bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi-task edge-recalibrated network for male pelvic multi-organ segmentation on CT images
Authors: Tong Nuo , Gou Shuiping , Chen Shuzhe , Yao Yao , Yang Shuyuan , Cao Minsong , Kishan Amar , Sheng Ke
Published: November 2020

Automated male pelvic multi-organ segmentation on CT images is highly desired for applications, including radiotherapy planning. To further improve the performance and efficiency of existing automated segmentation methods, in this study, we propose a multi-task edge-recalibrated network (MTER-Net), which aims to overcome the challenges, including blurry boundaries, large inter-patient appearance variations, and low soft-tissue contrast. The proposed MTER-Net is equipped with the following novel components. (a) To exploit the saliency and stability of femoral heads, we employed a light-weight localization module to locate the target region and efficiently remove the complex background. (b) We add an edge stream to the regular segmentation stream to focus on processing the edge-related information, distinguish the organs with blurry boundaries, and then boost the overall segmentation performance. Between the regular segmentation stream and edge stream, we introduce an edge recalibration module at each resolution level to connect the intermediate layers and deliver the higher-level activations from the regular stream to the edge stream to denoise the irrelevant activations. (c) Finally, using a 3D Atrous Spatial Pyramid Pooling (ASPP) feature fusion module, we fuse the features at different scales in the regular stream and the predictions from the edge stream to form the final segmentation result. The proposed segmentation network was evaluated on 200 prostate cancer patient CT images with manually delineated contours of bladder, rectum, seminal vesicle, and prostate. The segmentation performance of the proposed method was quantitatively evaluated using three metrics including Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), average surface distance (ASD), and 95% surface distance (95SD). The proposed MTER-Net achieves average DSC of 86.35%, ASD of 1.09 mm, and 95SD of 3.53 mm on the four organs, which outperforms the state-of-the-art segmentation networks by a large margin. Specifically, the quantitative DSC evaluation results of the four organs are 96.49% (bladder), 86.39% (rectum), 76.38% (seminal vesicle), and 86.14% (prostate), respectively. In conclusion, we demonstrate that the proposed MTER-Net efficiently attains superior performance to state-of-the-art pelvic organ segmentation methods.
Magnetic reconnection in 3D fusion devices: non-linear reduced equations and linear current-driven instabilities
Authors: Zocco A , Helander P , Weitzner H
Published: November 2020

Magnetic reconnection in 3D fusion devices is investigated. With the use of Boozer co-ordinates, we reduce the non-linear resistive magnetohydrodynamic equations in the limit of large aspect ratio and finite pressure fluctuations, to obtain a set of non-linear equations suitable for magnetic reconnection studies in stellarators. Magnetic flux unfreezing due to a finite electron mass is also considered. Equations that govern the linear regime and some of their general properties are given. We emphasise the role of magnetic geometry and identify how some aspects of stellarator optimisation could have an impact on reconnecting instabilities, in particular by exacerbating those enabled by electron inertia. The effect of 3D coupling on the linear reconnection rates and the mode structure is quantitatively addressed in the case in which the equilibrium rotational transform has one specific resonant location for which one mode can reconnect while coupled to an arbitrary number of non-resonant harmonics. The full problem is rigorously reduced to an equivalent cylindrical one, by introducing some geometrically modified plasma inertial and dissipative scales. The 3D scalings for the growth rates of reconnection instabilities and their destabilisation criteria are given.
InP membrane integrated photonics research
Authors: Jiao Yuqing , Nishiyama Nobuhiko , van der Tol Jos , van Engelen Jorn , Pogoretskiy Vadim , Reniers Sander , Kashi Amir Abbas , Wang Yi , Calzadilla Victor Dolores , Spiegelberg Marc , Cao Zizheng , Williams Kevin , Amemiya Tomohiro , Arai Shigehisa
Published: November 2020

Recently a novel photonic integration technology, based on a thin InP-based membrane, is emerging. This technology offers monolithic integration of active and passive functions in a sub-micron thick membrane. The enhanced optical confinement in the membrane results in ultracompact active and passive devices. The membrane also enables approaches to converge with electronics. It has shown high potential in breaking the speed, energy and density bottlenecks in conventional photonic integration technologies. This paper explains the concept of the InP membrane, discusses the versatility of various technology approaches and reviews the recent advancement in this field.
Effect of working gas on physicochemical and biological properties of CaP coatings deposited by RFMS
Authors: Kozelskaya Anna , Fedotkin Alexander , Khlusov Igor , Litvinova Larisa , Tverdokhlebov Sergei
Published: November 2020

Thin calcium phosphate (CaP) coatings were deposited on titanium substrates by radio frequency magnetron sputtering of hydroxyapatite target in neon (Ne), argon (Ar), krypton (Kr) and xenon (Xe). The influence of the working gas (Ne, Ar, Kr and Xe) on the wettability and biodegradation in the RPMI 1640 synthetic culture medium of the CaP coatings was investigated. This paper is the first comprehensive study of working gas effect on properties of the CaP coatings. There was an increase in the polar component of surface free energy (SFE) and a decrease in the dispersion component of SFE with an increase in the atomic mass of the working gas. All CaP coatings had a pronounced protective effect, reducing double the number of dead cells in culture compared to the Ti control. The most soluble CaP coatings formed in the atmosphere of Xe stimulated the hAMMSCs division, which led to an increase in the total number of cells (208% of the initial culture). Samples with CaP coatings formed in an inert gas atmosphere increased the gene expression (ALPL, BMP6, BMP2)
in vitro
. The most biocompatible coatings were those formed in the atmosphere of Xe and Ar.
Average skew information-based coherence and its typicality for random quantum states
Authors: Wu Zhaoqi , Zhang Lin , Fei Shao-Ming , Li-Jost Xianqing
Published: November 2020

We study the average skew information-based coherence for both random pure and mixed states. The explicit formulae of the average skew information-based coherence are derived and shown to be the functions of the dimension N of the state space. We demonstrate that as N approaches to infinity, the average coherence is 1 for random pure states, and a positive constant less than 1/2 for random mixed states. We also explore the typicality of average skew information-based coherence of random quantum states. Furthermore, we identify a coherent subspace such that the amount of the skew information-based coherence for each pure state in this subspace can be bounded from below almost always by a fixed number that is arbitrarily close to the typical value of coherence.
Theoretical-field description of the critical behavior in ferromagnetic nanoparticles structured ensemble
Authors: Belim S V
Published: November 2020

The paper explores the critical behaviour of a ferromagnetic nanoparticle structured ensemble within a theoretical-field approach in three-dimensional space. Critical behaviour has been investigated in the transition from the superparamagnetic to the ferromagnetic phases. Individual nanoparticles are considered in the investigated system instead of point spins. Interaction between spins is carried out only by means of dipole-dipole forces. In this case, the interaction is anisotropic. The calculations are made in a two-loop approximation. The method Pade-Borel for summing asymptotic series is used. Critical exponents are calculated (ν = 0.635, η = 0.347, γ = 1.050, β = 0.427, α = 0.095, δ = 3.456). This system had a new class of critical behaviour. A comparison was made with the results of actual experiments.
Fabrication and characterization of forcespun polycaprolactone microfiber scaffolds
Authors: Kodali Deepa , Syed Farooq , Jeelani Shaik , Rangari Vijaya K
Published: November 2020

Forcespinning technique was used to fabricate sub-micron size polycaprolactone (PCL) fibers. Forcespinning method uses centrifugal forces for the generation of fibers unlike the electrospinning method which uses electrostatic force. PCL has been extensively used as scaffolds for cell regeneration, substrates for tissue engineering and in drug delivery systems. The aim of this study is to qualitatively analyze the force spun fiber mats and investigate the effect of the spinneret rotational speed on the fiber morphology, thermal and mechanical properties. The extracted fibers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy differential scanning calorimetry, tensile testing and dynamic mechanical analysis. The results showed that higher rotational speeds produced uniform fibers with less number of beads. The crystallinity of the fibers decreased with increase in rotational speeds. The Young’s modulus of the forcespun fibers was found to be in the range of 3.5 to 6 MPa. Storage and loss moduli decreased with the increase in the fiber diameter. The fibers collected at farther distance from spinneret exhibited optimal mechanical properties compared to the fibers collected at shorter distances. This study will aid in extracting fibers with uniform geometries and lower beads to achieve the desired nanofiber drug release properties.
Aluminium composites prepared by laser cladding assisted by friction stir processing
Authors: Wei Yanni , Sun Fu , Gao Huaibao , Peng Xiao , Zou Juntao
Published: November 2020

A laser cladding and friction stir processing hybrid method was employed to produce an Al matrix composite layer. The microstructure, phase composition, microhardness and conductivity of the composites were investigated. A laser cladding layer with a thickness of approximately 200 μm was prepared on a 1060 aluminium plate and it was broken up and distributed on the Al matrix after friction stir processing. The particle/Al interfaces exhibited extremely good interfacial integrity. Microstructural observations revealed that an obvious in situ reaction occurred at the particle/Al interfaces, which effectively improved the bonding between the reinforcement phase and the matrix. TEM analysis and selected area diffraction enabled the identification of the intermetallic compounds and confirmed them to be Al5Fe2 and Al3Fe. The average microhardness values of the friction stir processed composites reached approximately 85 HV. The electrical resistivity of the friction stir processed composites is slightly higher than that of the aluminium matrix.
An arithmetic count of the lines meeting four lines in 𝐏³
Authors: Srinivasan Padmavathi , Wickelgren Kirsten
Published: November 2020

We enrich the classical count that there are two complex lines meeting four lines in space to an equality of isomorphism classes of bilinear forms. For any field

k
k

, this enrichment counts the number of lines meeting four lines defined over

k
k

in

P

k
3

\mathbf {P}^3_k

, with such lines weighted by their fields of definition together with information about the cross-ratio of the intersection points and spanning planes. We generalize this example to an infinite family of such enrichments, obtained using an Euler number in

A

1

\mathbf {A}^1

-homotopy theory. The classical counts are recovered by taking the rank of the bilinear forms.
An invariant related to the existence of conformally compact Einstein fillings
Authors: Gursky Matthew , Han Qing , Stolz Stephan
Published: November 2020

We define an invariant for compact spin manifolds

X
X

of dimension

4
k

4k

equipped with a metric

h
h

of positive Yamabe invariant on its boundary. The vanishing of this invariant is a necessary condition for the conformal class of

h
h

to be the conformal infinity of a conformally compact Einstein metric on

X
X

.
Nonsymmetric Macdonald polynomials via integrable vertex models
Authors: Borodin Alexei , Wheeler Michael
Published: November 2020

Starting from an integrable rank-nnvertex model, we construct an explicit family of partition functions indexed by compositionsμ=(μ1,…,μn)\mu = (\mu _1,\dots ,\mu _n). Using the Yang–Baxter algebra of the model and a certain rotation operation that acts on our partition functions, we show that they are eigenfunctions of the Cherednik–Dunkl operatorsYiY_ifor all1⩽i⩽n1 \leqslant i \leqslant n, and are thus equal to nonsymmetric Macdonald polynomialsEμE_{\mu }. Our partition functions have the combinatorial interpretation of ensembles of coloured lattice paths which traverse a cylinder. Applying a simple bijection to such path ensembles, we show how to recover the well-known combinatorial formula forEμE_{\mu }due to Haglund–Haiman–Loehr.
Simplifying indefinite fibrations on 4-manifolds
Authors: Baykur R. , Saeki Osamu
Published: November 2020

The main goal of this article is to connect some recent perspectives in the study of

4
4

-manifolds from the vantage point of singularity theory. We present explicit algorithms for simplifying the topology of various maps on

4
4

-manifolds, which include broken Lefschetz fibrations and indefinite Morse

2
2

-functions. The algorithms consist of sequences of moves, which modify indefinite fibrations in smooth

1
1

-parameter families. These algorithms allow us to give purely topological and constructive proofs of the existence of simplified broken Lefschetz fibrations and Morse

2
2

-functions on general

4
4

-manifolds, and a theorem of Auroux–Donaldson–Katzarkov on the existence of certain broken Lefschetz pencils on near-symplectic

4
4

-manifolds. We moreover establish a correspondence between broken Lefschetz fibrations and Gay–Kirby trisections of

4
4

-manifolds, and show the existence and stable uniqueness of simplified trisections on all

4
4

-manifolds. Building on this correspondence, we also provide several new constructions of trisections, including infinite families of genus-

3
3

trisections with homotopy inequivalent total spaces, and exotic same genera trisections of

4
4

-manifolds in the homeomorphism classes of complex rational surfaces.
Sharp connections between Berry-Esseen characteristics and Edgeworth expansions for stationary processes
Authors: Jirak Moritz , Wu Wei Biao , Zhao Ou
Published: November 2020

Given a weakly dependent stationary process, we describe the transition between a Berry-Esseen bound and a second order Edgeworth expansion in terms of the Berry-Esseen characteristic. This characteristic is sharp: We show that Edgeworth expansions are valid if and only if the Berry-Esseen characteristic is of a certain magnitude. If this is not the case, we still get an optimal Berry-Esseen bound, thus describing the exact transition. We also obtain (fractional) expansions given

3
>
p
≤
4

3 > p \leq 4

moments, where a similar transition occurs. Corresponding results also hold for the Wasserstein metric

W
1

W_1

, where a related, integrated characteristic turns out to be optimal. As an application, we establish novel weak Edgeworth expansion and CLTs in

L
p

L^p

and

W
1

W_1

. As another application, we show that a large class of high dimensional linear statistics admits Edgeworth expansions without any smoothness constraints, that is, no non-lattice condition or related is necessary. In all results, the necessary weak-dependence assumptions are very mild. In particular, we show that many prominent dynamical systems and models from time series analysis are within our framework, giving rise to many new results in these areas.
The Justinianic Plague and Global Pandemics: The Making of the Plague Concept
Authors: Eisenberg Merle , Mordechai Lee
Published: November 2020

This article explores how plague—as an idea—became an ahistorical independent agent of historical change. It focuses on the case of the Justinianic Plague (ca. 541–750 c.e.), the first major recorded plague pandemic in Mediterranean history, which has increasingly been used to explain significant demographic, political, social, economic, and cultural change during late antiquity (ca. 300–800 c.e.). We argue that the Justinianic Plague retains its great historiographic power—namely, its supposed destructive impact over two centuries—because it evokes a terrifying myth of what plague should do rather than because of conclusive evidence of what it did. We define this historiographic power as the plague concept. It includes three key features: extensive chronology (lasting for two centuries), mortality (catastrophic death toll), and geography (global). The plague concept is built on three interdisciplinary types of evidence (here termed truisms): rats, climate, and paleogenetics. Our article traces how scientists constructed the plague concept in the first half of the twentieth century, and how historians entered the discussion in the last third of that century. As historians engaged in Justinianic Plague research, they used the plague concept to frame their arguments without problematizing its presence or contesting features that scientists had constructed decades earlier.
Morphing projections: a new visual technique for fast and interactive large-scale analysis of biomedical datasets
Authors: Díaz Ignacio , Enguita José M , González Ana , García Diego , Cuadrado Abel A , Chiara María D , Valdés Nuria
Published: November 2020

Motivation

Biomedical research entails analyzing high dimensional records of biomedical features with hundreds or thousands of samples each. This often involves using also complementary clinical metadata, as well as a broad user domain knowledge. Common data analytics software makes use of machine learning algorithms or data visualization tools. However, they are frequently one-way analyses, providing little room for the user to reconfigure the steps in light of the observed results. In other cases, reconfigurations involve large latencies, requiring a retraining of algorithms or a large pipeline of actions. The complex and multiway nature of the problem, nonetheless, suggests that user interaction feedback is a key element to boost the cognitive process of analysis, and must be both broad and fluid.

Results

In this article, we present a technique for biomedical data analytics, based on blending meaningful views in an efficient manner, allowing to provide a natural smooth way to transition among different but complementary representations of data and knowledge. Our hypothesis is that the confluence of diverse complementary information from different domains on a highly interactive interface allows the user to discover relevant relationships or generate new hypotheses to be investigated by other means. We illustrate the potential of this approach with three case studies involving gene expression data and clinical metadata, as representative examples of high dimensional, multidomain, biomedical data.

Availability and implementation

Code and demo app to reproduce the results available at https://gitlab.com/idiazblanco/morphing-projections-demo-and-dataset-preparation.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Transfer of Technology for Youth Civic Engagement in Pond Restoration: An Intervention Study Using the Social Group Work Method
Authors: Lalitha S
Published: November 2020

Youth role is significant in the conservation of water resources. However, youth civic engagement in pond restoration is less explored. This article discusses the research process and outcome of an intervention study conducted by the researcher for her Postdoctoral Research. Mixed methods were used to understand community needs, power structures, problems of youth and youth culture. Social group work method was used to motivate youth to restore a pond called Vairakuttai in Katchipattu Village, Tamil Nadu, India. The youth received training in pond restoration, and the impact of the training was analysed using one-sample ‘t’-test. The study revealed that transfer of technology enhances youth civic engagement in pond restoration and raised awareness on the protection of water resources amongst the community. As an outcome, training content and theoretical framework for enhancing youth civic engagement in the restoration of water bodies were developed by the researcher.
Outcomes for Families Referred to Family Centres: Using Validated Instruments to Chart Changes in Psychological Functioning, Relationships and Children’s Coping Strategies over Time
Authors: Spratt Trevor , Swords Lorraine , Vilda Dovile
Published: November 2020

There is growing interest in the development of evidence supporting therapeutic interventions in social work. Few examples, however, exist, of the use of validated instrumentation in measuring the impact of services upon children and families. We report here on the use of a suite of validated instruments to measure the impact of services on children and their parents in receipt of services provided by an Irish Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) across their seven family centres. The NGO engaged a team of university-based researchers who provided training in the use of validated instruments, monitored implementation of their use and analysed the resulting data. Over a two-year period, 968 families were surveyed at Time 1 (entering the service), with 452 completing surveys at Time 2 (leaving the service). The results indicate a decrease in children’s emotional and social problems, with those with highest scores at Time 1 making most progress by Time 2. Similarly, it was evident that interventions had a positive impact upon parental mental health and, with regard to child–parent relationships, both children and their parents reported positive changes. Such findings lay emphasis on the importance of measuring the impact of services on individual psychological functioning and interfamilial relationships.
Transdiagnostic, Connectome-Based Prediction of Memory Constructs Across Psychiatric Disorders
Authors: Barron Daniel S , Gao Siyuan , Dadashkarimi Javid , Greene Abigail S , Spann Marisa N , Noble Stephanie , Lake Evelyn M R , Krystal John H , Constable R Todd , Scheinost Dustin
Published: November 2020

Memory deficits are observed in a range of psychiatric disorders, but it is unclear whether memory deficits arise from a shared brain correlate across disorders or from various dysfunctions unique to each disorder. Connectome-based predictive modeling is a computational method that captures individual differences in functional connectomes associated with behavioral phenotypes such as memory. We used publicly available task-based functional MRI data from patients with schizophrenia (n = 33), bipolar disorder (n = 34), attention deficit hyper-activity disorder (n = 32), and healthy controls (n = 73) to model the macroscale brain networks associated with working, short- and long-term memory. First, we use 10-fold and leave-group-out analyses to demonstrate that the same macroscale brain networks subserve memory across diagnostic groups and that individual differences in memory performance are related to individual differences within networks distributed throughout the brain, including the subcortex, default mode network, limbic network, and cerebellum. Next, we show that diagnostic groups are associated with significant differences in whole-brain functional connectivity that are distinct from the predictive models of memory. Finally, we show that models trained on the transdiagnostic sample generalize to novel, healthy participants (n = 515) from the Human Connectome Project. These results suggest that despite significant differences in whole-brain patterns of functional connectivity between diagnostic groups, the core macroscale brain networks that subserve memory are shared.
Connectome-Based Prediction of Optimal Weight Loss Six Months After Bariatric Surgery
Authors: Zhang Wenchao , Ji Gang , Manza Peter , Li Guanya , Hu Yang , Wang Jia , Lv Ganggang , He Yang , von Deneen Karen M , Han Yu , Cui Guangbin , Tomasi Dardo , Volkow Nora D , Nie Yongzhan , Wang Gene-Jack , Zhang Yi
Published: November 2020

Despite bariatric surgery being the most effective treatment for obesity, a proportion of subjects have suboptimal weight loss post-surgery. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the mechanisms behind the variance in weight loss and identify specific baseline biomarkers to predict optimal weight loss. Here, we employed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with baseline whole-brain resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) and a multivariate prediction framework integrating feature selection, feature transformation, and classification to prospectively identify obese patients that exhibited optimal weight loss at 6 months post-surgery. Siamese network, which is a multivariate machine learning method suitable for small sample analysis, and K-nearest neighbor (KNN) were cascaded as the classifier (Siamese-KNN). In the leave-one-out cross-validation, the Siamese-KNN achieved an accuracy of 83.78%, which was substantially higher than results from traditional classifiers. RSFC patterns contributing to the prediction consisted of brain networks related to salience, reward, self-referential, and cognitive processing. Further RSFC feature analysis indicated that the connection strength between frontal and parietal cortices was stronger in the optimal versus the suboptimal weight loss group. These findings show that specific RSFC patterns could be used as neuroimaging biomarkers to predict individual weight loss post-surgery and assist in personalized diagnosis for treatment of obesity.
Risk Factors for Tuberculosis (TB) Among Household Contacts of Patients With Smear-Positive TB in 8 Provinces of Vietnam: A Nested Case-Control Study
Authors: Velen Kavindhran , Nhung Nguyen Viet , Anh Nguyen Thu , Cuong Pham Duc , Hoa Nguyen Binh , Cuong Nguyen Kim , Dung Nguyen Huy , Sy Dinh Ngoc , Britton Warwick John , Marks Guy Barrington , Fox Greg James
Published: November 2020

Background

Tuberculosis (TB) continues to account for significant morbidity and mortality annually. Household contacts (HHCs) of persons with TB are a key population for targeting prevention and control interventions. We aimed to identify risk factors associated with developing TB among HHCs.

Methods

We conducted a nested case-control study among HHCs in 8 provinces in Vietnam enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of active case finding for TB. Cases were any HHCs diagnosed and registered with TB within the Vietnam National TB Program during 2 years of follow-up. Controls were selected by simple random sampling from the remaining HHCs. Risk factor data were collected at enrollment and during follow-up. A logistic regression model was developed to determine predictors of TB among HHCs.

Results

We selected 1254 HHCs for the analysis: 214 cases and 1040 controls. Underlying characteristics varied between both groups; cases were older, more likely to be male, with a higher proportion of reported previous TB and diabetes. Risk factors associated with a TB diagnosis included being male (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03–2.0), residing in an urban setting (aOR, 1.8; 1.3–2.5), prior TB (aOR, 4.6; 2.5–8.7), history of diabetes (aOR, 3.1; 1.7–5.8), current smoking (aOR, 3.1; 2.2–4.4), and prolonged history of coughing in the index case at enrollment (OR , 1.6; 1.1–2.3).

Conclusions

Household contacts remain an important key population for TB prevention and control. TB programs should ensure effective contact investigations are implemented for household contacts, particularly those with additional risk factors for developing TB.
Safety of Hydrocortisone Premedication Discontinuation in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease on Maintenance Therapy with Infliximab: a Prospective Clinical and Pharmacological Study
Authors: Tran-Minh My-Linh , Gornet Jean-Marc , Maillet Marianne , Houze Pascal , Simon Marion , McLellan Paul , Hassid Deborah , Vivier-Chicoteau Justine , Baudry Clotilde , Hammoudi Nassim , Allez Matthieu
Published: November 2020

Background

Hydrocortisone premedication reduces the risk of antibodies to infliximab [ATIs] formation in patients receiving infliximab [IFX] therapy for inflammatory bowel disease [IBD].

Aim

We aimed to determine the safety of hydrocortisone premedication withdrawal in IBD patients with sustained clinical response on maintenance therapy with IFX.

Methods

We performed an observational prospective pharmacoclinical study in a tertiary referral centre, including all consecutive IBD outpatients with no previous IFX infusion reaction and in clinical remission on maintenance IFX [alone or in combination therapy] for at least 6 months. This cohort was followed for 1 year after discontinuation of hydrocortisone premedication.

Results

Among the 268 IBD outpatients, 95 patients met the inclusion criteria [mean age 38 years; 64% male; 80% Crohn’s disease; 45% combination therapy]. The median IFX duration was 5 years [0.54–14] with a mean infused dose of 533 mg [200–1000] and a mean interval duration of 7.9 weeks [4–10]. None of the patients developed permanent ATIs or infusion-related reaction at 1 year. Four patients developed transient ATIs without loss of clinical response. There was no significant variation of infliximab serum trough levels [5.5 µg/mL vs 5.9 µg/mL] measured at the time of the three IFX infusions before and after hydrocortisone withdrawal. Loss of response rate to IFX was 18% at 1 year.

Conclusions

Hydrocortisone discontinuation is safe in IBD patients with sustained clinical remission on maintenance therapy with IFX. Our data suggest that routine premedication with hydrocortisone is unnecessary in patients in prolonged remission under IFX maintenance therapy.
Pregnant under the pressure of a pandemic: a large-scale longitudinal survey before and during the COVID-19 outbreak
Authors: Naurin Elin , Markstedt Elias , Stolle Dietlind , Enström Daniel , Wallin Anton , Andreasson Ingrid , Attebo Birgitta , Eriksson Ottilia , Martinsson Klara , Elden Helen , Linden Karolina , Sengpiel Verena
Published: November 2020

Background

One of the groups that is most vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic is pregnant women. They cannot choose to refrain from care; they and their children are at risk of severe complications related to the virus; and they lose comfort and support as clinics prohibit their partners and as societal restrictions demand isolation from friends and relatives. It is urgent to study how this group is faring during the pandemic and we focus here on their health-related worries.

Methods

A longitudinal survey at a Swedish hospital starting 6 months before (16 September 2019) and continuing during the COVID-19 outbreak (until 25 August 2020). A total of 6941 pregnant women and partners of diverse social backgrounds were recruited. Ninety-six percent of birth-giving women in the city take early ultrasounds where recruitment took place. Sixty-two percent of the women with an appointment and fifty-one percent of all partners gave consent to participate.

Results

Pregnant women experienced dramatically increased worries for their own health, as well as for their partner’s and their child’s health in the beginning of the pandemic. The worries remained at higher than usual levels throughout the pandemic. Similar, but less dramatic changes were seen among partners.

Conclusions

There is a need for heightened awareness of pregnant women’s and partners’ health-related worries as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Related feelings, such as anxiety, have been linked to adverse pregnancy outcome and might have long-term effects. The healthcare system needs to prepare for follow-up visits with these families.
Community biofilm-formation, stratification and productivity in serially-transferred microcosms
Authors: Jerdan Robyn , Cameron Scott , Donaldson Emily , Iungin Olga , Moshynets Olena V , Spiers Andrew J
Published: November 2020

The establishment of O2 gradients in liquid columns by bacterial metabolic activity produces a spatially-structured environment. This produces a high-O2 region at the top that represents an un-occupied niche which could be colonised by biofilm-competent strains. We have used this to develop an experimental model system using soil-wash inocula and a serial-transfer approach to investigate changes in community-based biofilm-formation and productivity. This involved 10 transfers of mixed-community or biofilm-only samples over a total of 10–60 days incubation. In all final-transfer communities the ability to form biofilms was retained, though in longer incubations the build-up of toxic metabolites limited productivity. Measurements of microcosm productivity, biofilm-strength and attachment levels were used to assess community-aggregated traits which showed changes at both the community and individual-strain levels. Final-transfer communities were stratified with strains demonstrating a plastic phenotype when migrating between the high and low-O2 regions. The majority of community productivity came from the O2-depleted region rather than the top of the liquid column. This model system illustrates the complexity we expect to see in natural biofilm-forming communities. The connection between biofilms and the liquid column seen here has important implications for how these structures form and respond to selective pressure.
Communication strategies and media discourses in the age of COVID-19: an urgent need for action
Authors: Généreux Mélissa , David Marc D , O’Sullivan Tracey , Carignan Marie-Ève , Blouin-Genest Gabriel , Champagne-Poirier Olivier , Champagne Éric , Burlone Nathalie , Qadar Zeeshan , Herbosa Teodoro , Hung Kevin , Ribeiro-Alves Gleisse , Arruda Horacio , Michel Pascal , Law Ron , Poirier Alain , Murray Virginia , Chan Emily , Roy Mathieu
Published: November 2020

Identified in December 2019 in China, the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Pandemics share features that increase fear. While some fear can stimulate preventive health behaviors, extreme fear can lead to adverse psychological and behavioral response. The media play a major role shaping these responses. When dealing with a PHEIC, the authorities’ communication strategies are embedded in a multilevel governance and a highly hierarchal system, which adds another layer of complexity. Carrying out more ‘real-world research’ is crucial to generate evidence relating to the psychosocial and behavioral aspects involved during the COVID-19 pandemic and how it is shaped by authorities and media discourses. Interdisciplinary research and international collaborations could contribute to improve our understanding and management of risk information. Emerging from a socio-ecological perspective, future research must integrate multilevel analytical elements, to ensure triangulation of evidence and co-constructing robust recommendations. A mixed-method approach should be privileged to address these issues. At the micro-level, a population-based survey could be conducted in various jurisdictions to assess and compare psychosocial issues according to sociocultural groups. Then, a quantitative/qualitative discourse analysis of the media could be performed. Finally, a network analysis could allow assessing how official information flows and circulates across levels of governance. The COVID-19 represents an opportunity to evaluate the impacts of information/communication strategy and misinformation on various cultural and socioeconomic groups, providing important lessons that could be applied to future health emergencies and disasters.
Persistence of Maternal Anti-Rotavirus Immunoglobulin G in the Post–Rotavirus Vaccine Era
Authors: Payne Daniel C , McNeal Monica , Staat Mary Allen , Piasecki Alexandra M , Cline Allison , DeFranco Emily , Goveia Michelle G , Parashar Umesh D , Burke Rachel M , Morrow Ardythe L
Published: November 2020

To assess whether titers of anti-rotavirus immunoglobulin G persist during the post–rotavirus vaccine era, the Pediatric Respiratory and Enteric Virus Acquisition and Immunogenesis Longitudinal (PREVAIL) Cohort analyzed serum samples collected from Cincinnati-area mothers and young infants in 2017–2018. Rotavirus-specific antibodies continue to be transferred from US mothers to their offspring in the post–rotavirus vaccine era, despite dramatic decreases in childhood rotavirus gastroenteritis.
Cost impact of introducing a treatment escalation/limitation plan during patients’ last hospital admission before death
Authors: Bouttell Janet , Gonzalez Nelson , Geue Claudia , Lightbody Calvin J , Taylor Douglas Robin
Published: November 2020

Objective

A recent study found that the use of a treatment escalation/limitation plan (TELP) was associated with a significant reduction in non-beneficial interventions (NBIs) and harms in patients admitted acutely who subsequently died. We quantify the economic benefit of the use of a TELP.

Design

NBIs were micro-costed. Mean costs for patients with a TELP were compared to patients without a TELP using generalized linear model regression, and results were extrapolated to the Scottish population.

Setting

Medical, surgical and intensive care units of district general hospital in Scotland, UK.

Participants

Two hundred and eighty-seven consecutive patients who died over 3 months in 2017. Of these, death was ‘expected’ in 245 (85.4%) using Gold Standards Framework criteria.

Intervention

Treatment escalation/limitation plan.

Main Outcome Measure

Between-group difference in estimated mean cost of NBIs.

Results

The group with a TELP (n = 152) had a mean reduction in hospital costs due to NBIs of GB £220.29 (US $;281.97) compared to those without a TELP (n = 132) (95% confidence intervals GB £323.31 (US $413.84) to GB £117.27 (US $150.11), P = <0.001). Assuming that a TELP could be put in place for all expected deaths in Scottish hospitals, the potential annual saving would be GB £2.4 million (US $3.1 million) from having a TELP in place for all ‘expected’ deaths in hospital.

Conclusions

The use of a TELP in an acute hospital setting may result in a reduction in costs attributable to NBIs.
Chronic disease and medical spending of Chinese elderly in rural region
Authors: Zhou Mi , Sun Xiaotong , Huang Li
Published: November 2020

Objective

To determine whether or not chronic disease positively impacts medical costs among the rural elderly in China and to calculate medical expenditure induced by chronic disease between different groups of the rural elderly, as well as provide insight into the factors that affect medical losses induced by chronic disease among different household registration groups and different New Rural Pension Scheme statuses.

Design

To estimate the share of medical expenses induced by chronic disease, this article uses a two-part model and a four-part model to analyze the causal effect of chronic disease on medical services and then uses a counter-factual method to estimate the share of medical expenses.

Setting

The rapid development of China has changed nearly every aspect of life for the rural elderly. Many are concerned about the increasing prevalence of physical health issues, particularly chronic diseases, among the rural elderly. Nevertheless, there are no articles using nationally representative panel datasets that report differences in the cost of chronic disease between sub-populations.

Participants

The panel dataset used for this study comes from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) data. In this study, we use the CFPS data for the years 2012, 2014 and 2016 to create a panel dataset that includes 2730 rural elderly for 3 years.

Interventions

This article reports the representative estimate of medical expenditures attributable to chronic disease among rural elderly in China. On this basis, we estimate per capita medical spending among rural elderly under the condition of logarithmic normal distribution of different parameters between urban and rural or between groups that participate in the New Rural Pension Program and groups that do not.

Main Outcome Measures

This study indicates that physical health status has a significant impact on both the probability of undergoing medical care and the size of medical expenditures among the rural elderly, and the influence was significant for all patients, including outpatients and inpatients.

Results

Chronic illness has significant effects on individual medical expenses, and they aggregately contribute to 63.96% of total personal expected medical expenditure. Specifically, the medical spending caused by chronic disease was part of a non-uniform distribution, with the rural, male, older, married and higher educated groups spending more money on medical costs induced by chronic disease.

Conclusions

Examining trends in the prevalence of chronic diseases and evaluating medical spending on chronic diseases can prevent and control potential medical costs among rural elderly, especially for vulnerable groups, which helps to predict future health-care needs.
Establishing an endoscopic diagnostic process system (M-system) for gastric MALT lymphoma of superficial-spreading type
Authors: Peng Tingfa , Deng Lijuan , Wang Yuexing , Wang Ruilan , Zeng Fanqing , Xie Min , Gou Xiaopan , Guo Yulan , Wu Dongmei , Peng Fengxiang , Gao Rongmei , Ye Xiaojuan
Published: November 2020

Objective

Gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma is a rare disease, which is associated with a low endoscopic diagnostic accuracy even on tissue biopsy. We aimed to establish a diagnostic process system (M-system) using detailed magnifying endoscopy images to improve the diagnostic efficiency of this disease.

Methods

First, 34 cases from 16 patients with the diagnosis of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma were collected as the study group. The control group included randomly selected patients who were diagnosed with early differentiated carcinoma, undifferentiated carcinoma or inflammation. Then, the endoscopic images of these patients were analyzed by senior physicians. Finally, the M-system was established based on the data extracted from the images reviewed, and its diagnostic efficiency for mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma was validated by the junior physicians.

Results

A series of elements with high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma on endoscopic images were extracted for the establishment of the M-system. Using the M-system, the diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and correct indices of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma rose from 65.4 to 79.4%, 41.2 to 76.5%, 73.5 to 80.4% and 0.147 to 0.569%, respectively, all of which were statistically significant.

Conclusions

The M-system can improve the diagnostic accuracy of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma of the superficial-spreading type on detailed magnifying endoscopy. This would help in the early diagnosis of the disease and treatment, which would translate into improved clinical outcomes.
Hydrogen-rich water attenuates the radiotoxicity induced by tritium exposure in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Li Hong , Yin Yaru , Liu Jing , Lu Binghui , Wan Huimin , Yang Luxun , Wang Weidong , Li Rong
Published: November 2020

Radionuclide tritium is widely used in the nuclear energy production industry and creates a threat to human health through radiation exposure. Herein, the radioactive elimination and radioprotective effect of hydrogen-rich water (HRW), a potential antioxidant with various medical applications, on tritiated water (HTO) exposure, was studied in vitro and in vivo. Results showed that intragastric administration of HRW effectively promoted the elimination of urinary tritium, decreased the level of serum tritium and tissue-bound tritium (OBT), and attenuated the genetic damage of blood cells in mice exposed to HTO (18.5 MBq/kg). Pretreatment with HRW effectively reduces tritium accumulation in HTO-treated human blood B lymphocyte AHH-1 cells. In addition, the anti-oxidative properties of HRW could attenuate the increased intracellular ROS (such as O2•-, •OH and ONOO−), resulting in reversing the exhaustion of cellular endogenous antioxidants (reduced GSH and SOD), decreasing lipid peroxidation (MDA), relieving DNA oxidative damage, and depressing cell apoptosis and cytotoxicity induced by HTO exposure. In conclusion, HRW is expected to be an effective radioactive elimination agent through the competition effect of isotope exchange or a radioprotective agent by scavenging free radicals induced by HTO exposure.
General hospital outbreak of invasive candidiasis due to azole-resistant Candida parapsilosis associated with an Erg11 Y132F mutation
Authors: Corzo-Leon Dora E , Peacock Mark , Rodriguez-Zulueta Patricia , Salazar-Tamayo Grace J , MacCallum Donna M
Published: November 2020

An increasing number of outbreaks due to resistant non-albicans Candida species have been reported worldwide. Between 2014 and 2016, Candida isolates causing invasive candidiasis were recovered in a Mexican hospital. Isolates were identified to species level and antifungal susceptibility was determined. In the time period studied, 74 invasive candidiasis cases were identified, with 38% (28/74) caused by Candida parapsilosis, out of which 54% (15/28) were fluconazole resistant. The ERG11 gene was sequenced for 12 recoverable fluconazole-resistant C. parapsilosis isolates and SNPs identified. The 12 isolates had one common silent point mutation in ERG11 (T591C) and seven isolates had an additional (A395T) mutation, which corresponded to Y132F. Four of the isolates carrying this mutation were closely related within the same cluster by microsatellite typing. This is the first report of an invasive candidiasis outbreak in Mexico due to azole-resistant C. parapsilosis associated with the Y132F substitution.
The MOSDEF survey: differences in SFR and metallicity for morphologically selected mergers at z ∼ 2
Authors: Horstman Katelyn , Shapley Alice E , Sanders Ryan L , Mobasher Bahram , Reddy Naveen A , Kriek Mariska , Coil Alison L , Siana Brian , Shivaei Irene , Freeman William R , Azadi Mojegan , Price Sedona H , Leung Gene C K , Fetherolf Tara , de Groot Laura , Zick Tom , Fornasini Francesca M , Barro Guillermo
Published: November 2020

We study the properties of 55 morphologically-identified merging galaxy systems at z ∼ 2. These systems are flagged as mergers based on features such as tidal tails, double nuclei, and asymmetry. Our sample is drawn from the MOSFIRE Deep Evolution Field (MOSDEF) survey, along with a control sample of isolated galaxies at the same redshift. We consider the relationships between stellar mass, star formation rate (SFR), and gas-phase metallicity for both merging and non-merging systems. In the local universe, merging systems are characterized by an elevated SFR and depressed metallicity compared to isolated systems at a given mass. Our results indicate SFR enhancement and metallicity deficit for merging systems relative to non-merging systems for a fixed stellar mass at z ∼ 2, though larger samples are required to establish these preliminary results with higher statistical significance. In future work, it will be important to establish if the enhanced SFR and depressed metallicity in high-redshift mergers deviate from the ‘fundamental metallicity relation,’ as is observed in mergers in the local universe, and therefore shed light on gas flows during galaxy interactions.