bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comedication prescription patterns and potential for drug‐drug interactions with antiretroviral therapy in people living with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection in Germany
Authors: Lopes Sara , O'Day Ken , Meyer Kellie , Van Stiphout Joris , Punekar Yogesh , Radford Matthew , Haas Jennifer Scarlet
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Various first‐line recommended antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens have different drug‐drug interaction (DDI)/contraindication profiles. The aim of this study was to estimate the rate of potential DDIs/contraindications of real‐world prescribed non‐ART comedication with first‐line recommended ART in people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Germany.

Methods

A retrospective, cross‐sectional cohort design was used to collect non‐ART comedication prescription data from a representative sample of a German health insurance claims database. PLHIV who were prescribed ART during 2016 were included in the analysis. Patients were stratified by sex, age, comorbidities, and time on ART. Prescribed comedications were used to estimate potential DDIs/contraindications for each recommended first‐line ART per patient based on criteria fromwww.hiv-druginteractions.org.

Results

Records from 2680 PLHIV were analyzed. Prescriptions for non‐ART comedications were common (mean of seven per patient in the overall population, 10.2 in PLHIV aged 50 years and older). Antiretroviral regimens with the lowest proportion of patients with at least 1 potential DDI/contraindication were unboosted integrase inhibitor, non‐tenofovir disoproxil fumarate–based regimens that included raltegravir + emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (13%), dolutegravir + lamivudine (14%), dolutegravir/abacavir/lamivudine (14%), dolutegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (15%), and bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (19%). Boosted regimens and efavirenz‐based regimens presented the highest potential for DDIs/contraindications.

Conclusions

Comedication with potential DDIs/contraindications with ART is frequently prescribed among PLHIV in Germany. Potential risks for DDIs/contraindications vary by ART, with the lowest potential seen in unboosted integrase strand transfer inhibitor‐based regimens, including raltegravir + emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide fumarate, followed by three dolutegravir‐based regimens.
Phase mixing in GaSb nanocrystals synthesized by nonequilibrium plasma aerotaxy
Authors: Uner Necip B. , Thimsen Elijah
Published: January 2020

III–V semiconductor nanocrystals are an important class of optoelectronic materials. However, the gas‐phase synthesis of these materials, especially of the stibnides, has been left relatively unexplored. In this study, we demonstrate the synthesis of free‐standing GaSb nanocrystals for the first time, using a novel gas‐phase process. We show that when elemental aerosols are used as precursors for Ga and Sb, the elements mix at the nanometer length scale as the aerosols pass through a nonequilibrium plasma reactor. At sufficiently high plasma power, the mixing produces free‐standing GaSb nanocrystals, with a small amount of excess Ga segregated at the periphery of the particles. The reaction is initiated by vaporization of elemental aerosols in the plasma despite the low‐background temperature. Ion bombardment determines the extent of vaporization of Ga and Sb and thereby controls the ensemble stoichiometry and reaction rates.
Executive functioning in pediatric cystic fibrosis: A preliminary study and conceptual model
Authors: Borschuk Adrienne P. , Molitor Stephen , Everhart Robin S. , Siracusa Christopher , Filigno Stephanie S.
Published: January 2020

Background

Research has shown that broad cognitive functioning in individuals with CF is intact. Specific executive functioning (EF) deficits have been identified, however, and adults with CF report more symptoms of ADHD than the general population. EF skills are critical to the management of a complex disease like CF although studies have not adequately examined EF mechanisms in CF. This manuscript (a) described EF in a small sample of children with CF, (b) summarized relations found between EF and psychosocial variables, and (c) presented a conceptual model by which to understand EF's impact on adherence in CF.

Methods

Data for this preliminary study were collected from 19 children with CF and their caregivers (ages, 6‐18). Caregivers completed questionnaires assessing their child's physical and mental health, their own functioning, and overall family functioning. EF was measured using a parent‐report rating scale. Patient health data were collected from the electronic medical record.

Results

This sample did not demonstrate elevated levels of EF impairment. Worse EF was related to poor family communication/cohesion, as well as higher treatment burden, worse lung function, poorer adherence, and older age. From these findings, a preliminary model was developed describing EF in the context of CF and adherence.

Conclusions

Findings from this preliminary study suggest that the CF regimen and associated symptoms may overload otherwise adequate EF skills. Reducing disease burden and preventing burnout should be a focus of treatment. A better understanding of EF in CF and the impact on adherence would allow for better clinical management and effective design of interventions.
Imatinib melylate as second‐line treatment of bronchiolitis obliterans after allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children
Authors: Faraci Maura , Ricci Erica , Bagnasco Francesca , Pierri Filomena , Giardino Stefano , Girosi Donata , Olcese Roberta , Castagnola Elio , Michele Magnano Gian , Lanino Edoardo
Published: January 2020

Background

The onset of bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) as a pulmonary manifestation of chronic graft vs host disease dramatically changes the prognosis of children undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT). This study aimed to evaluate the overall survival (OS) of children with BO treated with imatinib mesylate (IM).

Methods

This study included children who underwent allo‐HSCTs between January 2000 and December 2016.

Results

Among 345 patients who underwent HSCTs, 293 were evaluable for BO and 26 (8.9%) developed BO. The cumulative incidence of BO was 4.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.8‐7.5) at 1 year and 7.7% (95% CI, 5.1‐11.1) at 3 years after transplantation. In the group of HSCTs (n = 67) complicated by chronic GvHD (c‐GVHD), the incidence rate of BO was 38.8%. In total, 96.1% of patients with BO had c‐GvHD worse than moderate grade, which was present in 70.7% of patients without BO (P = .011). The mortality rates were 46.1% in the BO group and 27.4% in the group without BO. Half of the patients with BO (n = 13) received IM, and the overall response rate was 76.9%. Four years after HSCT, OS was 42.6% (95% CI, 18.2‐65.3) in the group without IM and 83.3% (95% CI, 27.3‐97.5) in the group with IM.

Conclusions

BO after HSCT in the pediatric population has a high incidence and mortality rate. In terms of overall response and tolerability, this study showed relevant improvements in the prognosis of children with BO after the introduction of IM. Further prospective studies among children are needed to confirm these results.
Insights into the venom protein components of the egg parasitoid Anastatus japonicus (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae)
Authors: Wang Chengxing , Jin Fengliang , De Mandal Surajit , Zeng Lu , Zhang Yuxin , Hua Yanyan , Hong Yingying , Zhao Can , Li Junzhai , Li Dunsong , Xu Xiaoxia
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

Parasitoid venom is composed of a complex mixture of various active substances with different biological functions and is injected in the host during the parasitoid oviposition. Anastatus japonicus (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae) is an egg parasite of Tessaratoma papillosa (Hemiptera: Tessaratomidae). Although the venom of this egg parasitoid plays an important role in the parasitic process, relatively little work has been done to address the mechanism.

RESULTS

In the present study, proteomic analysis was performed to identify the proteins that play an important role in the parasitic process of A. japonicus. A total of 2084 proteins were identified, including 81 putative venom proteins, most of which were identified as Hexamerin, Chitinase 2, Calreticulin, Heat shock protein 83‐like, Serine protease, Arginine kinase, Phosphoserine aminotransferase and Actin protein. Together the before (Be) and after (Af) parasitization venom contains 1628 proteins, including 212 DEPs with 181 and 31 significantly up‐regulated and down‐regulated respectively. In addition, 10 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) with fold change ≥8.71 were subjected to RT‐qPCR to validate the proteomic data. The differential expression analysis revealed that nine proteins were specifically present in the pre‐parasitic venom, whereas 26 proteins were specific to the post‐parasitic treatments. Results of RT‐qPCR analysis showed high expression of the selected DEPs which further validated our proteomics data.

CONCLUSION

These new proteomic data greatly enrich our current knowledge about key venom proteins associated with parasitic process in A. japonicus and contribute to better understanding of the parasitic mechanisms leading to the development of new biological control strategies. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
A chromosome‐scale draft sequence of the Canada fleabane genome
Authors: Laforest Martin , Martin Sara L , Bisaillon Katherine , Soufiane Brahim , Meloche Sydney , Page Eric
Published: January 2020

Background

Due to the accessibility of underlying technologies the ‘Omics’, in particular genomics, are becoming commonplace in several fields of research, including the study of agricultural pests. The weed community is starting to embrace these approaches; genome sequences have been made available in the past years, with several other sequencing projects underway, as promoted by the International Weed Genome Consortium. Chromosome‐scale sequences are essential to fully exploit the power of genetics and genomics.

Results

We report such an assembly for Conyza canadensis, an important agricultural weed. Third‐generation sequencing technology was used to create a genome assembly of 426 megabases, of which nine chromosome‐scale scaffolds cover more than 98% of the entire assembled sequence. As this weed was the first to be identified with glyphosate resistance, and since we do not have a firm handle on the genetic mechanisms responsible for several herbicide resistances in the species, the genome sequence was annotated with genes known to be associated with herbicide resistance. A high number of ABC‐type transporters, cytochrome P450 and glycosyltransferases (159, 352 and 181, respectively) were identified among the list of ab initio predicted genes.

Conclusion

As C. canadensis has a small genome that is syntenic with other Asteraceaes, has a short life cycle and is relatively easy to cross, it has the potential to become a model weed species and, with the chromosome‐scale genome sequence, contribute to a paradigm shift in the way non‐target site resistance is studied. © 2020 Her Majesty the Queen in Right of CanadaPest Management Science © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
High‐Performance Back‐Channel‐Etched Thin‐Film Transistors with an InGaO/InZnO Stacked Channel
Authors: Zhao Mingjie , Zhang Zewang , Xu Yingchao , Xu Daisheng , Zhang Jiyan , Huang Zhangchao
Published: January 2020

Back‐channel‐etched (BCE) thin‐film transistors (TFTs) with an InGaO/InZnO stacked channel are developed, in which the InGaO and InZnO provide a highly acid‐resistant back channel and a high‐mobility front channel, respectively. The electrical performance of the TFT is optimized by adjusting the InGaO thickness. The best performance is achieved for the TFT with 10 nm thick InGaO. A thinner InGaO layer leads to inferior performance due to damage during the back‐channel‐etching process, while a thicker InGaO layer results in a hump effect and significant negative shifts in the threshold voltage (Vth) and turn‐on voltage (Von), which should be ascribed to the large total carrier number in the channel. The optimal TFT exhibits a high saturated field‐effect mobility of 28.9 cm2 V−1 s−1, a near‐zero Vth of −0.17 V, a Von of −0.49 V, a low subthreshold swing of 0.12 V dec−1, a high on‐to‐off current ratio of 3.5 × 109, and a low contact resistance between the source/drain (S/D) electrodes and channel. The TFT also exhibits high stability under bias thermal stress.
Expansion and preservation of the functional activity of adult hematopoietic stem cells cultured ex vivo with a histone deacetylase inhibitor
Authors: Zimran Eran , Papa Luena , Djedaini Mansour , Patel Ami , Iancu-Rubin Camelia , Hoffman Ronald
Published: January 2020

Attempts to expand ex vivo the numbers of human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) without compromising their marrow repopulating capacity and their ability to establish multilineage hematopoiesis has been the subject of intense investigation. Although most such efforts have focused on cord blood HSCs, few have been applied to adult HSCs, a more clinically relevant HSC source for gene modification. To date, the strategies that have been used to expand adult HSCs have resulted in modest effects or HSCs with lineage bias and a limited ability to generate T cells in vivo. We previously reported that culturing umbilical cord blood CD34+ cells in serum-free media supplemented with valproic acid (VPA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, and a combination of cytokines led to the expansion of the numbers of fully functional HSCs. In the present study, we used this same approach to expand the numbers of adult human CD34+ cells isolated from mobilized peripheral blood and bone marrow. This approach resulted in a significant increase in the numbers of phenotypically defined HSCs (CD34+CD45RA-CD90+D49f+). Cells incubated with VPA also exhibited increased aldehyde dehydrogenase activity and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, each functional markers of HSCs. Grafts harvested from VPA-treated cultures were able to engraft in immune-deficient mice and, importantly, to generate cellular progeny belonging to each hematopoietic lineage in similar proportion to that observed with unmanipulated CD34+ cells. These data support the utility of VPA-mediated ex vivo HSC expansion for gene modification of adult HSCs.

Significance statement This study shows that the transplantation of ex vivo valproic acid (VPA)-treated, adult mobilized peripheral blood and bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) into immune-deficient mice led to nonbiased long-term multilineage hematopoietic cell engraftment including T cells. These data support the use of VPA-mediated ex vivo HSC expansion for future gene modification strategies.
Sulfur–doped Graphene as an Efficient Metal–free Carbocatalyst for the Synthesis of 1,5–Benzodiazepines Derivatives
Authors: Jafari‐Chermahini Mohammad Taqi , Tavakol Hossein , Salvenmoser Willi
Published: January 2020

The graphene was doped by introducing atomized sulfur gas flow as sulfur source and acetylene as carbon source at 800 °C in chemical vapor deposition on copper foil. FE‐SEM, TGA, XPS and Raman tests were used to investigate the morphology, thermal behavior and surface properties of the synthesized graphene. A novel, facile and efficient methodology for the synthesis of 1,5–benzodiazepines by the reaction of chalcone with 1,2–phenylenediamine with the mediation of sulfur–doped graphene is described. This method is simple, efficient, environmentally benign, free of toxic catalysts, cost‐effective and has good yields for the formation of these seven‐membered heterocycles.
Erratum to: Quantum tasks in holography
Authors: May Alex
Published: January 2020

As one of the results in this article, I stated a connection between bulk causal structure and boundary entanglement in the AdS/CFT correspondence.
Sequences of 6d SCFTs on generic Riemann surfaces
Authors: Razamat Shlomo S. , Sabag Evyatar
Published: January 2020

Abstract

We consider compactifications of 6d minimal (D

N+3
, D

N+3) type conformal matter SCFTs on a generic Riemann surface. We derive the theories corresponding to three punctured spheres (trinions) with three maximal punctures, from which one can construct models corresponding to generic surfaces. The trinion models are simple quiver theories with

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= 1 SU(2) gauge nodes. One of the three puncture non abelian symmetries is emergent in the IR. The derivation of the trinions proceeds by analyzing RG flows between conformal matter SCFTs with different values of N and relations between their subsequent reductions to 4d. In particular, using the flows we first derive trinions with two maximal and one minimal punctures, and then we argue that collections of N minimal punctures can be interpreted as a maximal one. This suggestion is checked by matching the properties of the 4d models such as ’t Hooft anomalies, symmetries, and the structure of the conformal manifold to the expectations from 6d. We then use the understanding that collections of minimal punctures might be equivalent to maximal ones to construct trinions with three maximal punctures, and then 4d theories corresponding to arbitrary surfaces, for 6d models described by two M5 branes probing a ℤ
k
singularity. This entails the introduction of a novel type of maximal puncture. Again, the suggestion is checked by matching anomalies, symmetries and the conformal manifold to expectations from six dimensions. These constructions thus give us a detailed understanding of compactifications of two sequences of six dimensional SCFTs to four dimensions.
Axion dark matter, proton decay and unification
Authors: Pérez Pavel Fileviez , Murgui Clara , Plascencia Alexis D.
Published: January 2020

Abstract

We discuss the possibility to predict the QCD axion mass in the context of grand unified theories. We investigate the implementation of the DFSZ mechanism in the context of renormalizable SU(5) theories. In the simplest theory, the axion mass can be predicted with good precision in the range m

a
= (2–16) neV, and there is a strong correlation between the predictions for the axion mass and proton decay rates. In this context, we predict an upper bound for the proton decay channels with antineutrinos,

$$ \tau \left(p\to {K}^{+}\overline{\nu}\right)\lesssim 4\times {10}^{37} $$

τ

p
→

K
+

ν
¯

≲
4
×

10
37

yr and

$$ \tau \left(p\to {\pi}^{+}\overline{\nu}\right)\lesssim 2\times {10}^{36} $$

τ

p
→

π
+

ν
¯

≲
2
×

10
36

yr. This theory can be considered as the minimal realistic grand unified theory with the DFSZ mechanism and it can be fully tested by proton decay and axion experiments.
Reheating after swampland conjecture
Authors: Kamali Vahid
Published: January 2020

Abstract

The evolution of the universe started from a hot and dense Big Bang point. Temperature fluctuation map of cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation and initial seeds of large scale structures (LSS) are explained by an inflationary period in a very early time. Inflaton as quanta of the inflation field is responsible for the accelerated expansion of the universe. Potentials of the self-interacting single field models are constrained by observational data as well as quantum gravity. Some forms of the potential are rolled out by data of Planck satellite and some of them by quantum gravity constraints. In the standard model of inflation or cold inflation firstly universe expands where the inflaton rolls the nearly flat part of the potential and in the second part, the universe reheats where the inflaton oscillates around the minimum of the potential which leads to thermalized radiation dominated universe. String theory as the best model of quantum gravity forbids the oscillation around the minimum of the potential during the thermalized epoch of the reheating. But in the warm model of inflation thermalization happens during the accelerated expansion of the universe where the inflaton rolls nearly steep potential and the universe will be radiation dominated without any separated reheating epoch.
Implications of ANEC for SCFTs in four dimensions
Authors: Manenti Andrea , Stergiou Andreas , Vichi Alessandro
Published: January 2020

Abstract

We explore consequences of the Averaged Null Energy Condition (ANEC) for scaling dimensions ∆ of operators in four-dimensional

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= 1 superconformal field theories. We show that in many cases the ANEC bounds are stronger than the corresponding unitarity bounds on ∆. We analyze in detail chiral operators in the

$$ \left(\frac{1}{2}j,0\right) $$

1
2

j

0

Lorentz representation and prove that the ANEC implies the lower bound

$$ \Delta \ge \frac{3}{2}j $$

Δ
≥

3
2

j

, which is stronger than the corresponding unitarity bound for j > 1. We also derive ANEC bounds on

$$ \left(\frac{1}{2}j,0\right) $$

1
2

j

0

operators obeying other possible shortening conditions, as well as general

$$ \left(\frac{1}{2}j,0\right) $$

1
2

j

0

operators not obeying any shortening condition. In both cases we find that they are typically stronger than the corresponding unitarity bounds. Finally, we elucidate operator-dimension constraints that follow from our

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= 1 results for multiplets of

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= 2, 4 superconformal theories in four dimensions. By recasting the ANEC as a convex optimization problem and using standard semidefinite programming methods we are able to improve on previous analyses in the literature pertaining to the nonsupersymmetric case.
Leading-logarithmic threshold resummation of Higgs production in gluon fusion at next-to-leading power
Authors: Beneke Martin , Garny Mathias , Jaskiewicz Sebastian , Szafron Robert , Vernazza Leonardo , Wang Jian
Published: January 2020

Abstract

We sum the leading logarithms

$$ {\alpha}_s^n{\ln}^{2n-1}\left(1-z\right) $$

α
s
n

ln

2
n
−
1

1
−
z

, n = 1, 2, . . . , near the kinematic threshold

$$ z={m}_H^2/\hat{s}\to 1 $$

z
=

m
H
2

/

s
̂

→
1

at next-to-leading power in the expansion in (1 − z) for Higgs production in gluon fusion. We highlight the new contributions compared to Drell-Yan production in quark-antiquark annihilation and show that the final result can be obtained to all orders by the substitution of the colour factor C

F
→ C

A
, confirming previous fixed-order results. We also provide a numerical analysis of the next-to-leading power leading logarithms, which indicates that they are numerically relevant.
Realizing IR theories by projections in the UV
Authors: Klos Fabian , Roggenkamp Daniel
Published: January 2020

Abstract

We show how (topologically twisted) quantum field theories in the IR of bulk RG flows can be represented within the respective UV theories by means of codimenion- one projection defects. Indeed, from this perspective, RG flows of bulk theories can be described in terms of RG flows of the codimension-one identity defect in the fixed UV bulk theory. We illustrate this in the example of RG flows between supersymmetric Landau- Ginzburg orbifold models, for which the respective defects can be described in terms of matrix factorizations.
Responses of lake phytoplankton communities to changing inorganic nitrogen supply forms
Authors: Trommer Gabriele , Poxleitner Monika , Stibor Herwig
Published: January 2020

A shift has been predicted in future nitrogen emission scenarios from nitrous oxide to higher proportions of ammonium compounds. To investigate the interaction between increasing nitrogen load and varying nitrate:ammonium ratios (NO3−:NH4+), we performed a mesocosm experiment in an oligotrophic lake in southern Germany. We fertilized mesocosms with both roughly natural and four times the natural nitrogen wet deposition amounts in molar NO3−:NH4+ratios of 4:1 and 1:4. We observed greater phytoplankton biomass in treatments with a relatively higher ammonium supply, but not in those with nitrate and total nitrogen load. Ammonium significantly increased the total chlorophyllaconcentrations, and especially the growth of small nanophytoplankton species. The effects observed indicate that NH4+was taken up preferentially and that spring phytoplankton in oligotrophic lakes appear to be able to respond to variations in nitrogen forms (available NO3−:NH4+ratios) by adjusting their community composition. Such communal changes at the base of the food web may affect higher trophic levels. Therefore, the effects of varying available forms of nitrogen should also be considered in primarily phosphorus-limited aquatic systems.
Relationship Between the Waiting Times for Surgery and Survival in Patients with Gastric Cancer
Authors: Kumazu Yuta , Oba Koji , Hayashi Tsutomu , Yamada Takanobu , Hara Kentaro , Osakabe Hiroaki , Shimoda Yota , Nakazono Masato , Nagasawa Shinsuke , Rino Yasushi , Masuda Munetaka , Ogata Takashi , Yoshikawa Takaki , Oshima Takashi
Published: January 2020

Background

Surgery for gastric cancer should be performed as soon as possible after diagnosis. However, sometimes the waiting time for surgery tends to be longer. The relation between the waiting time for surgery and survival in patients with gastric cancer remains to be fully investigated.

Methods

This retrospective, single‐center cohort study evaluated patients with gastric cancer who underwent curative surgery from 2006 through 2012 at Kanagawa Cancer Center in Japan. Patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy were excluded. The waiting time for surgery was defined as the time between the first visit and surgery. We investigated whether the waiting time for surgery has a linear negative impact on outcomes by using a Cox regression model with clinical prognostic factors.

Results

In total, 801 patients were eligible. The median waiting time was 45 days (range 10–269 days). The restricted cubic spline regression curve showed that the adjusted time‐specific hazard ratios of waiting times did not indicate a linear negative trend on survival between 20 and 100 days (p = 0.759). In the Cox model with a quartile of waiting times, waiting times in the 32–44‐day group, 43–62‐day group, and ≥63 day groups were not associated with poorer overall survival as compared with the ≤31 day group (HR: 1.01, 95% CI 0.63–1.60, p = 0.984, HR: 1.17, 95% CI 0.70–1.94, p = 0.550, HR: 1.06, 95% CI 0.60–1.88, p = 0.831, respectively).

Conclusions

There was no negative relation between the waiting time for surgery (within 100 days) and survival in patients with gastric cancer.
Decomposing East-Asian winter temperature and monsoonal circulation changes using timeslice experiments
Authors: Ren Hong-Li , Huang Yu , Chadwick Rob , Deng Yi
Published: January 2020

Based on a set of pilot atmosphere-only experiments from the Cloud Feedback Model Intercomparison Project Phase 3 (CFMIP-3), in this study, the winter surface air temperature (SAT) and monsoonal circulation changes in East Asia as a response to the 4 × CO2 forcing in coupled model are decomposed into the four parts in terms of the responses to the uniform SST warming, 4 × CO2 radiative effect, SST pattern changes, and plant physiological effect. The uniform SST warming presents the most significant influence on the increase of SAT change, which strengthens the East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM) circulation. The CO2 radiative effect can also induce the SAT increase over East Asia but with a magnitude smaller compared to the uniform SST warming, in which more warming is in land than ocean and the EAWM circulation could be weakened consequently due to the decreased land–sea thermal contrast in response to the CO2 radiative effect. The SAT changes in response to the SST pattern change show inconsistencies over the eastern and southern parts of East Asia between the two models, associated with the large difference for EAWM circulation changes, indicating that the SST pattern change could be the primary source of inter-model uncertainties in the East-Asian SAT change. As for the influence of plant physiological effect, it could generate a SAT rise in many highly vegetated regions. Further analyses for different areas show that both the uniform SST warming and CO2 radiative effects could induce more intense SAT increase in northern East Asia, while the plant physiological effect has a more significant influence on that in southern/eastern part of East Asia.
10-Day structured initiation protocol from multiple daily injection to hybrid closed-loop system in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Petrovski Goran , Al Khalaf Fawziya , Campbell Judith , Fisher Hannah , Umer Fareeda , Hussain Khalid
Published: January 2020

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the 10-day initiation protocol for MiniMed 670G hybrid closed-loop (HCL) system in individuals with type 1 diabetes on multiple daily injection (MDI) in achieving desirable glycemic control.

Methods

An open-label single-arm, single-center, clinical investigation in children aged 7–18 years on MDI following a structured protocol: 2 days, HCL system assessment; 5 days, HCL system training (2-h sessions on 5 consecutive days with groups of 3–5 participants and families); 3 days, Manual Mode use of HCL system; 84 days, Auto Mode use of the HCL system, cumulating in 10 days from MDI to Auto Mode activation.

Results

A total of 30 children (age 10.24 ± 2.6 years) were enrolled in the study, and all completed the planned 84 days on Auto Mode. The participants used the sensor for a median of 92% of the time and spent a median of 89% in Auto Mode. The mean HbA1c decreased from 8.2 ± 1.4% (66 ± 15.3 mmol/mol) at baseline to 6.7 ± 0.5% (50 ± 5.5 mmol/mol) at the end of the study (p = 0.017). Time in range (70–180 mg/dL) increased from 46.9 ± 18.5% at baseline to 75.6 ± 6.9% in Auto Mode (p < 0.001). This was achieved while spending 2.8% of the time below 70 mg/dL and without any severe hypoglycemia or DKA.

Conclusion

Children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes on MDI therapy can successfully initiate the HCL system, using a concise structured 10-day protocol.
Impact on granular bed: validation of discrete element modeling results by means of two-dimensional finite element analysis
Authors: Marzulli Valentina , Torres Cisneros Luis Armando , di Lernia Annamaria , Windows-Yule Christopher Robert Kit , Cafaro Francesco , Pöschel Thorsten
Published: January 2020

The study of processes characterized by impulsive nature (i.e. impacts) can be considered of great interest in both physics and engineering disciplines: in the geotechnical field, for instance, their effect on the interaction between soil and structures need to be investigated. The present work aims at the validation, by means of two-dimensional finite element simulations, of a methodology of force calibration which uses results obtained from three-dimensional discrete element analysis for predicting the stress at the base of a granular bed, retained by a movable wall, arising when the system is hit by a projectile. To approach this problem, the low-velocity impact has been modeled as a punctual impulsive force on a granular packing.
Executive Functioning in 60+ Autistic Males: The Discrepancy Between Experienced Challenges and Cognitive Performance
Authors: Geurts Hilde M. , Pol S. E. , Lobbestael J. , Simons Claudia J. P.
Published: January 2020

As executive functioning (EF) is especially sensitive to age-related cognitive decline, EF was evaluated by using a multi-method assessment. Fifty males (60–85 years) with a late adulthood autism spectrum condition (ASC) diagnosis and 51 non-ASC males (60–83 years) were compared on cognitive tests across EF domains (cognitive flexibility, planning, processing speed, and working memory) and a self- and proxy report of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Version. While no objective performance differences emerged, autistic males and their proxies did report more EF challenges than non-ASC males on the subjective measure. In order to know how to support the older autistic men who received their ASC diagnosis in late adulthood with their daily life EF challenges, it is important to understand what underlies these subjective EF problems.
Sample Paths Estimates for Stochastic Fast-Slow Systems Driven by Fractional Brownian Motion
Authors: Eichinger Katharina , Kuehn Christian , Neamţu Alexandra
Published: January 2020

We analyze the effect of additive fractional noise with Hurst parameter$$H > {1}/{2}$$H>1/2on fast-slow systems. Our strategy is based on sample paths estimates, similar to the approach by Berglund and Gentz in the Brownian motion case. Yet, the setting of fractional Brownian motion does not allow us to use the martingale methods from fast-slow systems with Brownian motion. We thoroughly investigate the case where the deterministic system permits a uniformly hyperbolic stable slow manifold. In this setting, we provide a neighborhood, tailored to the fast-slow structure of the system, that contains the process with high probability. We prove this assertion by providing exponential error estimates on the probability that the system leaves this neighborhood. We also illustrate our results in an example arising in climate modeling, where time-correlated noise processes have become of greater relevance recently.
Postoperative oscillatory brain activity as an add-on prognostic marker in diffuse glioma
Authors: Belgers Vera , Numan Tianne , Kulik Shanna D. , Hillebrand Arjan , de Witt Hamer Philip C. , Geurts Jeroen J. G. , Reijneveld Jaap C. , Wesseling Pieter , Klein Martin , Derks Jolanda , Douw Linda
Published: January 2020

Introduction

Progression-free survival (PFS) in glioma patients varies widely, even when stratifying for known predictors (i.e. age, molecular tumor subtype, presence of epilepsy, tumor grade and Karnofsky performance status). Neuronal activity has been shown to accelerate tumor growth in an animal model, suggesting that brain activity may be valuable as a PFS predictor. We investigated whether postoperative oscillatory brain activity, assessed by resting-state magnetoencephalography is of additional value when predicting PFS in glioma patients.

Methods

We included 27 patients with grade II–IV gliomas. Each patient’s oscillatory brain activity was estimated by calculating broadband power (0.5–48 Hz) in 56 epochs of 3.27 s and averaged over 78 cortical regions of the Automated Anatomical Labeling atlas. Cox proportional hazard analysis was performed to test the predictive value of broadband power towards PFS, adjusting for known predictors by backward elimination.

Results

Higher broadband power predicted shorter PFS after adjusting for known prognostic factors (n = 27; HR 2.56 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15–5.70); p = 0.022). Post-hoc univariate analysis showed that higher broadband power also predicted shorter overall survival (OS; n = 38; HR 1.88 (95% CI 1.00–3.54); p = 0.038).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that postoperative broadband power is of additional value in predicting PFS beyond already known predictors.
Advancing ecological risk assessment on genetically engineered breeding stacks with combined insect-resistance traits
Authors: McDonald Justin , Burns Andrea , Raybould Alan
Published: January 2020

To inform the ecological risk assessment (ERA) of a transgenic crop with multiple insecticidal traits combined by conventional breeding (breeding stack), a comparative field study is customarily conducted to compare transgenic protein concentrations in a breeding stack to those in corresponding component single events used in the breeding process. This study tests the hypothesis that transgenic protein expression will not significantly increase due to stacking, such that existing margins of exposure erode to unacceptable levels. Corroboration of this hypothesis allows for the use of existing non-target organism (NTO) effects tests results, where doses were based on the estimated environmental concentrations determined for a component single event. Results from over 20 studies comparing expression profiles of insecticidal proteins produced by commercial events in various combinations of conventionally-bred stacks were examined to evaluate applying previously determined no-observed-effect concentrations (NOECs) to stack ERAs. This paper presents a large number of tests corroborating the hypothesis of no significant increase in insecticidal protein expression due to combination by conventional breeding, and much of the variation in protein expression is likely attributed to genetic and environmental factors. All transgenic protein concentrations were well within conservative margins between exposure and corresponding NOEC. This work supports the conclusion that protein expression data generated for single events and the conservative manner for setting NTO effects test concentrations allows for the transportability of existing NOECs to the ERA of conventionally-bred stacks, and that future tests of the stated hypothesis are no longer critically informative for ERA on breeding stacks.
Network Analysis for Complex Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Manzoni Claudia , Lewis Patrick A. , Ferrari Raffaele
Published: January 2020

Purpose of Review

Biomedicine is witnessing a paradigm shift in the way complex disorders are investigated. In particular, the need for big data interpretation has led to the development of pipelines that require the cooperation of different fields of expertise, including medicine, functional biology, informatics, mathematics and systems biology. This review sits at the crossroad of different disciplines and surveys the recent developments in the use of graph theory (in the form of network analysis) to interpret large and different datasets in the context of complex neurodegenerative diseases. It aims at a professional audience with different backgrounds.

Recent Findings

Biomedicine has entered the era of big data, and this is actively changing the way we approach and perform research. The increase in size and power of biomedical studies has led to the establishment of multi-centre, international working groups coordinating open access platforms for data generation, storage and analysis. Particularly, pipelines for data interpretation are under development, and network analysis is gaining momentum since it represents a versatile approach to study complex systems made of interconnected multiple players.

We will describe the era of big data in biomedicine and survey the major freely accessible multi-omics datasets. We will then introduce the principles of graph theory and provide examples of network analysis applied to the interpretation of complex neurodegenerative disorders.
Newly Design Porous/Sponge Red Phosphorus@Graphene and Highly Conductive Ni2P Electrode for Asymmetric Solid State Supercapacitive Device With Excellent Performance
Authors: Parveen Nazish , Hilal Muhammad , Han Jeong In
Published: January 2020

Supercapacitors have attracted much attention in the field of electrochemical energy storage. However, material preparation, stability, performance as well as power density limit their applications in many fields. Herein, a sponge-like red phosphorus@graphene (rP@rGO) negative electrode and a Ni2P positive electrode were prepared using a simple one-step method. Both electrodes showed excellent performances (294 F g−1 and 1526.6 F g−1 for rP@rGO and Ni2P, respectively), which seem to be the highest among all rP@rGO- and Ni2P-based electrodes reported so far. The asymmetric solid-state supercapacitor was assembled by sandwiching a gel electrolyte-soaked cellulose paper between rP@rGO and Ni2P as the negative and positive electrodes. Compared to other asymmetric devices, the device, which attained a high operating window of up to 1.6 V, showed high energy and power density values of 41.66 and 1200 W kg−1, respectively. It also has an excellent cyclic stability up to 88% after various consecutive charge/discharge tests. Additionally, the device could power commercial light emitting diodes and fans for 30 s. So, the ease of the synthesis method and excellent performance of the prepared electrode materials mat have significant potential for energy storage applications.
Numerical investigation of optimized piled raft foundation for high-rise building in Germany
Authors: Abdel-Azim O. A. , Abdel-Rahman K. , El-Mossallamy Y. M.
Published: January 2020

Piled rafts have been used as a foundation system for high-rise buildings worldwide in different soil conditions, e.g., in soft to stiff clay as well as in medium-to-dense sand. Piled raft is currently used not only to control the foundation settlement but also to minimize the required raft thickness to reach the most optimized foundation design. The purpose of this study is to investigate the behavior of piled raft as a foundation system for Frankfurt over-consolidated clay based on the well-monitored Messeturm building in Germany. The numerical tool used in analysis is Plaxis 3D finite element software with hardening soil material model. The piled raft foundation behavior will be evaluated based on the total settlement, differential settlement and the pile skin friction. Based on this study, it was found that the chosen foundation system “plied raft foundation” for Messeturm was an optimized solution for the proposed building.
The era of clinical application of gene diagnosis in cardiovascular diseases is coming
Authors: Zou Yu‐Bao , Hui Ru‐Tai , Song Lei
Published: January 2020

Gene diagnosis refers to the use of genetic testing in the diagnosis of inheritable conditions, which has gradually been applied in clinical practice with the completion of the gene sequencing efforts of the Human Genome Project and the advancement of gene detection technology. In the specialty field of cardiology, monogenic cardiovascular diseases are defined as monogenic inherited diseases with cardiovascular damage as the only phenotype, or accompanied by cardiovascular damage. Although the incidence of such diseases is relatively low, in the country of China with its vast population of 1.33 billion, the sheer volume of patients with monogenic cardiovascular diseases is alarming. With early onset, severe symptoms, and poor prognosis, delays in diagnosis and treatment of monogenic cardiovascular diseases often have serious consequences. Gene testing is perfectly suited for early diagnosis of monogenic cardiovascular diseases, especially for “pre‐symptomatic” diagnosis. In this article, we generally review the characteristics of common monogenic cardiovascular diseases, summarize the progress of the standardized application of gene testing technology in clinical practice, describe the applicable population and condition of genetic testing for different monogenic cardiovascular diseases, analyze the practicality of genetic diagnosis of these inheritable conditions, and provide guidance on identifying suitable candidates for gene diagnosis. In conclusion, gene diagnosis provides new insights into the way physicians diagnose diseases, and is well‐positioned to guide clinical decision making and treatment, especially in cardiology.
Beyond a routine blood gas, an easily picked but missed diagnosis of chronic Encephalopathy
Authors: AlFaris Haya S. , Elhissi Ghasan , Chedrawi Aziza , Al-Muhaizea Mohammad A.
Published: January 2020

Recessive congenital methemoglobinemia (RCM) is a rare neurological disorder caused by a deficiency in NADH-CYB5R. RCM has two main types I&II, with cyanosis being the hallmark feature in both. Type-I is a mild form, with cyanosis being the only feature. While type-II is the severe form with prominent neurological symptoms including, dystonia and spasticity. However, the cyanosis is subtle and difficult to appreciate. The cyanosis in RCM is treated with ascorbic-acid or methylene-blue. However, those treatments will not alter the neurological complication. In this paper, we report two cases of RCM type-II in Saudi siblings. They presented with cyanosis at birth; a CO-oximetry was done showing a high level of methemoglobin and a trail of methylene blue was used. The siblings were followed up and showed signs of developmental delay, hypotonia, exaggerated reflex, and seizure. A genetic analysis was requested, which showed missense mutation (c.274 C > T), leading to amino acid substitution; p. Arg92Trp.
Vedanta Resources Plc and Another v. Lungowe and Others
Authors: Van Ho Tara
Published: January 2020

In Vedanta v. Lungowe, the United Kingdom Supreme Court determined that civil claims for negligence brought by Zambian claimants against an English parent company (Vedanta) and its Zambian subsidiary (Konkola Copper Mines plc (KCM)) for damages experienced in Zambia can proceed in English courts. While framed as a domestic tort law case, the decision is significant for international efforts aimed at holding businesses accountable for their “negative impacts” on human rights. Writing for a unanimous Court, Lord Briggs's judgment hinged narrowly on the right of victims to access substantial justice. More broadly, Lord Briggs suggested that parent companies that hold themselves out in public disclosures as overseeing the human rights, environmental, social, or labor standards employed by their subsidiaries assume a duty of care to those harmed by the subsidiary. This suggestion has the potential to transform current corporate approaches to human rights due diligence and accountability.
PHAROS: A digital research space for photo archives
Authors: Caraffa Costanza , Pugh Emily , Stuber Tracy , Ruby Louisa Wood
Published: January 2020

The PHAROS consortium of fourteen international art historical photo archives is digitizing the over 20 million images (with accompanying documentation) in its combined collections and has begun to construct a common access platform using Linked Open Data and the ResearchSpace software. In addition to resulting in a rich and substantial database of images for art-historical research, the PHAROS initiative supports the development of shared standards for mapping and sharing photo archive metadata, as well as for best practices for working with large digital image collections and conducting computational image analysis. Moreover, alongside their digitization efforts, PHAROS member institutions are considering the kinds of art-historical questions the resulting database of images could be used to research. This article indicates some of the prospective research directions stimulated by modern technologies, with the aim of exploring the epistemological potential of photographic archives and challenging the boundaries between the analogue and the digital.
Cracks Interaction in a Pre-Stressed and Pre-Polarized Piezoelectric Material
Authors: Craciun E.M. , Rabaea A. , Das S.
Published: January 2020

We formulate and solve the mathematical problem for antiplane cracks in a pre-stressed and pre-polarized piezoelectric material with static initial fields, assuming the initially deformed configuration of the body is locally stable. Using the boundary conditions of antiplane cracks, we get the Riemann-Hilbert problems. Nonhomogeneous linear complex differential equations having the unknown complex potential are obtained. For constant value of the applied incremental forces can be obtained the complex potentials, incremental displacement and stress fields corresponding to the third mode of the classical fracture. The problem of interaction of two collinear, unequal cracks in a pre-stressed and pre-polarized piezoelectric material, is also studied.
Calculation of Stress Intensity Factor using Displacement Extrapolation Method in Peridynamic Framework
Authors: Zhu N. , Oterkus E.
Published: January 2020

This paper introduces a new approach to calculate stress intensity factors based on a combination of Displacement Extrapolation Method and Peridynamic Theory. After obtaining the displacement field from Peridynamic Theory, by appropriately selecting nodes at the crack tip region and their displacements yield stress intensity factors at the crack tips. To demonstrate the capability of the proposed approach, three different benchmark problems are considered including plate with a central crack, plate with an edge crack and plate with a slanted crack. Results evaluated from the current approach are compared against analytical and finite element analysis results, and good agreement is obtained between three different approaches. This shows that coupled Displacement Extrapolation Method and Peridynamic Theory approach can be an alternative method to calculate stress intensity factors.