional clothes with flexible electronics is a promising solution as a future‐generation computing platform. However, the problem of user authentication on this novel platform is still underexplored. This work uses flexible sensors to track human posture and achieves the goal of user authentication. We capture human movement pattern by four stretch sensors around the shoulder and one on the elbow. We introduce the long short‐term memory fully convolutional network (LSTM‐FCN), which directly takes noisy and sparse sensor data as input and verifies its consistency with the user's predefined movement patterns. The method can identify a user by matching movement patterns even if there are large intrapersonal variations. The authentication accuracy of LSTM‐FCN reaches 98.0%, which is 10.7% and 6.5% higher than that of dynamic time warping and dynamic time warping dependent.
Forming connections through iFriend: A social skills group
Authors: Arzamarski Caley , Rich Beverly , de Steiguer Abby , Weitz Rachel
Published: April 2021

The iFriend social skills group starts with a mindfulness activity to let go of the day's stressors and become more present in the room. Let's begin now in the same way: we invite you to take several deep breaths, close your eyes, and allow your thoughts to settle. Take a moment to reflect on a time in your childhood when you felt left out; perhaps you didn't get invited to a classmate's birthday party, no seats were left at your lunch table, or friends were playing kickball at recess without you. Notice the feelings that arise when you think about this memory — maybe you experienced hurt, loneliness, awkwardness, disappointment, jealousy. Many of the children participating in our social skills group struggle with these emotions on a daily basis.
Life after the COVID19 pandemic: Tips for beginning to prepare youth now
Authors: Pelletier Heather L.
Published: April 2021

To say that the COVID19 pandemic has imposed a prolonged sense of uncertainty across the globe is an understatement. Individuals and families everywhere were thrust into an uninvited period of isolation that dismantled the predictability and familiarity of our daily lives.
Keep your eye on…
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: April 2021

Home delivery of alcohol now legal in Arkansas

Provisions in American Rescue Plan for youth

Adverse mental health effects of COVID‐19 on children
Should your adolescent or young adult child see inpatient hospitalization notes?
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: April 2021

You may be wondering — on top of all the other concerns swarming incessantly through your mind and heart — if you should allow your adolescent or young adult (AYA) child to see his or her notes from a recent psychiatric hospitalization.
Synthesis of the enantiomers of 13‐methylheptacosane, the sex pheromone of pear psylla, Cacopsylla pyricola
Authors: Yuan Gucheng , Yang Yuxiong , Liu Jiawei , Bian Qinghua , Wang Min , Zhong Jiangchun
Published: April 2021

An efficient and gram‐scale enantioselective synthesis of (R)‐ and (S)‐13‐methylheptacosane, the sex pheromone of pear psylla, has been developed. The key steps of the approach included Evans' chiral auxiliaries and Wittig coupling of chiral phosphonium salt with aldehyde.
Full optical rotation tensor at coupled cluster with single and double excitations level in the modified velocity gauge
Authors: Zhang Kaihua , Balduf Ty , Caricato Marco
Published: April 2021

This work presents the first simulations of the full optical rotation (OR) tensor at coupled cluster with single and double excitations (CCSD) level in the modified velocity gauge (MVG) formalism. The CCSD‐MVG OR tensor is origin independent, and each tensor element can in principle be related directly to experimental measurements on oriented systems. We compare the CCSD results with those from two density functionals, B3LYP and CAM‐B3LYP, on a test set of 22 chiral molecules. The results show that the functionals consistently overestimate the CCSD results for the individual tensor components and for the trace (which is related to the isotropic OR), by 10%–20% with CAM‐B3LYP and 20%–30% with B3LYP. The data show that the contribution of the electric dipole–magnetic dipole polarizability tensor to the OR tensor is on average twice as large as that of the electric dipole–electric quadrupole polarizability tensor. The difficult case of (1S,4S)‐(–)‐norbornenone also reveals that the evaluation of the former polarizability tensor is more sensitive than the latter. We attribute the better agreement of CAM‐B3LYP with CCSD to the ability of this functional to better reproduce electron delocalization compared with B3LYP, consistent with previous reports on isotropic OR. The CCSD‐MVG approach allows the computation of reference data of the full OR tensor, which may be used to test more computationally efficient approximate methods that can be employed to study realistic models of optically active materials.
Active surveillance of patients who have melanoma with a positive sentinel node in an era of effective adjuvant therapy: Early lessons learned … and still learning
Authors: Gershenwald Jeffrey E.
Published: April 2021

The analysis by Broman and colleagues in this issue contributes to a still rapidly developing evidence base of patients with melanoma and a positive sentinel node who are followed with active surveillance. It reveals substantial adoption of randomized clinical trial findings that support active surveillance for these patients and, with limited follow‐up, suggests that loss of regional basin control is a very uncommon event in this era of effective adjuvant therapy.
High concordance of actionable genomic alterations identified between circulating tumor DNA–based and tissue‐based next‐generation sequencing testing in advanced non–small cell lung cancer: The Korean Lung Liquid Versus Invasive Biopsy Program
Authors: Park Sehhoon , Olsen Steve , Ku Bo Mi , Lee Min‐Sang , Jung Hyun‐Ae , Sun Jong‐Mu , Lee Se‐Hoon , Ahn Jin Seok , Park Keunchil , Choi Yoon‐La , Ahn Myung‐Ju
Published: April 2021

Background

Because of the growing number of actionable biomarkers in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), sufficient tissue availability for testing is becoming a greater challenge. Liquid biopsy offers a potential solution by complementing standard tissue‐based methods. In this study, the authors analyzed the concordance of actionable genomic alterations sequenced from circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA; Guardant360) and tissue (Oncomine Focus Assay).

Methods

From September 2015 to May 2018, 421 paired plasma and tissue samples from patients with advanced NSCLC who had previously undergone tissue testing by standard methods were collected. Both types of samples were available for 287 patients (262 in cohort 1 [treatment‐naive] and 25 in cohort 2 [treatment failure]), and only 1 sample type was available for 134 patients (50 in cohort 3 [plasma only] and 84 in cohort 4 [tissue only]).

Results

In cohort 1, 198 samples (77.6%) showed concordance between tissue and plasma next‐generation sequencing (NGS). Among the discordant cases, plasma testing detected additional genomic alterations in 11 patients (4.2%). In 50 patients without tissue‐based NGS results (cohort 3), the ctDNA‐based test detected genomic alterations in 20 samples (40.0%). The median allele frequency (AF) of mutations identified with ctDNA‐based NGS (0.74%) was lower than that identified with the tissue‐based NGS test (13.90%). Clinical responses to matched targeted therapy occurred, regardless of the ctDNA AF. Upfront ctDNA‐based testing identified 60.4% of patients with genomic alterations. In addition, ctDNA‐based testing uncovered 12.0% more actionable alterations when it was performed after tissue‐based NGS testing.

Conclusions

The results indicate that a ctDNA‐based test identifies additional patients with actionable genomic alterations and could, therefore, be used to complement traditional tissue‐based testing for NSCLC.

Lay Summary

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA)–based next‐generation sequencing (NGS) testing is becoming essential as the number of actionable genomic biomarker increases for the treatment selection of non–small cell lung cancer.

This study demonstrates the additive value of ctDNA‐based testing in addition to tissue‐based NGS and standard of care–based biomarker testing for detecting additional patients with actionable genomic alterations.

Clinical responses have also been observed in patients with a low allele frequency detected by ctDNA‐based NGS testing.