bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hepatosplenic Tuberculosis on Pretherapy and Posttherapy FDG PET/CT
Authors: Jin Xiaona , Huo Li , Wang Tong , Liu Yu , Li Fang
Published: December 2019

A 65-year-old woman underwent FDG PET/CT for presumed hepatosplenic malignancy suggested by an abdominal CT. The images revealed multiple foci of intense FDG activity in both the liver and the spleen. However, a splenic biopsy result revealed no malignant cells, and either tuberculosis or sarcoidosis was proposed. Following an incomplete antituberculosis therapy, a repeat FDG PET/CT showed resolution of the abnormal activity in the liver and the spleen.
99mTc-MIP-1404 SPECT/CT for Patients With Metastatic Prostate Cancer
Authors: Schmidkonz Christian , Atzinger Armin , Goetz Theresa Ida , Beck Michael , Ritt Philipp , Prante Olaf , Kuwert Torsten , Bäuerle Tobias , Cordes Michael
Published: December 2019

Background

99mTc-MIP-1404 is a SPECT-suitable prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) ligand for detection of prostate cancer. In patients with metastatic prostate cancer, there are no data as yet on interobserver and intraobserver variability when assessing PSMA-positive lesions for longitudinal changes of tracer uptake.

Methods

99mTc-MIP-1404 SPECT/CT scans of 22 patients with metastatic prostate cancer were analyzed, and each subject was imaged at 2 separate points in time, before and after treatment. Mean interval between scans was 10 months. Three independent observers visually assessed a total of 96 PSMA-positive metastases (bone, 69; lymph node, 22; viscera, 3) or local recurrences (n = 2) for longitudinal changes in tracer uptake on planar scintigraphy and SPECT/CT. All lesions were categorized as regressive, stable, or progressive based on visual findings and on peak SUV (SUVpeak) of quantitative SPECT/CT (progressive, >30% SUVpeak increase; regressive, <30% SUVpeak decrease; or stable, all others).

Results

Quantitative analysis of PSMA-positive lesions yielded significantly higher interobserver agreement (90.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.83%–0.96%) than visual assessments by either SPECT/CT (76.0%; 95% CI, 0.66%–0.84%) or planar scintigraphy (56.3%; 95% CI, 0.46%–0.66%). Intermethod comparison of aggregated results yielded significantly higher agreement between quantitative and visual SPECT/CT (85.1%; 95% CI, 0.80%–0.89%), as opposed to quantitative SPECT/CT and planar scintigraphy (53.1%; 95% CI, 0.47%–0.59%) or visual SPECT/CT and planar scintigraphy (54.9%; 95% CI, 0.49%–0.61%). In visual and quantitative analysis of 96 PSMA-positive lesions, the number of discrepancies ranged from 9 (9.4%) for quantitative SPECT/CT to 42 (43.8%) for planar scintigraphy. Overall reader confidence was higher for SPECT/CT than for planar scintigraphy (P < 0.001). Intraobserver agreement was near-perfect for all methods, whether SPECT/CT (visual, all κ = 0.94–0.97; quantitative κ = 0.94–0.98) or planar scintigraphy (all κ = 0.90–0.94).

Conclusions

Quantitative evaluation of longitudinal change in tracer uptake by PSMA-positive lesions measured via SPECT/CT is superior to visual interpretation of images by planar scintigraphy or SPECT/CT. Compared with visual evaluation, quantitative SPECT/CT is highly reproducible, showing near-perfect agreement among observers and higher reader confidence.
18F-FET PET for Diagnosis of Pseudoprogression of Brain Metastases in Patients With Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Akhoundova Dilara , Hiltbrunner Stefanie , Mader Cäcilia , Förster Robert , Kraft Johannes , Schwanhäusser Bianca , Bankel Lorenz , Kollias Spyros , Treyer Valerie , Rushing Elisabeth Jane , Lee Seok-Yun , Andratschke Nicolaus , Hüllner Martin , Curioni-Fontecedro Alessandra
Published: December 2019

Purpose

To evaluate whether 18F-fluoroethyltyrosine (FET) PET can discriminate progression from pseudoprogression of brain metastases in patients with non–small cell lung cancer undergoing immunotherapy and radiotherapy to the brain.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of 18F-FET PET scans in cases with documented progression of brain metastases on MRI in a cohort of 53 patients with non–small cell lung cancer receiving immune-checkpoint inhibitors and radiotherapy of brain metastases at the University Hospital of Zürich from June 2015 until January 2019. Response to radiotherapy was assessed by MRI. In case of equivocal findings and/or radiological progression in clinically asymptomatic patients, further assessment with 18F-FET PET was performed.

Results

From the cohort of 53 patients, the restaging MRI showed in 30 patients (56.6%) progression of at least 1 treated metastasis. Thereof, 18F-FET PET was performed in 11 patients, based on the absence of neurological symptoms or presence of systemic response and physicians' decision. 18F-FET PET correctly identified pseudoprogression in 9 of 11 patients (81.8%). In patients who did not undergo 18F-FET PET, 5 of 19 (26.3%) were diagnosed with pseudoprogression.

Conclusions

Pseudoprogression of brain metastases occurred in 50% of patients diagnosed with progression on MRI. 18F-FET PET may help differentiate pseudoprogression from real progression in order to avoid discontinuation of effective therapy or unneeded interventions.
18F-FDG PET/CT in a Patient With Thymoma-Associated Paraneoplastic Polymyositis
Authors: Fu Zhanli , Chen Guoqian , Chen Xueqi , Li Qian
Published: December 2019

A 43-year-old woman presented with progressive muscle weakness and myalgia for 1 month. Laboratory tests revealed the elevation of myogenic enzymes. MRI of the thighs demonstrated a pattern of edema for inflammatory myopathy. Electromyography showed diffuse myopathic disorder, and muscle biopsy indicated polymyositis.18F-FDG PET/CT was performed to investigate the potential paraneoplastic syndrome and revealed a soft tissue lesion with18F-FDG avidity in the right anterior mediastinum, as well as diffusely increased activity throughout the body muscles. The patient's symptoms and biochemical abnormalities were gradually relieved after the tumor resection, and the histopathology indicated a type AB thymoma.
18F-FDG PET/CT Findings in a Patient With Primary Mucinous Cystadenocarcinoma of the Breast
Authors: Hu Yujing , Tian Congna , Zhang Xinchao , Wei Qiang , Bian Yanzhu
Published: December 2019

A 50-year-old woman presented with a mass in the upper outer quadrant of her left breast, which proved to be a mucinous cystadenocarcinoma by biopsy. An 18F-FDG PET/CT was performed for staging, which showed that the breast tumor was the only lesion with abnormal 18F-FDG avidity. Breast-conserving surgery was performed following a negative sentinel lymph node biopsy of the left axilla, and primary mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of the breast was finally diagnosed.
Late Conversion From Calcineurin Inhibitors to Belatacept in Kidney-Transplant Recipients Has a Significant Beneficial Impact on Glycemic Parameters
Authors: Terrec Florian , Jouve Thomas , Naciri-Bennani Hamza , Benhamou Pierre-Yves , Malvezzi Paolo , Janbon Benedicte , Giovannini Diane , Rostaing Lionel , Noble Johan
Published: December 2019

Background.

Calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) and steroids are strongly associated with new-onset diabetes after transplantation, worsening of pre-existing diabetes, and cardiovascular events. We assessed the benefit of conversion from CNI-based to belatacept-based immunosuppression in diabetic kidney-transplant (KT) recipients on glucose control and cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods.

In this retrospective, noncontrolled single-study conducted between May 2016 and October 26, 2018, we recruited KT recipients converted from CNIs to belatacept at least 6 months after KT. The primary endpoint was the evolution of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) between baseline and after 6 months of treatment. Secondary endpoints included modifications to antidiabetic drugs, other cardiovascular risk factors, and renal function.

Results.

One hundred and three KT recipients were included. Of these, 26 (25%) had type 2 diabetes. The patients were either receiving oral antidiabetic drugs (n = 21; 75%) or insulin therapy (n = 14; 54%). Overall HbA1c decreased significantly from 6.2 ± 1 to 5.8 ± 1%, P < 0.001. In diabetic patients, HbA1c decreased from 7.2 ± 1 to 6.5 ± 1%, P = 0.001. HbA1c significantly decreased in the subgroup of patients with new-onset diabetes after transplantation and whether diabetes was controlled at inclusion or not (ie, HA1c ≤7% or >7%). Moreover, no diabetic patient increased the number of oral antidiabetic drugs and the dose of basal insulin was not statistically different from baseline to 6 months (16 international unit at baseline and 16 international unit at 6 mo, P = 1). One patient had to start treatment by insulin pump. During follow-up, the renal function, body mass index, and hemoglobin level of all 103 patients remained stable, 2 patients presented acute cellular rejection, and no patient suffered from graft loss.

Conclusions.

A late switch from CNI to belatacept was a valuable therapeutic option for diabetic kidney recipients and substantially improved glycemic parameters.
In situunsupervised learning using stochastic switching in magneto-electric magnetic tunnel junctions
Authors: Chakraborty Indranil , Agrawal Amogh , Jaiswal Akhilesh , Srinivasan Gopalakrishnan , Roy Kaushik
Published: December 2019

Spiking neural networks (SNNs) offer a bio-plausible and potentially power-efficient alternative to conventional deep learning. Although there has been progress towards implementing SNN functionalities in custom CMOS-based hardware using beyond Von Neumann architectures, the power-efficiency of the human brain has remained elusive. This has necessitated investigations of novel material systems which can efficiently mimic the functional units of SNNs, such as neurons and synapses. In this paper, we present a magnetoelectric–magnetic tunnel junction (ME-MTJ) device as a synapse. We arrange these synapses in a crossbar fashion and performin situunsupervised learning. We leverage the capacitive nature of write-ports in ME-MTJs, wherein by applying appropriately shaped voltage pulses across the write-port, the ME-MTJ can be switched in a probabilistic manner. We further exploit the sigmoidal switching characteristics of ME-MTJ to tune the synapses to follow the well-known spike timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) rule in a stochastic fashion. Finally, we use the stochastic STDP rule in ME-MTJ synapses to simulate a two-layered SNN to perform image classification tasks on a handwritten digit dataset. Thus, the capacitive write-port and the decoupled-nature of read-write path of ME-MTJs allow us to construct a transistor-less crossbar, suitable for energy-efficient implementation ofin situlearning in SNNs.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Harmonizing energy-autonomous computing and intelligence’.
Boolean satisfiability in quantum compilation
Authors: Soeken Mathias , Meuli Giulia , Schmitt Bruno , Mozafari Fereshte , Riener Heinz , De Micheli Giovanni
Published: December 2019

Quantum compilation is the task of translating a quantum algorithm implemented in a high-level quantum programming language into a technology-dependent instructions flow for a physical quantum computer. To tackle the large gap between the quantum program and the low-level instructions, quantum compilation is split into a multi-stage flow consisting of several layers of abstraction. Several different individual tasks have been proposed for the layers in the flow, many of them are NP-hard. In this article, we will describe the flow and we will propose algorithms based on Boolean satisfiability, which is a good match to tackle such computationally complex problems.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Harmonizing energy-autonomous computing and intelligence’.
Posaconazole is a novel inhibitor for alphavirus viral entry
Authors: Varghese Finny S , Meutiawati Febrina , Teppor Mona , Merits Andres , Rij Ronald P van
Published: December 2019

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), a mosquito-borne alphavirus, causes millions of infection globally. Posaconazole (PCZ) is an antifungal drug, which we and others have previously found to inhibit replication of a number of viruses, including dengue virus, a member of the Flaviviridae family. In this study, we analyzed the antiviral activity of PCZ against alphaviruses. We found that PCZ potently inhibits a number of alphaviruses, including Semliki forest virus (SFV), Sindbis virus (SINV) and CHIKV with half maximal effective concentration (EC50) of 2.3 μM, 4.0 μM and 0.8 μM, respectively. Time-of-addition assays indicated that PCZ treatment before and at the time of SFV infection showed potent inhibition, whereas addition of PCZ at later time points post infection showed minor to no inhibition, suggesting inhibition at an early stage of the replication cycle. In accordance, PCZ treatment of a temperature sensitive mutant of SFV that is capable of cell entry and translation, but not RNA replication, resulted in an almost 90% reduction in luciferase activity. To confirm these findings, PCZ resistant mutant virus were generated and we identified mutations in E1 (V148A) and E2 (H255R) viral glycoproteins, of which the E2 mutation confers partial resistance to PCZ when introduced into wild-type SFV. To see whether PCZ alters clathrin-mediated endocytosis, we analyzed the uptake of fluorescence-tagged transferrin and found that PCZ reduced transferrin uptake by 50% compared to DMSO-treated cells. Together, these results establish PCZ as a novel inhibitor of alphaviruses and identify viral entry as its target.
Adaption of a Conventional ELISA to a 96-well ELISA-Array for Measuring the Antibody Responses to Influenza virus proteins, viruses and vaccines
Authors: Waltari Eric , Carabajal Esteban , Sanyal Mrinmoy , Friedland Natalia , McCutcheon Krista M.
Published: December 2019

We describe an adaptation of conventional ELISA methods to an ELISA-Array format using non-contact Piezo printing of up to 30 spots of purified recombinant viral fusion proteins, vaccine and virus on 96 well high-protein binding plates. Antigens were printed in 1 nanoliter volumes of protein stabilizing buffer using as little as 0.25 nanograms of protein, 2000-fold less than conventional ELISA. The performance of the ELISA-Array was demonstrated by serially diluting n=8 human post-flu vaccination plasma samples starting at a 1/1000 dilution and measuring binding to the array of Influenza antigens. Plasma polyclonal antibody levels were detected using a cocktail of biotinylated anti-human kappa and lambda light chain antibodies, followed by a Streptavidin-horseradish peroxidase conjugate and the dose-dependent signal was developed with a precipitable TMB substrate. Intra- and inter-assay precision of absorbance units among the eight donor samples showed mean CVs of 4.8% and 10.8%, respectively. The plasma could be differentiated by donor and antigen with titer sensitivities ranging from 1 × 103to 4 × 106, IC50values from 1 × 104to 9 × 106, and monoclonal antibody sensitivities in the ng/mL range. Equivalent sensitivities of ELISA versus ELISA-Array, compared using plasma and an H1N1 HA trimer, were achieved on the ELISA-Array printed at 0.25ng per 200um spot and 1000ng per ELISA 96-well. Vacuum-sealed array plates were shown to be stable when stored for at least 2 days at ambient temperature and up to 1 month at 4-8°C. By the use of any set of printed antigens and analyte matrices the methods of this multiplexed ELISA-Array format can be broadly applied in translational research.
Content of xylose, trehalose and L-citrulline in cucumber fermentations and utilization of such compounds by certain lactobacilli
Authors: Ucar Redife Aslihan , Pérez-Díaz Ilenys M. , Dean Lisa L.
Published: December 2019

This research determined the concentration of trehalose, xylose and L-citrulline in fresh and fermented cucumbers and their utilization byLactobacillus pentosus,Lactobacillus plantarum,Lactobacillus brevisandLactobacillus buchneri. Targeted compounds were measured by HPLC and the ability of certain lactobacilli to utilize them was scrutinized in fermented cucumber juice. Fresh cucumber juice was supplemented with trehalose, xylose and L-citrulline to observed mixed culture fermentations. Changes in the biochemistry, pH and colony counts during fermentations were monitored. Trehalose was detected in fermentations to 15.51 ± 1.68 mM. Xylose was found in a fresh cucumber sample to 36.05 mM. L-citrulline was present in fresh and fermented cucumber samples to 1.05 ± 0.63 mM. Most of the lactobacilli tested utilized trehalose and xylose in FCJM at pH 4.7. L-citrulline was utilized byL. buchneriand produced by other LAB. L-citrulline (12.43 ± 2.3 mM) was converted to ammonia (14.54 ± 3.60 mM) and the biogenic amine ornithine (14.19 ± 1.07 mM) byL. buchneriat pH 4.7 in the presence of 0.5 ± 0.2 mM glucose enhancing growth by 0.5 log CFU/mL. The use of a mixed starter culture containingL. buchneriaided in the removal of L-citrulline and enhanced the fermentation stability. The utilization of L-citrulline byL. buchnerimay be a cause of concern for the stability of cucumber fermentations at pH 3.7 or above. This study identifies the use of a tripartite starter culture as an enhancer of microbial stability for fermented cucumbers.

Importance

Utilization of trehalose, xylose and L-citrulline as energy sources by the indigenous cucumber microbiota was studied to determine if this was a cause for the spoilage of the fermented fruit. While the plant derived sugars, trehalose and xylose, were occasionally present in cucumber fermentations, they are readily utilized by the bacteria spearheading primary fermentation. L-citrulline, however, is an amino acid not naturally found in proteins, was detected in all the samples tested and was uniquely utilized by the spoilage associated bacterium,L. buchneri. Additionally, the bacteria involved in cucumber fermentation produced L-citrulline. It was observed that the use ofL. pentosus,L. brevisandL. buchneriin a mixed starter culture aids in the removal of the alternate energy sources, including L-citrulline, and the generation of a stable cucumber fermentation for 55 days under anaerobiosis.
Cell competition, the kinetics of thymopoiesis and thymus cellularity are regulated by double negative 2 to 3 early thymocytes
Authors: Ramos Camila V. , Ballesteros-Arias Luna , Silva Joana G. , Paiva Rafael A. , Nogueira Marta F. , Carneiro Jorge , Gjini Erida , Martins Vera C.
Published: December 2019

Cell competition in the thymus is a homeostatic process that drives turnover. If the process is impaired, thymopoiesis can be autonomously maintained for several weeks, but this causes leukemia. We aimed to understand the impact of cell competition on thymopoiesis, identify the cells involved and determine how the process is regulated. Using thymus transplantation experiments we found that cell competition occurs within the double negative 2 (DN2) and 3 early (DN3e) thymocytes and inhibits thymus autonomy. Furthermore, the expansion of DN2b is regulated by a negative feedback loop imposed by double positive thymocytes and determines the kinetics of thymopoiesis. This feedback loop impacts on cell cycle duration of DN2b, in a response controlled by interleukin 7 availability. Altogether, we show that thymocytes do not merely follow a pre-determined path if provided with the correct signals. Instead, thymopoiesis dynamically integrates cell autonomous and non-cell autonomous aspects that fine-tune normal thymus function.
Successful field performance in dry-warm environments of soybean expressing the sunflower transcription factor HaHB4
Authors: Ribichich KF , Chiozza M , Ávalos-Britez S , Cabello JV , Arce AL , Watson G , Arias C , Portapila M , Trucco F , Otegui ME , Chan RL
Published: December 2019

Soybean yield is limited primarily by abiotic constraints. No transgenic soybean with improved abiotic-stress tolerance is available in the market. We transformed soybean plants with genetic constructs able to express the sunflower transcription factor HaHB4, which confers drought tolerance to Arabidopsis and wheat plants. One line (b10H) carrying the sunflower promoter was chosen among three independent lines because it exhibited the best performance in seed yield (SY). Such line was evaluated in the greenhouse and in twenty-seven field trials developed in different environments of Argentina. In greenhouse experiments, transgenic plants showed increased SY under stress conditions together with wider epycotyl diameter, enlarged xylem area and enhanced water use efficiency than controls. They also exhibited enhanced SY in warm-dry field conditions. This response was accompanied by the increased in seed number that was not compensated by the decreased in individual seed weight. The transcriptome analysis of plants from a field trial with maximum SY difference between genotypes indicated an induction of genes encoding redox and heat shock proteins in b10H. Collectively, our results indicate that soybeans transformed withHaHB4are expected to have reduced SY penalization when cropped in warm-dry conditions, which constitute the best target environments for this technology.

Highlight

Soybean transformed with the sunflower gene encoding the transcription factor HaHB4 was evaluated in greenhouse and field trials. Transgenic plants significantly outyielded controls in drought-warm environments due to, at least in part, increased seed number, xylem area, and water use efficiency as well as to the induction of genes encoding redox and heat shock proteins.
Fluorouracil sensitivity in a head and neck squamous cell carcinoma with a somatic DPYD structural variant
Authors: Majounie Elisa , Wee Kathleen , Williamson Laura M. , Jones Martin R. , Pleasance Erin , Lim Howard J. , Ho Cheryl , Renouf Daniel J. , Yip Stephen , Jones Steven J.M. , Marra Marco A. , Laskin Janessa
Published: December 2019

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide and represents a heterogeneous group of tumors, the majority of which are treated with a combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Fluoropyrimidine (5-FU) and its oral prodrug, capecitabine, are commonly prescribed treatments for several solid tumor types including HNSCC. 5-FU-associated toxicity is observed in ∼30% of treated patients and is largely caused by germline polymorphisms in DPYD, which encodes dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase, a key enzyme of 5-FU catabolism and deactivation. Although the association of germline DPYD alterations with toxicity is well-described, the potential contribution of somatic DPYD alterations to 5-FU sensitivity has not been explored. In a patient with metastatic HNSCC, in-depth genomic and transcriptomic integrative analysis on a biopsy from a metastatic neck lesion revealed alterations in genes that are associated with 5-FU uptake and metabolism. These included a novel somatic structural variant resulting in a partial deletion affecting DPYD, a variant of unknown significance affecting SLC29A1, and homozygous deletion of MTAP. There was no evidence of deleterious germline polymorphisms that have been associated with 5-FU toxicity, indicating a potential vulnerability of the tumor to 5-FU therapy. The discovery of the novel DPYD variant led to the initiation of 5-FU treatment that resulted in a rapid response lasting 17 wk, with subsequent relapse due to unknown resistance mechanisms. This suggests that somatic alterations present in this tumor may serve as markers for tumor sensitivity to 5-FU, aiding in the selection of personalized treatment strategies.
The adhesive PitA pilus protein from the early dental plaque colonizerStreptococcus oralis: expression, purification, crystallization and X-ray diffraction analysis
Authors: Kumari Yadav Rajnesh , Krishnan Vengadesan
Published: December 2019

PitA is the putative tip adhesin of the pilus islet 2 (PI-2)-encoded sortase-dependent pilus in the Gram-positiveStreptococcus oralis, an opportunistic pathogen that often flourishes within the diseased human oral cavity. Early colonization byS. oralisand its interaction withActinomyces orisseeds the development of oral biofilm or dental plaque. Here, the PI-2 pilus plays a vital role in mediating adherence to host surfaces and other bacteria. A recombinant form of the PitA adhesin has now been produced and crystallized. Owing to the large size (∼100 kDa), flexibility and complicated folding of PitA, obtaining diffraction-quality crystals has been a challenge. However, by the use of limited proteolysis with α-chymotrypsin, the diffraction quality of the PitA crystals was considerably enhanced to 2.16 Å resolution. These crystals belonged to space groupP1, with unit-cell parametersa= 61.48,b= 70.87,c = 82.46 Å, α = 80.08, β = 87.02, γ = 87.70°. The anomalous signal from the terbium derivative of α-chymotrypsin-treated PitA crystals prepared with terbium crystallophore (Tb-Xo4) was sufficient to obtain an interpretable electron-density map via terbium SAD phasing.
When feature-based production capabilities challenge operations
Authors: De Giovanni Pietro
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the influence that competitors and supply chain (SC) partners have on firms’ feature-based production capabilities (FBPC). Also, it analyzes the consumers’ customization options, the operational challenges and the need for servitization as a service-operations strategy to bypass the product complexity created through features. The author assesses the impact of FBPC on performance and uses some moderators to explore the operational implications in depth.

Design/methodology/approach

The author tests research hypotheses through structural equation modeling using a sample of 172 manufacturing firms. The author analyzes the links existing among constructs and tests the influence of certain operational moderators within the network of relationships.

Findings

FBPC are highly dictated by competitors’ and SC partners’ decisions, while servitization is a vital prerequisite to guarantee a valuable customization option. Although operational performance is highly challenged by FBPC, only good consumer experiences with features enhance economic performance. The analysis of moderators reveals that advanced planning systems, vendor managed inventory and distribution requirement planning enable firms to better exploit their operations. Total quality management helps firms to offer higher levels of servitization while reverse logistics needs careful evaluation to balance the trade-offs between higher operational performance and supply structure changes.

Originality/value

This research empirically tests the influence of both competitors and suppliers when firms acquire FBPC. The author investigates consumers’ requests for features and the benefits that servitization can supply when goods become too complex. The author tests how FBPC affect operations as well as the implications for economic performance. Finally, the author searches for moderators to assess the overall economic benefits of FBPC and better appreciate the operational implications.
Experimental evaluation study of collection efficiency of cavity receivers
Authors: Bopche Santosh , Lamba Sandeep
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to present experimental work examining the effect of opening size on the collection efficiency of cavity-type receiver geometries, e.g. modified cavity and spherical cavity with single- as well as dual-stage water heating. The correlations, obtained using the experimentally obtained data, are helpful in designing of cavity receivers (modified and spherical geometry type) to be used in solar-power harnessing assignments/projects, for yielding better system performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The parameters of study encompass receiver opening or aperture ratios (d/D, ratio of diameter of opening to the maximum diameter of spherical cavity) of 0.4, 0.47, 0.533 and 0.6; flow Reynolds numbers of 938, 1,175, 1,525 and 1,880 with water as a coolant; and receiver inclination angles of 90, 60, 45 and 30° (with 90° as receiver-opening facing downward and 30° as receiver-aperture facing closer to sideway). A modified cavity receiver was examined for opening ratios of 0.46, 0.6, 0.7 and 0.93. The glass covers, with thickness 2, 4 and 6 mm, were positioned at the opening of cavity to mitigate the energy losses.

Findings

The experiments have been conducted at a lesser incoming radiative heat flux, for receiver cavity wall surface temperatures ranging from 90°C to 180°C. The collection efficiency values of both the receivers, modified cavity and spherical cavity types, are seen increasing with coolant flow rate and receiver tilt (inclination) angles, i.e. 30° → 90°. The collection efficiency exhibits maxima at an opening ratio of 0.533 in case of both single- and double-stage spherical cavity receiver. This value was observed as 0.6 for modified cavity receiver. The mathematical correlations developed for obtaining the collection efficiency values of modified cavity-type receiver, spherical cavity receiver with single stage and spherical cavity receiver with dual-stage water heating are given as

ɳ=0.4667 Re0.0798dD0.1651 δ0.0281θ̇−0.011,

ɳ=0.2317 Re0.124 dD1.265δ0.0192θ̇0.2914 and

ɳ=0.1137 Re0.1715dD0.8702θ̇0.2757, respectively.

Social implications

The findings of the paper may be helpful in erecting concentrating solar collector systems for household water heating, concentrating solar-based power generation as well as for various agricultural applications.

Originality/value

The experimental investigations are fewer in the literature examining the combined geometrical influence on the efficiency of cavity receivers with single- and double-stage water heating provisions.
The association between morphological and ecological characters across a global passerine radiation
Authors: Kennedy Jonathan D. , Marki Petter Z. , Fjeldså Jon , Rahbek Carsten
Published: December 2019

Strong relationships between morphological and ecological characters are commonly predicted to reflect the association between form and function, with this hypothesis being well supported in restricted taxonomic and geographical contexts. Conversely, among broader sets of species, ecological variables have been shown to have limited power to explain morphological variation.

To understand these apparent discrepancies, for a large and globally distributed passerine radiation, we test whether (a) the character states of four ecological variables (foraging mode, diet, strata and habitat) have different morphological optima, (b) ecological variables explain substantial variance in morphology and (c) ecological character states can be accurately predicted from morphology.

We collected 10 linear morphological measurements for 782 species of corvoid passerines, and assessed (a) the fit of models of continuous trait evolution with different morphological optima for each ecological character state, (b) variation in morphological traits among ecological character states using phylogenetically corrected regressions and (c) the accuracy of morphological traits in predicting species‐level membership of ecological character states using linear discriminant analysis (LDA).

Models of morphological evolution with different ecological optima were well supported across numerous morphological axes, corresponding with significant differences in trait distributions among ecological character states. LDA also showed that membership of the ecological categories can be predicted with relatively high accuracy by morphology. In contrast to these findings, ecological variables explain limited amounts of variation in morphological traits.

For a global radiation of passerine birds, we confirm that the generation of morphological variation is generally consistent with ecological selection pressures, but that ecological characters are of limited utility in explaining morphological differences among species. Although selection towards different optima means that membership of ecological character states tend to be well predicted by morphology, the overall morphospace of individual ecological character states tend to be broad, implying that morphology can evolve in multiple ways in response to similar selection pressures. Extensive variation in morphological adaptations among similar ecological strategies is likely to be a widespread phenomenon across the tree of life.
Development and use of an adjusted nurse staffing metric in the neonatal intensive care unit
Authors: Tawfik Daniel S. , Profit Jochen , Lake Eileen T. , Liu Jessica B. , Sanders Lee M. , Phibbs Ciaran S.
Published: December 2019

Objective

To develop a nurse staffing prediction model and evaluate deviation from predicted nurse staffing as a contributor to patient outcomes.

Data sources

Secondary data collection conducted 2017‐2018, using the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development and the California Perinatal Quality Care Collaborative databases. We included 276 054 infants born 2008‐2016 and cared for in 99 California neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

Study design

Repeated‐measures observational study. We developed a nurse staffing prediction model using machine learning and hierarchical linear regression and then quantified deviation from predicted nurse staffing in relation to health care‐associated infections, length of stay, and mortality using hierarchical logistic and linear regression.

Data collection methods

We linked NICU‐level nurse staffing and organizational data to patient‐level risk factors and outcomes using unique identifiers for NICUs and patients.

Principal findings

An 11‐factor prediction model explained 35 percent of the nurse staffing variation among NICUs. Higher‐than‐predicted nurse staffing was associated with decreased risk‐adjusted odds of health care‐associated infection (OR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.63‐0.98), but not with length of stay or mortality.

Conclusions

Organizational and patient factors explain much of the variation in nurse staffing. Higher‐than‐predicted nurse staffing was associated with fewer infections. Prospective studies are needed to determine causality and to quantify the impact of staffing reforms on health outcomes.
Salt stress induces physiochemical alterations in rice grain composition and quality
Authors: Razzaq Abdul , Ali Arfan , Safdar Luqman Bin , Zafar Muhammad Mubashar , Rui Yang , Shakeel Amir , Shaukat Abbad , Ashraf Muhammad , Gong Wankui , Yuan Youlu
Published: December 2019

Salinity has drastic effects on plant growth and productivity and is one of the major factors responsible for crop yield losses throughout the agricultural soils of the world. The mechanisms of salinity tolerance in plants are regulated by a set of inherent multigenes and prevalent environmental factors, which bring about a myriad of metabolic changes in each plant part. The stress‐induced metabolic changes in the rice plant have been intensively studied, but extensively in plant parts such as stem, leaf, and root. However, little information exists in the literature about such stress‐induced architectural and physiological changes in rice grain, a premier staple food of a large proportion of human population. Thus, the current review comprehensively describes the effects of salinity stress on rice grain composition including changes in carbohydrate, protein, fat, and mineral contents. Elucidation of salinity induced changes in rice grain composition would help to understand whether or not a nutritious and healthy staple food is available to human population from rice grown under saline environments.
Obstructive sleep apnea and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and dose‐response meta‐analysis of cohort studies
Authors: Qie Ranran , Zhang Dongdong , Liu Leilei , Ren Yongcheng , Zhao Yang , Liu Dechen , Liu Feiyan , Chen Xu , Cheng Cheng , Guo Chunmei , Li Quanman , Zhou Qionggui , Tian Gang , Han Minghui , Huang Shengbing , Wu Xiaoyan , Qin Pei , Li Jianxin , Cao Jie , Zhang Ming , Huang Jianfeng , Lu Jie , Li Honghui , Wang Jian , Cheng Ruirong , Hu Dongsheng
Published: December 2019

Background

This meta‐analysis was performed to quantitatively evaluate the dose‐response association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods

PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched up to 12 December 2018 for articles that assessed the OSA‐T2DM association. Random effects models were used to analyze the quantitative association between OSA and risk of T2DM. Restricted cubic splines were used to model the dose‐response association between apnea‐hypopnea index (AHI), used to assess the severity of OSA according to events/h, and risk of T2DM.

Results

We included 16 cohort studies in our meta‐analysis. During a median follow‐up of 10.5 years (range: 3.0‐22.0), 19 355 T2DM cases were reported among 338 912 study participants. The pooled relative risk of T2DM was 1.40 (95% CI, 1.32‐1.48) for OSA in the binary meta‐analysis and 1.08 (1.01‐1.14) for each 5‐event/h increase in AHI value. We found a positive linear association between OSA and T2DM risk.

Conclusions

Our dose‐response meta‐analysis revealed a linear association between OSA and T2DM.
FSH treatment of male idiopathic infertility: Time for a paradigm change
Authors: Simoni Manuela , Santi Daniele
Published: December 2019

Follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) has been used in inconclusive clinical trials for male idiopathic infertility in the past. FSH is sometimes prescribed empirically for male idiopathic infertility, showing some improvement in sperm parameters in about half of the patients. In this opinion article, we briefly analyze the pathophysiological evidences in favor of a more aggressive approach in planning future studies on pharmacological FSH use in male infertility, in analogy with the FSH use for multiple follicular growth in women undergoing ovarian stimulation for assisted reproduction. There is sufficient evidence that spermatogenesis does not run at its top in the primate and that some extra FSH can stimulate spermatogenesis over its baseline. Existing data suggest that the pharmacological regimens applied so far were insufficient, both in dosage and in duration, to elicit this response in about half of the patients. A paradigm change is needed now: We should move away from the classical, endocrinological approach, which simply applied the substitutive, therapeutic regimen used in hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, toward testing a ‘testicular hyperstimulation’ scheme for a time sufficient to cover more than only one spermatogenic cycle, a concept to be verified in an appropriately controlled, prospective, randomized clinical trial.
Use of follicle‐stimulating hormone for the male partner of idiopathic infertile couples in Italy: Results from a multicentre, observational, clinical practice survey
Authors: Santi Daniele , De Vincentis Sara , Alfano Patrizia , Balercia Giancarlo , Calogero Aldo E. , Cargnelutti Francesco , Coccia Maria Elisabetta , Condorelli Rosita A. , Dal Lago Alessandro , de Angelis Cristina , Gallo Mariagrazia , Iannantuoni Nicola , Lombardo Francesco , Marino Angelo , Mazzella Marco , Pallotti Francesco , Paoli Donatella , Pivonello Rosario , Rago Rocco , Rampini Mariarita , Salvio Gianmaria , Simoni Manuela
Published: December 2019

Background

The management of male idiopathic infertility is heterogeneous. Although meta‐analyses reported the effectiveness on pregnancy rate, the real clinical impact of follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) was not evaluated so far. In Italy, FSH is approved by the National Medicines Agency (AIFA) for idiopathic infertile patients with FSH < 8 IU/L, independently of semen parameters.

Aim

Primary endpoint was to record the therapeutic approach to the male partner of infertile couples. Secondary aim was to assess changes of semen parameters during FSH treatment.

Methods

A multicentre, prospective, observational, clinical practice survey was carried out, enrolling the male partner of infertile couples attending ten Italian participating centres. Inclusion criteria were as follows: couple infertility, age >18 years and FSH serum levels <8 IU/L. Thus, all men in which AIFA allowed the FSH prescription were enrolled. Primary endpoint was the number of infertile patients treated with FSH. Secondary outcomes were semen parameters. The treating physician decided whether to offer FSH therapy and whether to re‐evaluate the male partner.

Results

A total of 718 infertile couples were enrolled, and 241 patients were re‐evaluated (median follow‐up: 4.5 months). In 64.9% (466 patients), a treatment was prescribed. FSH was prescribed in 397 patients (85.2% of treated men). Sperm concentration (P = .002) and normal form percentage (P < .001) significantly improved during FSH administration. No correlation was found between these parameters and FSH duration (P = .545 and P = .627, respectively) or dosage (P = .455 and P = .533, respectively). Among patients treated with FSH, the incidence of oligozoospermia decreased from 73.0% to 56.0% (P < .001) and teratozoospermia from 43.6% to 27.7% (P < .001).

Discussion

This first nation‐wide survey reveals a FSH prescription rate of 55% in patients qualifying for treatment according to AIFA. Although the study was not designed to highlight FSH efficacy in male infertility, a slight increase in semen parameters was demonstrated in about half of the treated men without adverse events.
Towards a political ecology of lifestyle migration: Local perspectives on socio‐ecological change in Bocas del Toro, Panama
Authors: Spalding Ana K.
Published: December 2019

International flows of people from developed to developing countries represent a departure from the typical migratory path away from the Global South. These counter‐movements are usually characterised by a search for destinations with warm climates, cheaper costs of living, and a perceived high quality of life. One such destination is the Bocas del Toro archipelago in Northwestern Panama. Lifestyle migration to Panama is, in part, the result of political economic conditions in countries of origin that drive people to seek new lifestyle destinations, coupled with Panamanian government‐led neoliberal development policies aimed at increasing sources of foreign investment. While lifestyle migrant trajectories have been widely studied in the region, the local socio‐ecological implications of such movements are rarely considered. This paper explores local perceptions of change in terms of the differences in outcomes across local ethno‐cultural groups, and of the challenges and opportunities of the emerging new economy of Bocas del Toro. Findings represent an empirical case study of implications of lifestyle migration and further expand scholarly thinking about the intersection of first and third world political ecologies by linking two branches of a field of study that have traditionally shared methods and themes, yet have been separated by geography.
Lower 68Ga‐DOTATOC uptake in nonfunctioning pituitary neuroendocrine tumours compared to normal pituitary gland—A proof‐of‐concept study
Authors: Tjörnstrand Axel , Casar‐Borota Olivera , Heurling Kerstin , Schöll Michael , Gjertsson Peter , Himmelman Jakob , Itsenko Oleksiy , Ragnarsson Oskar , Filipsson Nyström Helena
Published: December 2019

Objectives

68 Ga‐DOTATOC PET targets somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) and is well established for the detection of SSTR‐expressing tumors, such as gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors. Pituitary adenomas, recently designated as pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs), also express SSTRs, but there has been no previous evaluations of 68 Ga‐DOTATOC PET in PitNET patients. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the diagnostic properties of 68 Ga‐DOTATOC PET in the most common PitNET, ie non‐functioning (NF)‐PitNET.

Design/Patients

NF‐PitNET patients (n = 9) and controls (n = 13) were examined preoperatively with 68 Ga‐DOTATOC PET for 45 min after tracer injection in dynamic list mode. Tumor specimens were collected during surgery in patients. MRI and PET images were co‐registered using PMOD software. The maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax) was analyzed in manually outlined regions of interest (ROI) around the tumor in patients and around the pituitary gland in controls. Immunohistochemical analyses were conducted on tumor specimens for assessment of tumor cell type and SSTR expression.

Results

Median SUVmax (IQR) was lower in patients than in controls (3.9 [3.4‐8.5] vs 14.1 [12.5‐15.9]; P < .01]. In ROC analysis, the area under the curve was 0.87 (P < .01) for SUVmax, with 78% sensitivity and 92% specificity. Immunohistochemical analysis showed NF‐PitNETs were of gonadotroph (n = 7) and corticotroph (n = 2) origin. SSTR expression was high for SSTR3, low‐to‐moderate for SSTR2, and low for SSTR1 and SSTR5.

Conclusions

This proof‐of‐concept study shows that 68Ga‐DOTATOC PET can be used to differentiate between normal pituitary tissue and NF‐PitNET.
Challenges and advancements in measuring dyskinesia in cerebral palsy
Authors: Harvey Adrienne
Published: December 2019

This commentary is on the original article by Vanmechelen et al. on pages 489–493 of this issue.
The effect of DAFNE education, continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion, or both in a population with type 1 diabetes in Scotland
Authors: McKnight J. A. , Ochs A. , Mair C. , McKnight O. , Wright R. , Gibb F. W. , Cunningham S. G. , Strachan M. , Ritchie S. , McGurnaghan S. J. , Colhoun H. M.
Published: December 2019

Aim

To investigate the effect of DAFNE and continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion in clinical practice.

Methods

Within NHS Lothian, continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion started in 2004 and DAFNE education began in 2006. We extracted anonymized data from the national database for all those aged > 18 years with type 1 diabetes having a Dose Adjustment For Normal Eating course or continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion start date (n = 4617).

Results

In total, 956 persons received DAFNE education, and 505 had received an insulin pump, 208 of whom had DAFNE education followed by insulin pump. Mean (SD) HbA1c before DAFNE education was 68 (15) mmol/mol (8.4% [1.4%]) and 66 (13) mmol/mol (8.2% [1.2%]) before continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion. In the year following DAFNE education, the mean fall in within‐person HbA1c was 3.8 mmol/mol (95% CI 4.0 to 3.4; 0.3% [0.4% to 0.3%]). Those with the poorest control (HbA1c ≥ 85 mmol/mol [9.9%]) experienced the largest decline (15.7 mmol/mol [1.4%]). Those in the lowest HbA1c band at initiation (< 53 mmol/mmol [7.0%]) experienced a rise.

In the year following continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion initiation there was a mean fall in within‐person HbA1c of 6.6 mmol/mol (6.8 to 6.4; 0.6% [0.6% to 0.6%]). In those with the poorest control (HbA1c ≥ 85 mmol/mol [9.9%]), the mean fall in HbA1c was 22.2 mmol/mol (23 to 21; 2.0% [2.1% to 1.9%]). Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion effectiveness was not different with or without DAFNE education. The effects of both interventions were sustained over 5 years.

Conclusions

Both DAFNE education and insulin pump therapy had the greatest effect on HbA1c in those with higher baseline values. There was little difference to attained HbA1c when Dose Adjustment For Normal Eating education was introduced before insulin pump therapy.