bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Passive Digital Signature for Early Identification of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia
Authors: Boustani Malaz , Perkins Anthony J. , Khandker Rezaul Karim , Duong Stephen , Dexter Paul R. , Lipton Richard , Black Christopher M. , Chandrasekaran Vasu , Solid Craig A. , Monahan Patrick
Published: November 2019

OBJECTIVES

Developing scalable strategies for the early identification of Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD) is important. We aimed to develop a passive digital signature for early identification of ADRD using electronic medical record (EMR) data.

DESIGN

A case‐control study.

SETTING

The Indiana Network for Patient Care (INPC), a regional health information exchange in Indiana.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients identified with ADRD and matched controls.

MEASUREMENTS

We used data from the INPC that includes structured and unstructured (visit notes, progress notes, medication notes) EMR data. Cases and controls were matched on age, race, and sex. The derivation sample consisted of 10 504 cases and 39 510 controls; the validation sample included 4500 cases and 16 952 controls. We constructed models to identify early 1‐ to 10‐year, 3‐ to 10‐year, and 5‐ to 10‐year ADRD signatures. The analyses included 14 diagnostic risk variables and 10 drug classes in addition to new variables produced from unstructured data (eg, disorientation, confusion, wandering, apraxia, etc). The area under the receiver operating characteristics (AUROC) curve was used to determine the best models.

RESULTS

The AUROC curves for the validation samples for the 1‐ to 10‐year, 3‐ to 10‐year, and 5‐ to 10‐year models that used only structured data were .689, .649, and .633, respectively. For the same samples and years, models that used both structured and unstructured data produced AUROC curves of .798, .748, and .704, respectively. Using a cutoff to maximize sensitivity and specificity, the 1‐ to 10‐year, 3‐ to 10‐year, and 5‐ to 10‐year models had sensitivity that ranged from 51% to 62% and specificity that ranged from 80% to 89%.

CONCLUSION

EMR‐based data provide a targeted and scalable process for early identification of risk of ADRD as an alternative to traditional population screening. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:511–518, 2020
Avoiding household food waste, one step at a time: The role of self‐efficacy, convenience orientation, and the good provider identity in distinct situational contexts
Authors: Aschemann‐Witzel Jessica , Giménez Ana , Grønhøj Alice , Ares Gastón
Published: December 2019

A primary cause of food waste in households is a lack of food capabilities. Yet, the antecedents of food capabilities and its relationship with causes of food waste across different situational contexts remain poorly understood. We apply self‐efficacy theory in combination with convenience orientation and good provider identity in a mixed‐methods study. Findings reveal that the sequential structure of self‐efficacy explains how capabilities contribute to food waste avoidance. A good provider identity, however, increases food waste, and also turns out to further convenience orientation. Food capabilities, in turn, reduce convenience orientation. Qualitative insights shed light on consumer's own accounts of their abilities. The findings contribute to a theory‐based understanding of how consumers manage the complex issue of food waste. Findings imply that public policy and marketing should aim to strengthen consumers' self‐efficacy beliefs and redefine the good provider identity, in particular in social contexts, to reverse its effect on waste.
Effects of nebulized dexamethasone on the respiratory microbiota and mycobiota and relative equine herpesvirus‐1, 2, 4, 5 in an equine model of asthma
Authors: Bond Stephanie L. , Workentine Matthew , Hundt Jana ,   UCVM Class of 2019, Gilkerson James R. , Léguillette Renaud
Published: December 2019

Background

Prolonged exposure to environmental antigens or allergens elicits an immune response in both healthy horses and those with mild asthma. Corticosteroids often are used to treat lower airway inflammation.

Objective

To investigate the changes in equine herpesvirus (EHV)‐1,2,4,5 glycoprotein B gene expression and changes in respiratory bacterial and fungal communities after nebulized dexamethasone treatment of horses with asthma.

Animals

Horses with naturally occurring mild asthma (n = 16) and healthy control horses (n = 4).

Methods

Prospective, randomized, controlled, blinded clinical trial. Polymerase chain reaction amplification of EHV‐1,2,4,5 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and 16S (microbiome) and ITS2 (mycobiome) genes with subsequent sequencing was performed on DNA extracted from nasal swabs and transendoscopic tracheal aspirates before and after 13 days treatment with nebulized dexamethasone (15 mg q24h) and saline (control).

Results

Nebulized dexamethasone treatment decreased microbial diversity; relative abundance of 8 genera in the upper respiratory tract were altered. For both the microbiota and the mycobiota, environment had a dominant effect over treatment. Alternaria, an opportunistic pathogen and allergen in humans recognized as a risk factor for asthma, asthma severity, and exacerbations, was increased with treatment. Treatment affected relative quantification of the equine gamma herpesviruses (EHV‐2 and ‐5); EHV‐2 DNA levels increased and those of EHV‐5 decreased.

Conclusions

Nebulized dexamethasone treatment affected the upper respiratory tract microbiota, but not the mycobiota, which was overwhelmed by the effect of a sustained dusty environment.
Edge influence on understorey plant communities depends on forest management
Authors: Govaert Sanne , Meeussen Camille , Vanneste Thomas , Bollmann Kurt , Brunet Jörg , Cousins Sara A. O. , Diekmann Martin , Graae Bente J. , Hedwall Per‐Ola , Heinken Thilo , Iacopetti Giovanni , Lenoir Jonathan , Lindmo Sigrid , Orczewska Anna , Perring Michael P. , Ponette Quentin , Plue Jan , Selvi Federico , Spicher Fabien , Tolosano Matteo , Vermeir Pieter , Zellweger Florian , Verheyen Kris , Vangansbeke Pieter , De Frenne Pieter
Published: December 2019

Questions

Does the influence of forest edges on plant species richness and composition depend on forest management? Do forest specialists and generalists show contrasting patterns?

Location

Mesic, deciduous forests across Europe.

Methods

Vegetation surveys were performed in forests with three management types (unthinned, thinned 5–10 years ago and recently thinned) along a macroclimatic gradient from Italy to Norway. In each of 45 forests, we established five vegetation plots along a south‐facing edge‐to‐interior gradient (n = 225). Forest specialist, generalist and total species richness, as well as evenness and proportion of specialists, were tested as a function of the management type and distance to the edge while accounting for several environmental variables (e.g. landscape composition and soil characteristics). Magnitude and distance of edge influence were estimated for species richness per management type.

Results

Greatest total species richness was found in thinned forests. Edge influence on generalist plant species richness was contingent on the management type, with the smallest decrease in species richness from the edge‐to‐interior in unthinned forests. In addition, generalist richness increased with the proportion of forests in the surrounding landscape and decreased in forests dominated by tree species that cast more shade. Forest specialist species richness, however, was not affected by management type or distance to the edge, and only increased with pH and increasing proportion of forests in the landscape.

Conclusions

Forest thinning affects the plant community composition along edge‐to‐interior transects of European forests, with richness of forest specialists and generalists responding differently. Therefore, future studies should take the forest management into account when interpreting edge‐to‐interior because both modify the microclimate, soil processes and deposition of polluting aerosols. This interaction is key to predict the effects of global change on forest plants in landscapes characterized by the mosaic of forest patches and agricultural land that is typical for Europe.
Leveraging insights into cancer metabolism—a symposium report
Authors: Cable Jennifer , Finley Lydia , Tu Benjamin P. , Patti Gary J. , Oliver Trudy G. , Vardhana Santosha , Mana Miyeko , Ericksen Russell , Khare Sanika , DeBerardinis Ralph , Stockwell Brent R. , Edinger Aimee , Haigis Marcia , Kaelin William
Published: December 2019

Tumor cells have devised unique metabolic strategies to garner enough nutrients to sustain continuous growth and cell division. Oncogenic mutations may alter metabolic pathways to unlock new sources of energy, and cells take the advantage of various scavenging pathways to ingest material from their environment. These changes in metabolism result in a metabolic profile that, in addition to providing the building blocks for macromolecules, can also influence cell signaling pathways to promote tumor initiation and progression. Understanding what pathways tumor cells use to synthesize the materials necessary to support metabolic growth can pave the way for new cancer therapeutics. Potential strategies include depriving tumors of the materials needed to grow or targeting pathways involved in dependencies that arise by virtue of their altered metabolis.
The Patterns of Disability in the Peripheral Neighborhoods of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, and the Male–Female Health‐Survival Paradox
Authors: Cambois Emmanuelle , Duthé Géraldine , Soura Abdramane Bassiahi , Compaoré Yacouba
Published: December 2019

Disability is a crucial health and social concern in sub‐Saharan Africa, where a high prevalence of disabling diseases is compounded with insufficient care provision. There is a need for detailed analysis of the disability patterns. We provide a gender‐specific picture for the population in peripheral Ouagadougou (Burkina‐Faso), based on six disability dimensions following the United Nations’ recommendations. We computed disability‐free life expectancy (LE) using the Health and Demographic Surveillance System (Ouaga HDSS) (n = 1 902). Women have a longer partial LE in the 20–79 age range (+3.3 years), half of this LE being spent with a disability, versus 31% of the LE for men. Limitations in mobility, cognition, and eyesight occur in midadulthood and result in a considerable disadvantage for women in the number of years with these limitations. These findings highlight disability patterns that are detrimental to social participation and claim for better screening and care, especially for women.
Structural insights into the lipid transfer mechanism of a non‐specific lipid transfer protein
Authors: Madni Zaid Kamal , Tripathi Sunil Kumar , Salunke Dinakar M.
Published: December 2019

The non‐specific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTPs) are multifunctional seed proteins engaged in several different physiological processes. The nsLTPs are stabilized by four disulfide bonds and exhibit a characteristic hydrophobic cavity, which is the primary lipid binding site. While these proteins are known to transfer lipids between membranes, the mechanism of lipid transfer has remained elusive. Four crystal structures of nsLTP from Solanum melongena, one in the apo‐state and three myristic acid bound states were determined. Among the three lipid bound states, two lipid molecules were bound on the nsLTP surface at different positions and one was inside the cavity. The lipid‐dependent conformational changes leading to opening of the cavity were revealed based on structural and spectroscopic data. The surface‐bound lipid represented a transient intermediate state and the lipid ultimately moved inside the cavity through the cavity gate as revealed by molecular dynamics simulations. Two critical residues in the loop regions played possible ‘gating’ role in the opening and closing of the cavity. Antifungal activity and membrane permeabilization effect of nsLTP against Fusarium oxysporum suggested that it could possibly involve in bleaching out the lipids. Collectively, these studies support a model of lipid transfer mechanism by nsLTP via intermediate states.
Angiotensin receptor blockade mimics the effect of exercise on recovery after orthopaedic trauma by decreasing pain and improving muscle regeneration
Authors: Tawfik Vivianne L. , Quarta Marco , Paine Patrick , Forman Thomas E. , Pajarinen Jukka , Takemura Yoshinori , Goodman Stuart B. , Rando Thomas A. , Clark J. David
Published: November 2019

Key points

Our tibial fracture orthopaedic injury model in mice recapitulates the major manifestations of complex trauma, including nociceptive sensitization, bone fracture, muscle fibrosis and muscle fibre loss.

Delayed exercise after complex orthopaedic trauma results in decreased muscle fibrosis and improved pain

Losartan, an angiotensin‐receptor blocker with anti‐fibrotic abilities, recapitulates the effect of exercise on post‐injury recovery and may provide an enhanced recovery option for those who are unable to exercise after injury

Chronic pain and disability after limb injury are major public health problems. Early mobilization after injury improves functional outcomes for patients, although when and how to implement rehabilitation strategies remains a clinical challenge. Additionally, whether the beneficial effects of exercise can be reproduced using pharmacological tools remains unknown and may benefit patients who are unable to exercise as a result of immobilization. We developed a murine model of orthopaedic trauma combining tibia fracture and pin fixation with muscle damage. Behavioural measures included mechanical nociceptive thresholds and distances run on exercise wheels. Bone healing was quantified using microcomputed tomagraphic scanning, and muscle fibre size distribution and fibrosis were followed using immunohistochemistry. We found that the model provided robust mechanical allodynia, fibrosis and a shift to smaller average muscle fibre size lasting up to 5 weeks from injury. We also observed that allowing ‘late’ (weeks 1–2) rather than ‘early’ (weeks 0–1) exercise after injury resulted in greater overall running activity and greater reversal of allodynia. In parallel, the late running paradigm was associated with reduced muscle fibrosis, earlier increase in muscle fibre diameter and a short‐term benefit in reducing callus volume. Providing the anti‐fibrotic angiotensin receptor blocker losartan to mice in drinking water reduced both allodynia and muscle fibrosis. Combining losartan and late exercise provided no additional benefit. We conclude that early healing after orthopaedic trauma must be allowed prior to the initiation of exercise to achieve optimal pain, functional and physiological outcomes and that losartan is a viable candidate for translational studies.
On the Numerical Behavior of RANS-Based Transition Models
Authors: Lopes Rui , Eça Luís , Vaz Guilherme
Published: December 2019

A comparison of several Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) based transition models is presented. Four of the most widespread models are selected: the γ−Reθ, γ, amplification factor transport (AFT), and kT−kL−ω models, representative of different modeling approaches. The calculations are performed on several geometries: a flat plate, the Eppler 387 and NACA 0012 two-dimensional (2D) airfoils at two angles of attack, and the SD7003 wing. Distinct features such as the influence of the inlet boundary conditions, discretization error, and modeling error are discussed. It is found that all models present a strong sensitivity to the turbulence quantities inlet boundary conditions, and with the exception of the AFT model, are severely influenced by the decay of turbulence predicted by the underlying turbulence model. This makes the estimation of modeling errors troublesome because these quantities are rarely reported in experiments. Despite not having specific terms in their formulation to deal with separation-induced transition, both the AFT and kT−kL−ω models manage to predict it for the Eppler 387 foil, although presenting higher numerical uncertainty than the remaining models. However, both models show difficulties in the simulation of flows at Reynolds numbers under 105. The γ−Reθ and γ models are the most robust alternatives in terms of iterative and discretization error. The use of RANS compatible transition models allows for laminar flow and features such as laminar separation bubbles to be reproduced and can lead to greatly improved numerical solutions when compared to simulations performed with standard turbulence models.
The Study of Exhausting Accumulated Liquid in Upward Inclined Pipe Using a Swirl Tool
Authors: Xie Zhenqiang , Cao Xuewen , Liang Fachun , Zhang Jun
Published: December 2019

The problem of accumulated liquid is very common in wet gas gathering pipelines which varies with the topography, this phenomenon is much more serious especially in upward inclined pipelines. The existence of accumulated liquid at the bottom of the pipeline would decrease the area of the cross section that gas flows through. This makes the gas velocity fluctuate unpredictably and even results in shocks and blocks in pipelines which may cause danger in the safety management of oil and gas production.

Swirl tool is a kind of rigid tool which can transfer different flow patterns to a flow pattern similar to annular flow and it has been successfully used to exhaust accumulated liquid in oil fields. However, the mechanism of swirling flow generation in a swirl tool is not fully understood and few researchers have explained how the annular-similar flow decays.

In this paper, the formation mechanism of swirling flow in a swirl tool is analyzed using a physical method. The flow pattern transfer procedure and distribution of gas and liquid in the cross section of the pipeline in the swirl tool is simulated with FLUENT (a commercial CFD code). Following the swirling flow formation analysis, the decay of the annular-similar flow from the outlet of the swirl tool is also simulated with FLUENT (a commercial CFD code). Also, the effects of different superficial gas velocities and different liquid rates on the decay of the annular-similar flow are studied with the swirl tool fixed at the bottom of the upward inclined pipeline.

The results show that the formation of swirling flow in a swirl tool is mostly affected by the geometric structure of the swirl tool. The centrifugal force is the main force which transfers different flow patterns to a flow pattern similar to annular flow. The centrifugal force that acts on liquid is larger than that of gas since the density of the liquid is much bigger than gas. The annular-similar flow starts to take shape in the swirl tool after the first thread pitch, but the annular-similar flow is nonuniform. After about three thread pitches, the annular-similar flow becomes uniform with liquid surrounding the inner wall of the pipe and gas flowing in the core region of the pipe. The distance of the annular-similar flow sustains longer when the superficial gas velocity increases which means the decay of the swirling flow is slower. Since sufficient liquid rate is critical to maintain annular-similar flow after the tool when the gas flow rate is fixed, the distance of the annular-similar flow goes longer if there is a little increase in liquid rate.
Performance of Pressurized Anode Supported Solid Oxide Fuel Cell
Authors: Royer Nathanael , Hamilton Ryan , Collins Jeffrey , Drazin John , McLarty Dustin
Published: December 2019

A commercially available Anode Supported Cell (ASC) with an active area of 81 cm2 was characterized at pressures up to 9 bar at 750 °C using a custom-built pressurized test stand. Open Circuit Voltage (OCV) measurements of the cell indicated the existence of an intercell leak due to a cracked cell. Voltage characteristic curves were measured at 1, 3, and 9 bar using 50/50 N2/H2 (1.2 SLPM) and bottled air (1.5 SLPM). Measured current density at 0.70 V increased from 0.37 A·cm−2 to 0.43 A·cm−2 as a result of pressurization from atmospheric to 9 bar. Subsequent measurements were taken while flowing 100% dry hydrogen at 1.5 SLPM and 100% oxygen at 1.5 SLPM. Under these conditions at 9 bar the current density increased to 0.5 A·cm−2. The OCV and peak power density increased more than suggested by theory, suggesting that the balanced anode and cathode flow rates reduced the pressure differential across the cell resulting in less leakage. These preliminary measurements validate the significant potential for improved operational performance under pressurized conditions.
Experimental Study of Condensation in Different 3D Printed Regenerators in a Thermoacoustic Cooler
Authors: Bekkulov Aibek , Luthen Andrew , Xu Ben
Published: December 2019

Thermoacoustics (TA) deals with the conversion of heat into sound and vice versa. The device that transfers energy from a low temperature reservoir to a high temperature one by utilizing acoustic work is called TA cooler (TAC). The main components of a typical TA device are a resonator, a regenerator (stack of parallel plates) and two heat exchangers. The thermoacoustic phenomenon takes place in the stack when a nonzero temperature gradient imposed along the regenerator (i.e. parallel to the direction of the sound wave propagation) interacts with the sound wave oscillations. The low temperature at the cold of TAC can be used to condense humid water from the air and also reduce the moisture in the air at some humid areas.

In the current study, the high intensity sound waves was produced by the speaker to drive a TA cooler to produce cooling power at a cold temperature of around 18°C. The drainage of condensate in the regenerator is the key for the system performance, because if the porous structure will be blocked by the condensate, TA phenomenon cannot take place in the regenerator. This work is dedicated to investigate the effect from temperature gradient created in TAC for condensation enhancement. 3D printer was used to design and fabricate different structures of regenerator, and then the systematic cooling capacity was measured and compared with different designs of regenerators. Energy balance was also discussed for each type of regenerator. The potential application of this investigation can be an autonomous thermoacoustic cooler system for water harvesting in arid areas. This work can be used to evaluate how the TA effect can be affected by the condensation if humid air is used as the working fluid.
Comparative Analysis of the Heating Values of Biomass Based on GA-ANFIS and PSO-ANFIS Models
Authors: Olatunji Obafemi , Akinlabi Stephen , Madushele Nkosinathi , Adedeji Paul , Fatoba Samuel
Published: December 2019

This article applied a hybridized, adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system ANFIS-genetic algorithm (GA-ANFIS) and ANFIS -Particle swarm optimization (PSO-ANFIS) to predict the HHV of biomass. The minimum input parameter for the prediction model is based on the proximate values of biomass which are fixed carbon (FC), ash content (A) and volatile matter (VM). The 214 data which cover a wide range of biomass classes were extracted from reliable literature for the training and testing of the models. The optimal results obtained based on each modelling algorithm were compared. The proposed algorithms were evaluated by statistical indices which are the Coefficient of Correlation (CC), Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD) estimated at 0.9189, 1.2369,7.4575 and 1.3560 respectively for PSO-ANFIS and 0.9088, 1.1200, 6.3960, 0.8895 respectively for GA-ANFIS. The GA showed exceptional ability to generalize in term of MAPE though at the expense of lesser CC which is obtained in the case of PSO. The reported indices showed that PSO-ANFIS and GA-ANFIS could be applied as an approach to the prediction of HHV based on proximate analysis instead of lengthy experiment procedures.
Dynamic Simulation Study on a Coal-Fired Power Plant Aided With Low-Temperature Solar Energy
Authors: Li Xin , Zhao Yongliang , Liu Ming , Yan Junjie
Published: December 2019

The concept of coal-fired power generation aided with solar energy uses stable fossil energy to compensate the instability and intermittently of solar power and reduces the cost of concentrated solar power (CSP) by decreasing the large-scale heat storage and turbine systems of CSP. In this study, trough solar collector system (TSCS) was integrated into the low-pressure heater side of a 660 MW coal-fired power generation system. In the system in which the 6# LP heater is completely replaced by TSCS, the variation value of the steam extraction flowrate of the LP heaters and the turbine output power decrease with the reduction in loads from 100% to 60% THA, and the output power increases by approximately 1 MW under 100% THA. When TSCS completely replaces the 6# LP heater under the load of 75%, the effects of direct normal irradiance (DNI) increase and flow ratio decrease on the main operating parameters of solar-aided coal-fired power plant (SCPP) were studied. Results show that the step increase of DNI decreases the 5# steam extraction flowrate and increases the output power by nearly 3 MW. When the flow ratio decreases by 139.87 kg/s, the output power decreases by around 0.35 MW. The dynamic characteristics of SCPP under different parallel situations with the load of 75% were also studied. As the number of parallel stage increases, the decrement in 5# steam extraction flowrate and the increment in output power decrease. The response time also decreases. Our study aims to provide detailed references for the control system design and optimization of coal-fired power units aided with solar energy.
Wind Catcher Technology: The Impact of Tower Cross Section and Turbine on Wind Power Harnessing
Authors: Corbett Jonathan C. , Goudarzi Navid , Sheikhshahrokhdehkordi Mohammadamin
Published: December 2019

This research explores utilizing distributed wind turbines in the built environment computationally. The targeted wind turbine design is an unconventional ducted turbine, called Wind Tower technology that its operation and performance metrics have been studied in earlier works in the team. Wind Tower is an established architectural technology that operates by catching wind and directing it into buildings, providing natural ventilation to support HVAC systems, and thus reducing cooling costs in urban environments. Wind power has long struggled to meet expectations in built (urban) environments. By combining wind towers at different cross sections with wind turbines, one might develop a device which provides natural ventilation and produces power in spite of a hostile wind environment. The preliminary results suggest that the maximum potential for a wind tower-turbine combination appears to be 700-1.46 kW under idealized conditions with a 4 m/s site dominant wind speed. This suggests that wind towers might be viable for power harvesting in both remote and grid connected regions. Further analysis suggested that additional turbine performance enhancements are needed to bring the turbine real power production closer to that ideal.
Methodology for Minimizing Operational Influences of the Test Rig During Long-Term Investigations of SMA Wires
Authors: Theren Benedict , Otibar Dennis , Weirich Antonia , Brandenburg Julius , Kuhlenkötter Bernd
Published: December 2019

The Chair of Production Systems conducts many reliability and fatigue tests of SMA actuators. A properly functioning test rig is essential for these often tedious investigations. The authors found deviations in the experimental results over high amount of experiments e.g. in the case of a batch change of the test material or in the case of exchanging wear parts. It is not clear whether this change was actually measured or is caused by a deviation of the measuring equipment. The influences of different load parameters on structural and functional fatigue are only partially quantified, which makes it difficult to assess the general plausibility of the results. In this paper the authors propose an experimental design by means of design of experiments (DoE), which determines the qualitative influence of the independent variables (IV) mechanical load, activation time, voltage, current and energy input on the dependent variable (DV) fatigue. The results of this initially performed experimental design serve as a reference point during the operation of the test rig in the event that experimental results do not appear plausible. In this case, the reference experimental design can be repeated. Since the influence of each IV is represented separately by the DoE, not only a fundamental deviation can be determined, but also the IV which deviates from the reference can be determined directly.
Unconventional scaling of the superfluid density with the critical temperature in transition metal dichalcogenides
Authors: von Rohr F. O. , Orain J.-C. , Khasanov R. , Witteveen C. , Shermadini Z. , Nikitin A. , Chang J. , Wieteska A. R. , Pasupathy A. N. , Hasan M. Z. , Amato A. , Luetkens H. , Uemura Y. J. , Guguchia Z.
Published: November 2019

Pressure effect in NbSe
2
resembles hallmark features of unconventional superconductivity in cuprates.
Plasmonic nanogap enhanced phase-change devices with dual electrical-optical functionality
Authors: Farmakidis Nikolaos , Youngblood Nathan , Li Xuan , Tan James , Swett Jacob L. , Cheng Zengguang , Wright C. David , Pernice Wolfram H. P. , Bhaskaran Harish
Published: November 2019

Using plasmonics, photonics, and electronics, a nonvolatile memory cell operated both electrically and optically is demonstrated.
Exciton control in a room temperature bulk semiconductor with coherent strain pulses
Authors: Baldini Edoardo , Dominguez Adriel , Palmieri Tania , Cannelli Oliviero , Rubio Angel , Ruello Pascal , Chergui Majed
Published: November 2019

Lattice acoustic waves induce giant modulations of the exciton properties in a semiconductor.
Unconventional route to dual-shelled organolead halide perovskite nanocrystals with controlled dimensions, surface chemistry, and stabilities
Authors: He Yanjie , Yoon Young Jun , Harn Yeu Wei , Biesold-McGee Gill V. , Liang Shuang , Lin Chun Hao , Tsukruk Vladimir V. , Thadhani Naresh , Kang Zhitao , Lin Zhiqun
Published: November 2019

Star-like block copolymer nanoreactor enables the crafting of dual-shelled perovskite nanocrystals with enhanced stabilities.
DNA-assembled nanoarchitectures with multiple components in regulated and coordinated motion
Authors: Zhan Pengfei , Urban Maximilian J. , Both Steffen , Duan Xiaoyang , Kuzyk Anton , Weiss Thomas , Liu Na
Published: November 2019

We demonstrate DNA-directed nanosystems with multiple components in motion.
Undulatory topographical waves for flow-induced foulant sweeping
Authors: Ko Hangil , Park Hyun-Ha , Byeon Hyeokjun , Kang Minsu , Ryu Jaeha , Sung Hyung Jin , Lee Sang Joon , Jeong Hoon Eui
Published: November 2019

Undulatory topographical waves of bioinspired dynamic surfaces effectively prevent surface fouling.
Sculpted grain boundaries in soft crystals
Authors: Li Xiao , Martínez-González José A. , Guzmán Orlando , Ma Xuedan , Park Kangho , Zhou Chun , Kambe Yu , Jin Hyeong Min , Dolan James A. , Nealey Paul F. , de Pablo Juan J.
Published: November 2019

Soft heteroepitaxy can produce sculpted grain boundaries with molded liquid-liquid interfaces and distortion-free soft crystals.
Trace CO
2
capture by an ultramicroporous physisorbent with low water affinity
Authors: Mukherjee Soumya , Sikdar Nivedita , O’Nolan Daniel , Franz Douglas M. , Gascón Victoria , Kumar Amrit , Kumar Naveen , Scott Hayley S. , Madden David G. , Kruger Paul E. , Space Brian , Zaworotko Michael J.
Published: November 2019

The first sorbent with high CO
2
selectivity and poor water affinity addresses need for trace CO
2
remediation in confined spaces.
Highly efficient hot electron harvesting from graphene before electron-hole thermalization
Authors: Chen Yuzhong , Li Yujie , Zhao Yida , Zhou Hongzhi , Zhu Haiming
Published: November 2019

A method for vertically extracting upconverted energetic electrons from broadband photoexcited graphene with high efficiency.
Pathogenic CARD11 mutations affect B cell development and differentiation through a noncanonical pathway
Authors: Wei Zheng , Zhang Yan , Chen Jingjing , Hu Yu , Jia Pan , Wang Xuelei , Zhao Qifang , Deng Yicong , Li Ni , Zang Yi , Qin Jun , Wang Xiaoming , Lu Wei
Published: November 2019

Revealing an NF-κB–independent new aspect of CARD11 function by leveraging various pathogenic CARD11 mutants.
Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis and connective tissue disorder in humans with impaired JNK1-dependent responses to IL-17A/F and TGF-β
Authors: Li Juan , Ritelli Marco , Ma Cindy S. , Rao Geetha , Habib Tanwir , Corvilain Emilie , Bougarn Salim , Cypowyj Sophie , Grodecká Lucie , Lévy Romain , Béziat Vivien , Shang Lei , Payne Kathryn , Avery Danielle T. , Migaud Mélanie , Boucherit Soraya , Boughorbel Sabri , Guennoun Andrea , Chrabieh Maya , Rapaport Franck , Bigio Benedetta , Itan Yuval , Boisson Bertrand , Fieschi Claire , Cormier-Daire Valérie , Syx Delfien , Malfait Fransiska , Zoppi Nicoletta , Abel Laurent , Freiberger Tomáš , Dietz Harry C. , Marr Nico , Tangye Stuart G. , Colombi Marina , Casanova Jean-Laurent , Puel Anne
Published: November 2019

Human JNK1 is essential for IL-17A/F–dependent mucocutaneous immunity to
Candida
and for TGF-β–dependent homeostasis of connective tissues.
Norepinephrine-associated left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and systolic anterior movement
Authors: Mampuya Warner Mbuila , Dumont Jonathan , Lamontagne Francois
Published: December 2019

In the perioperative setting, norepinephrine is used to increase blood pressure, an effect mediated mostly via arterial and venous vasoconstriction. Thus, norepinephrine is, allegedly, less likely to cause or worsen left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) than other inotropes. We report a case of norepinephrine-associated dynamic LVOTO and systolic anterior movement in a predisposed patient. This report highlights that unrecognised dynamic LVOTO may worsen shock parameters in patients treated with norepinephrine who have underlying myocardial hypertrophy.
Differential flow signal strength of choroidal neovascular membrane on optical coherence tomography angiography in central serous chorioretinopathy
Authors: Gupta Rajan , Chhablani Jay
Published: December 2019

A 62-year-old woman with no associated risk factors was diagnosed as a case of type 1 choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) associated with central serous chorioretinopathy in both the eyes based on clinical features and multimodal imaging. She was primarily treated with low fluence photodynamic therapy and responded well to the treatment. There was persistence of neovascular network seen on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) without any signs of activity on optical coherence tomography. However, after 5 years she developed recurrent CNV in the left eye with a new type 2 CNV as seen on OCTA which had a higher flow signal strength as compared with the previous type 1 CNV. Following two doses of intravitreal ziv-aflibercept, the new type 2 CNV network regressed as evident on OCTA along with improvement in best corrected visual acuity.
Superior vena cava syndrome due to mediastinal Gardner fibroma presenting as syncope
Authors: Manappallil Robin George , Nambiar Harilal , Mampilly Neena , Harigovind Della
Published: December 2019

Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome refers to the clinical manifestation due to an obstruction in the SVC; resulting in decreased venous return from the head, neck and upper extremities. The obstruction can occur either due to tumour invasion of the vessel wall with associated thrombus or due to vessel wall compression by the tumour mass. The patient being reported is a young male who presented with recurrent episodes of syncope and was found to have mediastinal Gardner fibroma causing SVC syndrome. Gardner fibroma is a benign soft tissue lesion; and its occurrence in the mediastinum resulting in SVC syndrome has not been reported yet.
The need for clinical judgement in the application of evidence-based medicine
Authors: Spence J. David
Published: December 2019

Background

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) has no doubt resulted in great improvements in the practice of medicine. However, there are problems with overly zealous application of EBM, that for some amounts to religious practice. When good evidence exists, it should guide therapeutic and diagnostic choices. However, when evidence is lacking for a given patient, medicine is best practised by extrapolation from available evidence, interpreted in the light of the pathophysiology of the condition under consideration, and effects of various therapies in relation to that pathophysiology.

Objective

To assess ways in which the unthinking application of EBM can go wrong; these include withholding therapy in patients whose subgroup was excluded from clinical trials, blind acceptance of the numbers, reliance on studies with crucial design flaws and reliance on intention-to-treat analysis when it is not appropriate.

Study selection

Examples assessed included withholding cholesterol-lowering therapy in the elderly, not using B-vitamin therapy for stroke prevention, not using revascularisation for true renovascular hypertension and avoiding statin therapy for fear of intracerebral haemorrhage.

Findings

Zealous application of EBM is often inappropriate.

Conclusions

In some instances, when there is a lack of evidence, or faulty interpretation of the evidence, clinical judgement should inform the application of EBM.
Effects of introducing a walk-in clinic on ambulatory care sensitive hospitalisations among asylum seekers in Germany: a single-centre pre–post intervention study using medical records
Authors: Lichtl Celina , Bozorgmehr Kayvan
Published: December 2019

Objective

Measuring the effect of introducing a walk-in clinic on ambulatory care sensitive (ACS) hospitalisations among asylum seekers in a large state reception- and registration centre.

Design and setting

Pre–post intervention study using anonymous account data from a university hospital functioning as referral facility for a state reception- and registration centre in the third largest German federal state.

Participants

We included all asylum seekers residing in the reception centre and admitted to the referral hospital between 2015 to 2017.

Interventions

Establishment of an interdisciplinary walk-in clinic in the reception centre (02/2016).

Main outcome measures

International lists for ACS conditions for both adults and children were adapted and used to calculate the prevalence of ACS conditions among the population (primary outcome measure). The impact of the intervention on the outcome was analysed using a segmented Poisson regression to calculate incidence-rate ratios with respective 95% CIs, adjusted for age, sex and admission.

Results

The prevalence of ACS hospitalisations changed over time, as did the effect of age, sex and quarter of admission. Introducing the walk-in clinic reduced the prevalence of ACS hospitalisations among asylum seekers compared with the period before establishment of the clinic (incidence-rate ratios (IRR)=0.80 (0.65 to 1.00), p=0.054), but the effect was attenuated after adjustment for time trends. The average difference in prevalence of ACS hospitalisations compared with the period before establishment of the clinic, corrected for pre-existing time trends, age and sex of asylum seekers was IRR=1.03 ((0.69 to 1.55), p=0.876).

Conclusions

A walk-in clinic in reception centres may be effective to reduce ACS hospitalisations, but our study could not prove evidence for a measurable effect after full adjustment for time trends. Further research, ideally with parallel control groups, is required to establish evidence for the effectiveness of walk-in clinics in reception centres on reducing ACS hospitalisations.
Training attention in children with acquired brain injury: a study protocol of a randomised controlled trial of the TALI attention training programme
Authors: McKay Erin , Richmond Sally , Kirk Hannah , Anderson Vicki , Catroppa Cathy , Cornish Kim
Published: December 2019

Introduction

Childhood inattention has been linked with poor academic outcomes, and increased lifetime social, occupational and psychiatric morbidity. Children with an acquired brain injury (ABI) are particularly susceptible to attention deficits and may benefit from interventions aimed at enhancing attention. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the short-term efficacy of the TALI Train programme, compared with a placebo, on the outcome of attention in children with ABI.

Methods and analysis

The study is a parallel, double-blind, randomised controlled trial. Participants will consist of 80 children with a diagnosis of ABI aged 4–9 years 11 months. Participants will be randomly allocated to either (1) TALI Train (intervention group), an adaptive game-based attention training programme, or (2) a non-adaptive placebo programme (control group). Both programmes are delivered on a touchscreen tablet, and children complete five 20 min sessions per week for a 5-week period at home. Assessment of selective, sustained and executive attention (primary outcomes), and behavioural attention, working memory, social skills and mathematics ability (secondary outcomes) will occur at baseline, post-training, and at 3-month and 6-month follow-up to assess immediate and long-term efficacy of TALI Train compared with placebo. Assessments will be completed at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, Australia. All assessments and analyses will be undertaken by researchers blinded to group membership. Latent growth curve modelling will be employed to examine primary and secondary outcomes.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval has been obtained from the Royal Children’s Hospital Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) (38132) and the Monash University HREC (17446). Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations, media outlets, the internet and various community/stakeholder activities.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12619000511134.
Screening for Hypertension in the INpatient Environment(SHINE): a protocol for a prospective study of diagnostic accuracy among adult hospital patients
Authors: Armitage Laura C , Mahdi Adam , Lawson Beth K , Roman Cristian , Fanshawe Thomas , Tarassenko Lionel , Farmer Andrew J , Watkinson Peter J
Published: December 2019

Introduction

A significant percentage of patients admitted to hospital have undiagnosed hypertension. However, present hypertension guidelines in the UK, Europe and USA do not define a blood pressure threshold at which hospital inpatients should be considered at risk of hypertension, outside of the emergency setting. The objective of this study is to identify the optimal in-hospital mean blood pressure threshold, above which patients should receive postdischarge blood pressure assessment in the community.

Methods and analysis

Screening for Hypertension in the INpatient Environment is a prospective diagnostic accuracy study. Patients admitted to hospital whose mean average daytime blood pressure after 24 hours or longer meets the study eligibility threshold for mean daytime blood pressure (≥120/70 mm Hg) and who have no prior diagnosis of, or medication for hypertension will be eligible. At 8 weeks postdischarge, recruited participants will wear an ambulatory blood pressure monitor for 24 hours. Mean daytime ambulatory blood pressure will be calculated to assess for the presence or absence of hypertension. Diagnostic performance of in-hospital blood pressure will be assessed by constructing receiver operator characteristic curves from participants’ in-hospital mean systolic and mean diastolic blood pressure (index test) versus diagnosis of hypertension determined by mean daytime ambulatory blood pressure (reference test).

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval has been provided by the National Health Service Health Research Authority South Central—Oxford B Research Ethics Committee (19/SC/0026). Findings will be disseminated through national and international conferences, peer-reviewed journals and social media.
Improving implantable cardioverter defibrillator deactivation discussions in admitted patients made DNR and comfort care
Authors: Choi Daniel Y , Wagner Michael P , Yum Brian , Jannat-Khah Deanna Pereira , Mazique Derek C , Crossman Daniel J , Lee Jennifer I
Published: December 2019

Background

Unintended shocks from implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are often distressing to patients and family members, particularly at the end of life. Unfortunately, a large proportion of ICDs remain active at the time of death among do not resuscitate (DNR) and comfort care patients.

Methods

We designed standardised teaching sessions for providers and implemented a novel decision tool in the electronic medical record (EMR) to improve the frequency of discussions surrounding ICD deactivation over a 6-month period. The intended population was patients on inpatient medicine and cardiology services made DNR and/or comfort care. These rates were compared with retrospective data from 6 months prior to our interventions.

Results

After our interventions, the rates of discussions regarding deactivation of ICDs improved from 50% to 93% in comfort care patients and from 32% to 70% in DNR patients. The rates of deactivated ICDs improved from 45% to 73% in comfort care patients and from 29% to 40% in DNR patients.

Conclusion

Standardised education of healthcare providers and decision support tools and reminders in the EMR system are effective ways to increase awareness, discussion and deactivation of ICDs in comfort care and DNR patients.
Leading order of quantum corrections to black hole entropy sum relations
Authors: Liang Tairan , Xu Wei
Published: December 2019

It has been found recently that the entropy relations of horizons have the universality of black hole mass-independence for many black holes. These universal entropy relations have some geometric and CFT understanding, which may provide further insight into the quantum physics of black holes. In this paper, we present the leading order of black hole entropy sum relations under the quantum corrections. It is found that the modified entropy sum becomes mass-dependent for some black holes in asymptotical (A)dS and flat space–times. We also give an example that the modified entropy sum of regular Bardeen AdS black holes is mass-independent, which may be quantized in the form of the electric charge and the cosmological constant.
Preferred Habitat, Window Dressing, or Both? Evidence From Foreign Exchange Swaps in Taiwan
Authors: Liu Hao-Chen , Witte Mark David
Published: December 2019

In this paper, we use a unique dataset to examine the cause of return irregularity in financial markets around the end of the year. Year-end return irregularities are often attributed to either window-dressing or preferred habitat. We study year-end return irregularities in the foreign exchange swap market. We find that the return of a contract ending before the end of the year is lower than the return of a contract ending after the beginning of the year. The results support the existence of the preferred habitat and provide some evidence of window dressing in foreign exchange swaps.