bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improved bone bonding of hydroxyapatite spacers with a high porosity in a quantitative computed tomography‐image pixel analysis: A prospective 1‐year comparative study of the consecutive cohort undergoing double‐door cervical laminoplasty
Authors: Takeoka Yoshiki , Yurube Takashi , Maeno Koichiro , Kanda Yutaro , Tsujimoto Ryu , Miyazaki Kunihiko , Kakiuchi Yuji , Miyazaki Shingo , Zhang Zhongying , Takada Toru , Nishida Kotaro , Doita Minoru , Kuroda Ryosuke , Kakutani Kenichiro
Published: February 2020

Laminoplasty using hydroxyapatite (HA) spacers is widely performed in patients with cervical myelopathy. However, spacer dislocation is a critical complication caused by bone absorption and inadequate bone conductivity, and can result in dural damage and restenosis. We thus designed a prospective cohort study to clarify the feasibility of increased porosity HA spacers for double‐door laminoplasty by analyzing computed tomography (CT) images. Forty‐seven patients underwent cervical laminoplasty. Two different types of CERATITE HA spacer were used, either high porosity (50%) or low porosity (35%). These HA spacers were placed in an alternating manner into the laminae in each patient. In total, 85 high‐porosity (50%) HA spacers and 84 low‐porosity (35%) HA spacers were implanted. At postoperative 2 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year, CT images were obtained. In both groups, the percentage of bone‐bonding boundary area of the HA spacer in contact with laminae and bone volume of the spinous process relative to the 2‐week value were calculated by a 3D and 2D CT‐image pixel analysis. The bone‐bonding ratio was significantly higher in high‐porosity (50%) than low‐porosity (35%) HA spacers at 3 months and thereafter (1 year, 69.3 ± 27.8% and 49.7 ± 32.9% respectively, P < .01). The bone volume in both groups significantly decreased with time (1 year, 73.2 ± 29.8% and 69.0 ± 30.4% respectively, P < .01), indicating bone absorption. This showed no significant difference between the HA spacers (P = .15) but was higher in high‐porosity (50%) than low‐porosity (35%) HA spacers throughout the study period. Meanwhile, spacer breakage was found in 4.7% of high‐porosity (50%) HA spacers and 1.2% of low‐porosity (35%) HA spacers (P = .37). In summary, high‐porosity (50%) HA spacers have the advantages of accelerated bone bonding and relatively decelerated bone absorption compared to low‐porosity (35%) HA spacers; however, possibly more frequent breakage of HA spacers with a high porosity (50%) requires careful, extended postoperative follow‐up.
Five‐ and 10‐Year Outcomes for Primary Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy: Failure Rate and Risk Factors
Authors: Cohen Oded , Amos Itai , Halperin Doron , Bavnik Yosef , Milstein Asher , Shoshani Yochai , Leiba Hana , Warman Meir
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (eDCR) is the preferred approach for nasolacrimal duct obstruction, yet quality data on long‐term outcomes is lacking.

Study Design

A retrospective study in a single, academic institution.

Objective

To assess the 5‐ and 10‐year success rates of eDCR, and its associated risks.

Patients and Methods

All eDCRs conducted at Kaplan Medical Center between the years 2002–2017 were included. For long‐term follow‐up analysis, two subgroups with a minimum of documented 5‐ and 10‐year follow‐up after surgery were defined. Surgical success was defined by both anatomical (observed patent lacrimal flow) and functional (symptomatic relief) success. Data was collected from the hospital's electronic medical records and was completed by phone interviews. Pre‐, intra‐, and postoperative variables were collected and stratified by multivariate analysis.

Results

After exclusions, 321, 168, and 65 patients were included for immediate, 5‐ and 10‐year outcome analysis, respectively. Overall success rates were 92.5%, 86.3%, and 80%, respectively. The anatomical success rates were 93.8%, 89.9%, and 86.1%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that older age (P < .001, P = .001) previous smoking (P = .043, P = .037), and postoperative complains of epiphora (even when a successful irrigation was observed, P < .001, P = .01) were all associated with eDCR failure 5 and 10 years following surgery. Male gender was also associated with eDCR failure (5 years, P = .045; 10 years, P = .063).

Conclusions

Despite decreased rates over time, eDCR is beneficial for the majority of patients also at 10 years following surgery. Older age, smoking, postoperative epiphora, and male gender are related to long‐term failure and should be discussed with the patients before surgery.

Level of Evidence

3b Laryngoscope, 131:10–16, 2021
Evaluation and characterization of the predicted diguanylate cyclase‐encoding genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Bhasme Pramod , Wei Qing , Xu Anming , Naqvi Syed Tatheer Alam , Wang Di , Ma Luyan Z.
Published: February 2020

Opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa can cause acute and chronic infections in humans. It is notorious for its resistance to antibiotics due to the formation of biofilms. Cyclic‐di‐GMP is a bacterial second messenger that plays important roles during biofilm development. There are 40 genes in P. aeruginosa predicted to participate in c‐di‐GMP biosynthesis or degradation. It is time‐consuming for the functional characterization of these genes. Here, we cloned 16 genes from P. aeruginosa PAO1 that are predicted to encode diguanylate cyclases (DGCs, responsible for c‐di‐GMP biosynthesis) and constructed their corresponding in‐frame deletion mutants. We evaluated the methods to measure the intracellular c‐di‐GMP concentration by using deletion mutants and PAO1 strains containing a plasmid expressing one of the 16 genes, respectively. Functional outputs of all PAO1‐derived stains were also detected and evaluated, including biofilm formation, production of exopolysaccharide, swimming and swarming motilities. Our data showed that measuring the c‐di‐GMP level only characterized a few DGC by using either pCdrA::gfp as a reporter or LC/MS/MS. Functional output results indicated that overexpression of a DGC gave more pronounced phenotypes than the corresponding deletion mutant and suggested that the swimming motility assay could be a quick way to briefly estimate a predicted DGC for further studies. The overall evaluation suggested 15 out of 16 predicted DGCs were functional DGCs, wherein six were characterized to encode DGCs previously. Altogether, we have provided not only a cloning library of 16 DGC‐encoding genes and their corresponding in‐frame deletion mutants but also paved ways to briefly characterize a predicted DGC.
Design and analysis on a 0.1‐THz second harmonic low‐voltage, low‐current gyrotron with complex cavity
Authors: Gu Ling , Zhang Yanyan , Zhang Yujie , Liu Qiao , Niu Xinjian
Published: February 2020

This article presents the design and analysis of a complex cavity that will be used in a 10 kW‐level 94 GHz second harmonic low‐current, low‐voltage gyrotron. The mode pair of TE+7.2/TE+7.3 is selected as the operating modes of the complex cavity. In cold‐cavity design, a throat is introduced in the complex cavity to increase the diffractive quality factor, which can make the gyrotron operate at low‐current and low‐voltage conditions. In hot‐cavity analysis, the beam‐wave interaction efficiency affected by different factors has been studied in detail. At the operating point with beam voltage of 32 kV and beam current of 1.5 A, the mode competition has been studied based on the analysis of starting current and a time‐dependent multifrequency code; the transverse velocity spread influence on the efficiency has also been investigated. The results indicate that the operating mode eventually dominates the mode selection, while the competing modes are all at noise level. Meanwhile, the interaction efficiency can keep more than 30% with maintaining the spread below 8%, and the output power can hold at 10 kW‐level when the spread is below 12%.
Classification of breast tumor models with a prototype microwave imaging system
Authors: Conceição Raquel C. , Medeiros Hugo , Godinho Daniela M. , O'Halloran Martin , Rodriguez‐Herrera Diego , Flores‐Tapia Daniel , Pistorius Stephen
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The assessment of the size and shape of breast tumors is of utter importance to the correct diagnosis and staging of breast cancer. In this paper, we classify breast tumor models of varying sizes and shapes using signals collected with a monostatic ultra‐wideband radar microwave imaging prototype system with machine learning algorithms specifically tailored to the collected data.

Methods

A database comprising 13 benign and 13 malignant tumor models with sizes between 13 and 40 mm was created using dielectrically representative tissue mimicking materials. These tumor models were placed inside two breast phantoms: a homogeneous breast phantom and a breast phantom with clusters of fibroglandular mimicking tissue, accounting for breast heterogeneity. The breast phantoms with tumors were imaged with a monostatic microwave imaging prototype system, over a 1–6 GHz frequency range. The classification of benign and malignant tumors embedded in the two breast phantoms was completed, and tumor classification was evaluated with Principal Component Analysis as a feature extraction method, and tuned Naïve Bayes (NB), decision trees (DT), and k‐nearest neighbours (kNN) as classifiers. We further study which antenna positions are better placed to classify tumors, discuss the feature extraction method and optimize classification algorithms, by tuning their hyperparameters, to improve sensitivity, specificity and the receiver operating characteristic curve, while ensuring maximum generalization and avoiding overfitting and data contamination. We also added a realistic synthetic skin response to the collected signals and examined its global effect on classification of benign vs malignant tumors.

Results

In terms of global classification performance, kNN outperformed DT and NB machine learning classifiers, achieving a classification accuracy of 96.2% when classifying between benign and malignant tumor phantoms in a homogeneous breast phantom (both when the skin artifact is and is not considered).

Conclusions

We experimentally classified tumor models as benign or malignant with a microwave imaging system, and we showed a methodology that can potentially assess the shape of breast tumors, which will give further insight into the correct diagnosis and staging of breast cancer.
Gas‐phase 21Ne NMR studies and the nuclear magnetic dipole moment of neon‐21
Authors: Makulski Włodzimierz , Garbacz Piotr
Published: February 2020

Gas‐phase 21Ne nuclear magnetic resonance spectra were measured at the natural abundance of 21Ne isotope for samples consisting of pressurized neon up to 60 bar at room temperature and applying the magnetic field of the strength B0 = 11.7574 T. It showed that the nuclear magnetic resonance frequency is linearly dependent on the density of gaseous neon. The resonance frequency was extrapolated to the zero‐density point, and it permitted the determination of the 21Ne nuclear magnetic moment, μ(21Ne) = 0.6617774(10) μN. The present value of μ(21Ne) is not influenced by the bulk magnetic susceptibility of neon and interactions between neon atoms; therefore, it is more precise and reliable than the previous result obtained for μ(21Ne).
Efficient geometrical parametrization for finite‐volume‐based reduced order methods
Authors: Stabile Giovanni , Zancanaro Matteo , Rozza Gianluigi
Published: February 2020

In this work, we present an approach for the efficient treatment of parametrized geometries in the context of proper orthogonal decomposition (POD)‐Galerkin reduced order methods based on finite‐volume full order approximations. On the contrary to what is normally done in the framework of finite‐element reduced order methods, different geometries are not mapped to a common reference domain: the method relies on basis functions defined on an average deformed configuration and makes use of the discrete empirical interpolation method to handle together nonaffinity of the parametrization and nonlinearities. In the first numerical example, different mesh motion strategies, based on a Laplacian smoothing technique and on a radial basis function approach, are analyzed and compared on a heat transfer problem. Particular attention is devoted to the role of the nonorthogonal correction. In the second numerical example, the methodology is tested on a geometrically parametrized incompressible Navier‐Stokes problem. In this case, the reduced order model is constructed following the same segregated approach used at the full order level.
Sexually Dimorphic Effects of Dietary Methionine Restriction are Dependent on Age when the Diet is Introduced
Authors: Forney Laura A. , Stone Kirsten P. , Gibson Amanda N. , Vick Alicia M. , Sims Landon C. , Fang Han , Gettys Thomas W.
Published: February 2020

Objective

Restricting dietary methionine to 0.17% in male mice increases energy expenditure, reduces fat deposition, and improves metabolic health. The goal of this work was to compare each of these responses in postweaning male and female mice and in physically mature male and female mice.

Methods

Methionine‐restricted (MR) diets were fed to age‐matched cohorts of male and female mice for 8 to 10 weeks beginning at 8 weeks of age or beginning at 4 months of age. The physiological and transcriptional responses to MR were compared in the respective cohorts.

Results

Dietary MR produced sexually dimorphic changes in body composition in young growing animals, with males preserving lean at the expense of fat and females preserving fat at the expense of lean. The effects of MR on energy balance were comparable between sexes when the diet was initiated after attainment of physical maturity (4 months), and metabolic and endocrine responses were also comparable between males and females after 8 weeks on the MR diet.

Conclusions

The sexually dimorphic effects of MR are limited to nutrient partitioning between lean and fat tissue deposition in young, growing mice. Introduction of the diet after physical maturity produced comparable effects on growth and metabolic responses in male and female mice.
“Promoter” as an agency in decline of “market orientation” across small scale enterprises in Andhra Pradesh: Study on three selected districts
Authors: Golla Siva Krishna , Rao K. Ramachandra
Published: February 2020

The study emphasizes the exploration of the influences that “promoter” of the small‐scale unit exerts in shaping the loss of market orientation in regional perspective. The small‐scale firm‐based “inefficiencies” have been measured with aid of the factors “promoter's entrepreneurial orientation,” “faulty resource based planning,” “inefficient managerial control,” and “improper capacity utilization.” The factors were shortlisted after extensive review of the existing literature, theoretical frameworks, and the conceptual notes with regard to the phenomenon of the market orientation decline or industrial sickness across the small‐scale units. The study across promoters of 300 sick industrial units observed the incidence of the sizable and quantifiable impact of the promoter in shaping the prospects for small‐scale unit‐based survival.
Assessment of Serological Early Biomarker Candidates for Lung Adenocarcinoma by using Multiple Reaction Monitoring‐Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Wu Hsin‐Yi , Pan Yu‐Yi , Kopylov Arthur T. , Zgoda Victor , Ma Mi‐Chia , Wang Ching‐Hsun , Su Wu‐Chou , Lai Wu‐Wei , Cheng Pin‐Nan , Liao Pao‐Chi
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Plasma markers that enable diagnosis in the early stage of lung cancer is not discovered. A liquid chromatography multiple reaction monitoring‐mass spectrometry (LC‐MRM‐MS) assay for identifying potential early marker proteins for lung adenocarcinoma is developed.

Experimental Design

LC‐MRM‐MS assay is used for measuring the level of 35 candidate peptides in plasma from 102 lung adenocarcinoma patients (including n = 50, 16, 24, and 12 in stage I, II, III, and IV, respectively.) and 84 healthy controls. Stable isotope labeled standard peptides are synthesized to accurately measure the amount of these proteins.

Results

Seven proteins are able to distinguish stage I patients from controls. These proteins are combined in to a protein marker panel which improve the sensitivity to discriminate stage I patients from controls with cross‐validated area under the curve = 0.76. Besides, it is found that low expression of eukaryotic initiation factor 4A‐I and high expression of lumican show significantly poor prognosis in overall survival (p = 0.012 and 0.0074, respectively), which may be used as prognostic biomarkers for lung cancer.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Proteins highlighted here may be used for early detection of lung adenocarcinoma or therapeutics development after validation in a larger cohort.
Safe operations using advanced operator graphics
Authors: Lee David A.
Published: February 2020

This paper focuses on human factors and safety with advanced operator graphics (AOG). The operator interface to your control systems is an important part of the operator's ability to control the plant processes safely. A well‐designed graphic that encourages situational awareness allows for a more accurate and timelier operator response. By using leading indicators, deviating process values that predict the onset of an abnormal condition can be easily identified and corrected before they alarm or trip. Direct data entry into shapes helps to reduce operator errors by 50% and improves focus by removing the need for calling up faceplates to make process changes. Smart shapes can enhance the performance of operators by giving them visual references of the state of the process, allowing for issues to be detected in earlier stages. In short, using AOG, operators have a window into the process to operate safely and with fewer errors.
Phytochemical drug candidates for the modulation of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ in inflammatory bowel diseases
Authors: Venkataraman Balaji , Ojha Shreesh , Belur Prasanna D. , Bhongade Bhoomendra , Raj Vishnu , Collin Peter D. , Adrian Thomas E. , Subramanya Sandeep B.
Published: February 2020

Plant‐based compounds or phytochemicals such as alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, volatile oils, tannins, resins, and polyphenols have been used extensively in traditional medicine for centuries and more recently in Western alternative medicine. Extensive evidence suggests that consumption of dietary polyphenolic compounds lowers the risk of inflammatory diseases. The anti‐inflammatory properties of several phytochemicals are mediated through ligand‐inducible peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptors (PPARs), particularly the PPARγ transcription factor. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is represented by ulcerative colitis, which occurs in the mucosa of the colon and rectum, and Crohn's disease (CD) that can involve any segment of gastrointestinal tract. Because of the lack of cost‐effective pharmaceutical treatment options, many IBD patients seek and use alternative and unconventional therapies to alleviate their symptoms. PPARγ plays a role in the inhibition of inflammatory cytokine expression and activation of anti‐inflammatory immune cells. The phytochemicals reported here are ligands that activate PPARγ, which in turn modulates inflammatory responses. PPARγ is highly expressed in the gut making it a potential therapeutic target for IBDs. This review summarizes the effects of the currently published phytochemicals that modulate the PPARγ pathway and reduce or eliminate colonic inflammation.
A bi‐objective optimization approach for the maintenance planning of networked systems
Authors: Li Wanshan , Zhang Chi
Published: February 2020

Networked systems, such as telecommunications, transportation, and power transmission, are critical for the economic development and social well‐being of a society and are required to keep the prescribed demand continuously satisfied. Therefore, when planning maintenance actions for such a system, the adverse influence on its reliability caused by the unavailability of the components in the process of being maintained needs to be taken into account. To deal with this problem, we propose a new bi‐objective optimization approach to determine the Pareto optimal maintenance plans for a networked system, simultaneously maximizing its reliability within the concerned planning horizon and minimizing the total maintenance cost. Both perfect and imperfect maintenance actions are considered. The proposed approach can well balance the influence of maintenance actions on a networked system's reliability during their implementation and after being completed and, thus, can help ensure its reliability of continuously satisfying the prescribed demand.
Effect of chemical nature of atoms on the electronic, dielectric, and dynamical properties of ABX3 halide perovskite
Authors: Ben Sadok Raouia , Plugaru Neculai , Birsan Anca , Kuncser Victor , Hammoutène Dalila
Published: February 2020

First‐principles calculations within density functional theory were performed on a series of halide perovskite compounds ABX3(A: Cs or Rb; B:Pb or Sn). Their electronic structure, lattice dynamics, and dielectric properties were studied in relationship with the change in atom species at each one of the three inequivalent crystallographic sites, to explain the origin of these properties. Thus, the variation of the bandgap with the overlap between the B cation lone pair and the electronic states of halide atoms, as well as with the distortion of the BX6 octahedra network is discussed. It is shown that the vibrational modes, phonon frequencies, atomic displacements, and the possible ferroelectric instability in these compounds are dependent on masses of atoms, volume of AX12 polyhedron, as well as on streoactivity of Pb lone pair. Also, the Born effective charges, dielectric constant, spontaneous polarization, and infrared spectra are calculated. The relation between these dielectric properties and the ions dynamics is discussed.
Shape‐Stabilized PCMs@Foam‐Based Porous Polymers for Thermal Energy Storage
Authors: Liu Zhihong , Wu Wei , Liu Bo , Wang Liang
Published: February 2020

Hyper‐crosslinked polymers (HCPs) have drawn much attention due to their high surface areas, low skeleton density, thermal stability and chemical durability. Foam‐based hyper‐crosslinked polymers (HCfoam‐1 and HCfoam‐2) were synthesized by Friedel‐Crafts alkylation reaction and Scholl Coupling reaction. HCfoam‐1 and HCfoam‐2 exhibit high specific surface area (1098 m2 g−1 and 1078 m2 g−1) and permanent porosity. They both show well thermal stability. By using them as supporting materials, shape‐stabilized phase change materials (PCMs) composites were prepared. The composites show favorable encapsulation rate and phase enthalpies. For palmitic acid@HCfoam‐1 (PA@HCfoam‐1), its encapsulation rate reaches up to 77.6 wt%, the melting latent heat is 150.6 kJ Kg−1. In addition, PCMs@HCfoams still remain stable without leakage above the melting point. All these indicate that the materials have broad prospects in thermal energy storage application.
Interaction and Properties of the Synthesized Anionic Surfactant with CTAB: An Experimental and Theoretical Investigation
Authors: Wu Zhifang , Li Yunling , Li Jun , Wang Mengwei , Wang Zhifei
Published: February 2020

Anionic surfactant salt‐type fatty alcohol ether carboxylic ester (AEC5E−Na) having poly(oxyethylene) group was synthesized with a green and efficient method, and the structure of it was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT‐IR), 1H‐Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1HNMR) as well as Matrix‐assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF‐MS). The interactions between AEC5E−Na and cationic surfactant hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) were elucidated based on the Rubingh's theory by comparing the actual and ideal values of critical micelle concentration (cmc), maximum surface excess concentrations (Γmax) and minimum surface area of per surfactant molecule (Amin). In addition, the compositions, interaction parameters and activity coefficients for surfactant mixtures AEC5E−Na/CTAB in the micelles and at the interfaces were evaluated. It has been observed that there is a synergism in the surfactant mixtures AEC5E−Na/CTAB. Moreover, synergism is also manifested in the contact angle, dynamic surface tension, wetting, emulsification and foam stability. The thermodynamics results of the micelles demonstrated that the formation of micelles in the binary mixtures is a process of enthalpy‐drive and exothermic.
MiRNA-137-mediated modulation of mitochondrial dynamics regulates human neural stem cell fate
Authors: Channakkar Asha S. , Singh Tanya , Pattnaik Bijay , Gupta Karnika , Seth Pankaj , Adlakha Yogita K.
Published: February 2020

The role of miRNAs in determining human neural stem cell (NSC) fate remains elusive despite their high expression in the developing nervous system. In this study, we investigate the role of miR-137, a brain-enriched miRNA, in determining the fate of human induced pluripotent stem cells-derived NSCs (hiNSCs). We show that ectopic expression of miR-137 in hiNSCs reduces proliferation and accelerates neuronal differentiation and migration. TargetScan and MicroT-CDS predict myocyte enhancer factor-2A (MEF2A), a transcription factor that regulates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator (PGC1α) transcription, as a target of miR-137. Using a reporter assay, we validate MEF2A as a downstream target of miR-137. Our results indicate that reduced levels of MEF2A reduce the transcription of PGC1α, which in turn impacts mitochondrial dynamics. Notably, miR-137 accelerates mitochondrial biogenesis in a PGC1α independent manner by upregulating nuclear factor erythroid 2 (NFE2)-related factor 2 (NRF2) and transcription factor A of mitochondria (TFAM). In addition, miR-137 modulates mitochondrial dynamics by inducing mitochondrial fusion and fission events, resulting in increased mitochondrial content and activation of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and oxygen consumption rate. Pluripotency transcription factors OCT4 and SOX2 are known to have binding sites in the promoter region of miR-137 gene. Ectopic expression of miR-137 elevates the expression levels of OCT4 and SOX2 in hiNSCs which establishes a feed-forward self-regulatory loop between miR-137 and OCT4/SOX2. Our study provides novel molecular insights into NSC fate determination by miR-137.
Ancestry estimation in forensic anthropology: A review
Authors: Dunn Rhian R. , Spiros Micayla C. , Kamnikar Kelly R. , Plemons Amber M. , Hefner Joseph T.
Published: February 2020

Forensic anthropologists assist law enforcement agencies and medical examiner's offices with investigations involving human remains, providing insight into trauma analysis, the establishment of postmortem interval, and the estimation of biological profile data. Ancestry is considered one of the more difficult aspects of the biological profile, due in large part to the complicated relationship between skeletal morphology and social constructs. The methods used to estimate ancestry rely on the correlation between skeletal morphology, geographic origin, and an individual's social race. While there is a well‐documented contemptible history associated with the development of ancestry estimation methods in biological anthropology, many of the more traditional, now antiquated, methods are still used in some laboratories. The push to improve the framework within which ancestry data are analyzed requires validation and reassessment for each method in addition to the development of novel approaches utilizing modern technological advances. An array of software programs designed to aid in ancestry estimation is available. These advances do not signal the end of ancestry‐related research. Indeed, several areas seemingly stagnated by tradition and time require further study through more than simply review and rarefaction. The future of ancestry estimation research centers on: (a) abandoning the trait list approach, (b) rejecting the three‐group model, (c) establishing larger and more representative reference data, (d) assessing the utility of mixed method models, and (e) developing new statistical approaches and updating current software tools.

This article is categorized under:

Forensic Anthropology > Ancestry Determination

Forensic Medicine > Historical Perspectives

Forensic Anthropology > Anthropology in Mass Disaster & War Crime Contexts
Multiple and multilevel graphical models
Authors: Kim Inyoung , Shan Liang , Lin Jiali , Gao Wenyu , Kim Byung‐Jun , Mahmoud Hamdy
Published: February 2020

Graphical models have played an important role in inferring dependence structures, discovering multivariate interactions among high‐dimensional data associated with classes of interest such as disease status, and visualizing their association. When data are modeled with Gaussian Markov random fields, the graphical model is called a Gaussian graphical model. It has been used to investigate the conditional dependency structure between random variables by estimating sparse precision matrices. Although the Gaussian model has been widely applied, the normality assumption is rather restrictive. Hence, several methods have been proposed under assumptions weaker than the Gaussian assumptions to handle continuous, discrete, and mixed data. However, modeling data of heterogeneous classes and multilevel networks still poses challenges. Addressing these challenges stresses open problems and points out new directions for research. In this article, we review various undirected graphical models for multiple, joint, and multilevel graphs.

This article is categorized under:

Statistical Models > Graphical Models

Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Statistical Graphics and Visualization
Crystal Structures and Selected Properties of CoII Containing Thiostannates prepared by a New Room Temperature Route
Authors: Lühmann Henning , Jeß Inke , Näther Christian , Bensch Wolfgang
Published: February 2020

The room temperature reaction of Na4Sn2S6·5H2O with CoCl2·6H2O and 2‐(aminomethyl)pyridine (2‐AMP) or trans‐1,2‐diamino‐cyclohexane (DACH) leads to crystallization of two compounds with the compositions [Co(2‐(aminomethyl)pyridine)3]2 Sn2S6·10H2O (1) and [Co(trans‐1,2‐diaminocyclohexane)3]2Sn2S6·8H2O (2). In both compounds [Sn2S6]4– anions are present that are charge balanced each by two Co2+ centered complexes. Each of the two CoII cations are sixfold coordinated by six N atoms of three 2‐AMP or DACH ligands within slightly distorted octahedra. In compound 1, the two complexes are linked by one [Sn2S6]4– anion via strong N–H···S hydrogen bonds into centrosymmetric charge neutral trimeric units, that are further linked by weak C–H···S and N–H···S hydrogen bonds into chains that are directed along the a axis. These chains are further joined by N–H···O and O–H···O hydrogen bonds into a 3D network, with the H2O molecules forming chains along the b axis. The crystal structure of 2 is similar to that of 1 featuring trimeric units which are also linked into chains. Between the chains water molecules are embedded that link the chains into a 3D network. Upon heating 2 in a thermobalance the water and ligand molecules are removed in discrete steps, indicating that compounds with more condensed thiostannate networks will form.
Background Independence in Gauge Theories
Authors: Taslimi Tehrani Mojtaba , Zahn Jochen
Published: February 2020

Classical field theory is insensitive to the split of the field into a background configuration and a dynamical perturbation. In gauge theories, the situation is complicated by the fact that a covariant (w.r.t. the background field) gauge fixing breaks this split independence of the action. Nevertheless, background independence is preserved on the observables, as defined via the BRST formalism, since the violation term is BRST exact. In quantized gauge theories, however, BRST exactness of the violation term is not sufficient to guarantee background independence, due to potential anomalies. We define background-independent observables in a geometrical formulation as flat sections of the observable algebra bundle over the manifold of background configurations, with respect to a flat connection which implements background variations. A theory is then called background independent if such a flat (Fedosov) connection exists. We analyze the obstructions to preserve background independence at the quantum level for pure Yang–Mills theory and for perturbative gravity. We find that in the former case, all potential obstructions can be removed by finite renormalization. In the latter case, as a consequence of power-counting non-renormalizability, there are infinitely many non-trivial potential obstructions to background independence. We leave open the question whether these obstructions actually occur.
Importierte Infektionen des Zentralnervensystems
Authors: Schmutzhard Erich , Pfausler Bettina
Published: February 2020

Die Zahl der MigrantInnen und Flüchtlinge erreichte in Mitteleuropa in den Jahren 2015 und 2016 ein „Allzeithoch“. Sie ist mittlerweile wieder auf Durchschnittszahlen der letzten 30 Jahre zurückgegangen. Demgegenüber zeigen die Zahlen der internationalen und interkontinentalen Reisenden über nun bereits Jahrzehnte eine kontinuierliche Zunahme. Weltweit werden von internationalen Organisationen mehr als 1,35 Mrd. „incoming travellers“ berichtet. Die genaue Kenntnis der Epidemiologie akuter oder chronischer Infektionen des Zentralnervensystems (ZNS) erlaubt frühzeitig die richtigen, möglicherweise lebensrettenden diagnostischen und therapeutischen Schritte. Akute ZNS-Infektionen, wie zerebrale Malaria oder arbovirale Enzephalitis, werden überwiegend bei Reiserückkehrern gesehen, während chronische Infektionen und Infestationen des ZNS, wie tuberkulöse Meningits oder Neurozystizerkose, typischerweise bei MigrantInnen, Asylwerbern und Flüchtlingen auftreten. Neben ZNS-Infektionen müssen auch genetisch bedingte, umweltassoziierte, nutritionsbedingte oder metabolische Erkrankungen in der Differenzialdiagnose berücksichtigt werden.
Bench Validation of a Handcrafted Prototype Catheter for Intra‐gastric Pressure Monitoring
Authors: García Alberto Federico , Chica Yantén Julián , Sánchez Álvaro Ignacio , Aldana Jose Luis , Mejía Jorge Humberto , Burbano Daniela , Salazar Camilo
Published: February 2020

Background

Abdominal compartment syndrome is a sustained intra‐abdominal pressure (IAP) >20 mm Hg associated with new organ dysfunction. In order to prevent its development and related complications, IAP monitoring should be performed in patients with risk factors. Although techniques for its monitoring have been developed, they are of high cost and not always available in low‐ and lower–middle‐income countries. Therefore, we aim to develop and validate in a bench model a handcrafted catheter to be used as an alternative method to measure the intra‐gastric pressure (IGP) as a surrogate of the IAP.

Methods

We used an acrylic water container as a model of the abdomen and four handcrafted catheters made of a 16 Fr Levin tube with a globe finger tied with silk in the distal end, inflated with 1 cm of air. They were placed on the bottom of the container where the water pressure was directly measured as a gold standard. The agreement between the two measures was assessed with the Bland–Altman method.

Results

We performed 120 simultaneous measures. The mean pressure difference was 0.218 (95% CI 0.074 to 0.363).

Conclusions

The handcrafted prototype catheter and the direct measure were highly correlated. The new catheter is a reliable and reproducible tool for pressure monitoring. However, before it can be used in the clinical setting for IAP monitoring, validation in human models in a real clinical setting needs to be performed.
Synaptic organisation and behaviour-dependent activity of mGluR8a-innervated GABAergic trilaminar cells projecting from the hippocampus to the subiculum
Authors: Katona Linda , Hartwich Katja , Tomioka Ryohei , Somogyi Jozsef , Roberts J. David B. , Wagner Kristina , Joshi Abhilasha , Klausberger Thomas , Rockland Kathleen S. , Somogyi Peter
Published: February 2020

In the hippocampal CA1 area, the GABAergic trilaminar cells have their axon distributed locally in three layers and also innervate the subiculum. Trilaminar cells have a high level of somato-dendritic muscarinic M2 acetylcholine receptor, lack somatostatin expression and their presynaptic inputs are enriched in mGluR8a. But the origin of their inputs and their behaviour-dependent activity remain to be characterised. Here we demonstrate that (1) GABAergic neurons with the molecular features of trilaminar cells are present in CA1 and CA3 in both rats and mice. (2) Trilaminar cells receive mGluR8a-enriched GABAergic inputs, e.g. from the medial septum, which are probably susceptible to hetero-synaptic modulation of neurotransmitter release by group III mGluRs. (3) An electron microscopic analysis identifies trilaminar cell output synapses with specialised postsynaptic densities and a strong bias towards interneurons as targets, including parvalbumin-expressing cells in the CA1 area. (4) Recordings in freely moving rats revealed the network state-dependent segregation of trilaminar cell activity, with reduced firing during movement, but substantial increase in activity with prolonged burst firing (> 200 Hz) during slow wave sleep. We predict that the behaviour-dependent temporal dynamics of trilaminar cell firing are regulated by their specialised inhibitory inputs. Trilaminar cells might support glutamatergic principal cells by disinhibition and mediate the binding of neuronal assemblies between the hippocampus and the subiculum via the transient inhibition of local interneurons.
A tight lower bound for semi-synchronous collaborative grid exploration
Authors: Brandt Sebastian , Uitto Jara , Wattenhofer Roger
Published: February 2020

Recently, there has been a growing interest in grid exploration by agents with limited capabilities. We show that the grid cannot be explored by three semi-synchronous finite automata, answering an open question by Emek et al. (Theor Comput Sci 608:255–267, 2015) in the negative. In the setting we consider, time is divided into discrete steps, where in each step, an adversarially selected subset of the agents executes one look–compute–move cycle. The agents operate according to a shared finite automaton, where every agent is allowed to have a distinct initial state. The only means of communication is to sense the states of the agents sharing the same grid cell. The agents are equipped with a global compass and whenever an agent moves, the destination cell of the movement is chosen by the agent’s automaton from the set of neighboring grid cells. In contrast to the four agent protocol by Emek et al., we show that three agents do not suffice for grid exploration.
Determinants of the intercept and slope of glomerular filtration rate in recipients of a live donor kidney transplant
Authors: Hamböck Martina , Staudenherz Anton , Kainz Alexander , Geist Barbara , Hecking Manfred , Doberer Konstantin , Hacker Marcus , Böhmig Georg A.
Published: February 2020

Background

Donor kidney function is considered a critical determinant of allograft survival after live donor (LD) kidney transplantation, but its independent impact on the evolution of graft function is less well defined. The objective of this study was to dissect the relative contribution of LD kidney function to baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of recipients and its decline.

Methods

In this study 91 LD kidney transplantations performed between 2007 and 2015 were included. The eGFR of donated kidneys (eGFR-dk) was calculated from total LD eGFR (eGFR-dt) based on the results of isotope nephrography. Recipient eGFR (eGFR-r) determined 6‑monthly until 36 months posttransplantation served as dependent variable in mixed linear models estimating changes in baseline allograft function (intercept) and eGFR‑r slope. Models were adjusted either for eGFR-dk or eGFR-dt, in addition to other potential confounders.

Results

Overall, unadjusted mean eGFR‑r at baseline (6 months) and its annual decline in allograft function were 56.5 mL/min/1.73 m2 and −0.2 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively. In multivariate analysis, eGFR-dk impacted on baseline eGFR‑r (0.6 mL/min/1.73 m2 mean estimated increase per unit; P = 0.02) but not on its slope. In the eGFR-dt-adjusted model, a marginal effect was observed for LD age (P = 0.05). Both models identified antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) as the strongest risk factor of accelerated loss of allograft function (eGFR‑r slope: approximately −6 mL/min/1.73 m2 per year; P ≤ 0.02).

Conclusion

Donor-related characteristics, most prominently the function of donated kidneys and LD age, were predictive of eGFR at baseline. The ABMR was identified as the cardinal cause of progressive deterioration of allograft function.
Multilingual audio information management system based on semantic knowledge in complex environments
Authors: Lopez-de-Ipina Karmele , Barroso Nora , Calvo Pilar M. , Hernandez Carmen , Ezeiza Aitzol , Susperregi Unai , Fernández Elsa
Published: February 2020

This paper proposes a multilingual audio information management system based on semantic knowledge in complex environments. The complex environment is defined by the limited resources (financial, material, human, and audio resources); the poor quality of the audio signal taken from an internet radio channel; the multilingual context (Spanish, French, and Basque that is in under-resourced situation in some areas); and the regular appearance of cross-lingual elements between the three languages. In addition to this, the system is also constrained by the requirements of the local multilingual industrial sector. We present the first evolutionary system based on a scalable architecture that is able to fulfill these specifications with automatic adaptation based on automatic semantic speech recognition, folksonomies, automatic configuration selection, machine learning, neural computing methodologies, and collaborative networks. As a result, it can be said that the initial goals have been accomplished and the usability of the final application has been tested successfully, even with non-experienced users.
Implementation of cisternostomy as adjuvant to decompressive craniectomy for the management of severe brain trauma
Authors: Giammattei Lorenzo , Starnoni Daniele , Maduri Rodolfo , Bernini Adriano , Abed-Maillard Samia , Rocca Alda , Cossu Giulia , Simonin Alexandre , Eckert Philippe , Bloch Jocelyne , Levivier Marc , Oddo Mauro , Messerer Mahmoud , Daniel Roy Thomas
Published: February 2020

Objective

To evaluate the value of an adjuvant cisternostomy (AC) to decompressive craniectomy (DC) for the management of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI).

Methods

A single-center retrospective quality control analysis of a consecutive series of sTBI patients surgically treated with AC or DC alone between 2013 and 2018. A subgroup analysis, “primary procedure” and “secondary procedure”, was also performed. We examined the impact of AC vs. DC on clinical outcome, including long-term (6 months) extended Glasgow outcome scale (GOS-E), the duration of postoperative ventilation, and intensive care unit (ICU) stay, mortality, Glasgow coma scale at discharge, and time to cranioplasty. We also evaluated and analyzed the impact of AC vs. DC on post-procedural intracranial pressure (ICP) and brain tissue oxygen (PbO2) values as well as the need for additional osmotherapy and CSF drainage.

Results

Forty patients were examined, 22 patients in the DC group, and 18 in the AC group. Compared with DC alone, AC was associated with significant shorter duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay, as well as better Glasgow coma scale at discharge. Mortality rate was similar. At 6-month, the proportion of patients with favorable outcome (GOS-E ≥ 5) was higher in patients with AC vs. DC [10/18 patients (61%) vs. 7/20 (35%)]. The outcome difference was particularly relevant when AC was performed as primary procedure (61.5% vs. 18.2%; p = 0.04). Patients in the AC group also had significant lower average post-surgical ICP values, higher PbO2 values and required less osmotic treatments as compared with those treated with DC alone.

Conclusion

Our preliminary single-center retrospective data indicate that AC may be beneficial for the management of severe TBI and is associated with better clinical outcome. These promising results need further confirmation by larger multicenter clinical studies. The potential benefits of cisternostomy should not encourage its universal implementation across trauma care centers by surgeons that do not have the expertise and instrumentation necessary for cisternal microsurgery. Training in skull base and vascular surgery techniques for trauma care surgeons would avoid the potential complications associated with this delicate procedure.
Laser beam scattering for the detection of flat, curved, smooth, and rough microplastics in water
Authors: Asamoah Benjamin O. , Amoani James , Roussey Matthieu , Peiponen Kai-Erik
Published: February 2020

Microplastic (MP) pollution is alarming and poses an imminent threat to the environment with a direct impact on our health and that of fauna in natural water bodies. The understanding of light–MP interactions in water as well as the need for low-cost and robust optical sensors for the detection of MPs that appear everywhere is, therefore, necessary. We have demonstrated the use of a prototype optical sensor in the detection of flat and curved [from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) water bottle] pristine and rough MPs from commercial PET and low-density polyethylene plastics in water. The optical sensor utilizes a photodiode and charge-coupled device (CCD) camera to record simultaneously the specular reflection and the speckle pattern modified by the MPs. In this study, we have exploited the specular reflection in the detection of the pristine samples, whereas the speckle contrast, the normalized standard deviation of the speckle pattern intensity, is utilized in the qualitative estimation of the “effective” surface roughness of the MPs. With the sensor, one can, therefore, detect PET MPs with varying average surface roughness, Ra an indication of MP aging, embedded in water. The prototype can detect the effect of size, type, curvature, transparency, and the translucency of sunken and/or floating MPs in water based on the reflection, scattering, and the (edge) diffraction of light. However, the optical sensor is limited in the discrimination of MP concentration in water. Further modifications to the sensor are needed for its practical implementation in complex natural water bodies and wastewaters.