bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimation of efficiency of the thermal method in the development of gas-hydrate deposits
Authors: Davletshina M R , Chiglintseva A S , Stolpovskii M V
Published: July 2020

In the work on the basis of the proposed mathematical model, the process of decomposition of methane hydrate under thermal action on the reservoir is numerically investigated. Based on the calculations, it was shown that the energy efficiency of the decomposition of methane hydrate, i.e. the ratio of the energy obtained by burning the released methane to the energy spent on heating the formation decreases with increasing temperature of the coolant. The formation temperature distributions are also presented and the dependences of the position of the phase transition boundary on the system parameters are investigated. The problem is solved in a plane-one-dimensional formulation. According to the proposed scheme, a homogeneous porous layer of finite length, containing methane hydrate in the initial state, is considered. In this problem, we believe that the decomposition of hydrate into water and gas occurs at the boundary of phase transitions.
Potential Analysis of Majapahit Fruit Powder (Crescentia cujete L) as Shrimp Immunostimulants using the in Silico Method
Authors: Rahmaningsih Sri , Andriani Riska
Published: July 2020

Shrimp production is currently constrained by many diseases. These diseases are conventionally prevented by administering chemicals as immunostimulants, with their attendant side effects. Alternative natural ingredients as immunostimulants in shrimp production are being sought, and Majapahit plant (Crescentia cuje L.) is one. In vitro and in silico studies on the plant’s stems, leaves and fruits showed the plant’s desirable effects on the immune system of Vannamei Shrimp, as the plant contains important bioactive compounds (e.g. carotenoids, phenolics, alkaloids, pectin, tannins, flavonoids and terpenoids). The present study determined the ability of Majapahit fruit powder mixed into shrimp feeds in enhancing the immune system of the seafood. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) revealed quercetin flavonoids as the effective active ingredient in the powder, which in silico study proved to be an effective immunostimulant for shrimps.
Improving biodiesel properties by mixing jatropha oil and soybean oil
Authors: Wahyudi W , Nadjib M , Pahlevi D M , Rohman B S N
Published: July 2020

The need for biodiesel as an alternative fuel will increase along with the increasing energy consumptions and the depletion of fossil fuel reserves. Jatropha oil and soybean oil are potential raw materials for biodiesel. Each raw material gives different properties to biodiesel. Mixing the two types of oil makes it possible to improve the quality of biodiesel. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of variations in the composition of the oil mixture on the biodiesel properties. Jatropha oil was mixed with soybean oil in various compositions. The mixture was heated and stirred for 60 min at 90°C. The more the percentage of soybean oil biodiesel, the viscosity of the biodiesel mixture decreased. Mixing with 20% soybean oil has a significant reduction in viscosity. The increasing percentage of soybean oil also influences the higher heating value of the biodiesel mixture.
Classification Using C4.5 Algorithm in Election Participation Prediction
Authors: Fitrani Arif Senja , Rosid Mochamad Alfan , Taurusta Cindy , Fauzia Indah
Published: July 2020

The General Election of the President, DPD, DPR, Provincial DPRD and Regency / City DPRD in 2019, in Indonesia, is carried out by an independent institution namely the General Election Commission (KPU), where there is a measure of the success of the holding by holding the principle of direct, general, free of secrecy. Another component of the election will be the implementation of contestants and voters. In the electoral factor, this is also a measure for success in the overall implementation process, which is a success if the participation of the community is high in the holding of elections. And conversely, if the community participation is low, one of them is the level of public trust in the organizer (government) decreases. Analysis of classification mining data with C4.5 algorithm places the prediction class “Present” and “Not Present” on the permanent voter list (DPT) taken from form C7 (voter attendance list form). C7 data was obtained from polling stations (TPS) located in the village of Wonokasian, Wonoayu District, Sidoarjo Regency, East Java. The number of datasets is 4249 instances, and the number of attributes is 10. With split datasets, for training data are 2965 instances, and testing data are 1284 instances. From testing, the testing data obtained the results of true or appropriate accuracy of 1151 instances (90%) and obtained incorrect or incompatible data as many as 134 instances (10%). This shows a good value for the results of 90% of the corresponding data in the prediction class in the Presidential Election, DPD, DPR, Provincial DPRD, and Regency / City DPRD in 2019.
Application of a combination between Principal Component Analysis and Logistic Regression Based on Support Vector Machine on Educational Data Mining with Overlapping Data Problem
Authors: Mutrofin Siti , Maisarah Maisarah , Widodo Slamet , Ginardi Raden Venantius Hari , Fatichah Chastine
Published: July 2020

In 2019, the government of the Republic of Indonesia issued a zoning-based policy for New Student Admissions (PPDB) from the level of elementary school (SD) to high school (SMA), especially for public schools. The policy is documented in Permendikbud No.51 / 2018. The government policy aims to ensure the equality of education and make prospective students not focus only on favorite schools. However, this policy raises new problems. One of them is that if the potential student has got a medium UN (National Examination) score or medium distance of the house to the destination school, then his potential to be accepted at the destination school is very small. It is even worse if the potential students do not know the lowest score and the farthest distance the destination school can accept. Thus, potential students will choose schools by only guessing without basing on valid data, so their chances of being accepted will be very small. This current research focused on Educational Data Mining at PPDB Public High School (SMA) in Jombang in the academic year 2019/2020 which aims to accommodate the needs of potential students to predict the destination schools based on their own grades and home distances using classification techniques of data mining. However, another problem emerged in this study. An overlapping data occurred where one data was also owned by more than one class. For example, a potential student of SMA Negeri 2 Jombang (SMAN 2 Jombang) has got a score of 80 in Bahasa Indonesia subject, which is the same as that of a student from SMA Negeri 3 Jombang (SMAN 3 Jombang). Data overlapping does not only occur in one data but almost all of the data. The data used in this study were 600 data, consisting of 308 from PPDB 2019 of SMAN 2 Jombang, and the rest were from SMAN 3 Jombang. The attributes used were the home distance from the destination school, overall UN scores, UN scores of Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Bahasa Indonesia, and English subjects. The algorithm used was a combination of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) with Logistic Regression (LR)-based Support Vector Machine (SVM) with Anova kernel. The validation applied 10-fold cross-validation and the evaluation of algorithm performance used the aspects of accuracy, precision, and recall. The results of this current study showed an accuracy of 94.33%, a precision of 96.28%, and a recall of 92.53%. The results were better than those that did not apply PCA (70.83% accuracy, 69.62% precision, and 76.62% recall). By PCA, data could be seen from another angle that could separate or differentiate one class from the others. Even though there were 100% overlapping data, none of them, from all attributes, was 100% exactly the same.
Smart campus attempt using green transportation mobile-based tracking app
Authors: Rachmaniah M , Suroso AI , Syukur M , Hermadi I , Putra RW , Tirani MRG
Published: July 2020

Green campus is the creation of a green ecologically friendly environment that leads to smart campus establishment. In this study, green campus status is revealed by applying cross-campus community collaboration under green transportation bus. The purpose of this study was to develop a real-time Android-based tracking system, using the V model approach, aimed at green transportation movements and accessibility. The global positioning system of green transportation is interconnected via a back-end server that utilizing web-socket to incorporate client and server communications. The results are passenger app that enabling the passenger to track green transportation movement, acquire green transportation meta-information, perceive campus routes, and send awaiting notification. Further results are driver app for green transportation drivers to choose which vehicle to drive, change driving status, recognize other active coaches, locate nearer passengers stops, and identify campus routes. The created mobile app has successfully experimented on Android smartphones such as Samsung Galaxy Mega J5, Lenovo A6000, Xiaomi Redmi 3, Asus 2 Zenfone Laser, and Samsung J7 Prime.
Evaluation of PHP Framework Measured Using Object-Oriented Metrics with the Analytic Hierarchy Process
Authors: Setiyawan R , Gata W , Elbiansyah  , Ardiansyah D , Yuliandari D , Wijayanti D , Harmono F P , Komalasari Y , Lase M , Fakhriza M H
Published: July 2020

The existence of various PHP frameworks may become one alternative choice in developing a web application that PT XYZ wants to evaluate its Wisanggeni internal PHP framework in order to measure how far the design quality of Wisanggeni framework is working. An evaluation on PHP framework using object-oriented metric parameter and design quality is then conducted in this research. The results of measurement conducted using object-oriented metric parameters for each framework are evaluated with the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method to determine the best framework model design quality used as a reference for the development of Wisanggeni. This study also uses a combination of PHPDepend and PHPMetrics devices to measure the values of object-oriented metrics in each PHP framework. The research final result is that each framework has one value representing each framework’s quality in which the quality of Wisanggeni framework is almost to the same with the Laravel and CodeIgniter framework.
Numerical Studies on Fast Pyrolysis of Palm Kernel Shell in a Fluidized Bed Reactor
Authors: Thoharudin  , Chen Yi-Shun , Hsiau Shu-San
Published: July 2020

Numerical studies using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) of thermal decomposition of Palm Kernel Shell (PKS) have been conducted in a fluidized bed reactor under atmospheric pressure of nitrogen as fluidization gas. To investigate the effect of temperature, the fast pyrolysis temperature was varied in a range from 400 °C to 650 °C. Furthermore, the effect of PKS feeding rate was also studied in a range from 300 g/h to 1500 g/h combined with variations of nitrogen superficial velocities. It was found that the increase of temperature results in the greatening of conversion efficiency and non-condensable gas product yield. The maximum 60.5 % liquid/tar product yield was obtained in 500 °C. The increase of PKS feeding rate led to the reduction of conversion efficiency due to the thermal energy shortage for the decomposition process. However, the increase of PKS feeding rate could reduce the non-condensable gas product with the insignificant change in liquid product yield. The rising superficial velocity of nitrogen favoured the shorter residence time resulting in the increasing tar product yield.
Frequency selection for ground monitoring using propagation characteristics
Authors: Suherman  , Hanafiah Ali , Mubarakah Naemah , Wijayanto Erwin
Published: July 2020

Ground monitoring can be used for observing ground structure changes or other specific objectives. Rather than using expensive ground penetration radar, the ground propagation characteristics may be able to describe the structure changes. Ground propagation can be evaluated by using a simple radio transmitter and receiver. This paper employs a vector network analyzer (VNA) to explore ground propagation characteristics. As the available VNA works from 500 MHz to 1 Ghz, the paper proposes how to select suitable frequency for ground monitoring. Tangential comparison between mathematical model and direct measurement is proposed. The result shows that the selected frequency exerts promising propagation characteristic even dough signal diffraction causes irregular signal strength at the receiver.
The influence of extrusion temperature on the structures and mechanical properties of Mg–Al–4Y alloys
Authors: Wang Jinhui , Yuan Xiaoguang , Jin Peipeng , Zhu Yunpeng , Li Mingyue
Published: July 2020

In this study, Mg–Al–4Y alloys were successfully prepared via the melting and casting method. The alloys were then extruded at 450 °C, 500 °C, and 550 °C. The influence of the extrusion temperature on the microstructures and mechanical properties of the alloys was investigated. The results indicated that the Al2Y phase was coarse and agglomerated in the Mg matrix. A strong {0001} basal fiber texture was formed in the alloys extruded at 450 °C; meanwhile, the alloy grains were refined, and the Al2Y phase was distributed uniformly in the matrix; these combined occurrences dramatically enhanced the strength and hardness of the alloys. As the extrusion temperature was increased from 450 °C to 550 °C, the yield strength, tensile strength, and hardness of the alloys gradually decreased, but the elasticity significantly increased. The yield strength reduced from 209.6 MPa to 197.8 MPa, the tensile strength reduced from 311.5 MPa to 271.1 MPa, and the hardness reduced from 77.5 HB to 62.2 HB, while the ductility increased from 2.9% to 15.0%. Based on the experimental results, the high strength and hardness of the alloys were mainly due to fine grain strengthening, second phase strengthening, and {0001} basal fiber texture strengthening.
The ARF GAP ELMOD2 acts with different GTPases to regulate centrosomal microtubule nucleation and cytokinesis
Authors: Turn Rachel E. , East Michael P. , Prekeris Rytis , Kahn Richard A.
Published: July 2020

The ELMOD2 gene has been linked to a number of human pathologies and encodes an ∼32 kDa protein that acts from multiple sites in mammalian cells. Knocking out the protein in fibroblasts causes defects in microtubules and cell division.
The evolution of flowering phenology: an example from the wind-pollinated African Restionaceae
Authors: Linder H Peter
Published: July 2020

Background and Aims

Flowering phenology is arguably the most striking angiosperm phenophase. Although the response of species to climate change and the environmental correlates of the communities have received much attention, the interspecific evolution of flowering phenology has hardly been investigated. I explored this in the wind-pollinated dioecious Restionaceae (restios) of the hyperdiverse Cape flora, to disentangle the effects of phylogeny, traits, and biotic and abiotic environments on flowering time shifts.

Methods

I recorded the flowering times of 347 of the 351 species, mapped these over a 98 % complete phylogeny and inferred the evolutionary pattern and abiotic correlates of flowering time shifts. The patterns and biotic/abiotic correlates of restio community mean flowering time were explored using 934 plots.

Key Results

Restios flower throughout the year, with large spring and smaller autumn peaks. Species flowering time is evolutionarily labile, poorly explained by either the environment or traits of the species, with half of all sister species allochronic. Community mean flowering time is related to elevation, temperature and rainfall.

Conclusions

Flowering time shifts may result from assortative mating and allochronic speciation, possibly leading to non-adaptive radiation. However, community mean flowering time may be environmentally selected. Diversification of flowering time may be non-adaptive, but species could be filtered through survival in suitable communities.
Evaluation of an aldo-keto reductase gene signature with prognostic significance in colon cancer via activation of epithelial to mesenchymal transition and the p70S6K pathway
Authors: Demirkol Canlı Seçil , Seza Esin Gülce , Sheraj Ilir , Gömçeli Ismail , Turhan Nesrin , Carberry Steven , Prehn Jochen H M , Güre Ali Osmay , Banerjee Sreeparna
Published: July 2020

AKR1B1 and AKR1B10, members of the aldo-keto reductase family of enzymes that participate in the polyol pathway of aldehyde metabolism, are aberrantly expressed in colon cancer. We previously showed that high expression of AKR1B1 (AKR1B1HIGH) was associated with enhanced motility, inflammation and poor clinical outcome in colon cancer patients. Using publicly available datasets and ex vivo gene expression analysis (n = 51, Ankara cohort), we have validated our previous in silico finding that AKR1B1HIGH was associated with worse overall survival (OS) compared with patients with low expression of AKR1B1 (AKR1B1LOW) samples. A combined signature of AKR1B1HIGH and AKR1B10LOW was significantly associated with worse recurrence-free survival (RFS) in microsatellite stable (MSS) patients and in patients with distal colon tumors as well as a higher mesenchymal signature when compared with AKR1B1LOW/AKR1B10HIGH tumors. When the patients were stratified according to consensus molecular subtypes (CMS), AKR1B1HIGH/AKR1B10LOW samples were primarily classified as CMS4 with predominantly mesenchymal characteristics while AKR1B1LOW/AKR1B10HIGH samples were primarily classified as CMS3 which is associated with metabolic deregulation. Reverse Phase Protein Array carried out using protein samples from the Ankara cohort indicated that AKR1B1HIGH/AKR1B10LOW tumors showed aberrant activation of metabolic pathways. Western blot analysis of AKR1B1HIGH/AKR1B10LOW colon cancer cell lines also suggested aberrant activation of nutrient-sensing pathways. Collectively, our data suggest that the AKR1B1HIGH/AKR1B10LOW signature may be predictive of poor prognosis, aberrant activation of metabolic pathways, and can be considered as a novel biomarker for colon cancer prognostication.
Contextual and Spatial Associations Between Objects Interactively Modulate Visual Processing
Authors: Quek Genevieve L , Peelen Marius V
Published: July 2020

Much of what we know about object recognition arises from the study of isolated objects. In the real world, however, we commonly encounter groups of contextually associated objects (e.g., teacup and saucer), often in stereotypical spatial configurations (e.g., teacup above saucer). Here we used electroencephalography to test whether identity-based associations between objects (e.g., teacup–saucer vs. teacup–stapler) are encoded jointly with their typical relative positioning (e.g., teacup above saucer vs. below saucer). Observers viewed a 2.5-Hz image stream of contextually associated object pairs intermixed with nonassociated pairs as every fourth image. The differential response to nonassociated pairs (measurable at 0.625 Hz in 28/37 participants) served as an index of contextual integration, reflecting the association of object identities in each pair. Over right occipitotemporal sites, this signal was larger for typically positioned object streams, indicating that spatial configuration facilitated the extraction of the objects’ contextual association. This high-level influence of spatial configuration on object identity integration arose ~ 320 ms post-stimulus onset, with lower-level perceptual grouping (shared with inverted displays) present at ~ 130 ms. These results demonstrate that contextual and spatial associations between objects interactively influence object processing. We interpret these findings as reflecting the high-level perceptual grouping of objects that frequently co-occur in highly stereotyped relative positions.
Optimizing Benefits of Testing Key Workers for Infection with SARS-CoV-2: A Mathematical Modeling Analysis
Authors: Sandmann Frank G , White Peter J , Ramsay Mary , Jit Mark
Published: July 2020

Background

Internationally, key workers such as healthcare staff are advised to stay at home if they or household members experience coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)–like symptoms. This potentially isolates/quarantines many staff without SARS-CoV-2, while not preventing transmission from staff with asymptomatic infection. We explored the impact of testing staff on absence durations from work and transmission risks to others.

Methods

We used a decision-analytic model for 1000 key workers to compare the baseline strategy of (S0) no RT-PCR testing of workers to testing workers (S1) with COVID-19–like symptoms in isolation, (S2) without COVID-19–like symptoms but in household quarantine, and (S3) all staff. We explored confirmatory re-testing scenarios of repeating all initial tests, initially positive tests, initially negative tests, or no re-testing. We varied all parameters, including the infection rate (0.1–20%), proportion asymptomatic (10–80%), sensitivity (60–95%), and specificity (90–100%).

Results

Testing all staff (S3) changes the risk of workplace transmission by −56.9 to +1.0 workers/1000 tests (with reductions throughout at RT-PCR sensitivity ≥65%), and absences by −0.5 to +3.6 days/test but at heightened testing needs of 989.6–1995.9 tests/1000 workers. Testing workers in household quarantine (S2) reduces absences the most by 3.0–6.9 days/test (at 47.0–210.4 tests/1000 workers), while increasing risk of workplace transmission by 0.02–49.5 infected workers/1000 tests (which can be minimized when re-testing initially negative tests).

Conclusions

Based on optimizing absence durations or transmission risk, our modeling suggests testing staff in household quarantine or all staff, depending on infection levels and testing capacities.
Development of an Electronic Definition for De-escalation of Antibiotics in Hospitalized Patients
Authors: Moehring Rebekah W , Ashley Elizabeth S Dodds , Davis Angelina E , Dyer April Pridgen , Parish Alice , Ren Xinru , Lokhnygina Yuliya , Hicks Lauri A , Srinivasan Arjun , Anderson Deverick J
Published: July 2020

Background

Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) promote the principle of de-escalation: moving from broad- to narrow-spectrum agents and stopping antibiotics when no longer indicated. A standard, objective definition of de-escalation applied to electronic data could be useful for ASP assessments.

Methods

We derived an electronic definition of antibiotic de-escalation and performed a retrospective study among 5 hospitals. Antibiotics were ranked into 4 categories: narrow-spectrum, broad-spectrum, extended-spectrum, and agents targeted for protection. Eligible adult patients were cared for on inpatient units, had antibiotic therapy for at least 2 days, and were hospitalized for at least 3 days after starting antibiotics. Number of antibiotics and rank were assessed at 2 time points: day of antibiotic initiation and either day of discharge or day 5. De-escalation was defined as reduction in either the number of antibiotics or rank. Escalation was an increase in either number or rank. Unchanged was either no change or discordant directions of change. We summarized outcomes among hospitals, units, and diagnoses.

Results

Among 39 226 eligible admissions, de-escalation occurred in 14 138 (36%), escalation in 5129 (13%), and antibiotics were unchanged in 19 959 (51%). De-escalation varied among hospitals (median, 37%; range, 31–39%, P < .001). Diagnoses with lower de-escalation rates included intra-abdominal (23%) and skin and soft tissue (28%) infections. Critical care had higher rates of both de-escalation and escalation compared with wards.

Conclusions

Our electronic de-escalation metric demonstrated variation among hospitals, units, and diagnoses. This metric may be useful for assessing stewardship opportunities and impact.
Interleukin-7 and interleukin-15 drive CD4+CD28null T lymphocyte expansion and function in patients with acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Bullenkamp Jessica , Mengoni Veronica , Kaur Satdip , Chhetri Ismita , Dimou Paraskevi , Astroulakis Zoë M J , Kaski Juan Carlos , Dumitriu Ingrid E
Published: July 2020

Aims

Inflammation has important roles in atherosclerosis. CD4+CD28null (CD28null) T cells are a specialized T lymphocyte subset that produce inflammatory cytokines and cytotoxic molecules. CD28null T cells expand preferentially in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) rather than stable angina and are barely detectable in healthy subjects. Importantly, ACS patients with CD28null T-cell expansion have increased risk for recurrent acute coronary events and poor prognosis, compared to ACS patients in whom this cell subset does not expand. The mechanisms regulating CD28null T-cell expansion in ACS remain elusive. We therefore investigated the role of cytokines in CD28null T-cell expansion in ACS.

Methods and results

High-purity sorted CD4+ T cells from ACS patients were treated with a panel of cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-7, and IL-15), and effects on the number, phenotype, and function of CD28null T cells were analysed and compared to the control counterpart CD28+ T-cell subset. IL-7- and IL-15-induced expansion of CD28null T cells from ACS patients, while inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 did not. The mechanisms underlying CD28null T-cell expansion by IL-7/IL-15 were preferential activation and proliferation of CD28null T cells compared to control CD28+ T cells. Additionally, IL-7/IL-15 markedly augmented CD28null T-cell cytotoxic function and interferon-γ production. Further mechanistic analyses revealed differences in baseline expression of component chains of IL-7/IL-15 receptors (CD127 and CD122) and increased baseline STAT5 phosphorylation in CD28null T cells from ACS patients compared to the control CD28+ T-cell subset. Notably, we demonstrate that CD28null T-cell expansion was significantly inhibited by Tofacitinib, a selective JAK1/JAK3 inhibitor that blocks IL-7/IL-15 signalling.

Conclusion

Our novel data show that IL-7 and IL-15 drive the expansion and function of CD28null T cells from ACS patients suggesting that IL-7/IL-15 blockade may prevent expansion of these cells and improve patient outcomes.
The impact of aircraft noise on vascular and cardiac function in relation to noise event number: a randomized trial
Authors: Schmidt Frank P , Herzog Johannes , Schnorbus Boris , Ostad Mir Abolfazl , Lasetzki Larissa , Hahad Omar , Schäfers Gianna , Gori Tommaso , Sørensen Mette , Daiber Andreas , Münzel Thomas
Published: July 2020

Aims

Nighttime aircraft noise exposure has been associated with increased risk of hypertension and myocardial infarction, mechanistically linked to sleep disturbance, stress, and endothelial dysfunction. It is unclear, whether the most widely used metric to determine noise exposure, equivalent continuous sound level (Leq), is an adequate indicator of the cardiovascular impact induced by different noise patterns.

Methods and results

In a randomized crossover study, we exposed 70 individuals with established cardiovascular disease or increased cardiovascular risk to two aircraft noise scenarios and one control scenario. Polygraphic recordings, echocardiography, and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) were determined for three study nights. The noise patterns consisted of 60 (Noise60) and 120 (Noise120) noise events, respectively, but with comparable Leq, corresponding to a mean value of 45 dB. Mean value of noise during control nights was 37 dB. During the control night, FMD was 10.02 ± 3.75%, compared to 7.27 ± 3.21% for Noise60 nights and 7.21 ± 3.58% for Noise120 nights (P < 0.001). Sleep quality was impaired after noise exposure in both noise scenario nights (P < 0.001). Serial echocardiographic assessment demonstrated an increase in the E/E′ ratio, a measure of diastolic function, within the three exposure nights, with a ratio of 6.83 ± 2.26 for the control night, 7.21 ± 2.33 for Noise60 and 7.83 ± 3.07 for Noise120 (P = 0.043).

Conclusions

Nighttime exposure to aircraft noise with similar Leq, but different number of noise events, results in a comparable worsening of vascular function. Adverse effects of nighttime aircraft noise exposure on cardiac function (diastolic dysfunction) seemed stronger the higher number of noise events.
Assessing left ventricular systolic function: from ejection fraction to strain analysis
Authors: Halliday Brian P , Senior Roxy , Pennell Dudley J
Published: July 2020

The measurement of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is a ubiquitous component of imaging studies used to evaluate patients with cardiac conditions and acts as an arbiter for many management decisions. This follows early trials investigating heart failure therapies which used a binary LVEF cut-off to select patients with the worst prognosis, who may gain the most benefit. Forty years on, the cardiac disease landscape has changed. Left ventricular ejection fraction is now a poor indicator of prognosis for many heart failure patients; specifically, for the half of patients with heart failure and truly preserved ejection fraction (HF-PEF). It is also recognized that LVEF may remain normal amongst patients with valvular heart disease who have significant myocardial dysfunction. This emphasizes the importance of the interaction between LVEF and left ventricular geometry. Guidelines based on LVEF may therefore miss a proportion of patients who would benefit from early intervention to prevent further myocardial decompensation and future adverse outcomes. The assessment of myocardial strain, or intrinsic deformation, holds promise to improve these issues. The measurement of global longitudinal strain (GLS) has consistently been shown to improve the risk stratification of patients with heart failure and identify patients with valvular heart disease who have myocardial decompensation despite preserved LVEF and an increased risk of adverse outcomes. To complete the integration of GLS into routine clinical practice, further studies are required to confirm that such approaches improve therapy selection and accordingly, the outcome for patients.
Molecular imaging-guided repair after acute myocardial infarction by targeting the chemokine receptor CXCR4
Authors: Hess Annika , Derlin Thorsten , Koenig Tobias , Diekmann Johanna , Wittneben Alexander , Wang Yong , Wester Hans-Juergen , Ross Tobias L , Wollert Kai C , Bauersachs Johann , Bengel Frank M , Thackeray James T
Published: July 2020

Aims 

Balance between inflammatory and reparative leucocytes allows optimal healing after myocardial infarction (MI). Interindividual heterogeneity evokes variable functional outcome complicating targeted therapy. We aimed to characterize infarct chemokine CXC-motif receptor 4 (CXCR4) expression using positron emission tomography (PET) and establish its relationship to cardiac outcome. We tested whether image-guided early CXCR4 directed therapy attenuates chronic dysfunction.

Methods and results 

Mice (n = 180) underwent coronary ligation or sham surgery and serial PET imaging over 7 days. Infarct CXCR4 content was elevated over 3 days after MI compared with sham (%ID/g, Day 1:1.1 ± 0.2; Day 3:0.9 ± 0.2 vs. 0.6 ± 0.1, P < 0.001), confirmed by flow cytometry and histopathology. Mice that died of left ventricle (LV) rupture exhibited persistent inflammation at 3 days compared with survivors (1.2 ± 0.3 vs. 0.9 ± 0.2% ID/g, P < 0.001). Cardiac magnetic resonance measured cardiac function. Higher CXCR4 signal at 1 and 3 days independently predicted worse functional outcome at 6 weeks (r  partial = −0.4, P = 0.04). Mice were treated with CXCR4 blocker AMD3100 following the imaging timecourse. On-peak CXCR4 blockade at 3 days lowered LV rupture incidence vs. untreated MI (8% vs. 25%), and improved contractile function at 6 weeks (+24%, P = 0.01). Off-peak CXCR4 blockade at 7 days did not improve outcome. Flow cytometry analysis revealed lower LV neutrophil and Ly6Chigh monocyte content after on-peak treatment. Patients (n = 50) early after MI underwent CXCR4 PET imaging and functional assessment. Infarct CXCR4 expression in acute MI patients correlated with contractile function at time of PET and on follow-up.

Conclusion 

Positron emission tomography imaging identifies early CXCR4 up-regulation which predicts acute rupture and chronic contractile dysfunction. Imaging-guided CXCR4 inhibition accelerates inflammatory resolution and improves outcome. This supports a molecular imaging-based theranostic approach to guide therapy after MI.
Interactions of microorganisms with host mucins: a focus on Candida albicans
Authors: Valle Arevalo Ashley , Nobile Clarissa J
Published: July 2020

Mucus is an important host innate defense factor that lines most epithelial cell layers of the body and provides crucial physical and biological protection against pathogenic microorganisms. Mucins are the main glycoproteins of mucus that are responsible for interacting with microorganisms and are critical for the antimicrobial properties of mucus. The mechanisms by which microorganisms interact with mucins are poorly understood, especially in terms of fungi, and these interactions are continually evolving. Work in bacterial pathogens has shown that mucins inhibit bacterial virulence traits, including quorum sensing, toxin secretion and biofilm formation. Among the fungal clade, the common opportunistic human fungal pathogen and commensal Candida albicans engages in constant battle with the host innate immune system. This battle creates strong selective pressures for C. albicans to evolve in response to the host. Recent work in C. albicans found that mucins inhibit specific virulence traits, such as surface adherence, filamentation, biofilm formation and the production of secreted proteases. Here we review the current knowledge of microbial interactions with mucins, with a special emphasis on the interactions between C. albicans and mucins.
External Resistance Is Imperative for Training-Induced Efferent Neural Drive Enhancement in Older Adults
Authors: Unhjem Runar , Tøien Tiril , Kvellestad Ann Charlotte Gjertsen , Øren Thomas Storehaug , Wang Eivind
Published: July 2020

Strength training performed with heavy loads and maximal intended velocity is documented to enhance efferent neural drive to maximally contracting musculature in older adults. However, it remains unclear whether the neural plasticity following training result from motor skill learning or if external resistance is a prerequisite. To investigate this, we assessed electrically evoked potentials (H-reflex and V-waves normalized to maximal M-wave) and voluntary activation (VA) in 36 older adults (73 ± 4 years) randomized to 3 weeks of plantar flexion strength training, with (maximal strength training [MST]) or without (unloaded ballistic training [UBT]) heavy external loading (90% of one repetition maximum), or a control group. Both training groups aimed to execute the concentric phase of movement as fast and forcefully as possible. The MST group improved maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and rate of force development (RFD) by 18% ± 13% (p = .001; Hedges g = 0.66) and 35% ± 17% (p < .001; g = 0.94), respectively, and this was different (MVC: p = .013; RFD: p = .001) from the UBT group which exhibited a 7% ± 8% (p = .033; g = 0.32) increase in MVC and a tendency to increase RFD (p = .119; g = 0.22). Concomitant improvements in efferent neural drive (Vmax/Msup ratio: 0.14 ± 0.08 to 0.24 ± 0.20; p = .010) and a tendency towards increased VA (79% ± 9% to 84% ± 5%; p = .098), were only apparent after MST. No changes were observed in Hmax/Mmax ratio for the groups. In conclusion, external loading during exercise training appears to be a prerequisite for efferent neural drive enhancement in older adults. Thus, strength training with heavy loads should be recommended to counteract the typically observed age-related decline in motoneuron firing frequency and recruitment.
The Associations of Activity Fragmentation With Physical and Mental Fatigability Among Community-Dwelling 75-, 80-, and 85-Year-Old People
Authors: Palmberg Lotta , Rantalainen Timo , Rantakokko Merja , Karavirta Laura , Siltanen Sini , Skantz Heidi , Saajanaho Milla , Portegijs Erja , Rantanen Taina
Published: July 2020

Background

Fatigue related to task standardized by duration and intensity, termed fatigability, could manifest as shortening of activity bouts throughout the day causing daily activity to accumulate in a more fragmented pattern. Our purpose was to study the association of activity fragmentation with physical and mental dimensions of fatigability.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of 485 community-dwelling 75-, 80-, and 85-year-old people using a thigh-worn accelerometer for 3–7 days. Activity fragmentation was studied as Active-to-Sedentary Transition Probability for 2 operational definitions of physical activity: accelerations equivalent to at least light physical activity and for upright posture. Physical fatigability was assessed as perceived exertion fatigability, performance fatigability severity, and with the Physical Fatigue Subscale of the Situational Fatigue Scale. Mental fatigability was assessed with the Mental Fatigue Subscale of the Situational Fatigue Scale and as a decrease in perceived mental alertness after a 6-minute walk test.

Results

Higher activity fragmentation was associated with higher self-reported physical fatigability, perceived exertion fatigability, and performance fatigability severity, independent of total activity minutes (β = 0.13–0.33, p < .05 for all). Higher activity fragmentation was not associated with mental fatigability in the fully adjusted models. The associations with fatigability indices were similar for both activity fragmentation indicators. Associations of activity fragmentation and performance fatigability severity were similar also among those with the highest intensity-based physical activity volume.

Conclusions

The findings provide support that studying fragmented activity patterns can be useful in identifying those at risk for high fatigability, even among those with relatively high physical activity level.
Targeted chromatin conformation analysis identifies novel distal neural enhancers of ZEB2 in pluripotent stem cell differentiation
Authors: Birkhoff Judith C , Brouwer Rutger W W , Kolovos Petros , Korporaal Anne L , Bermejo-Santos Ana , Boltsis Ilias , Nowosad Karol , van den Hout Mirjam C G N , Grosveld Frank G , van IJcken Wilfred F J , Huylebroeck Danny , Conidi Andrea
Published: July 2020

The transcription factor zinc finger E-box binding protein 2 (ZEB2) controls embryonic and adult cell fate decisions and cellular maturation in many stem/progenitor cell types. Defects in these processes in specific cell types underlie several aspects of Mowat–Wilson syndrome (MOWS), which is caused by ZEB2 haplo-insufficiency. Human ZEB2, like mouse Zeb2, is located on chromosome 2 downstream of a ±3.5 Mb-long gene-desert, lacking any protein-coding gene. Using temporal targeted chromatin capture (T2C), we show major chromatin structural changes based on mapping in-cis proximities between the ZEB2 promoter and this gene desert during neural differentiation of human-induced pluripotent stem cells, including at early neuroprogenitor cell (NPC)/rosette state, where ZEB2 mRNA levels increase significantly. Combining T2C with histone-3 acetylation mapping, we identified three novel candidate enhancers about 500 kb upstream of the ZEB2 transcription start site. Functional luciferase-based assays in heterologous cells and NPCs reveal co-operation between these three enhancers. This study is the first to document in-cis Regulatory Elements located in ZEB2’s gene desert. The results further show the usability of T2C for future studies of ZEB2 REs in differentiation and maturation of multiple cell types and the molecular characterization of newly identified MOWS patients that lack mutations in ZEB2 protein-coding exons.
Thoracic duct–azygos vein anastomosis in an infant with superior vena cava syndrome and recurrent chylothorax
Authors: de Beco Geoffroy , Van Winghem Joëlle , Lengelé Benoît , Poncelet Alain J
Published: July 2020

In this study, we describe an intrathoracic microsurgical lymphatico-venous anastomosis as an alternative surgical technique for the treatment of refractory chylothorax in an infant. This procedure allowed us to restore enteral nutrition within days of surgery. At 3-year follow-up, there was no recurrence of pleural effusion.
Long-term use of antibiotics and risk of type 2 diabetes in women: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Yuan Jinqiu , Hu Yanhong Jessika , Zheng Jie , Kim Jean Hee , Sumerlin Tim , Chen Youpeng , He Yulong , Zhang Changhua , Tang Jinling , Pan Yihang , Moore Michael
Published: July 2020

Background

Accumulating evidence suggested that long-term antibiotic use may alter the gut microbiome, which has, in turn, been linked to type 2 diabetes. We undertook this study to investigate whether antibiotic use was associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes.

Methods

This prospective cohort study included women free of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer in the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS 2008–2014) and NHS II (2009–2017). We evaluated the overall duration of antibiotics use in the past 4 years and subsequent diabetes risk with Cox proportional-hazards regression adjusting for demography, family history of diabetes and lifestyle factors.

Results

Pooled analyses of NHS and NHS II (2837 cases, 703 934 person-years) revealed that a longer duration of antibiotic use in the past 4 years was associated with higher risk of diabetes [Trend-coefficient = 0.09, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.04 to 0.13]. Participants who received antibiotics treatment for a medium duration of 15 days to 2 months [hazard ratio (HR) 1.23, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.39] or long duration of >2 months (HR 1.20, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.38) had higher risk of type 2 diabetes as compared with non-users. Subgroup analyses suggested that the associations were unlikely to be modified by age, family history of diabetes, obesity, smoking, alcohol drinking, physical activity and overall diet quality.

Conclusions

A longer duration of antibiotic use in recent years was associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes in women. Physicians should exercise caution when prescribing antibiotics, particularly for long-term use.
Cancer cure for 32 cancer types: results from the EUROCARE-5 study
Authors: Dal Maso Luigino , Panato Chiara , Tavilla Andrea , Guzzinati Stefano , Serraino Diego , Mallone Sandra , Botta Laura , Boussari Olayidé , Capocaccia Riccardo , Colonna Marc , Crocetti Emanuele , Dumas Agnes , Dyba Tadek , Franceschi Silvia , Gatta Gemma , Gigli Anna , Giusti Francesco , Jooste Valerie , Minicozzi Pamela , Neamtiu Luciana , Romain Gaëlle , Zorzi Manuel , De Angelis Roberta , Francisci Silvia ,   the EUROCARE-5 Working Group
Published: July 2020

Background

Few studies have estimated the probability of being cured for cancer patients. This study aims to estimate population-based indicators of cancer cure in Europe by type, sex, age and period.

Methods

7.2 million cancer patients (42 population-based cancer registries in 17 European countries) diagnosed at ages 15–74 years in 1990–2007 with follow-up to 2008 were selected from the EUROCARE-5 dataset. Mixture-cure models were used to estimate: (i) life expectancy of fatal cases (LEF); (ii) cure fraction (CF) as proportion of patients with same death rates as the general population; (iii) time to cure (TTC) as time to reach 5-year conditional relative survival (CRS) >95%.

Results

LEF ranged from 10 years for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia patients to <6 months for those with liver, pancreas, brain, gallbladder and lung cancers. It was 7.7 years for patients with prostate cancer at age 65–74 years and >5 years for women with breast cancer. The CF was 94% for testis, 87% for thyroid cancer in women and 70% in men, 86% for skin melanoma in women and 76% in men, 66% for breast, 63% for prostate and <10% for liver, lung and pancreatic cancers. TTC was <5 years for testis and thyroid cancer patients diagnosed below age 55 years, and <10 years for stomach, colorectal, corpus uteri and melanoma patients of all ages. For breast and prostate cancers, a small excess (CRS < 95%) remained for at least 15 years.

Conclusions

Estimates from this analysis should help to reduce unneeded medicalization and costs. They represent an opportunity to improve patients’ quality of life.
Maternal life and work stressors during pregnancy and asthma in offspring
Authors: Pape Kathrine , Liu Xiaoqin , Sejbæk Camilla Sandal , Andersson Niklas Worm , Larsen Ann Dyreborg , Bay Hans , Kolstad Henrik Albert , Bonde Jens Peter Ellekilde , Olsen Jørn , Svanes Cecilie , Hansen Kirsten Skamstrup , Rugulies Reiner , Hougaard Karin Sørig , Schlünssen Vivi
Published: July 2020

Background

Maternal stressors during pregnancy are potential risk factors for asthma in offspring. However, previous studies have been limited by the use of self-reported data focusing on stressors either in private life or at work. This study examined the association between maternal stressors both in private life and at work during pregnancy and asthma in offspring.

Methods

In the Danish National Birth Cohort, 75 156 live-born singletons born during 1996–2002 were identified. Maternal information on job title were available around weeks 12–16 of gestation. Data on maternal bereavement, life-threatening illness, suicide attempt and alcohol or drug abuse of a close relative and offspring childhood asthma (3–10 years of age) were obtained from Danish nationwide registers. Maternal psychosocial work stressors (job control, psychological job demands, emotional job demands, work-related violence and threats of work-related violence) were estimated by the use of job-exposure matrices. The association between maternal stress and childhood asthma was analysed in Cox models adjusted for maternal age, comorbidity and parity.

Results

Neither private-life nor work stressors were related to onset of asthma in offspring. Separate analyses by parental atopy or onset of asthma in offspring supported the main findings.

Conclusions

This study does not support an elevated risk of childhood asthma related to exposure to stress during pregnancy.
Uniqueness in inverse electromagnetic scattering problem with phaseless far-field data at a fixed frequency
Authors: Xu Xiaoxu , Zhang Bo , Zhang Haiwen
Published: July 2020

This paper is concerned with uniqueness in inverse electromagnetic scattering with phaseless far-field pattern at a fixed frequency. In our previous work (2018,SIAM J. Appl. Math. 78, 3024–3039), by adding a known reference ball into the acoustic scattering system, it was proved that the impenetrable obstacle and the index of refraction of an inhomogeneous medium can be uniquely determined by the acoustic phaseless far-field patterns generated by infinitely many sets of superpositions of two plane waves with different directions at a fixed frequency. In this paper, we extend these uniqueness results to the inverse electromagnetic scattering case. The phaseless far-field data are the modulus of the tangential component in the orientations ${\boldsymbol{e}}_\phi $ and ${\boldsymbol{e}}_\theta $, respectively, of the electric far-field pattern measured on the unit sphere and generated by infinitely many sets of superpositions of two electromagnetic plane waves with different directions and polarizations. Our proof is mainly based on Rellich’s lemma and the Stratton–Chu formula for radiating solutions to the Maxwell equations.